Bel Air, MD, May 27, 2012 –(PR.com)– In an effort to promote pet responsibility at an early age, the Pet Care Trust, with the assistance of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses, raised over $12,000 for its Pets in the Classroom Grant Program at the 23rd annual America’s Family Pet Expo in Orange County, California April 20-22. The money raised will provide 100 teachers with grants to aid them in financing a classroom pet. These 100 grants have the potential to enrich the lives of 3000 students through the human-animal bond.

The Pet Care Trust raised the money at America’s Family Pet Expo by hosting a Betta Fish Toss and aquarium raffle, as well as having a Pet Care Trust store which sold donated pet supplies at a discounted price. All of these fundraisers were made possible through the donation of goods and resources from the following pet suppliers and organizations: CaribSea Inc., United Pet Group, Aqueon / Central Aquatics, Seachem Laboratories, Hikari Sales U.S.A. Inc., Fluval / Rolf C. Hagen, U.S.A., Inc., Terrascapes, Cobalt International, Segrest Farms, Sea Dwelling Creatures, and Bio Bubble Pets LLC. The World Pet Association, host of America’s Family Pet Expo, donated the booth space for the activities at their annual event that is known for providing educational fun for pet lovers throughout Southern California.

Girl Scout Troop 513, a Brownie troop consisting of 12 girls ages 8-9 located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California also donated the proceeds of their Girl Scout Cookie sales to the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program at the Expo, and the World Pet Association matched their donation.

“The Pet Care Trust sincerely appreciates the tremendous support that the World Pet Association has provided to the Pets in the Classroom program,” said Steven T. King, Executive Director for the Pet Care Trust. “Thanks to their outreach to pet owners attending the America’s Family Pet Expo, many more people in Southern California now know about the program, and hundreds of kids will be able to experience the joys of a classroom pet as a result.”

The Pets in the Classroom program was established by the Pet Care Trust in 2009 to assist teachers in obtaining or maintaining classroom pets. The ultimate goal of the program is to reach 30,000 classrooms and impact one million children. The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond. Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self esteem.

For more information on the Pets in the Classroom Grant program, visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.