news releases

PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. announces the grand openings of two new southern Florida stores, with a three-day celebration at each location Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7. The Tamarac store is located at 5837 North University Drive, and the West Palm Beach store is at 1951 North Military Trail.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO )

The events will both feature PETCO services such as grooming, obedience training, low-cost vaccinations and pet photography, along with fun opportunities for people to showcase their pets in photo contests and biggest/smallest dog competitions. The kids won't be left out of these celebrations of the human-animal bond, as each location will also feature clown fun and free refreshments. In addition, to demonstrate PETCO's commitment to adoptions, local animal welfare organizations will be on hand at both new stores to find loving homes for orphaned companion animals.

As part of the effort to encourage adoptions, PETCO stores offer Adoption Gift Booklets to new pet parents, with savings of up to $180 on store products and services to help welcome their new family member home.

"We are really excited to be the first PETCO in southern Florida," Tamarac General Manager Kevin Stringfield said. "We have been really well received by this community and we are looking forward to this celebration."

"There's a lot of excitement here about our arrival," said West Palm Beach General Manager Jason Kim. "This weekend gives us a great opportunity to show people what PETCO is all about."

The stores feature small animal and reptile areas, fresh and saltwater fish aquariums, bird areas and grooming salons. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

To find these stores, or for a complete listing of Grand Opening events, visit PETCO's website at 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 generated net sales of $1.48 billion in the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003. It operates more than 640 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 $13 million since inception in 1999. More than 1,600 non- profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.