In a year marked by record shelter intakes, two pet care brands are working to change the story for thousands of animals. Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash have already helped 19,303 pets find homes in 2025, putting them within reach of their ambitious goal of 20,000 adoptions before the year closes.
The accomplishment is not just about numbers. It reflects a commitment to easing the strain on animal shelters, which reported nearly 2.8 million pets entering their doors in the first half of the year alone. By hosting adoption events and forging partnerships with local rescues, the two brands are giving shelter animals a better chance at finding permanent homes.
“Each adoption is another life changed for the better,” said Chris Rowland, chief executive officer of both Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “Behind every statistic is a family gaining a companion and a pet getting a second chance.”
The adoption drive has also highlighted challenges within the system. While puppies and kittens are often adopted quickly, adult pets continue to wait longer for homes, leaving shelters with overcrowded conditions. The brands acknowledge this gap and are using their platforms to spotlight older pets in need, hoping to balance the scales.
A key part of their 2025 campaign has been the launch of the Shelter Shoutout Series, a program that highlights the work of local rescues across the country. Through the initiative, food donations supported by Hill’s Science Diet have been distributed to shelters from Western Michigan to Charleston, South Carolina, extending the reach of their mission beyond store walls.
The effort underscores a broader philosophy shared by both companies: that pet retail should serve as a bridge between communities and the animals that need them. In towns large and small, the adoption events have become not only an opportunity to add a new member to the family but also a celebration of local volunteerism and compassion.
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, the companies are urging families to consider adoption. For Rowland, the appeal is simple. “There is joy in welcoming a pet into your life,” he said. “And the impact goes both ways. You change their life, and they change yours.”
With just a few thousand adoptions left to reach their goal, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are positioning themselves not only as retailers but as advocates for shelter animals. Their message is clear: adoption is more than a transaction. It is an act of hope, one pet and one family at a time.
