Natural Disaster Response

Overview of the Natural Disaster Response program:

The Disaster Response Grant program by PetSmart Charities focuses on addressing the immediate needs of pets and their owners affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. Designed for animal welfare groups, nonprofit shelters, municipal pet shelters, and veterinary clinics, this program assists organizations directly impacted by or responding to disasters. Key support includes essential supplies for emergency pet care, infrastructure repair, reunification services, and veterinary care. The program also provides financial assistance for staffing needs, enabling responders to maintain operations during the crisis. Eligible applicants are expected to coordinate with local emergency management authorities to optimize disaster response efforts. This grant ensures pets and their families are cared for during times of distress, reflecting PetSmart Charities' commitment to animal welfare.

Benefits of the Natural Disaster Response program:

• Immediate Supplies: Funding for kennels, crates, carriers, leashes, food, waste management tools, and other essentials for up to 30 days.
• Veterinary Services: Support for vaccinations and emergency medical care for injured or displaced animals.
• Staffing Support: Financial assistance for wages, lodging, meals, and transportation of volunteers and employees assisting pets in disaster zones.
• Reunification Efforts: Assistance to reunite pets with their owners.
• Infrastructure Repair: Funding to address facility damage caused by the disaster.

Eligibility criteria of the Natural Disaster Response program:

• Be Designated Responders: Recognized as authorized disaster responders by relevant emergency authorities (local, state, or federal).
• Type of Organization: Include nonprofit animal welfare organizations, municipal shelters, nonprofit veterinary clinics, or human services groups providing pet-related disaster relief.
• Location: Operate within disaster-affected areas.
• Demonstrate Need: Provide documentation of disaster impact on their operations and explain the requested support.