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PetSmart Charities'® Inaugural PetWalk benefits Arizona's animal welfare agencies

More than 8,000 pet lovers – and even more pets – turn out for inaugural event!

Thousands of pets and the people who love them raised tens of thousands of dollars yesterday to save the lives of homeless pets in Arizona – and all it took was a walk in the park.

PetSmart Charities invited animal-welfare agencies, including shelters, rescue groups and humane societies, from across the state to participate in its inaugural PetWalk at Tempe Town Lake.  Thirty-nine animal agencies, an estimated 8,000 people and more than 10,000 pets took part, making the inaugural PetWalk one of the Valley’s largest pet-themed events!

The PetWalk is expected to gross an estimated $350,000 to benefit homeless and unwanted companion animals throughout the state; the donation deadline is February 15, 2009. Animal lovers still have time to support the participating animal agency of their choice, or non-profit PetSmart Charities, at www.petsmartcharities.org/petwalk.

Presented by Nestlé Purina, KSAZ-TV Fox 10/My 45 and American Express, the event featured 5K and one-mile Walks, plus the Top Dog talent contest, live entertainment, family activities, and pet-themed events.  Walkers were invited to raise funds for the 39 participating animal agency of their choice or for Phoenix-based PetSmart Charities, the largest funder of animal welfare agencies in North America.  

“We are very excited to report such a fantastic turnout from our first event of this kind,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “It was great to see so many people, pets and agencies from throughout Arizona come together with one goal: to help find lifelong, loving homes for every pet. We want to thank our sponsors and all of the participants for their commitment to saving and improving the lives of companion animals.”

The top five walk teams brought in more than $45,800 in donations alone. Those teams included: 

• RESCUE: a nonprofit, volunteer-based animal rescue organization located in Phoenix.  Total raised: $14,217.
• Boxer Luv Rescue: a nonprofit rescue agency dedicated to saving the lives of  Boxers. Total raised: $11,623.  
• Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue: an all-volunteer, nonprofit rescue organization for Labrador retrievers in Phoenix and most areas of Arizona.  Total raised: $7,360.
•  Valley of the Sun Giant Schnauzer Rescue: an agency dedicated to saving the lives of Giant Schnauzers and educating people about the breed.  Total raised: $6,805.
• Circle L Ranch: a nonprofit horse and animal rescue located in Prescott Valley, Ariz.  Total raised: $5,835.

  About PetSmart Charities^®

  PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities^® has funded more than $70 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store pet adoption program, has helped save the lives of more than 3.6 million pets. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities^® is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.

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