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Throughout September, pet parents can visit any of PETCO's more than 1000 locations to help PETCO and Natural Balance Pet Foods achieve their goal to raise $1M for guide dog organizations across the country. Customers may contribute at the register by either rounding up their purchase amount or making a donation of $1, $5, $10 or $20. In addition, $1 of any $25 purchase or greater of bags of Natural Balance dog food featuring Nicolette Sheridan's photo will also go to funding guide dog training and support. Donations may also be made online at www.petco.com/naturalbalance through September 24.

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

"I've always loved dogs, and supporting National Guide Dog Month is a special way to celebrate the unique bond between dogs and their owners," said Nicollette Sheridan. "Together, we can help make a difference for this important cause."

"The facts around legal blindness are compelling; every seven minutes someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired, additionally recent statistics show that thirteen percent of our military return from war with eye injuries," said Elisabeth Charles, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for PETCO. "Guide dogs are given to the visually impaired for free, yet it costs over $40,000 to train a guide dog team. PETCO is very proud to support the education of guide dogs. These animals are a gift of independence for someone who cannot see."

For more than two years, a potential guide dog puppy learns, practices and trains for the day when it graduates as a certified guide dog. A puppy is raised with a trainer for 18-20 months before it is given to a guide dog school for four to six months of formal training work with a harness. For the last month, the dog is matched with a blind person and they train together at the facility.

100% of proceeds from these National Guide Dog Month fundraising activities will be donated to several participating guide dog facilities, including:

  --  Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. (Oregon)
  --  Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. (California)
  --  Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
  --  Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
  --  Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
  --  The Seeing Eye, Inc.
  --  Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
  --  Guide Dogs of the Desert
  --  Guiding Eyes for the Blind
  --  Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc.
  --  Leader Dogs for the Blind


  About PETCO

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $55 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

About Natural Balance Pet Foods:

Since 1989, Dick Van Patten and his partner Joey Herrick have been supplying the public with premium quality dog and cat foods. Today Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc has grown into an international company providing pet foods throughout the United States, Canada, The Pacific Rim and Europe. The Natural Balance ultra premium line of pet foods for dog and cats, includes: Ultra Premium Dry and Canned Dog and Cat food, Dog Food Rolls in 3 varieties: Lamb, Beef and Turkey, Treats for Dogs, Organic Dog Food, Allergy Formulas, Eatables for dogs, gourmet canned dog foods made in a USDA approved plant that makes food for people, and Zoological Formulas made for lions, tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, snakes and carnivorous birds. Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, CA and is available at PETCO and local independent pet stores. More information is available at www.naturalbalance.net.

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SOURCE: PETCO