PHOENIX (Oct. 20, 2025)— PetSmart Charities®, the leading funder of animal welfare in the U.S., is encouraging families across the country to find their new BOO this Halloween season with its annual National Adoption Week happening Oct. 20-26, 2025. Potential pet parents are invited to meet adoptable pets from animal welfare organizations at their local PetSmart store.
Millions of Pets Are Still in Need of Loving Homes
According to the 2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report, 5.8 million animals entered shelters in 2024, which marks the fifth consecutive year shelters are experiencing more intakes than pet placements, resulting in higher shelter populations.
“Hill’s Pet Nutrition is proud to sponsor PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, which helps alleviate the strain on shelters and connect more pets with loving families,” said Meghan Lehman, Senior Manager, Shelter Brand Engagement at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Our 2025 Shelter Report found that nearly two-thirds of Americans are likely to adopt a shelter pet when considering adding a new member to their family. National Adoption Week is a vital opportunity to transform that intent into action. We are excited to help pets get a healthy start in their new homes by providing adopter kits, including a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet, at select PetSmart stores."
The report also noted that local animal shelters across the U.S. are currently experiencing unprecedented overcrowding due to prolonged stays in shelters – with length of stay increasing for dogs at higher rates. Adopting a pet from a PetSmart Charities adoption partner during National Adoption Week doesn’t just grow families, it helps save pet lives and supports local animal shelters.
“For over 30 years, we’ve been driven by the steadfast belief that every pet deserves love, attention and most of all – family,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “We see National Adoption Week as another tangible way of connecting people with animal companions while supporting the lifesaving work of our shelter partners nationwide. I’d encourage anyone with space in their heart and home to visit a local National Adoption Week event at their local PetSmart to potentially meet their newest family member.”
Helping Over 11 Million Pets Find Their Families
For 30 years, PetSmart Charities has facilitated in-store adoptions in partnership with local shelters and rescue partners to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores to meet potential pet parents. The program has successfully helped over 11 million pets get adopted.
Expanding on these efforts, PetSmart Charities is opening another new Everyday Adoption Centers (EAC) in Phoenix, Arizona with space for up to 50 adoptable cats and dogs. These are different from the cat centers located in nearly every PetSmart store and will host an array of adoptable pets, including Daisy, who will be available for adoption at the Phoenix EAC grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2901 W. Agua Fria Fwy.
The PetSmart Charities EACs work with local animal welfare organizations to host adoptable animals in a safe, clean, in-store environment, allowing them to find loving homes during regular store hours – every day. In the last year, PetSmart Charities has opened five EAC’s in PetSmart stores across the country.
PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Details
During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, thousands of local shelters will bring adoptable pets including dogs, cats, kittens and puppies into nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Potential pet parents will have the chance to interact with the adoptable pets with staff and volunteers available to help educate potential adopters on any pet care needs.
Dates: Oct. 20 - 26, 2025
Locations: Nearly every PetSmart store across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Visit PetSmart.com to find a store near you.
Those interested in other ways to support adoptable pets can still make an impact by donating funds to help pets in need at PetSmartCharities.org. They also can find their match when the time is right by visiting PetSmartCharities.org/adopt-a-pet for adoptable pets, adoption centers and events.
About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
About PetSmart
PetSmart is the leading omni-channel pet retailer in North America with a mission to help everyone experience more joy with pets. The company offers a compelling assortment of pet care essentials, exclusive brands and must-have items for each season, along with expert pet services. With nearly 1,700 stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico – plus a seamless shopping experience at PetSmart.com and through the PetSmart app – PetSmart’s convenient shopping options are complete with autoship, same-day delivery and in-store pickup. Expert services include a professional grooming salon in every store, veterinary care in more than 700 locations, pet training, and Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel overnight boarding in many locations. The PetSmart Treats Rewards loyalty program provides value to pet parents through personalized offers and points on every purchase that can be used for future savings.
PetSmart and PetSmart Charities have a long-standing commitment to supporting pets and people in the communities they serve, and PetSmart Charities is the largest funder of animal welfare in North America. Together, they are proud to have helped more than 11 million pets find loving homes through in-store pet adoption programs. For more information, visit PetSmart.com.
About Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Founded 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to science-led pet nutrition, Hill's Pet Nutrition is on a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research for dogs and cats using a scientific understanding of their specific needs. As a leading veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health. Hill's Prescription Diet therapeutic nutrition plus our everyday wellness product line, Hill's Science Diet, are sold at vet clinics and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about our products and nutritional philosophy, visit HillsPet.com
