A $25 donation is the gift that will save a pet’s life

Looking to rock your gift list this Christmas? Take a cue from rock star Bret Michaels and make a donation to save homeless pets on behalf of the pet lover on your list.

A lifelong pet lover, Michaels has teamed up with PetSmart Charities to bring awareness to the millions of adoptable pets who need homes, and to encourage others to make a difference this holiday season.

Half of the 8 million pets who end up in shelters are euthanized — about 11,000 pets a day —because they don’t have a home.

A $25 donation to PetSmart Charities saves a pet’s life by covering the cost for shelter space, food and veterinarian services needed to care for pets while they wait to be adopted. With PetSmart Charities, your donation goes further to save pets — 84 cents of every dollar goes directly to help pets in need, one of the highest direct-donation percentages among all national animal welfare charities.

“I was lucky enough to adopt my German shepherd, Tarkus Arlicicus, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without having pets around,” said Michaels.

“By making a donation to PetSmart Charities this holiday, you will give a pet the second chance it deserves to find its lifelong home — and be a rock star to the pet lovers in your life.”

Pet Lovers are Rockin’ Holiday Donations in 2012

In a recent PetSmart Charities Facebook survey*, 88 percent of respondents said they are planning to donate to an animal welfare organization this holiday. They also indicated that the most important factor in deciding which charity will receive their donation was knowing their money would make a difference in saving pets.

In addition to its high direct-donation percentage, PetSmart Charities is in the top one percent of charities rated by Charity Navigator and has received its highest 4-star rating for nine consecutive years.

How to Donate

It’s one gift that doesn’t require you to fight the mall crowds or dig out the wrapping paper. Just visit www.petsmartcharities.org/how-to-help/donate to join Bret Michaels and PetSmart Charities in rockin’ the holiday season by saving a pet’s life.

Awareness and concern about pet homelessness is undermined by growing misconceptions about adoptable pets

Fundraising campaigns that show homeless pets in depressing conditions appear to strengthen the reluctance of some Americans to adopt a pet, according to new research from PetSmart Charities.

The study also identifies the most persistent misconceptions that people have about adoptable pets —that shelters don’t have the type of dog/cat wanted; purebred pets aren’t available; and you never know what you’re going to get with a shelter pet.

PetSmart Charities funded two national surveys, administered by Ipsos Marketing in 2009 and 2011, to better understand the public’s attitudes and understanding about pet adoption and spay/neuter.

The results of the surveys have highlighted the need for the animal welfare community to portray adoptable pets in a more positive light. Doing so would help to close the awareness gap between the benefits of pet adoption and spay/neuter, and the current pet homelessness and euthanasia epidemic.

“The pets shown in fundraising campaigns should be the same pets that animal welfare organizations are asking people to adopt – those that are healthy, happy, and ready for a forever home,” said Kelly Campbell, senior manager of knowledge & research, PetSmart Charities.

Key findings from the study include:

• · Most Americans (88 percent) drastically underestimate the scope of the euthanasia epidemic. In 2011, people estimated the number of pets euthanized annually was 1.2 million, and in 2009, that number was 1.5 million. Both figures are far below the actual number of approximately 4 million cats and dogs euthanized every year.
• · Conversely, people’s awareness and concern about the pet homelessness issue have grown, and more say they would consider adopting a pet. In 2009, 51 percent said they would consider adopting a dog or cat, compared to 58 percent in 2011.
• · However, misconceptions about adoption are increasing – reflecting significant damage that has been done in just two years. The barriers to adoption that have grown significantly from 2009 to 2011 include:

o Shelters don’t have the type of dog or cat wanted: up 9 percent

o You never know what you’re going to get with a shelter pet: up 21 percent

o The dog/cat may have behavioral problems: up 13 percent

o Shelters are depressing or sad: up 20 percent

•  The desire to save a pet is the strongest driver of adoption at 84 percent. Also, 21 percent of people said that seeing a pet’s picture online motivated them to adopt, reinforcing the need to depict adoptable pets in a positive light.
•  The study identifies additional drivers of adoption – that people wanted pets already spayed/neutered and vaccinated, that it is less expensive, and they wanted to foster a pet before acquiring one.
•  In terms of spay/neuter services, some 41 percent of those surveyed in 2011 said the main reason they have not yet spayed or neutered their pet is because they believe their pet was too young for the procedure—a 7 percent increase compared to the 2009 results. A similar percentage of people also said they thought spay/neutering was either too expensive, unnecessary or they simply hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

The misconceptions of pets in shelters are even more apparent in 2011 than they were in 2009, and until the animal welfare industry is able to change attitudes surrounding these barriers, pet homelessness will continue to exist in our communities.

To read the full survey results, visit PetSmart Charities’ online webinar here.

Celebrate the season – and save a life – by adopting a pet into your family during the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend, sponsored by PetSmart^®, from November 2-4 at your neighborhood PetSmart store. Together with more than 2,000 U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican animal welfare organizations, PetSmart Charities hopes to find homes for thousands of wonderful adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

Nearly 8 million pets end up in U.S. shelters every year, and half – about 11,000 every day – are euthanized. PetSmart Charities’ programs, including National Adoption Weekend, are made possible through donations.

*Just $25 saves the life of a healthy, adoptable pet and funds programs focused on giving these pets a second chance.* Donations can be made online, by email at gifts@petsmartcharities.org or by calling 623-587-2826.

“Not only does an adoptable pet bring joy to our lives, but adoption is one of the key ways to end pet homelessness,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc.

“While adoption is one piece of the solution, we know not everyone is able to adopt. You can help celebrate saving a pet’s life with a donation that will fund adoption events like this that have played a role in finding homes for more than 5 million pets.”

During National Adoption Weekend, animal-welfare organizations will be on-site at all 1,250 PetSmart stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

These events are proudly sponsored by PetSmart, Purina^® Pro Plan^® and Tidy Cats^® (MAXX Scoop^® in Canada).

As an added incentive, participating local shelters and rescue agencies will receive $35 in adoption-reward grants from PetSmart Charities for every pet they adopt during the event.

“We are committed to saving the lives of homeless pets by donating space in every PetSmart store nationwide for pet adoptions. Together with PetSmart Charities, we’re truly making a difference one life at a time,” said John Alpaugh, chief marketing officer, PetSmart.

“And to ensure these pets find happy, forever homes, our stores offer a wide selection of products and services to help pet parents care for the newest member of the family – everything from food and apparel to training classes and grooming.”

How to Adopt

Visit the PetSmart Charities’ adoption center inside any PetSmart store in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. To find the PetSmart store nearest you and to learn about the adoption center’s fees and guidelines, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org/adoption or call 1-877-473-8762.

Stay up-to-date on the many ways PetSmart Charities is saving the lives of homeless pets by visiting www.PetSmartCharities.org and by following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PetSmartCharities.

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).

Let’s stop fighting like cats and dogs and come together to save homeless pets

PetSmart Charities today kicked off United for Adopted Pets – a “bipetisan” campaign that asks cat and dog lovers to put aside “pawlitics” and stand united to save homeless pets.

“We believe all pets are created equal. Whether they’re dog or cat, purebred or mixed breed, every pet deserves a lifelong, loving home,” said Laura Ingalls, “Campaign Manager” at PetSmart Charities, Inc.

“The 8 million pets in shelters each year are counting on Americans to stop the hissing and barking and support one life-saving policy: pet adoption.”

The latest “water dish” poll indicates that pet lovers are ready to come together. Though 41 percent of pet lovers say they lean toward dogs and 21 percent lean toward cats, 38 percent consider themselves independent – that they love both. Most important, 76 percent are planning to adopt instead of buy their next pet – be it a dog or a cat.*

Stand Up for Four-Legged Friends

No matter your “pawreference,” you can lend support to save homeless pets today. Download and share the United for Adopted Pets badge at www.facebook.com/savehomelesspets. Then don’t forget to cast your vote for pet adoption by taking the online poll. Final results will be announced on October 25.

PetSmart Charities is the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, supporting more than 2,000 local animal welfare organizations in the United States and Canada. The independent nonprofit finds adoptive homes for nearly 400,000 dogs and cats every year. With programs funded primarily through donations, PetSmart Charities is in the top one percent of charities rated by Charity Navigator and has received their highest, 4-star rating for nine consecutive years.

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. 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).

* Based on a Facebook survey of 120 users issued by PetSmart Charities.

Fall head over paws for an adopted dog, cat, puppy or kitten during the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend, sponsored by PetSmart®, from September 14-16 at your neighborhood PetSmart store.

Not only will you gain a loving companion, but you’ll also give a forever home to a deserving pet!

The event brings together more than 2,000 U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican local animal welfare organizations with a variety of adoptable pets in need of homes and a perfect match for you.

Both purebreds and mixed breeds are available for adoption, as well as cats and dogs looking for their lifelong home.

“Adoption is one of the key ways to save pets and end pet homelessness, not to mention enrich our own lives with a loving companion,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Thanks to generous donations from our supporters, PetSmart Charities funds hundreds of adoption events and awareness programs each year that have helped find homes for more than 5 million pets.”

Animal-welfare organizations are on-site in all 1,250 PetSmart stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and will participate in National Adoption Weekend.

These events are proudly sponsored by PetSmart, Purina® Pro Plan® and Tidy Cats® (MAXX Scoop® in Canada). 

Every adoption benefits participating local shelters and rescue agencies which receive $35 in adoption-reward grants from PetSmart Charities for every pet they adopt during the event!

“Working with PetSmart Charities, we are committed to helping save the lives of homeless pets by donating space in every store for pet adoptions,” said John Alpaugh, PetSmart’s chief marketing officer. “By offering training classes and a variety of products that help pet parents, we help these pets stay in happy, forever homes.”

♥How to Adopt♥

♥ 1. Visit the PetSmart Charities’ adoption center inside any PetSmart store in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

♥ 2. To find the PetSmart store nearest you and to learn about the adoption center’s fees and guidelines, visit http://www.PetSmartCharities.org/adoptionor call 1-877-473-8762.

*All of PetSmart Charities’ programs are made possible through donations. You can contribute to programs that save lives by making a donation online, by email at gifts@petsmartcharities.org or by calling 623-587-2826. Your donation may be tax deductible.

Stay up-to-date on the many ways PetSmart Charities is saving the lives of homeless pets by visiting www.PetSmartCharities.org and by following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/savehomelesspets.