Early 2000s

2000 - Petco goes private in leveraged buyout by Leonard Green Partners and Texas Pacific Group.

2001 - Petco.com is launched, offering online shoppers an expansive selection of products and services.

2002 - Petco again becomes publicly traded and grows to more than 600 stores in 48 states.

2004 - The San Diego Padres open play in the beautiful new Petco Park major league ballpark in downtown San Diego. With a strong commitment to elevating animal care standards across the industry, Petco introduces new store pet habitat designs and improved standards for animal suppliers. Petco is recognized for its animal care commitment and contributions to the pet industry with the APPA's first Gold Standards Award. The company also adds dog training classes to all stores.

2005 - Petco celebrates its 40-year anniversary and opens its first store in Alaska, the company's 49th state.

2006 - Petco grows to 800 stores in 49 states and more than 18,000 associates nationwide. The company is taken private again by private equity investment groups led by TPG.

2008 - The first Petco store opens in Hawaii expanding Petco's "paw print" into all 50 United States.

2009 - Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation) celebrates its tenth anniversary, surpasses $50 million donated to animal welfare partners across the U.S. Petco introduces Unleashed by Petco, a small format store with a limited, high-end assortment and friendly neighborhood feel.