The Nonprofit Started by a California Teen That Helps Shelter Animals Find and Stay in Forever Homes

A young animal advocate who started a nonprofit to help animal shelters provides kits that help rescue animals find and stay in loving homes!

Reducing Animal Stress is a nonprofit founded in 2023 by teen animal advocate and change-maker Ariela Robinson. As part of their mission to support animal shelters and rescues, the organization provides adoption, foster, and retention kits. Basically, they help animal shelters and new pet parents care for animals and provide dog/cat parents with the services they need to keep their companion animals. With this in mind, let’s learn more about Reducing Animal Stress and how their three kits are helping dogs and cats around the country to find and stay in forever homes!

Kits That Help People Find, Foster, and Keep Animal Companions

Adoption Kits for New Pet Parents

Reducing Animal Stress provides new pet parents with adoption kits that include basic supplies and resources. They partner with several businesses to offer discounted veterinary care, dog walking or pet sitting services, free grooming sessions, and discounts on pet supplies. Funding for the adoption kits is thanks in part to the Westside Neighborhood Council.

Kits for Dog and Cat Foster Parents

Fostering reduces overcrowding in shelters. That is why Reducing Animal Stress works with over 30 rescues and shelters to distribute foster kits. The customized, pre-packed, ready-to-go kits help vetted rescues and shelters save time and reduce costs so they can prioritize saving more lives. Beyond that, Reducing Animal Stress also sent foster kits to an animal sanctuary that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Funding for the foster kits came from the Be More Fund from the National Society of High School Scholars.

Retention Kits for Pet Parents in Need

Retention kits are available thanks to partnerships with Meals on Wheels West and Meals on Wheels West LA. They donate customized kits to low-income seniors, homebound people, and veterans. Not only does this help pet parents keep companion animals at home, but it also reduces the number of surrendered animals in Los Angeles shelters.

Recently, Ariela made the rounds with a Meals on Wheels volunteer and was able to hand the kits directly to the recipients.

“My favorite part about the retention kits is delivering them. I love getting to meet and support the kind people and their adorable pets who receive them,” explains Ariela.

Funding for the retention kits is from the Riley’s Way Call For Kindness Award.

Additional Programs Available Through Reducing Animal Stress

Reducing Animal Stress has donated about 7,000 items and has participated in over 40 workshops/events. In addition to the kits, the organization also holds workshops for young people. The workshops encourage youth to get involved and focus on: