Largest pet specialty retailer supports expanded grant program for teachers to include small animals in class lessons

PHOENIX, Jan 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Teachers looking for just the right pet for their classroom just got a big helping hand from the grant program, created by the Pet Care Trust. The grant provides eligible teachers with funds to use at their local store towards the purchase of a classroom petthe essentials needed to care for that pet, from habitat to accessoriesfood.

Beginning today, the grant program is now open to elementarymiddle school teachers, pre-kindergarten to 8th grade. They now have more choices when it comes to pets,the newly added animals were specifically requested by teachers who are currently participating in the grant program. Teachers can access the grant application at . Once approved, the teacher should consult with a PetSmart pet care expert to determine which one of the following pets will best fit with their individual classroom setting.

New pets available through the program include:

  • are smarttrainable, enabling children to learn how to teach tricks to a pet.
  • are docile animals who do not mind being handled. Their habitatnutrition needs are a little more involved, which means they are better pet options for older children.
  • like to spend time on landin the watereat a varied diet, which can help children learn the importance of well-rounded nutrition.

Other pets from PetSmart also available through the Pets in the Classroom Program:

  • make fun classroom pets because they are activeteach children the importance of schedulesresponsibilities.
  • are easily handledencourage children to follow a regimented routine.
  • are a great way to illustrate basic chemistrybiology principles while students follow regularly scheduled water changes.
  • depend on their environment for heatingcoolingare a great way to teach students about geographythe environment.
  • are docile in natureteach children about different nocturnal behaviors.

"Our associates are trained to help teachers find a pet that fits their classroom, depending on the environment, the age of the childrenstudent involvement in the care of the pets," said , veterinarianspecialty pets expert at PetSmart. "Caring for pets at school provides kids with a unique opportunity to bond with animalsexpand their knowledge about the natural world."

To apply for the "Pets in the Classroom" grantlearn more about choosing the right pet for a specific classroom, teachers can visit , .

About PetSmart

(NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of servicessolutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 50,000 associatesoperates more than 1,210 pet stores in the United States, CanadaPuerto Rico, over 189 in-store dogcat boarding facilitiesis a leading online provider of pet suppliespet care information (). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet foodpet products;offers boarding, SM day care servicespet adoption services. Since 1994, ., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organizationthe largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, has provided more than $134 million in grantsprograms benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities(R), PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 4.7 million pets.

About The Pet Care Trust

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfarethe benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership. The Pet Care Trust funds deserving programs through supporting grants awarded annually to non-profit organizations. In addition, through their , the Trust has awarded more than 7,000 grants to publicprivate school teachers in grades Pre-K through 6th grade to support pets in the learning environment.

SOURCE: PetSmart, Inc. 


GolinHarris for PetSmart

Anuradha Koli, 972-341-2578

akoli@golinharris.com

or

PetSmart Media Line

623-587-2177

pr@ssg.petsmart.com
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