The Shadow
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (VR) – Pets are family, and can bring hope, companionship and
unconditional love to their people. Adopting a pet in need of a home can bring joy to people
and also impact communities, alleviating strain on overcrowded shelters. That’s why SFC
Virginia – The Squishy Face Crew! – will bring adoptable pets to local Petsmart locations in both
Stafford and Fredericksburg for PetSmart Charities® National Adoption Week, taking place
March 24 – 30, 2025. SFC Virginia aims to find homes for 65 pets during the week of the event.
The Adoption Prep Grant funding will support animals by providing funding for spay/neuter,
vaccinations, treatments, and preventatives as well as supporting pets in need of critical care
during their stay with the rescue. SFC Virginia hopes to impact 2500 animals in 2025, which is
only possible through the generosity of organizations like Petsmart Charities.
PetSmart Charities connects adoption partners such as SFC Virginia with local PetSmart stores to
bring adoptable pets in for adoption events and meet and greets. These include pets of all ages,
breeds, temperaments, and energy levels. Staff and volunteers are available to help make ideal
matches considering lifestyle and other preferences such as energy levels, personalities, sizes,
etc.
“We are so thankful to Petsmart Charities for their ongoing support of our rescue efforts, and
their willingness to allow foster-based organizations like ours to connect with the public by
utilizing their stores for adoptions,” said Ryan Barker, Executive Director, SFC Virginia. “Every
year, it seems like our shelter partners across Virginia are seeing increasing intakes of unwanted
animals. We are grateful to be able to play a role in maintaining Virginia’s No-Kill status by
transferring in over 2000 dogs and cats each year, including critical medical cases that most
shelters and rescues do not have the resources to handle. We look forward to continuing our
partnership with Petsmart Charities and to working with other rescues in our area to have an
even greater impact in 2025.”
“Our local shelter and rescue partners are overflowing with animals looking for people to love.
Adopting or fostering a pet not only enriches your life but is the best way to support your
community and local partners like SFC Virginiain their lifesaving work,” said Heidi Marston,
director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities. “There is nothing like the unconditional love of
a pet! Please stop by your neighborhood PetSmart store and meet your new best friend.”
You can learn more about the Squishy Face Crew at www.sfcva.org, and come meet adoptable
pets during National Adoption Week at a Petsmart near you!
WHEN/WHERE:
Adoptable pets will be available at the following times and PetSmart locations:
Tuesday 3/25, 3-5pm at Petsmart Stafford Marketplace: 1160 Stafford Marketplace, Stafford VA
Wednesday 3/26, 5-7pm at Petsmart Central Park: 1421 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg VA
Thursday 3/27, 3-5pm at Petsmart Stafford Marketplace: 1160 Stafford Marketplace, Stafford VA
Friday 3/28, 5-7pm at Petsmart Central Park: 1421 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg VA
Saturday 3/29, 12-4pm at Petsmart Central Park: 1421 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg VA
Sunday 3/30, 1-4pm at Petsmart Central Park: 1421 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg VA
About SFC VIRGINIA
SFC Virginia is a foster-focused animal rescue group in Spotsylvania, VA. Founded in July 2019
with the goal of saving dogs and cats from rural and otherwise underserved shelters in the
state, we strive to provide quality medical care including vaccinations and spay/neuter
surgeries, and to find permanent adoptive homes in our area. Our goal is to make a positive
contribution to the overall live release rate in Virginia and toward No-Kill Nation 2025. Since our
formation, we have placed more than 9500 dogs and cats into new homes, and work with over
20 shelter partners throughout the state to pull animals to safety. Find out more about
our work at www.sfcva.org.
Follow SFC Virginia on Instagram:@squishyfacecrewva
Find SFC Virginia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/squishyfacecrewva
About PetSmart Charities®
Pets are family. For 30 years, PetSmart Charities has remained committed to making the world a
better place for pets and all who love them. Through in-store adoptions at PetSmart® stores,
local shelter partners help hundreds of thousands of pets find loving families each year.
PetSmart Charities also delivers grant funding to support animal and human welfare
organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families to improve
access to veterinary care, alleviates pet hunger and integrates the needs of pets into disaster
response. Each year, millions of generous supporters support the mission by donating at
PetSmart® registers in-store or online at Petsmart.com, or directly at PetSmartCharities.org. In
turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its
role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million
since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3)
organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years
in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit
www.petsmartcharities.org.
Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc
