FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pets in the Classroom Program Awarded $5,000 Petco Foundation Grant to support Pets in the Classroom program

Bel Air, Maryland 5/1/2013 – The Pet Care Trust today announced that it has been selected by the Petco Foundation to receive a grant of $5,000 for its Pets in the Classroom Program, providing classroom pets to approximately 40 elementary and middle school classrooms, impacting around  2,000 children.

The grant from the Petco Foundation will help the Pet Care Trust reach its goal of introducing 5 million children in 100,000 classrooms to pets and the benefits of the human-animal bond.  The Pets in the Classroom program provides teachers with direct, no-hassle grants for the purchase of classroom pets and pet supplies.

Pet Care Trust Executive Director Steven King expressed appreciation for the funding from the Petco Foundation.  The Petco Foundation is a highly respected organization that does wonderful work on behalf of pets,” he said.“We are delighted that they have chosen to support the Pets in the Classroom program and our efforts to introduce children to the joys of pets in the school environment.”

The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond.  Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self esteem.

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999.  Today, with more than 9,500 local animal-welfare partners across the country, the Petco Foundation donates approximately $15 million a year to make a difference in the lives of millions of animals.  The organization is funded through donations raised during fundraisers conducted in Petco’s more than 1,200 stores across the country, as well as from Petco associates, vendors and corporate contributions.  Money raised helps fund animal-welfare organizations, spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs and humane education.  The majority of the funds raised remain in the communities where they were raised, and the Petco Foundation is also involved in many national animal-welfare efforts.

In 2012, the Petco Foundation surpassed $100 million in funds raised for companion animals since the organization was created.  To learn more, visit www.petcofoundation.org.

For more information or to donate to the Pets in the Classroom program, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org.

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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 welfare and the benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership. Through the Pets in the Classroom program, the Pet Care Trust awards grants to teachers to support pets in a learning environment.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

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Money Raised at Pet Expo to Impact 2,500 Students

With the help of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses, the Pet Care Trust raised over $8000 for its Pets in the Classroom grant program.

Bel Air, Maryland – In an effort to promote pet responsibility at an early age, the Pet Care Trust, with the assistance of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses,  raised over $8,000 for the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program during America’s Family Pet Expo, held November 3-4 in Puyallup, Washington. The money raised will go directly to helping approximately 50 teachers enhance their classrooms and curriculum through the aid of classroom pets, impacting nearly 2,500 students.

The World Pet Association, host of America’s Family Pet Expo, donated booth space to the Pet Care Trust at the annual event held in Puyallup, Washington. At the Expo, the Pet Care Trust hosted a betta fish toss, aquarium raffle, and discounted pet store to raise funds for their Pets in the Classroom program, a grant program supporting responsible pet care in schools by providing direct, no-hassle grants to teachers to purchase or maintain pets in the classroom.

The betta fish toss booth, which gave attendees the chance to win a betta fish by throwing a ball into a cup, raised $1,329 for the program. The fish and supplies were donated by Hikari USA.

The raffle, which was held at the educational exhibit called the “Aquatic Experience,” allowed attendees to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a treasure trove of donated aquariums, stands, fish and aquatic supplies.  $988 was raised through the raffle.

The Pet Care Trust store, which sold donated pet supplies at a discounted price, raised roughly $6,000.  The store was made possible through the donation of goods and resources from the following pet suppliers and organizations:  CaribSea Inc., United Pet Group, Aqueon / Central Aquatics, Seachem Laboratories, Hikari Sales U.S.A. Inc., Fluval / Rolf C. Hagen, U.S.A., Inc., Terrascapes, Cobalt International, Segrest Farms, Sea Dwelling Creatures, and Bio Bubble Pets LLC.

“The Pets in the Classroom program has awarded more than 20,000 grants, allowing more than 1 million students to experience the joy of a pet,” noted Pet Care Trust executive director Steve King. “The support we have received from WPA and the many companies that donated products and prizes has been instrumental in the continued growth of this wonderful program.”

To make a contribution to The Pet Care Trust to support the Pets in the Classroom program, visit http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/donations/.  A $150 donation will support one classroom pet, or you can support three classrooms with a $500 gift. Please help us reach our goal of reaching 5 million kids with a classroom pet.

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The Pet Care Trust, the Non-Profit Organization funding the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program, announces the appointment of three new board members and the retirement of board member Steve Segner.

Bel Air, Maryland – The Pet Care Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes the public understanding of the joys and benefits of pets through education, support, and interaction, announces the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Mike Copeland, Summit Pet Product Distributors; Michael Lasky, Schiaffino, Lasky & Associates, Inc.; and Kemba Marshall, DVM, PetSmart.

The new members bring a wide range of knowledge and experience to the Pet Care Trust’s board:

Mike Copeland is the Senior Vice President at Summit Pet Product Distributors, one of the nation’s largest pet product distribution companies. After working 20 years in the fitness industry, Mike took the position of Sales Manager with Summit Pet Product Distributors.  He worked for 5 years in that position before becoming Senior Vice President and has held that position for the last five years.

Michael Lasky is partner in Schiaffino, Lasky & Associates, Inc., the Pet Industry National Sales Management Specialists. He has extensive domestic and international industry knowledge and expertise accumulated from over 29 years in the pet, lighting and packaging industries. Michael also serves as a board member of the World Pet Association, Inc.

Dr. Kemba Marshall, DVM is the Veterinarian and Pet Care Expert for PetSmart. She is board certified in avian medicine and also oversees care for the small pets Petsmart sells including hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.

“The staff and current board of the Pet Care Trust are happy to welcome the new board members and their extensive knowledge of the pet industry as well as their desire to promote the proper care of companion animals, educate consumers and elevate the standards of the pet industry,” stated Steve King, Pet Care Trust Executive Director.   “We are working hard to extend our reach and their experience in the industry will be invaluable in helping us reach our goals.”

The current board welcomes the new members while also saying goodbye to retiring board member Steve Segner of LA Pet Food.

“Steve Segner has helped transform the Pet Care Trust into a vital contributor to a better understanding of the importance of pets in our daily lives,” said King. “He played a significant part in establishing the Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the Classroom grant program and in helping it get to where it is today.  We appreciate the dedication and foresight he has brought to this program as well as the Trust’s other endeavors.”

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfare and the 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.  To learn more about the Trust, visit www.petsintheclassroom.org/about.

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Pets in the Classroom Grant Program Sets Goal of Reaching 5 Million Children

The Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the Classroom grant program has helped more than 15,000 classrooms, with many more classrooms yet to be impacted.

With more than 500,000 elementary and middle school students having already been given the opportunity to interact with pets on a daily basis in their classroom, the Pet Care Trust board has announced a new goal for its Pets in the Classroom Grant Program:  Within the next five years, Pets in the Classroom will introduce 5 million children in 100,000 classrooms to pets and the benefits they provide.

The new goal for this teacher grant program comes after the much quicker-than-anticipated growth of the program in the last couple of years:

“The Trust Board set a long-term goal of reaching 1 million kids by providing 30,000 Pets in the Classroom grants,” said Pet Care Trust executive director Steve King. “We have reached the half-way point to this goal far sooner than any of us thought possible. It really is a remarkable achievement thanks to the Board’s foresight and the support of so many pet retailers and suppliers.”

While the growth of the program began slowly, providing 3,200 grants in the 2010-2011 school year, the addition of Pets in the Classroom grants through Petsmart and Petco, along with rebate grants supported by independent pet stores, resulted in an increase to over 6,000 grants for the 2011-12 school year.  Also, in the beginning of 2012, the program expanded to include 7^th and 8^th grade classrooms, while in previous years the grants had only been available to pre-k – 6^th grade teachers.  This expansion to include middle school classrooms increased the number of students impacted by the grants, making the overall average of students impacted over 50 students per classroom. Then, in preparation for the 2012-13 school year, the Trust added additional programs through Pet Supermarket and Carolina Biological Supply. The response from teachers in the first two months of this new school year has been overwhelming. More than 6,800 grants have been issued since August 1, bringing the total to 15,500 grants since the program’s inception.

The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond.  Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self esteem.  To learn more about the benefits of classroom pets as well as more about the Pets in the Classroom grant program, visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.

If you’re a teacher, grades 3rd-8th or parent, enter your kids in the 5th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest for a chance to win:

- A $1,000 scholarship for each winning student’s classroom
- A $250 gift certificate for pet products
- And, a “by·line” in a nationally circulated magazine!

6 Students Nationwide Will Win!It couldn’t be easier to enter! Kids simply write a poem about their pet and the joys they bring, and post it online.

Deadline: January 31, 2013.

Download entry forms online:http://petsaddlife.org/2012-pet-poetry-contest/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pets in the Classroom Grant Program Launches ‘Tell a Teacher” and “Sponsor a Teacher” Campaigns 

Businesses and individuals now have the opportunity to sponsor specific teachers and schools to receive a classroom pet as well as easily pass on information about the educational grant program.

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce the launch of the “Tell a Teacher” and “Sponsor a Teacher” campaigns.  The two new campaigns will provide businesses and individuals with the opportunity to spread the word about the teacher grant program or to sponsor specific teachers, schools, and school districts in receiving a Pets in the Classroom grant.

Established by the Pet Care Trust in 2009, Pets in the Classroom has provided over 13,100 grants to Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade teachers to purchase or adopt a new pet and required equipment or to support existing classroom pets. The growth of the program and the outpouring of thanks from grant recipients have led the Pet Care Trust to create the “Sponsor a Teacher” campaign to encourage businesses and individuals to donate financially to the local community through this beneficial program.  Not only will the donation be tax-deductable, but it can also benefit the donor’s chosen teacher or school directly by specifying who the grant money should be awarded to.  Potential donors can learn more about sponsoring a teacher by visiting www.petsintheclassroom.org/sponsor-a-teacher.

While the Pet Care Trust is seeking sponsors for the grant program through “Sponsor a Teacher”, it still has the goal of providing classroom pets to 1 million children in 30,000 classrooms across North America.  With this in mind, the Pet Care Trust has also created the “Tell a Teacher” campaign to allow people to easily let teachers know about the grant program through a simple online form on the Pets in the Classroom website at www.petsintheclassroom.org/tell-a-teacher.

“We are nearly half-way toward reaching our goal of bringing classroom pets to 1 million children”, commented Steve King, executive director of the Pet Care Trust. “The Tell a Teacher and Sponsor a Teacher programs will help us spread the program to even more schools and connect donors to classrooms in their communities.”

The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond.  Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improves school attendance, teaches children responsibility, encourages nurturing, and builds self esteem.

For more information on the Pet Care Trust and the Pets in the Classroom grant program or to learn more about the “Tell a Teacher” and “Sponsor a Teacher” campaigns, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org.

Pets in the Classroom Program Launches New Pet Supermarket and Carolina Biological Supply Grant Options

The Pet Care Trust’s educational grant program expands to include additional opportunities for elementary school teachers to obtain classroom pets.

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce an expansion of its successful Pets in the Classroom program through partnerships with pet supply retailer Pet Supermarket and science and math education supplier Carolina Biological Supply.

The new partnerships will provide elementary school teachers with six different grant options to aid in funding a classroom pet, allowing teachers to find the option most suitable to his or her needs. “We are delighted to have the support of a growing number of pet product companies that understand the importance of teaching kids about responsible pet care,” commented Pet Care Trust executive director Steve King. “In the next few weeks, we will issue our 10,000th Pets in the Classroom grant, and the number of grants will continue to grow rapidly thanks to the generous support of all our sponsors.”

Pet Supermarket, a chain of more than130 pet stores located primarily in the Southeastern U.S., will become the third pet retailer to partner with the Trust to provide a custom coupon grant for teachers through the Pets in the Classroom program. Specialty pet retailers PETCO and PetSmart began issuing custom coupons for teachers last fall and have provided more than 4,000 classroom grants to date.  These grant options provide approved teachers with coupons redeemable at retail stores for the essential supplies required for the classroom pet, as well as a coupon valued at 50% off the everyday retail price of the animal.

Carolina Biology Supply, the largest supplier of science kits to schools throughout the U.S., will aid the Trust in providing a grant option specifically for teachers interested in obtaining fish for their classroom. The Carolina Biological Supply Grant will provide the teachers who opt for this grant option with an aquarium and three GloFish® that will be shipped directly to them.

The other two grant options available to teachers include the Rebate Grant, which allows teachers to purchase a new classroom pet and supplies and receive reimbursement from the program for up to $150, and the Sustaining Grant, which allows teachers with existing classroom pets to be reimbursed up to $50 each year for needed pet supplies.

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfare and the benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership.  To date, more than 9,300 grants have been awarded to teachers through the Pets in the Classroom program.

For more information, or to apply for a grant, please visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.

Pet Organizations and Businesses United to Raise Funds for Teacher Grant Program

With the help of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses, the Pet Care Trust raised over $12,000 for its Pets in the Classroom Grant Program at the 23^rd annual America’s Family Pet Expo.

In an effort to promote pet responsibility at an early age, the Pet Care Trust, with the assistance of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses, raised over $12,000 for its Pets in the Classroom Grant Program at the 23^rd annual America’s Family Pet Expo in Orange County, California April 20-22.  The money raised will provide 100 teachers with grants to aid them in financing a classroom pet.  These 100 grants have the potential to enrich the lives of 3000 students through the human-animal bond.

The Pet Care Trust raised the money at America’s Family Pet Expo by hosting a Betta Fish Toss and aquarium raffle, as well as having a Pet Care Trust store which sold donated pet supplies at a discounted price.  All of these fundraisers were made possible through the donation of goods and resources from the following pet suppliers and organizations: CaribSea Inc., United Pet Group, Aqueon / Central Aquatics, Seachem Laboratories, Hikari Sales U.S.A. Inc., Fluval / Rolf C. Hagen, U.S.A., Inc., Terrascapes, Cobalt International, Segrest Farms, Sea Dwelling Creatures, and Bio Bubble Pets LLC.  The World Pet Association, host of America’s Family Pet Expo, donated the booth space for the activities at their annual event that is known for providing educational fun for pet lovers throughout Southern California.

Girl Scout Troop 513, a Brownie troop consisting of 12 girls ages 8-9 located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California also donated the proceeds of their Girl Scout Cookie sales to the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program at the Expo, and the World Pet Association matched their donation.

“The Pet Care Trust sincerely appreciates the tremendous support that the World Pet Association has provided to the Pets in the Classroom program,” said Steven T. King, Executive Director for the Pet Care Trust.  “Thanks to their outreach to pet owners attending the America’s Family Pet Expo, many more people in Southern California now know about the program, and hundreds of kids will be able to experience the joys of a classroom pet as a result.”

The Pets in the Classroom program was established by the Pet Care Trust in 2009 to assist teachers in obtaining or maintaining classroom pets.  The ultimate goal of the program is to reach 30,000 classrooms and impact one million children.  The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond.  Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self esteem.

For more information on the Pets in the Classroom Grant program, visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.

On March 10, 2012, Pets in the Classroom was awarded a Google Grant for free Google AdWords advertising. Pets in the Classroom’s ads are displayed alongside related search results on Google.com, and when people click on the ad, they are taken to Pets in the Classroom’s homepage. The Google Grant award has helped Pets in the Classroom spread its message of promoting public understanding of the joys and benefits of pets through education, support, and interaction to the public and inform, engage, and connect with its constituents.  Please support Pets in the Classroom by performing a Google search using the following keyword phrases and clicking on the Pets in the Classroom Google Grant ad:

• Pets in the Classroom
• Grants for Classroom Teachers
• Grants for School Teachers
• grants for educational programs
• The Pet Care Trust

The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing Google’s philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

Designed for registered non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program that harnesses the power of Google AdWords, Google’s flagship advertising product. Google Grants has awarded free AdWords advertising to thousands of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.

Pets in the Classroom Grant Program Helps Students with Special Needs 

Green Chimneys staff see positive impact resulting from 10 classroom aquariums funded by the Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the Classroom Grant Program 

Pets in the Classroom, an educational grants program supporting responsible pet care in today’s youth, has provided funding to acquire 10 aquariums for the classrooms of Green Chimneys, a nationally renowned, non-profit organization that helps children with emotional, behavioral, social and learning challenges with the aid of animals.

Sponsored by the Pet Care Trust, the goal of the Pets in the Classroom program is to establish healthy child-pet relationships at an early age by supporting responsible pet care in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade classrooms across the U.S. and Canada. This goal stems from the recognition of the benefits of exposure to pets including: developing a sense of responsibility, building self-esteem, encouraging nurturing, and creating compassion.  This philosophy coincides with the philosophy of Green Chimneys.

Recognized as a worldwide leader in animal-assisted therapy and activities, Green Chimneys serves children in grades K-12 with special learning and emotional needs, who are failing to thrive within a traditional family, community or school system. Founded on the belief that children can respond to animals in ways they often can’t to people, Green Chimneys integrates animal-assisted and nature-based activities into nearly every aspect of its accredited special education school and residential treatment center.

While Green Chimneys uses animals as a core component in its therapeutic program and school curriculum, pets had not yet been introduced directly into the classroom setting.  Ryan Johnson, Therapeutic Intervention Specialist at Green Chimneys, spearheaded the project to bring the aquariums into the classrooms: “My mission was to create a calming and therapeutic environment for the children of Green Chimneys. In my experience with our young people, an unspoken intervention often has more of an impact on a distressed student. Fish tanks create a calming environment without use of words.”

As in their other programs, the Green Chimneys staff has seen changes in the ability of students to communicate and acquire new skills due to the responsibility for and interaction with the animals.

“This has been such a wonderful experience for the students, and staff,” said Johnson.  “It’s great to see young people relax and smile in their classrooms, due to their new little friends. This amazing adventure has just begun and has provided so much enjoyment already – I am proud to be a part of it.”

For more information on the Pets in the Classroom Grant program and the benefits of using animals in the classroom, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org.

Green Chimneys’ Ryan Johnson, Therapeutic Intervention Specialist, joins Ms. Gassner and her 5th graders to show off the new aquarium they received through the Pets in the Classroom Grant program.

Ms. Gill’s class of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders at Green Chimneys have been learning from and enjoying their new classroom aquarium.