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PetSmart Charities®' Spring National Adoption Event a Resounding Success

More than 17,000 pets found lifelong, loving homes

(Phoenix) – During the PetSmart Charities® Spring National Adoption Event, 17,149 dogs, cats and small animals found their forever homes. The event, which took place May 1-3, was sponsored by PetSmart® and held in all 1,112 PetSmart stores in North America.

During the event, more than 2,000 animal welfare agencies throughout North America showcased available pets at their local PetSmart® stores. Select stores also hosted larger-scale events in their parking lots, with room for even more pets who were looking for new homes. PetSmart® stores with the highest adoption numbers included: Salt Lake City, Utah with 421 adoptions; Plainville, Conn. with 226 adoptions; Albuquerque, N.M. with 189 adoptions; Manchester, Mo. with 148 adoptions; and Evansville, Ind. with 122 adoptions.

“PetSmart Charities had a goal of finding homes for 13,800 pets during our Spring National Adoption Event, and we exceeded that goal by 24 percent,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “I would like to thank all of our adoption partners for making this event such a success, as well as everyone who adopted a homeless pet.”

In the U.S. alone, an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year, but 3 to 4 million never find homes. In addition, fewer than 20 percent of all pets in U.S. households come from shelters. That means eight out of 10 Pet Parents get their dogs and cats from sources other than shelters or rescue groups, even though many such agencies are filled to capacity with available pets.

PetSmart Charities will host a Fall National Adoption Weekend later in 2009. During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for more than 3.7 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, a pet’s life is saved.

“Our adoption events give pets a special chance to find lifelong, loving homes,” said Della Maddalena. “We are strong advocates for adopting a homeless pet and we firmly believe that adoption should be the first choice when you are ready to add a new pet to your family. It’s great to know that so many pets now have a chance at the happiness they deserve.”

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 $87 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 3.5 million pets. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit http://www.petsmartcharities.org/ or call 1-800-423-PETS.