news releases

PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. is pleased to announce that Training magazine, a professional development publication that advocates workforce training as a business tool, has recently recognized the company as one of the leading organizations in human capital development in its 2005 "Top 100" list. Excelling in the areas of employee retention, internal promotions, product output, customer service, customer loyalty, revenue, and safety and health issues, PETCO was distinguished with a crystal award, ranking in the 68th position.

The 2005 list, Training magazine's fourth-annual ranking, evaluated companies based on extensive research through a multi-tiered nomination, application, and interview process. Companies answer a detailed questionnaire providing both quantitative and qualitative data, and, if considered for the list, Training magazine's editorial staff conducts follow-up interviews for further evaluation.

PETCO joins 22 other newcomers to the prestigious list, including Microsoft Corporation, Nextel Communications Inc., and Delta Airlines. Other distinguished brands on the 2005 list include IBM, Pfizer, General Mills, Starbucks Coffee Co., and Verizon Wireless. Training magazine specially recognized PETCO's 20-hour Companion Animal Specialist certification program, which provides PETCO retail associates with animal care and customer satisfaction knowledge.

"We are honored to be included among America's best for supporting PETCO's performance improvement and learning program development efforts," says Steven Jensen, PETCO's Director of Performance and Learning. "I'm pleased that the talented people I work with have been recognized for the training programs and culture change initiatives we have implemented at PETCO."

To learn more about Training Magazine's "Top 100" list, visit www.trainingmag.com. For more information on PETCO or the PETCO Foundation, 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 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, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised 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. 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.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.