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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. and the PETCO Foundation together with the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA today announced the signing of a partnership agreement that will provide the private, not-for-profit Humane Society with much-needed support. The million-dollar agreement directly benefits on-going Humane Society animal welfare programs and services at the San Diego Campus for Animal Care.

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

"We are grateful to our corporate partners like PETCO for their recognition of the value the San Diego Humane Society provides to the communities it serves," said Mark Goldstein, DVM, president of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. "PETCO's landmark leadership gift sets an example for other San Diego-based corporations to provide critical financial assistance to animal welfare organizations that work everyday to strengthen the human-animal bond," added Goldstein.

The agreement provides the Humane Society with $1 million in cash through direct donations and receipt of a percentage of PETCO's in-house fundraising efforts. In addition, PETCO will provide the Humane Society with invaluable marketing opportunities through its established radio advertising contracts, in-store messaging and promotional opportunities at PETCO Park.

In return, the San Diego Campus for Animal Care's main courtyard area, which features an animal-inspired fountain, motivational quotations, educational signage and a serene, healing environment, will be named PETCO Plaza. PETCO will serve as a lead sponsor at each of the Humane Society's three annual events and will receive recognition as a $1 million-plus benefactor on the Society's donor wall. The terms of the agreement will be executed over a five-year period.

"This partnership will ensure that the caring, compassionate and creative programs developed at the San Diego Humane Society will serve as a model as to how a 21st century animal welfare organization should be operated," said Bruce Hall, PETCO President and COO, and Chairman and President of the PETCO Foundation. "We are extremely proud to support the noble work of the Humane Society, and this gift further demonstrates our ongoing dedication to groups who share our animal care commitment."

PETCO and the PETCO Foundation have provided ongoing support for the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, through in-store adoptions, fundraisers and contributions and sponsorships of annual telethons.

Serving San Diego County since 1880, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA provides vital services to animals and people alike through sheltering and adopting animals, providing positive reinforcement behavior training for adoptable animals and for owned animals through public training classes, investigating animal cruelty and neglect, providing adult and youth education programs, sharing animals through pet-assisted therapy and rescuing animals in emergency situations. A private nonprofit organization that receives no public or government funding, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA is supported solely by contributions, grants, bequests, investments, proceeds from the society's antique consignment store in La Jolla (Glorious Antiques) and some fees for service.

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services, with a commitment to quality animal care and education, that operates more than 680 neighborhood stores in 45 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 $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.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.; San Diego Humane Society and SPCA