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Monday, February 19, 2007
PETCO Award Presentation
On Valentine's Day I attended the awards ceremony for the "Love Equals Writing Contest" in LA. The contest sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation attracted over 11,000 writing submissions from children ages four through 11. I presented the "PETCO Award," to two youngsters whose poems were about how much love dogs add to their life and their family. Jerry Penacoli from "Extra" was the emmcee and introduced me to present the award. Actresses Constance Marie and Masiela Lusha were on hand to provide celebrity readings of the two poems about dogs. In my introduction, I spoke about PETCO's passion for pets and how PETCO was pleased to honor the passion these children have for pets as well. I presented each child with a check for $500, plus a $100 gift certificate to PETCO. In addition, they can adopt a puppy of kitten from any PETCO store with all expenses paid, including a complete kit of new pet supplies. We also awarded a free year's supply of Natural Ultramix dog or cat food. The cash prizes and free food are courtesy of Castor and Pollux, makers of Natural Ultramix holistic dog and cat foods.
The awards ceremony honored 65 children, and featured celebrity readings of several winning submissions. Celebrities in attendance included Burt Reynolds, Donna Mills, James Cromwell, Linda Grey, JoBeth Williams, Morgan Fairchild, Esai Morales, Masiela Lusha, Jane Kazcmarek, Jerry Penacoli, and Constance Marie.
Rick R.
PETCO San Diego
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Friday, February 16, 2007
Fido and Fashion What a Great Combo
 Today we had a photo shoot for the upcoming Spring Fashion show and the dogs looked so cute in their outfits strutting down the catwalk. I think they actually enjoyed showing off what they were wearing and I know they enjoyed the treats after they were finished. 
We had Riley, Tommy, Kona and Roxy, who had her toenails painted (her mom is one of our groomers, so of course, she looked perfect).
I can't wait to see all of the adorable pets in their outfits during the actual event on March 3, although I haven't decided which store I am going to go to yet. I think some stores already have more than 30 people signed up! Wow!
Marta K
PETCO San Diego
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Thursday, February 15, 2007
What an AWESOME Week!
On Monday evening at the store, I was assisting a customer at the register, when they recognized a flyer for two chocolate Labs that had been missing for over a week. One of the customer's friends had picked up the dogs. I gave her the owners' phone number and as soon as the customer left the store I called the owners to inform them that their beloved pets had been found safe and sound, and still in the area. The owners were in tears over the phone as I gave them the news. It was awesome to know that because of PETCO's missing pets board a family was able to be reunited. We see so many papers go up and down, and so many pets remain missing; I am so happy that they were able to find theirs. I know what it feels like to loose a pet (I lost my dog as a child) and it was great to know that I was able to be a part of the reunion. Tuesday morning they were happily reunited with their owners. I called them to follow up to make sure that the pets were okay and they couldn't thank PETCO enough. They dropped off a letter to the store and this is what is said:
"Crystal thank you for going the extra mile to help us get our dogs back. You are a great person we all thank you!"
It is the most awesome feeling!!!
Crystal T.
PETCO Pomona
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Valentine's Treats Can Be Dangerous To Pets
Millions of Americans will include their pets in Valentine's celebrations and unfortunately, many Valentine's Day gifts, including chocolate, pose significant dangers to our pets. Symptoms from chocolate ingestion include: tremors, seizures, liver damage, and even death. So, make sure to keep chocolate out of Fluffy or Fido's reach.
Other potential dangers to your pet's health that are often part of the Valentine's Day celebrations include:
Many flowers and plants: when ingested by a pet, any plant or flower material may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or depression. The following plants are a few of the many that can be toxic to pets: daffodils, lilies, irises, chrysanthemums, snapdragons, tulips, and eucalyptus.
Flowers and plants are not the only dangers to beloved pets: cellophane, ribbons, balloons, and other decorations, when ingested, can cause complications or even death.
Alcoholic beverages are obviously not suited for pets.
Another potential danger is xylitol - an artificial sweetener found in gum, mints, vitamins, baked goods and beverages. It is much more rapidly absorbed in dogs than in people and may cause low blood sugar and sudden, severe liver disease. These can lead to vomiting, staggering, collapse, seizures and death in some cases.
Raisins and grapes can cause vomiting and diarrhea and even life-threatening kidney failure.
Bread dough that has yeast that ferments in the stomach and releases an alcohol (ethanol) can cause alcohol poisoning. In the warm stomach environment, it can also rise rapidly, causing extreme expansion of the stomach which can lead to serious complications.
Table scraps are frequently too spicy or too fatty for pets, causing vomiting and diarrhea and even life-threatening pancreatitis.
The best way to keep your pets safe and happy this Valentine's Day is to opt for treats, toys and other gifts made just for them. Bring them home some cookies from PETCO's treat bar or Valentine's toys, like catnip cupcakes or heart-shaped plush toys.
Have a safe, happy Valentine's Day!
Dr. Tom Edling D.V.M., MSpVM
PETCO, Director of Veterinary Medicine
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Love is in the air at PETCO!
 Last weekend more than 200 stores hosted a Valentine's Day Pet Party. I went to the PETCO on Inglewood Ave. in Redondo Beach, Calif. and the store was packed. It was so cute. There were tons of dogs, but there was a cat and even some guinea pigs! The pet parents decorated huge cookies for the pets will Kong Stuff'N (you know the stuff that goes inside the Kong toys). The dogs loved it! After the decorating there was the kissing contest, in which the cat participated. I think I had just as much fun as the customers! After the party was over I did some shopping for my puppy. I got him two new Valentine's presents, but I couldn't help it, I had to give him one right away, but I still have the other one. I will surprise him tomorrow!  Enjoy the pictures! Our next big event is PETCO's Spring Pet Fashion Show on March 3rd at 2 p.m. It is a nationwide event that is going to be so much fun. Come back for more details and pictures! Rachel M. PETCO San Diego
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Monday, February 12, 2007
Ensure a Safe Return for Your Pet
The world's first USB flash drive pet rescue collar and pet protection system is here! The PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar is now available online, exclusively at PETCO.com. This unique collar, which is available for dogs and cats, provides immediate access to emergency contacts, critical care information, and a toll-free pet rescue service. The built-in flash drive can be plugged in to any computer with a USB port to identify your pet and provide necessary care, or get your pet home safely.
The collar was featured in USA Weekend as one of the best of the latest gadgets for animal lovers. It is easy to use and convenient, and allows you to update your pet's information at any time!
This product was the winner of PetSafe's IdeaFetch pet product invention contest and was the innovation of Jonathan Warren from San Diego. The PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar was selected from more than 5,000 entries across the United States! The collar will be exclusively available in PETCO stores beginning in March.
Learn more about the PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar and PetSafe.
Get the product at PETCO.com!
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Friday, February 09, 2007
A Change for Queenie
Every Super Bowl Sunday, instead of watching the game, I volunteer at my local animal shelter. I have been doing this for several years and I am no lightweight when it comes to the raw emotions that are constantly swirling when people surrender their pets. Usually the reasons are so trivial you just want to scream, but last Sunday I just wanted to go into a room and cry. I watched a father get rid of his family pet of nine years, Queenie, while his daughter sobbed her eyes out and begged him not to do it. A son was there also, grief-stricken but quiet. It was almost too much to bear. The reason they gave me for dumping their dog was that "she tries to get out of the yard." When I asked if the family had tried working with a trainer and offered dog training classes at the nearest PETCO, he said no. The daughter pleaded with her father to sign them up. All the while, their beautiful Queenie sat quietly on a leash, not reacting to the other dogs around her. Then he added, "And she sheds." I suggested that if they brush her every day, she will shed less. The father blamed the daughter for not doing this. At that point, I had to excuse myself from the intake. I thought I had seen it all, but I was not prepared for this. When I came back, they were just leaving.
 What had she done that was so awful that it merited being torn from her home of nine years? I wish I knew. I tried to reassure her that not all people do this to their beloved companion animals. Some of us love and cherish them and will do any and every thing to keep them close. I spent Sunday night finding a rescue group to bail Queenie out. I pulled some strings and she is now with a foster that if my hunch is correct will turn into her permanent home. And if for some reason it does not, then Queenie will join my "pack." I know I can't change the whole world, but I could change the world for Queenie.
Paul Jolly
Vice President and Director, PETCO Foundation
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Thursday, February 08, 2007
Valentine's Day Pet Party -- Hooray!!
This weekend is PETCO's first Valentine's Day Pet Party. It is going to be so much fun. I get to go take pictures since I will be in LA for the weekend. The kissing contest is going to be so cute. There was a live broadcast on WGN in Chicago this morning and they did a mini kissing contest, everyone looked like they had such a good time. For more details visit PETCO.com. There are over 200 participating stores across the country!
Rachel M.
San Diego
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Monday, February 05, 2007
The Results are in! Kira is the Most Talented Pet in San Diego!
The finals were awesome!! I couldn't believe some of the stuff those animals could do! Kira the Belgian Malinois won first place. Check her our standing on that tiny, wooden post. Everyone was biting their nails watching her -- I think I broke a sweat!
Gracie was great too, she came in second. It was actually a tie and the audience determined Kira the winner. Gracie was really cute she did all kinds of Frisbee tricks, but the best one was when she stood on her owners feet! 
As for the singing cat, Joey, he came in third. Now he didn't really sing on his own, his owner helped him out, but it was really cute. I couldn't get a good picture of him singing, sorry :(
All in all it was great and everyone was happy -- participants, onlookers and the PETCO associates!
Rachel M.
PETCO San Diego
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A Happy Reunion!!!
Last Monday night on my closing shift two of our employees returned from lunch with two pit bulls they found wandering the street beside our store. Neither dog had a collar, and an owner was nowhere to be found. I had the associates secure the dogs in our grooming salon and give them some water. I placed a phone call to our local Animal Control to see if they had heard of anything and might be able to house the dogs until the owners were found.
The dogs were in wonderful condition and one of our associates graciously volunteered to take both dogs home until we could get in touch with the owner or our adoption group.
Fortunately, Tuesday morning the SPCA received a phone call from the owner frantically looking for her pets. Because of the phone calls I made, they knew that PETCO had found two dogs matching that description and the SPCA representative called us to find out if we still had them in our care. Within the hour the owners were reunited with their lost pets. Due to the caring efforts of our employees, we were able to rescue and house these two animals until they could be reunited with their owners. It was a happy day for everyone!
Carmen B.
PETCO Visalia
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An Update from Florida
I met with all of the associates of our store in Lady Lake store in The Villages on Saturday and I'm happy to report all are well and all of the companion animals and fish are doing fine too. I witnessed much empathy by our associates as they took time to listen to each customer's tale of destruction. I visited the shelter where all of the product went and got a big hug and a thank you to PETCO and the PETCO Foundation from the Director. The product arrived 11 hours after the storm hit and 20 of the pallets had already been distributed to the needy or into the local shelters by noon on Saturday. I am so glad everyone is okay.
Dan D.
PETCO Florida
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Friday, February 02, 2007
My Heart Goes Out to Florida
The news started being broadcast on the West Coast Friday morning. The pictures were just horrible. It was hard to believe that the piles and piles of rubble used to be thriving communities. Of course my heart went out to the people affected, especially those that had been killed. The fact is that when disasters affect people, the animals they love are also affected. The PETCO Foundation soon began receiving reports of how widespread the damage really was and that homeless animals were everywhere. Local shelters were leaping to the rescue to set up command posts to provide a central gathering point and processing center. PETCO associates were in contact with the groups and essentially opened the store in the area to assist in the relief effort. Our distribution center, only 1 hour away in Orlando, quickly began gathering up needed supplies donated by the PETCO Foundation and had the 40 pallets shipped into the area to be distributed to those most in need. Our motto at PETCO is, "Animals Always Come First, Our People Make It Happen," and our associates really worked hard to help aid those in need. To those in Florida, please stay safe. Thank you caring for the animals. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul Jolly
Vice President and Director, PETCO Foundation
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Thursday, February 01, 2007
Honoring Alley
Alley the boxer and her owner have been coming into our store almost every day for the past eight years, since Alley was a pup. Alley would come in and greet all of us, make her rounds and says hello to every employee, then go into our grooming salon for her daily treat. Alley passed away this past week. Toward the end, her owner would drive her over to our store because her hips began to give out, but she still insisted on coming to see us. On Tuesday her owner left this letter:
To all of the female employees of PETCO at the 25th Street Shopping Center, especially the grooming section,
For the past eight years I have been walking my beloved Alley to your store almost daily, all the women in your store were always very compassionate and friendly toward her and always made her feel really special. She loved your store, everyday around 3 p.m. she would start barking to me, sometimes being very annoying until I would take her to PETCO and after her visit she would be very fulfilled. She has always given me and anyone who had contact with her nothing but happiness. On Sunday, January 28th I came home from my business ready to take her for her daily visit to PETCO and found her dead on my living room floor. She had a great life, probably better than a lot of people and she will be sadly missed, she was my best friend. I am enclosing $100 for the women at PETCO to share equally. Please accept this as a small token of my appreciation for all your kindness to Alley.
Today we sent the money to the Boxer Angels Rescue and are donating it in honor of Alley. We arranged for her owner to receive a certificate to let him know that we donated the money. We all loved Alley and we will miss her. We have also sent a sympathy card and flowers to let him know that we are thinking of him.
Working at PETCO has been a great experience for all of us and we really do get attached to the animals that we get to know. We would just like to honor Alley in some way since she meant so much to each and every one of us.
PETCO Management Team
Easton, Penn.
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This month Clyde and I (Clyde is my 200-pound Great Dane) completed our second "Pet Safety Class" at Highland Elementary School. Clyde became a registered Canine Good Citizen back when I lived in California and he does great during the classes.
