news releases

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. today announced an agreement that will advance animal welfare across the country. PETA will end its campaign against the national pet food and supply retailer and PETCO will end the sale of large birds in its stores. Under terms of the agreement:

   *  PETCO will end the sale of large birds in the company's stores.  Upon
      completion of the sale of the limited number currently in stock and
      those previously purchased from suppliers, PETCO will no longer offer
      large birds.  The company will continue to work with its shelter
      partners to help those groups adopt not only dogs and cats, but to
      adopt homeless birds of all sizes as part of PETCO's established
      "Think Adoption First" program.  Think Adoption First encourages
      anyone who is considering adding a companion animal to his or her
      family to consider adoption first before making a purchase.  PETA
      intends to assist PETCO in enlisting accredited bird rescue groups to
      work with the company in its in-store adoption program.  PETCO will
      also recommend and promote flight cages for all birds.  The company
      recognizes that birds -- like all animals --need exercise, and mental
      and psychological stimulation to be healthy and happy.

   *  PETA will end its boycott of PETCO and its protests at the company's
      stores.  In agreeing to end its campaign against PETCO, PETA will take
      down its "PETCOCruelty" website, remove all references to "PETNO" on
      all sites affiliated with the organization, and withdraw its support
      of the use of the "PETNO" logo by other groups.

"We believe that all birds should have the freedom to fly and be with others of their own kind, but large birds are exceptionally hard hit by captivity, and we commend PETCO for deciding to help discourage their lifetime confinement," said Ingrid Newkirk, PETA's President. "We hope other responsible retailers follow PETCO's lead in this regard."

"We welcome the opportunity to work with PETA as we announce ending the sale of large birds as one of several progressive steps we are taking in our industry-leading efforts," said Bruce C. Hall, PETCO President and Chief Operating Officer and President of the non-profit PETCO Foundation. "We recognize that most of our bird customers are what we would call 'beginning hobbyists'. Large birds are not necessarily appropriate for these individuals due to their long lifespan, size and care requirements."

About PETA

PETA, with more than 800,000 members, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. Founded in 1980, PETA is dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: On factory farms, in laboratories, in the fur trade, and in the entertainment industry. It also works on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other "pests" and the abuse of backyard dogs. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns. For more information on PETA, visit www.peta.org.

About PETCO

PETCO , established in 1965, is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services. PETCO's vision is to best promote, through its people, the highest level of well being for companion animals, and to support the human-animal bond. PETCO generated net sales of more than $1.8 billion in fiscal 2004. It operates over 730 stores in 47 states and the District of Columbia, and is a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at www.petco.com. Since its inception in 1999, the PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $22 million in support of more than 2,600 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations around the nation.

SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.