(NAPSI)—The holiday season can be a great time to save and celebrate adopted pets.

If youve already made a lifelong friend by adopting your perfect match or youre just beginning to consider pet adoption, you can make a difference in saving the lives of the 8 million pets that end up in shelters across North America each year. Sadly, about half of these adoptable pets, or 11,000 a day, will be euthanized because they dont have homesbut pet homelessness can be solved and there are many ways you can help.

Thats where rock legend Bret Michaels comes in. He offers this message: Everyone can make a difference in a homeless pets lifeand theres no better time than now.

Michaels is a lifelong pet lover and pet adoption advocate. He has furry family members of his own, including a German shepherd named Tarkus Arlicicus. Hes even been known to pick up homeless pets while out on tour to help find them the loving homes they deserve.

Which is why hes working with PetSmart Charities to end pet homelessness. His pet line at PetSmart stores includes a Chance plush toy where 10 percent of the proceeds benefits PetSmart Charities.

Heres how else you can improve the lives of homeless pets today:

Adopting: Adoption is easy to do and it doesnt take a hero. If youre ready to love and care for a pet, you can help save a life. Adoption opens up space at shelters, allowing room for more pets to come in and stay longer, giving them a better chance of finding a home. If youre considering adoption, PetSmart Charities Adoptable Pets Locator can help you find your perfect match nearby. Visit www.petsmartcharities.org/adoption to learn more.

Donating: In a recent survey, the majority of respondents said they will choose to donate to a pet or animal charity during the holidays above other causes. The most important factor driving them to donate was knowing that their gift would help save pets. PetSmart Charities gives 84 cents of every dollar directly to help pets in need, one of the highest direct-donation percentages among all national animal welfare charities. Donations fund adoption programs at more than 2,000 animal rescue groups that have helped save more than 5 million pets. To make a donation, visit www.petsmartcharities.org/how-to-help/donate.

A donation can make an easy and meaningful gift for yourself, a fellow pet lover, relative or someone special who has it all. Just $25 can save a pets life by providing such necessities as shelter space, food and veterinarian services.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)