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In a year that has brought a seemingly unending string of natural disasters -- earthquakes, landslides, floods and the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record -- it is easy to overlook the important but not as visible local needs in communities across the country. Now, during the holiday season, PETCO and the PETCO Foundation announce their largest fundraiser of the year, the "Tree of Hope" campaign -- specifically designed to help animals in communities throughout the United States.

Through Tree of Hope, which runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 24, PETCO store visitors can buy card ornaments for $1, $5, $10 or $20. Customers can also purchase red or blue Making a Difference wristbands and a 2006 PETCO Foundation calendar loaded with coupons -- with all funds going toward the Tree of Hope. Anyone donating $20 or more will receive a PETCO Foundation hand-painted, globe ornament.

"We offer several options for people to support their local animal welfare groups," says Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director. "With donations already spread thin this year because of so many natural disasters, people may feel that their support is but a trickle in a never-ending sea of need. But we have seen it before -- small donations often add up to big numbers -- and we urge people to give whatever they can."

Last year, Tree of Hope raised $2.4 million that was channeled to more than 700 animal-welfare organizations; this year The PETCO Foundation hopes to raise $2.7 million.

Donations given at each store remain in the local community. Each PETCO store selects an animal welfare group that celebrates the human-animal bond, and then collects donations on that organization's behalf. Signs in each store identify the animal welfare group that will receive Tree of Hope donations.

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 760 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 $25 million since inception in 1999. More than 3,000 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation receive Foundation support. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals and celebrating the human-animal bond.

SOURCE: PETCO