Help is out there for struggling pet owners
In uncertain times, there is one source of comfort we can all
agree upon, and it is the unconditional love provided by our
beloved four-legged friends. Pets are family and are there for
us when we need it most. And when tragedy strikes a family
member, whether through a natural disaster, domestic abuse,
a health problem or job loss, we do everything we can to
help.
Bringing animals out of crisis and into care and strengthening
the bond between humans and animals is at the heart of
everything RedRover does. Through emergency sheltering,
disaster relief services, financial assistance and humane
education programs, we are able to unite our community of
pet lovers to help make the world a better and safer place for
pets and their people. No matter the crisis, people and their
pets can stay together whenever possible, or be reunited
when separation is unavoidable.
In the current time of economic and social uncertainty, there
are a variety of programs
that can help people and
pets who are struggling,
including:
Urgent veterinary
care grants
The RedRover Relief
program offers financial
assistance and resources
to pet owners struggling
with economic hardship
when pets are facing lifethreatening
emergencies.
These grants are intended
to fill a small gap in
funding that is keeping an
animal from receiving
urgent veterinary care. In
addition to financial
support, case managers
are there to provide emotional support and guidance
throughout the application process.
Domestic violence assistance program
As few as 10% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S.
allow pets onsite. And reports show that nearly half of
domestic violence victims won't leave their abusers if they
can't bring their pet with them. RedRover and Purina have
partnered to create the Purple Leash Project to help expand
pet-friendly domestic violence shelters across the United
States. Purple Leash Project grants, an extension of
RedRover's Safe Housing program, enable shelters to build
on-site housing for pets. Adding pet-friendly spaces to
domestic violence shelters can save the lives of people and
their pets - and allow them to begin their healing process together.
Recognizing there is no one-size-fits-all solution to help
domestic violence survivors and their pets, there are additional
types of grants for shelters to house pets offsite or
partner with organizations like pet shelters to care for pets
while a domestic violence survivor is in shelter. Survivors can
apply for direct support through the Safe Escape program,
which provides up to 90 days of pet boarding to individuals
leaving abuse.
COVID boarding grants
The new "Emergency Boarding" grant program helps animals
who need temporary boarding while their owners are ill
due to the COVID-19 virus. This grant will cover the cost of
up to two (2) weeks of boarding while a pet owner is hospitalized,
or if the pet owner is recovering at home and unable
to care for their pet or place him or her with a friend or
neighbor.
Resources
Beyond providing grants and
support, RedRover has also
assembled a list of COVID-19
emergency resources for pets
and people with links to:
* Pet food and equine
resources to connect pet owners
to pet food pantries and
hay donations;
* Other financial assistance
programs such as low- and
no-cost spay and neuter, as
well as transportation services
and foster resources;
* Resources for parents looking
for engaging, at-home activities to do with their children,
as well as educators who are looking for resources to use
with their remote students;
* Emergency planning for pets including the COVID-19
Preparedness for Pets PDF, RedRover Pet Disaster
Preparedness tips and an Emergency Pet Caregiving
Agreement.
With so many struggling right now, these resources will help
keep your family safe during the pandemic, and beyond.
This article was supplied by BrandPoint
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