Tons of Pet Products and Medical Supplies Being Shipped to Houston and Surrounding Areas to Help Hurricane Harvey Pets in Need
Greenwich, CT (PRWEB) August 31, 2017 -- In an unprecedented collaborative effort, pet store and veterinary hospital groups, manufacturers and distributors and associations and organizations within the pet industry are pooling their resources and working with lead disaster and shelter officials to coordinate logistics of providing much needed supplies including sharing warehouses, facilities and distribution centers for storage until affected areas can be accessed. They are also tapping resources to help provide vehicles and helicopters to assist with evacuations and providing financial assistance to rescue organizations. The group has developed a public map of locations where open animal hospitals and supplies can be found and will regularly update as conditions change here: http://www.petleadershipcouncil.org.
“The Pet Leadership Council was founded just under three years ago, for this very reason; so that we as a united industry can work on issues that affect the health and well-being of companion animals in our country,” said Bob Vetere. “Each and every one of the Pet Leadership Council members, as well as others in the pet community, are making Houston and surrounding affected areas a priority and we’re aligning our efforts to ensure that we’re all doing so in the most efficient manner.”
“The needs of families and pets impacted by Harvey are still developing and we are very grateful for the outpouring of support from the pet industry,” Cory Price, Animal Services Manager for the City of Irving.
Below is a current overview of the pet industry’s animal assistance in Houston and surrounding areas, what the public can do to get involved and how those in need can access assistance provided. These supplies will help shelters and pet owners with the long term recovery. Updates will be listed on the PLC website as efforts evolve and can be accessed in real time. http://www.petleadershipcouncil.org.
American Humane Association’s animal first responders are leading two deployments in the disaster area. They are providing rescue rigs, rescue staff, and trained first responder volunteers. They are also accepting donation of funds or supplies to utilize for these efforts.
American Pet Products Association is coordinating efforts with more than 1,200 pet product manufacturers to solicit donations, supplies, and assist in animal care efforts.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is providing reimbursement grants for veterinarians volunteering to assist and is contributing $100,000.00 to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Individuals wishing to directly support the efforts of veterinarians on the ground may donate directly to the AVMF. Visit AVMF.org/Donate and use the code “Disaster Relief.” AVMA has created a comprehensive resource on its website which includes emergency hotlines, links to grant applications, and the latest information on available shelters.
Banfield Foundation has announced 100% of donations made at Banfield Pet Hospital PIN pads through September, 1 will go toward Disaster Relief Grants for affected non-profit organizations specific to the area (apply online at BanfieldFoundation.org or by e-mailing info(at)BanfieldFoundation(dot)com.
Central Garden and Pet has dog, cat, reptile, equine and small animal supplies ready when needed.
Mars Petcare has deployed sponsored canine search and rescue teams from National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to the Austin area to help. They're coordinating with non-profit partner, GreaterGood.org’s Rescue Bank program to send more than 40,000 pounds of their food for pets in the area who are in immediate need of help.
Pet Food Institute (PFI) members are working through their relationships with emergency relief organizations, foundations, partner shelters, and retailers to coordinate shipping of supplies and food to Texas. PFI is helping to identify additional alternatives as current hub, Rescue Bank is currently inaccessible.
Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) is working with their distributors with facilities in Texas to coordinate distribution centers.
Petco Foundation has committed $2.3 million with product donations or grant support to nearly 20 organizations affected directly by Harvey or those taking in animals from other locations. They are also collecting donations from vendors and staging at warehouse locations in Texas. More information here.
Petmate, based in Arlington Texas, is donating needed supplies to shelters and rescue organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, like the Humane Society of North Texas, SPCA of Texas and Rescue Bank Dallas, to aid in their efforts at housing thousands of displaced pets. They’ve also provided supplies to several rescue teams and charity partners, like the MuttNation Foundation and Jackson Galaxy Foundation.
PetSmart Charities has allocated an initial $1 million in emergency relief funding to assist animal welfare agencies working on the front lines to help pets and pet parents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, the organization is providing truckloads of pet supplies and is on track to deliver more than 100,000 pounds of donated pet food. For more information on efforts thus far, please click here.
Phillips Pet Food & Supplies is offering the use of their Arlington, Texas facility to store donated pet food and supplies that will be distributed throughout the areas affected by the hurricane. Phillips will utilize their fleet of trucks to transport and facilitate the delivery of requested supplies to relief organizations wherever needed. Phillips Pet Food and Supplies will also be donating Dream Crates wire crates to help in the safe transportation of rescues.
Spectrum Brands is donating batteries, flashlights, insect repellents, pet grooming and care products to assist with recovery efforts.
VCA Animal Hospitals is providing an updated list of area hospitals that are open and offering free boarding and medication assistance as many area locations have been evacuated. They are deploying extra antibiotics, medications and food to San Antonio and Dallas Texas mega shelters. VCA Doctors and medical teams are working on the ground and VCA Charities is fundraising through their hospitals via the Pennies for Pets program and 100% of all proceeds go to animal relief efforts: http://www.vcacharities.org/donations.
World Pet Association is coordinating efforts with their members including manufacturers, retailers and distributors across the country in order to organize efforts and support immediate and ongoing needs in Texas.
For more information please visit http://www.PetLeadershipCouncil.org.
Jamie Baxter, +1 (775) 322-4022, [email protected]
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