Save the Date to Raise $300,000 and Save Homeless Pets in Philadelphia at the PetSmart Charities® PetWalk™

PHILADELPHIA, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Love animals? Want to help save the lives of homeless pets? Then join forces with Philadelphia's inaugural PetSmart Charities® PetWalk™ presented by Purina® ProPlan®, on Saturday, May 7 in FDR Park, which aims to raise $300,000 for local animal-welfare agencies and PetSmart Charities, the largest funder of companion animal-welfare efforts in North America.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110316/AQ66442)

The event features activities for adults, kids and pets alike, including a 3K walk, contests, refreshments and performances by the Purina Incredible Dog Team. The entry fee is $30 per person, and children 17 and younger – and pets – are free. Activities begin at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10 a.m.

To register for the Philadelphia PetWalk™, or for more information, visit www.mypetwalk.org.

"We are excited to bring our PetWalk fundraising event to the city of Philadelphia where we hope to make an impact on saving pets' lives in the area," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director and vice president of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "PetWalk gives pet lovers in the Philadelphia area the chance to get involved in a lifesaving effort by raising funds for their local animal-welfare organizations."

This year in America, eight million pets will end up in shelters and four million will be euthanized because they never find a home. By supporting the PetSmart Charities PetWalk, Philadelphians will raise funds for those local animal-welfare organizations committed to finding a lifelong, loving home for every pet.

PetSmart Charities' first three PetWalks in Arizona have raised more than $780,000 to support efforts that save the lives of homeless pets and in total have attracted more than 13,000 human and pet participants. Now one of the largest pet-themed events in the metro-Phoenix area, the PetWalk is expanding to communities across the U.S. to support the efforts of local organizations and shelters that strive to save the lives of pets who don't have homes.

Learn more and follow along on PetSmart Charities' Facebook page at www.facebook.com/petwalk.

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 companion animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided $110 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store adoption program, helped save the lives of more than 4.3 million pets.  To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its Vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.

SOURCE PetSmart Charities, Inc.