Humane Society of Missouri and Purina Providing Critical Support to Local Pet Owners Impacted by COVID-19 After Receiving PetSmart Charities Grant
The Preserving Families COVID Relief Grant is helping HSMO place Purina pet food and other necessities in St. Louis food pantries as the pandemic continues to disrupt the community
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 24, 2021 – The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) received $21,500 from PetSmart Charities through its Preserving Families COVID Relief Grant to support St. Louis pet owners during a time when thousands are struggling to support their loved ones. With the help of pet food donations from shelter partner Purina, HSMO is using the grant to place pet food and pet supplies in local foodbanks for pet owners in need.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be a PetSmart Charities Preserving Families COVID Relief Grant recipient to provide additional assistance to pet-owning families in our community during this immediate and uncertain time of need,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “This funding allows us to extend our reach and help as many animals as we can by stocking local food pantries with pet food and supplies thanks to an incredibly generous donation from Purina.”
PetSmart Charities has distributed over $400 million to organizations that help strengthen communities through pets. Grants are given to animal welfare organizations, government entities or human social service agencies that help those struggling financially, with a focus on aiding families to keep and stay with their pets during the pandemic.
With the additional support from Purina, HSMO has been able to utilize funds from PetSmart Charities to organize and distribute more than 123,215 pounds of pet food and kitty litter over the last nine months.
“The Humane Society of Missouri is a longstanding partner that shares in our belief that people and pets are better together,” said Jessica Arnold, Purina Pet Welfare. “We’re proud to continue supporting the incredible work being done by the Humane Society of Missouri, both for the shelter animals and for pets in our community, and we hope our donation will help keep pets with their families through the pandemic.”
Those interested in helping to support local pet owners who’ve been impacted from COVID-19 can call HSMO at 314-951-1542 or visit the HSMO website at hsmo.org/donate.
About Humane Society of Missouri
Since 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri has been dedicated to second chances. We provide a safe and caring haven to all animals in need – large and small – that have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and pet overpopulation through our rescue and investigation efforts, spay/neuter programs and educational classes. We are committed to creating lasting relationships between people and animals through our adoption programs. We further support that bond by making available world-class veterinary care, and outstanding pet obedience and behavior programs.
About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 8,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 49 million dogs and 66 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.
Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
About PetSmart®
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of 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 they, together, 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 approximately 1,650 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. The retailer provides 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 more than 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 more than 9 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy, Inc., which through its ownership and operation of Chewy.com, is a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S. PetSmart currently retains a controlling interest in Chewy, but Chewy operates as an independent, publicly traded (CHWY) subsidiary.