The coronavirus pandemic impacted businesses and organizations across the United States, including animal shelters and rescues. Although shelters in big cities reported high adoption numbers, rural shelters were instead seeing an influx of animals as pet owners struggled with the financial impacts of COVID-19 as well as the illness itself. And while other businesses locked up their offices and shifted to remote working, shelters did not have this option. Their animal residents had to be cared for, even as the shelters themselves had to cancel fundraising events and plunged into financial crises.
In response to the overwhelming number of calls received from animal rescuers, shelters and first responders, we launched the Feed the Hungry COVID-19 fund, in March of 2020, to feed and care for animals across the country who have been abandoned as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The fund seeks to raise much-needed resources to help shelters and rescue organizations that are not only fighting to keep the lights on, but also to keep critical supplies like food and medicine stocked. Disastrous natural disasters including hurricanes and wildfires only heightened the situation.
Renowned philanthropist Jean Shafiroff serves as an ambassador for American Humane and spokesperson for our Feed the Hungry COVID-19 fund. Jean works tirelessly to be a fierce voice for the voiceless – she has dedicated her life to mobilizing resources for those in need, including our dearest animal friends.
With Jean’s support, the vital campaign has provided grants to 81 shelters and animal rescue organizations across 38 states, giving approximately 675,000 meals to hungry, homeless animals.
While this is an amazing achievement, our goal is to push that number to more than one million meals, and as we head into the new year, we hope you will join us on this important mission. Thousands of animals are being left without homes and facilities are in desperate need of general supplies. We are on the right path, but we need your crucial support to reach our objective. If you are able, please consider donating at www.americanhumane.org/feedthehungry.
Here are just a few messages of thanks from grant recipients:
