STARelief and Pet Assistance was founded in February 2012 under the name Stamford Animal Rescue.  It was started by a group of pet owners and animal lovers who were aware of the rising number of animals being abandoned to local shelters, simply due to their owner’s financial situation. Realizing that — with a little support — many people would be able to keep their beloved pets at home, STAR was born.

We recognized that there were two main needs: food and veterinary care. We immediately created a pet food pantry where pet owners could access food and other pet related items. We also created a grant program so people could apply for grant money to help pay for their pet’s veterinary care.

As word of our organization spread, we decided to change our name to STARelief and Pet Assistance to more accurately reflect what we do, and to extend ourselves beyond Stamford.  Regardless of our name, our goal remains the same: to keep pets happy, healthy and home!