American Red Cross & PetSmart Charities: Our Partnership
When devastating floods forced them from their home, Brownie (pictured above) and her pet parent faced an impossible choice: find shelter or stay together. Of the few places offering refuge, none allowed pets.
"I just wasn't going to leave Brownie behind," they said. "He's the only family I've got."
Pets are family, too
Sadly, stories like Brownie's are all too familiar. As pet parents, our furry friends hold a special place in our hearts, and their safety and well-being are top priorities. Pets have become such integral family members that 90 percent of pet owners say they would not evacuate if their pets couldn't come with them—yet not all shelters are pet friendly.
That’s why, in 2022, PetSmart Charities and the American Red Cross launched a partnership to support pets as essential family members during times of disaster. Building on that initial $2.25 million commitment, in 2026 PetSmart Charities announced its expanded support with an additional $2.8 million over the next three years. Together, this ongoing collaboration helps the Red Cross meet the needs of people and their pets affected by disasters big and small across the U.S. This partnership remains the first of its kind between two nonprofits—the largest funder of animal welfare and the nation’s largest disaster relief organization.
Helping pets by helping their people
Fortunately, Brownie and her owner finally came across the help they needed. They found refuge together at a Red Cross shelter with a pet-friendly policy.
PetSmart Charities' continued investment in the Red Cross helps ensure that pets are included in disaster planning, response, and recovery to keep pets and people together during times of crisis. Since pets are part of the family, the Red Cross began efforts to identify specific disaster shelters across the country for those accompanied by pets. With PetSmart Charities’ support, these efforts reached new heights by combining our animal welfare expertise with Red Cross disaster response resources, helping the organization launch a new feature in its Emergency App that allows pet parents to locate pet-friendly shelters during disasters.
