Pets in the Classroom Program Launches New Grant Options

Online, July 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce an expansion of its successful Pets in the Classroom program through partnerships with pet supply retailer Pet Supermarket and science and math education supplier Carolina Biological Supply.

The new partnerships will provide elementary school teachers with six different grant options to aid in funding a classroom pet, allowing teachers to find the option most suitable to his or her needs. "We are delighted to have the support of a growing number of pet product companies that understand the importance of teaching kids about responsible pet care," commented Pet Care Trust executive director Steve King. "In the next few weeks, we will issue our 10,000th Pets in the Classroom grant, and the number of grants will continue to grow rapidly thanks to the generous support of all our sponsors."

Pet Supermarket, a chain of more than130 pet stores located primarily in the Southeastern U.S., will become the third pet retailer to partner with the Trust to provide a custom coupon grant for teachers through the Pets in the Classroom program. Specialty pet retailers PETCO and PetSmart began issuing custom coupons for teachers last fall and have provided more than 4,000 classroom grants to date. These grant options provide approved teachers with coupons redeemable at retail stores for the essential supplies required for the classroom pet, as well as a coupon valued at 50% off the everyday retail price of the animal.

Carolina Biology Supply, the largest supplier of science kits to schools throughout the U.S., will aid the Trust in providing a grant option specifically for teachers interested in obtaining fish for their classroom. The Carolina Biological Supply Grant will provide the teachers who opt for this grant option with an aquarium and three GloFish® that will be shipped directly to them.

The other two grant options available to teachers include the Rebate Grant, which allows teachers to purchase a new classroom pet and supplies and receive reimbursement from the program for up to $150, and the Sustaining Grant, which allows teachers with existing classroom pets to be reimbursed up to $50 each year for needed pet supplies.

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfare and the benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership. To date, more than 9,300 grants have been awarded to teachers through the Pets in the Classroom program.

For more information, or to apply for a grant, please visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.