news releases

The Fifth Annual Greyhound Planet Week fundraiser hosted by PETCO and the PETCO Foundation ended this week raising nearly $235,000 for Greyhound rescue organizations nationwide, nearly doubling last year's campaign.

"Not only did the generosity of PETCO customers, vendors and associates exceed our fundraising expectations, it also expresses just how much the PETCO family cares about companion animals, especially Greyhounds," said PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director Paul Jolly. "The rescue groups who are saving lives every day will truly benefit from these much-needed funds, improving the quality of live for thousands of adoptable Greyhounds," Jolly added.

During the weeklong campaign, which began on Sept.17, PETCO's more than 800 stores nationwide asked their 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.

"We are extremely grateful to PETCO and the PETCO Foundation for sponsoring Greyhound Planet Week," said Louise Coleman, Director of Greyhound Friends, Inc. and President of The American-European Greyhound Alliance. "The proceeds that we receive help us with our biggest and most important expense -- veterinary bills. The donations help repair broken bones, perform spay/neuter surgeries, and administer up-to-date vaccinations, all of which prepare hundreds of Greyhounds for adoption."

Greyhound adoptions account for nearly 20 percent of all dog adoptions in PETCO stores. 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.

"PETCO's sponsorship of Greyhound Planet Week allows an unequalled opportunity to advance greyhound adoption throughout the country," said Greyhound Friends for Life Adoption Coordinator Barbara Judson. "Additionally, the financial assistance generated by the event is an immense help to participating rescue organizations who are always struggling to make ends meet. Greyhound Friends for Life, which has been a participant for three years, always uses the donated funds to support special-needs greyhounds that come into our adoption program. We are very grateful for PETCO's generous support."

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 4,000 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.

Greyhound Friends Inc. of Hopkinton, Mass., is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the plight of racing greyhounds and finding loving and responsible homes for them.

The American European Greyhound Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit corporation dedicated solely to the welfare of greyhounds in the United States and abroad.

Greyhound Friends for Life is a nonprofit, all-volunteer greyhound adoption and advocacy organization, dedicated to finding loving and qualified homes for former racing greyhounds and to educating the public about the inherent cruelties within the greyhound racing industry.

SOURCE: PETCO; PETCO Foundation