news releases

The PETCO Foundation's annual Round Up/Spay Today fundraiser, which ended last week, exceeded $808,000 in donations to aid Spay USA and spay/neuter focused animal welfare organizations in PETCO communities nationwide. With the conclusion of this campaign, the PETCO Foundation has raised over $31 million since inception in 1999.

"To date, the PETCO Foundation has raised and donated over $5 million to spay/neuter organizations and efforts through Round Up/Spay Today fundraising," says Paul Jolly, Vice President and Director, PETCO Foundation. "Spaying and neutering dogs and cats prevents litters of unwanted puppies and kittens and provides many health benefits, such as decreased risks of ovarian, mammary, and testicular cancers."

Throughout the three-week fundraiser, customers visiting one of the company's more than 800 stores were encouraged to round up their purchase to the next highest dollar. All proceeds will benefit local spay/neuter focused animal welfare organizations in the communities PETCO shares.

"It is the passion and dedication of PETCO's customers and associates that make this campaign a success in helping to reduce the pet overpopulation problem," Jolly added.

In addition, 10 percent of all funds raised will help assist Spay USA, a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services, operating over 1,000 sterilization programs and clinics with over 7,000 veterinarians nationwide.

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 800 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.

Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, PETCO endeavors to be community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals and celebrating the human-animal bond. More than 3,800 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation receive Foundation support.

SOURCE: PETCO