AT NO COST TO YOU, GET FUNDING FOR STARelief and Pet Assistance WHEN YOU:
Buy a Home / Sell a Home / Lease Commercial Property

STARelief and Pet Assistance

Buying, Selling, & Leasing Can Help Keep Pets in Their Homes

STARelief keeps people struggling with financial hardship and their pets together by providing food, veterinary care, and foster care. As a member of Investing In Communities®, STARelief can receive funding as a result of any brokered real estate transaction – home sales, home purchases, or commercial leases. As more supporters use this platform, at no cost to them, before engaging a real estate agent, the more funding STARelief has to prevent pets from being torn from their people due to financial struggles. 

In 2012, STARelief was founded as the Stamford Animal Rescue in Stamford, Connecticut. Though their name has changed, their mission has not: to keep animals in their homes with the food and veterinary care they need. Whether due to homelessness, mental illness, natural disaster, or low income, STARelief works tirelessly to ensure that pets and their owners stay together. In order to make this happen, STARelief offers several programs, including Home For Life Grants, the Pet Food Pantry, Pets For Military Vets, End-of-Life Services, and Safe Place For Pets. 

Home For Life Grants

For pet owners financially struggling to provide for their pets, for whatever reason, STARelief accepts applications for $100-$500 grants to help lighten the load. Expenses covered by these grants include: 

  • Emergency medical care;
  • Emergency foster care;
  • Spay and Neuter operations; and
  • Vaccinations.

Pet Food Pantry

In difficult financial times, it can be difficult to afford appropriate pet food. STARelief’s Pet Food Pantry was started to make sure no one has to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. STARelief’s staff and volunteers process donations, in order to supply owners with pet food and more:

  • Canned and dry dog and cat food;
  • Cat litter;
  • Flea and tick medicine;
  • Pet store gift cards;
  • Paper and cloth towels;
  • Garbage bags; and 
  • Pet beds.

Pets For Military Vets

STARelief is committed to honoring military veterans by covering animal adoption fees. The Pets For Military Vets initiative will even reimburse veterans for worm and tick treatment costs for up to six months.

End of Life Services

Losing a beloved pet is hard enough without having to worry about the financial  costs that are often involved. STARelief offers grants to help pet owners through these hard times.

Safe Place For Pets

In times of crisis, pet care can sometimes fall through the cracks. Whether because of an illness, homelessness, or domestic violence, STARelief provides free, temporary housing for pets until the owner is able to care for their pet once again. 

Your Purchase, Sale, or Lease Keeps Pets and Their Owners Together

At no cost to themselves, anyone who cares about taking care of pets can turn virtually any brokered real estate transaction into funding for STARelief. For example, the purchase or sale of a $300,000 home can result in about $1,300 of free funding. Support their mission by using IIC’s free platform to make arrangements with an agent you already have in mind. Or use IIC to find and choose among real estate agents that are appropriate for the specifics of your residential or commercial real estate needs. Ready to start?


Location: Stamford, Connecticut

Focus Area: Animals

Budget: Less than $250k

Want to help this charity with your next real estate transaction?

We respect your privacy and want to make sure you are totally at ease. By submitting, you are sharing your information with us only and we will not share it with or sell it to anyone else. We will contact you by email to get more information about your real estate needs. Then we will provide you with several agents suited to your needs and you may contact them -or not- as you choose. There’s no sales pitch or pressure. It's entirely your choice.

HOW YOUR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION GENERATES $$$ FOR STARelief and Pet Assistance

As a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, STARelief and Pet Assistance is eligible to receive at least 70% of the referral fee when you use Investing In Communities (IIC) to sign up with ANY real estate broker to handle your residential or commercial property transaction. Referral fees are a common expense paid by brokers only to other brokers for much desired referrals. As a licensed broker with a charitable mission, IIC is able to accept referral fees and pass most of those funds to your charity of choice - at no cost to you.
Visit iiconline.org for more info.

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