2008-11-21 23:38:04 -
The results of Petland"s Adopt-A-PetSM survey mean good news for homeless pets at Petland stores nationwide.
"In the last 10 years, Petland has placed more than 270,000 homeless pets," said Frank Difatta, president of Petland, Inc. "We want our Adopt-A-PetSM program to grow even stronger in 2009 so we are inviting more pet care organizations and more individuals
to take advantage of the program locally."
Companywide, participating Petland stores have placed 59,945 homeless puppies and dogs and 212,534 homeless kittens and cats since 1998.
"Some of our larger-format stores have separate Adopt-A-Pet Centers," said Joe Watson, vice president of Retail Operations for Petland, Inc. "In nearly all of our Petland stores, we dedicate some of our highly visible retail display space to showcase healthy, homeless pets. Our goal, as with all of the animals we place, is to match the right pet with the right person and meet the needs of both."
Adopt-A-Pet expanding at Petland
Ninety-five percent of the Petland stores in the United States have Adopt-A-Pet programs. Ninety-one percent of Petland stores say their community"s response to the Adopt-A-Pet program is "favorable" or "very favorable."
Petland stores in Canada have an active adoption program called the Pets for Life Foundation. The foundation has placed more than 9,000 homeless pets since July 2001.
"The goal of Petland"s Adopt-A-Pet program is to do the right thing," said Lacey Clever, Adopt-A-Pet program specialist for Petland, Inc. "We do not want to see any pet end up in a shelter. Petland stores donate pet supplies, sponsor shelter pets for adoption and conduct fundraisers for animal shelters and pet rescue groups."
Shelter fundraising banks at Petland also allow the public to donate. In addition, Petland store operators have joined with local animal shelters, local pet rescue groups and with members of the local community to place accidental litters of puppies or kittens. Homeless mature dogs and cats are accepted, too, via adoption days outside Petland stores or mature pets may be showcased in Petland stores equipped with facilities to accommodate their size.
Healthy, well-socialized pets sought
Before Petland accepts a homeless animal for adoption, the pet must be at least eight weeks old and pass a wellness check by Petland"s local consulting veterinarian.
"The homeless kittens or puppies we offer to our customers must be healthy and well-socialized, ensuring they will make good pets for adopting families," said Clever.
Once accepted, Adopt-A-Pets at Petland are given their vaccinations and de-wormings. In most cases, the pets also are microchipped for identification and are scheduled to be spayed or neutered. The pets generally are offered to customers at a modest adoption fee, enough to cover associated shelter or rescue group charges, veterinary care and staff labor.
Interested" Contact your local Petland
Shelter administrators, pet rescue representatives or any individual with knowledge of a litter of healthy homeless puppies or kittens should contact their local Petland store. A manager there can explain local Adopt-A-Pet program procedures.
"Placing homeless pets is a valuable service to our community. It is one of many community service programs at Petland aimed at enhancing the human-animal bond," said Clever.
New survey results for 2008 will be available in February 2009.
More community programs at Petland
Additional community service programs at Petland stores to aid homeless pets include:
- Petland"s Enhanced Protection Program.
Petland"s partnership with AKC"s Companion Animal Recovery (
cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..) and DOGstar Productions" (
cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..) HelpMeFindMYPET (
cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..) combines a national microchip database registry with an "Amber-Alert" type service. This includes microchipping all types of pets and entering information into a national, non-profit pet registration database as well as a comprehensive alert system when a pet is lost. Free microchip scanners also have been provided to shelters nationwide.
- Pets for a LifetimeSM policy, kits for the owners of Petland pets.
A Puppy Resource Kit or Kitten Resource Kit is given to new Petland pet owners to ensure a successful transition into a new family. Should the need arise, Petland Pet Counselors will work to help pet owners find their Petland pets new homes.
- Spaying and neutering initiatives.
Petland Pet Counselors work proactively to educate customers about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Some Petland stores offer a certificate for a free spay or neuter at the store"s local consulting veterinary office. Other Petland stores offer veterinary discounts for spaying and neutering.
Petland, ranked 202 overall in Entrepreneur® Magazine"s "Franchise 500" for 2008, has more than 200 quality, full-service, pet centers across the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Chile and South Africa.
Petland always has been committed to doing its part to help find families for healthy, homeless pets. More information on Petland and its community service programs can be found at
cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ...
Petland, Inc.
Lacey Clever, 770-775-2464
mailto:lclever@petland.com
