Annie, left, found a new home through an enhanced adoption center.

Last week, new members of the Arizona-based PetSmart Charities team toured local animal welfare organization facilities to understand the importance of issues these organizations face and how PetSmart Charities funding helps. Included in the trip was a visit to a Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) facility, where about 150 pets are brought within a day. Because space is limited, a lot of dogs and cats are humanely euthanized. Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon amongst several municipal shelters throughout the United States. Nationwide, about 8 million pets enter shelters annually and 4 million are euthanized.

Here’s the good news: Animal welfare organizations are creating additional space for adoptable pets throughout the country. PetSmart Charities is helping some of these organizations build out enhanced adoption centers where pets live until they are adopted, providing the animals an opportunity to be displayed in welcoming, happy environments. This enhanced exposure not only saves lives but also provides the public to view pets in a calmer environment.

MCACC opened two adoption centers earlier this year in the Phoenix area. One is located inside a Phoenix area mall and the other, an enhanced adoption center, is located within a Scottsdale PetSmart store. Since the end of January, these centers have collectively saved the lives of 590 adoptable animals. “People have told us how convenient they are,” said Aprille Hollis, public information officer for MCACC. “[They enjoy] coming in to the bright, open spaces… [They notice] how much quieter and calmer the animals seem.”

In May 2010, PetSmart Charities partnered with the City of Fort Worth in Texas to open an enhanced adoption center within a local PetSmart store. “This partnership will enable the city to better fulfill its mission to find warm homes and loving families for adoptable dogs and cats from our shelter,” said Brandon Bennett, Fort Worth Code Compliance director, in a press release.

PetSmart Charities is partnering with additional municipalities to open enhanced adoption centers. The next adoption center to open is in Dover, Del. on April 30.