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SAN DIEGO, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco today released a new "Celebrating Adoption" video featuring professional football player Ronnie Stanley. The latest video from the series further affirms Petco's commitment to support pet adoption efforts and encourages anyone looking to add a pet to their family to consider opening their hearts to one of the approximately 6.5 million pets in animal shelters nationwide each year.  

At 6'6" and 320 pounds, NFL offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley's presence is felt each time he enters a room. But when Stanley requested a local Baltimore shelter introduce him to what he referred to as a "not-so-adoptable" dog, it was Lola whose presence could not be ignored.

"Just like I got drafted by the team that needed me most, I wanted Lola to have that same feeling of being wanted," said Stanley, who is now the proud pet parent of two adopted dogs from the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). "She just wanted to be around people and to feel loved, and to this day she still loves to cuddle just as much as that first night I brought her home."

The number six overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Stanley is the latest personality to partner with Petco in support of their "Think Adoption First" philosophy, further driving awareness of pet adoption efforts and inspiring pet parents to consider welcoming a pet in need into their home.

"Being able to witness the unconditional love between an accomplished athlete at the top of his game and an older dog in the sunset of her life is heartwarming," said David Hallisey, Petco vice president, corporate communications. "By sharing Ronnie and Lola's adoption story, we hope to encourage prospective pet parents to seriously consider adoption, whether it's at one of our in-store adoption events or at one of the many shelters we support across the country."

Pet families interested in bringing a new pet into their home are encouraged to take advantage of Petco's upcoming nationwide adoption weekend September 9-10. To date, the Petco Foundation has invested more than $185 million to help more than 400,000 pets find homes annually and improve the welfare of animals.

To view more videos from the Celebrating Adoption series, featuring notable pet parents including actress Jamie Chung, visit Petco's Think Adoption First YouTube page. New pet parents are also encouraged to check out Petco's Welcome to the Family program, the perfect pet parent starter guide.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation
With more than 50 years of service to pet parents, Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,500 Petco and Unleashed by Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico; prescription services and pet supplies from the leading veterinary-operated pet product supplier, Drs. Foster & Smith; digitally-delivered pet health advice through PetCoach; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has invested more than $185 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 400,000 animals every year.

SOURCE Petco