PetSmart collecting donations in stores nationwide to further fund disaster relief efforts 
PHOENIX (Jan. 15, 2025) – As the L.A.-area continues to be impacted by fires, PetSmart and PetSmart Charities are donating funds to support the immediate financial needs of local animal welfare organizations and providing pet parents with essential pet supplies to replace left or lost items.
“We are heartbroken by the devastating fires in L.A. and are committed to getting support to people and organizations in need,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “As the fires continue to impact our communities, we know animal welfare organizations will need ongoing funding to support pets and their families across Southern California. Together with PetSmart, we’re focused on providing critical funding to help organizations care for rescued and displaced pets, while also supporting displaced families by replacing essential pet supplies.”
Supporting Current Needs of Animal Welfare Organizations
Thanks to an outpouring of immediate community support and donations, animal welfare organizations report having food and pet supplies but it’s critical to address both immediate and long-term needs. This includes veterinary care, shelter, pet fostering and transport for the influx of pets for which shelters are working to reunify or prep for adoption.
To meet the needs of these organizations, PetSmart Charities opened an initial $200,000 in grant funding through its Disaster Relief Fund to help animal welfare groups in Southern California, with a commitment to deliver ongoing support as additional funds are raised. With longstanding relationships in the region, PetSmart Charities has provided immediate funds to six organizations in the area, including Los Angeles Animal Services and the Community Animal Medicine Project to cover immediate sheltering, medical care or staffing support, as needed.
Partner organizations located in areas impacted by the fires can apply for grant funds via the PetSmart Charities Disaster Response Portal.
How People Can Get Involved
Pet passionate people can donate directly to the PetSmart Charities Disaster Relief Fund in PetSmart stores, now through Jan. 20. Stores nationwide have a check-out card at registers with $2, $5, $10, and $20 donation options. PetSmart Treats Rewards members can also donate their Treats Rewards points to the disaster fund – 1,000 points ($2), 2,500 points ($5) or 5,000 points ($10). Members can simply open the PetSmart app or login to their account online and activate the points donation offer card. All donations will directly support animal welfare organizations providing relief efforts in the L.A.-area.
Helping Pet Parents Rebuild
To help pet parents who have been displaced or who have lost essential daily items due to the fire, PetSmart is donating pet products to Greater Goods Charities. Essential items including pet food, beds, collars, leashes, and toys will be distributed through responding community-based organizations. These resources will be made available to impacted pet parents at distribution points within the affected areas.
PetSmart will also donate products to local animal welfare organizations in the area ensuring support as the community works to rebuild and recover from the tragic fires in the coming weeks and months.
Additional Support to Those Impacted
Those still facing the critical and life-saving decision to evacuate their homes are urged to plan now and bring their pets with them if needing to seek safe shelter. To help keep pet families together during times of crisis, PetSmart Charities has partnered with the American Red Cross to ensure all shelters hosted by the Red Cross to accommodate pets. Those in need of a pet-friendly shelter can use the American Red Cross Sheltering Services website to find a location that can accommodate the entire family.
PetSmart is grateful for all its associates in the area who are providing critical services and support to pet parents entering local stores while also dealing with their own impacted homes and communities. For PetSmart associates impacted by the fires, PetSmart has deployed a streamlined and brief application for support through the PetSmart Associate Assistance Foundation (PAAF). PAAF provides emergency services and short-term financial relief to PetSmart associates facing financial hardship following an unforeseen crisis. PAAF is funded by donations from PetSmart, and PetSmart associates, to help one another in their time of need.
For more information on keeping pets safe during a crisis and to download a pet preparedness checklist, visit PetSmart Charities here.
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About PetSmart
PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.
PetSmart operates nearly 1,700 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption.
PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 11 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.
About PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care, and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $600 million since its inception in 1994. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
