Unique Collaboration Saves Pets in Yuma

PetSmart Charities®, Humane Society team up to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia

As many as 900 dogs and cats in Yuma, Arizona will be saved every year, thanks to a unique partnership between Humane Society of Yuma 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 Yuma.

“We are very proud to be part of this collaborative effort with the Humane Society of Yuma,” 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 satellite shelter is the fourth in the nation to open in an effort to increase pet adoptions in the local community and provide space to house adoptable pets 24-hours a day. In May 2010, PetSmart Charities celebrated the grand opening of a similar shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. That collaboration has already helped save the lives of more than 1,100 pets in Fort Worth. 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.

PetSmart Charities is funding 100 percent of the build-out costs for the new center, which will occupy about 2,136 square feet of space that is being converted from part of the existing PetsHotel in the store.  PetSmart® is not charging the humane society any rent.

“Hundreds of our shelter pets have been given a second chance because of PetSmart Charities,” said Annette Lagunas, Humane Society of Yuma director of operations. “This new adoption center will save hundreds of more lives. We cannot possibly thank PetSmart and PetSmart Charities enough.”

The Humane Society of Yuma will staff the satellite shelter, which will house up to 22 adoptable dogs and puppies at a time. The existing in-store adoption center will also be available and can house up to nine cats 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 the humane society. Not only does the new center free up kennel space at the main humane society location, it also allows more adoptable pets to be showcased  in the community and housed in a pet-friendly venue. About 20 pets are expected to be adopted from the new shelter location every week.

About the Facility

The shelter will be open seven days a week. Amenities include:

• 22 kennels for adult dogs, puppies and small dogs
• Play area 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 grand opening celebration for the new shelter begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Yuma PetSmart® store, 1460 S. Yuma Palms Pkwy., in Yuma. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

JOIN US FOR THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Saturday, February 5, 2011
PetSmart® store
1460 S. Yuma Palms Parkway
Yuma

• Festivities begin with presentations and a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.  Shelter tours will be available, and pet adoptions will continue all day.
• Presenters include Dan Tisch, director of programs at PetSmart Charities, Inc. and Shawn Smith, executive director of the Humane Society of Yuma.

This event is free - everyone is welcome!

About Humane Society of Yuma

As Yuma County’s only animal shelter and sole provider of animal control services, the Humane Society of Yuma takes in nearly 10,000 cats and dogs every year. While efforts to build a new shelter are nearing completion, HSOY still operates out of a shelter that is more than 40 years old and lies on the outskirts of town next to sewage treatment plant. The benefits of a permanent adoption center inside PetSmart cannot be overstated.