Balto is PetSmart Charities' 10 Millionth Adoption!

Meet the De La Rosa family and their newest addition, Balto—PetSmart Charities' 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘁! 🐶

It was love at first sight for this gorgeous husky and his family. This sweet boy was abandoned with a collar embedded in his neck and then rescued as a stray, not even with a collar of his name. After he was back in good health, he met what would soon be his new family at a PetSmart National Adoption Week event in Harlingen, Texas.

“We love pets and animals, and our kids love animals too. During the pandemic, the pets have been their go-to companions. They’re very loyal. My husband gravitated toward Balto right away, we can’t wait to take him home.”

– Vanessa De La Rosa

Vanessa, her husband Ezri, and their son — one of the couple's three children— named him Balto, after one of Ezri's favorite cartoons.

Balto's inspiring story is one in 10 million and was made possible thanks to pet lovers, partners, team members, and generous donors that have supported us throughout the years. ❤️ 🐾

Balto's big moment nearly didn't happen, as the De La Rosas were not looking to adopt a dog when they first met Balto.

"We were going to PetSmart to buy an algae eater for our aquarium," Vanessa De La Rosa says of the day her family met Balto at a Texas pet store.

"We saw that PetSmart Charities was having their pet adoption event that weekend, so they had the tent outside. And before we went into the store, we were like, 'Let's just browse around,' " Vanessa adds. But as many pet lovers know, browsing adoptable animals can often lead to leaving with a newly adopted furry friend, and they gravitated towards one dog, a husky with piercing blue eyes and a calm, playful demeanor.

It didn't take long for the De La Rosas to see what a special dog Balto is, and knowing he is also PetSmart Charities' 10 millionth adoption only makes him more wonderful. The canine's new owners hope that their story inspires others to give rescue pets a second chance.

"We think that's something people need to know: these pets need love. They become your best friends. They're loyal. If anything, they become loyal. And that's really special," Vanessa says.

To learn more about PetSmart Charities and how the nonprofit helps hundreds of thousands of animals find forever homes each year, visit the organization's website.

We are so incredibly happy for the De La Rosa Family and for Balto! ❤️