Freshpet joins forces with actress and animal rescue advocate to fund animal shelters

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Freshpet is collaborating with actress and animal rescue advocate, Sarah Michelle Gellar, in honor of its fifth annual Fresh Start initiative which celebrates and rewards no-kill animal shelters. The initiative is open to the public through a submission process starting today and going through September 25, 2022. Since its initiation in 2018, the Fresh Start program has donated more than $400k to no-kill shelters nationwide.

According to a company release,¹ Gellar, whose family has 1 rescue and 2 other dogs, will be a judge helping choose 16 shelters throughout the US to receive funding, including 1 overall winner receiving $25,000, and 5 grand prize regional winners who will each receive $15,000. Additional grants consist of 10 runners-up, 2 in each region, receiving $5,000 each.

Other judges alongside Gellar include pet influencer Tatum Talks, Freshpet's expert veterinarian Aziza Glass, DVM, plus shelter partners, St. Hubert's and Pennsylvania SPCA.

"We treat our pets like they're our kids; they're such a big part of our family," stated Gellar, in the release. "We've always been big supporters of animal adoption, because there are so many deserving animals that need good homes. And right now, the need is stronger than ever, with many shelters overcrowded and in need of support."

She continued, "There are so many rescues doing incredible work across the country, so partnering with Freshpet to recognize and reward them is something I couldn't pass up."¹

Of the nearly 4,000 US animal shelters, only 52% are no-kill shelters, many of which are ran simply with volunteers and donations.² Donations from Fresh Start help shelters with various needs, from healthcare for animals and adoption support to operating cost and equipment. All grants from Freshpet can be used at the shelters' discretion.

"Fresh Start allows us to continue to unleash the power of giving to pets and people working to make their lives better," said Steve Elwell, Director of Digital at Freshpet. "There's an amazing network of animal shelters and organizations throughout the country that are championing the wellbeing of companion pets that can use our help, whether through volunteering or donations, and we're happy that we can extend the Fresh Start initiative to help reward them for their work."

Submissions can be made at ThankYouRescues.com. The winners will be publicized the week of October 17, 2022.

References

1. Sarah Michelle Gellar teams up with Freshpet to reward animal shelters. News release. Freshpet. September 12, 2022. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sarah-michelle-gellar-teams-up-with-freshpet-to-reward-animal-shelters-301621915.html
2. No-kill 2025. Best Friends Animal Society. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics