WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, June 4, 2020 — American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, today announced that the Nebraska Humane Society received a grant from American Humane’s Feed the Hungry fund. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities it serves.
“Animals have a special place in my heart, and I am saddened to see so many being abandoned and left hungry as a result of this sweeping COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jean Shafiroff, national Feed the Hungry spokesperson for American Humane and renowned philanthropist. “We must ensure that rescue organizations have the basic resources necessary to care for these defenseless animals that are in dire need of a forever home.”
Like every other business or organization in America, rescue shelters are struggling to maintain basic services and care for their animal residents in the face of the current worldwide pandemic. Thousands of animals are being left without homes and facilities are in desperate need of general supplies. In response to the overwhelming number of calls received from animal rescuers, shelters and first responders, American Humane launched the Feed the Hungry fund to feed and care for animals across the country who have been abandoned as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The fund seeks to raise much-needed resources to help shelters and rescue organizations that are not only struggling to keep the lights on, but also to keep critical supplies like food stocked.
“NHS has long known that providing a little bit of pet food during a time of crisis can keep pets together with their families,” said Pam Wiese, Vice President Public Relations and Marketing at the Nebraska Humane Society. “This has never been more apparent then right now. For us to be able to provide just a little bit of food, might mean the difference between keeping a pet or surrendering it to the shelter. We are so grateful to American Humane because currently, we are using shelter resources to stock this pantry. Your grant… helped us stock these shelves and went a long way to putting food in hungry pets’ mouths.”
The NHS provides education, gives shelter, encourages adoption and promotes responsible pet ownership. Founded in 1875, it is the fifth oldest humane society in the nation, and today, is also one of the largest. It offers shelter to animals who have no place to call home and provides vital services to them and to the people who love them. Every year, more than 30,000 animals, including wildlife, find their way to its doors. The shelter is housed on a 13-acre campus with four buildings, 150 dedicated staff members and 600 volunteers. NHS offers animal medical services to animals in its care, training classes and behavior modification programs, a low cost spay/neuter center, humane education programs, a free behavior help line, a pet food pantry for residents in economic distress, Project Pet Safe for companion pets of victims of domestic abuse, and Animeals, a program to deliver pet food to elderly pet owners who no longer have the freedom or ability to leave their homes. American Humane’s Feed the Hungry grant will allow NHS to continue its programs, specifically the pet food pantry, even as funds have decreased.
To help shelters continue to save lives during this unprecedented crisis, consider donating today. Learn more at www.americanhumane.org/feedthehungry.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org
