news releases

More than 12,000 animals are now spending their time with new families instead of in shelters, thanks to PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. and the PETCO Foundation's National Pet Adoption Days held May 1-2. Through in-store adoptions and PETCO's ongoing partnership with online adoption agency Petfinder.com, thousands of shelters across the country participated in this two-day event.

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

For the seventh year, PETCO and its Foundation made a concerted two-day effort to place as many orphaned animals as possible in loving homes. Over the weekend of May 1-2, 12,511 animals found new families through this adoption drive. Dogs and cats made up the majority of animals adopted, although there were also small animals, reptiles and at least one horse.

"This was a great weekend for animals, because of our compassionate customers and adoption partners," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "This tremendous turnout, thanks in large part to the publicity help we received from our friends in the media, demonstrates a raised awareness about the number of wonderful pets that are sitting in shelters waiting to find their forever homes."

"More and more people are realizing adoption is the best option when looking for a new four-legged family member," said Petfinder.com President Betsy Saul. "We hope events such as this will help people realize that there are opportunities to adopt new companions every day of the year."

The American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that there are eight to 12 million pets relinquished to shelters and rescue groups each year. PETCO, the PETCO Foundation and Petfinder.com offer a second chance for those orphaned companion animals.

People interested in adopting a companion animal can visit their neighborhood PETCO store for information on upcoming in-store adoption events, or contact their local animal shelter. To find a store near you, log on to www.petco.com. Or, to locate adoptable animals in your area, check out www.petfinder.com. PETCO offers their Adoption Gift Booklets year-round, free of charge to anyone who has adopted a pet from a shelter, that offer savings on services and supplies needed to make your new family member happy and healthy.

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food and supplies, with a commitment to quality animal care and education. PETCO operates more than 670 neighborhood stores in 44 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 $17 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,000 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.

Petfinder.com is the nation's largest and oldest online adoption community. Working with more than 7,100 animal welfare organizations across the country, Petfinder.com offers a searchable database of adoptable companion animals. Last year, Petfinder.com adoption partners found homes for more than 1.5 million animals.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.