National Adoption Week Supported by $75k PetSmart Adoption Prep Grant Awarded to CARE

Cincinnati Animal CARE Receives $75,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities to Prepare More Pets for Adoption during National Adoption Week

Local PetSmart stores will host adoptable pets March 23-29 as part of PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week

Cincinnati, Ohio, March 23– Thanks to a new grant from PetSmart Charities®, The Hamilton County animal shelter, Cincinnati Animal CARE, (CAC), the only stray, open-intake shelter in the county, will help more pets in our community get healthy, adoption-ready, and into loving homes. The $75,000 grant will support National Adoption Week events at local PetSmart stores this week.

Millions of pets find themselves in U.S. shelters each year, adding strain to many local shelters coping with stretched resources. In 2025, Cincinnati Animal CARE saw 8,471 come through the doors for care and has a live release rate of 93.6%. Funds from PetSmart Charities support our organization and the local community by supporting medical care, nutrition, enrichment, and other shelter supplies that are much needed to care for the county’s stray animals.

“This support allows us to show up for both pets and people in a bigger way,” said Carolyn Evans, Executive Director of Cincinnati Animal CARE. “We’re able to prepare more animals for adoption and bring them directly into the community through events like National Adoption Week, making it easier than ever for families to meet their next best friend.”

“Our animal welfare partners in local communities are determined to keep pace with the need, and deserve support,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities.  “We’re proud to work alongside Hamilton County’s animal shelter and appreciate the critical steps they take to advocate for the animals that come through their doors in need of love, safety, care and nutrition. Please consider supporting their lifesaving work through volunteering, fostering, adopting, or by donating.”

One of the pets attending National Adoption Week is Samwise, a two-year-old, female pup who has been in and out of the shelter four times since 2024. Now thriving in a foster home with both dogs and cats, Samwise has already shown how well she connects with people at her first adoption event. She will be looking for her future family at the Springdale PetSmart on Sunday, March 29th, from 11am to 1pm.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week is a special time during the year. Neighborhood PetSmart stores will host adoptable pets to meet and cuddle in spacious areas, and staff and volunteers are ready to make introductions and answer questions. Potential pet parents can also learn about the products and services they’ll need for the best possible start with their new family members.

To learn more, please visit cincinnatianimalcare.org

WHEN/WHERE:

Adoptable pets will be available at the following times and PetSmart locations:

• Thursday cat event: Western Hills PetSmart from 5-7pm
• Saturday dog events: Eastgate and Florence locations from 11am-1pm, Oakley location from 12-2pm, Western Hills PetSmart from 2-4pm.
• Sunday dog events: Springdale and Oakley PetSmart locations from 11am-1pm, and Western Hills and South Lebanon from 2-4pm.

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About Cincinnati Animal CARE

Cincinnati Animal CARE is Hamilton County’s only open-intake animal shelter and a rapidly growing organization committed to progressive, lifesaving practices. Since opening in 2020, the shelter has maintained a save rate of over 90%, achieving no-kill status while handling thousands of animals each year. CARE has completed more than 25,000 adoptions and provides both animal sheltering and dog warden services. The organization is powered by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and fosters; supported by national partnerships; and focused on community-based solutions that keep pets and people together. We do things differently, because we CARE.
Learn more at www.cincinnatianimalcare.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 has helped more than 11 million pets find loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to local animal welfare organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. This critical support fuels adoption, access to veterinary care, pet hunger and disaster response programs that make a meaningful impact in local communities. 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. PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its mission, granting more than $600 million since 1994. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, PetSmart Charities has received a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator consecutively since 2003 — placing it among the top one percent of rated charities.

• Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
• Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
• See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc
• PetSmart Media Contact: 24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line:  623-587-2177