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The joy of the season will soon be seen in the faces of animals across the country, thanks to the compassion of customers, vendors and associates of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., who gave generously to the PETCO Foundation's "Tree of Hope" in-store fundraiser. This year's effort raised more than $2 million for grass-roots animal welfare organizations in PETCO store communities.

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"I am continually impressed by the generosity and concern of our customers, vendors and associates, expressed by their outstanding support of these animal welfare programs," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "By helping us exceed our goal of $2 million, they have ensured that many, many animals will have a happy new year."

The Tree of Hope fundraiser, which ran from November 16 through December 24, collected $2,050,775 for animal welfare efforts. This year's giving was up 15% over the 2002 Tree of Hope campaign, which raised $1,780,113.

Tree of Hope encouraged pet lovers to donate $1, $5, $10 or $20, and each donor received a cardstock ornament to be signed and displayed in the store or taken home as a reminder of their donation. Donations were also made online at www.petco.com .

Each PETCO store selected an animal welfare organization to be the recipient of money raised at their location. A portion of the funds will also go into a regional pool, to be used by other animal welfare groups throughout the year. The money is used for adoption programs, spay/neuter campaigns and other animal health related causes. Past funding has helped provide veterinary care for homeless and abused animals, outreach programs for handicapped and disadvantaged individuals to help them adequately care for their companion animals, and even created a veterinary subsidy fund for public assistance canines in need of medical help through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

"People continue to demonstrate that they care about all animals, not just their own pets, through their support of these animal welfare causes," Jolly said. "A lot of animals across the country will now have better lives as a result of their compassion."

To find a PETCO store near you, log on to 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, operating 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, PETCO's non-profit animal charity, has raised more than $15 million since inception in 1999. More than 1,900 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.