Homeless pets in Cleveland will have a better chance of finding a loving home thanks to a partnership between PetSmart Charities and the Cleveland Animal Protective League (Cleveland APL). The two have teamed up, with support from PetSmart®, Inc., to open a dog & cat adoption center inside the PetSmart store at 6870 Ridge Road in Parma. Since the center’s soft opening on August 26, 24 pets have already found forever homes.
Shay’s Story
Shay, a five-year-old Alaskan husky/shepherd mix, was the lucky first dog to be adopted from the adoption center on its opening day. Dat Boumitri and her two daughters, Mia and Melissa, recently moved to the United States from Lebanon and sadly had to leave their pets behind to stay with friends and family when they moved. Since arriving in the U.S., they couldn’t wait to adopt a new four-legged friend. Mia, age nine, saved up her first communion money to adopt the dog herself. The family was drawn to the sweet dog because of her unique, differently colored eyes and calm nature.
The new cat and dog everyday adoption center, officially opening on Sept. 28, frees up kennel space at Cleveland APL’s main shelter location so more animals can be helped, and allows adoptable pets to live in a new pet-friendly venue until they are adopted. This 2,200 square foot center will house approximately 41 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. About 20 pets are expected to be adopted from the new adoption center each week.
“Our partnership with Cleveland APL allows us to promote pet adoptions and reduce pet homelessness in the local community,” said Jan Wilkins, executive director, PetSmart Charities, Inc. “We are thrilled to bring this everyday adoption center model to the Cleveland area; each of these adoption centers allows us to save, on average, more than 1,000 pets every year.”
“Shay’s adoption story is just one example of the many pets we’ve already been able to save through our partnership with PetSmart Charities,” said Sharon Harvey, president and CEO, Cleveland APL. “This new center will benefit thousands of deserving cats and dogs by bringing them out into the community where they can find new, loving homes.”
About the Facility:
The Cleveland everyday adoption center in Parma will be open seven days a week during the store’s operating hours.
Amenities include:
– Kennels for adult dogs, puppies and small dogs
– Cat and kitten adoption center
– Play areas for dogs awaiting adoption
– Meet‐and‐greet areas for prospective adopters and their families to get acquainted with the pet(s) they want to take home
The everyday adoption center is part of a nationwide initiative from PetSmart Charities with the goal of saving more homeless pets. Since May 2010, PetSmart Charities has helped save more than 44,000 pets by opening similar adoption centers in nine states.
Learn more about PetSmart Charities’ adoption programs by visiting www.petsmartcharities.org/adoption, and follow PetSmart Charities’ pet-saving endeavors through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PetSmartCharities) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs).
ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores and our sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, separate from PetSmart, Inc.
ABOUT THE CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE
The Cleveland Animal Protective League’s mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering. Located in the Tremont area of Cleveland, the Cleveland Animal Protective League is the largest nonprofit humane society in Ohio and relies solely on donations to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty in Cuyahoga County and assist more than 16,000 homeless animals a year through a variety of progressive programs. The Cleveland APL has been creating happily ever afters since 1913. Learn more at www.clevelandapl.org.
