You Have Questions about Adopting a Pet: We Have Answers

PHOENIX, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- When people decide to adopt a pet during PetSmart Charities' National Adoption Weekend, they often have more than a few questions: From wondering what type and age of pet will be best suited to their home and lifestyle; to understanding why they may need to fill out an adoption application and questionnaire; and learning how to make a new pet feel right at home. These are just a few common inquiries potential pet adopters have and they're part of the reason why PetSmart has placed an Adoption Ambassador in more than 1,600 stores across North America.

Adoption Ambassadors are PetSmart associates who receive specialized training to become experts on PetSmart Charities' In-Store Adoption Program. They can help explain the adoption application process, introduce adopters to a representative from one of the nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations bringing adoptable pets into PetSmart stores, and provide guidance on how to integrate a new pet into the family. They're also passionate about PetSmart Charities and can explain how PetSmart and its non-profit partner have worked together for 25 years to find loving homes for 8.4 million pets and counting.

Deborah Turcott, acting president of PetSmart Charities explains why the in-store adoption program continues to be so successful. "As the leading funder of animal welfare, PetSmart Charities provides grants to support nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. In turn, those organizations provide shelter, socialization and veterinary care to homeless pets to prepare them for adoption. When ready, those adoptable pets are transported to a nearby PetSmart store where they have exposure to millions of pet-lovers. It's a collaborative partnership based on our shared mission to bring people and pets together."

On Feb. 22 – 24, PetSmart Charities' National Adoption Weekend will take place in just about every PetSmart store across the continent. Tens of thousands of puppies and dogs, kittens and cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and other furry, scaly and even a few feathered friends from local shelters will be looking to be adopted into a loving home.  In most cases, adopters are able to take their new pet home the very same day they meet them, but in some cases, a home visit may be required to help ensure the new pet and pet parent will be happy together for years to come. 

When thinking of adopting a pet, pop into a local PetSmart store during PetSmart Charities' National Adoption Weekend. It's a great way to meet adoptable pets from the local community. The team of knowledgeable animal welfare partners and Adoption Ambassadors can help match potential adopters with the perfect furry, scaly or feathered friend. Preview adoptable pets by following PetSmart Charities on Twitter and Instagram during National Adoption Weekend when the charity will host a social media adopt-a-thon on Sat., Feb. 23 and Sun., Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EST.

Not Ready or Not Able to Adopt This Weekend? 
For those not ready to adopt a pet this February but who still want to help tens of thousands of pets find homes, there's PetSmart Charities' #PicMe campaign. Simply snap a picture of an adoptable pet in a PetSmart store and post it on social media using the hashtag #PicMe. Watch this #PicMe video to find out how to take a selfless selfie and help reduce pet homelessness via social media.

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 500,000 shelter pets each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to nonprofits aligned with its mission under four key areas of support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets and Providing Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities 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 almost $340 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 15 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

About PetSmart®
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of 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 they, together, 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 employs approximately 56,000 associates and operates more than 1,650 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. The retailer 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. 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 more than 8 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.

Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on Instagram: @PetSmart
Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart
PetSmart homepage: http://www.petsmart.com/

Turn your passion for pets into a career you'll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities.

SOURCE PetSmart Charities

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