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The strength of the human/animal bond is on display as people and organizations respond in the aftermath of a tragic fire that claimed the lives of more than 130 companion animals at the Escondido Humane Society last Saturday night.

At PETCO and its non-profit charity the PETCO Foundation, the response is in the form of creating and funding a special "Round UP" campaign that reaches out to the community so everyone can have a convenient way to help. In addition, four PETCO stores will become mobile adoption sites to help find loving homes for surviving animals.

"We've been working very closely with the Escondido Humane Society to develop a response that is what they need," said Bill LoBell, PETCO's Regional Manager for the area that includes San Diego. "Our concern is to first provide help that benefits the animals that survived this tragedy and we're asking the community to join us in that effort," LoBell added.

The "Round UP" campaign that begins immediately in all of the more than 90 PETCO stores in southern California will run through February 17. Customers at the stores will be asked to "Round UP" their purchases. For example, a customer whose purchase is $18.56 will be asked to round up to $19.00 or perhaps $20.00 or whatever they can.

"This program gives all pet-loving people a convenient way to stop by their neighborhood PETCO and make a donation. People who want to help but are not making a purchase should simply tell a store sales associate that they want to make a 'Round UP' donation," said Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation Director.

In addition to the fundraiser, mobile adoption events are scheduled for the next two weekends and others will be planned until all the companion animals left homeless by this tragedy have been placed in loving homes. The current adoption schedule includes this Saturday, January 27, and next Saturday and Sunday, February 3-4 at the following PETCO stores:

  Escondido                                Poway
  1000 West Valley Parkway                 13375 Poway Road
  (760) 781-1600                           (858) 679-2020

  Carmel Mountain Ranch                    Encinitas
  11160 Rancho Carmel Drive                154 Encinitas Boulevard
  (858) 451-8347                           (760) 632-6600

The mobile adoption events are scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Each person adopting a companion animal will be given a coupon for a free groom at PETCO as well as an adoption coupon book that provides additional savings.

PETCO, based in San Diego, is a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 530 stores in 41 states and the District of Columbia. To find the nearest store, log on to http://www.petco.com/.

The PETCO Foundation was established in February 1999 to support community organizations and efforts that enhance the lives of companion animals while strengthening the bond between people and pets. Since inception more than $3.6 million has been raised through a variety of Foundation fundraising efforts in communities where PETCO has stores.

SOURCE: PETCO