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Main Menu

  • take action
    • make a donation
    • other ways to give
    • donate faqs
  • ways to adopt
    • find a pet
    • adoption centres
    • adoption events
  • partner with us
    • our grants
    • adoption partners
    • partner resource centre
    • faqs
  • about us
    • leadership
    • financials
    • news & PR
    • careers
  • our stories
    • community impact
    • journey home
    • unconditional love
    • trending tales
  • our impact

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  1. Home
  2. About Us
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Our Mission

We make the world a better place for pets by investing in community partners that advocate and care for the well-being of pets and all who love them.

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Our Vision

A world where communities unite in support of pets together with their families.

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Our History

We're proud to be the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America. Since 1994, we've granted over $500 million to change-making organizations that help transform the lives of pets and those who love them.

1989

PetFood Warehouse Established
1989

It later became PETsMART. The founders, committed to saving pets, worked with local rescue groups to host pet adoptions.

1994

On a Mission
1994

PetSmart Charities forms as a separate nonprofit organization supporting pets in need and those who love them.

1999

Saving Pets Across North America
1999

PetSmart Charities of Canada is established as a separately registered charity in Canada.

2001

One Million...and Counting
2001

Elise, a retriever mix, is adopted by the Bradford family in Lexington, Kentucky and becomes the 1 Millionth Pet Adopted from a PetSmart Charities Adoption Center.

2004

A New Journey Home
2004

Over 100,000 lives saved through pet transport programs that relocate pets from overpopulated areas to shelters with higher opportunities for adoption.

2004

Two Million Adoptions
2004

The Armstrong family of O’Fallon, Illinois, become pet parents to our two millionth adopted pet, Louie, a beagle mix.

2005

What's in a Name?
2005

PETsMART, PETsMART Charities & PETsMART Charities of Canada change their names to PetSmart, PetSmart Charities & PetSmart Charities of Canada.

2005

Grant Milestone
2005

PetSmart Charities provides more than $10 million in grants to animal welfare organizations across North America.

2005

Disaster Relief
2005

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita prompt PetSmart Charities to grant $3.5 million to more than 151 animal welfare agencies affected by the storms.

2007

Three Million Adoptions
2007

Winchester, a border collie mix, finds his forever home with the Aukamp family from Littleton, Colorado and becomes our 3 millionth adopted pet.

2010

Now Open!
2010

Our 1st Everyday Adoption Center opens at PetSmart in Fort Worth, Texas where dogs and cats stay at the in-store facility until they are adopted.

2010

Canada Celebrates 100,000
2010

PetSmart Charities of Canada adopts out its 100,000th pet, a calico kitten named Calli, to the Wiggins family of Thornton, Ontario.

2010

Four Million Adoptions
2010

Chloe, a collie mix in Rockaway, New Jersey, is adopted by the Jancarek family and becomes our 4 millionth adoption.

2011

Natural Disaster Assistance
2011

Sixteen tons of lifesaving cargo dispatched to Memphis, Tennessee, and Joplin, Missouri, to help pets affected by tornadoes and floods.

2011

Spay and Neuter
2011

Our “Beat the Heat” and “Primp Your Pit” month-long campaigns helped spay/neuter clinics fix 10,000 female cats and pit bull terriers.

2012

Five Million Adoptions
2012

A husky named Dodge, adopted by George Little in Boynton Beach, Florida, becomes our 5 millionth adopted pet.

2016

Seven Million Adoptions
2016

At first sight, the McKenzies knew Daisy was a special dog. The year-and-a-half-old fox terrier/fox hound mix was adopted by the McKenzies and became our 7 millionth adopted pet.

2017

100 Million and One
2017

$100 million granted to support spay and neuter programs. See why we stand behind spay and neuter initiatives and be the next one to save a life.

2018

Eight Million Adoptions
2018

Zeus, a playful black cat and the lucky 8 millionth pet, was adopted by Heath Greenlee, a deputy sheriff for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office in Texas.

2019

Nine Million Adoptions
2019 nine million adoptions

Luna, a five-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix from Phoenix, AZ, became PetSmart Charities’ 9 millionth adopted pet when Bekah Wilson & Bri Sommers adopted her.

2021

Canada Reaches 350,000 Adoptions
2021

During November National Adoption Week, PetSmart Charities of Canada achieved something big – 350,000 pets adopted at PetSmart stores in Canada!

2022

Ten Million Adoptions
Family and dog Balto

Balto, a loving Husky pup became our 10 millionth adopted pet when the De La Rosa family adopted him on a whim, giving him a second chance at a better life.

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Creating Families

Connecting People & Pets

Whether it's through our in-store adoption centers, National Adoption Week, or our online search tool, we help pets in need find loving families to call their own.

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Keeping Families Together

Supporting Pets & People

We support pets & their families through programs that work to make veterinary care more accessible, help battle food insecurity, and provide disaster response.

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Our Values

  • Lead with love
  • Unite as a pack
  • Champion for change
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Aimee Gilbreath, President - PetSmart Charities
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Leadership Team

Aimee Gilbreath

President

Arizona native and long-time animal lover, Aimee Gilbreath is a seasoned leader in both non-profit and private-sector organizations with extensive experience in a range of industries spanning biotech, consumer goods and philanthropy.

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Where your dollars go
See our full financial profile and learn how we've earned Charity Navigator's highest rating 18 years in a row.
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Join the Pack
Visit the PetSmart careers page to see all opportunities at both PetSmart and PetSmart Charities
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Change Lives. Give Today.
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1100 Burloak Drive, Floor 2, Burlington, Ontario L7L 6B2 1-289-313-6400
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community impact

Creating families through our…

Helping 400,000+ pets find homes through in-store adoptions at PetSmart
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journey home

How One Rescue Pup Made a…

Read how Lenox became the official first child of the Francis family.
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trending tales

Changing Lives Through Access…

The first recipient of our Steve Marton Veterinary Scholarship
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community impact

Keeping Families Together

Taking better care of pets builds healthier communities.
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journey home

Maze’s Journey Home

An adorable kitten with special needs finds the loving home she deserves.
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