news releases

Each year, tens of thousands of Greyhounds are euthanized after they are no longer needed at the track. In an effort to raise awareness for the plight of retired racers across the country and provide support for Greyhound rescue organizations, PETCO and the PETCO Foundation will host their Fifth Annual Greyhound Planet Week fundraiser from Sept. 17 to Sept. 24.

During the weeklong campaign, PETCO will ask customers, vendors and associates to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the proceeds being distributed to the PETCO Foundation's more than 500 Greyhound rescue organizations in the communities PETCO shares. Donors rounding up to more than $5 dollars will receive a Greyhound Planet bookmark.

"It is truly tragic that so many of these loving, beautiful animals are euthanized each year," said PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director Paul Jolly. "During Greyhound Planet Week we hope to educate the community about these friendly, social dogs that make wonderful pets."

Greyhound adoptions account for nearly 20 percent of all dog adoptions in PETCO stores. This fundraiser will help Greyhound rescue organizations continue to save the lives of these retired runners and place them in loving homes.

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 Greyhound Planet Week 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 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.

The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $31 million since its inception in 1999. More than 3,800 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