PetSmart National Toy Drive Comforts Homeless Pets

Animal welfare organizations across Canada to receive much-needed toy donations

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - For a homeless pet, the smallest comforts can make all the difference. From August 22, 2013 to September 15, 2013, PetSmart is hosting a national toy drive to benefit the many animal welfare organizations they partner with across the country. Canadians are being asked to donate new and unused toys to their local PetSmart, which in turn will be donated to local animal welfare agencies and the animals in their care.

As many pet parents know, toys can be very important to a pets' wellbeing and often perform many functions, from an outlet for boredom to a companion to snuggle with. With animal welfare agencies often struggling to cope with the expense of caring for many pets, they rely on donations for items such as toys to keep the pets in their care happy and healthy. PetSmart features a wide array of toys for every type of pet, including chew toys, toss and retrieve toys, plush toys and even interactive toys that keep pets on their toes.

"As a company of proud pet parents, we know the difference toys can make to a pet," says John DeFranco, VP Merchandising and Marketing, PetSmart Canada. "Canadians can also feel good knowing that all toys will stay in the community in which they are donated to help local organizations and pets."

"Pets become very attached to their toys, and for those who are being adopted into a new forever home they will find comfort in being able to bring something that is familiar to help acclimatize to the change," says Stephanie Kerr, Communications & Marketing Manager of PetSmart Charities of Canada. "Many people don't realize how important a toy is to a pet as they join a new family."

Donations for the toy drive conclude during PetSmart Charities of Canada's National Adoption Weekend. This Canada-wide adoption event runs from September 13 - 15, 2013 and helps pair homeless animals with loving forever homes.

About PetSmart Canada^®

In Canada, PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets, which employees approximately 29,000 associates and operates over 78 pet stores across Canada, 7 in-store PetSmart^® PetsHotel^® dog and cat boarding facilities and is a leading provider of pet supplies and pet care information (www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp SM day care services and pet adoption services.

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 $3.7 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.

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SOURCE: PetSmart Canada

Contact:
Patrick Martins
GolinHarris for PetSmart
416.642.7958
[email protected]