Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) as part of its national ASPCA Relief and Recovery Initiative, which includes providing $4 million in critical funding for animal welfare organizations whose programs, operations, or fundraising capabilities have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The grant will help GPG fund essential lifesaving services such as their low-cost pet clinic, drive thru pet vaccination clinics, pet food pantry, which are proving to be crucial animal welfare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Helping pets starts with helping people. The calls for help and need for services has been magnified by COVID-19 and is putting even more financial challenges on our community and our organization. We have already seen a large increase in demand for our services with no end in sight,” said Emily Stuart, Executive Director. “Pets don’t belong in shelters and these funds will us expand our safety net programs in order to keep more families together.”
“In addition to the unprecedented challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created for people, it is also putting animals at risk by straining essential owner and shelter resources,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “Considering the vital role pets play in our lives – especially in times of crisis and stress – it’s extremely important to safeguard their welfare as much as we can, and we are grateful to the animal welfare community for stepping up, thinking creatively and courageously, and forging new paths to meet this need. Through the ASPCA Relief & Recovery Initiative, we are helping animals stay healthy and safe as we weather this crisis together.”