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The PETCO Foundation's annual Spring A Pet fundraiser, which ended April 16, exceeded $1.7 million in donations to aid more than 1,000 animal welfare organizations nationwide. With the conclusion of this campaign, the PETCO Foundation has raised approximately $30 million since inception in 1999.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO )

"PETCO and the PETCO Foundation are extremely supportive in our mission to find homes for hundreds of homeless animals through their wonderful fundraisers like Spring A Pet," said Jo Porter, Co-Founder, For The Love of Animals Dog and Cat Rescue in Monrovia, Calif.

Throughout the four-week fundraiser, customers visiting one of PETCO's more than 790 stores could purchase "Spring A Pet" donation cards in denominations of $1, $5, $10 and $20, or round-up their purchase. Donors of $20 or more received a "Making a Difference" picture frame.

"With the generous donations made by PETCO customers we are able to provide adequate cages, safety gates, and heating and cooling systems to make the animal's lives as enjoyable as possible while they are waiting to find new homes," said Porter.

In conjunction with "Spring A Pet," PETCO stores around the nation participated in "National Pet Adoption Days," April 8 and 9. Over the two-day period, PETCO stores and PETCO's online adoption partner, Petfinder.com, found homes for approximately 7,500 homeless animals.

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 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 approximately $30 million. 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