Petland Expands
Adopt-A-Pet Program
When people can’t keep the puppies or kittens that show
up on their doorsteps, their local Petland store may be able
to help. As part of a corporate initiative to grow its Adopt-A-Pet
program, Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio) is encouraging shelter
administrators, pet rescue representatives and individuals to
contact their local Petland store for help placing healthy animals
that need homes.
“We want our Adopt-A-Pet program to grow stronger
in 2007 so we are inviting more pet care organizations and
individuals to take advantage of the program locally,”
said Julie Washburn, the program’s coordinator.
Stores participating in the program have placed more than
114,500 homeless pets—24,440 puppies and 90,284 kittens—in
the last four years.
“We devote some of our highly visible retail space
at Petland to showcase homeless pets,” Washburn said.
“Our goal, as with all of the pets we place, is to match
the right pet with the right person and meet the needs of
both.”
Ninety-five percent of the Petland stores in the United States
participate in the program. Ninety-one percent say their community’s
response to the program is “favorable” or “very
favorable.”
The program accepts homeless animals at least 8 weeks old
that have passed a wellness check by a consulting veterinarian.
Once accepted, the animals receive vaccinations, and most
are microchipped for identification.
Petland stores charge a modest adoption fee to cover shelter
and rescue group charges, veterinary care and staff labor.
[March 2007 PET AGE]
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