CAT’S CRADLE OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, INC. RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES® TO HELP MORE HOMELESS PETS FIND HOMES IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week In-Person Events to Take Place at Local PetSmart Stores

March 24-30

HARRISONBURG, VA – March 17, 2025 – Cat’s Cradle of the Shenandoah Valley, Inc. has received a $20,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help prepare more homeless pets in the Shenandoah Valley for adoption. Some four million pets find themselves in U.S. shelters each year. In partnership with PetSmart Charities, Cat’s Cradle will bring adoptable pets to two PetSmart locations in support of National Adoption Week, taking place March 29^th at the Waynesboro & Harrisonburg PetSmart stores.  With the help of this grant, the organization will offer cats and kittens for adoption fully vetted and spayed/neutered.

Merrell found her forever home with this cute little ballerina!  Her mom, Rebecca, says, “Merrell is truly one of the best cats I've ever had. She is amazing with my two young children and our dog. She always wants to be a part of everything that is going on in the family. We all adore her so much!” (See photo below)

“We are so grateful to PetSmart Charities for its support of our lifesaving foster and adoption program,” said Board President Jennifer Kirkland.  “This grant will be used to defray expenses for veterinary care, volunteer support, and marketing activities related to preparing rescued cats and kittens for adoption, which allows us to expand direct intake from our shelter partners in their efforts to promote transfers and adoptions.  The grant will help us meet our goal of increasing our presence in the Waynesboro PetSmart location with a goal of 90 adoptions from that location.  With that kind of partnership, along with our intensive spay/neuter program and pet retention programming, we have made real progress toward no-kill goals in the communities we serve. That progress is due, in no small part, to the financial support of PetSmart Charities over the years.” 

 “Shelters across the U.S. are struggling to keep pace with the number of animals coming in and need support from their communities to bring pets and people together,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities.  “We’re proud to support Cat’s Cradle of the Shenandoah Valley and the essential work they do to care and advocate for the animals that come through their door in need of loving families. Please consider supporting their lifesaving work through volunteering, fostering, adopting, or by making a donation.”

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week is a special time during the year. PetSmart stores feature adoptable pets to meet and cuddle in spacious areas, and staff and volunteers are on-hand 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.

Members of the community can find out more about Cat’s Cradle’s adoption program and other community programs at www.catscradleva.org or at Cat's Cradle | Facebook.

WHEN/WHERE:

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

Saturdays from 10am – 2pm

Waynesboro & Harrisonburg PetSmart – check our Facebook page for more information.

To see our adoptable kitties, visit: https://www.catscradleva.org/adopt

####

About Cat’s Cradle of the Shenandoah Valley, Inc.

Since 1998, Cat’s Cradle of the Shenandoah Valley has worked to promote a compassionate community for cats and to reduce intake and euthanasia of cats into area shelters.  The organization supports it mission by spay/neuter, pet retention, and rescue/foster/adoption/transport programs.  Each year, Cat’s Cradle helps to alter over 3,925 cats, assists around 127 families with pet retention/medical assistance programs, and rescues/adopts out over 600 cats and kittens.

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 helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. 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. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

Media Contact:                                                                                                                      

Sherri Heishman, Executive Director                                          24-Hour PetSmart Charities
540-476-0055                                                                           Media Line:  623-587-2177
sherri@catscradleva.org