OCTOBER 30, 2018-SACRAMENTO, CA-Today, the Sacramento SPCA announced their receipt of two new grants of $50,000 and $51,821 from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America. The grants are designed to increase intake and help the Sacramento SPCA transport and relocate pets so they can find forever homes.
Since 2016, the Sacramento SPCA has transferred close to 1,000 animals from overburdened shelters in Northern California to their location in Sacramento. In 2018 alone, the Sacramento SPCA transferred 328 animals from Antioch Animal Services, Contra Costa County Animal Services, Placer SPCA, Stockton Animal Control, Sacramento County Animal Control, and weekly visits to Sacramento City Animal Control on Front Street. The relocation of these pets not only allows the overburdened shelter to have open kennels for incoming animals, but gives the pets transferred the opportunity to find loving homes in a new environment.
A $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities was used to purchase a new transfer van, allowing the Sacramento SPCA to transfer even more animals per visit to overburdened shelters. A $51,821 grant from PetSmart Charities will soon completely renovate a new area at the Sacramento SPCA for intake and assessment of these transferred animals before they are ready to find their new families.
“In the past, we could rescue six large dogs, or eight medium dogs or about a dozen and a half small dogs or cats,” said Kenn Altine, Sacramento SPCA CEO. “With the new PetSmart Charities van, we can load eight large crates and dozens of small and medium crates by using the folding shelves. We can bring back a wide mix of sizes that matches the needs of the partner shelter and the space availability here at Sacramento SPCA.” Employees from the Sacramento SPCA recently drove this new animal transfer vehicle to Kettleman City to transfer 15 dogs from areas affected by Hurricane Michael.
“Pet transport continues to play an important role in reducing pet homelessness and can provide a better chance for pets to find loving homes,” said David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D. and president of PetSmart Charities. “We are thrilled to not only provide funding to support the transport of these pets from overwhelmed areas, but also increase the Sacramento SPCA’s capacity to provide quality care to pets on the journey to find their forever home.”
Pet Transport is one of PetSmart Charities’ seven grant categories designed to provide year-round opportunities for animal welfare organizations and non-profits to apply for funding support. Funding from PetSmart Charities can help to cover the costs associated with pet transportation, veterinary and shelter care and vehicle maintenance and modifications. With the help of its animal welfare partners, since 1994, PetSmart Charities has helped more than 8 million pets in need find forever homes.