RedRover has resources for pet owners during COVID-19 crisis
RedRover, a Sacramento-based organization focused on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and humane education, has compiled a list of its resources to help pet owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Veterinary care
RedRover Relief: Financial assistance grants for emergency veterinary care. Applications accepted online.
Emergency boarding
RedRover Relief Safe Escape grants to help families with pets safely escape domestic abuse together.
If you or someone you know needs help taking care of an animal because of virus-related hospitalization or quarantine, RedRover is in the process of creating a new assistance program to cover the cost of temporary boarding for people suffering from COVID-19 who require hospitalization. In the meantime, the organization recommends you reach out to local animal shelters and rescue groups to find resources and support available in your area.
If you have animal-related issues or questions, or need animal care or foster, follow your local animal shelter or humane society on social media, call them with questions, and check their websites for updates.
Pet food
If you or someone you know cannot afford to purchase pet food, contact a pet food pantry near you or visit this link for more guidance.
Educational resources for kids
If you are home with kids, check out RedRover’s free Empathy Resources for At-Home Learning and share with parents and educators.
Emergency plan for pets
Download the COVID-19 Preparedness for Pets PDF
Other preparedness resources
RedRover Pet Disaster Preparedness
Pet Disaster Preparedness from CDC
How to help
If you are in a position to help, RedRover recommends reaching out to your local animal shelter to see if they need foster homes for their animals.
Please consider making a donation to RedRover to help people and pets in crisis, particularly those who lives have been impacted by COVID-19. Give today at RedRover.org/donate.
Stay connected
Consider checking in with neighbors to stay connected and check if they or their pets are in need. Keep in touch via phone, email or through apps like Nextdoor.com.
Visit our “COVID-19 Emergency Resources for People and Pets” page often for updates: https://redrover.org/news/coronavirus/.
Nicole Forsyth is president and CEO of Red Rover, an organization that focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. She writes Dollars and Pets for the Bay Area News Group. Send questions to petpalconnection@bayareanewsgroup.com.