PHOENIX, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — High-Five for 5 million pets adopted through PetSmart Charities‘ Adoption Centers in PetSmart stores! To celebrate this achievement and to increase awareness about why pet adoption is important, PetSmart Charities has launched the “High-Five for My Pet Adoption” Video Contest for pet lovers to share their adoption stories and the joy adopted pets have brought to their lives. Share your story today for a chance to win great prizes, including a donation made in your name to a 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization of your choice.

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Actor Josh Duhamel has teamed up with PetSmart Charities to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption to save millions more pets, and has shared his own story of adopting Meatloaf. Duhamel rescued Meatloaf from an adoption group in Los Angeles while searching for a companion for his 7-year-old dachshund, Zoe. Meatloaf taught Duhamel that adopted pets are grateful for the love you have to give and hopes his own story can persuade others to consider pet adoption in the future to save the millions of pets who end up in shelters every year.

“While 5 million lives saved is an important accomplishment, there are still millions more pets that need homes,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “This video contest is a wonderful opportunity to share the life-changing stories of pet adoption while also giving back to the animal welfare community and providing the chance to save millions more homeless pets.”

PetSmart Charities will make donations to the 501(c)(3) animal welfare organizations chosen by the first, second and third place winners and award Visa gift cards and prizes to the 10 finalists and three winners whose videos about their pet adoption story have the most votes.

How to Enter

Beginning June 11 – July 16, visit petsmartcharities.org to record your video through the easy-to-use video portal. Simply click “Allow” to activate your webcam, record or upload your 30-second video, then complete the short video contest submission form to share your pet adoption story, why you chose to adopt your dog or cat, and how these furry family members bring happiness to your life every day.

On July 20, 10 finalists’ videos selected by PetSmart Charities will be posted on the PetSmart Charities website for the public voting period. Through August 3, voters are allowed to vote for their favorite video on the PetSmart Charities website and the winners will be announced on August 6. Visit petsmartcharities.org for contest details.

Prizes

The first place winner will receive:

• $1,000 donation in their name to the 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization of their choice
• $500 Visa gift card
• 12 coupons each redeemable for either one bag of Purina Pro Plan brand Pet Food or Treats OR one bag of Purina Tidy Cats brand Cat Litter total value up to $480 (In lieu of coupons, winners from Puerto Rico will receive a PetSmart gift card)

The second place winner will receive:

• $500 donation in their name to the 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization of their choice
• $250 Visa gift card
• Six coupons each redeemable for either one bag Purina Pro Plan brand Pet Food or Treats OR one bag of Purina Tidy Cats brand Cat Litter total value up to $240 (In lieu of coupons, winners from Puerto Rico will receive a PetSmart gift card)

The third place winner will receive:

• $250 donation in their name to the 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization of their choice
• $150 Visa gift card
• Three coupons each redeemable for either one bag Purina Pro Plan brand Pet Food or Treats OR one bag of Purina Tidy Cats brand Cat Litter total value up to $120 (In lieu of coupons, winners from Puerto Rico will receive a PetSmart gift card)

The remaining seven finalists will receive:

• A $50 Visa gift card
• One coupon redeemable for either one bag FREE Purina Pro Plan brand Pet Food or Treats OR one bag Purina Tidy Cats brand Cat Litter total value up to $40 (In lieu of coupons, winners from Puerto Rico will receive a PetSmart gift card)
• Their “High-Five for My Pet Adoption” video featured on the PetSmart Charities website

Everyone Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Homeless Pets

PetSmart Charities and its more than 2,000 animal rescue partners rely on the generosity of public donations to fund life-saving adoption programs. During the “High-Five for Pet Adoption” campaign, PetSmart Charities aims to raise $250,000 which will help save 10,000 homeless pets. Text PETS to 80888* or visit www.petsmartcharities.org to give $5 to help save the lives of millions more homeless pets.

Follow PetSmart Charities’ pet-saving endeavors through Facebook (www.facebook.com/savehomelesspets) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs).

About PetSmart Charities

Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of nearly 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

*TEXT TO GIVE INFORMATION

A one‐time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Terms: igfn.org/t. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.

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High-Five For My Pet Adoption Video Contest

SOURCE PetSmart Charities, Inc.