to give teachers additional resources to acquire and care for classroom animals. Teachers can get grants for new animals, pet environments, food, and other supplies. This program started in 2010. As of July 2014, 40,111 grants had been issued. Adopt-a-Pet Under the Adopt-a-Pet program started in 1998, Petland staff work with animal shelters, animal rescue groups, and individual activists to place homeless animals including puppies, dogs, kittens, cats, and various small animals in homes. Many Petland locations use their storefronts to display these animals. This program also raises money for animal welfare organizations. This program has homed hundreds of thousands of pets. These pets receive basic veterinary care and vaccinations before being placed. In some cases, adoptive families are charged a small fee for de-sexing. Generally, intact pets are sent home with a certificate good for a free spay or neuter at a local veterinary clinic. Some Petland stores micro-chip all participating animals. Animal welfare controversy Petland claims they do not source from "puppy mills" and obtain puppies from USDA-licensed and inspected breeders with clean records, hobby breeders with three or fewer breeding females, and animal rescue organizations. Many Petland locations claim to only offer dogs from animal welfare organizations, however a report from the Humane Society of the United States in 2009 revealed that allegedly “almost every Petland store in the country is buying puppies from large-scale 'middleman' brokers that deal with puppy mills, and some are continuing to buy directly from known puppy mills”. While Petland has claimed that puppies are sourced from family raised breeders, breeders with clean records, and rescues only, reports have been made public published by the Humane Society of the United States reporting that some parts of the chain have purchased dogs from commercial breeding farms selling “over 5,000 puppies a year” and breeders with animal welfare violations. In addition to investigations conducted by The Humane Society of the United States, a past and current class action lawsuit and over 500 negative reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com also state that Petland receives many dogs from puppy mills. Though seen as controversial Petland is partnered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) who have standards on canine bloodline and health as well as having all of their puppies registered. Petland does not provide AKC registration documentation on each puppy but does market a paper "registration", a full health warranty (requires using a Petland authorized Vet), microchipping, breeder