PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities

File:PetSmart Charities US.jpg
Legal status	Foundation
Purpose	Animal welfare
Headquarters	Phoenix
Region served	North America
Chairperson	David Lenhardt
Website	www.petsmartcharities.org

PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada are non-profit organizations dedicated to saving the lives of homeless pets. PetSmart Charities was formed in 1994 by PetSmart founders Jim and Janice Dougherty, who chose never to sell dogs and cats within their stores. Their primary goal is to save the lives of homeless pets through programs such as their In-Store Adoption Centers in many PetSmart locations, Rescue Waggin' distaser relief program, grant program for animal welfare agencies across North America, and community adoption events. Another focus of the organization is increasing spay/neuter services to help communities solve the problem of pet overpopulation.

Relationship with PetSmart

It is often thought that the organization is primarily funded by PetSmart, but in reality, their primary source of funding comes from in-store PIN pad donations when customers check out, as well as PetSmart employee contributions through the PetSmart Associates United to Stop Euthanasia (P.A.U.S.E.) fundraising program.

Adoption Centers

Most PetSmart locations have an adoption center to house animals from local animal welfare organizations. PetSmart donates space for each center in their stores, PetSmart Charities funds the cost to build the center, and local animal welfare organizations are invited to bring their animals into the centers. While most stores are equipped with an Everyday Adoption Center that can house cats 24 hours a day, some stores have Enhanced Adoption Centers which lend the ability to house dogs as well, and also include a playroom to meet the animals. The animal welfare organizations are still repsonsible for the the care of the pets, even when placed in an adoption center.

Adoption Events

PetSmart stores host adoption events every weekend by partnering with local animal rescue and welfare organizations. In addition, PetSmart Charities sponsors four national adoption events each year showcasing animals from multiple adoption groups in each store. On average, more than 17,000 pets find a new home during each national adoption event.

Rescue Waggin' and Emergency Relief Waggin'

The Rescue Waggin’ helps to relocates pets from facilities in overpopulated communities to adoption centers in areas where there is more demand and higher chance of adoption. The Emergency Relief Waggin' program was formed to quickly deliver emergency supplies to areas that have gone through some type of disaster or emergency. The trucks are strategically placed at PetSmart owned distrobution centers around the country to ensure quick response and deployment.