While shopping in PetSmart stores you may have noticed the option to donate on the credit card display. If you have every wondered where those donations go, then please read this post, which will profile PetSmart Charities.
PetSmart Charities is a non-profit organization that has been operating since 1988.
PetSmart Charities Vision
A lifelong, loving home for every pet.
PetSmart Charities Mission
To improve the quality of life for all pets by creating and supporting programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.
PetSmart Charities has three main initiatives to which they donate money and resources.
Adoption!
All PetSmart stores have PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers where pets can be introduced to the public and hopefully find their forever homes. PetSmart Charities partners with local animal welfare organizations to help them get pets adopted. These in store adoption centers are great because they provide higher exposure and easier access to adoptable animals.
PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers help 400,000 pets a year find permanent homes. 4,819,766 pets have been adopted since 1988 (as of January 25th, 2012.)
Spay and Neuter Initiatives!
Spaying and neutering pets is so important because it reduces the overall number of pets that need to find homes. PetSmart Charities gives millions of dollars to animal welfare organizations that provide spay and neuter services to communities.
PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief Waggin’ Program!
When a manmade or natural disaster strikes it impacts pets as much as people. In 2007 PetSmart created the PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief Waggin’ Program to help pets impacted by disasters.
The program includes six 53-foot trucks that are pre-loaded with emergency supplies so they are ready to go when an emergency strikes. Each truck can help up to 500 pets!
Truck Supplies Include:
- Crates
- Bowls
- Leashes and Collars
- Litter
- Food
- Tents
- Fans
- Other Emergency Supplies
I believe it is so important to provide charity services to pets, because they cannot advocate for themselves. You can donate as little as $1 when you checkout at PetSmart stores. If we all donate occasionally, even $1, it will go a long way towards maintaining the terrific programs that PetSmart Charities supports.
Go to www.petsmartcharities.org for more information or to donate!
Jennifer Kean is a writer and pet-lover who owns two rescue kittens (lifetime cat owner too!) and has a 40 gallon fish tank!
