Pit Bulls Saved By $1 Million Grant From PetSmart Charities

by Sharon Seltzer - July 31, 2012 - 3:44 pm

PetSmart Charities is doing their part to stop overcrowding in animal shelters and the senseless killing of two of the most euthanized pets across the country. They have awarded $1 million in grants for a nationwide spay and neuter campaign for pit bulls and cats.


The campaign called “Primp Your Pit” is being offered during August at 63 non-profit spay and neuter clinics in 30 states. The goal is to sterilize 6,750 pit bulls during the month.

The grant program, which hopes to reduce overcrowding in city animal shelters, offers spay and neuter surgeries for a special rate of $20, including a free nail trim.

PetSmart Charities reports that 35 percent of cats and dogs in U.S. households are not spayed or neutered. “Pit bulls, in particular, end up in shelters in large numbers due to the myths and negative media and public perceptions that are associated with the breed.”

“Our national grant program gives much-needed help to pit bull terriers that are especially at risk,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Through the ‘Primp Your Pit’ promotion and our ongoing efforts to make affordable spay/neuter surgeries available to the public, pet parents can prevent unwanted litters and ensure their pet lives a long, happy life.

Each year approximately 8 million pets end up in shelters and 4 million of them – about 11,000 a day – are euthanized. Many become homeless as a result of accidental litters from parents that are not fixed.

In February the grant program ran another campaign to sterilize cats, called “Beat the Heat.” It tried to spay and neuter cats before “kitten season” began in the spring. The effort was very successful and spayed and neutered 17,000 cats in one month.

Participating “Primp Your Pit” clinics are listed on the PetSmart Charities website.

PetSmart Charities was established in 1994 as a non-profit organization to create and support programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.