THUNDER BAY – Around six dogs and cats made a stop at PetSmart on Sunday with Northern Critters In Need, who partnered with the PetSmart Charities of Canada for its adoption week.
The adoption week initiative takes place throughout the year, with events held during each designated week.
“This wonderful charity that they put together brings in rescue organizations and communities all over North America and they sponsor adoptions,” said Dee Marie, a Northern Critters In Need volunteer and coordinator.
Sunday was the third time Northern Critters In Need, a pet adoption service, had stopped at the store this week, having also come on July 20 and 24.
Anyone who adopts within the adoption week, Marie said, receives double points for the rest of the year to purchase special items for their new forever friend.
The rescues also receive double points for any adoptions that take place, helping them actually rescue, vet and adopt out animals, she added.
The service had roughly 20 to 25 animals in attendance throughout this week’s three events, with around 24 of them becoming newly adopted.
“We’ve tried to make sure that we had a variety of animals in (on) different days,” said Marie.
“And make sure that each of the animals that we have in care in Thunder Bay have attended at least one event so they have an opportunity to meet.”
Marie said it’s really great socialization for the animals and also nice for a lot of people who maybe can’t have a pet to come out, volunteer or even just come cuddle a kitten or a puppy: “Get a little bit of a snuggle in.”
One of the three dogs up for adoption on Sunday was Russ, who has been in care for a year and a half.
“Unfortunately Russ began the beginning part of his life on an outside chain and he had never been in a house until he came into foster care. So now Russ lives his life happily, travelling and napping on couches. He is a wonderful, sweet gentleman,” said Marie.
Alongside Russ were eight-month-old and spayed sisters, Pistachio and Chestnut, who were part of their “nutty pup litter.”
“They’ve been in care since they were under eight weeks old. They’re the sweetest, gentlest girls and we are hopeful that they can find (a) forever home soon,” said Marie.
“Everybody is up to date, vaccinated and ready to go,” she added.
Both Mama Samba, her kitten Tango and his sibling, who had been previously adopted, were also available for adoption in the cat adoption centre.
Organizers explained that more animals were planned to attend the adoption week.
However, there was a combination of some volunteers catching human infections and Marie’s foster “mama dog" also picking up a bug after drinking and swimming in swampy water the other day.
“We kept everybody home just to make sure that it was safe. We don’t want to have anything while everybody is under vet care,” said Marie.
“So just extra precautions making sure that we are making sure that all of our puppies are good and healthy before they’re coming to an event.”
Going forward, Marie said they will have more animals coming into care.
“We actually have five... adult cats, who are being surrendered from various different circumstances, who will be in the adoption centre,” said Marie, adding that the cats would be starting there from Tuesday onward.
“They will be available to meet anytime that PetSmart is open. So you can just speak to any of the staff who work here and they can bring you in to meet the boys.”
They are all wonderful and lovely house cats who love to cuddle and love affection, she added.
“They’ve all been around kids. They’ve all been around other cats. So they will be looking for a forever home,” said Marie.
“So if you know anybody who is looking for a cat, definitely swing by PetSmart and meet some of our boys.”
While Sunday officially concluded the adoption week, Marie said their partnership will continue year-round.
“PetSmart wonderfully donates the stock that doesn’t sell to the rescue so that our animals can continue to have great toys and leashes and collars and things of that nature, as well as monetary amounts for the rescue to help with veterinary costs,” said Marie.
“So any time that you are coming out and supporting events through PetSmart or supporting PetSmart charities or just supporting PetSmart in general, you are helping rescues in your own community.”
