BURLINGTON, ON --(Marketwired - July 19, 2017) - As 180 wildfires continue to burn in B.C., more than 40,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, leaving behind their homes, their possessions and -- depending upon how quickly they fled and where they were headed -- sometimes even their pets behind. PetSmart and PetSmart Charities of Canada have announced their support and ways people can help the pets and pet parents affected, as well as the animal welfare agencies on the front lines, assisting in the wildfire crisis.
Emergency Relief Grants from PetSmart Charities of Canada Help Rescue and Reunite Pets & Pet Parents PetSmart Charities of Canada is one of the nation's leading funders of animal welfare. Over the past few days the charity has committed nearly $50,000 in emergency relief funding -- which comes from generous pet parents who make donations at PetSmart stores -- to support organizations like the City of Surrey's Animal Resource Centre and the Prince George Humane Society who are working to provide food, shelter and veterinary care to pets evacuated from the fires or surrendered by pet parents who have been forced from their homes. These pets need a safe place to stay until they can be reunited with their pet parents. PetSmart Charities of Canada encourages animal welfare agencies in B.C. engaged in the wildfire relief efforts to apply for emergency relief funding online at www.petsmartcharities.ca/for-professionals .
Pet Food and Supply Drives Underway in 13 British Columbia and Alberta PetSmart Stores PetSmart stores in B.C. and Alberta are running pet food and supply drives to help collect essential items that will be donated to the Surrey Animal Resource Centre, the BC SPCA and its surrounding chapters, the Prince George Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations across the province. Much needed items like pet crates, beds, collars, litter, leashes, bowls, food and treats are being collected to help pet parents in evacuation centres and animal welfare workers to provide the essentials to help the pets in need.
Prince George's Generous Groomers Donate Their Time to Shelter Pets Four PetSmart groomers from the Prince George PetSmart store have been donating their time to bathe and groom pets at the Prince George Humane Society who have been rescued from the fires or surrendered to the shelter. PetSmart Associates are also volunteering their own time to assist the organization with the evacuated pets.
How You Can Help: Residents of B.C. wishing to contribute may purchase and donate pet food and supplies at the 13 PetSmart stores in South Surrey, Surrey, Langley, Tsawwassen, Coquitlam, Kamloops and Prince George. In Alberta, PetSmart stores in the greater Calgary region are also collecting pet food and supplies to support their neighbouring province.
Canadians outside the provinces of B.C. and Alberta can help PetSmart Charities of Canada by making a donation using the pin pads at the registers of every PetSmart store, or by going online to www.petsmartcharities.ca/donate . Donations will support PetSmart Charities of Canada's mission to help end pet homelessness, in part by providing emergency relief grants to support pets impacted by natural disasters like the wildfires in B.C.
About PetSmart Charities of Canada: PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity with a mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. In addition to finding homes for more than 25,000 shelter pets each year through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores, PetSmart Charities of Canada provides funding to registered charities aligned with its mission through four key areas of grant support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets; and Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the pin pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 90 cents of every dollar donated and has become a leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, donating nearly $12 million to date. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a member of Imagine Canada, and a registered Canadian charity independent from PetSmart, Inc. To learn more, visit www.petsmartcharities.ca .
About PetSmart In Canada, PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ more than 3,600 associates and operate over 125 pet stores across Canada, with seven in-store PetSmart PetsHotel ™ dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as pet-focused services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption. PetSmart, together with non-profit PetSmart Charities of Canada, invite more than 200 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 240,000 pets since 1999. The company's portfolio of digital resources for pet parents includes PetSmart.ca , Pet360.com , petMD.com and the askPETMD app . Through these digital platforms, PetSmart offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in Canada. In March 2017, PetSmart launched its Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program -- for every bag of cat or dog food purchased March 1 - Dec. 31, 2017, PetSmart will donate a meal to pets in need and expects to donate more than 3.6 million meals in Canada in 2017.*
Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart and on Instagram: @PetSmart Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmartCanada See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart
*Ends 12/31/17. 5 oz. dog food, 1.5 oz. cat food donated to PetSmart Charities to feed dogs and cats in need. See details at petsmart.ca/giveameal .
For more information: Golin for PetSmart Charities of Canada and PetSmart Canada Stephan Petar spetar@golin.com 416-483-6225 ext. 3441
