news releases

The PETCO Foundation's recent "Spring a Pet" fundraiser will lead to a summer of contentment for companion animals across the country, thanks to the compassion of PETCO customers, vendors, and associates who "showered" the in-store campaign with generous donations, raising more than $1.83 million nationwide.

"Spring is in the air, but animal welfare is in the heart of every pet lover who donated so generously to our Spring a Pet campaign," said Paul Jolly, Director of the PETCO Foundation. "Our record success truly demonstrates the PETCO family's overwhelming love for companion animals, and we thank our customers, vendors, and associates for their continuing support."

The fundraiser, which ran from March 13 to April 17, encouraged pet lovers to donate $1, $5, $10, or $20 to animal welfare causes. Each donor received a personalized cutout bunny to display in their neighborhood store or take home as a reminder of their generosity.

This year's giving increased 22% over last year's campaign, which raised over $1.51 million. Each PETCO store selected an animal welfare organization to be the recipient of money raised at their location, and a portion of the funds will go into a regional pool to be used by other animal welfare groups throughout the year. Past funding has helped provide veterinary care for homeless and abused animals and outreach programs to help handicapped and disadvantaged individuals adequately care for their companion animals.

To learn more about the PETCO Foundation, visit www.PETCO.com.

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of pet- related products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels of customer service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training them to become counselors to our pet-loving customers. PETCO operates more than 740 neighborhood stores in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at www.PETCO.com. The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $23 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,700 non- profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.