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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.'s ongoing effort to enhance the human-animal bond is getting a helping paw, as the company rolls out standardized Canine Education Services across the country. PETCO previously contracted the service to a third-party provider, but increased interest and demand encouraged the company to develop their own animal behavior program.

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"We feel that the business is much more than obedience training," said Stu Wolman, PETCO's Director of Pet Services. "It's about ensuring that the pet has the manners and discipline necessary to live a healthy and happy life in their family environment."

To achieve that goal, PETCO recently hired renowned dog trainer Rocky Boatman as their new National Canine Education Programs Manager. Boatman brings 30 years of training experience to PETCO, as well as a strong passion for animals.

Boatman hit the ground running, hiring regional canine education coordinators, helping to develop a standardized national program, and is placing the services in most of PETCO's 660 stores nationwide. PETCO has already hired more than 400 trainers across the country, with plans to hire an additional 300 canine educators.

"It's important that we help build that relationship between people and their pets," Boatman said. "And it will be comforting for our pet parents to know that they can walk into any PETCO store anywhere in the country and receive the same quality canine education service."

According to national pet research conducted by Nestle Purina, behavioral issues are among the top reasons people relinquish their pets to shelters, and PETCO hopes their new Canine Education services will help increase the number of pets who remain permanent family members. According to that same research, only 10% of dog owners currently have their pets trained by a professional.

Any experienced trainers interested in becoming a part of the canine education team can locate jobs and apply 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 $1.65 billion in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. It 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, PETCO's non-profit organization, 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. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond.

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of PETCO to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.