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Overpopulation due to unwanted litters sends millions of animals to animal shelters each year. PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. and the PETCO Foundation hope to help break the vicious cycle of pet overpopulation with their upcoming annual Round-Up/Spay Today fundraiser.

During Round-Up/Spay Today 2005, which runs from July 24 through August 14, PETCO customers will be encouraged to "round-up" their purchases to the next highest dollar. Each of PETCO's more than 740 stores will select one or more spay/neuter-focused charitable partners for this fundraiser, who will be the recipient(s) of the individual store's fundraising efforts.

In addition, 10% of all funds raised will be donated to the Petfinder.com Foundation to assist their spay/neuter efforts. Petfinder.com is the nation's largest and oldest online adoption community, offering a searchable database of adoptable companion animals. Together, PETCO, Petfinder.com and participating shelters have found homes for millions of adoptable animals nationwide.

"Pets are ultimately our responsibility as pet parents," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "It is a tragedy that 4-5 million unwanted pets are euthanized each year. With the Round-Up campaign, we have an opportunity to really make a difference by raising funds for local spay and neuter groups."

Spaying and neutering dogs and cats not only prevents litters of unwanted puppies and kittens, but also provides many health benefits such as decreased risks of ovarian, mammary, and testicular cancers.

Last year's Round-Up efforts raised more than $817,000 for local animal welfare organizations across the country. To locate the nearest PETCO, visit PETCO's website at www.petco.com. General donations can also be made to the Foundation through the PETCO website.

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 740 neighborhood stores in 48 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 $23 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,700 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.