Celebrate Those Who Save Lives at Petco™'s National Adoption Reunion

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Five to seven million pets sit in shelters nationwide, yet only 20 – 30 percent of cats and dogs found in loving homes were adopted from shelters and rescues, according to the ASPCA. To celebrate those who help save lives through adoption, Petco™ will hold their second annual National Adoption Reunion on October 6-7, 2012. Petco's "Think Adoption First" philosophy has been, and continues to be, on the forefront of educating consumers on the importance of adoption, as well as helping pets find loving homes by working with over 8,000 local animal welfare groups across the country. 

Guests are invited in store to share their adoption stories and celebrate the lives they have saved. Gifts will be handed out to all pet parents who visit a store that day. In addition, every Petco store will host an adoption event, with many stores hosting mega adoption events, to help find homes for as many pets possible. Those unable to come in-store to celebrate are invited to participate in Petco's first-ever adoption contest. To enter, find a listing of an adoptable pet on Petfinder.com and then submit the photo and the listing URL to the "Petco Adoption Contest" application on the Petco Facebook page. From there, encourage friends and family to vote for this specific pet. The three entrants with the most votes when the contest ends on October 31 will receive a $100 Petco Gift Card and the shelter that has the adoptable pet will receive a $300 Petco Gift Card. Pet parents are also invited to share their personal stories of adoption, as well as upload photos of their own pet.

Petco will also match anyone interested in volunteering with local shelters in need of help through their VolunteerMatch program. Making a difference is easy, but many people do not know how to get started. With so many shelters in need of extra help, Petco decided to partner with VolunteerMatch, the country's largest network of volunteer opportunities. Those interested in helping can search local opportunities by simply entering their zip code. In addition, volunteers can log their hours and even share their stories through https://petco.volunteermatch.org/.

For more information on the National Adoption Reunion celebration please visit: http://www.petco.com/reunion.

About Petco
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.

CONTACT:
Krista Lamp
619.501.2756
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco