Shannon Wells Honored as Petco Foundation’s Unsung Hero Award Winner

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The Petco Foundation Honors KC Pet Project Staff Member

Shannon Wells recognized for her commitment to saving animal lives in KC Pet Project’s Parvo Ward

Kansas City, MO, June 13, 2018 – The Petco Foundation recently honored Shannon Wells of the Kansas City Pet Project at the foundation’s annual awards gala on June 8th in San Diego, California. Wells was presented with the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes individuals whose commitment and story of dedication exemplifies their love for animals.

The Petco Foundation gathered more than 450 guests at this year’s “Celebration of Love” Lifesaving Awards, which recognized seven organizations and individuals from across the country for their dedication, determination and actions to create lifesaving impact for pets in need.

Wells was recognized for her selfless dedication to her work at Kansas City Pet Project, specifically in creating a special Parvo Ward at the underfunded animal control shelter. Through Wells’ program, she and her team have saved more than 500 puppies and have a 94% save rate for all parvo dogs.

“The Petco Foundation’s Lifesaving Awards are a way to celebrate and recognize the incredible, lifesaving work that takes place across the country,” said Susanne Kogut, president of the Petco Foundation. “The individuals and organizations honored this year are changing the landscape of animal welfare and setting an example for others. We’re grateful for all they do to save lives and are thrilled to bring their work into the spotlight.”

“Shannon Wells has been quietly saving the lives of more than 500 dogs and puppies in Kansas City over the past six years that arrived at our shelter with deadly parvovirus,” said Teresa Johnson, CEO/Executive Director of KC Pet Project.  “We are so proud and honored that the Petco Foundation has recognized and honored this compassionate, dedicated woman for her amazing work with the 2018 Unsung Hero Award.”

To see Shannon’s video about her work in the parvo ward, go to https://youtu.be/fyTJH3rzksI.

About the Petco Foundation

At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $200 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than 5.5 million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

About Kansas City Pet Project

KC Pet Project is the 3rd largest No Kill, open admission animal shelter in the U.S. The KC Pet Project main shelter location, the Pet Adoption Center in Zona Rosa, and the Petco Pet Adoption Center are all open 7 days a week.  KC Pet Project also provides cat adoptions at 7 Petco stores in the metro area.

To view all of the available pets at KC Pet Project, please go here.  For more information or to schedule interviews, on-site remotes, or for photos of dogs or cats available for adoption, please contact Tori Fugate at 816.513.9818.

KC Pet Project is a 501c3, nonprofit charitable organization operating the Kansas City, Missouri Animal Shelter.  KCPP cares for more than 10,000 animals a year and works collaboratively with Animal Control and other animal welfare organizations to increase the number of homeless pets adopted.  KCPP focuses on lifesaving programs promoting pet retention, identification, lost pet reunions, and pet ownership education throughout the community.

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