Josh Duhamel Joins PetSmart Charities® To Raise Awareness About Pet Adoption

PHOENIX, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PetSmart Charities has teamed up with actor Josh Duhamel to launch the "High-Five for Pet Adoption" campaign celebrating the 5 million pets' lives that have been saved through PetSmart Charities' Adoption Centers. The campaign aims to increase public awareness about the importance of pet adoption to save millions more pets that still need lifelong, loving homes.

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(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/MM21396)

PetSmart Charities has achieved 5 million adoptions by saving on average 1,100 pets every day, or about 400,000 pets every year, since the organization was founded in 1994. Generally, one pet's life is saved every minute that PetSmart Charities' Adoption Centers are open. These adoption centers are located inside PetSmart® stores throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and help local non-profit groups make homeless pets available for adoption.

A 5-year-old rescued husky named Dodge found his forever home – and was the 5 millionth pet adopted from a PetSmart Charities Adoption Center at the PetSmart® store in Boynton Beach, Fla. George Little, a retired U.S. Marine and "Husky aficionado," and his family immediately fell in love with Dodge and are enjoying their newest family member today.

While 5 million lives saved is an important victory, there are still millions more pets that need homes. This year, about 8 million pets will end up in shelters in North America. Half of these pets – or about 11,000 adoptable pets every day – will be euthanized.

Josh Duhamel Spreads the Word on Pet Adoption

Duhamel, an advocate for pet adoption, joins PetSmart Charities as the spokesperson for the "High-Five for Pet Adoption" campaign in order to help raise awareness of the homeless pet problem and the important role that adoption plays in saving lives.

"Pet adoption changed my life when we were looking to find a companion for our 7-year-old dachshund, Zoe. Soon after adopting Meatloaf, I learned that these pets are just grateful for the love you have to give them," said Duhamel. "I'm shocked by the statistics of the homeless pet problem. I applaud PetSmart Charities for its achievement of saving 5 million pets, and I'm honored to work with them to encourage everyone to bring the joy of an adopted pet into their lives and help save millions more pets."

Everyone Can Make a Difference Today

PetSmart Charities and its more than 2,000 animal rescue partners rely on the generosity of public donations to fund life-saving adoption programs. During the "High-Five for Pet Adoption" campaign, PetSmart Charities aims to raise $250,000 which will help save 10,000 homeless pets. Text PETS to 80888* or visit www.petsmartcharities.org/donate to give $5 to help save the lives of millions more homeless pets.

High-Five for the Little Family

PetSmart Charities congratulates the Little family of Lake Worth, Fla., who expanded their family by adopting Dodge, PetSmart Charities' 5 millionth adopted pet. Dodge was turned in to the Save-a-Dog, Save-a-Cat Animal Rescue of Lake Worth, Fla., by his former family that had a young child with medical issues and could no longer care for him. The Littles volunteer for local animal rescue groups and understand firsthand the importance of pet adoption in ending pet homelessness.

The family received pet parent perks to mark the adoption, including:

• PetSmart Total Lifetime Care, which includes free pet training, grooming, boarding and pet supplies for life
• Free Purina® coupons for 10 years for Purina® Pro Plan® brand Pet Food or Treats OR Purina® Tidy Cats® brand Cat Litter up to $4800
• A 5-year wellness plan from Banfield

"About 10 percent of all pet adoptions in North America are made possible by PetSmart Charities, and we save more than 400,000 homeless pets every year. Saving 5 million pets' lives is an accomplishment we're proud to celebrate, and we thank the Little family and everyone who has saved a pet by adopting from our PetSmart in-store adoption centers," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc.

"With the support of a leading celebrity like Josh to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption, we aim to save millions more lives. Through the 'High-Five for Pet Adoption' campaign, we want to make sure others know they can help through simple actions like choosing to adopt, giving back and sharing your adoption story. Everyone can contribute to finding a lifelong, loving home for every pet," Della Maddalena said.

For nearly 20 years, PetSmart Charities has inspired, supported and created programs and ideas that save the lives of homeless pets. Learn more about PetSmart Charities' adoption programs by visiting www.petsmartcharities.org/adoption, and follow PetSmart Charities' pet-saving endeavors through Facebook (www.facebook.com/savehomelesspets) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs).

About PetSmart Charities®

Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) 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. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of nearly 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

*TEXT TO GIVE INFORMATION

A one‐time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Terms: igfn.org/t. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.

DISCLAIMER: The 5 millionth pet was selected from all pets adopted from a PetSmart Charities adoption group during the weekend of June 1, 2012.

SOURCE PetSmart Charities

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