Picture the television image of rescue dogs sniffing through the rubble of what is left of buildings destroyed by this week's tragedies. Now move the image to homes where companion animals are homeless because their "owner" is not coming back.
Those pictures move people and create a call to action.
"With three stores in Manhattan and one in Washington, D.C., PETCO became involved from the outset by providing food, booties and other supplies for the rescue dogs," says Dave Charron, PETCO's Region Manager who covers the New York and Washington, D.C. areas. "We asked how we could help and we found ways to support the animals helping in the rescue efforts."
PETCO's store on Union Square in Manhattan is located in one of the staging areas for relief assistance and became a focal point of support. Through today, PETCO and its vendor partners have provided five pallet loads of food to feed the New York Police Department's K-9 units rescue dogs, along with more than 500 pairs of booties worn by the dogs, together with eye wipes and bandage kits. In addition, more than 50 carriers and crates were available for use by the rescue teams and by animal shelter groups already working with animals that have been displaced. A network of 12 major animal welfare groups with a total of 45 local rescue organizations was established to receive supplies from PETCO and its vendors in the weeks to come.
As word of mouth spread about PETCO and their vendor's help, customers from throughout the country began asking how they could assist. For example, in Wichita Falls, TX, a customer at a PETCO store made a $200 donation.
"The outpouring of love and concern from our pet-loving customers and the overall sense of coming together during this national tragedy led us to create the 'Round UP America' campaign," says Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation Director. The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping animal welfare groups that enhance the human/animal bond.
At this point it is estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 animals may be homeless as a result of the tragedies. Funds raised from this campaign will be given to agencies and animal welfare groups involved in providing support to those animals. To support this campaign go to your nearest PETCO and ask a sales associate how to make a donation. Details of how to make an online contribution are available at http://www.petco.com/.
PETCO, based in San Diego, is a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 550 stores in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
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 $4.5 million has been donated to hundreds of local animal welfare groups across the nation.
SOURCE: PETCO
Contact: Don Cowan, +1-858-657-2086,
Paul Jolly, +1-626-287-0952,
Website: http://www.petco.com/
