Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Receives $125,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities to Help Transport Homeless Pets

Moving adoptable pets from overtaxed and underfunded shelters to rescues like Lucky Dog gives second chances to animals that have limited to no local options for adoption.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 19, 2024) — Some five million pets enter shelters across the U.S. each year. Thanks to improved coordination between shelters and rescues across the nation, transporting homeless pets from shelters with fewer resources to rescues like Lucky Dog with higher demand or more space increases the chances for adoptable animals to find loving homes. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue recently received a $125,000 grant from PetSmart CharitiesⓇ to support its pet transport program.

Transporting animals involves moving animals from areas of high pet overpopulation to those of high demand for adoptable pets. PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the U.S. and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue know collaborations such as these will improve outcomes for animals in overpopulated shelters.

“One of Lucky Dog’s founding principles has been our commitment to helping animals in places where they have no other source of support,” said Mirah Horowitz, Founder and CEO. “The only solution for these pets is to transport them to areas where demand for adoption gives them a way to find a home. With the support of PetSmart Charities, we can make transport a lifesaving option for thousands of pets!”

Rocket is an incredible example illustrating the power of pet transport programs. After sitting in the shelter for over 114 days in a remote rural area with high unemployment and almost nonexistent local adoptions, Rocket was transported to the DC Metro Area by Lucky Dog. And, after spending one night in a foster home, Rocket was adopted by a doting family the very next day. All he needed was a chance and a transport ride, and he received both thanks to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and PetSmart Charities.

“As many communities grapple with animals staying longer in shelters and work to build out long term solutions, partnerships with regions who have capacity to bring in animals is paramount to our collective lifesaving efforts,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement initiatives at PetSmart Charities, “We’re proud to support Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and their work to ensure adoptable pets find their families as quickly as possible.”

About PetSmart CharitiesⓇ

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all those 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. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. 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 $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, 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.

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Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs 
Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc