TEMPLATES & SAMPLE COPY Items in [BRACKETS] require you to insert information. GENERIC PRESS RELEASE FORMAT [YOUR LOGO] [PETSMART CHARITIES LOGO] (If referenced in item) For Immediate Release CONTACTS: [Media Contact Name], [Media Contact Title], [Media Contact Agency/Organization], [Media Contact Phone Number], [Media Contact Email Address] [HEADLINE] [CITY, STATE MONTH DAY, YEAR] [BODY] (From examples in this document) ABOUT [CLINIC NAME] [CLINIC NAME] is a 501[c]3 nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost spay/neuter services for dogs and cats in [CLINIC CITY], sterilizing more than [X,XXX] pets annually. [CLINIC NAME] relies solely on community support and grant funding to operate their clinic. [CLINIC INFORMATION] [ADD ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION HERE.] ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart stores and our sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, separate from PetSmart, Inc.
Openings/Launches New Clinic Opening (2-3 months before) Use two to three months before opening or upon receipt of your grant NEW LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC TO OPEN IN [CITY] IN [MONTH] [CLINIC NAME] TO PROVIDE AREA RESIDENTS WITH MORE AFFORDABLE SPAY/NEUTER OPTIONS FOR DOGS AND CATS [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] On [DAY, DATE], [CLINIC NAME] will open the [first or newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY or STATE] that will provide pet owners with more affordable spay/neuter services for their dogs and cats. Located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], [CLINIC NAME] received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities for start-up equipment and supplies to the clinic which is anticipated to perform [X,XXX] spay/neuter surgeries annually. Spay/neuter surgery fees will range from [$XX to $XX], depending on the size, gender and type of pet. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. Our goal is to make spay/neuter services more affordable to pet owners who might not otherwise be able to sterilize their pets, says [NAME, TITLE, and CLINIC NAME]. With thousands of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats being euthanized every year in our city, these services are essential to solving our homeless-pet overpopulation problem. Part of the PetSmart Charities grant funding includes specialized training for the [CLINIC NAME] staff at the Humane Alliance in Asheville, N.C. which operates the National Spay/Neuter Response Team, the nation s only training center for spay/neuter organizations to learn how to open and operate high-volume, high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter clinics. With funding from PetSmart Charities, Humane Alliance has trained or mentored 95 organizations resulting in 1.25 million spay/neuter surgeries since 2005. [CLINIC NAME] will be open [HOURS/DAYS]. For more information or to schedule your pet s sterilization, call [PHONE NUMBER] or visit our website at [INSERT WEBSITE]. New Clinic Opening (1 month before) Use one month before clinic opens PetSmart Charities 2
PET OWNERS CAN NOW MAKE APPOINTMENTS AT [CLINIC NAME] TO GET THEIR DOGS AND CATS FIXED [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] With opening day just a month away, pet owners can begin making appointments at [CLINIC NAME] for the week of [MONTH, DAY] to get their dogs and cats fixed [FOR FREE OR AT A LOW COST]. [CLINIC NAME] received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities to provide [NUMBER] [free or low-cost] spay/neuter surgeries during the first year of operation and to purchase the surgical equipment for the new clinic. Located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], [CLINIC NAME] will provide [CITY] pet owners with more affordable spay/neuter services, especially for low-income pet owners who might not have the resources to get this procedure done for their pet. [CLINIC NAME] will be [the first OR the newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE]. A high-volume clinic is one that provides more than 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries annually. [CLINIC NAME] will be open [HOURS/DAYS]. For more information or to schedule an appointment for your pet, call [PHONE NUMBER]. New Clinic Opening (2 weeks before) Use two weeks before clinic opening LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC SET TO OPEN ON [DATE] PET OWNERS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS AT [CLINIC NAME] TO GET THEIR DOGS AND CATS FIXED [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] Pet owners can make appointments at [CLINIC NAME] for the week of [MONTH, DAY] to get their dogs and cats fixed. [CLINIC NAME] received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities to provide [NUMBER] [free or low-cost] spay/neuter surgeries during the first year of operation and to purchase surgical equipment for the new clinic. Located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], [CLINIC NAME] will provide [CITY] pet owners with more affordable spay/neuter services, especially for low-income pet owners who might not have the resources to get this procedure done for their pet. [CLINIC NAME] will be [the first OR the newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE]. [CLINIC NAME] will be open [HOURS/DAYS]. For more information or to schedule an appointment for your pet, call [PHONE NUMBER]. New Clinic Opening Media Alert (1 week & 2 days before) PetSmart Charities 3
Use twice before clinic opens, one week before and again two days before; best suited for radio and television media LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC OPENS ON [DAY, DATE] [CLINIC NAME] HOPES TO STERILIZE 5,000 DOGS AND CATS THE FIRST YEAR WHO:[CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], is ready to open its doors and sterilize 5,000 dogs and cats during its first year. Spaying and neutering pets is necessary to reduce the homeless pet overpopulation problem in [CITY]. WHAT: [Funded in part] by PetSmart Charities, [CLINIC NAME] will be the [first OR newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE]. A high-volume clinic is one that provides 5,000 or more sterilizations annually for a community. WHEN: [CLINIC NAME] s Grand Opening will be on [DAY, DATE] from [X:XX a.m. to X:XX p.m.] Anyone interested in getting their dog or cat sterilized can make an appointment by calling [PHONE NUMBER]. Proof of rabies vaccination is required by state law. If a dog or cat needs a rabies vaccination, one can be provided on the day of the surgery for [$XX]. Spay/neuter surgery fees will range from [$XX to $XX], depending on the size, gender and type of pet. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. WHY: We can prevent thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens from being born and ultimately euthanized every year simply by spaying and neutering our pets, [NAME, TITLE, ORGANIZATION]. It s a safe and simple procedure performed by highly-skilled surgeons in a state-of-the-art facility. Sterilizing pets also provides health benefits and reduces unwanted behaviors, like spraying and wandering. WHERE: [CLINIC ADDRESS], [PHONE NUMBER] Launch of Mobile Spay/Neuter Vehicle [CLINIC NAME] LAUNCHES MASH [MOBILE ANIMAL STERILIZATION HOSPITAL] IN [CITY] COMMUNITY CENTERS, CHURCHES, AND FIRE STATIONS TO SERVE AS FUTURE SITES FOR SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] [CLINIC NAME] has come up with an innovative way to get pets in [CITY] sterilized. Rather than wait for people to bring their pets to the clinic at [CLINIC ADDRESS], [CLINIC NAME] will take spay/neuter surgeries on the road by launching MASH [Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital] clinics throughout the community, thanks to a $XXX,XXX grant from PetSmart Charities. Driving a van with surgical equipment, a team of veterinary technicians and a veterinarian will set up MASH clinics in neighborhood community centers, churches, fire stations and any other location willing to host the clinics to make spay/neuter more accessible for people in [CITY]. PetSmart Charities 4
If someone can t afford to get their pet sterilized, chances are they may not have the transportation resources to get them to the clinic either, even on free sterilization days, says [NAME, TITLE, AGENCY]. Through the MASH clinics, we re hoping to reach people with pets who might have transportation issues and provide them with high-quality services, including licensed veterinarians, great patient care, and pain medication. MASH clinics have become popular throughout the United States as organizations look for more innovative ways to reach pets in need of spay/neuter services. [CLINIC NAME] plans to operate and set up MASH clinics XX per month in various neighborhood locations around [CITY]. The next clinics are scheduled for: [DATE, LOCATION, ADDRESS, TIME] [DATE, LOCATION, ADDRESS, TIME] [DATE, LOCATION, ADDRESS, TIME] Any organization wanting to host a MASH clinic or to make an appointment for your pet can call [PHONE NUMBER]. Events/Promotions Calendar of Events Listing I CALENDAR LISTING CONTACTS: Local Contact Name, Title, Agency Name, Phone number, email address [CLINIC NAME] Offers Free to Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Surgeries for [CITY] Pet Owners [CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], offers free and low-cost dog and cat sterilizations for any pet living in [CITY or COUNTY]. Spay/neuter surgery fees range from [$XX to $XX], depending on the size, gender and type of pet. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. To make an appointment for your pet, call [CLINIC NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER]. Calendar of Events Listing II CALENDAR LISTING CONTACTS: Local Contact Name, Title, Agency Name, Phone number, email address [CLINIC NAME] Offers Free to Low-Cost Surgeries for PetSmart Charities 5
Pets Living in the [ZIP CODE] ZIP Code Area on [DATE] [CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], has received special funding from [FUNDER NAME] to provide free sterilizations for dogs and cats living in the [ZIP CODE] area of [CITY] during a special [mobile or MASH] clinic on [DATE] from [TIME]. Pet owners will need a driver s license or utility bill to show proof of zip code. To make an appointment for your pet, call [CLINIC NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER]. Calendar of Events Listing III [CLINIC NAME] Offers [Mobile or MASH] clinic at [LOCATION] on [DATE] [CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], will host a special [mobile or MASH] clinic at [LOCATION] on [DATE] from [TIME]. Spay/neuter surgery fees range from [$XX to $XX], depending on the size, gender and type of pet. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. To make an appointment for your pet, call [CLINIC NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER]. Media Alert for Special Events and Promotions NEUTER SCOOTER FOR A NICKEL [CLINIC NAME] TO FIX MALE CATS FOR ONLY 5 CENTS WHAT: [CLINIC NAME] will host Neuter Scooter for a Nickel, a citywide event that will FIX male cats for only a nickel. WHO:If you have five cents, [NAME OF CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], will fix your male cat. Neutering provides health benefits, such as reducing the risk of prostate cancer and ensures your cat will never add to the pet overpopulation problem in [CITY]. WHEN: The Neuter Scooter for a Nickel event will be held on [DAY, DATE] from [X:XX a.m. to X:XX p.m.] Anyone interested in getting their male cat sterilized for just five cents can make an appointment by calling [PHONE NUMBER]. Proof of rabies vaccination is required by state law. If a cat needs a rabies vaccination, one can be provided on the day of the surgery for [$XX]. WHY: Spaying and neutering are safe, permanent methods of birth control for our pets, said [NAME, TITLE, ORGANIZATION]. We can prevent thousands of unwanted pets from being euthanized every year simply by spaying and neutering our pets. WHERE: [CLINIC NAME], [CLINIC ADDRESS], [PHONE NUMBER] PetSmart Charities 6
ZIP Code-Targeted Spay/Neuter Promotions [CLINIC NAME] OFFERS FREE STERILIZATIONS FOR DOGS AND CATS LIVING IN [ZIP CODE OR CITY/COUNTY OR TARGETED AREA] [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] [CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], is offering X,XXX free dog and cat sterilizations for any pet living in the XXXXX zip code area, thanks to a grant from PetSmart Charities. Residents living in XXXXX can call [PHONE NUMBER] to make an appointment for one of the free sterilizations. This is a really good offer and one that will end when the grant monies run out, says [NAME, TITLE, and AGENCY]. We really want to see pet owners in XXXXX take advantage of these free spay/neuter surgeries to help reduce the pet population in [CITY]. [CLINIC NAME] is a 501[c]3 organization that relies on grant funding and donations to offer free to lowcost sterilization services for pet owners in the community. For more information, call [PHONE NUMBER]. Unfilled Surgical Appointments [CLINIC NAME] HAS [SAME-DAY] APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE PET OWNERS NEED TO FIX PETS TO REDUCE EUTHANASIA IN [CITY] [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] [CLIENT NAME] s mission is to prevent the unwanted births of puppies and kittens and their likely euthanasia by providing free and low-cost spay/neuter services for dogs and cats. The spay/neuter clinic is capable of sterilizing XX dogs and cats every day XXX a week. Yet very often, the clinic has same day appointments available because of pet owners failing to show up for their scheduled appointments for their pets. With our community euthanizing X,XXX dogs and cats every year, we want people to know we are here and ready to sterilize their pets, says [NAME, TITLE, and ORGANIZATION]. If people don t fix their pets, then [CITY] will still face an overpopulation of unwanted pets well into the future. Our goal is to fill every appointment to ensure we are maximizing our effectiveness. [CLINIC NAME] is encouraging people to sterilize their pets and to show up for their scheduled sterilization appointments to get their pets fixed to help reduce the number of puppies and kittens born in [CITY]. Spay/neuter surgeries range from [$XX to $XX], depending on the size, gender and type of pet. Financial assistance may also be available to those who qualify. If you are considering a same day appointment, don t feed your pet after midnight and call [CLINIC NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER] at X:XX a.m. to schedule your appointment. PetSmart Charities 7
Feral Cat Surgeries [CLINIC NAME] OFFERS FREE STERILIZATIONS FOR FERAL FELINES [CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] To humanely manage feral cat populations in the community, the [CLINIC NAME], located at [CLINIC ADDRESS], provides free spay/neuter surgeries, rabies vaccinations, and de-worming for feral felines, thanks to a grant from PetSmart Charities. No appointment is necessary for feral felines, but they must be brought into the clinic in a humane trap. All feral felines will have the tip of their ear removed during their spay/neuter surgery and while under general anesthesia to indicate they have been sterilized. The [CLINIC NAME] also offers a three-year rabies booster vaccine for feral cats who have already been ear tipped and sterilized. Caretakers can bring in felines anytime between XX a.m. and XX p.m. for the booster shot. [CLINIC NAME] is a 501[c]3 organization that relies on grant funding and donations to offer free to lowcost sterilization services for pet owners in the community. For more information, call [PHONE NUMBER]. Annual Sterilizations Summary Release in early January (CLINIC NAME) PERFORMS XX,XXX STERILIZATIONS LAST YEAR (CITY, STATE.), (MONTH, DATE, YEAR) (CLINIC NAME) fixed XX,XXX dogs and cats in (YEAR), bringing total sterilizations to XX,XXX since the clinic opened on (CLINIC ADDRESS) in (YEAR). Even though more than XXX dogs and cats are fixed every week at (CLINIC NAME), thousands of animals still lose their lives in our community every year because of too many pet births and not enough homes for them all. (CLINIC NAME) received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities for start-up equipment and supplies to help provide (X,XXX) spay/neuter surgeries during the first year of operation. (CLINIC NAME) is committed to providing free to low-cost spay/neuter services for pet owners to reduce unwanted pet births and the number of pets that are euthanized in our city every year. To make an appointment or for more information, call (CLINIC NAME) at (PHONE NUMBER). Milestone Sterilization Numbers Milestone Sterilization Numbers [1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and every 10,000 after that] 10,000 SPAYS AND NEUTERS AND COUNTING [CLINIC NAME] REACHES MILESTONE STERILIZATIONS PetSmart Charities 8
[CITY, STATE.], [MONTH, DATE, YEAR] [CLINIC NAME] has performed 10,000 sterilizations in [CITY] since opening the clinic on [CLINIC ADDRESS] in [YEAR]. Obviously, this is one animal statistic we want to boast about, says [NAME, TITLE, AGENCY]. The math is simple: the more dogs and cats we sterilize, the fewer dogs and cats our city has to euthanize" With thousands of animals losing their lives every year in our city, [CLINIC NAME] is committed to providing free to low-cost spay/neuter services for pet owners in need. Funded in part by PetSmart Charities, [CLINIC NAME] is a 501[c]3 organization that relies on grant funding and donations to offer free to low-cost sterilization services for pet owners in the community. To make an appointment or for more information, call [PHONE NUMBER]. Record Number of Sterilizations Release for Announcing a Record Number of Sterilizations (CLINIC NAME) OFFERS FREE & LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES FOR (CITY) PET OWNERS (CITY, STATE.), (MONTH, DATE, YEAR) During (CLINIC NAME S) annual (NAME OF SPAY DAY EVENT) this week, the clinic performed a record XXX sterilizations in a single day, preventing potentially thousands of accidental litters from being born. On an average day, (CLINIC NAME) performs about XXX sterilizations. During these special spay day events, (CLINIC NAME) offers lower prices to entice more residents to get this surgery for their pets and brings in additional veterinarians to help provide almost a week s worth of surgeries in a single day. Through (NAME OF EVENT), (CLINIC NAME) hopes to bring more awareness to (CITY S) pet overpopulation problem to reduce the offspring that could potentially be born and then abandoned at local shelters. To get your pet fixed, contact (CLINIC NAME) at (PHONE NUMBER) for an appointment. Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, [CLINIC NAME] continues to work very hard every day to combat the pet overpopulation problem in [CITY] by providing free and low-cost spay/neuter services for pets. It s a simple numbers game really: we have more dogs and cats being born than we have enough homes for in our community. Euthanasia has long been the response to this dilemma, but it is certainly not a solution. The most effective solution to this long-standing problem is spaying and neutering family pets one which we will continually advocate for in our community. PetSmart Charities 9
Pet owners must assume some responsibility for the burden we all face with the pet overpopulation problem and that begins with getting their pets, whether feline or canine, sterilized, vaccinated, and licensed appropriately. If pet owners refuse to sterilize their pets, then [CITY] will still face an overpopulation of unwanted pets well into the future. We re encouraging pet owners to get their dogs and cats fixed so that we can someday become a community where every adoptable pet finds a loving home. [CLINIC DIRECTOR NAME] [CLINIC NAME] [PHONE NUMBER] Facebook Postings Pre-Opening We re getting ready to open the [first OR newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE] in [MONTH]. [CLINIC NAME] received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities for start-up equipment and supplies to help provide [NUMBER] free spay/neuter surgeries during our first year. Like us and be sure to follow our progress as we build this new clinic. Ground Breaking We broke ground on our new spay/neuter clinic today, which will be located at [CLINIC ADDRESS]. [CLINIC NAME] will provide affordable spay/neuter services, especially for low-income pet owners who might not have the resources to get this procedure done for their pet. Check out the groundbreaking photos. Pre-Opening, Equipment Received Today, we received the kennels and operating tables. It s exciting to see our state-of-the-art clinic coming together. [Show photos] Pre-Opening Call for Appointments Do you have a dog or cat that needs to be sterilized or know someone that does? We have started taking appointments for our Grand Opening week, which will be [MONTH, DATE]. Call us at [NUMBER] to make an appointment to get your dog or cat sterilized at this new state-of-the-art facility. General Awareness People often ask us, What s a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic? It s a spay/neuter clinic that provides more than 5,000 sterilizations annually, which makes our veterinarians surgical experts. If you haven t fixed your pet or know someone who needs to get their pet fixed, please refer them to our stateof-the-art clinic. First Pet Sterilized PetSmart Charities 10
Meet Tabitha. She is a five-year-old feline who was the first pet to get fixed at our clinic today. In fact, we sterilized more than XX dogs and cats today during our Grand Opening. We re on our way to making [CITY] a place where no more unwanted puppies and kittens are born and ultimately euthanized. Spread the word! Website Copy We re About to Open! We re getting ready to open the [first OR newest] low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE] in [MONTH]. [CLINIC NAME] received $XX,XXX in funding from PetSmart Charities, for start-up equipment and supplies to help provide [NUMBER] [free or low-cost] spay/neuter surgeries during the first year of operation. Grand opening day is [MONTH, DATE]. Follow our progress on Facebook and become a friend of [CLINIC NAME]. We Open in Two Weeks! [CLINIC NAME] will open its doors on [MONTH, DATE], providing [CITY] with the [first OR recent] lowcost, high-quality volume spay/neuter clinic in [CITY, STATE] in [MONTH]. If your dog or cat needs to be fixed, please call us at [NUMBER] to make an appointment. We re Open! [CLINIC NAME] is open and providing high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter services for pets living in [CITY or COUNTY]. We re on our way to making [CITY] a place where no more unwanted puppies and kittens are born and ultimately euthanized. Call us at [NUMBER] to make an appointment to get your dog or cat fixed. PetSmart Charities 11