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Pet food and commodity distribution Superstorm Sandy A case study. Superstorm Sandy Best Practices. Effective large-scale pet response cannot be accomplished by any single entity Commodity distribution of donated pet food and supplies
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Pet food and commodity distribution Superstorm Sandy A case study
Superstorm Sandy Best Practices • Effective large-scale pet response cannot be accomplished by any single entity • Commodity distribution of donated pet food and supplies • 421 tons of donated pet food/supplies was distributed in WV, PA, NY, and NJ • Multi-agency coordination and participation by all partners essential • Partnerships helped ensure success of mission
Superstorm Sandy Best Practices • Pet food distribution • Donations from national manufacturers coordinated through one Point of Contact • The HSUS partnered with St. Hubert’s to provide distribution throughout counties in NJ • ASPCA leased warehouse space and provided logistical support for the pet food distribution center • PetSmart Charities provided volunteers to break down large bags of pet food into 1 gallon (dog) and 1 quart (cat) food bags • American Red Cross distributed pet food in NY with bulk supplies
Superstorm Sandy Best Practices • Lessons learned from distribution of food/supplies • Pet Parents who were unable to evacuate were given resources to provide for the whole family • Sense of continuity • Pet retention increased leaving shelters unburdened by large numbers of surrendered pets • Cost savings by feeding/sheltering in place
Superstorm Sandy Best Practices • Multi-agency coordination is essential to effectively meeting pets mission needs: • Presence at EOC • Animal “whole community” has tremendous capacity if integrated effectively into response • Collaboration among all partners is key to effective coordination with states • Pet food distribution and other pet commodity distribution was efficient & successful in meeting needs of disaster survivors
Contacts Wanda Merling Senior Manager, Disaster Response Program Animal Cruelty, Rescue and Response Team Phone: 240.753.4352 wmerling@humanesociety.org