Petfood manufacturers, a trade organization and other pet industry groups are donating time, money and petfood to help pets displaced, hurt and left hungry after Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern US.
One such petfood manufacturer, Stella & Chewy’s has donated more than US$25,000 worth of its freeze-dried and frozen dinners and treats for pets to storm victims. The company has partnered with two organizations, Bideawee and the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals, to distribute more than 150 cases of petfood.
"This storm has caused a lot of distress in our community and taken so much away from so many," said Marie Moody, founder and president of Stella & Chewy’s. "We wanted to do our part to help by providing nutritious meals for pets in this difficult time."
Another petfood manufacturer, Halo, Purely for Pets, will provide Halo Spot's Stew product through Freekibble.com's Bow Wow trivia game to areas impacted by the storm.
Additionally, the Natural Products Association of Washington, D.C., USA, has set up the NPA Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund to aid store owners who were impacted by the hurricane. Another group, GreaterGood.org, a charity that assists people and animals, announced that it would distribute its first round of disaster relief grants, totaling US$45,000, which came from The Animal Rescue Site, part of the GreaterGood's network.
Other relief efforts include those by Best Friends Animal Society, a no-kill organization based in Kanab, Utah, USA, which is helping to pay costs incurred by animal rescue groups and other organizations that are saving and caring for pets impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The group is using money from donations to transport displaced pets to areas outside of those affected by the storm. The group has also sent volunteers to the area affected by the storm to volunteer at shelters and deliver petfood.