Monday, November 17, 2008 PETCO Moves to Adoption-Only for Rabbits
We're very excited to announce that PETCO is expanding adoptions of rabbits in all of our stores nationwide!
As part of our commitment to saving more animal lives, we're phasing out the sale of rabbits in stores where we now sell them, and reaching out to rabbit adoption groups to join with us in finding forever homes for more rabbits in those stores and all of our stores across the country. We're looking forward to expanding our existing relationships with the many adoption groups we're already working with, and pleased to offer this important opportunity to rabbit rescue groups nationwide.
Check out the news and a video about this exciting announcement below. We're confident this is the right thing to do and we encourage all of our customers and all future pet parents to always Think Adoption First!
Marcie Whichard Vice President of Animal Care & Education PETCO Animal Supplies, San Diego
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lisa Epstein, PETCO, 858.453-7845, ext. 2558; lisae@petco.com
PETCO TO OFFER NEUTERED RABBITS FOR ADOPTION ONLY
National Retailer Invites Humane Societies, Rabbit Rescues to Adopt through its Stores
SAN DIEGO (Nov. 17, 2008) – PETCO is reaching out to animal-welfare agencies and local rescue groups in an effort to greatly increase the number of rabbits that find forever homes by offering adoptions at its stores nationwide, the company announced today.
PETCO works with rabbit groups in several areas to provide in-store rabbit adoptions, and now wants to expand that effort. In recent years, about a third of the company's nearly 950 stores have offered neutered rabbits for sale, and the company is phasing out rabbit sales in favor of adoptions.
"Moving to an all-adoption approach with rabbits is the right thing to do. We believe it's good for the animals, good for our business and is consistent with our Think Adoption First philosophy in which we encourage prospective pet parents to consider adopting an animal rather than purchasing one," PETCO CEO Jim Myers said. "Rabbits are great companion animals, and we believe PETCO can play a pivotal role in partnering with animal-welfare groups to connect responsible pet parents with happy, healthy neutered rabbits through in-store adoptions nationwide."
Marcie Whichard, PETCO vice president of animal care, education and compliance, said rabbits are the third most popular companion animals after dogs and cats. "We're thrilled with the success of our relationship with our current rabbit group partners in providing forever homes for more and more rabbits. We look forward to reaching out to expand our network of relationships with other groups across the country. By working together - local rescue groups, PETCO and the PETCO Foundation - we can do great things on behalf of homeless rabbits."
The company said it will partner with local rescue groups to:
- Provide habitat housing for adoptable rabbits in stores;
- Care for adoptable rabbits as part of the company's industry-leading animal-care procedures to feed and monitor animals housed in PETCO stores; and
- Assist with the adoption of any relinquished rabbits in need of a forever home.
PETCO Foundation Executive Director Paul Jolly expressed support for the company's shift to offer all-adoptable rabbits.
"This is a wonderful expression of our Think Adoption First philosophy. The PETCO Foundation will do our part to help build relationships with rabbit rescue groups and find forever homes for these lovable animals," Jolly said. "As rabbits become even more popular as pets, it's critical that families have access to happy, healthy, neutered rabbits - and PETCO stores provide an important channel to link these great animals with responsible pet parents. I encourage the rabbit-welfare community to help with this very important work to save rabbit lives and find them forever homes."
Facts about rabbits
- Rabbits generally live from 5 to 12 years.
- They are intelligent, social animals that can become part of the family.
- Rabbits like to be near people and make wonderful companions.
- They are playful and often form close bonds with their pet parents.
- Rabbits can be litter trained.
- They require a great deal of interaction. Daily, supervised playtime and exercise outside of their habitat is necessary.
- As with any companion animal, properly caring for a rabbit requires a pet parent's daily commitment, time and attention; PETCO recommends that an adult be the primary caretaker for rabbits.
To learn more about PETCO or the PETCO Foundation, visit PETCO.com. For the latest news on anything and everything PETCO - including a video about this news announcement, visit the company's blog at PETCOnews.com.
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About PETCO
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. The company operates more than 900 stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. The PETCO Foundation, the retailer’s nonprofit organization, has raised more than $44 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, PETCO works with and supports more than 5,500 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.
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!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 PETCO Foundation Deploys Help Where Needed in Ike's Aftermath
In the wake of Hurricane Ike, our nonprofit arm, the PETCO Foundation is working with Town Lake Animal Center, the agency coordinating the animal welfare response in the Houston area, as well as other groups in Texas, to provide food and supplies to meet the needs of companion animals affected by the storm.
We've provided crates, dog runs, food and other products to several groups, and reopening PETCO stores are also prepared with supplies to meet the recovery needs of animal welfare groups.
The current situation is markedly different from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
"Since Katrina, our team has worked closely with various animal welfare and government agencies to improve hurricane response plans along the Gulf Coast," said Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation executive director. "The great news is that the plans put in place over the last three years are working. The need for emergency animal rescue efforts is down significantly this year - and that's making a big difference in the lives of animals and their human families."
The PETCO Foundation staff works throughout the year to help our Charitable Partners prepare for emergencies and disasters. We speak to the need to be prepared for natural disasters and man made disasters like hoarding busts when attending conferences. You never know when something could happen to your shelter or when you may be called upon to take in hundreds of additional animals. We encourage our partners to safely store the resources they have received from the PETCO Foundation for future needs.
We also educate ourselves for the long haul. Susan Rosenberg, the PETCO Foundation's National Adoptions and Disaster Relief Coordinator is FEMA Certified, has completed courses and received certification from the Humane Academy and is a member of the Animal Rescue Reserve - she consistently stands ready to deploy assistance around the country wherever disasters occur.
While we truly believe that while the two recent storms were not as devastating as Hurricane Katrina, we're proud to say that our Charitable Partners were well prepared for the animals in their care as well as when they found themselves caring for additional animals.
PETCO stores in Texas that are reopened to serve customers and animal welfare groups are as follows:
Sugar Land - 3326 Highway 6, Suite D, Sugar Land; Beaumont - 4175 Dowlen Rd., Beaumont; Corpus Christi - 6418-B South Staples Street, Corpus Christi; Wilcrest - 10911, Westheimer Road, Houston; River Oaks - 2110 South Shepherd, Houston; Copperfield - 6883 Highway 6 North, Houston; Hwy 290 - 12015 Northwest Freeway, Houston; FM 1960 - 4431 FM 1960, Houston Katy - 513 South Mason Road, Katy; College Station - 1901 Texas Ave, Suite C, College Station Clearlake - 2410 Bay Area Blvd. Suite B, Houston; League City - 2895 Gulf Freeway South, League City; Rosenberg - 23710 Commercial Drive, Rosenberg; Pasadena - 3680 Spencer Highway, Pasadena; and Westheimer - 7510 Westheimer, Houston; Woodlands - 522 Sawdust Rd. Suite C1, Woodlands.
The following stores are working to reopen as soon as possible in the coming days:
Port Arthur - 8735 Memorial Blvd., Port Arthur; Spring Cypress - 22511 State Highway 249, Houston; Eldridge - 12310 FM 1960 W., Houston; Weslayan - 5450 Weslayan, Suite 12, Houston; Conroe - 1410 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe; Baytown - 4665 Garth Rd., #400, Baytown; Atascocita - 7067 FM 1960 Rd. E., Humble; Spring - 19507 I-45 North, Suite 700, Spring; Uvlade - 13341-13345 East Freeway, Houston; Deerbrook - 210 FM 1960 East Bypass, Humble; Lake Jackson - 117 W. Highway 332, Lake Jackson; and Pearland - 3265 East Broadway, Pearland.
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.
