Petfinder.com Announces First Ever "Big Birthday Adoption Event" Across Nearly 1,500 Shelters and Rescue Groups in North America

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At any given time, more than 340,000 furry friends, are waiting for homes on Petfinder.com, the largest online searchable database of adoptable pets. Widely known as the premier matchmaking site for people and pets, Petfinder.com is now launching its first ever "Big Birthday Adoption Event" from July 15 to July 17 with a goal of finding homes for 15,000 pets during the weekend-long event, in honor of its 15th Birthday.

"Petfinder.com is the only animal welfare organization with a network this large, so we decided it was time to bring everyone together at one time to hold adoption events from state to state, coast to coast," said Betsy Banks Saul, who founded the organization with Jared Saul in 1996. "We are so proud of the more than 17 million adoptions we have helped facilitate since we started Petfinder.com," she said. "To honor that amazing accomplishment, we want to do something really big and impactful to once again shine the spotlight on adoption."

So far, nearly 1,500 shelters and rescue groups have agreed to participate by hosting an adoption event during the timeframe at their facility, or by joining together with other adoption organizations in their community. Families can visit http://petfinder.com/birthday to see a list of participating shelters and rescue groups near them. Each group's event and adoption requirements may vary, so adopters are encouraged to speak with a shelter / rescue representative or look on the organization's individual website for details.

People who are not able to adopt a pet but still want to help can donate much needed money, supplies or time volunteering at their local shelter or rescue group. Alternatively, a donation of $15 to the Petfinder.com Foundation will help work toward the Foundation's goal of supporting thousands of animal welfare organizations by providing direct funding, as well as training, education and grants of equipment and supplies. Donations to the Foundation may be made from http://petfinder.com/birthday.

"I am beyond excited to watch the weekend adoptions unfold," said Banks Saul. "We could not be more thrilled to be celebrating our birthday in such a monumental way."

About Petfinder.com

Petfinder.com is the largest online, searchable database of animals that need permanent homes. With more than 340,000 adoptable pets from over 13,500 animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico, Petfinder.com has facilitated more than 17 million adoptions since it was launched in 1996. In addition to being an adoption database, Petfinder.com is an all-inclusive resource guide for how to select the right family pet and build a successful, life-long relationship. Thanks to its sponsors, the site is free to both visitors and to its animal placement organization members. Exclusive sponsors are BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a manufacturer of home cleaning and floor care products, PETCO, a national pet supply retailer that sponsors in-store adoptions and provides coupon books for new adopters, The Animal Rescue Site, PetFirst Healthcare, the exclusive pet insurance provider for Petfinder.com, and Merial, maker of the number one veterinary-recommended flea and tick preventative FRONTLINE(r), and heartworm preventative HEARTGARD(r).

CONTACT:
Katy Layton
CooperKatz & Co. for Petfinder.com
[email protected]
917-595-3057

SOURCE Petfinder.com