PetSmart Charities®, City of Fort Worth Team up to Open Second Enhanced Adoption Center

First center has already reduced pet homelessness in area by more than 100 percent

The City of Fort Worth and nonprofit PetSmart Charities are teaming up with support from PetSmart®, Inc. to open a second enhanced adoption center in Fort Worth next month, building on a successful model that has already increased the adoption of homeless pets in Fort Worth by 119 percent in its first year of operation.

Since opening their first-ever enhanced adoption center in May 2010, the City of Fort Worth and PetSmart Charities have helped save the lives of more than 2,600 pets.  PetSmart Charities’ enhanced adoption centers allow animal welfare and rescue organizations to operate small, satellite shelters within PetSmart stores where adoptable pets stay until they are adopted into lifelong homes. Not only do the pets live in a larger, more pet-friendly venue, but it eliminates the need for shelter staff to transport pets back and forth from the City of Fort Worth’s main shelter location. 

“The first enhanced adoption center in Fort Worth was truly the first of its kind,” said Susana Della Maddalena, vice president and executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc.  “Based on its success, it has now become the model for new PetSmart Charities enhanced adoption centers nationwide. We are excited to continue to promote pet adoptions and reduce euthanasia in local communities using this adoption shelter model.”

Officially opening on Saturday, Dec. 3, the new adoption center will occupy 1,730 square feet that is being converted inside the store. PetSmart Charities is funding 100 percent of the build-out costs, and PetSmart is not charging the City of Fort Worth any rent. The City of Fort Worth will staff the adoption center, which will house more than 35 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, freeing up kennel space at the City’s main shelter location. About 20 pets are expected to be adopted from the new adoption center location every week.

“Our partnership with PetSmart Charities has already helped save the lives of thousands of cats and dogs thanks to the success of the first enhanced adoption center,” said Brandon Scott Bennett, Code Compliance Director, City of Fort Worth. “We are fortunate to continue our partnership with PetSmart Charities, and we look forward to saving even more pets lives’ in the community.”

Every year about 8 million pets end up in shelters across the United States, and 4 million are euthanized because they are not adopted. The Fort Worth enhanced adoption center is part of a nationwide initiative from PetSmart Charities with the goal of saving more homeless pets. Since opening the first enhanced adoption center in Fort Worth, PetSmart Charities has helped saved over 3,700 pets by opening similar adoption centers in Arizona, Delaware, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kentucky, Idaho and New Jersey.

Join us for the Grand Opening:

• When:  Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.
• Where:  PetSmart store, 2901 Texas Sage Trail (I-35W and Heritage Trace Parkway), Fort Worth
• Schedule: Festivities begin with presentations and a ribbon cutting. Shelter tours will be available and pet adoptions will continue all day.
• Presenters include:  Brandon Scott Bennett, Code Compliance Director, City of Fort Worth; Jeff Davis, Senior Communications Manager,  PetSmart Charities

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

• Kennels for adult dogs, puppies and small dogs
• Cat adoption center
• 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

Related Link

About City of Fort Worth

To learn more, please call 817-392-PAWS or visit www.FortWorthTexas.gov.