More than 100 shelter pets are set to get a better shot at finding forever homes as Petfinder, the online adoption platform, marks its 30th anniversary.
Here's what to know
Called "Runway to Forever," the campaign centers on three needs for shelter pets: food, transport to places with stronger adoption demand, and a chance at a permanent home.
According to Good Good Good, Petfinder will pay for two rescue flights that carry animals from shelters with heavy intake to areas where more adopters are available.
One transport is slated to bring pets from Los Angeles, California, to New Jersey, and the overall operation is expected to move more than 100 animals into communities where they are more likely to be adopted.
Purina is also participating through a food-donation component that runs from August 17 through November 16 and is triggered by activity on the Petfinder platform.
An adoption inquiry unlocks a full day's meals for a shelter pet, while either favoriting a listing or creating an adopter profile unlocks one meal.
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If participation reaches the target, shelters could receive about 1.5 million pounds of pet food — a meaningful supply boost for organizations already under strain.
More background
When kennels are full, animals often wait longer to be adopted, while shelters face growing stress to try to cover essential resources, such as food, staffing, and medical expenses.
By moving pets to different regions, transport programs can reduce crowding in one area and connect those animals with places that have more would-be adopters.
Petfinder has been committed to helping furry friends find homes for a long time. It has helped connect pets and families via 40 million adoptions since 1996 through more than 12,000 shelters and rescue groups nationwide.
When shelters free up space, they can take in more pets in need, helping local rescue networks operate more effectively overall.
What's being done?
Petfinder is funding the effort in partnership with Greater Good Charities, which is helping coordinate the lifesaving transport side of the campaign.
Jeremy Colborn, director of transport for Greater Good Charities, emphasized how each part of the initiative works together to support vulnerable animals.
"Through this 30-Year Celebration with Petfinder, every meal funded and every mile flown helps vulnerable, harder-to-place pets who need it most, and that's exactly the kind of collective effort that fuels our mission to amplify the good for communities globally," Colborn said in a statement.
Anyone who wants to contribute can do so through Petfinder itself by sending an adoption inquiry, creating an adopter profile, or favoriting a pet.
Those ready to bring home a pet can also browse the shelter animals featured in the anniversary campaign directly on Petfinder.
"Thirty years ago, Petfinder had a simple idea: make it easier for pets and people to find each other," Kristen Beckerle, Petfinder's brand director, said. "As Petfinder celebrates 30 years of happy tails, we wanted to take the opportunity to give back to the pets still waiting, not just celebrate the ones who've already found their way home."
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