Help Spread The Love And Give A Shelter Pet A Forever Home During Petco's National Adoption Weekend

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's important to focus on those in need of love and care, especially shelter animals. And what better way to spread the love this February than saving the life of a homeless dog, cat or other animal? According to the ASPCA, approximately 5 to 7 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 to 4 million are euthanized. To prevent this from happening and to help place shelter pets in homes, Petco is putting the spotlight on adoption during their National Adoption Weekend taking place February 9-10, 2013.

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Adopting a pet is not only life-changing for the animal, but also for the new pet owner. The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship between people and their pets and can be an essential part of the health and well being of both. The affection of a pet can help ease the tension of a bad day at the office or simply put a smile on a pet parent's face after a stressful week. A simple lick or purr are signs of affection, but here are a few other unique ways pets can show love:

• Dogs may lean and push into their owner(s). It may be awkward, but this is a way a dog is showing affection and asking for attention in return, whether it's for playtime or just some good old fashion snuggling.
• Cats will purr and/or do a kneading motion with their paws to show affection. Cats can also seek out items that smell most like their beloved owner(s) and will find rubbing against that area calming.
• Many dogs will rest their head on their owner's lap because they feel safe and happy doing so. In most cases, they want to feel their owner's presence and want to remain close by.
• Cats may push their rear ends towards their owner or someone they love. By doing this, the feline is offering an invitation to sniff, but the best way to reciprocate is to scratch the base of the kitty's tail instead.

For those ready to welcome a new pet into their home, Petco and Unleashed by Petco locations nationwide will be hosting adoption events the weekend of February 9-10, 2013. And, to help get new pet parent's off on the right paw, Hill's Science Diet® will be sponsoring Petco's National Adoption Weekend and plans to give all adopting pet parents a coupon for a free 5 lb. or smaller bag of any Hill's Science Diet® dry product. Pet adoption times may vary, so it's recommended to contact the nearest location for adoption hours.

For more information, visit petco.com/adoptions.

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 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, 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 350,000 animals through in-store adoption events every year.

Contact:
Allie Maltese
619-501-2756
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco