Monday, October 27, 2008 Howl-O-Ween at PETCO Attracts Thousands of Creepily Clad Pets
We had our annual Howl-O-Ween event this weekend at more than 900 stores across the country - and it was a spooky success! Our preliminary numbers show more than 16,600 pets nationwide participated in the costume contest and more than 36,300 spectators of the human variety showed up across the country for the contest and the photo spook-tacular.
I checked out the happenings at our Sports Arena store in San Diego and was immediately impressed by the turnout, not to mention the creativity and enthusiasm of everyone that showed up. My personal favorite was Buju, an 8-week-old pit bull puppy dressed as a horse. The judges' favorites were Biscuit and Mila, two Daschunds dressed in homemade Maiden Marian and Robin Hood costumes - they took home the first place prizes and bragging rights. But these are just a few of the adorable pets that made it out. I also loved Tank, an oversized Puggle dressed as a bumble bee, and Nitro, a 4-month-old German Sheppard puppy dressed as an inmate. I could go on forever!
Everyone seemed to have a great time! Check it out for yourself here:
Lisa E.
San Diego
Monday, October 20, 2008 All Creepily Clad Companions Welcome at PETCO's Annual Howl-O-Ween Photo Spook-tacular, Costume Contest
WHAT: Creepy Canines, Frightening Felines and other ghostly four-legged critters dressed in their best Halloween costumes are invited to PETCO's annual Howl-O-Ween costume contest.
WHERE: All PETCO stores nationwide. To find a location near you, visit PETCO.com.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25
1 p.m. - Photo Spook-tacular: Get a snapshot of your costumed companion and receive a framed digital photo for only $4.95 + tax. While supplies last. To find your winning pet costume, stop into your local PETCO store ahead of time or check out our line of ghoulish getups at PETCO.com.
2 p.m. - Pet Costume Contest: Registration begins at 1 p.m. Contestants will be judged on creativity, attention to detail, and how well the costume fits the pet's personality. Prizes will be awarded.
Can't make it to the store or want an extra chance to win? Enter the online Halloween Photo Contest for dogs, cats and small animals sponsored by Zootoo and Natural Balance, ending Oct. 31. To find out more, visit PETCO.com.
WHY: To strengthen the human-animal bond and bring together members of the community.
Furry Halloween Facts
Last year, more than 14,700 people participated in PETCO's Howl-O-Ween event.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend an average of $24.17 on Halloween costumes this year (including costumes for adults, children, and pets).
*Media are invited to attend this event, film b-roll, take photographs and conduct interviews as requested.
Media Contact: Kalen Smith kalensm@petco.com Tel: (858) 453-7845 Ext. 7733
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Hammies Roll with PETCO's Hamster Ball Derby
More than 12,000 tiny competitors rolled down critter-size tracks at PETCO's National Hamster Ball Derby, held in more than 900 PETCO stores on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Using hamster balls as their racing vehicles, the furry racers competed for the title of their community's fastest. Nearly 34,000 family members and hamster fans joined in and cheered on their favorite competitors.
PETCO holds the annual event to celebrate the human-animal bond and to create an opportunity for hamster-loving families to come together for an afternoon of fun and light exercise.
See you all next year!
Monday, October 06, 2008 Companion Animal Health Risk is Low for Most People
PETCO Works with CDC in Providing Safe Handling Info
News media across the country filed stories Monday about a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics stating that "nontraditional pets pose a health risk to young children and people with immune deficiencies, and ownership and exposure should be discouraged in these populations." The academy's news release called on pediatricians and veterinarians to raise awareness of health risks and precautions to prevent injury and illness related to companion animals.
The story made a big splash among newspapers, on TV and on Yahoo and Google news pages - but its old news to PETCO and government health officials. In fact, PETCO's in-store signs and companion animal care sheets already carry language explaining safe-handling responsibilities to prospective pet parents.
"Basically, we agree with the statements in the pediatrics academy's news release, but we should educate the public about how to handle their pets properly to avoid disease transmission rather than discourage people from owning pets," said Dr. Tom Edling, PETCO Director of Veterinary Medicine. "All of these diseases are already out there. Because they are everywhere, it's much better to educate the public and continue to enjoy the wonderful health benefits of pet ownership than to scare people into not experiencing pet companionship. Let's teach and educate the public about good hygiene. By doing that, everyone wins."
Here's a passage from PETCO's Safe Small Animal Handling sign: "All small animals can carry germs, which may infect humans. Simple precautions can help prevent the risk of infection. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should consider not having a small animal as a pet. Contact your physician for more information."
Additionally, the current PETCO Care Sheet entitled "Recommendations for Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Diseases in Reptiles," available on PETCO.com, reads, in part: "Persons at increased risk of infection or serious complications of salmonellosis (e.g., children less than 5 years of age, immuno-compromised persons and pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant) should avoid contact with reptiles and reptiles should be kept out of their households."
The language on our in-store safe handling signs was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the federal agency charged with guiding consumers in these matters. We maintain a close relationship with the CDC and continue to update our policies and safe care guidelines to keep them in line with the agency's current recommendations.
We believe there is nothing quite like seeing a person's face light up, be it a small child or an adult, when they interact with an animal. That's why we continue to advocate, through ongoing education of our associates and customers, the proper care and handling of small animals to avoid any health risks and still experience all the benefits of pet ownership.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 Hamster Races at PETCO Stores Nationwide this Weekend!
Our increasingly popular National Hamster Ball Derby will be taking place in more than 900 PETCO locations across the country on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. with practice rounds beginning at 1:30 p.m. Last year's race drew nearly 11,000 racing hamsters and their cheering pet parents!
Using hamster balls as their vehicles, hamsters will race down an eight-foot track in heats of four (hopefully, but not necessarily, toward the finish line).
First-place winners at each store will win their very own Hamtrac Circle Track from Super Pet, a hamster-size trophy, Disney's BOLT movie poster and bragging rights. Second-place winners will receive a finalist ribbon and 4-ounce Kaytee Hamster/Gerbil Garden Blend Stick; third-place racers will take home a finalist ribbon and PETCO brand hamster chew stick. All participants will receive a sticker reading "My pet ran in the Hamster Ball Derby."
Participants must bring their own hamsters and hamster balls to participate. Registration for the race is free. Spectators are encouraged to join in and cheer on their favorite competitors.
The Derby is open to hamsters, gerbils (where legal), mice and rats only – chinchillas, guinea pigs and other exotic animals will not be allowed to participate this year. All small animals will race in appropriate size balls that must be provided by the pet owner.
Click here for more information and to find a participating location near you!
PETCO Opens in Kona Commons, Celebrates Landmark Store in Hawaii
Forty-three years into its history, PETCO now has a store in Hawaii - and in all 50 states.
This is an exciting milestone for the entire PETCO family. Not only are we opening a store in the last of all 50 states, but we’ve been officially blessed and welcomed as the first pet specialty retail chain to open its doors to the Hawaiian community.
Community leaders, including Danny Akaka, a local cultural historian and practicing Kahu minister, welcomed PETCO and its new store, located in the Kona Commons, just north of Kailua-Kona village on the Big Island, with an official Hawaiian blessing on Monday.
The store will also host a three-day grand opening celebration beginning Oct. 3, including a Maile Lei untying ceremony, pet adoptions, special giveaways and a variety of activities to introduce the new store and its team to the Hawaiian community.
We look forward to serving the community and helping pet parents provide the best possible care for their animals with a wide assortment of great products and services!
What is PETCO News? At PETCO News, pet lovers can find anything and everything PETCO - from updates about the company to incredible acts of animal kindness from our Associates. Learn more about PETCO.
