Veterinary care access impacts families in every community in the country. Nearly 1 in 5 pet parents in Canada have wanted or needed preventive care but have not been able to access it due to affordability or inability to get an appointment. Without regular veterinary care, minor pet health issues often become bigger, costlier problems; and preventable diseases can be passed on to people and other pets. Pet parents may be forced to relinquish their beloved pets to animal shelters or be forced to watch them suffer when they can’t access treatment. With pets being universally recognized as beloved family members, the challenges posed by a lack of access to veterinary care can have a profound impact.

PetSmart Charities of Canada estimates it would cost more than $5 billion annually to bridge the gap for pets currently receiving no vet care. More needs to be done to expand availability of lower-cost services, build access for remote communities and ensure there are enough veterinarians able to perform a variety of services through clinics and urgent care centres. To help lead the charge, the nonprofit is taking a leadership role in marshaling partners and stakeholders to develop and execute solutions to solving the gap in veterinary care access.

“The challenges facing the veterinary care system are vast and varied and no single organization can solve them alone,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Through PetSmart Charities of Canada’s commitment, we plan to invest further in our partners and build new alliances to innovate solutions across the entire system, while also funding long-term solutions already in place such as low-cost vet clinics. We’re confident this approach will produce sustainable change within the veterinary care industry. Our best friends deserve access to adequate health care like any family member.”

While affordability remains the most prominent barrier to veterinary care, additional challenges contribute to the current veterinary care gap, including:

• Veterinary Shortage:  Pet ownership is steadily on the rise with nearly 60 per cent of Canadian households owning a pet, but statistics show that the need for veterinary care is not keeping pace.
• Veterinary Deserts and Cultural Inclusion: Within remote and underserved regions, veterinary practices are difficult to find close-by, making trips to the veterinarian costly and sometimes impossible. Additionally, as veterinarians are currently listed among the top five least diverse professions, cultural divides can often occur between clients and veterinarians, discouraging some pet parents from seeking care.
• Economic Challenges: The cost of living has spiked heavily, and with the Consumer Price Index up 6.8%, already strained lower-income households especially feel the impact. Pets whose pet parents cited not being able to afford medical care made up more than 15% of owner-relinquished animals at shelters. Between 2.5 and 7.5 percent of Canadian pets live in food insecure households, making it especially difficult for pet parents to cover vet expenses.
• Regulatory Challenges: Nationwide, fragmented and varied veterinary regulations pose challenges to the development of easy, efficient and consistent solutions such as telemedicine and even to establishing low-cost clinics.

Through an $18 million commitment of funding over the next five years, PetSmart Charities of Canada will take a multifaceted approach to improve access to adequate veterinary care for all pets, including:

• Funding solutions across the system of veterinary care – from investing in new and more affordable types of clinics to working directly with providers to help them overcome challenges in care delivery.
• Supporting innovative solutions such as new telehealth care and remote service models.
• Partnering with universities and thought leaders to research the evolving needs of pets while developing innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver care.
• Expanding access to lower-cost veterinary care through sustainable nonprofit clinics.
• Developing community-based models led by local changemakers to improve access to veterinary care to underserved communities through an emphasis on their unique challenges.

For more information on how PetSmart Charities of Canada is working to expand access to veterinary care nationwide or to help support initiatives like this for pets and their families, visit PetSmartCharities.ca.

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After a decline in shelter intakes resulting from the pandemic, shelters are seeing a steady return to pre-pandemic operating volumes with animal intakes on the rise[1]. Some shelters and animal rescue organizations are struggling to secure resources and volunteers to care for pets as they wait longer for loving homes of their own. Finding families to consider adoptions are urgently needed, and PetSmart Charities of Canada and its more than 160 animal welfare partners are poised to help.

While the holidays can be festive and joyful for some, many can feel isolated or lonely during the season. While there is no simple solution, those who can manage the responsibility could benefit with the companionship of a pet to love. There are many benefits to the human animal bond, people are said to be happier and healthier in the presence of animals. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, the presence of a pet could result in decreased blood pressure, reduced anxiety and enhanced feelings of well-being. Adopting a pet not only can be a benefit to the animal, but also to pet parents. Adopting a new family member now may be ideal timing ahead of the holidays.

“Earlier this year, PetSmart Charities of Canada celebrated a milestone of 350 thousand pet adoptions since 1999, thanks to our network of local animal welfare organizations, the support of our donors and our relationship with PetSmart,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Together, we hope to have our best National Adoption Week yet, especially for the thousands of pets currently waiting for loving homes. For these animals, the gift of a loving family is the only item on their holiday wish lists.”

During National Adoption Week, potential pet parents can visit their local PetSmart store to interact with adoptable pets from animal welfare organizations facilitated by PetSmart Charities of Canada. Visitors will have the chance to spend time with animals, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and various small pets in a safe and spacious area. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help potential adopters learn more about the pets they are interested in and ensure they feel confident in caring for them.

Those who aren’t quite ready to expand their family can still make a big impact by donating to help pets in need at PetSmartCharities.ca.  Potential adopters also can find their match when the time is right by visiting PetSmartCharities.ca/adopt-a-pet to search for adoptable pets, adoption centres and events.

PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week Details:

PetSmart Charities of Canada partners with local animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets, including cats, kittens, dogs and puppies into nearly every PetSmart store across Canada.

Dates: November 7 – 13, 2022

Locations: Please visit PetSmart.ca to find a participating store near you.

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“At PetSmart, we are pet-obsessed when it comes to Halloween and will do anything for our pets to get into the spirit with us,” Kristin Shane, SVP Chief Merchandising Officer, said. “Not only are we offering costumes and treats for pet parents to spoil their furry — or scaly — family members, we’re creating unique experiences for the whole pet family to enjoy together throughout the Halloween season.”

The PetSmart Halloween Costume Shop comes to life with new costumes, accessories, toys, treats and ball pits for pet families to enjoy together, including the Thrills and Chills™ Halloween Clown Ball Pit, with 75 balls included, the Thrills and Chills™ Carnival House Corrugated Hut and a variety of toys and costumes to bring out the inner ringleader, performer or carnival animal in any pet.

For when your pet chooses “treat” over “trick,” PetSmart is also offering delectable delights, including a honey-flavored Gourdgeous Cookie dog treat, a Creepy Cone treat for small pets and crunchy Boo Bars, featuring flavours of pumpkin and cinnamon.

Candy corn, chocolate and other sweet treats are perfectly fine for kids on Halloween, but pets should avoid most sweet human foods when it’s time for trick or treating, warns Dr. Lauren Adelman, DVM. She offers the following recommendations for a pet’s best Halloween, including how to get that perfect costumed photo:

• Don’t: Share gum, mints, candy, and baked goods from the trick-or-treat bag with your pet. Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in these items, can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs.
• Don’t: Allow your pet to sneak raisins or alcohol. While these two items are very different from each other, they are toxic and can cause kidney or respiratory failure.
• Don’t: Keep candy wrappers, glow sticks, candles, and other decor away from a snout’s reach. The hot wax and flame of a candle can burn a pet and can cause gastrointestinal upset, from vomiting to bowel obstruction, if consumed.
• Do: Use pet-safe treats, like Thrills and Chills Hallow-Scream Pops, to teach a pet basic command to stop them from jumping on trick-or-treaters or running toward the doorbell and even keep them away from unsafe items.
• Do: Get their attention using pet-safe treats to snap that pet-perfect Halloween photo.

Once pet parents shop the new carnival collection, they’re ready to create a memorable Halloween with their pet. PetSmart Canada is hosting a Happy Haunting Costume Contest on Instagram from Oct. 3-26. Three grand prize winners will be awarded a $500 PetSmart gift card and nine runners-up will be awarded a $250 PetSmart gift card!

Pet parents are encouraged to share photos or videos of their happy haunters in three categories: Best Boos, Your Little Monster and Spooky Scene. By following and tagging @PetSmartCanada on Instagram, including the hashtag #HappyHauntingContestCA, and the category-specific hashtag #BestBoos, #YourLittleMonster, or #SpookyScene, they’ll have a chance to win one grand prize per category for a $500 PetSmart gift card or one of nine runner’s up prizes for a $250 PetSmart gift card.

Judging takes place Oct. 27-28 and winners will be announced the week of Halloween.

For more information on Halloween at PetSmart, including ways to shop, visit petsmart.ca/featured-shops/Halloween.

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During these special weeks, PetSmart Charities of Canada invites hundreds of local animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores across the country.

Since 1999, more than 350 thousand pets have been adopted through PetSmart Charities of Canada. Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the save rate in animals shelters across Canada. Still, it’s estimated that one hundred thousand pets find themselves in shelters each year, in need of loving homes to do what they do best – love people.

The bond between pets and people continues to influence health and wellness. Today, nearly 60% of Canadian homes include pets, and 88% of pet parents consider them important members of the family. The benefits of adopting pets include:

• Pets give unconditional love and companionship.
• Interacting with pets reduces feelings of stress and isolation.
• Giving a home to a pet in need lends purpose in life during significant changes such as retirement.
• Caring for pets teaches values such as responsibility and compassion to children and youth.
• Playing with pets increases movement and activity and can encourage pet parents to spend more time outdoors during colder months.

“Pets love us like no one else,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “And even though Canadians are more in love with their pets than ever, shelters across the country are still full, and many struggle with staffing shortages. National Adoption Week is a great time to connect with our animal welfare partners who’ll help you make the perfect match. Think of it as your way of giving back – and there is no better return on that investment!”

Maze was one such kitten in need of a home and people to love. CARMA (Cat Rescue Maritimes) in Fredericton, New Brunswick was contacted about a kitten who was born with a deformity that left her without a tail, unsteady on her feet and unable to use a litter box. But that didn’t stop CARMA from getting Maze the love and care she needed to live a happy, full life. Maze found her home with two loving parents who had previously fostered two adult cats and five kittens for CARMA, and with special needs cats of their own, they were the perfect fit.

Those who aren’t ready to adopt a pet can still help pets in need by making a financial donation online at PetSmartCharities.ca.

PetSmart Charities of Canada’s National Adoption Week Details

February 28 – March 6: Hundreds of animal welfare organizations will bring a host of adoptable shelter pets, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and various small pets into nearly every PetSmart store across Canada.

Locations: Nearly every PetSmart location across Canada. Visit PetSmart.ca to find a store near you.

SOURCE PetSmart Canada

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Finding the Perfect Costume for Your Pets:

• Pets looking to instill a little fear in their foes might opt for the Scary Clown, Edward Scissorhands, or Frankenstein costume.
• Bearded dragons or other pet lizards can become tiny terrors for the night in a Skeleton costume or by joining a Biker squad.
• Movie buffs will love the Darth Vader, Star Wars, and Batman looks – or opt for a Lion Mane headpiece.
• For comic book fans, pets can dress up as Spiderman, Superman or even Wonder Woman. Those more inspired by modern heroes can pay homage in a Mailman outfit.
• For a cute and classic Halloween look, PetSmart offers the chance to transform into a Cowboy, Bumblebee or even a Banana or Hotdog.

After finding the perfect costume, PetSmart’s resident veterinarian, Jennifer Freeman, DVM, offers some tips on how to ensure your pet is comfortable while dressing up and able to celebrate stress-free.

Stress-Free Halloween Costume Tips for Pets:

• Take baby steps. Start with trying on a simple accessory, like a bandana. If your pet allows this and walks around with it for a few minutes, reward him with a treat and praise. Not all pets like wearing clothes and some may become stressed or agitated while wearing a costume this Halloween. However, many pets just need a little coaxing and positive reinforcement.
• Consider the weather. Pets can overheat easily, so ensure their clothing is not too bulky or heavy if the weather is warm. Watch for elastic features around the paw area and be certain there is enough room around the widest area of the chest. If a pet can easily trip over the legs, try another type of clothing.
• Ensure the costume is secure. Once you’re able to dress your pet in a costume, it’s important that it not limit movement, allowing your pet to walk, bark, meow and see without difficulty. Also make sure there aren’t any accessories attached that are easy to chew and/or swallow.
• Reward with something tasty. After you put the apparel or costume on your pet, reward him with one of his favorite treats so he associates the costume with getting a snack.
• Keep an eye on body language. Pets do an excellent job communicating through body language and letting you know if they’re uncomfortable. Pay extra attention to your pet if attending parties or events with other pets as it can be difficult to notice if they’re wearing a costume.

PetSmart is also offering an array of fun treats and toys for pets that prefer to celebrate without a costume. Pet parents can spoil their pets with Halloween Boo Cookies or new Halloween Pumpkin Split Antler Cabin Chews, or grab some fun toys like the Thrills & Chills Pumpkin Flattie Toy and the Halloween Party Ball Cat Toy.

For more information, including PetSmart’s full Halloween collection, visit PetSmart.ca/Halloween.

SOURCE PetSmart

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Crista Coppola, Ph.D., PetSmart’s consulting Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), says that identifying and managing separation anxiety in pets can go a long way to easing the transition back to regular activities for pets and pet parents alike.

“It’s crucial for pet parents to understand when their dog is struggling, and that their behaviors are coping mechanisms they can’t necessarily control,” Coppola said. “The first step to understanding your pet is to observe their behavior and determine whether or not separation anxiety is the cause.”

Identifying the Symptoms
Separation anxiety can manifest itself in pets in different ways and as a result, can cause various behavioral responses. Excessive barking and whining, destructive behaviors like shoe and furniture chewing, accidents around the home, and other unusual behaviors like hypersalivation, pacing, or decreased appetite can all be signs of separation anxiety.

“You don’t know how your pet is reacting when you’re gone, unless you have some way to monitor them,” said Coppola. She recommends pet parents set up a pet camera like the Wyze V3 Pet Camera to monitor their pet’s behavior when they’re gone and identify symptoms. Alternatively, you can sign up for PetSmart’s new three-week program, Stress Less Training which is dedicated to identifying and managing your dog’s anxious behaviours related to separation.

Preparing Pets for the Inevitable
Once a pet parent determines their pet is experiencing separation anxiety, Coppola recommends adjusting pets’ routines by taking short trips outside of the home without their pet – even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.

“Grab your phone, put on your shoes and shake your keys at times other than when you are leaving, and don’t make a big deal about leaving and coming home,” she said. “Let your pet know you’re leaving but come back shortly after, and when you arrive home, say hello and give your pet a chance to settle before engaging in fun activities.”

Help Your Pet Feel Safe Alone
Next, Coppola recommends creating a cozy, pet-safe zone, equipped with puzzle toys and activities to keep pets occupied while they are alone. Dog parents can use calming aids to help, like the Thundershirt (also available for cats) that applies gentle pressure that can soothe pets, and the Adaptil Calming Collar, which mimics dog calming pheromones that signal to your dog that they’re safe and secure. Alternatively, for cats, try the Feliway Classic Starter Kit.

Keep Your Pet Mentally and Physically Stimulated
In between trips away from home, Coppola recommends engaging your pet with physical and mental activities like games and puzzles to help fulfill pets and keep them happy even when you’re gone.

• Mentally stimulating training courses like PetSmart’s Brain Games™ for Dogs can help pups feel mentally, physically and emotionally fulfilled and can even help you build a stronger bond.
• For cats, try a hunting box, ball dome or a circuit toy to help them entertain themselves while you’re out.
• PetSmart’s Doggie Day Camp is also a great option to ensure pets are in expert care and socialized while pet parents are away.

“The bottom line is routines are helpful for most pets and even a vacation or a weekend away can disrupt their routine, making pets more susceptible to separation anxiety,” Dr. Coppola said. “As pet parents and pet lovers, it is important to understand how we can prioritize our pets’ mental health and how we can provide them with the tools they need to cope with change now and in the future.”

For more information on separation anxiety, visit PetSmart.ca.

SOURCE PetSmart Canada

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