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BURLINGTON, ON --(Marketwired - August 31, 2017) - In an unprecedented demonstration of their ongoing love of pets, PetSmart and PetSmart Charities of Canada are joining forces once again this September to help end pet homelessness and feed pets in need across the nation.

Feeding Pets in Need Across the Nation by Donating 1.25 Million Meals: In March 2017, PetSmart launched the Buy a Bag, Give a Meal ™ program: for every bag of pet food purchased in its 128-plus retail stores or online at www.petsmart.ca through Dec. 31, 2017, the leading pet retailer would donate a meal to a pet in need. Since then, the philanthropic initiative has generated more than 1.25 million meals in Canada -- meals that are now on their way to feed hungry pets in need. More than 230,000 pounds of food has been loaded on to trucks that are scheduled to arrive at four pet shelters just days before PetSmart Charities of Canada's September National Adoption Weekend.

PetSmart is working with PetSmart Charities of Canada to distribute the donated pet food to leading animal welfare agencies serving broad geographic regions across the country.

"PetSmart and PetSmart Charities of Canada have always been dedicated to ending pet homelessness. Now, through the initial results of the Buy a Bag, Give a Meal program, we're hoping to end pet hunger, too. Pet food is one of the largest expenses facing the animal welfare industry and we excited to be able to help," said David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D. and President of PetSmart Charities of Canada. "We're thrilled to see the impact of 1.25 million meals being delivered to Canadian shelters to help ensure pets in need have full bellies, while shelters can offset some of the costs they face while caring for pets in need."

Each of the four animal welfare organizations will use the donated pet food in unique ways to address pet hunger in their region. Some shelters are acting as distribution centres and plan to share the massive quantities of pet food with animal welfare agencies in surrounding regions and provinces. Other organizations operate their own pet food bank or partner with local human food banks and plan to help pet parents who may rely on these resources to put food in their pets' bowls -- thereby keeping more pets in loving homes and out of shelters.

Finding Forever Homes for Shelter Pets at National Adoption Weekend: For thousands of pets currently in shelters and rescues across Canada, many of them will have a chance to find their forever home at PetSmart Charities of Canada's September National Adoption Weekend. Sept. 15 - 17, 2017, more than 200 animal welfare organizations across Canada will bring adoptable pets into nearly all 128 PetSmart stores across Canada with a goal of finding homes for more than 2,000 pets during the weekend event.

"If you've been thinking of adopting a pet, you'll find the widest array of adoptable pets in PetSmart stores from coast to coast: from kittens and cats to puppies and dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and more," says John DeFranco, President of PetSmart Canada. "Since 1999, PetSmart Charities of Canada's in-store adoption program has helped nearly 245,000 shelter pets in Canada to find new life-long, loving homes. It's a legacy we're really proud of, and one we hope even more Canadians will join by adopting a pet this weekend."

Date: Friday, Sept. 15 - Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 Time: Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Location: Nearly every PetSmart store in Canada . Visit www.petsmart.ca to find a store near you.

A Free Gift for Those Who Adopt: For pet adopters this weekend and every day of the year, regardless of whether the pet was adopted at PetSmart, at a shelter, or even another pet store, PetSmart offers a free Adoption Kit** that provides important content on how to integrate a new pet into the family and adds true value -- more than $450 in free items and discounts on pet essentials and services. Included are coupons for a free bag of dog or cat food from Simply Nourish™, Authority® or Good Natured™, a complimentary private training session with an accredited trainer, a free Doggie Day Camp session and a free overnight boarding stay, as well as half-off on a grooming service. Also included are savings on all the essentials for a new pet including beds, crates, gates, brushes, feeding bowls, collars, leashes, toys and treats, as well as solutions like pet calming products and stain and odor remedies for any mishaps that may occur. **Adoption papers required.

About PetSmart® in Canada 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 128 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. The actual number of meals donated is based on dog and cat food bags sold. The meal donation estimate is based on historic sales for similar time periods. No guaranteed amount. Rescue Bank and Feeding America will help distribute a large portion of the pet food donation in the U.S.

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, half a million generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the pin pads at check-outs inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 89 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

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