Visit any city or town’s animal shelter or Humane Society and you’re bound to see so many cats and dogs looking for a forever home. Shelters are understaffed, low on funds, and overcrowded – which is why any initiative to find these precious pets a forever home is just wonderful.
PetSmart has had a Prep the Pet Program, now in its 2nd year, which helps shelter pets look and feel their best, giving them the confidence they need to be one step closer to adoption. Since the program’s start, nearly 85% of pets groomed and pampered by PetSmart’s salon stylists have been adopted the following weekend – proving that a little extra care can go a long way!
From the press release:
“PetSmart salon stylists across the U.S. provided complimentary makeovers to shelter dogs and cats to ensure they looked and felt their best when meeting potential families during the recent PetSmart Charities® National Adoption Week event.”
The press release continues, “For these shelter pets, a grooming session is more than a makeover, it’s a time for them to be loved on and connect with another person,” said Ashley Beltz, PetSmart in-store experience program manager and certified master groomer. “It’s amazing to see how a grooming experience transforms these pets, and our Prep the Pet program allows our stylists to share their talents to help pets in need. We’re happy to help adoptable pets find loving families as we head into the holiday season.”
All pets can enjoy the benefits of professional grooming from PetSmart salon stylists. PetSmart offers an array of salon services from baths and haircuts to PAWdicures and teeth brushing, meeting the needs of all cats and dogs. To book a pet makeover, pet parents can visit petsmart.com/grooming.
How to help shelter pets in your own community
Here are ways you can help shelter pets in your own town.
You can, of course, foster or adopt a shelter pet. You can make a monetary donation to your local Humane Society or animal rescue. You can drop off donations of pet food, cat litter, cleaning supplies, dog and cat toys, or old blankets and towels to your local animal rescue.
You can surprise your local shelter staff with a box of doughnuts or a delivery of pizza to thank them for all of their selfless work.
You can contact your local shelter and see about taking a dog for a sleepover to help them with kennel stress, you can volunteer to bottle feed kittens, or you can volunteer to walk shelter dogs.
You can sponsor the spaying and neutering of a dog or cat at your local shelter, or hold a car wash, bake sale or yard sale and donate the proceeds to your local shelter.
Whatever you decide to do, with shelters being overcrowded and understaffed, volunteering to help with animals in any way you can is a wonderful way to give back.
