The Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust Donates $500,000 to the ASPCA COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Initiative

NEW YORK (May 6, 2020) – The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today received a generous donation of $500,000 from The Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust to fund vital work in the ASPCA COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Initiative. The donation funds the ASPCA emergency relief grant program, which is awarding $2 million in lifesaving funding for animal welfare organizations whose programs, operations, or fundraising capabilities have been severely impacted by COVID-19. In addition to the unprecedented challenges the COVID-19 crisis has created for pet owners struggling to care for their animals, the global pandemic has also put animals at-risk by straining essential shelter resources.

“This generous contribution from The Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust will support our efforts to help local animal welfare organizations best serve vulnerable animals during this crisis,” said ASPCA president and CEO Matt Bershadker. “We are grateful for their support and look forward to seeing the lifesaving impact it will have in communities across the country.”

This lifesaving donation from The Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust supports the ASPCA COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Initiative, a $5 million multipronged strategic relief response to the COVID-19 crisis. The ASPCA’s response includes the creation of regional pet food distribution centers which gives dog, cat and equine owners free access to critical food supplies as the outbreak continues to spread

The Trust’s founders, the late Alex Lewyt and Elisabeth Lewyt, championed organizations that helped save stray and abandoned pets, and were instrumental in saving countless animals from euthanasia, both through philanthropy and hands-on work. Mrs. Lewyt was also known for personally driving her van across Long Island to visit shelters and rescue as many dogs and cats as she could. The Trust seeks to support organizations and programs that are consistent with its mission through grants and other initiatives.

“We are proud to support the ASPCA’s efforts to provide critical resources to animal welfare organizations across the nation that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wendy McColgan, co-trustee of the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust. “The donation, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Lewyt, will assist shelters and the animals in their care while continuing the Lewyts’ life mission to protect and help vulnerable animals.”

The COVID-19 relief response speaks to the ASPCA’s longstanding commitment to the animal welfare community and people and their pets. By successfully providing access to free pet food, supplies, veterinary care, emergency boarding, and lifesaving funding, the ASPCA has comprehensively addressed the most urgent needs of pet owners and animal shelters across the country, helping to keep animals safe and healthy. For more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to help at-risk animals, please visit www.aspca.org.