PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. in conjunction with the PETCO Foundation reports a record- breaking $1.34 million raised during their annual "Tree of Hope" fundraising campaign. Money collected will assist over 400 animal welfare organizations from across the nation.
"All the pundits said it could not be done," said Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation Director. "People were tapped out from giving so much during the dark days of September 11th. Non-profits were reporting responses to charitable appeals as much as 40% below expectations. So, we began our annual 'Tree of Hope' campaign on November 18th with a lot of 'hope' despite these dire predictions. And we were not disappointed. Sales associates, vendors, and especially customers responded with unrivaled enthusiasm throughout the fundraiser, which ended on December 24th."
PETCO customers, associates, and vendors were given the opportunity to make a $1, $5, $10, or $20 donation during the 5-week event. Many customers made a donation each time they visited the store during the fundraiser because they knew that animals in their local community were being helped the most by their charitable giving.
"The PETCO Foundation is dedicated to helping those animal welfare groups that are most affected by the depressed giving climate in which we now find ourselves," said Jolly. "These are the grassroots groups that save so many lives and do so much with so little. Many of the groups we help acknowledge PETCO's 'Tree of Hope' as being their largest fundraising vehicle. It is thanks to the generous and caring people who shop, work and partner with PETCO that make all of this possible."
Proceeds from "Tree of Hope" will be given to local animal welfare groups that provide services like adoptions, veterinary assistance, spay and neuter programs, humane education, animal assisted therapy and animal feeding programs. The PETCO Foundation, a tax-exempt non-profit corporation, dedicates more than 90% of the money it raises to such programs. The American Institute of Philanthropy gives "high marks" to those charities whose percentages are higher than 75%.
PETCO, based in San Diego, is a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 560 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 develop and manage fundraising campaigns in PETCO stores and support a variety of animal welfare programs. Since inception, the Foundation has donated more than $6 million for approximately 700 animal-related organizations across the nation.
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SOURCE: PETCO
Contact: Paul Jolly, Director of PETCO Foundation, +1-626-287-0952, or
Don Cowan, Director of Communications of PETCO, +1-858-657-2086
Website: http://www.petco.com/
