Global Adoption Weekend 2025 · Kinship

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Want to get involved? Meet us this October!
Explore everything happening near you this Global Adoption Weekend—whether you’re looking to adopt or just want to help out.
Generic > Canada
Canada

At Mars, we believe that pets and people are better together. That’s why Mars Canada is proud to participate in the Mars Global Pet Adoption Weekend for the second consecutive year. From October 3–5, we will be partnering with five shelters across the country to encourage adoption, with $20,000 in funding provided by Mars Canada and PEDIGREE Foundation to be distributed among these organizations to support.

Mars Associates will engage in volunteer activities leading up to the event and provide hands-on support to shelters throughout the Adoption Weekend. Families who adopt a pet will receive a special adoption kit, featuring treats, exclusive swag, and offers from our Mars Petcare ecosystem partners to help them start their journey.

Please note: All applicants must meet the adoption requirements specified by the participating shelters.

Date: October 3–5
Partners:

Cochrane and Area Humane Society
62 Griffin Industrial Point, Cochrane, AB

Niagara Humane Society
6025 Chippawa Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON

Oakville-Milton Humane Society
445 Cornwall Rd, Oakville, ON

calm v2 mexico
Mexico

As part of Global Adoption Weekend, we’re celebrating 35 years of PEDIGREE in Mexico! Together with local shelters and our PEDIGREE adoption program, we’re hosting events designed to inspire adoption. On October 5th, families and pet lovers can enjoy a day of activities, like pet parent conferences and a lively dog parade. The celebration continues on the 9th, with a special concert from our partner, Carlos Rivera, to mark this milestone.

Dates:

October 5: Parade (and all-day activities!)
The Hub
Blvd. Bernardo Quintana Arrioja 8200, Centro Sur, Querétaro,
Mexico

October 9: Concert
Concert Hall Blackberry
Tlaxcala 160, Hipódromo Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico

Partners: APAQTO and Presencia

calm v2 United states
United States

For the 17th year, Mars and our family of pet care brands are supporting adoption and fostering during Global Adoption Weekend. In the first weekend of October, we’ll cover $185,000+ in cat and dog adoption fees at dozens of partner shelters across the country. Plus, PEDIGREE Foundation will cover an additional $25,000 in dog adoption fees and provide new pet welcome kits to help adopters and their pets start their journeys together!

Date: October 3–5

Location: All across the country

Partners: Click “See All Events”

Austria
Austria

To celebrate Global Adoption Weekend and World Animal Day Mars Austria is teaming up with six retail partners to raise money for the NGO Tierschutz Austria (Animal Protection Austria). Between September 25 and October 8, 10 cents from every product sold will go to Tierschutz Austria projects.

Date: September 25-October 8

Partner: Tierschutz Austria

France
France

Join us for a fun-filled Bingo Night in Paris, hosted in partnership with a local animal shelter—and help us shine a spotlight on responsible pet adoption and the joy it brings to both pets and their families. All proceeds from the event will go directly to support the shelter and its amazing work. Special guests will share their personal stories about the benefits of adopting a pet. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet some adorable shelter pets.

Date: Oct 11 (afternoon)

Partner: Youcare NGO: https://associationyoucare.org/

Germany
Germany

Join us in Hamburg for our Paw Parade to help us raise awareness for the many shelter pets waiting for a second chance! The parade is hosted by our PED and WHI brands, and we’ve partnered with the German Animal Welfare Association, ZooRoyal/REWE, AniCura, and local shelters to create a fun and informative day. Before the parade, check out booths with adoption tips and ways pet lovers can get involved. Already have a pup? You’re welcome to bring them, too!

Date: September 28

Location: Karo Beach
Neuer Kamp 31, 20359 Hamburg, Germany

Partners: Hamburger & Bremer Tierschutzverein

Greece
Greece

Mars is proud to participate in Athens’ largest Pet Fair alongside Royal Canin. Over two days, we'll cover topics like pet adoption, nutrition, stress balance, first aid, oral care, dog training, and children’s pet responsibility. Our Mars Associates in Greece are partnering with the Spaz shelter in Athens to support adoption events by caring for animals and educating potential pet parents. Through these efforts, we aim to help pets find loving homes and support local shelters, creating A Better World for Pets™ in need.

Date: October 4–5 & 12

Location: The Street of Poets in Glyfada, Athens, Greece

Partner: Spaz

Italy
Italy

This October, Mars is teaming up with Arcaplanet and Balzoo for the largest pet food collection ever organized in Italy! Want to donate? On the 25th, visit any of the 500 Arcaplanet stores, and look for our volunteers and Associates in bright red vests with the Mars Pet Nutrition, Arcaplanet, and Balzoo logos. They’ll be ready to accept donations and answer questions. Every contribution goes directly to supporting pets cared for by local shelters and organizations.

Date: October 25

Location: Any Arcaplanet store across Italy

Partners: Gattolandia and Balzoo

Poland
Poland

To celebrate Global Adoption Weekend, Mars is partnering with the Animal Welfare Association (TOZ) in Poland to support the Shelter for Homeless Animals in Celestynów. We’re encouraging everyone to visit the TOZ shelter in Celestynów and consider giving a pet a loving home. As part of our commitment, Mars will provide a six-month supply of food for adopted pets. Throughout the weekend, we’re inviting the public to drop by the shelter, meet the animals, and discover the joy of adoption. Join us in making a difference for pets in need!

Date: October 4

Location: Shelter for Homeless Animals
Prosta 3, 05-430 Celestynów, Poland

Partner: Shelter for Homeless Animals

Switzerland
Switzerland

To mark Global Adoption Weekend and World Animal Day, Mars Schweiz is joining forces with retail partners Coop and Jumbo to support Schweizer Tierschutz (STS). From October 2 to 15, 10 cents from every pack of pet product sold will be donated to STS to fund vital animal protection projects. In addition, Mars has launched welttiertag.ch, a dedicated website helping 30 dogs and cats find their homes.

Date: October 2–15

Location: Coop & Jumbo

Partner: Schweizer Tierschutz

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

This October, we’re proudly supporting Battersea’s flagship fundraising event: Walk to Rescue, a free virtual walking challenge. To get involved, choose a distance goals, lace up your trainers, and show your love for rescue animals everywhere. We're also teaming up with some amazing shelters across the UK to spotlight shelter pets. When you adopt a from one of our shelter partners, you’ll go home with a free box from Mars packed with food, treats, and discounts.

Date: October 3–31

Partners:

Battersea: https://www.battersea.org.uk 
Mayhew: https://themayhew.org 
Raystede: https://www.raystede.org
Leicester Animal Aid: https://www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk
ISPCA: https://ispca.ie

India (1)
India

Mars Pet Nutrition India Associates are proud to take part in the Global Adoption Weekend Program, collaborating with 13 NGOs nationwide. We have selected champions to support activities during the adoption weekend. Our team is committed to making a positive difference by adoption and volunteering at NGOs and supporting a few shelters with cleaning and animal care—including feeding and walking the pets. Through these efforts, we strive to improve the lives of pets in need and to live our shared purpose of creating A Better World for Pets™.

Date: October 10–12

Location: All across the country

Partners: Click “See All Events”

Japan
Japan

Please visit our partner shelters between October 3-5 to help a pet find their new home. Throughout the weekend, we will be donating over 100,000 pouches of Kalkan to 12 organizations throughout Japan. By joining these efforts, you can help pets find loving homes and lend a hand to organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

Date: October 3–5

Partners:

ALMA: https://www.alma.or.jp/tierheim/index.htm l
5-11-12, Hosoda, Katsuhika-ku, Tokyo

Agurin Dog Rescue: https://aguri.nomaki.jp/shelter.html
6-81, Onuma, Kasukabe City, Saitama

Kurosu No Mori: http://www.kurosunomori.jp
2-13-8, Minami, Hanyu City, Saitama

Phillipines
Phillipines

We’re excited to partner with Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) for their iconic 10th anniversary Run Fur Life event, welcoming over 1,000 participants! At this special celebration, we’ll host a booth featuring adorable dogs from AKF looking for loving homes. Every runner will receive samples of our products, and we’re proud to sponsor the GAW medals to help create memorable moments and boost social media buzz. Plus, our efforts will support local Filipino shelters through donations and media activations, making a positive impact for pets in need across the community.

Date: September 28

Location: Central Park, Destination Estate, Bridgetowne, Pasig

Partners: Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and local shelters for donations

australia
Australia

Australia will partner with the iconic local shelter, The Lost Dog's Home, on a Global Adoption Weekend activation. At the event, we'll help potential adopters use the PEDIGREE® Match Me tool to connect Australians to the right pet. The tool makes it easy to discover which dog breed best suits your lifestyle and is quick, free, and an easy way to start your pet adoption journey.

Date: October 3–5

Location: 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Partner: Lost Dog’s Home Melbourne