It’s very easy to become a pet person, and studies show that the health benefits of owning a pet are huge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that pets are a positive health influence.

My dog Fielder, and his bff.

According to the CDC, pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness.

Pets can increase your opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and opportunities for socialization.

If you’re ready to jump into pet ownership, PetSmart Charities sponsors a National Adoption Weekend, and all PetSmart Stores in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico will host a three-day pet adoption event, from April 29 – May 1, 2011, with a goal of helping to find thousands of pets a lifelong, loving home.

Whether you’re looking for a solution to a pet problem, or just need a bag of dog food, you’ll find pet supplies, grooming, training, the convenient PetsHotel or Doggie Day Camp at PetSmart stores across the country. Each of the 850+ PetSmart locations has different amenities, but you’ll always find quality supplies online at Petsmart.com. Petsmart.com also will link you to PetSmart sales and promotions at local PetSmart stores.

Make sure to set an Notification alert for PetSmart to get an email when discounted PetSmart gift cards become available on Plastic Jungle. PetSmart Gift Cards are valid in stores and online, and when purchased or traded at Plastic Jungle, you’ll never pay shipping fees. PetSmart eGift Certificates (eCODEs) are redeemable online only at PetSmart.com and cannot be used at any traditional PetSmart retail stores.

Check the Balance on Your PetSmart Gift Card or PetSmart eGift Certificate

Online

Get your balance at PetSmart’s online balance checker.

In-Store

You can visit any PetSmart location and check the balance at the register.

Phone

Check the balance by calling a Customer Care Representative at 1-800-820-6189. When you call, be sure to have your PetSmart Gift Card number and PIN in front of you.

For the latest on PetSmart Gift Card and eGift Certificate terms and conditions, check the PetSmart Gift Card page.

Sell Your Gift Card or eGift Certificate

Once you know your balance for any gift card, you can safely sell or trade your PetSmart Gift Card or eGift Certificate on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can also trade your PetSmart Gift Card for an Amazon.com Gift Card, use it to donate the funds to charity, or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

My family adopted a pet a few years ago. I wasn’t a dog person before, but I can’t imagine life without Fielder now. If you have a pet adoption story that might have changed you in some way, you can share it to encourage others to adopt at PetSmartCharities.org, and we’d love for you to come back and leave a comment here, too!