Mars Donates $100K Toward Pet Adoptions This WeekendMars Donates $100K Toward Pet Adoptions This Weekend

In celebration of 15 years of finding deserving shelter pets furever homes, Mars will host its biggest-ever Annual Mars Pet Adoption Weekend, Friday, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1.

Mars and its family of Petcare brands, including ROYAL CANIN and Camp Bow Wow, will cover up to a maximum of $100,000 in cat and dog adoption fees at partner shelter locations in 15 cities to help drive adoptions and further its global ambition to end pet homelessness.

PEDIGREE Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in need find forever homes, will also cover up to a maximum of $50,000 in dog adoption fees in select Adoption Weekend markets. 

Adoption Weekend comes as animal shelters across the country continue to struggle with overcrowding and resource constraints. Despite a growing awareness of the many benefits pets bring, from companionship to increased well-being, more than six million pets enter U.S. shelters each year. Even as interest in pet adoption has risen, the number of stray pets arriving at shelters has increased 26% since 2021.

"The sad fact is more pets entered shelters than left them in the first half of 2023.² That's a heartbreaking trend we want to help change in the second half," said Lisa Campbell, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, Mars Petcare. "Our purpose at Mars Petcare is A Better World for Pets and that starts with working towards our ambition to end pet homelessness and giving as much support as we can to shelters that work tirelessly to care for pets in need. We're thrilled that this year we can make our annual Adoption Weekend our biggest event yet, when the need for support is greater than ever."

Mars is proud to partner with Katie Couric for a special presentation of Unleashed, the digital series where Couric interviews celebrity friends about their cuddly companions and pet adoption experience. In the Mars Pet Adoption Weekend episode, Katie takes viewers behind the scenes for a heartwarming look at the adoption journey of Chief, an adorable three-legged dog.

"Pets have brought so much joy to my family over the years," said Couric. "As a lifelong pet lover, I am excited to support Mars Pet Adoption Weekend and help get these loving animals out of overcrowded shelters and into the forever homes they deserve."

Here are the 17 shelters that are participating in the Mars Pet Adoption Weekend: