Across the vast Canadian landscape, countless dedicated animal welfare organizations work tirelessly to provide care, shelter, and ultimately, loving homes for pets in need. Recognizing the vital role these groups play in our communities, PetSmart Charities of Canada has stepped up once again, injecting significant financial support to empower their crucial work. The charity recently announced a generous distribution of $700,000 in grant funding to 17 animal shelters and rescue organizations spanning the country. 

This substantial financial boost is specifically earmarked to help these frontline organizations enhance their capacity to care for the animals under their charge and prepare even more deserving pets for adoption. The funding will directly contribute to essential resources such as:

• Providing Shelter: Ensuring safe and comfortable temporary housing for animals awaiting their forever homes.
• Delivering Medical Care: Covering the costs of necessary veterinary services, including vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and treatment for illnesses or injuries.
• Enrichment and Well-being: Supporting programs that provide mental and physical stimulation to keep animals happy and healthy during their stay at the shelter.
• Facilitating Adoptions: Enabling organizations to effectively showcase adoptable pets at in-store adoption events and through other outreach initiatives.

Fueling Adoption Dreams: Preparing Pets for Loving Homes

A significant aspect of this funding is to bolster the efforts of these organizations in preparing pets for adoption events held within PetSmart stores across Canada. This in-store adoption program provides a high-visibility platform for shelter animals to meet potential adopters, significantly increasing their chances of finding a loving family.

Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities of Canada, emphasized the critical need for this support, stating, “Animal shelters and rescues across the country are brimming with pets in need of people to love them… Adopting a pet brings joy to families and builds healthy communities. We have heard from many local animal welfare partners that rabbits are spending too long in shelters, which is why we are excited to make it easier for them to be adopted through adoption centres in PetSmart stores.”

Extending a Paw to More Furry Friends: Rabbits Now Included in Adoption Program

In a heartwarming move to address the needs of a wider range of animals, PetSmart Charities of Canada has also recently updated its in-store adoption policy to include adoptable rabbits. This change recognizes that rabbits, often overlooked, also deserve loving homes and will provide them with greater visibility and opportunities for adoption through the PetSmart platform.

A Long-Standing Commitment to Canadian Animal Welfare

PetSmart Charities of Canada has a long and impactful history of supporting animal welfare across the nation. Since its inception in 1999, the charity has granted over $35 million to organizations dedicated to the well-being of pets. Their efforts extend beyond adoption support to include initiatives focused on improving access to affordable veterinary care and providing assistance to families in crisis.

This latest round of funding underscores PetSmart Charities of Canada’s ongoing commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable animals and the dedicated organizations that champion their cause. By providing this crucial financial support, they are empowering shelters and rescues to continue their vital work of caring for pets and connecting them with loving forever homes across Canada.

Also read: Pet friendly living: Smart Tips for Cat and Dogs Owner