Relief for shelters and rescues

Animal shelters continue to grapple with an escalating welfare crisis. A slowing of adoptions and transfers, along with critical shortages in veterinary care and shelter staffing, have stretched many organizations to their breaking point.

In 2023, according to Shelter Animals Count, U.S. shelters and rescues saw 6.5 million animals enter their care. Adoptions and returns to owners have not kept pace, creating a backlog of hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs in the sheltering and rescue system.

Factors driving the crisis

• The costs of pet ownership and lack of pet-inclusive housing have decreased the number of pet adoptions.
• Shelters and rescues face rapidly increasing costs, leaving them with less money for staffing, pet-owner support services and other programs.
• Shelter workers are overwhelmed, leading to increased staff turnover.
• The shortage of veterinarians is making it harder for shelters, rescues and pet owners to get timely veterinary care, including spay/neuter surgeries, for their animals.
• Pet food costs are rising, and some manufacturers are imposing stricter term requirements and conditions to access special pricing programs, limiting flexibility for buyers.

Farm & Yard's Partner Program offers support to shelters and rescues

As shelters and rescues face these and other challenges, Farm & Yard is stepping up to offer solutions. Farm & Yard, a leader in innovative animal care products, has launched a new Partner Program to assist animal welfare organizations by providing essential products such as pet food, microchip kits and animal housing at significant discounts. This initiative aims to ease the operational costs for shelters and other animal welfare organizations across the country.

Farm & Yard’s Partner Program: Financial benefits for shelters and adopters

• 30%+ discount: Shelters and rescue organizations receive a 30% or more discount on all products, including food, treats and pet housing products. Staff and volunteers also qualify for this discount.
• 15% discount for pet parents: New pet owners who adopt through shelters that participate in the program receive a 15% discount on all Farm & Yard products, reducing the cost of pet ownership and encouraging adoptions.
• Free starter kits: New adopters receive a Pet Parent Starter Kit (valued at $135), which includes essentials such as a collar, leash and food samples, as well as a full year of unlimited telehealth services to help them address any health or behavioral concerns in their new companion.
• Referral commissions: Shelters and rescues earn a 5% commission on purchases made by adoptive families, which provides further financial support. There are no exclusivity restrictions for participating shelters.

Working together for change

The Humane Society of the United States is a nonprofit partner of Farm & Yard to further enhance the program’s impact. “The real challenge is on the front lines of animal welfare,” says Adam Fowler, CEO of Farm & Yard. “We aim to lead by example with our Partner Program.”

Recently, 168 families in underserved communities throughout the U.S. received insulated doghouses donated by Farm & Yard through the assistance of the HSUS. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Farm & Yard and the HSUS will collaborate to refine the doghouse distribution program, ensuring it continues to support the mission of improving the lives of animals and pet owners.

Enrollment for animal welfare organizations

Municipal and private shelters, rescues and animal services agencies can enroll in the Farm & Yard Partner Program to access these valuable resources at partner.farmandyardproducts.com.