Category: Cat Angel News

An Important Update Regarding PetSmart’s Response to the Coronavirus

Here is an update from PetSmart regarding their response to the Coronavirus, released April 4th:

Coronavirus Update: You and your pet’s health are our number one priority

A message from our CEO
We’re here for you
COVID-19 FAQ
Resources

An Important Update Regarding PetSmart’s Response to the Coronavirus

Updated April 4

As we continue to monitor news and information surrounding the coronavirus, our highest priority remains supporting our associates and the people, pets and communities that rely on our stores. Our hearts continue to be with all those impacted, as well as those stepping up to care for others.

PetSmart has been designated as an essential retail business because we, along with other pet stores, supply nearly one-third of all dog and cat food needed by pet parents. We have been asked to keep our stores open and shelves stocked by local governing bodies across the country. And to help accommodate our customers’ needs and increased demands, we expanded our Buy Online, Pick Up in Store capabilities and launched a curbside pick-up program.

While we remain committed to keeping our doors open, we have adjusted our operations to help ensure our customers and associates stay safe. We reduced our store hours of operation. Temporary new hours are 9 a.m. ‐ 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. ‐ 7 p.m. on Sundays. *

While customers won’t be able to shop inside of our Ontario PetSmart locations starting April 5, our stores will continue to provide essential products for pets and their families through our Ship to Home and Curbside Pickup options. Both of these options have seen a significant increase in demand, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to maintain in-stock levels for our pet parents and provide them with the assortment of brands they depend on. Additionally, associates will continue to care for the live pets in our stores just as they always do.

On March 21, we made the difficult decision to temporarily close our grooming salons out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of both our associates and customers. During this time, we redesigned how we operate our salons to deliver the best possible care and experience for everyone.

Because regular grooming is vital to the health of so many dogs and cats, and so many of our customers and associates have asked us to, we are re-opening our salons in select locations on Monday, April 6. We are unable to re-open in the remaining locations in accordance with government orders. We will continue to monitor all areas and adjust as appropriate. For more information, including details about stringent new measures that follow the social distancing and sanitary guidelines detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here.

We increased the frequency of store cleanings, introduced new sanitizing practices and provided supplemental supplies to our store teams. Plus, we’ll continue to follow the steps below:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting all grooming tables, kennels, water/food bowls, Doggie Day Camp toys and grooming tools between every pet service
  • Sanitizing and cleaning all surfaces and playrooms every night
  • Changing air filters every week to maintain clean, healthy air in our Grooming Salons

We made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all in-store adoption events. This does not impact our in-store PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Centers and 7-Day Cat Centers, and we will continue to work closely with local animal welfare organizations to help the pets housed in these centers find forever homes everywhere we can.

Our 56,000 associates have been working tirelessly to support pet parents and their pets and we sincerely appreciate their extra efforts during this time. We are continually amazed by their willingness to go above and beyond and are so grateful to have such a dedicated and compassionate team.

All of our associates are eligible to apply for financial assistance through the PetSmart Associate Assistance Foundation (PAAF). Our company has been proud to offer this resource, funded by donations from PetSmart and fellow associates since 2011, to help one another in times of need. PAAF stands ready to support and serve our associates.

Additionally, we’ve waived our attendance policy, extended leave of absence and time off accommodations related to COVID-19, and will continue to fully support any associate who decides to stay home if they’re uncomfortable working.

For more detailed information, please visit our COVID-19 FAQs.

* Local laws may affect Sunday hours at certain stores. Check with your local store.

Coronavirus Update: PetSmart is Still Open!

Dear friends & family,

J.K. Symancyk, PetSmart CEO

We understand the growing concern surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities, and our hearts go out to all those who’ve been impacted. As pet parents, we understand you may have specific questions about how to keep your families safe, and we are here to support you every step of the way. PetSmart is working around the clock to ensure we’re able to provide the products and services you need, and to keep our customers, our associates, and the pets we love healthy and safe.

We love pets, and we’re passionate about the care we provide to them in our stores and throughout their lives. This means that every day, as part of our regular operations, our stores are cleaned and sanitized. Recently, we’ve increased the frequency of cleanings, and provided supplemental supplies to our store teams. As always, we provide hand sanitizer throughout all our stores for customers and associates, and we work closely with our teams to ensure that anyone who is not feeling well understands that we support them staying home. We will continue to refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other public health agencies to determine the safest course of action for everyone who enters our stores.

We’re taking additional steps to keep pets and people safe in our Grooming Salons, PetsHotels and Doggie Day Camps. Our associates follow regular cleaning practices using a disinfectant formulated to kill coronavirus, among other germs. Plus, we’ll continue to follow the steps below:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting all grooming tables, kennels, water/food bowls, Doggie Day Camp toys and grooming tools between every pet service
  • Sanitizing and cleaning all surfaces and playrooms every night
  • Changing air filters every week to maintain clean, healthy air in our Grooming Salons

This situation continues to evolve quickly, and we will be monitoring it closely. Based on current guidance and our own standards and practices, we remain open for business and are committed to providing an outstanding experience for you and your pets.

To date, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets can spread COVID-19 (per CDC guidance). For the latest information about coronavirus and pets, we encourage you to visit the links below:

At PetSmart, everything we do is with a heartfelt commitment to bringing pets and people closer together. It’s our honor and privilege to serve you, particularly during challenging times, and we thank you for being at the heart of what we do.

Sincerely yours,

J.K. Symancyk signature

J.K. Symancyk
CEO, PetSmart

Annual Benefit Auction – October 28, 2018

Join Us as We Highlight the FUN in FUNdraising!

We will be putting our best paws forward for this year’s gala auction, and we really want YOU to come join in the fun. It’s all happening on Sunday, October 28th in Griffith Hall at the Ludwig’s Corner Fire Company. With both silent and live auctions, excellent food, and a room filled with cat lovers, the event is always too fun to miss! There is no pressure to buy, but few can resist the wonderful bargains, creating a “purrfect” opportunity to do a little holiday shopping. We will have a great variety of terrific items up for auction.

We are most fortunate to have Bud and Annette Smith from Smith Auction Company running the live auction. They make bidding fun and easy for the novice auction attendee!

When and where is the event? The date is Sunday, October 28th from 2-5 p.m. Registration begins at 1:45. Silent auction tables begin closing at 3:15 and the live auction starts at 3:45, so we suggest that you arrive by 2:15. The event will be held in Griffith Hall at Ludwig’s Corner Fire Company. The address is 1325 North Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore, PA.

Where do I get tickets? The price of admission is $20 per person in advance (by October 20th), and $25 at the door, or Oct 21st-28th. Admission includes delicious hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. There are no physical tickets, electronic tickets are available here on our website. Your name will be on a list of attendees, so you will only need to check in at the door. We strongly encourage ticket purchase in advance and appreciate receiving your ticket return coupons or online payment by October 20th. Tickets at the door will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Dress? We suggest “business casual.”

How can I help make this event a success? If you would like to contribute a new item for the auction, please contact Henry. Also, we could use help advertising the event – you can download a flyer. Special thanks to Elliot (a CAN alumnus) & Penny (a CAN friend) for helping to defray the cost of renting the venue, and to CAN alumni Chance and Magic (and their human) for catering this year’s event. If you want to help us cover the remaining cost of the venue, we will gladly let you know what is needed.

What type of items are acceptable for the auction? Unique items, restaurant gift certificates, practical items, jewelry, items of value, and bottles of wine tend to go well at the auction. Since we have limited table space, we may not be able to accommodate very many larger items with a value of less than $60. One never knows which items will bring in the big bids!!

What is the deadline to donate items? The deadline is October 14th. After that date, we may still be able to take high quality items that will bring a good price at the auction. Please do not bring items to the auction as last-minute additions.

What payment is accepted at the event? Cash and checks for purchases under $100. Credit cards can be used for purchases over that amount.

If you have questions, please contact:  Henry Grabb – catangelpa@aol.com (or call or text him at 484 947 3684)

19th Annual Concert for Cats – Saturday April 28th

Cat Angel Network to Celebrate 19th Annual Concert for Cats on Saturday April 28th

All cat and/or music lovers are invited to attend the 19th Annual Cat Angel Network Benefit Concert at 3 PM on Saturday, April 28th, 2018. The event will be held on the campus of West Chester University in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre (inside Swope Hall and at 817 South High Street, West Chester). Free parking is plentiful in the lot adjacent to the venue.

Each concert is a unique experience, where cats (on video) interact with musicians. Performers include friends of Cat Angel Network, West Chester University faculty members, and student groups. You will laugh, cry a little, and leave with a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart.

Our generous newsletter readers have made this event a huge success by donating either before or at the concert. This year, we have set a goal of $10,000.00 in concert donations. Funds from this concert will help us through kitten season and with veterinary expenses in the summer months.

Please help us by planning to attend the concert, or by donating to support this event! Donations of $25 or more received by Monday, April 16th will be acknowledged in the program.