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With more than 20,000 Greyhounds euthanized each year because they are no longer needed at the racetrack, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. and the PETCO Foundation hope to raise awareness as well as funds for these beautiful and loving creatures during their Greyhound Planet Weekend.

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

September 19 through September 21, PETCO customers will be invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with all proceeds going to the PETCO Foundation. The Foundation will then distribute those monies raised to greyhound rescue groups in PETCO store communities across the country. This effort started last year in conjunction with the first Greyhound Planet Day, raising more than $54,000 for greyhound-focused organizations.

"It is a horrible tragedy that so many of these wonderful animals are destroyed every year, simply because the dog racing industry has determined they are no longer viable," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "Fortunately, there are a number of greyhound rescue groups across the country, and caring customers at PETCO, to help save these dogs and join them with caring families."

Greyhound adoptions account for almost 20% of all dog adoptions at PETCO stores, with more groups signing up to hold adoption events at PETCO stores each year. This fundraiser will help those many groups with the necessary resources they need to rescue even more of these animals from an early grave. PETCO customers who donate $5 or more will receive a brass Greyhound pin to help them celebrate this royal breed.

"Greyhounds were a favorite of the Egyptian elite, and were mentioned in the Old Testament and Homer's Odyssey," Jolly added. "These are amazing creatures capable of tremendous speed and power, yet they have such gentle, loving natures."

To locate the nearest PETCO, 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 Foundation