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For the third year in a row, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. customers, vendors and associates have exceeded fundraising goals by giving generously to the PETCO Foundation during their recent Greyhound Planet Week, to help these beautiful creatures find homes now that their time on the track is over. And not only did they open their hearts and their wallets for this important cause, but they also exceeded last year's effort by more than 47%, surpassing the Foundation's goal of $100,000.

"We are simply overwhelmed by the continued expression of compassion by our customers, vendors and associates who are so willing to give to animal welfare causes," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "The grass-roots greyhound rescue groups that are out there saving lives every day will truly benefit from these much-needed funds, and a countless number of these beautiful creatures will lead better lives as a result."

September 13 through September 19, PETCO customers were invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with all proceeds going to the PETCO Foundation. The Foundation will distribute these monies to greyhound rescue groups in PETCO store communities across the country. This effort started two years ago in conjunction with the first Greyhound Planet Day, raising more than $54,000 in the first year and $71,291 last year for greyhound-focused organizations. This year's fundraiser brought in $105,039 for greyhound education, awareness and adoption programs.

"Not only was this outpouring of support for Greyhound rescue heartwarming, but it came on the heels of an emergency fundraiser for animals affected by the recent hurricanes," Jolly added. "Despite the fact that we raised more than $167,000 in one week for emergency relief, our customers, vendors and associates continued to give to help these wonderful dogs have a brighter future."

Greyhound adoptions account for almost 20% of all dog adoptions at PETCO stores, with more groups signing up to hold adoption events at PETCO stores each year. This fundraiser will help those many groups with the necessary resources they need to rescue even more of these animals from an early grave.

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 operates more than 690 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 organization, has raised more than $18 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,300 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, which includes raising funds for animal welfare as well as promoting "Think Adoption First" to all of their customers.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.