Homeless pets finding families at Petland stores nationwide

Companywide, participating Petland stores have placed 59,945 homeless puppies and dogs and 212,534 homeless kittens and cats since its inception.

"Some of our new, larger-format stores have separate Petland Adopt-A-Pet Centers," said Brian Winslow, Petland's Director of Business Improvement. "In nearly all of our Petland stores, we dedicate some of our highly visible retail display space to showcase healthy, homeless pets. Our goal, as with all of the animals we place, is to match the right pet with the right person and meet the needs of both."

Adopt-A-Pet expanding at Petland
Ninety-five percent of the Petland stores in the United States have Adopt-A-Pet programs. Ninety-one percent of Petland stores say their community's response to the Adopt-A-Pet program is "favorable" or "very favorable."

Petland stores in Canada have an active adoption program called the Pets for Life Foundation. The foundation has placed more than 9,000 homeless pets since July 2001.

"The goal of Petland's Adopt-A-Pet program is to do the right thing," said Elizabeth Kunzelman, Director of Marketing Communications for Petland, Inc. "We do not want to see any pet end up in a shelter. Petland stores donate pet supplies, sponsor shelter pets for adoption and conduct fund-raisers for animal shelters and pet rescue groups."

Shelter fund-raising banks at Petland also allow the public to donate. In addition, Petland store operators have joined with local animal shelters, local pet rescue groups and with members of the local community to place accidental litters of puppies or kittens. Homeless mature dogs and cats are accepted, too, via adoption days outside Petland stores or mature pets may be showcased in Petland stores equipped with facilities to accommodate their size.

Healthy, well-socialized pets sought
Before Petland accepts a homeless animal for adoption, the pet must be at least 8 weeks old and pass a wellness check by Petland's local consulting veterinarian.

"The homeless kittens or puppies we offer to our customers must be healthy and well-socialized, ensuring they will make good pets for adopting families," said Kunzelman.

Once accepted, Adopt-A-Pets at Petland are given their vaccinations and de-wormings.

Petland, ranked 202 overall in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Franchise 500" for 2008, has more than 190 quality, full-service, pet centers across the United States, Canada, Japan, China, France, Chile and South Africa. Petland always has been committed to doing its part to help find families for healthy, homeless pets. More information on Petland and its community service programs can be found at www.petland.com