news releases

Spring sees an influx of homeless companion animals at our nation's animal shelters.

In fact, according to Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People magazine, over eight million animals will flood animal shelters this year and 50 percent, roughly four million, will come during May, June, July and August as a result of thousands of litters born in the spring.

That is one reason the PETCO Foundation's annual "Spring A Pet" fundraiser provides funding to support animal welfare organizations and their efforts to spay, neuter and find homes for thousands of these animals each year. Helping those groups find homes is PETCO's National Pet Adoption Days.

This year's national campaign, now underway, is expected to raise $2.2 million for animal welfare organizations in PETCO communities across the country. Through Sunday, April 16, customers will have the opportunity to purchase special "Spring A Pet" donation cards in denominations of $1, $5, $10 and $20, or round-up their purchase. Donors of $20 or more will receive a "Making a Difference" picture frame while supplies last. Donations can also be made online at www.PETCO.com.

"With 'Spring A Pet,' we are trying to assist orphaned animals and find lifelong, loving homes by supporting the heroic animal welfare rescues that make it their mission to save their lives," said Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director.

Last year's campaign raised over $1.8 million to benefit grassroots animal welfare groups, like Whisker City, a division of Blue Sky Charities in Seattle. "The funding we receive supports spaying, neutering, and veterinary care to prepare our cats for adoption," said April Brown, Whisker City Founder and Volunteer Director. "Past funding has also supported our Whiskers on Wheels mobile adoption center that drives to local PETCO stores and showcases the pets we have available in our shelters," said Brown.

In conjunction with "Spring A Pet," all PETCO stores around the nation are expected to participate in "National Pet Adoption Days," April 8 and 9. "We're pleased to offer our customers and all pet loving people an opportunity to help their local animal welfare adoption groups by making donations or adopting a new companion animal into their family," said Paul Jolly.

PETCO encourages customers to consider adoption before the purchase of any companion animal -- even if it's one of the birds, reptiles, or small animals currently offered in PETCO stores. For more information on "Spring A Pet" and the PETCO Foundation or to locate a store near you, 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 790 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 $28 million since its inception in 1999. More than 3,500 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; PETCO Foundation