This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of PetSmart Charities for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Meet Penelope. Just about a year ago, Penelope was living at our local PetSmart, which houses cats for a regional animal rescue organization specializing in felines. She spent several months there after her previous family had to give her up for reasons beyond their control. Around the same time, my boyfriend, Sal, had moved into a new place on his own after living with his parents and was feeling kind of lonely. He loves animals and they love him. His place is too small for a dog, but just right for a kitty.
So off we went, in search of a new feline companion for Sal. Originally, he thought he wanted a kitten. We heard about an adoption event at PetSmart and headed up there to check it out. The rescue had a booth set up out front to grab the attention of people passing by, as well as tables indoors. We never even made it past the outdoor booth to see the kitties inside.
One of the volunteers was holding a little bundle of black, snuggled under her chin. The volunteer told us that Penelope was a 4-year-old domestic short hair, most likely with a bit of Bombay mixed in. They were having a hard time placing her because she was a little older and she had to be an only cat.
Sal still thought he wanted a kitten, but decided to give her a snuggle for a moment. Just a minute, because he just loves all animals and wanted to make sure she got extra snuggles that day. One snuggle was all it took. She curled up under his chin and nuzzled his neck. He looked at me and I knew.  Penelope was clearly meant to be his cat. About an hour later, Penelope was in her new forever home. She’s definitely the furry love of Sal’s life now! 
Find Your Furever Friend During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend
Penelope isn’t the only furry friend to find her forever home during an adoption event at PetSmart. During the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend, an average of 15,000 companion pets find new families throughout North America. This year, the event runs from November 13-15, giving you three days to visit your local PetSmart and find your furever love!
The event is different from the smaller scale individual adoption events throughout the year because it features numerous different animal welfare organizations. While we adopted Penelope from an individual event for a single local rescue seeking homes for the cats already housed at our local PetSmart, the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend event will bring together local humane societies and rescue groups with both adoptable cats AND dogs. 
You’ve all met my boy Cooper by now. We adopted him from a humane society 45 miles away. That was before our area had a PetSmart. When we were searching for our new furever friend, we drove a good 50 miles in every direction over the course of two months, looking for “our” dog, the one that felt like she was meant to be with us. Turns out “she” was actually “he!” Â I really love that the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend Event brings so many organizations together in one spot. It gives you the chance to find that perfect match for your family. 
One thing to keep in mind: every group has their own policies. PetSmart doesn’t set any of the fees or rules regarding the adoption process. Also, while many groups include things like spaying or neutering, vaccinations and even micro-chipping in the cost of adoption, not all of the above are always included. Make sure you ask the on-site staff and volunteers at your location. 
Your local PetSmart can answer any questions you may have about exact times of the event and the types of pets that will be available. You can also find adoptable pets near you by visiting PetSmart Charities Find A Pet page. Ready to find your furever love? Visit the PetSmart Store Locator for the location nearest you!
Have you ever adopted a pet? Share your story below in the comments!
i hope every single of these lovely animals finds a great forever home
Me too!!
Love the black kitty, very adorable. If it weren’t for the fact I have 2 cats already I would adopt it right away.
I love this so much! I would never even consider getting an animal that wasn’t adopted!
Both our pets are adopted! We love them.
Thats too precious! My daughter visits the animals at our Pet Smart everytime we go to pick up dog food and treats.
I stay away from the animal shelters due to allergies, but I would fall in love with all of them
I admire you guys for adopting a homeless fur baby! It’s always nice to hear about their stories.
I’ve never adopted a pet, nor had one in general. I don’t know if I’d ever get one. That cat is so pretty.
My sweet little doggie is adopted!
haha, i like the story of cooper, our mini doxie was a ‘he’ who was actually a ‘she’ and we named her Kevin 🙂
Aww Penelope is cute. Right now is the first time I’ve lived with a cat. It’s my daughter’s cat and she’s really grown on me. I might consider adopting one when she moves out.
My sister was have an adopted pets and she really love her pets
Penelope looks gorgeous. I wish every animal would find their great forever home, they deserve all the love too!
Penelope is adorable! I would get a rescue animal if I’m to get another pet.
PetSmart is so awesome! It’s one company I KNOW genuinely cares, and will always trust!
If I had more space in the house, I would definitely adopt one playmate for my fur baby. I love dogs and would want to raise one from the shelter. Thanks to Petsmart for raising awareness.
We adopted a pet before. I can truly say that it;’s a big responsibility to adopt one so better be ready with it all the time.
My kids always love attending the adoptions at Pet Smart. I’m allergic, so that’s about as close as we can get to getting one.
It’s so important to adopt a pet and give them a home! They need people who can take care of them!
I bought my first dog but, the second we adopted. You can truly find your furever friend. LOVE THIS.
Aww this is wonderful! How sweet and kind to adopt a new furry friend.
I feel like adopting a pet now
My fur babies are adopted. Adopted animals make the best pets!
penelope is a cute cat……