One Million Pet Adoptions Begin Their Next Chapter with Post-Adoption Support

Petszel milestone, made possible by shelter and rescue partners nationwide, reflects a growing commitment to supporting pets and families beyond adoption day.

FRISCO, Texas, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Petszel, a leading technology partner to animal shelters and rescue organizations, today announced that it has supported one million pet adoptions across its network of partners, a milestone that underscores the company's mission to close the post-adoption gap and help more pets and their people build lasting lives together.

Since its founding, Petszel has worked alongside animal welfare organizations to modernize the adoption experience, from the moment a family leaves the shelter or rescue through the critical weeks that follow. That focus of looking beyond adoption day to the full adoption journey, is central to the company's impact: shelter partners using Petszel's post-adoption support tools have seen meaningful reductions in return rates averaging 20%, as newly adopted pets and their families receive timely, personalized guidance during the adjustment period that can often lead to returns.

 "We tend to celebrate adoption day as the happy ending. But anyone who has brought a new pet home knows it's really the beginning," said Matt Russell, Co-founder and CEO of Petszel. "Reaching one million pets is meaningful because behind that number are one million individual beginnings and shelter and rescue partners working to give pets and their families the support they need to build a life together."

One Pet Represents a Million New Beginnings

The one-millionth adoption took place at Animal Protective Association of Missouri, a Petszel partner shelter in St. Louis, where Vinny, an 8-week-old kitten, found his new home with Eden alongside his brother. After spending his early weeks with his mother and siblings in a caring foster home, Vinny was neutered and prepared for adoption before beginning his new life with Eden, making him a fitting pet to mark this milestone.

"Every adoption is a new beginning, but our commitment to that pet and family doesn't end when they walk out of our doors," said Sarah Javier, CEO of the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. "Having resources and support available after adoption helps families navigate those important first days and weeks together. We're proud that Vinny's adoption represents this milestone and the shared commitment of shelters and rescues across the country to supporting pets and the people who love them."

Closing the Post-Adoption Gap

Petszel's platform is used by over 500 shelters and rescues across the country to provide adopters with trusted resources from an advisory group of experts covering pet health, behavior, training and adjustment, helping them navigate common questions and challenges after bringing a new pet home.

A peer-reviewed research study, leveraging nearly 40,000 Petszel surveys, found that while adopters report high-satisfaction, many experience common challenges in the first days and weeks at home as pets adjust to a new environment. These moments represent an opportunity for Petszel and partners across the country to provide support. "The one-million milestone reflects a broader belief shared by Petszel and its animal welfare partners: a successful adoption isn't measured only by the day a pet goes home, but by what happens next. One million pets have started that next chapter. The goal now is to help the next million do the same," said Matt Russell, Co-founder and CEO of Petszel. 

About Petszel

Founded in 2023, Petszel is a no cost program for organizations that provides shelter-branded support to adopters throughout their post-adoption journey. Through adopter-facing tools and trusted resources, Petszel works to close the post-adoption gap, strengthen the bond between pets and their people, and support animal welfare organizations and the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.petszel.com.

About Animal Protective Association of Missouri

Founded in 1922, the Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA) is a non-profit organization in St. Louis, Missouri dedicated to bringing people and pets together and building connections that strengthen families and communities. In 2025, the APA provided care to nearly 13,000 pets through adoption, wellness, and community support services.

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Christine Gately-Evans
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SOURCE Petszel, Inc.