PetSmart Bird Adoption-Only Program Takes Flight in Minneapolis Store

[Kevin]

PetSmart Bird Adoption-Only Program Takes Flight in Minneapolis Store

Twin Cities-based bird rescue organization to facilitate groundbreaking in-store adoption program

Phoenix, AZ -- August 23, 2007 -- Rainbow, a Bronze-winged Pionus, and many of his feathered, homeless friends at Minnesota's largest shelter for homeless birds have a lot more to sing about with the opening of PetSmart's first in-store adoption-only center for companion birds.

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM), North America's largest pet specialty retailer, and Stillwater-based Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS), Minnesota's largest bird shelter, adoption and education organization, have launched a groundbreaking bird adoption partnership in the St. Louis Park store. Instead of selling companion birds, the store will only provide birds for adoption in what is considered to be the first arrangement of this kind in the pet specialty retail industry.

Funded by PetSmart Charities with a $54,000 grant and occupying about 90 square feet of donated retail space, MAARS will operate a fully-staffed adoption center within the PetSmart store during regular business hours to find permanent loving homes for homeless companion birds. Prospective pet parents will be screened and educated by agency representatives on proper bird care to prevent unnecessary abandonment, neglect, abuse and surrender.

PetSmart and MAARS will host an Adoption Information Celebration Saturday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the St. Louis Park PetSmart. MAARS staff and PetSmart associates will be available to answer questions, counsel prospective adopters and assist customers with appropriate choices from the wide selection of bird-related products. The store is located at 5640 Cedar Lake Road on the Southwest corner of Highway 100 & Interstate 394.

Birds of many sizes and species have been individually selected for adoption through the partnership program including Finches, Lovebirds, Cockatiels, Budgerigars (Parakeets), Doves, Quaker (Monk) Parrots (Parakeets) and other small parrot species. Consistent with PetSmart's Vet Assured program, birds available for adoption through MAARS undergo a precautionary 30-day quarantine, have been thoroughly examined by an attending veterinarian and are tested for infectious disease. Pet Parents also will find a supply of bird cages, food and accessories in the store.

"We are pleased PetSmart is taking a leadership role in addressing the needs of displaced captive birds who have been relinquished or abandoned and deserve loving homes capable of the commitment that living with a bird requires," said Eileen McCarthy, CEO of MAARS. "We are honored to be part of this groundbreaking test program." MAARS will continue to have adoptable birds available at its St. Louis Park shelter.

"We are extremely proud to be partnering with MAARS, which is one of the premiere bird shelter and adoption organizations in the country. MAARS has a great capability to provide healthy, adoptable pets and serve as an educational resource for prospective pet parents. With them, we will make great strides in our efforts to save lives of homeless pets," said Julie Schmaltz, PetSmart adoption operations manager.

All adoption agencies that partner with PetSmart receive 100 percent of the adoption proceeds and PetSmart Charities pays an additional $5, $10, or $15 grant to each partner agency for every animal adopted in a PetSmart store. In partnership with PetSmart Charities and adoption agencies nationwide, PetSmart earlier this year adopted out its 3 millionth pet.

[kensbuns]

Giving Pet Smarts history, This scares me. I have been to a many a Pet Smart and they keep their large birds is dirty surroundings. I just hope that someone from the Rescue will be attending to the birds!!!!

[LouieBird]

I stopped in at this store a couple of weekends ago because my regular bird store was out of millet. Much to my surprise they were not selling birds anymore! Instead there was a setup with very clean cages and a sample of the birds MAARS had for adoption. My wife and I had volunteered at MAARS a couple of years ago, and they are one of the cleanest and best organized parrot rescues in this part of the nation. All the rescues are vet checked and the adoption process is very, very thorough. Anyway, it seems that all the petitions and phone calls from thousands of people over the years seems to have made a difference to at least one store. We can only hope that others will get the message.

Brad & Flock

[tielmama]

The Petsmart near me is really not too bad. They have adopted out lots of dogs and cats. The birds they have are in clean cages and they get fresh fruit and good food and toys, but of course, the cages are too small, and the birds are too cold all the time from air conditioning. I sure wish they would start bird adoption only there. I would volunteer every week.

[nmrspindoc]

I think it's a step in the right direction! Hopefully it's implemented well.

[CALVINS MOM]

I think the concept is excellent; however, I fear that birds may find themselves rehomed with someone looking for a trophy or a status symbol. I sure hope they will educate the adopting family. Would hate to see them go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

[Lisa B]

I hope it does work out, and its a step in the right direction. The santuaries are so overrun now, they need outlets to find homes. I truly hope its successful for MAARS and the babies who need loving homes.

[CALVINS MOM]

Lisa - do you think that reps of MAARS will be on board at all times and will handle the adoptions?

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by CALVINS MOM

Lisa - do you think that reps of MAARS will be on board at all times and will handle the adoptions?

I cant say. Dont know. I would hope with what was said that they would handle each and everyone personally.
I think with so many people watching, they are going to have to do it correctly since the chain store has had SO MUCH negative publicity lately.
I know on a small scale, I over saw each and every adoption through my club. Even Stopped some

[oONightFireOo]

I also think that this is a GREAT idea. I do like the fact that PetSmart does do many rescues rather then selling - and I am glad to hear that the same thing will be said of their birds!

I just hope that they aren't given to people who see them as a status symbol or a novelty item - but I am sure that there will be background screening and things like that... At least I can hope for it!!

~Kevin