Volunteers Needed to Help Support Nationwide Pet Food Drive

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco and the Petco Foundation are seeking volunteers to help collect pet food for pets in need during the organizations' third annual National Pet Food Drive kicking off on Oct. 28, and running through Nov. 11. Pet lovers can register online to volunteer at any of Petco's more than 1,150 stores nationwide, including all Unleashed by Petco locations, to promote the two-week drive and help consumers learn more about the year-round Pet Food Bank program.

For the second year in a row, Petco has partnered with VolunteerMatch, the nation's largest network database of volunteer opportunities, to give pet enthusiasts around the country an easy way to volunteer in support of the pet food drive, as well as find other volunteer opportunities in their area. Best Friends Animal Society® is again showing its support of the national food drive by mobilizing its nationwide network of volunteers to register for the event and help drive awareness of the program.

"Petco and the Petco Foundation have collected and donated more than 1.5 million pounds of pet food and litter to families in need since the national food bank program began in 2010, and our volunteers are a big part of the program's success in keeping pets well-nourished and with the families who love them despite tough economic times," said Paul Jolly, the Executive Director of the Petco Foundation. "We're counting on the extra help from pet lovers across the country who are willing to volunteer to help raise awareness for this important program." 

Volunteer opportunities are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the pet food drive (Oct. 28 and Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11). To register as a food drive volunteer, visit https://petco.volunteermatch.org and select "Petco Foundation Pet Food Drive." Once registered, volunteers can pick a Petco store location and convenient time. All food drive volunteers will receive training on how to reach out to other pet lovers in support of the donations. Also as a thank you, each volunteer will receive a $5 off Petco coupon, and a chance to win a $500 Petco shopping spree for their favorite food bank provided by the Petco Foundation.

"The gift of time is an invaluable one, particularly in our hectic daily lives," said Best Friends Animal Society volunteer Kenn Agata, who donated his time during last year's food drive at a Petco store in College Park, New York. "Helping to energize people to donate food for animals who might otherwise go hungry gives me an immeasurable sense of pride."

All Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores have designated pet food bins in place for year-round collection. Each store has partnered with a local food bank or animal welfare group to donate pet food and litter directly to economically stressed pet parents in that store's community.

To learn more about the Petco Foundation and how you can make a difference, visit www.petcofoundation.org. To learn more about Petco or to find a location near you, visit www.petco.com.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,150 stores nationwide, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $100 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 8,000 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 250,000 animals through in-store adoption events every year.

SOURCE Petco Foundation