Pet Retailers Achieve 19,303 Adoptions in 2025, Nearing 20,000 Goal Amid Shelter Overcrowding Crisis

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash have achieved 19,303 successful pet adoptions year-to-date in 2025 through their nationwide initiative, positioning them to reach their goal of 20,000 adoptions by year's end. This effort addresses the critical reality that approximately 2.8 million dogs and cats entered animal shelters in the first half of 2025 alone, with about 366,000 experiencing non-live outcomes such as euthanasia.

The brands have built upon their 2024 success of supporting 15,000 adoptions by deepening partnerships with local rescues and hosting in-store adoption events. Chris Rowland, CEO of both companies, emphasized that each adoption represents a life changed for both the pet and the adopting family, encouraging more people to consider adoption.

Educational efforts are supported by data from the Shelter Animals Count National Database, which reveals concerning trends: dog and cat adoptions have slightly decreased compared to 2024, fewer adult and senior dogs are being adopted despite rising juvenile adoption rates, and the length of stay for dogs of all sizes increased in 2024.

To amplify their impact, Pet Supplies Plus launched the Shelter Shoutout Series, a bi-monthly initiative that highlights local rescue shelters, store teams, and community members while delivering food donations in partnership with Hill's Science Diet. The series has already visited Western Michigan, Chicago, and Jacksonville, with upcoming events in Austin and Charleston.

Both retailers integrate adoption support into their core operations. Pet Supplies Plus, accessible at https://www.petsuppliesplus.com, offers comprehensive pet care products and services, while Wag N' Wash, detailed at https://www.wagnwash.com, combines retail with grooming and self-wash facilities. Their growing store networks enable widespread community engagement, making adoption resources more accessible across the country.

This initiative demonstrates how corporate-community partnerships can directly address animal welfare challenges, providing tangible solutions to shelter overcrowding while promoting the lifelong benefits of pet adoption.