PetSmart Charities in Atlanta: How Pet Adoptions Really Work Here

Looking for “PetSmart Charities Atlanta” usually means one of three things: you want to adopt a pet, support animal welfare, or connect with local rescues that partner with PetSmart stores in the Atlanta area.

In Atlanta, PetSmart Charities doesn’t run shelters itself. Instead, it partners with local rescue groups and shelters to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores and to host adoption events around the city.

This guide walks you through how PetSmart Charities works in Atlanta, where to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of these resources if you live in or are visiting the Atlanta area.

How PetSmart Charities Works in Atlanta

PetSmart Charities is a national nonprofit that focuses on pet adoption, spay/neuter, and animal welfare grants.

In Atlanta, that plays out in a few ways:

• Local rescues bring pets to PetSmart stores for adoption events
• Many Atlanta PetSmart locations have in-store adoption centers (often for cats, sometimes for small animals)
• PetSmart Charities may fund or support programs run by Atlanta-area shelters (spay/neuter, transport, community outreach)

So when you adopt a pet at a PetSmart in Atlanta, you’re usually adopting from a local rescue or shelter that partners with PetSmart Charities—not from PetSmart itself.

Where to Find PetSmart Charities Adoptions in Atlanta

You’ll find PetSmart Charities adoption activities at many PetSmart retail stores around metro Atlanta. Below is a general guide to the types of locations and what you’ll usually find there.

Common Atlanta-Area PetSmart Adoption Locations

Specific addresses and hours change over time, so the most reliable way to find details is to:

• Call your nearest PetSmart in Atlanta and ask:
  • “Do you have a PetSmart Charities adoption center on site?”
  • “When do you host adoption events, and which rescues participate?”
• Ask for the name of the rescue group on site so you can contact them directly.

What Kinds of Pets Are Available Through PetSmart Charities in Atlanta?

In the Atlanta area, PetSmart Charities partners most commonly offer:

• Dogs and puppies
• Cats and kittens
• Occasionally rabbits, guinea pigs, or other small animals, depending on the rescue

The mix of breeds and ages depends on the partner rescue group and what’s currently in foster care or at their shelter.

You’re especially likely to see:

• Mixed-breed dogs (from small to large)
• Short-haired and domestic cats
• Kittens and puppies, particularly during warmer months (“kitten season”)

If you’re looking for a specific type of pet, many Atlanta rescues that partner with PetSmart use online listings; once you’ve found a pet you like, you can often meet them at a PetSmart adoption event or a scheduled meet-and-greet nearby.

How the Adoption Process Usually Works at Atlanta PetSmart Stores

While each rescue sets its own rules, the typical adoption process at a PetSmart Charities event in Atlanta looks like this:

1. Meet the Pets

You can usually:

• Walk up during posted adoption event hours
• Talk with rescue volunteers or foster families
• Learn about the pet’s temperament, energy level, and background

If there’s an in-store cat adoption center, you may be able to view cats through glass enclosures and speak with staff or volunteers about meeting them.

2. Complete an Application

Most Atlanta rescues will ask you to:

• Fill out an adoption application (paper or digital)
• Provide basic personal and housing information
• Confirm things like:
  • Whether you rent or own
  • Other pets in the home
  • Your general schedule and lifestyle

Some groups review on the spot; others may need 24–72 hours to complete background checks or landlord verifications.

3. Screening and Questions

To protect both pets and adopters, rescues often:

• Ask about previous pet experience
• Discuss your expectations (e.g., activity level, size, grooming needs)
• Make sure the pet is a good match for your home and family

In Atlanta, many rescue volunteers are foster-based and know the animal’s personality fairly well, which can be very useful if you’re new to pet ownership.

4. Adoption Fees and What’s Included

Adoption fees vary by rescue but in Atlanta they often cover:

• Spay/neuter surgery
• Rabies and core vaccinations (appropriate for age)
• Microchip
• Initial deworming and flea/tick prevention (when applicable)

Ask specifically:

• What vaccines the pet has received
• Whether the pet is already spayed/neutered
• If you’ll receive medical records at the time of adoption

💡 Tip: Keep all paperwork. You’ll need it for licensing in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett Counties and for your first vet appointment.

5. Taking Your New Pet Home

Once approved and the fee is paid, you can often take the pet home the same day, as long as:

• You have a secure carrier (for cats and small pets)
• You have a leash and collar/harness (for dogs)
• Your home is reasonably ready (food, water, litter box, etc.)

Some Atlanta-area rescues may:

• Schedule a home visit or virtual check
• Offer a short trial period or foster-to-adopt arrangement

Ask about the rescue’s return policy in case the match isn’t right.

How PetSmart Charities Supports Atlanta Animal Welfare

Even if you don’t adopt directly at a store, PetSmart Charities plays a background role in Atlanta’s animal welfare network.

Common types of support in the metro area include:

• Grants for shelters and rescues for:
  • Spay/neuter clinics
  • Transport for at-risk pets from crowded rural shelters into Atlanta
  • Community outreach and education
• Support for in-store adoption centers that host local cats and kittens
• Partnerships with Atlanta-area organizations during large adoption campaigns and events

This support helps reduce shelter crowding in and around Atlanta and makes it easier for local groups to bring pets directly to neighborhoods where adopters already shop.

Key Atlanta Organizations Often Connected to PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities typically works through local partners. In and around Atlanta, you’ll often see:

• Atlanta Humane Society (shelters and adoption centers in metro Atlanta)
• Fulton County Animal Services and DeKalb County Animal Services (managed by contracted operators)
• Various breed-specific rescues (for example, groups focused on pit bull-type dogs, small dogs, or specific cat breeds)
• Foster-based rescues scattered around the metro area that bring pets to weekend adoption events

When you attend an adoption event at a PetSmart in Atlanta, ask:

• “Which rescue or shelter is this pet from?”
• “Where is your main location and how else can I meet your pets?”

That way, you can follow up with the organization directly if you need more time to decide or want to see other animals in their care.

Costs, Requirements, and Expectations in Atlanta

While every rescue is different, there are some common Atlanta patterns you can expect:

Typical Requirements

Atlanta-area rescues partnering through PetSmart Charities often:

• Require adopters to be 18 or older (sometimes 21+)
• Ask for a valid photo ID
• May request:
  • Landlord approval if you rent
  • Vet references if you already have pets
  • Proof of current vaccinations for your existing pets

Lifestyle Considerations

Volunteers may discuss:

• Yard and fencing status for certain dogs
• How much time you’re away from home
• Whether you have children or other pets

The goal is usually to match the pet’s needs with your lifestyle, not to judge, so it helps to answer honestly and ask your own questions in return.

Tips for Adopting Through PetSmart Charities in Atlanta

A bit of preparation can make the process smoother:

• Bring a form of payment
  • Many rescues accept cards; some prefer cash or checks, so asking ahead can help.
• Have basic supplies ready at home
  • Food and water bowls
  • Litter box and litter (for cats)
  • Crate or safe space (especially for dogs)
  • Bedding and basic toys
• Plan transportation
  • Bring a carrier for cats and small pets
  • Have a leash, properly fitted collar, and ID tag ready for dogs
• Ask about post-adoption support
  • Does the rescue offer behavior advice by phone or email?
  • Are there discounts with local vets or trainers?

Other Local Options If You’re Exploring Pet Adoption in Atlanta

If you started with “PetSmart Charities Atlanta” but want to compare options, you can also:

• Visit Atlanta Humane Society locations in the metro area
• Check county animal services for Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett
• Look up foster-based rescues that list pets online and hold meetups at PetSmart or other pet supply stores
• Attend large community adoption events, which are sometimes supported by PetSmart Charities and held at parks or event centers

Many of these organizations will also show up at PetSmart adoption weekends, so using PetSmart as a starting point can connect you to the broader Atlanta rescue network.

If You Want to Help Without Adopting

Living in or visiting Atlanta and not ready to adopt? You can still support the work connected to PetSmart Charities by:

• Donating to local rescues that use PetSmart adoption centers
• Volunteering with an Atlanta rescue that partners with PetSmart
• Fostering pets that will later be adopted out at PetSmart events
• Spreading the word about upcoming adoption events at your local Atlanta PetSmart

Many rescues share schedules for when they’ll be at specific stores, especially for big adoption weekends.

In Atlanta, PetSmart Charities serves as a hub that connects you to local rescues, shelters, and adoptable pets—especially through in-store adoption centers and weekend events. If you’re looking to add a pet to your family or support animal welfare while you’re in the city, starting with your nearest Atlanta PetSmart store and asking about PetSmart Charities adoption partners is a practical and effective first step.