PET PROJECTS Retailers are dedicated to helping animals through charitable activities BY NANCY MONSON
he change you’ve tossed and reduce euthanasia rates. Jointly, TO DONATE into the containers at the the companies have helped 12.5 ONLINE register as you check out million cats and dogs find homes, of Petco and PetSmart a preferred alternative to meeting a stores — close to half a less-fortunate fate. billion dollars during the past 20 years “For every 30 seconds a PetSmart — have transformed the lives of pets store is open, a pet’s life is saved,” says PETCO FOUNDATION and their people nationwide. David Haworth, president of PetSmart petcofoundation. “We turn these small donations ... Charities, “totaling 1,400 pets saved org into grants that make a big impact,” each day.” says Petco Foundation executive Among other activities, the chains PETSMART director Susanne Kogut. fund spay-and-neuter programs and CHARITIES petsmartcharities. Both chains’ charitable arms efforts involving dogs that assist in org are, first and foremost, dedicated post-disaster situations; they also to protecting the lives of homeless provide food and medical supplies to pets. They don’t sell dogs or cats, but instead needy animal welfare groups and pet food banks encourage the adoption of shelter animals, around the country. hosting multiple events in stores each year Take the $2.5 million grant the Petco and working with 3,000 animal welfare groups Foundation gave in 2015 to the National Disaster around the country to raise adoption awareness Search Dog Foundation (SDF), located on a > 58
PET GUIDE 2017
SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION; GETTY IMAGES
George, Noah, Chief and Lilly are Search Dog Foundationtrained members of the Nebraska Task Force 1 searchand-rescue unit based in Lincoln, Neb.