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Companion animals love their human companions unconditionally -- unfortunately, millions of homeless pets lose their chance to love because they have been given up for one reason or another.

The PETCO Foundation's Annual Tree of Hope Fundraiser provides much needed funding to local animal welfare organizations that provide homeless animals with a second chance to live and love.

Beginning Nov. 19th and running through Dec. 24th, PETCO customers can help make a difference by purchasing card ornaments for a $1, $5, $10 or $20 donation. Customers donating $20 or more will receive a PETCO Foundation plush gift card holder photo-frame ornament.

"There are thousands of animals across the country that will benefit from our store visitors' generosity. We're deeply grateful to be able to organize and distribute this collection effort each year on behalf of all of those animals who depend on us for their well-being," says PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director Paul Jolly.

Donations given at each store remain in the local community. Each PETCO store selects an animal welfare group that celebrates the human-animal bond, and then collects donations on that organization's behalf.

In addition, for the first three days of the fundraiser PETCO.com customers can receive 10 percent off their online purchase with a donation of $5 or more.

For more information on Tree of Hope 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 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.

SOURCE: PETCO Foundation