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“Second Chance for Love” Fall National Adoption Event is September 11-13 in all PetSmart® Stores

Event goal is lifelong, loving homes for more than 18,800 cats and dogs

(Phoenix) – PetSmart Charities® invites you to fall in love with a new pet this September 11-13 during the PetSmart Charities “Second Chance for Love” Fall National Adoption Event, sponsored by Hill’s™ Science Diet® Brand and PetSmart®. The event will take place in all 1,137 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada with a goal of finding a lifelong, loving home for more than 18,800 companion animals.

More than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies in North America are expected to participate and will be presenting adoptable pets at every PetSmart in-store adoption center. The event will take place Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2009.

“Our vision at PetSmart Charities is a lifelong, loving home for every pet,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “This event will give prospective Pet Parents the opportunity to find a great pet who will complete their families and bring them unconditional love.”

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 is a strong advocate for adoption when choosing to bring a new pet into your home,” Della Maddalena added. “We strive to bring pets into focus and remind everyone about the benefits of choosing adoption during our national adoption events, and we also give our animal-welfare partners a chance to really showcase all of the pets who are waiting for a forever home.”

Not only will prospective Pet Parents get a new family member during this event, but they will also receive free samples from Hill’s Science Diet Brand.

“We are extremely proud and excited to be a part of this event,” said Neil Thompson, Hill’s president and CEO. “Hill’s is committed to helping homeless cats and dogs find a loving, caring home to enjoy for the rest of their lives. To that end, we will donate to PetSmart Charities $10 per pet for the first 10,000 adoptions.”

About the Fall National Adoption Weekend

Prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center inside any PetSmart® store in the U.S. and Canada from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. Adoptions are handled by participating animal-welfare groups. Call a PetSmart store near you to find out a specific agency’s set-up time during the three-day event.

To find the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center nearest you, visit www.PetSmart.com or call 1-877-473-8762; and to learn about the many ways that PetSmart Charities is helping animals, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org.