THE DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE RECEIVES $25,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES® TO HELP MORE HOMELESS PETS FIND HOMES IN COLORADO

THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT THE CARE AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PREPARE SMALL PETS FOR ADOPTION FROM THE DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE IN PETSMART STORES.

[Denver, Col.] – [March 22, 2023] – The Dumb Friends League received a $25,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help prepare more homeless pets in Colorado for adoption. Some five million pets make their way into shelters each year in the U.S. With the help of this grant, the Dumb Friends League will be able to support the adoption of approximately 500 small pets, including rats, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, rabbits, reptiles and other small animals in PetSmart stores by alleviating pressure in the shelters at a time when the shelter animal population has remained unpredictable and elevated. This grant will also support the time, care and resources necessary to prepare, transfer and adopt a growing number of small pets from Dumb Friends League shelter locations in PetSmart stores.

“The Dumb Friends League is incredibly grateful for our partnership with PetSmart Charities and are honored to be a grant recipient,” said Katie Parker, vice president of Operations at the Dumb Friends League. “Funds from this grant will help us care for and adopt out approximately 500 additional small pets this year. This extra capacity helps us serve even more pets from our community and ensure a safe place for every pet in need. The grant from PetSmart Charities and the support we have received from the organization has enabled us to continue working on our mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering in Colorado.”

“Many shelters across the country are full,” said Barry Halvorson, adoption grants manager at PetSmart Charities.  “We’re proud to support the Dumb Friends League and equip them with resources that ensure more adoptable pets find loving homes. And small pets need homes too, just like cats and dogs. They’re often a favorite with children and help them to learn the joy and value of caregiving.”

Dumb Friends League small pets are available for adoption at 16 partner PetSmart stores located in the Denver metropolitan area. To see adoptable small pets, please visit one of their PetSmart partner locations: South Aurora, Aurora Mall, Littleton (Crestline Rd. and Ken Caryl locations), Lakewood, Castle Rock, Stapleton, Gartrell, Glendale, Brighton, Boulder, Wheatridge, Arvada, Northglenn, Highlands Ranch and Sheridan. Those interested in adopting a small pet can also visit one of the Dumb Friends League shelter locations: The Leslie A. Malone Center in Denver or the Buddy Center in Castle Rock.

About the Dumb Friends League

The Dumb Friends League cares for more than 22,000 homeless pets and horses each year and is a national model in animal welfare. Working toward its mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering, the League is a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Learn more about the programs and services the Dumb Friends League offers to its community at ddfl.org.

About PetSmart Charities®
 
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 600,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart®stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

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Media Contact:
 
Alyssa Putzer, Communications Manager
303-419-1162
 aputzer@ddfl.org

24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line:  
 623-587-2177