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Thursday, June 28, 2007
PETCO Searches for Next Animal Star
Move over American Idol contestants this talent competition is going to the dogs - and all other feathered, furry, four-legged or fabulous pets. PETCO is searching for America's most talented pets and will host auditions in select stores Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m.  Pet parents of all animal varieties are invited to the PETCO Stars event to show off their pet's best trick or special talent. All participants will receive a free commemorative photo and frame. In addition to winning a PETCO gift card, the first place winner at each participating store will be eligible to submit a 60 second digital video to PETCO judges, who will pick the Top 12 Finalists. Then it's up to the nation to decide who is America's Most Talented Pet by voting for their favorite act on http://www.petco.com/stars Voting will begin August 8, 2007. The pet with the most votes will win a trip for two to pet-friendly Los Angeles, courtesy of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and will be featured in PETCO's advertising. Is your pet the next PETCO Star? For more information and to find a participating location near you, visit www.petco.com/stars.
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Attention Racing Fans!
The following is a press release for our latest promotion....racing fans are sure to enjoy!
3M Pet Care and PETCO Team Up to Treat Pet Lovers to a Weekend at the Races
Chance for Dog Owners and Racing Fans Alike to Meet Greg Biffle and Win a VIP Trip to Fontana, CA
Fast cars, screaming fans, tailgating and the smell of burning rubber - this is the scene three lucky winners and their guests will have a chance to experience through the Treat Yourself to the Races Sweepstakes, presented by 3M Pet Care and PETCO.
Now through July 13, racing enthusiasts across the country can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to enjoy a Labor Day weekend full of speed and excitement in Fontana, CA. Fans can enter now by visiting their nearest PETCO store or logging on to www.petco.com/3M.
Three grand prize winners will receive a free, fun-filled trip to Fontana, California, including VIP Tickets to the September 1 and 2 races, Pit Passes, and an opportunity to meet Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 car for 3M Pet Care and PETCO. Pet lovers will also have a chance to win other fun prizes such as a $100 PETCO gift card and a year's supply of 3M Pet Care Dental Treats for dogs (10 second prize winners), or a gift bag of 3M Pet Care products and a racing t-shirt (50 third prize winners).
"We are excited to be working with PETCO to offer all pet lovers this opportunity to experience a Labor Day weekend filled with speed and excitement," said Mike Horton, Business Manager of 3M Pet Care. "Greg Biffle is as passionate about animals as our customers are and we're pleased to offer them this opportunity of a lifetime."
In addition to being one of the country's top racecar drivers, Greg Biffle and his fiancee, Nicole Lunders, created The Greg Biffle Foundation, which seeks to improve the well being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motor sports industry. Since 2005, the foundation has awarded grants to humane societies and animal shelters across the country totaling more than $100,000.
While treating yourself to the races, treat your dog to cleaner teeth with a new, fun and tasty dental treat option. As the newest addition to the 3M Pet Care product line, the veterinarian-tested 3M Pet Care Dental Treats are designed with safety in mind. 3M Pet Care Dental Treats, designed for enhanced digestibility, utilize an innovative three-prong shape made with a patent-pending formula that helps reduce plaque, and freshen breath.
The 3M Pet Care Dental Treats join a line of already popular products that include Pet Wipes, heavy-duty cloths that combine deodorizing and moisturizing ingredients, and the first Liquid Bandage for pets, a spray-formula that develops a protective barrier over minor cuts, abrasions and skin irritations to promote healing. For more information about 3M Pet Care products and the Treat Yourself to the Races Sweepstakes, log onto http://www.3mpetcare.com/.
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
This Weekend's Grand Openings
So employees and customers are already raving about two of our newest stores, Fleming Island, Fla. and Mooresville, N.C., and they haven't even had their grand opening yet. Grand opening festivities begin tomorrow and run through the weekend. Here is a run down of the fun events:
On Friday, frisky felines can accompany their family to a cat poetry contest and enter the feline photo contest. The first 50 P.A.L.S. members to enter will also receive a free PETCO coffee mug.
On Saturday, the first 250 customers to the store will receive a free bag of premium dog, cat or wild bird food. What a deal! At 2 p.m. kids will have a "ball" during PETCO's famous hamster races (even if you don't have a hamster I would advise checking it out - it is pretty entertaining).
Sunday, dogs can go wild with a day full of contests such as Biggest Dog, Biggest Bark, Longest Tail, and Best Dressed. A free PETCO tote bag will also be given to the first 50 P.A.L.S. members to attend the event.
My favorite part about a grand opening is seeing all of the pets and their family members have such a great time and of course, the adorable animals looking for new homes. We are so proud to have our adoption partners join us at each event, and it tickles me to know that some animals in need will soon have a new family.
-Ryan
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Protect your Pet during the Dog Days of Summer
Today marks the official beginning of summer. With the hottest days yet to come and the travel season in its peak it is important to protect our four-legged loved ones. I have provided some tips to ensure your pets have a happy, safe summer:
Make thoughtful travel decisions. Whether you intend to take your pet along for the ride or not special plans must be made to accommodate their needs. The first decision to be made is if pets should accompany their companion owners at all. Be particularly sensitive to the age and health of your pets and have your veterinarian examine them. If the doctor says the pet should stay home, then make arrangements to board the animal or have a responsible person care for it. If you decide to take your pet, be sure to obtain a health certificate dated no more than 10 days from your departure date and make sure your pet's shots are all current. Be sure to keep these documents close at hand whenever traveling.
Pay special attention to pets traveling by car. Even when traveling short distances, it is a good idea to keep your pet in a travel kennel. Loose animals in a moving vehicle can be dangerously distracting to the driver. It is also safer for the pet to be in a kennel in the event of an accident. Never leave animals unattended in a car. Even on mild days, the interior of a car will reach over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. Pets can suffer brain damage or even die within 30 minutes. Avoid this situation by taking your pet with you when you leave the car. If this is not possible, then have someone wait in the car with the pet.
Do not overfeed your pet, especially when traveling. To avoid nausea and more serious digestive disorders, pets should be fed a small meal 6 hours before beginning a trip. This meal should satisfy your pet for the duration of short trips. On longer trips, feed pets a normal-sized meal of their usual food when you stop for the night. Stick to a one-meal-a-day feeding schedule while in transit.
Keep pets well groomed. Brush your pet often to remove all excess hair from their coats. Not only is matted hair irritating for your pet, but it also retains heat. If you are a dog owner, you may consider clipping your pet's coat. This practice is not generally recommended because an animal's coat helps protect against sunburn. Clipping should only be considered for thickly coated breeds such as Malamutes. Consult your veterinarian or a knowledgeable groomer for advice on whether or not to clip your dog.
Keep animals cool. Most animals don't have as efficient an internal cooling system as humans do. So, pets should have shaded areas to rest and should not be left outside for long periods of time in extremely hot conditions. A key point to consider: If the heat and humidity makes life uncomfortable for you, it will be even more uncomfortable for your pets, perhaps even dangerously so.
-Marta
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Hooked for Good
Here is another "happy tail" for all you pet lovers...
Two large fishhooks protruded from the dog's eyelid and lip when his owner brought him into the Bay City Animal Shelter/Animal Hospital in Bay City, Texas. The man said he would be back to pick the dog up. The vet removed the hooks, but the man never returned.
The dog was eventually listed on petfinder.com. Megan and her boyfriend had been thinking about adopting a dog for some time. They had even visited dogs at other shelters, but none of them seemed quite right - nothing clicked. Then one day, Megan came across a picture of the sweetest face she had ever seen. It was the dog listed by Bay City Animal Shelter as "Fishhook." When she read his bio and learned about his past she was stunned that this dog could still look so sweet and happy.  Megan wanted to make up for his unfortunate experience, so she immediately emailed the shelter and told them she was interested in adopting him. When she and her boyfriend went to meet Fishhook, he was all they had hoped for. They quickly adopted him and renamed him Gus. She says, "It has been pure bliss ever since." Megan -- Thank you for saving Gus! -Petfinder.com Staff
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Friday, June 15, 2007
A Celebration of Fathers
Millions of fathers will be honored this Father's Day weekend, and while searching for animal news I found out that there are some incredible, lesser-known fathers in the animal kingdom. As a complete animal lover (which I hope anyone reading this is too), I think we should celebrate these very special animal dads:
The male seahorse may be one of the most well-known animal fathers. Did you know that the male seahorse actually carries baby sea horses in his pouch, keeping them safe and providing them oxygen until they are ready to be introduced to the sea?
Another famous animal father is the emperor penguin, of course made very popular by the documentary film, March of the Penguins. In case you haven't seen the movie, the male penguin actually incubates the eggs for more than two months, in the freezing cold, loosing half their body weight. Now there's a power dad!
Now here's one you may have never heard of - the marsupial hip-pocket frog. It is actually from Australia and is the only male frog that holds tadpoles in its pouch while they develop until they emerge as baby frogs.
Okay, so this one really blew my mind. The South American Marmoset, a tiny primate, actually carries, feeds, and cleans his young and get this - he may even help the mother give birth. Way to go dad!
If you didn't know, now you know that there are also some amazing fathers in the animal world. Have a great weekend!
Rachel M.
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Thursday, June 14, 2007
Time to Rethink Fish Thinking
It has been a very commonly held misconception that fish are little more than swimming vegetables that cannot feel pain or interact with their environment and unfortunately, some people still make these claims. At PETCO, we are passionate about animals and it is important for people understand what makes aquatic life special and why we must give them the same excellent care and thoughtfulness as we do our other pets. Did you know fish have the reasoning capacity of a toddler? Recent research from Stanford University suggests fish have the reasoning capacity of a 4-, 5-year-old child when it comes to figuring out who among their peers is "top dog." Dr. Culum Brown of Fish and Fisheries, a leading fish and fisheries reviews journal, writes, "Although it may seem extraordinary to those comfortably used to pre-judging animal intelligence on the basis of brain volume, in some cognitive domains, fishes can even be favorably compared to non-human primates." Dr. Theresa Burt de Perera, an ethologist at Keble College Oxford who studies fish behavior says, "The public perception of them (fish) is...that they can't remember things for more than a few seconds. We're now finding that they are very capable of learning and remembering, and posses a range of cognitive skills that would surprise many people." Think of all those times you felt certain your fish recognized you and of how fish come to rely on your daily routine of feeding them. It isn't just in your mind; our fish do remember you and your routine. This information is provided to help everyone understand that simply because fish live in an environment that is very foreign to us, doesn't mean that they don't share the same attributes as other vertebrates such as high intelligence, social skills, family groups and the ability to feel pain. On the contrary, they are highly developed animals that deserve our utmost respect. Devon Animal Care
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Just a Rescue Cat
They are just a group of cats - a group that has been dumped in the shelter, booted out the door, sometimes beaten, yelled at and cursed, left to fend on their own. They have learned that humans are neither kind nor fair.
They are the cats that have been flea bitten and worm ridden and they are the ones who have been hit by cars and left to die. They have been told they were too loud, too messy. They have been chased by dogs, had their tails pulled and been bullied by other cats. Some of them have never known a litter box, let alone a clean one.
They look at you with big round eyes full of fear, terror, and occasionally hatred, and yes, deep down, still even a little hope.
They are rescue cats.
So, why would anyone possibly want one of them? I say the reasons are endless.
They need you. They deserve to be loved, have a second chance and learn how to trust again. They have been at the mercy of their surroundings and it is now up to you to care for them. As humans, we owe it to them. We should be setting examples for the next generation. An adopted cat can be part of your family to share in your joys, your sorrows, your misfortunes and your luck. They are there when you need someone to talk to and comfort you.
They lick your tears away, pat your face and snuggle under your chin. They like you for you, and they ask so little from you in return. A pat, a scratch, a toss of a ball, a kind word - they repay you with loyalty, adoration and faithful friendship.
You may have to earn it, and they may be so damaged by their previous experiences that they'll never be the "perfect" cat, but the appreciation that emanates from their eyes and the love that they share is a gift that cannot be bought. They have seen rough times, but if they are willing to give you a second chance, you should be willing to give them one.
PETCO and the PETCO Foundation applaud all adoption groups for their heroic efforts and accomplishments each and every day.
June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month. Please show your support by promoting the adoption option to your family and friends. Every rescue cat deserves a second chance.
Thank you for caring and making a difference.
Paul Jolly
PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A Senior Puppy
Here is a "happy tail" for all of you pet lovers...
Arlo wasn't much to look at when Becky first met him. His fur was matted, he had a terrible limp, he was several pounds underweight and his sad eyes seemed to tell of the hard life he had led. Becky had been looking for a dog for some time but hadn't felt the magic until she saw Arlo's photo on Petfinder.com.
Burlington County Animal Shelter had taken Arlo in as a stray, but it was apparent he had once had a family because he had been neutered and was fully housetrained.  Becky adopted Arlo, and after a visit to the groomer and several trips to the vet, Arlo finally revealed the lovable personality that had been hiding inside his old, beat-up body. Now, he loves going for long walks in the park, watching the squirrels and chipmunks from the living room window and going on car rides. His demeanor is so different from when Becky first saw him people often inquire how old her "puppy" is. They are shocked when Becky tells them Arlo is between 11 and 12 years old. "Many people might be hesitant about adopting an older dog, but based upon my experience with Arlo, I would definitely recommend it," she told us. Becky -- thank you for saving Arlo! -Petfinder.com Staff
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Monday, June 11, 2007
Cats on a Plane
On Friday, after attending a conference in Washington D.C., I was ready to get back home to San Diego, especially after having my flight delayed for two hours.
Finally, I was able to board the plane. I approached the row containing my window seat and just as I was about to ask the young woman and her father to kindly let me in, I looked down to discover that they had cats -- cats on the plane.
I have never seen cats on a plane before and all I could wonder was: why are these people traveling with cats and what are the next five hours going to be like?
Before I could say a word, they apologized for having them and asked if I would be okay sitting there. I said, "This must be your lucky day because I work for PETCO." They both let out a sigh of relief as a jumped over the cats which were in carriers beneath the seats. They knew right away I would be perfectly happy sitting there.
I immediately asked, "What are their names and why are you traveling across the country with your cats?" Their mommy told me that "Shivers" and "Timbers" had to find a new home because she was moving out of the country and couldn't take them. She wanted to make sure that they would be well taken care of, so she traveled with them across the country to the home of a family friend. She was absolutely heartbroken that she had to leave her babies, but felt good about their new home.
Through the next 6 hours (5 hour flight plus another delay) we talked about pets and work and the cats. Before we got off and headed our separate ways, she said I was lucky to work at PETCO where I can share my passion for animals, and while I do feel blessed, I thought to myself, no those cats are lucky to have someone who cares about them so much.
June is adopt-a-shelter cat month and there are thousands of cats waiting for new homes that weren't so fortunate. To find adoptable pets in your area click here.
Rachel M.
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Friday, June 01, 2007
Say Cheese: Foundation Gears Up to Photo Contest
The search is on for America's most picture-perfect pets during the PETCO Foundation's 2008 Calendar Pet Photo Contest, beginning June 1. The contest will name 15 winners who will be featured in the PETCO Foundation 2008 Making a Difference Calendar. This year's contest is powered by Shutterfly, Inc.The contest begins today! Visit petcofoundation.org for more info. This year's photo champions will be comprised of 12 monthly photo winners, as well as three holiday winners for Easter, Halloween and Christmas photos. All winners receive placement in the 2008 calendar, which will be sold in PETCO stores nationwide and on PETCO.com, as well as other great prizes. Good Luck!
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