Find Your BOO: How PetSmart’s National Adoption Week Is Rehoming Canada’s Pets

This October 20–26, PetSmart Charities of Canada turns stores nationwide into meet-and-greet hubs for adoptable pets—and Heidi Marston, Director of Pet Placement Initiatives, talked with us about why now is the moment to “Find Your BOO.” With 58% of Canadians saying they intend to adopt and PetSmart’s in-store program having placed over 400,000 animals, Heidi unpacks the newly released Hill’s Pet Nutrition 2025 Canada State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report findings, explains why large breeds linger longest in shelters, and shares practical tips for first-time adopters and families ready to welcome a new furry family member. —Noa Nichol

The Hill’s report finds 58% of Canadians express strong intent to adopt —yet shelters are still full. What are the biggest barriers between intention and action, and how does PetSmart Charities of Canada help bridge that gap during National Adoption Week?

PetSmart Charities of Canada works with local shelters and rescues to bring adoptable pets out of shelters and into PetSmart stores to meet pet-loving people in locations they may already be visiting, increasing chances of adoption. Our adoption data suggests that up to 30% of adoptions in PetSmart stores are un-planned, and we believe that’s because people see an adoptable pet in-store and fall in love, so they decide to adopt. Barriers to adoption include the rising cost of veterinary care and other pet-related costs; PetSmart Charities of Canada has committed $18 million to building low-cost and accessible veterinary care for more families with pets.

Hill’s data shows adopters feel confident after adopting (84% reported high confidence). What specific pre- and post-adoption supports make the biggest difference in ensuring successful matches?

Our shelter and rescue partners work with potential adopters to match them with the many pets they have available for adoption. This could mean considering energy levels and temperaments when helping people find the right match for their family and lifestyle. While the process may vary by local partner, typically they offer resources and tips & tricks to help with a smooth transition when bringing home their newly adopted pet. Many organizations also provide post-adoption support to adopters to support the pet’s transition, most commonly, training and behaviour resources, pet insurance & veterinary care.  

Large-breed dogs are staying in shelters longest and only 17% of Canadians say they’d adopt one. What strategies are you using to change perceptions about big dogs and encourage more adopters to consider them?

Bringing dogs, especially large breed dogs, out of shelters and into other environments can dramatically change their demeanor and let their true personalities shine through, helping them connect with potential pet parents. During events like National Adoption Week, shelter partners who bring dogs in-store can give them exposure to a new environment and connect with pet-loving people. Even if the pet attending the event isn’t the right fit for a family, there are often scores of other pets that may be a good fit, so increasing the exposure of our adoption partners and pets at events like these truly helps more pets find loving homes. 

National Adoption Week brings adoptable pets into PetSmart stores for meet-and-greets. Walk us through the logistics and welfare safeguards you put in place so animals stay calm, healthy and stress-free during these in-store events.

For our many 7-day adoption partners, cats and rabbits are typically housed in the in-store adoption centres in PetSmart stores. These centres often have private rooms or designated spaces where pets and potential adopters can meet and make a potential connection. Volunteers are typically on-hand to support the adoption process from meeting the pet to leaving the store with their new family members. For dog adoptions and other pets, each store works with their local partner to ensure a space is set up with the comfort and safety of pets and people in mind.

PetSmart Charities of Canada has helped 425,000+ pets find homes. How do you measure the long-term success of those adoptions — and what metrics or follow-up services indicate an adoption is truly thriving?

We’re proud to have helped so many pets find loving families through our adoption program in PetSmart stores! Each shelter or rescue partner that we work with has their own adoption process and tracks their individual metrics. They can offer support and tips for introducing new pets into the family, can recommend things like training for dogs of any age, or other resources to aid a successful adoption experience for adopted pets and their new people. We know that there is an adjustment period for any adopted pet moving into a new family, so educating people about what to expect, and offering the support they need can help ensure a successful adoption.

Not everyone can adopt right now. What are the most meaningful ways people can support shelters and National Adoption Week if they can’t bring a pet home — from donations to fostering to volunteering?

All of these are great suggestions! Donations to PetSmart Charities of Canada help save lives by supporting pet adoption in PetSmart stores. Our shelter and rescue partners are often in need of volunteers or foster homes for adoptable pets, so we encourage people to reach out to their local animal welfare organization to see what needs are in their area. We also recommend considering even short-term fostering, like sleepovers or doggie days out, which are offered by some organizations to give pets a short-term break from the shelter environment. 

Shelters are facing growing intake vs adoption gaps. How does PetSmart Charities of Canada fund and prioritize grants or programs to target the most urgent needs—veterinary care, behaviour support, transport, or community outreach?

The team at PetSmart Charities of Canada works with over 120 partners across the country to understand the needs and greatest areas of opportunity and determine where funding can help accelerate their adoption programs. On the flipside, when a pet has a home, we want them to stay with the families who love them. We have a portfolio of grant funding that helps pets stay together with their families by supporting accessible veterinary care, providing pet food for families experiencing food insecurity, and support for pets during natural disasters like wildfires.

Looking beyond this week, what systemic changes do you hope to see in Canada’s animal-welfare landscape over the next five years — and how can everyday Canadians and local media help make that vision a reality?

We hope to continue connecting pets and people through adoption but also ensuring pets who live with families get the support they need to thrive and live happy, healthy lives together. Caring for pets brings a number of emotional, social and physical health benefits to people, and strong human-animal bonds contribute to healthy communities.  Everyone deserves the love of a pet, and we will continue to work toward a better world for pets across Canada by addressing emerging needs with innovative grant programs.