$1 Million National Spay/Neuter Grant Program From PetSmart Charities® Continues To Save Lives Of Nation's Most At-Risk Pets

August's "Primp Your Pit" promotion will provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to pit bull terriers

PHOENIX, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PetSmart Charities^®, the country's largest funder of spay/neuter efforts, will sponsor the "Primp Your Pit" promotion during the month of August as a result of a $1 million national spay/neuter grant program aimed at saving the lives of pit bull terriers, one of the most at-risk populations of being euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters. This promotion allows pet parents to take advantage of high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and in turn, celebrate the lives of their beloved pets.

The grant program, which builds on PetSmart Charities' efforts to improve spay/neuter rates, reduce shelter overcrowding and increase pet adoption, provides clinics resources to spay or neuter pit bulls. During the month of August, 63 non-profit spay/neuter clinics nationwide will provide spay/neuter surgeries for a special rate of $20 including a free nail trim with a goal of reaching a total of 6,750 pit bull terriers in 30 states combined.

Today, 35 percent of dogs and cats in U.S. households are not spayed or neutered yet the procedure is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. Pit bulls, in particular, end up in shelters in large numbers due to the myths and negative media and public perceptions that are associated with the breed.

"Our national grant program gives much-needed help to pit bull terriers that are especially at risk," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "Through the 'Primp Your Pit' promotion and our ongoing efforts to make affordable spay/neuter surgeries available to the public, pet parents can prevent unwanted litters and ensure their pet lives a long, happy life.

Each year, about 8 million pets end up in shelters and 4 million of them – about 11,000 a day – are euthanized. Many of these homeless pets are a result of accidental litters from pets that are not spayed or neutered.

"Spaying/neutering a pet is the most effective step a pet parent can take to prevent unwanted litters of pit bull terriers," said Timy Sullivan, founder of PetFix NE Ohio. "Within two weeks of announcing the 'Primp Your Pit' promotion, we filled all 72 appointments available and had wait lists of pet parents eager to provide their pit bull terriers these life-saving surgeries made possible by the PetSmart Charities' grant."

Through the promotion, spay/neuter clinics receive: grant funds to help lower the cost of spay/neuter for the public; professionally-developed marketing materials to educate the public; and funding and support to advertise and promote the campaigns in local communities.

To find high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter services locally, the public can go online to www.petsmartcharities.org and click on Spay/Neuter to access a free searchable database made possible through  a partnership between PetSmart Charities and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).

How to Donate to Save Pets' Lives

Donations allow PetSmart Charities to offer these types of grant programs and resources that support local clinics and shelters across the nation. Members of the public can support these programs by making a donation online, by email at [email protected] or via phone at 623-587-2826 to help save the lives of homeless pets across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Donations may be tax deductible.

Follow PetSmart Charities' pet-saving endeavors through Facebook (www.facebook.com/savehomelesspets) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs).

About PetSmart Charities®

Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

Contact:
Steve Pawlowski, Communications Manager
PetSmart Charities
[email protected]
(623) 516-3920

Ryanne Dalton
GolinHarris for PetSmart Charities
[email protected]
(972) 341-2529

SOURCE PetSmart Charities, Inc.