Petco™ Celebrates Hero Moms During National Adoption Weekend

SAN DIEGO, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- During Petco's National Adoption Weekend, which takes place Mother's Day weekend, Petco is putting the spotlight on moms that have adopted or fostered a pet in need, and hopes to find forever homes for pets currently in shelters. For those looking to add a new addition to the family or those considering fostering, adoption events are taking place nationwide May 11-12, 2013. Guests that attend will have the opportunity to meet loving pets searching for their very own family, speak to local adoption groups about fostering, and learn how to properly care for a new pet's physical, mental, social and emotional needs.

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Whether celebrating Mother's day with a pet or not, it's important to acknowledge those hero moms that have saved an animal through adoption or fostering. Take Kerri Z. from Patterson, NJ for example. Currently in the running as a finalist for Petco's Be A Great One contest, Kerri rescued her dog, Cooper, in 2008. Cooper was abused and left at a rescue group in Woodstock, CT. He was nine years old, a senior dog with a history of abuse from his past owner. Kerri had no idea how this little white dog would change her life forever. Kerri even worked with a behaviorist to help Cooper get past his abusive history. They did everything together – played in the park, hikes in the forest, and trips to the Jersey shore. Kerry gave Cooper the life that any shelter dog would dream of.

While nursing an injured knee four years later, the vet discovered that Cooper had a cancerous tumor on his spleen. Kerri was beyond distraught, but knew she had to pay Cooper back for the years of happiness he gave her. After all, she even said "Cooper was her soul mate." Along with her closest friends and family, Kerri hosted a "Celebration of Life" party where everyone came together to honor Cooper. Sadly, only one week later, the cancer grew at a rapid rate and Kerri did all she could to make Cooper's last days as comfortable and memorable as possible. She took him to the park daily where they laid together under the sun on his favorite blanket, Kerri constantly telling him how much she loved him.

On June 29, 2012 Cooper was laid to rest and finally at peace. The pain that Kerri felt in her heart was excruciating now that she lost her best friend, but she knew that she had to do something. She heard Cooper in her heart tell her to go out and save another dog, just as she did for him. And that's exactly what Kerri did. The next day, Kerri and her fiance rescued Maddie, a puppy mill mom with a head cyst, and her son Max from the Euthanasia List in Texas. Maddie and Max now have a great life because of Cooper, and Kerri's generous and loving heart.

There are approximately 6-8 million animals currently in shelters, and Petco wants to thank those, like Kerri, that have helped decrease this number from 10-12 million over the past decade.

National Adoption Weekend events will take place at all Petco and Unleashed by Petco locations nationwide. To help take care of pet's physical needs, Blue Buffalo® will be giving all adopting pet parents $10 off any bag Blue Buffalo® dry dog or cat food. Pet adoption times may vary, so it's recommended to contact the nearest location for adoption hours.

For more information on adoption events in your area, visit www.petco.com/adoptions.

To view Kerri and Cooper's story and others like it, visit wholepets.petco.com/greatone.

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 $110 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 thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

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

SOURCE Petco