PetSmart Donates $25,000 to K9s For Warriors to Support Service Members and Their Families

PetSmart’s Treats Rewards is offering 11x points to loyalty members and opportunity for pet parents to share gratitude to veterans when shopping in store or online this Veterans Day

PHOENIX (Nov. 7, 2023) — In honor of Veterans Day, PetSmart is donating $25,000 to K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs for veterans. The donation will help support K9s For Warriors’ ongoing mission to end veteran suicide by connecting veterans to the loving support of service dogs, at no cost. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, more than a quarter of veterans report difficulty re-entering life after the military. K9 For Warriors helps in this transition by training dogs, a majority being rescues, and matching them with veterans so together they can find renewed enjoyment and support in life.

“Veterans Day is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to military members and their families and reaffirm our commitment to those who have bravely served our nation,” said Bradley Breuer, vice president of loyalty and customer relationship management at PetSmart. “We’re proud to partner with K9s For Warriors for the second year in a row, to recognize the incredible sacrifice these heroes make and help provide them with the invaluable support they deserve, one service dog at a time.”

PetSmart will donate additional funds to K9s For Warriors on Veterans Day based on purchases of a service-themed PetSmart e-gift card available Nov. 1-11. For every person who shares their gratitude to veterans by sending the themed gift card, 10% of proceeds will be donated to K9s For Warriors up to $10,000*.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of PetSmart to further our mission to end veteran suicide,” said K9s For Warriors CEO, Carl Cricco. “K9s For Warriors has the privilege every day to see the impact a service dog has on a veteran. With a battle buddy by their side, the veteran returns to a life of dignity and independence. PetSmart’s generosity allows us to continue changing veteran lives.”

As a thank you to all veterans and their families, PetSmart will also offer 11x the amount of Treats Rewards points to loyalty program members when shopping in-store or online on Veterans Day. The exclusive offer can be activated by signing into the PetSmart Treats Rewards account online or through the PetSmart app*. The PetSmart Treats Rewards program is free to join and offers benefits, such as exclusive discounts and deals as well as earning points for every dollar spent in stores and online.

PetSmart’s commitment to supporting veterans extends to associates and their families through the associate resource group, SERVE. SERVE aims to create an environment where every veteran feels like they belong while educating the broader PetSmart team on the impact and culture of veterans. The group’s initiatives include mentorship programs, outreach to military families and support for veteran organizations in local communities.

For more information on Veterans Day initiatives and deals at PetSmart, including ongoing military discounts and ways to shop, visit petsmart.com.

*Terms may apply, see stores or petsmart.com for full details

SOURCE: Pew Research Center. (2019 September 10) The American Veteran Experience and the Post-9/11 Generation. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/09/10/the-american-veteran-experience-and-the-post-9-11-generation/

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About PetSmart

PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates more than 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.

About K9s For Warriors

Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With a majority of dogs being rescues, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. This treatment method is backed by scientific research (from University of Arizona’s OHAIRE Lab) demonstrating Service Dogs’ ability to help mitigate their Veteran’s symptoms of PTSD while simultaneously restoring their confidence and independence. Founded in 2011 as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors remains committed to bringing widespread awareness to veterans’ mental health and contributing to policy-level reform. The organization’s facilities include: K9s For Warriors National Headquarters (Ponte Vedra, FL), Davis Family Mega Kennel (Ponte Vedra, FL), Petco Love K9 Center (San Antonio, Texas), and Helotes Warrior Ranch (Helotes, Texas). Find more information at www.k9sforwarriors.org.