Emergency Relief
Our emergency relief program saves the lives of homeless pets by providing funding and supplies to animals in need.
Quick Links
Request Help - Information on obtaining emergency relief funding or the Emergency Relief Waggin' vehicle
Emergency Relief in Action - Stories and news about our emergency relief efforts
Volunteer for Our Emergency Relief Program - Find out how you can help this vital program with your time
Emergency Relief Spotlight
Xena and Brownie - In November 2009, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Laurentides-Labelle (SPCA LL) in Quebec rescued 97 sled dogs from the woods in the Upper Laurentians.
Funding and Supplies
We provide emergency relief funding and supplies to assist pets in three different types of situations:
- Large-scale disasters (e.g. hurricanes, fires and other natural catastrophes)
- Multiple-animal rescue disasters
- One-animal victim of abuse or violence
PetSmart Charities® Emergency Relief Waggin'® Program
We introduced our PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief Waggin' program in June 2007, to help the pet victims of natural and manmade disasters. Our six, 53-foot semi-trailers are pre-loaded with donated emergency supplies so we can quickly assist pets and the people working to save them. We partner with Healing HEART Sanctuary to manage the volunteers and supplies at the disaster scene.

Our Emergency Relief Waggin’ trailers contain the following to help care for up to 500 pets:
- Crates
- Bowls
- Leashes and collars
- Litter
- Food
- Tents
- Fans
- A generator
- Other emergency-related items
We strategically position our Emergency Relief Waggin’ trailers at various PetSmart® distribution centers throughout the U.S. We are ready to dispatch them to the designated lead animal welfare agency responding to a disaster in the continental U.S. as soon as transport logistics are complete.











