A light in the Darkness
Annette Jennings, Mars Incorporated
How A$1M Grant From Mars, Incorporated Helped Humane Society International Projects Across The Globe.
As the pandemic disrupted the course of daily life for people and pets across the globe, it was more important than ever to give back to the communities around us. Given our Mars, Incorporated Purpose to create the world we want tomorrow, it was imperative to identify key organizations across the globe that could make a substantial impact to lives of people and pets suffering as a result of the pandemic– this search led us to Humane Society International.
Humane Society International (HSI) quickly planned an emergency response to address the consequences the pandemic lockdowns would pose to companion animals — both owned and homeless — who depend on humans to survive.
The partnership between Mars and the HSI was naturally born as both shared a desire to ensure a better world for pets in these unprecedented times. Mars delivered a $1 million grant, which enabled teams all around the world to provide desperately needed food, medical attention, and additional support to more than 280,000 animals in 36 countries.
The grant made it possible for HSI and their partners to:
· Provide food and medical care to street dogs and cats that lost their source of food.
· Help support shelters and rescue groups struggling to cope with an increased numbers of pet surrenders and abandonments.
· Support pet owners hit by financial or health crises in the wake of the pandemic, assisting with pet care costs such as food and veterinary care.
· Correct misinformation that falsely implicated companion animals in the spread of COVID, and advocate for emergency plans that factored in the protection of animals.
Through our partnership with HSI we were able to care for street dogs and cats in need and help many keep their beloved companion animals rather than surrender them to shelters or abandon them on the streets, preventing further loss in a time that had already presented so many challenges.
Read HSI’s full impact report here to see the enormous impact our COVID relief grant had around the world in 2020–21 for animals and pet owners in need.
