news releases

Since last January, nearly 30 canines in a variety of areas of service throughout the United States have received much-needed medical care thanks to a partnership between the PETCO Foundation and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

In January 2004, the PETCO Foundation and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) partnered to create the Public Service Canine Healthcare Fund

-- a grant-making program to support the health care needs of current and retired certified search, arson, detection (includes search and rescue, water, wilderness, cadaver, avalanche, bomb, dugs), and patrol dogs. At the fund's one-year anniversary, the PETCO Foundation and SDF are celebrating the successes that have helped them repay the services provided by these wonderful creatures.

"The PETCO Foundation's mission is to celebrate the bond between people and animals, and nowhere is that bond more evident than the relationship between a service dog and their handler," said PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly. "The Canine Healthcare Fund is our way of giving back to these dogs who so willingly give of themselves to assist people in a variety of circumstances."

The fund is designed to assist working dogs, in service or retired, in cases where the handler is unable to meet the full cost of their medical care. All too often, these canines are in service to fire and police departments with stringent budgets. Unexpected medical costs place a particular burden upon them. The Public Service Canine Healthcare Fund provides the resources to alleviate the situation and preserve good dogs in service to the community's that need them.

Wilma Melville, Founder and Executive Director of SDF stated, "We remain appreciative of the PETCO Foundation and the visionary efforts it has taken to ensure that every canine in service is able to remain healthy and have a productive life".

About National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to rescue dogs and partner them with firefighters to become the most highly trained canine search teams in the nation. The Foundation is responsible for training over 40% of all of the Advanced FEMA canine search teams in the United States and provided 33% of the teams deployed on September 11, 2001 to the World Trade Center. Website: www.SearchDogsUSA.org or call 1-888-4K9-HERO.

ABOUT PETCO

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. PETCO operates more than 720 neighborhood stores in 47 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 has raised and distributed more than $21 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,500 non-profit

grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.

SOURCE: PETCO