Make Your Own Love Story at PetSmart Charities® of Canada's National Adoption Weekend, November 14-16

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Are you ready to fall head over paws for an adopted pet? PetSmart Charities of Canada November National Adoption Weekend, taking place November 14-16, may be the perfect time for you to find a new companion.   

The recently released 2014 Shelter Pet Report by PetSmart Charities of Canada found that while 73 per cent of Canadians say that pet homelessness is at least somewhat important to them, an equal number admit they do nothing to help solve the issue in their communities. Other data shows that if communities work together now, Canadians can help end pet homelessness in a generation.

"PetSmart Charities of Canada's National Adoption Weekends raise awareness about pet homelessness and give Canadians the opportunity to make a positive impact on the issue in their communities," said John DeFranco, president, PetSmart Charities of Canada. "Our 2014 Shelter Pet Report highlighted the need for more education on pet homelessness and we hope that through these weekends Canadians will see why adoption is the best option."

National Adoption Weekend is a weekend-long event, organized by PetSmart Charities of Canada and sponsored by PetSmart^®, and will take place from November 14-16 at all 100 PetSmart stores across Canada. More than 100 animal welfare organizations will be on-site at every PetSmart store to help visitors find the perfect dog, cat, puppy or kitten.

"National Adoption Weekend events demonstrate our continued commitment to helping every pet find a forever home," said Rob Smith, Regional Director, PetSmart Canada. "Working with our partners on events like National Adoption Weekend, helps us connect more pets in need with loving families."

PetSmart Charities of Canada rewards all participating adoption partners; each will receive $35 in adoption-reward grants for every pet adopted during the event. PetSmart, Inc., Purina^® Pro Plan^® and Tidy Cats^® are proud sponsors of National Adoption Weekend.

How to Adopt
Visit the PetSmart Charities' adoption centre inside any PetSmart store in Canada from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. To find the PetSmart store nearest you, visit http://pets.petsmart.com/adoptions/ or call 1-877-473-8762. National Adoption Weekends are sponsored by PetSmart^®, Purina^® Pro Plan^® and Tidy Cats^®.

Celebrating Adopted Pet Love Stories
PetSmart Charities has teamed up with Nicholas Sparks, a pet parent, pet adoption advocate and best-selling author of The Notebook, The Best of Me and The Longest Ride to celebrate both the newly formed bonds from National Adoption Weekend and also pet parents everywhere who have chosen to adopt.

Pet parents are invited to submit their pet's adoption story and tell Sparks about the impact their adopted pet has made on their life. Sparks will select the most heartwarming pet adoption story and the lucky winner's adopted pet will be named in one of his upcoming novels.

How to Enter
Tell us why you fell in love with your adopted pet and how they've made your life complete by submitting your pet's adoption story and photo to the "Fall into a Nicholas Sparks Love Story Contest" by visiting this link. Key contest dates:

• November 3 – December 14, 2014: Online submission period
• January 12, 2015: Winner announced

Join the Conversation
You can follow PetSmart Charities of Canada and PetSmart on Facebook throughout National Adoption Weekend at www.facebook.com/PetSmartCharities and www.facebook.com/PetSmart. Or, talk with us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs and https://twitter.com/PetSmart and by following the hashtag #adoptlove.

About PetSmart Charities® OF CANADA
PetSmart Charities of Canada is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 14,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores and our sponsored adoption events. A leading funder of animal welfare, PetSmart Charities of Canada has granted more than $5 million to help pets in need, with a focus on spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered charity, separate from PetSmart, Inc.

SOURCE: PetSmart Charities of Canada

Melissa Adamson, GolinHarris for PetSmart Charities, 416-642-7967, [email protected]