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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. and the PETCO Foundation hope to help "fix" the problem of pet overpopulation with their annual Round-Up/Spay Today fundraiser, which will raise money for local animal welfare organizations who offer spay/neuter programs or education. This year, 10% of all funds raised will be donated to Spay USA, the largest spay/neuter advocacy and referral program in the world.

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During Round-Up/Spay Today 2003, which runs from July 27 through August 17, PETCO customers will be encouraged to "round-up" their purchases to the next highest dollar. The money raised will go to the PETCO Foundation, which will use the funds to support local spay/neuter organizations, programs and efforts by animal welfare groups to help solve the problem of pet overpopulation. Each of PETCO's 635 stores will select a charitable partner for this fundraiser, who will be the recipient of the individual store's fundraising efforts.

"Just one dog, or one cat, being euthanized because there aren't enough homes is a tragedy," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "But we simply must turn the tide of overpopulation, and stop this cycle that leads to 4-5 million unwanted pets being euthanized each year."

Along with the impact this simple procedure has on the cycle of unplanned pregnancies, there are health benefits as well. Spaying and neutering dogs and cats not only prevents litters of unwanted puppies and kittens, but also provides many health benefits such as decreased risks of ovarian, mammary and testicular cancers.

Last year's effort raised more than $450,000 for these local animal welfare organizations and programs. But this issue is ongoing. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 6-8 million animals are relinquished to shelters each year. The most heartbreaking result of this statistic is that as many as half of these dogs and cats are destroyed, because there are not enough homes for them.

To locate the nearest PETCO, visit PETCO's website at www.petco.com . General donations can also be made to the Foundation through the PETCO website.

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services, with a commitment to quality animal care and education, that operates more than 630 neighborhood stores in 43 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 $12 million since inception in 1999. More than 1,500 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.