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PetSmart Charities Study Shows the Secret to Finding Love is a Kitten

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

PetSmart Charities Study Shows the Secret to Finding Love is a Kitten Petsmart Chari… Mon, 07/15/2024 - 07:00

New data* from PetSmart Charities® – the leading funder of animal welfare in the U.S. – shows that 75% of singles are fed up with dating apps. But a feline friend can improve their chances of finding a match:

Forget the outdated stereotypes about cat people: More than two-thirds of singles think it’s cool to have a cat.
A cat can actually improve your chances of finding love: 71% of Gen Z say they'd be more likely to date someone who likes cats. And the top qualities people seek in a romantic partner are fun/playful and intelligent – the same top traits associated with cat parents.
Cats are trending: More people are adopting cats, accounting for 74% of all in-store PetSmart Charities adoptions**. And these new cat parents want to date other cat parents – nearly three quarters of them say they would prefer to date someone with a cat. It’s time to play the odds...

In celebration of National Adoption Week, PetSmart Charities is breaking down stereotypes and helping singles find love. As kitten season, the time of year when most kittens are born, fills animal shelters to capacity, PetSmart Charities Purrfect Match is challenging singles to try a new approach to finding love: by adopting a cat!

“Cats are having a moment unlike any we’ve seen in PetSmart Charities’ 30 years of helping pets find homes,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “Cat adoptions are greatly outpacing dog adoptions and cat parents are finally breaking free from old stereotypes. In fact, they’re now the pick of the dating litter!”

So, you’ve adopted a cat – now what? You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can teach a human looking for love. That’s why PetSmart Charities is teaming up with Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger. One lucky single will win one-on-one relationship coaching from Patti herself. During these sessions Patti will offer her deep expertise and insights to help the winner find love.

“As a third-generation matchmaker and animal lover myself, I could not be more excited to be part of the Purrfect Match with PetSmart Charities to help people and pets find love,” said Patti Stanger.

“We are confident that if you open your heart and your home to a cat, human love will follow,” added Gilbreath. “We’ve found that people are more attracted to those who like animals and there’s a lot our feline friends can teach us about relationships. For everything else, we’re glad to have Patti.”

Learn more and enter for a chance to win at FindLoveTwice.com***. The entry period runs from July 17 through August 7, 2024, but you can find your feline (or canine!) match anytime. Visit PetSmart Charities for details on National Adoption Week and to find an adoptable pet near you.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Details:

Thousands of local shelters will bring in adoptable pets, including kittens, cats and dogs, into nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dates: July 15-21, 2024

Locations: Nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Visit petsmart.com to find a store near you.

*The PetSmart Charities Purrfect Match Survey was conducted via a PN View survey fielded by Big Village among a sample of 1,000 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older. This survey was live on June 24, 2024.

**Adoption data was collected by PetSmart Charities across all in-store PetSmart adoptions February – June, 2024.

*** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The PetSmart Purrfect Match Sweepstakes is sponsored by PetSmart Charities, Inc. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., who, as of date of entry are 18 years of age or older and are not legally married. Begins at 12:00 a.m. ET on 07/17/24 & ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 08/07/24. Void where prohibited by law. For complete Official Rules, visit findlovetwice.com.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities has helped 10 million pets connect with loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities' grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and disaster relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org

Contact
Lauren Munsey
Porter Novelli for PetSmart Charities
Lauren.munsey@porternovelli.com

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PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Supports Overwhelmed Shelters this Kitten Season

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Supports Overwhelmed Shelters this Kitten Season Petsmart Chari… Tue, 07/09/2024 - 08:00

PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in the country, is striving to help pets find loving homes this National Adoption Week (July 15 – 21, 2024). Spring marks the beginning of “kitten season,” a time when thousands of kittens are born. During the summer months many of these kittens flood animal shelters across the country, leading to overcrowding and resource strains until they’re ready for adoption.

Supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week offers potential pet parents the chance to interact with adoptable pets from animal welfare organizations at local PetSmart stores. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help educate potential adopters on the pets they are interested in and their specific care needs.

“PetSmart Charities has dedicated 30 years to helping pets find loving homes through relationships with local shelters,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities. “As we approach 11 million in-store pet adoptions, we’re committed to making this National Adoption Week our most successful yet. We invite local communities to join us by adopting a new furry friend, volunteering at local shelters, providing foster homes for pets and by donating to PetSmart Charities.”

"Hill's Pet Nutrition is proud to continue our support of PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week events as they play a vital role in helping pets get out of shelters and into loving new homes," said Dr. Karen Shenoy, US chief veterinary officer at Hill's Pet Nutrition. "Now, during kitten season, is a critical time to offer support to shelters to help alleviate overcrowding conditions and reduce pressure on overwhelmed shelter teams. We encourage people to open their hearts and homes by considering pet adoption this week."

In addition to supporting National Adoption Week, Hill's is also the official feeding sponsor of PetSmart Charities, providing food to all the Adoption Centers in PetSmart stores across the United States.

If you’re ready to find your feline match, visit petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet for more information on adoptable pets, adoption centers and events. Those who aren't ready to expand their family can still make a big impact by donating to help pets in need at petsmartcharities.org.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Details:

Thousands of local shelters will bring a host of adoptable shelter pets, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and various small animals, into nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dates: July 15 – 21, 2024

Locations: Nearly every one of PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Visit petsmart.com to find a store near you.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES

ABOUT HILL'S PET NUTRITION
Founded 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to science-led pet nutrition, Hill's Pet Nutrition is on a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research for dogs and cats using a scientific understanding of their specific needs. As a leading veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health. Hill's Prescription Diet therapeutic nutrition plus our everyday wellness product line, Hill's Science Diet, are sold at vet clinics and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about our products and nutritional philosophy, visit HillsPet.com.

ABOUT PETSMART
PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates more than 1,670 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.

###

Contact

Lauren Munsey

Porter Novelli for PetSmart Charities

Lauren.munsey@porternovelli.com;

24-hour media at PetSmart and PetSmart Charities: MediaRelations@petsmart.com

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PetSmart Charities and American Red Cross Celebrate Pet Preparedness Month

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:28:24 +0000

PetSmart Charities and American Red Cross Celebrate Pet Preparedness Month Petsmart Chari… Tue, 06/11/2024 - 18:28

PetSmart Charities® – the leading funder of animal welfare in the U.S. – is teaming up with the American Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, for National Pet Preparedness Month to ensure pet parents are ready when disaster strikes. June marks the start of hurricane and wildfire season across the country, making it imperative to have an emergency plan for the whole family, including our pets.

In 2023 alone, the Red Cross facilitated nearly 35,000 overnight stays for pets in shelters.

According to PetSmart Charities, 90% of pet parents surveyed said they wouldn't leave their home during a disaster if they couldn't bring their pets with them. Pet parents also said they would give up a spot in a shelter if they couldn't stay there with their pets. One of PetSmart Charities' goals is to keep the whole family together by supporting pet parents with planning before an emergency arises so they are better prepared for disasters.

Through PetSmart Charities' continued support of the Red Cross as a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program, which includes a three-year commitment of more than $2 million in grant funding, pets are now recorded as part of the family upon intake at Red Cross shelters and during case management to ensure families remain intact. The funding also supports pet specific services and resources during an emergency.

The integration of pet tracking into RC Care, the Red Cross client management system, allows the organization to provide services to all family members in disaster situations while also creating pet-centric training and sheltering models with disaster response staff and volunteers. The collaboration with PetSmart Charities has helped the Red Cross make informed decisions regarding disaster response related to pets and helped ensure the needs of people and their pets affected by disasters big and small across the U.S. are met. In 2023 alone, the Red Cross facilitated nearly 35,000 overnight stays for pets in shelters.

"Pets are part of the family and, during an emergency, it's important to plan for their needs, too," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. "Our partnership with the Red Cross continues our 30-year legacy of helping pets in the ways they need it most. The steps we have taken together to include pets in disaster planning, response and recovery aim to ensure that pets and people can stay together during times of crisis – this not only saves pets' lives, but also the lives of the people who love them and may not accept shelter space if it doesn't include their pets."

For Pet Preparedness Month, PetSmart Charities has developed a checklist to help prepare for and navigate the process of evacuating a disaster area with your pet, including:

Identification and Documentation: Keep updated electronic and printed photos and copies of your pets' identification tags, medical records, vaccination records, and essential medications in a water and fireproof container.
Emergency Supplies: Store necessary emergency supplies for your pet like food and water, first aid supplies, crates, carriers, leashes/harnesses and sanitation needs, such as litter boxes and waste bags.
Temporary Shelter: Identify the places and spaces you can bring your pet like pet-friendly hotels, friends or family members' homes and local animal shelters or veterinary clinics for temporary housing options. All Red Cross shelters have planning and placement for pets during an emergency through support from PetSmart Charities.
Transportation: Plan how you will transport your pet during an evacuation. Keep necessary tethers/seat belts on-hand.
Practice and Preparation: Practice evacuating with your pet, using different routes and methods of transportation and learn how to help your pet if they are injured by downloading the Red Cross Pet First Aid app, or taking the Red Cross Pet First Aid course.
Stay Informed: Keep a list of emergency, family, and work contacts and refer to local social media sites for official information from emergency management agencies, such as your local Red Cross.

"The American Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters across the country every year, and time and time again we've seen how emotionally connected people are to their pets and how important it is that they prepare in advance of disasters," said Jennifer Pipa, vice president of Disaster Programs for the American Red Cross. "As our partnership with PetSmart Charities grows, we're looking to help people develop a plan for their entire family — including their pets — to ensure they can stay connected throughout disaster response and relief efforts. Through our work together, our goal is to best serve all family members during times of crisis."

For more information on evacuation preparations, keeping pets safe during a crisis and to download a pet preparedness checklist, visit PetSmart Charities here. For more information on PetSmart Charities, please visit petsmartcharities.org.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities has helped 10 million pets connect with loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities' grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and disaster relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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PetSmart Charities Teams Up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for National Adoption Week, Celebrating 30 Years of Pet Adoptions

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:42:07 +0000

PetSmart Charities Teams Up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for National Adoption Week, Celebrating 30 Years of Pet Adoptions Petsmart Chari… Mon, 03/18/2024 - 13:42

To celebrate 30 years of helping adoptable pets find loving families, PetSmart Charities® – the leading funder of animal welfare in the U.S. – challenged all PetSmart U.S. stores and their local shelter/rescue partners to each find new homes for 30 pets in 30 days during National Adoption Week (March 18-24, 2024) alongside Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

As PetSmart Charities inches closer to its 11 millionth in-store pet adoption, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has joined forces to sponsor PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week this year. In addition to sponsoring this event, Hill’s is also the official feeding sponsor of PetSmart Charities, providing food to all the Adoption Centers in PetSmart stores across the United States. These partnerships closely align with Hill’s 22-year mission to support animal welfare through the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, which provides science-led nutrition to more than 900 shelters across North America. Hill’s and PetSmart Charities share a commitment to helping pets find loving families and to strengthening the bond between pets and their people.

“Shelters across the country are full, and pets of all ages, breeds and temperaments are looking for their families,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities. “For 30 years now, PetSmart Charities has been a leader in working with local shelter partners to help connect adoptable pets with their forever families. We’re thankful to Hill’s for sharing our passion for pets in need, and for this robust support during National Adoption Week. Pets bring so much joy to their people, helping them to live healthier lives, too. If you have room in your heart and home, we strongly encourage you to consider fostering or adopting!”

“Ending pet homelessness is only a pursuit that can be accomplished by working together, which is why Hill’s Pet Nutrition is proud to build on our existing support of the great work of PetSmart Charities in championing shelters and pet adoption,” said Caroline Chulick, senior vice president of marketing at Hill’s

Pet Nutrition U.S. “We hope the National Adoption Week events will help jumpstart matching prospective pet owners with incredible pets awaiting a second chance.”

During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, potential pet parents will have the chance to interact with adoptable pets from local shelters, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and small pets at PetSmart stores. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help educate potential adopters on the pets they are interested in and their care needs.

Those who aren't quite ready to expand their family can still make a big impact by donating funds to help pets in need at petsmartcharities.org. They also can find their match when the time is right by visiting petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet for adoptable pets, adoption centers and events.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Details:

Thousands of local shelters will bring a host of adoptable shelter pets including dogs, cats, kittens and puppies into nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dates: March 18-24, 2024

Locations: Nearly every one of PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Visit petsmart.com to find a store near you.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities has helped 10 million pets connect with loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities’ grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and disaster relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org.

ABOUT HILL’S PET NUTRITION

Founded 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to science-led pet nutrition, Hill's Pet Nutrition is on a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research for dogs and cats using a scientific understanding of their specific needs. As a leading veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health. Hill's Prescription Diet therapeutic nutrition plus our everyday wellness product line, Hill's Science Diet, are sold at vet clinics and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about our products and nutritional philosophy, visit HillsPet.com.

ABOUT PETSMART

PetSmart LLC is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption.

Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.

Media Contact:

Lauren Munsey: 352-398-2574

Porter Novelli for PetSmart Charities

Lauren.munsey@porternovelli.com;

24-hour media at PetSmart and PetSmart Charities: MediaRelations@petsmart.com

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Amid Veterinary Shortages PetSmart Charities ALLOWS ADOPTION PARTNERS To Defer Spay/Neuter Requirements

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:52:25 +0000

Amid Veterinary Shortages PetSmart Charities ALLOWS ADOPTION PARTNERS To Defer Spay/Neuter Requirements Petsmart Chari… Thu, 01/04/2024 - 19:52

Animal shelters across the country are experiencing an overcrowding crisis as pets are waiting longer to be adopted into loving homes. The problem has led to an increase in euthanasia rates and PetSmart Charities, the largest funder of animal welfare in the U.S. has thoughtfully changed policies to provide temporary relief to valuable partners. Where allowed by law, the nonprofit is offering animal welfare organizations (holding adoption events in-store) the option to defer spay and neuter surgeries to after a puppy or kitten under six months old is adopted. This program was piloted in 2023 and ended on December 31, 2023. We are pleased to report the pilot phase was a success. As such, the post-adoption spay/neuter policy – for pets 6 months of age and under – will continue to be our policy, where allowed by law.

This critical policy change is one of many ways PetSmart Charities is supporting organizations who take in pets in need of homes. Once adopted, adoption partners will support adoptive pet parents to ensure they are complying with local and spay and neuter laws through a variety of post-adoption programs. The policy change is supported by the Humane Society of the United States, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.

A leading contributor to the overcrowding of pets in shelters is the national shortage of veterinary practitioners. This shortage has created a backlog of adoptable pets waiting for spay & neuter surgeries that are often required to occur ahead of adoptions. The backlog in surgeries impacts unaltered pets having to wait to be available for adoption and those that have been waiting so long are at-risk of being euthanized[1] for space.

“In the 1990s, animal welfare was facing an over-population of cats and dogs as they were reproducing at a faster rate than we could place them. At that time, we came together to enact spay and neuter laws and mandates that proved to be instrumental in curbing the overpopulation crisis — pet populations remain on a steady decline,” Heidi Marston, director of pet placement initiatives at PetSmart Charities, said.

“Today, we face a different challenge: an access to veterinary care crisis. Many shelters are experiencing a critical backlog in spay and neuter surgeries with some animals waiting up to 8 months in a shelter, unavailable to be adopted until their appointment. This isn't working for folks doing the work and it certainly isn't working for the animals. PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million over the next five years to help break down the barriers that prevent pets from receiving the veterinary care they need, but until those efforts are scaled. We must shift our approach, just like we did 30 years ago, to respond to the crisis of our time by finding ways to get pets into homes. Sending pets home faster, where they can wait for their spay or neuter appointment, decreases risk for contagious disease, behavioral issues and stress due to confinement and lack of connection to pets and people,[2]” she added.

Here is what the policy change entails:

Where allowed by law, PetSmart Charities is allowing animal welfare organizations that are unable to spay or neuter adoptable pets younger than 6 months old to bring those pets to in-store adoption events. This allows for those pets to be spayed or neutered after their adoption in compliance with their local municipal and state laws.
The policy change serves as an option for adoption partners who do not have capacity to spay or neuter pets due to the national veterinary shortage. Adoption partners who have capacity to conduct timely surgeries for pets under 6 months, prior to adoption, should continue to do so. Animal welfare organization partners will be responsible for monitoring whether adoptive pet parents comply with local and state spay and neuter laws once the pet has been adopted.
This is not a new approach. Post-adoption spay and neuter programs have been successfully implemented by animal welfare organizations in a variety of ways, including scheduling spay and neuter appointments in the future with the pet parent bringing in the pets for surgery; a spay and neuter voucher that allows pet parents to schedule the surgery on their own as part of the adoption requirements; and foster-to-adopt programs in which a family fosters a pet in their home and then can officially adopt the pet once they are spayed or neutered.
This policy change was made with the support of many national animal welfare organizations including but not limited to: The Humane Society of the United States, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, among others.

More information on how this policy will help increase adoptions and save lives, as well as the reasons for this policy change can be found here. Learn about PetSmart Charities access to care initiative here. For more information on pet adoption through PetSmart Charities, visit petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet.

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[1] PetPoint data, Q1 2023

[2] Gunter, Lisa. Understanding the impacts of breed identity, post-adoption and fostering interventions, & behavioral welfare of shelter dogs. Arizona State University, 2018; and Dinnage, J.D., J.M. Scarlett, and J.R. Richards, Descriptive epidemiology of feline upper respiratory tract disease in an animal shelter. J Feline Med Surg, 2009. 11(10): p. 816-25.

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Media Contacts:
Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart Charities
petsmartcharities@clynch.com

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PetSmart Charities and Deutsch LA Support Crowded Shelters with AI Tool “Rescue Writer™” Ahead of National Adoption Week Nov. 6-12

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 17:02:00 +0000

PetSmart Charities and Deutsch LA Support Crowded Shelters with AI Tool “Rescue Writer™” Ahead of National Adoption Week Nov. 6-12 Petsmart Chari… Fri, 11/03/2023 - 13:02

Henri, a sweet and calm adoptable senior dog in Phoenix, Arizona promises to make a perfect match for those who prefer a relaxed lifestyle.

Just in time for National Adoption Week, Nov. 6-12, nonprofit PetSmart Charities® is leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to encourage adoptions. In partnership with Deutsch LA, an award-winning creative agency, the entities are providing shelters with access to Rescue Writer™. The free tool helps shelter staff and volunteers to write attention-grabbing, heartwarming and editable bios, promising to increase pets’ chances of finding people to love.

By simply entering a few personality traits, Rescue Writer churns out quirky, sweet and attention-getting bios for each pet. Creative storytelling has the power to pique the interests of potential adopters to schedule “meet and greets” to determine ideal matches. For example, Henri is a 10-year-old at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in Phoenix, Arizona. Rescue Writer generated the following bio to entice his perfect match:

“Meet Henri, a senior dog with a heart of gold. His personality is as mellow as a summer's day and as gentle as a lullaby. He's sweet, loyal and so cuddly that you'll never feel lonely with him around. Henry's idea of a perfect day involves lounging on the couch, enjoying the quiet moments, and giving you his undivided attention. He's the ideal companion for those who appreciate the slower, more relaxed pace of life. Adopting Henry means welcoming a friend who will cherish your company, bring tranquility to your home, and fill your days with the purest form of love. Don't let his senior status fool you - Henry still has plenty of love to give and is eagerly waiting for his loving home where he can spend his golden years showering his new family with affection.”

“We’re thankful to our friends at Deutsch LA for creating such an easy-to-use, accessible way to evolve the time-consuming job of writing bios,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities. “We’re thrilled to make Rescue Writer available to shelters across the nation; the tool promises to help more pets — and especially seniors in need of warm homes in their golden years — faster.”

Each year, more than six million pets find their way into shelters. Many of them now face extended stays, stretching shelters' already limited resources. During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week local shelter partners bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores across the nation in hopes of finding new homes for tens of thousands or adoptable pets.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week in November coincides with National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Older pets are often overlooked because of future health risks and concerns about ingrained behaviors. But they make ideal companions for those looking for certain attributes. PetSmart Charities encourages potential pet parents to consider the benefits of inviting an adult pet to join their pack:

Bonding with senior pets can be a bit easier as they’re more likely to be calmer, more experienced and house-trained.
For those in search of a fellow “couch potato” to watch movies with or even to lay low while working, senior pets can be the perfect match.
Whether it’s their preferences or their personalities, pets in the golden years can be easier to read.
Living with senior pets can inspire their people to slow down and take time to stop and smell the roses.
Adopting senior pets ensures peace and better health in their final years and helps shelters to ease overcrowding.

“Stemming from the insight that shelter animals with well-defined backstories are more likely to find their forever home, we set out to leverage the power of AI for good,” said Ivan Perez-Armendariz, EVP/Head of Digital Experience, Deutsch LA. “PetSmart Charities play such an important role in this space. Giving them and animal shelters new tools to make a substantial difference has been incredibly gratifying.”

As National Adoption Week approaches, PetSmart Charities is encouraging communities to find a PetSmart store nearby and open their home to a pet in need. For those not ready to expand their families, donations are welcome at petsmartcharities.org.

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Deutsch LA is a data-inspired, culturally shaped, creative studio based in Los Angeles, California. Working at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and culture, we keep brands ahead of the curve. With Hollywood’s creative legacy as a backdrop and the ingenuity of Silicon Beach serving as daily inspiration, we take an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach that includes: advertising, brand strategy, business intelligence, design, media, production, and technology. Steelhead, our in-house production company, is the largest agency-owned production facility in the country, keeping making at the core of what we do. Deutsch LA is proud to work with some of the world’s top brands including: Taco Bell, Walmart, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Lowe’s, Nintendo, PetSmart, Opendoor, NerdWallet, and more. Deutsch LA has regularly appeared on Advertising Age’s Agency A-List and is honored to be named one of Adweek’s 2023 Top Five U.S. Agencies of the Year.For more information, visit www.deutschla.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram.

Media Contacts:
Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart Charities
petsmartcharities@clynch.com

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PetSmart Charities Unleashes First-Ever Annual Pet Hunger Awareness Day on Sept. 26

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:14:39 +0000

PetSmart Charities Unleashes First-Ever Annual Pet Hunger Awareness Day on Sept. 26 Petsmart Chari… Mon, 09/18/2023 - 14:14

When people experience food insecurity, their pets do too. PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in the country, is raising awareness of the pervasiveness of pet hunger by announcing the first-ever Pet Hunger Awareness Day™ on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Pet Hunger Awareness Day will be recognized annually on the last Tuesday of September moving forward.

According to PetSmart Charities research, 30 million pets in the U.S. face hunger every year. The organization is launching Pet Hunger Awareness Day to address the disastrous consequences families in need face. This includes making the impossible choice to surrender beloved pets to already overcrowded shelters. Many pet parents in need are also compelled to give food meant for themselves to their pets instead. In fact, a new survey[1] commissioned by PetSmart Charities reveals that 66% of pet parents would share some of their own food if they were struggling to feed their pet and 83% would forgo their own meals to make sure their pet has enough to eat.

“We know that circumstances change, but that shouldn’t mean that it is difficult to feed our pets. They’re important family members and we believe everyone deserves the love of a pet,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “We’re passionate about keeping pets together with their families because it’s better for the health of pets and their pet parents. Lending a hand to families in their time of need helps ensure pets stay in homes where they’re loved and out of shelters. We’re excited to announce this special awareness day to draw attention to this issue and invite others to contribute to solutions.”

Pet parents and pet lovers are encouraged to participate in a new social media campaign called the “Dinner Dance Challenge.” For every photo or video posted on Instagram of your pet doing their dinner dance with the hashtag #dinnerdanceforpets between Sept. 18-26, 2023, one of our generous partners will donate $2, up to a maximum of $10,000*, to PetSmart Charities. Plus, that same partner will also match individual donations made to petsmartcharities.org up to $40,000 during the month of September.**

Feeding Hope and Ending Pet Hunger
PetSmart Charities is leading the way to help ensure pets don’t go hungry by partnering with social service organizations to provide pet food to be distributed along with human food. Last year, the organization committed $9.5 million in grant support to Feeding America® and Meals on Wheels America for this purpose.

This year on Pet Hunger Awareness Day, PetSmart Charities is partnering with Feeding America to distribute pet food alongside human food to families in need. Feeding America affiliates and volunteers at Feeding Tampa Bay in Tampa Bay, Florida; St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona; Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado; and San Antonio Food Bank in San Antonio, Texas, will participate in these special pet food distribution events.

“When families are food insecure, so are their pets,” said Diane Letson, vice president of food industry partnerships at Feeding America. “Pet Hunger Awareness Day shines a light on this critical issue as our thriving partnership continues to make an impact across the nation. We are grateful for partners like PetSmart Charities who share in our mission and whose contributions make a meaningful difference for neighbors facing hunger. The compassionate distribution of pet food right alongside human food at our local partner food banks ensures families and their pets are not only nourished, but they also stay together.”

For more information on how PetSmart Charities is raising awareness on pet hunger and how to take part in Pet Hunger Awareness Day, visit petsmartcharities.org.

*For every photo or video posted on Instagram of your dog doing the dinner dance with the hashtag #dinnerdanceforpets between 9/18/23-9/26/26, one of our generous partners will donate $2, up to a maximum of $10,000, to PetSmart Charities.

**Valid 9/1/23-9/30/23. All donations must be made online at PetSmartCharities.org to be eligible for matching. One of our generous partners will match donations up to $40,000. Donations made on PetSmartCharities.org are not eligible for Treats points. Funds will be used to support PetSmart Charities mission.

About PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Media Contacts:
Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart Charities
petsmartcharities@clynch.com

[1)The PetSmart Charities survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over, between Aug. 7-13, 2023, using an email invitation and an online survey. This data has been weighted to ensure accurate representation of U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over.

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Fido Comes First: New Survey Reveals Pet Parents Would Go Hungry to Make Sure Pets Don’t

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 21:59:02 +0000

Fido Comes First: New Survey Reveals Pet Parents Would Go Hungry to Make Sure Pets Don’t Petsmart Chari… Thu, 09/14/2023 - 17:59

When people go hungry, their pets often do too. But 83% of pet parents struggling with food costs would forego their own meals to make sure their pet has enough to eat, according to a new survey commissioned by PetSmart Charities.

PetSmart Charities knows that when people feel they can’t provide for their pet, they often surrender their pets to already overcrowded shelters or share the human food meant for their family with their pets. PetSmart Charities is raising awareness of pet hunger, and how individuals and organizations can help, by unleashing the inaugural Pet Hunger Awareness Day™ on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The day will be recognized on the last Tuesday of September every year moving forward.

As part of this campaign, PetSmart Charities commissioned a survey of pet parents across the country and found surprising results. This includes that about a third of pet parents would travel to another state to a food bank that provided pet food if their local food bank didn’t offer it. Women would be more open to asking for help from friends or relatives to provide food (59%) compared to men (49%), and women would be less likely to give up a pet to a shelter (12%) compared to men (27%).

Additional survey results include the following:

Mealtime is a happy time. More than two-thirds of pet parents enjoy being able to provide for their pet (68%). Others take great pleasure in seeing their pet licking its chops or wagging its tail (63%), witnessing the pet’s contentment after the meal (53%) and watching their pet’s signature dinner dance (48%).
They’d get help to fill the bowl. If a pet parent was struggling to feed their furry (or scaly) friend, 58% of respondents said they would reach out for pet food assistance or to a pet food bank, and 55% said they would ask for help from friends and relatives to provide food.
More food assistance is needed. If pet parents needed food assistance for themselves, 35% would travel to another town, city or even another state to a food bank that provided food assistance for their pets as well.
The last resort is an unfortunate option. Having exhausted all resources, nearly 1 in 5 pet parents (19%) would take a heartbreaking step and give their pets up to a shelter.

“Pets are a part of the family and pet hunger can create dire consequences for families that just want to be able to love and care for their pet. It’s clear from the survey results that we all need to get loud about pet hunger and how individuals and organizations can support pet families in need to make life easier at both ends of the leash,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “We all want to be able to provide for our pets and see their happy dinner dance.”

For more information on pet hunger and how individuals and organizations can support pet families in need, visit PetSmartCharities.org.

Media Contacts:
Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart Charities
petsmartcharities@clynch.com

[1] The PetSmart Charities survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over, between Aug. 7-13, 2023, using an email invitation and an online survey. This data has been weighted to ensure accurate representation of U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over.

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Majority of Pet Parents Would Donate Kidney to Their Pets If They Could, New Survey Reveals

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:27:03 +0000

Majority of Pet Parents Would Donate Kidney to Their Pets If They Could, New Survey Reveals Petsmart Chari… Wed, 08/02/2023 - 13:27

It’s no secret that pet parents love their furry companions. Not only do they consider them to be family, but 86% worry about their pets’ health as much as, or more than, their own, according to a new nationwide survey commissioned by PetSmart Charities. Pet parents care about their pets’ health so much that they would be willing to go to great lengths to ensure their pets are healthy, with 58% of respondents saying they would even donate a kidney to their pet if they could. The hard reality is the rising cost of veterinary care in the U.S. makes it difficult for millions of doting pet parents to afford even basic veterinary care, but PetSmart Charities is working to change this.

The nationwide survey of pet owners found:

About 45% of pet parents say the cost of a visit has kept them from taking their pet to the veterinarian. Nearly half of respondents feel they should be taking their pets to the veterinarian more often than they do.
Nearly 30% of pet parents say they would struggle to pay a veterinary bill of $500 or more.
For life-saving procedures, about half of respondents said they would ask friends or family for money, and more than one-third would take out a personal bank loan to cover the costs.
More than a third of respondents would be left making the heartbreaking decision to either put their pet to sleep or surrender their pet to the local shelter when faced with unaffordable veterinary care costs.

Finding Solutions to the Veterinary Care Crisis

PetSmart Charities understands the difficult decisions pet parents face when it comes to giving their pets the level of care they want and is helping to break down barriers to accessible veterinary care. As the top funder of animal welfare in the U.S., the nonprofit recently announced a commitment of $100 million over five years to address not only the financial barriers but also the geographic, cultural and language barriers that prevent pets from receiving the care they need to thrive.

“This new data shows the heartbreaking situation many pet parents face when it comes to getting their pets veterinary care,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “Pet parents of all socioeconomic standings share an intense love for their pets and want to go to great lengths to take care of them, but the reality is there are often many barriers standing in the way. Our commitment to help keep pets with the people who love them is steadfast, and that’s why we’ve made our largest grant commitment ever to improving accessible veterinary care in the U.S.”

Addressing Barriers to Accessible Veterinary Care

Cost is just one barrier for pet owners looking to get their animals the veterinary care they need. About a quarter of respondents of the survey said that it takes too long to schedule an appointment, the vet’s office is too far away, they don’t have reliable transportation to the veterinarian or they don’t feel understood by the veterinarian.

“The veterinary industry is facing challenges of its own, including a severe shortage of veterinarians, especially for those looking to support underserved communities,” said Dr. Robyn Jaynes, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities. “As part of our $100 million commitment, we’re supporting measures to attract more people to the field by awarding scholarships to veterinary students pursuing community-based practices and establishing a training program for master’s-level veterinary practitioners to offer basic care at affordable prices. Veterinarians also feel and understand the struggles of pet owners, and it will take all of us working together on solutions to change the industry for the better.”

For more information on PetSmart Charities and to learn how you can help pet parents access the veterinary care their pets need, please visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

About PetSmart Charities®

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities’ grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row, placing it among the top 1 percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Media Contacts:

Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart Charities

Régine Labossière

petsmartcharities@clynch.com

1The PetSmart Charities Access to Care Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over, between March 28 – April 2, 2023, using an email invitation and an online survey. This data has been weighted to ensure accurate representation of U.S. pet owners ages 18 and over.

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Actress Lucy Hale Teams with PetSmart to Champion Pet Adoption

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 00:50:33 +0000

Actress Lucy Hale Teams with PetSmart to Champion Pet Adoption Petsmart Chari… Sat, 07/15/2023 - 20:50

PHOENIX (July 11, 2023) – Actress Lucy Hale is teaming with PetSmart to encourage people to adopt a pet to boost their well-being and relieve overcrowded shelters. Dogs, puppies, cats and kittens will be available for adoption through nonprofit PetSmart Charities and animal welfare partners at PetSmart stores across the country during PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, July 10-16, 2023.

Hale, an advocate for mental health, has been vocal about how being a dog mom to Elvis and rescue pup Ethel has helped her through difficult times. Research has consistently shown that pets can have a positive impact on cognitive, emotional and physical health. Offering companionship, unconditional love and support, pets bring joy to the lives of those who care for them.

“I’ve been open about my journey through mental health and wellness. My dogs Elvis and Ethel have been my strength – a constant source of comfort and companionship,” Hale said. “I want to encourage others to discover the power and joy of the human-animal bond. Shelters across the U.S. are at or beyond capacity and I’m encouraging people to open their hearts and homes to a new pet during PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week.”

During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, nearly every PetSmart store will offer the opportunity to meet and adopt pets in need of loving homes. Staff and volunteers from local animal welfare organizations will be on hand to help potential adopters learn more about the pets they are interested in and ensure they feel confident in caring for them.

For more information on what to prepare for and ask in advance of adopting a cat or dog, visit here.

Many shelters are at capacity and the need for adoption of all pets is great. However, animal welfare organizations are especially looking to find loving homes specifically for cats right now. Shelters across the nation are in the thick of kitten season, a time when the feline population drastically increases as most kitten litters are born throughout the summer months.

“During PetSmart Charities National Adoption week this summer, we’re on a lifesaving mission,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “The need for adoptions is high to alleviate overcrowding and get more pets into loving families. We have hope and are grateful to have the support of Lucy Hale in raising awareness at this critical time. When you share your home with a pet in need, they in turn show you love and gratitude. And if you’ve never thought of yourself as a cat person, we encourage you to do some meet and greets and fall in love with a new feline companion.”

Those who aren't quite ready to expand their family can still make a big impact by donating to help pets in need at petsmartcharities.org. They also can find their match when the time is right by visiting petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet for adoptable pets, adoption centers and events near them.

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About PetSmart

PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption.

About PetSmart Charities®

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Media Contact:

Carmichael Lynch Relate for PetSmart

petsmart@clynch.com

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