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PETCO stores in Kenner and Harvey, La., have installed kiosks with wireless Internet connections to help customers locate animals lost in Hurricane Katrina.

Using the wireless connections, PETCO customers can easily access the Animal Emergency Response Network (AERN).* The AERN network, found on Petfinder.com, is an online database of animals affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Information about lost and found animals is posted on the site, which can be searched by pet parents looking for their pets. Petfinder.com is PETCO's online strategic partner.

"With wire line service unavailable or unreliable in many sections of the community, we feel it is important to provide access to an important tool that may help reunite people and their pets," said Robert Monroe, PETCO's District Manager in New Orleans. "Bringing pets and their pet-parents back together is a way to help families as they recover, rebuild and try to return to normal."

The kiosks are available free of charge at PETCO's stores at 3500 Williams Blvd. in Kenner and at 1629 Westbank Expressway in Harvey. Both stores re-opened about two weeks ago. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. The company operates more than 750 neighborhood stores in 49 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 $24 million since inception in 1999. More than 3,000 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.

   *  The AERN database is for animals affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita
      only.  If you have a pet issue not related to these disasters please
      contact your local animal control agency or humane society

SOURCE: PETCO