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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., announces the grand opening of its new Anchorage store, located at 8621 Old Seward Highway in the Diamond and Old Seward Shopping Center, Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3. The three-day event, which will signify PETCO's arrival in its 46th state, will feature pet adoptions and a variety of animal-related activities to celebrate the new store with the Anchorage community.

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

To highlight PETCO's commitment to animal welfare, the Alaska SPCA, Friends of Pets, and Anchorage Animal Care and Control will all be on-hand to find homes for loving cats and dogs. PETCO further encourages adoptions by offering new pet parents special Adoption Gift Booklets with up to $180 in discounts on PETCO products and services. To cash in on the savings, new pet parents simply bring their adoption papers to any PETCO location and stock up on supplies to give their new fluffy family member the welcome they deserve.

The grand opening will feature free professional pet photography for the first 30 customers each day, and animal lovers will have the opportunity to "Meet the Vet" and learn more about PETCO products and services like Canine Education. Kids will have a great time with clown fun and free popcorn, and of course, animals are always welcome at PETCO! Pets and their parents can pick out treats together during T.G.I.F. Yappy Hour, and the store will be hosting a welcome "round-up" fundraiser -- in which customers will be encouraged to round up their purchases to the next highest dollar -- to benefit the animal welfare groups at the celebration.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Anchorage community," says Store General Manager Randall Moody. "We hope everyone will come out to see the store and celebrate animal welfare with us at the grand opening."

The 26,400 square-foot store follows the new Pisces layout, which features a circular race-track aisle and clearly-identified departments to make shopping at PETCO even more convenient and enjoyable. An extensive assortment of live fish and a variety of other animals will greet customers in the store, and grooming salon and day spa services will also be available to PETCO customers and their pets. The store will also include a "Think Adoption First" Resource Center to encourage PETCO customers to consider adoption before the purchase of any companion animal -- even if it's one of the birds, reptiles, or small animals currently offered in PETCO stores.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. To find the Anchorage store, or any other PETCO location, visit 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 operates 700 neighborhood stores in 46 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.

  Grand Opening Events: Days and Times

                       Friday, 10/1/04  Saturday, 10/2/04   Sunday, 10/3/04
  Pet Adoptions        Noon-4 p.m.      Noon-4 p.m.         Noon-4 p.m.
  Clown Fun                             Noon-4 p.m.         Noon-4 p.m.
  Professional
   Pet Photography     9 a.m.-5 p.m.    9 a.m.-5 p.m.       10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Canine Education
   Information         9 a.m.-5 p.m.    9 a.m.-5 p.m.       10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Meet the Vet                          Noon-5 p.m.         Noon-5 p.m.
  Welcome Round-up
   Fundraiser          All day          All day             All day

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.