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The PETCO Foundation awarded a $30,000 grant to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) which will be utilized to fund a portion the Graduating Class of 2004. Each year, the Foundation trains approximately 24 dogs to be part of advanced certified canine search teams throughout the United States.

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"The PETCO Foundation makes a real difference in our ability to provide highly trained canine search teams to a nation that is in desperate need of this resource," says Wilma Melville, SDF Founder and Executive Director, "The Search Dog Foundation values its partnership with the PETCO Foundation and the trust they place in us."

The PETCO Foundation applauds the work of the Search Dog Foundation, demonstrated through their continued financial support for these noble animals. In the wake of the September 11 tragedies, PETCO Foundation presented a $150,000 grant to the Search Dog Foundation which had trained 13 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Certified Canine Search Teams deployed to the World Trade Center site.

"This is just one more example of the valuable roles animals play in our lives," says PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly. "A primary part of our mission is to promote the human-animal bond, and these search dogs are the very embodiment of that spirit."

The Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is responsible for training 40% of the United States' and 80% of the California's FEMA Advanced Certified Canines Search Teams. These teams are called into action by the emergency services to find live victims in any natural or man-made disaster possible, from earthquakes to building collapses to train wrecks. Many of these dogs were once abandoned in shelters and now are helping to save lives -- in other words, from rescued to rescuer.

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare rescue dogs and partner them with firefighters to become the most highly trained canine search teams in the nation. The Foundation is responsible for training over 40% of all of the nation's Advanced FEMA canine search teams and 80% of California's. Website: www.SearchDogsUSA.org or call 1-888-4K9-HERO

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. PETCO operates more than 650 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 as 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; National Disaster Search Dog Foundation