PetSmart Charities

Non-profit organization

PetSmart Charities

Formation| 1994; 31 years ago (1994)

Tax ID no.

| 93-1140967[1]
Legal status| Foundation
Purpose| Animal welfare
Location|

* Phoenix

Region served

| North America

President

| Aimee Gilbreath[2]
Revenue| $61,884,709[3] (2023)
Website| petsmartcharities.org

PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada are non-profit organizations dedicated to pet adoption and welfare,[4][5] with focuses on pet hunger,[6] disaster relief,[7] and access to care.[8] In the United States, PetSmart Charities is the largest financial supporter of animal welfare[5] and among the 400 largest philanthropic organizations working on any issue.[9] Their primary goal is to save the lives of homeless pets through programs such as their In-Store Adoption Centers in many PetSmart locations, grant program for animal welfare agencies[10] across North America, and community adoption events.[11] Support for increasing access to affordable veterinary care is a key priority for the organization.[12][13]

## History

[edit]

PetSmart Charities was formed in 1994[14] 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.[15]

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.[16] [17] The program was sunset in 2016.[18]

### Major grants

[edit]

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.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22]

## Funding

[edit]

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.[23]

## Animal welfare and adoption support

[edit]

PetSmart Charities fund spay and neuter programs to reduce the number of feral or unwanted animals.[24][25] As of November 2024, the organization has also provided for the adoption of more than 11 million pets.[26]

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.[27]

PetSmart Charities also has a program where they will partner with other local animal welfare agencies in order to further the pet adoption process.[28][29]

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.[30]

PetSmart Charities works with Feeding America[31] and Meals on Wheels to support the distribution of pet food through local channels.[32] In 2023, the organization created Pet Hunger Awareness Day to occur on the last Tuesday of September.[33] [34] 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.[35]

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.[36][37][38]

PetSmart Charities works with the American Red Cross to provide resources and funding to people with pets preparing for or recovering from a disaster.[39] [40] The organization also provides grants to create low-cost and nonprofit veterinary clinics and expand low-cost offerings from existing veterinary providers.[41]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "PetSmart Charities Form 990 2015". ProPublica. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
2. ^ Tyler, Jordan (27 May 2020). "PetSmart Charities appoints new president". Pet Food Processing. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
3. ^ "PetSmart Charities Form 990 2023" (PDF). ProPublica. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
4. ^ Gilbert, Jean (2010-10-16). "On the Positive Side: PetSmart Charities and HSSNM save lives". Las Cruces Sun-News. La Cruces, New Mexico. Archived from the original on 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
5. ^ a b Rudd, Lauren (2011-06-19). "PetSmart Has Reasonable Intrinsic Value". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. pp. –1. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
6. ^ Burke, Julia (19 September 2023). "First-ever Pet Hunger Awareness Day to take place September 26th". dvm360. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
7. ^ "Charity awards $2.3 million for disaster relief | American Veterinary Medical Association". Footer: AVMA Family American Veterinary Medical Foundation. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
8. ^ "PetSmart Charities commits $100 million to support better access to veterinary care". DVM 360. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
9. ^ "New to the Philanthropy 400 in 2014". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
10. ^ "Grants".
11. ^ "Adoption Events".
12. ^ Prest, M.J. (25 January 2023). "PetSmart Charities Commits $100 Million to Expand Access to Veterinary Care". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
13. ^ "PetSmart Charities commits $15 million to improve veterinary care". Philanthropy News Digest. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
14. ^ Bermel, Colby (12 August 2013). "6 organizations that protect animal rights". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
15. ^ Facenda, Vanessa L. (1 July 2000). "StoreFront". Retail Merchandiser. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
16. ^ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Rescue Waggin' takes dogs where they're wanted". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2025-03-18. `{{cite web}}`: External link in ``|last=`` (help)
17. ^ Cavagnolo, Lauren (2011-07-01). "WCSPCA sets Rescue Waggin' record". Tulsa World. Tulsa, Okla. p. D.3.
18. ^ Kildee, Katy (29 June 2016). "PetSmart Rescue Waggin' brings 37 dogs to Humane Society of Huron Valley". MLive.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
19. ^ "Grant to fund first shelter-medicine extension veterinarian position". DVM: The Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine. Vol. 38, no. 7\. 2007-07-01. p. 38-38.
20. ^ "Charity awards $2.3 million for disaster relief". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 228 (12): 1849-1849. 2006-06-15.
21. ^ "Funds available to start state animal response teams". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 229 (10): 1558-1558. 2006-11-15.
22. ^ Yankowicz, Sydney (2023-05-25). "PetSmart Charites will gift $6 million to UC Davis with endowed chair". dvm360 July 2023. 54: 18–18. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
23. ^ "All that 'checkout charity' adds up. Domino's plans $174 million from it for St. Jude hospital". AP News. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
24. ^ Peters, Sharon L. (2008-05-07). "Feral cats: Trap, neuter and release". USA Today. p. 07D. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
25. ^ 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.
26. ^ "Helping Hurricane Displaced Pets is a Nationwide Effort". www.triplepundit.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
27. ^ "Adoption centers bring cute pets to your neighborhood".[permanent dead link]
28. ^ "PetsMart Has Its Own Charity". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. 2008-08-11. pp. 8–. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
29. ^ Coppernoll, Carrie (2011-10-26). "Grants Create Josbs, Support Animal Welfare Initiatives". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, OK. pp. 19–. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
30. ^ "Adoption Events Celebrate Pets".
31. ^ Staff, ABC7 (2024-08-27). "All Faiths Food Bank, PetSmart Charities work to feed our four-legged friends". www.mysuncoast.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
32. ^ "30 million pets across the U.S. live in food-insecure homes. Here's what that looks like in Arizona". KJZZ. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
33. ^ "First-ever Pet Hunger Awareness Day to take place September 26th". DVM 360. 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
34. ^ Fredde, Ashley; Sept. 24, KSL com | Posted-; P.m, 2024 at 8:07. "Utah charities team up to distribute pet food to families in need". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
35. ^ Ramos, Daniel (2024-10-03). "Interactive map for pet food banks launched across Canada". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
36. ^ "Emergency relief helps pets survive disasters".
37. ^ Peters, Sharon L. (2009-04-23). "Doomed dogs get on the rescue wagon". USA TODAY. pp. 6–. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
38. ^ Miller, Lila (2013). Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 9\. ISBN 978-0813819938.
39. ^ Ortega, Veronica (2024-10-10). "Michigan animal rescue organizations stepping in after Hurricane Milton - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
40. ^ Wooddell, Brody (June 26, 2024). "How to get Florida pets ready for hurricane season". Bloom.
41. ^ "PetSmart Charities Commits $100 Million to Expand Access to Veterinary Care". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2025-03-17.