PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities was formed in 1994{{cite news |last1=Bermel |first1=Colby |title=6 organizations that protect animal rights |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2013/0812/6-organizations-that-protect-animal-rights/PetSmart-Charities |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=12 August 2013}} by PetSmart founders Jim and Janice Dougherty, who made a decision to avoid selling dogs and cats within their stores in favor of showcasing pet adoption programs.{{cite news |last1=Facenda |first1=Vanessa L. |title=StoreFront |url=https://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4300499-1.html |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Retail Merchandiser |date=1 July 2000 |archive-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724232215/https://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4300499-1.html}}

In 2004, PetSmart charities launched The Rescue Waggin’ program, which helped relocate pets from facilities in overpopulated communities to adoption centers in areas where there is more demand and higher chance of adoption.{{Cite web |last=https://www.washingtontimes.com |first=The Washington Times |title=Rescue Waggin’ takes dogs where they’re wanted |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/3/rescue-waggin-takes-dogs-where-theyre-wanted/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}} {{cite news |author=Cavagnolo, Lauren |date=2011-07-01 |title=WCSPCA sets Rescue Waggin' record |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/wcspca-sets-rescue-waggin-record/article_dd0a02a7-8eb8-52a0-b4fc-3786eb437361.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |place=Tulsa, Okla |page=D.3}} The program was sunset in 2016.{{cite news |last1=Kildee |first1=Katy |date=29 June 2016 |title=PetSmart Rescue Waggin' brings 37 dogs to Humane Society of Huron Valley |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/06/petsmart_rescue_waggin_brings.html |access-date=6 October 2024 |work=MLive.com |language=en}}

The charity has made major donations to further animal welfare. In 2007, it gave a $420,750 to the University of California-Davis. According to the organization, the fund will be used to finance an urgent need for an academic position dedicated to extending medical knowledge to shelter professionals.{{cite magazine |title = Grant to fund first shelter-medicine extension veterinarian position | magazine = DVM: The Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine | date = 2007-07-01 |volume = 38 | issue = 7 | page = 38-38 | url = http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/grant-fund-first-shelter-medicine-extension-veterinarian-position-0?rel=canonical}} In 2006, PetSmart Charities awarded $2.3 million in grants to help disaster relief agencies and animal welfare organizations address the needs of pets abandoned, hurt or lost during hurricanes and other natural disasters.{{cite journal|url = https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/060615m.aspx| title = Charity awards $2.3 million for disaster relief | journal = Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |date = 2006-06-15 | volume = 228 | issue = 12 | page = 1849-1849}} In 2006, it offered a request for proposals for $20,000 matching grants toward the establishment of state animal response teams in the U.S. The SART model is a public-private partnership for preparation and response to animal emergencies.{{cite journal|title = Funds available to start state animal response teams | journal = Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | date = 2006-11-15 |volume = 229 | issue = 10 | page = 1558-1558 | url = https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/061115q.aspx}}

PetSmart Charities gave the largest gift in its history in May 2023, a $6 million grant to name an endowed chair at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The grant is part of a $100 million commitment to improve access to veterinary care.{{Cite journal |last=Yankowicz |first=Sydney |date=2023-05-25 |title=PetSmart Charites will gift $6 million to UC Davis with endowed chair |url=https://www.dvm360.com/view/petsmart-charites-will-gift-6-million-to-uc-davis-with-endowed-chair |series=dvm360 July 2023 |language=en |volume=54 |pages=18–18}}

According to PetSmart Charities, 80 percent of its cash donations occur at customer checkout, a program the retailer has been running since approximately 2004. The average donation is just under $3.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=All that 'checkout charity' adds up. Domino's plans $174 million from it for St. Jude hospital |url=https://apnews.com/article/dominos-st-jude-petsmart-shopping-donation-54eb244cf7ebec4897fac43dccca5d3e |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=AP News |language=en}}

PetSmart Charities fund spay and neuter programs to reduce the number of feral or unwanted animals.{{cite news | author = Peters, Sharon L. |title = Feral cats: Trap, neuter and release |newspaper = USA Today | date = 2008-05-07 |page = 07D | access-date = 2014-11-11 |url = http://www.alleycat.org/document.doc?id=121}}Eckstein, Sandra. "Downtime: PET DISH: Grant lets humane society fix population." Atlanta Journal-Constitution [Atlanta, GA] 23 Dec. 2007: M8. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. As of November 2024, the organization has also provided for the adoption of more than 11 million pets.{{Cite web |title=Helping Hurricane Displaced Pets is a Nationwide Effort |url=https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2024/hurricane-helene-recovery-pets/814306 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.triplepundit.com}}

Most PetSmart locations have an adoption center to house animals from local animal welfare organizations. PetSmart donates space for each center in their stores, PetSmart Charities funds the cost to build the center, and local animal welfare organizations are invited to bring their animals into the centers. While most stores are equipped with an Everyday Adoption Center that can house cats 24 hours a day, some stores have Enhanced Adoption Centers which lend the ability to also house dogs and include a playroom to meet the animals. The animal welfare organizations are still responsible for the care of the pets, even when placed in an adoption center.{{Cite web|url = http://www.petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-center|title = Adoption centers bring cute pets to your neighborhood }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

PetSmart Charities also has a program where they will partner with other local animal welfare agencies in order to further the pet adoption process.{{Cite news | pages = 8– | title = PetsMart Has Its Own Charity | work = St. Petersburg Times | location = St. Petersburg, Florida | access-date = 2014-11-06 | date = 2008-08-11 | url = http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/qampa-us-currency-backed-solely-by-confidence/763774| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205163122/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/qampa-us-currency-backed-solely-by-confidence/763774| url-status = dead| archive-date = December 5, 2014}}{{Cite news | pages = 19– | last = Coppernoll | first = Carrie | title = Grants Create Josbs, Support Animal Welfare Initiatives | work = The Oklahoman | location = Oklahoma City, OK | access-date = 2014-11-06 | date = 2011-10-26 | url = http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=5444-9V51-JBKW-M1WY&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |url-access=subscription}}

PetSmart stores host adoption events by partnering with local animal rescue and welfare organizations. In addition, PetSmart Charities sponsors four national adoption events each year showcasing animals from multiple adoption groups in each store. On average, more than 17,000 pets find a new home during each national adoption event.{{Cite web|url = http://www.petsmartcharities.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-events|title = Adoption Events Celebrate Pets }}

PetSmart Charities works with Feeding America{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ABC7 |date=2024-08-27 |title=All Faiths Food Bank, PetSmart Charities work to feed our four-legged friends |url=https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/08/27/all-faiths-food-bank-petsmart-charities-work-feed-our-four-legged-friends/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.mysuncoast.com |language=en}} and Meals on Wheels to support the distribution of pet food through local channels.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=30 million pets across the U.S. live in food-insecure homes. Here's what that looks like in Arizona |url=https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2024-09-26/30-million-pets-across-the-u-s-live-in-food-insecure-homes-heres-what-that-looks-like-in-arizona |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=KJZZ |language=en}} In 2023, the organization created Pet Hunger Awareness Day to occur on the last Tuesday of September.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=First-ever Pet Hunger Awareness Day to take place September 26th |url=https://www.dvm360.com/view/first-ever-pet-hunger-awareness-day-to-take-place-this-september-26th |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=DVM 360 |language=en}} {{Cite web |last=Fredde |first=Ashley |last2=Sept. 24 |first2=KSL com {{!}} Posted- |last3=P.m |first3=2024 at 8:07 |title=Utah charities team up to distribute pet food to families in need |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/51138288/utah-charities-team-up-to-distribute-pet-food-to-families-in-need |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}} PetSmart Charities of Canada provided a grant to Humane Canada to fund a similar initiative and created a map of more than 300 pet food assistance programs in Canada.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Daniel |date=2024-10-03 |title=Interactive map for pet food banks launched across Canada |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/interactive-map-for-pet-food-banks-launched-across-canada/article_eef8cce8-7aa6-11ef-878a-9323ee8fd37e.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}

The Emergency Relief Waggin' program was formed to quickly deliver emergency supplies to areas that have gone through a type of major disaster or emergency. The trucks are strategically placed at PetSmart owned distribution centers around the country to ensure quick response and deployment.{{Cite web |title=Emergency relief helps pets survive disasters |url=http://www.petsmartcharities.org/what-we-do/saving-lives/emergency-relief}}{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Sharon L. |date=2009-04-23 |title=Doomed dogs get on the rescue wagon |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-22-pet-transport_N.htm |access-date=2014-11-06 |work=USA TODAY |pages=6–}}{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Lila |title=Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |year=2013 |isbn=978-0813819938 |pages=9}}

PetSmart Charities works with the American Red Cross to provide resources and funding to people with pets preparing for or recovering from a disaster.{{Cite web |last=Ortega |first=Veronica |date=2024-10-10 |title=Michigan animal rescue organizations stepping in after Hurricane Milton - CBS Detroit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-animal-rescue-organizations-helping-hurricane-milton/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} {{Cite news |last=Wooddell |first=Brody |date=June 26, 2024 |title=How to get Florida pets ready for hurricane season |url=https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/bloom-pets/how-to-get-florida-pets-ready-for-hurricane-season/ |work=Bloom}} The organization also provides grants to create low-cost and nonprofit veterinary clinics and expand low-cost offerings from existing veterinary providers.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=PetSmart Charities Commits $100 Million to Expand Access to Veterinary Care |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/petsmart-charities-commits-100-million-to-expand-access-to-veterinary-care |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Chronicle of Philanthropy |language=en}}

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Category:Charities based in Arizona

Category:Pet stores

Category:Animal charities based in the United States