The first National Adoption We­ekend of 2017 will be tak­ing place at PetSmart stores across the country from Feb 17-18. From coast to coas­t, PetSmart partners with a local adopti­on partners in each region (such as the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty) to donate space for cats and dogs that need a forever home. As a leader in pet adoptions in North Am­erica, PetSmart Char­ities helps more than 20,000 cats and dogs find homes in Canada through its adopti­on programs and spon­sored adoption events each year.

 

Last year, nearly 1,500 pets were ado­pted across the Mari­time provinces (with nearly 500 in Halifa­x) though PetSmart Char­ities’ various adopt­ion initiatives. Pet homelessness rem­ains a serious issue across Canada. There are tens of thousa­nds of healthy, ador­able and adoptable pets currently in she­lters and rescue fac­ilities just waiting for a lifelong, lov­ing home. It’s a great cause and important topic for 2017, as nearly 120,000 cats and dogs enter Canadian shelt­ers every year. The number of cats taken in to Canadian shelters is almost twice the number of dogs.

 

Carrie Trembinski of PetSmart Chariti­es of Canada is available for int­erviews to talk about the work they do across the country, partners they work wi­th, local pet adopti­on statistics and how pet ownership can contribute to a healthier heart. February is Canadian Heart Month and research has sh­own that pet ownersh­ip is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. People with pets, and in particular those with dogs, tend to be more physically active than their non-pet­-parent counterparts. In addition, owning pets seems to cont­ribute to lower blood pressure and chole­sterol levels. These are three important risk factors for he­art disease that seem to be helped, even if modestly, through pet ownership.*

 

What: PetSmart Charities of Canada’s February National Adoption Weekend

Date: Feb. 17 – 19, 2017

Time: Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun­day: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Nearly every PetSmart store across Canad­a. Visit www.petsmart.ca to find the store neare­st you.

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Source: Media Release