Emergency Relief Assistance

View Emergency Relief Waggin' Program Efforts in Action

PetSmart Charities® provides emergency relief funding and supplies to assist pets in three different types of situations:

1. Large-scale disaster (e.g. hurricanes, fire and other natural catastrophes);
2. Multiple animal rescue, man-made disaster; and
3. One animal victim of abuse/violence.

The multiple animal rescue, man-made disaster grant is the most prevalent assistance request due to the many rescues/seizures of pets from animal collectors/hoarders or puppy mills. An agency can apply for this type of assistance if it is taking in and caring for animals rescued from puppy mills or animal hoarding situations. Please review the Multiple Animal Rescue, Man-made Disaster document for guidelines and application instructions to apply for this type of assistance.

To Request General Emergency Relief Assistance

If you are an animal welfare agency and would like to request emergency assistance please call our Manager of Emergency Grants, at 1-800-423-PETS ext. 2840. PetSmart Charities does not provide emergency relief assistance to individuals.

The Emergency Relief Waggin'® Program

In March 2007, PetSmart Charities introduced its Emergency Relief Waggin' program.  The program consists of six 53-foot semi-trailers pre-loaded with donated emergency supplies for pets.  Each trailer contains crates, bowls, leashes, collars, litter, food, tents, fans, a generator, and various other emergency-related items to provide care for up to 500 pets.  The trailers are strategically stationed at various PetSmart distribution centers throughout the U.S.  They can be ready for dispatch to the designated lead animal welfare agency responding to a disaster at any location in the continental U.S. as soon as transport logistics can be completed.

Program volunteers and supplies will be managed on site by the nonprofit organization, Healing HEART Sanctuary.

To Volunteer for the Emergency Relief Waggin'Program

If you are interested in volunteering for the Emergency Relief Waggin' program during a disaster, contact Laurel Ley with Healing HEART Sanctuary at LaurelLey@AnimalReliefResource.org.

To Request an Emergency Relief Waggin' Trailer

To request an Emergency Relief Waggin' for a natural disaster, hoarding or cruelty situation involving 350 pets or more, have the designated lead animal welfare agency responding to the disaster review the Emergency Relief Waggin' Program and Form and call our Manager of Emergency Grants, at 1-800-423-PETS ext. 2840.