Unique Collaboration Saves Pets in Dover

PetSmart Charities®, Kent County SPCA team up to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia

As many as 1,300 dogs and cats in Dover, Del. will be saved every year, thanks to a partnership between Kent County SPCA/Delaware Animal Care and Control and nonprofit PetSmart Charities, Inc.  The two have teamed up with support from PetSmart, Inc. to open a pet-adoption center inside the PetSmart® store in Dover.

PetSmart Charities is funding 100 percent of the build-out costs for the new center, which will occupy about 1,221 square feet of space that is being converted inside the store.  The PetSmart store is not charging Kent County SPCA any rent.

Kent County SPCA will staff the enhanced adoption center, which will house up to 36 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at a time. Pets will live at the center until they’re adopted, so they won’t need to be transported between the store and Kent County SPCA shelters. Not only does the new center free up kennel space at the main shelter location, but it also allows Kent County SPCA to take adoptable pets out to the community and house them in a pet-friendly venue.  About 25 pets are expected to be adopted from the new adoption center location every week.
 
“We are very proud to be part of this collaborative effort with Kent County SPCA,” said Susana Della Maddalena, vice president and executive director of nonprofit PetSmart Charities, Inc.  “At PetSmart Charities, our goal is to save the lives of pets who don’t have homes.  This type of collaboration – one that promotes pet adoptions and reduces euthanasia – is key to meeting that goal.”

This enhanced adoption center is part of a nationwide initiative from PetSmart Charities with the goal of saving more homeless pets. Since May 2010, PetSmart Charities has celebrated the grand opening of similar adoption centers in Fort Worth, Texas; Yuma, Ariz.; and Scottsdale, Ariz. Every year, about 8 million pets end up in shelters across the United States; tragically, 4 million must be put down because they are not adopted in time.
 
“Kent County SPCA is extremely grateful for the investment PetSmart Charities is making in order to assist our homeless animal residents,” said Murrey E. Goldthwaite, executive director of Kent County SPCA. “Without this help, many cats and dogs would not have the exposure necessary to achieving new forever families.  A big ‘PAWS UP' to PetSmart Charities for this partnership expansion!”

JOIN US FOR THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

• Saturday, April 30, 2011
• PetSmart store, 1390 N. DuPont Highway, Dover
• 10 a.m.: Festivities begin with presentations and a ribbon cutting.  Shelter tours will be available and pet adoptions will continue all day.
• Presenters include Kent County SPCA Board of Directors President Alex Moore; Senator Colin R. J. Bonini; PetSmart, Inc. District Manager John Pridemore; and PetSmart Charities, Inc. Director of Programs Dan Tisch.

This event is free - everyone is welcome!

About the Facility:

The adoption center will be open seven days a week during the store’s operating hours.  Amenities include:

• 20 kennels for adult dogs, puppies and small dogs
• Cat adoption center (to house up to 16 cats)
• Play areas for dogs awaiting adoption
• Meet‐and‐greet areas for prospective adopters and their families to get acquainted with the pet(s) they want to take home

The April 30th grand opening coincides with the PetSmart Charities® National Adoption Weekend.  Sponsored by Purina® Pro Plan®, Tidy Cats® and PetSmart stores, the event aims to find homes for more than 16,800 pets throughout North America.  Dozens of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens who need homes will be available for adoption at this event from Kent County SPCA/Delaware County Animal Care and Control, as well as other animal-welfare groups that collaborate with PetSmart Charities.

ABOUT KENT COUNTY SPCA
The Kent County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KCSPCA)/Delaware Animal Care and Control (DeACC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit multi-functional service organization that operates from county dog control contracts, public fundraising and private donations. KCSPCA operates as a full-service shelter providing a safe refuge with warmth, comfort and care for all animals and offers many programs and services to pet owners and potential owners, including adoptions, senior adoptions, vaccinations, low and no-cost spay/neuter services, education, pet manners and obedience classes, and animal cruelty investigations and animal control. To learn more, visit www.kspca.org or call 1-888-352-7722.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES®
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided $110 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store adoption program, helped save the lives of more than 4.4 million pets.  To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its Vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.