Pet Valu Pet Appreciation Month Raises $2 Million for Pet Charities

$2 million dollars and donations

2,611 pet adoptions

MARKHAM, ON, June 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's love of pets was in full force this Spring, helping Pet Valu raise a record-setting $2 million for animal welfare charities and rescues across the nation.

Animal lovers and the Pet Experts at Pet Valu stores across North America, teamed up throughout April during Pet Valu's annual Pet Appreciation Month. 

Since events began in 2011, Pet Valu stores have raised more than $12 million in donations for North American animal rescue charities, raised over $1 million for US War Dog Association, collected over $305,000 for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and sponsored 28 Dog Guide teams from across Canada. During Pet Valu National Adoption Weekends the company has helped find Forever Homes for more than 17,000 pets.

This year, Pet Valu set its most ambitious fundraising goal of $1.8 million.  In addition to surpassing that goal, Pet Valu also made an immediate corporate donation of $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross and SPCA to aid people and pets affected by the Fort McMurray fire.  Store Pet Experts and customers pitched in and in just two short weeks, Pet Valu's total Fort McMurray donations now top $250,000.

"Pet Valu Pet Appreciation Month is our way of showing just how much we love and appreciate the special role pets play in our lives," explains Rose Ferrante, Director of Marketing, Pet Valu.  "Our customers and store Pet Experts showed how much they care, by finding adopted homes for more than 2,600 pets in need.  Together with our customers and franchisees, Pet Valu also raised an astounding $2 million in dollars and donations, our best fundraising result ever. We are proud of being able to raise over $12 million and find Forever Homes for more than 17,000 pets over the last five years," says Rose.

Pet lovers were invited to show their Pet Appreciation in three ways:

• Posting on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #PAW #PetValu
  
  
• Purchasing a Pet Valu PAW in-store for $2, $5 or $10 – or making a product donation to local animal rescue charities
  
  
• Participating in National Adoption Weekends where Pet Valu stores teamed up with local animal rescue organizations to stage in-store adoption events.

About Pet Valu
Pet Valu Canada Limited www.petvalu.com is the leading Canadian specialty retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies with more than 760 stores across Canada and the US.
Pet Valu Canada Limited is a British Columbia incorporated company with its headquarters in Markham, Ontario. The Pet Valu family of stores consists of Pet Valu Canada, Pet Valu US, Total Pet, Paulmac's Pet Foods, Tisol Pet Nutrition and Bosley's by Pet Valu.

Pet Valu, Paulmac's, Tisol, Total Pet and Bosley's team members are true Pet Experts who can help you find the right nutrition and other solutions for your pets. Pet Valu stores are heavily involved in their communities, teaming up with animal rescues and adoption programs, and fundraising for animal shelters.

SOURCE Pet Valu

To learn more about Pet Appreciation Month events, please visit: www.petvalu.com or www.facebook.com/petvalu