PetSmart Charities is doing its part to help keep people who have survived domestic abuse with their animals.
Last month, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, PetSmart Charities made a $2.1 million commitment to programs that serve at-risk pet parents who are experiencing domestic abuse and other crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and Canada. This money will support many programs including pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, pet deposits for housing that allows animals, emergency boarding for pets and other measures to try to keep furry friends and their people together during uncertain times.
Often domestic abuse survivors do not leave their abusers because they are worried about what will happen to their pets if they leave. Another challenge for domestic violence survivors is many shelters do not accept pets.
Grants have been given to animal welfare organizations and social services agencies in the United States and Canada to help people escaping domestic abuse, precariously housed residents, anyone too ill to care for their pets and LGBTQ+ youths who are facing housing instability. Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence is using its $25,000 grant to assist its BaRC program, which offers pet boarding and financial help for pets of people who are experiencing or at risk of suffering from domestic violence or sexual assault.
PetSmart Charities is dedicated to finding life-long, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that connects people and pets. It offers an in-store adoption program in PetSmart stores around this country and Puerto Rico and also helps find permanent homes and families for more than 600,000 shelter pets per year. To learn more, visit petsmartcharities.org.