2024 Mid-Year Partner Summit
Missed the PetSmart Charities of Canada 2024 Mid-Year Partner Summit? Check out the recording below to learn more about the full details of our launch of the PetSmart Charities of Canada “Offsite Adoption Toolkit” in partnership with FetchFind, our pilot programs for FeLV and FIV, adoption partner spotlights, Live Q&A, and much more.
The Summit Feedback Survey giveaway period is now closed. All entries received up until the end of the day on 8/9 will be eligible to be entered into our giveaway.
Summit Q&A
Does PetSmart Charities ever focus on statistics for pets other than dogs and cats?
We'd love to! The reality is that many shelters break down statistics by dogs, cats, and then other as a catch all categories for pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and other pocket pets. Meaningful statistics on a national scale aren't available, but we can start to share the "other" statistics even if it isn't broken down further.
Don't let that keep you from bringing those pets to adoption events - we love to see them, and people come into stores to adopt them. The logistical needs involved in getting those animals at adoption events is a great reason to apply for an Adoption Prep grant.
What is the policy for multiple adoption organizations sharing the adoptions space in PetSmart stores?
Our goal is to get as many pets out of the shelter, and into placement, as possible. Your store leaders have the option to bring in another group if your group is not able to keep animals in or flowing through the adoption center. If you need support or have questions, please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager.
What is the timeline for the FIV and FELV pilot? When will we know the results?
We are currently piloting FeLV and FIV in-store. After the pilot is complete, we will assess whether this can be a permanent change. We will share more information at the end of the pilot in the fall.
For contests and competitions, have you considered having categories based on the size of the rescue? We are a small rescue, and it feels like we can't compete with larger organizations.
This is a great idea! We will consider how our contests could be more inclusive for smaller organizations and use that framing in the future.
What steps do we need to take to get our adoption center updated? Our space is very small and could use additional space and amenities.
The challenge is that these are PetSmart stores and properties and are generally governed by their landlords. Unfortunately, we don't have the flexibility or money to fund large-scale changes for all adoption centers at once and are currently taking these on a case-by-case basis. However, we are working behind the scenes to improve this for you soon. In the interim, please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager for questions and support.
Are FIP survivors allowed in PetSmart stores for adoption?
Yes, FIP survivors are allowed in PetSmart stores for adoption.
The litter and food that our PetSmart store provides is not ideal for our animals. Can we get something different?
Adoption partner organizations can opt to use whatever litter and food they would like - at their own cost. However, the donated items are not subject to change at this time.
Do adoption partners get discounts on supplies bought from PetSmart?
We would highly advise your organization to sign up for Treats rewards. Accounts are free for everyone and will quickly provide meaningful discounts for organization's buying supplies.
How are adoption partner organizations that bring large groups of dogs to adoption events at PetSmart making it work? What can we do to ensure that the event will run smoothly?
This will vary organization by organization. Check out the FetchFind toolkit to learn more!
Can you clarify what offsite adoptions means? Is it the same as an in-store adoption?
Off-site adoption events means an event that is outside of your normal operating space - like a shelter, office, or otherwise. Many foster organizations only host 'off-site' events because they don't have a shelter space. In the context of earning adoption partner rewards, an off-site event refers to an adoption event held at a PetSmart store.
When are the FetchFind lessons launching?
The first course - made up of seven lessons - is currently live and in beta testing on FetchFind. Please take the lessons and give us feedback! You can access FetchFind here: petsmartcharities.fetchfind.com
We've seen free-roaming cat rooms that don't require volunteers to be present when the cats are out. What is the possibility of getting that for our store?
We would love to have free-roaming spaces and hope to have more in the future. This can only happen in-store with rooms with two doors - which allows a catch space - for the cats.
Can we sell items for our organization during adoption events at PetSmart stores as a fundraiser? I've seen items ranging from t-shirts to a bake sale, and would love to learn more.
Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager an answer to this question, as it varies by store leader.
Do I need to be in a PetSmart store to enter and complete an adoption in Adoptions Made Easy (AME)? I've noticed that if I'm not at the store, AME does not allow me to complete the adoption.
To enter and complete an adoption in AME, you'll need to be inside the store or nearby - like the parking lot, if you happen to be having an event outside. AME is the only way to report your in-store adoptions and in turn the only way an adoption can qualify for adoption partner rewards.
We’ve been moved around our PetSmart store, and now are only able to hold adoption events in the back. What considerations are made for adoption event planning in stores?
Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager for support with this question. They can help you brainstorm and decide on the best place for your adoption events.
Most of your competitions are focused on dogs and cats. Are there other grants that are open to additional species like rabbits?
Yes, Adoption Prep grants are open to all animals, not just cats and dogs. We would love to see more applications focused on rabbits and other species. Our adoption rewards are also applicable to in-store adoptions for all animals - not only cats and dogs.
We are an adoption partner organization that shares space with another organization at our PetSmart store. We hold more adoption events than they do, and in turn have many more adoptions total. We are hoping to increase our time in store, but don't want to step on any toes. Do you have any advice on how to go about that?
We recommend having a conversation with your store leader. You can also reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager for support with this request.
Are there any improvements coming for the WiFi in stores? Our guest WiFi is inconsistent.
We would suggest that you speak with your store leader about this issue.
We have feedback on the Adoptions Made Easy (AME) platform regarding its user-friendliness and intuitiveness. Where can we send that?
Great question! Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager and let us know what is not intuitive or working for AME; we would love to hear your feedback.
I am working to secure a grant for an equine rescue. Is this something you offer?
Unfortunately, we do not currently offer equine grants.
Do you have any recommendations on how to address the issue of adoption barriers being put into place by the PetSmart store and not by the adoption partner?
Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager and let us know what barriers you are working to address. We would love to support you.
Can you provide resources on how to approach the store management with ideas?
The best way is to just start a conversation! If you don't have a solid relationship with your store, please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager for support on how to create a more fulfilling relationship. Please keep in mind that while store leaders have a lot of autonomy to operate within their store, some things require corporate approval. Your Adoption Grants Manager can help with these.
Are adoption partners able to utilize Petsmart trainers as a resource for fosters and potential adopters?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage utilizing the pet trainers as a resource. The best way to go about this is to connect with your store's pet trainer about potential partnerships. This can be a huge resource for keeping pets in homes, either before entering the shelter, or after adoption!
How do I get my organization into a place to be able to do adoptions through Petsmart? Many store managers in my area tell me that they are already locked in with another adoption partner.
Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager for support with this. While many stores may already have an adoption partner, the number of partners they have for events outside of the adoption center is not limited.
Why do some stores get store decorations and promotional materials for National Adoption Week events and others don't? Why do some stores hold donation drives, and some don't?
National Adoption Week (NAW) signage—such as A-frame signs—is sent to all stores for each National Adoption Week. While décor kits aren’t sent in for every NAW event, they are sent to every store when they are provided. Please work with your Store Leader to understand what assets are available for each event.
Product donation drives are held at each store's discretion. Please talk to your Store Leader to learn more about your store's potential to participate in them.
Having adoptions completed in PetSmart stores is hard for those adoption partner organizations who are located in a rural area and have to travel a long distance to get to a store. What are your suggestions for these types of groups?
While adoptions must occur in a Petsmart store to count towards adoption rewards, you can contact your Adoption Grants Manager to see if there are more efficient ways to utilize Petsmart stores.
How many in-store hours per week do you recommend?
This will vary organization by organization and store by store. Please reach out to your Adoption Grants Manager to talk about what amount of hours might work for your organization.
