PETCO Finds Forever Homes for Adoptable Pets Through its Commitment to Monthly National Adoption Weekends

SAN DIEGO, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- PETCO has increased the number of successful adoptions through its stores by more than 30% this year through its commitment to hosting monthly national adoption weekends and strategically partnering with pet food vendors, like Purina, to build awareness of the need to find forever homes for the more than 3 million adoptable pets in the United States. More than 1,000 PETCO stores nationwide will encourage families to Think Adoption First during National Pet Adoption Weekend May 22-23 when they partner with Purina Pro Plan and Rally to Rescue, a program supported by Purina to help rescue organizations give pets the nutrition and care they need and deserve.  

Purina ProPlan has teamed PETCO stores with Rally to Rescue Rally to Rescue Ambassadors - organizations that meet program requirements and are selected by Pro Plan to receive a range of financial, promotional and event support – to host meet and greet events with adoptable pets and potential pet parents in all PETCO stores the third weekend in May. Since 2005, Rally to Rescue has helped more than 250,000 animals through their fundraising and adoptions. The funds raised go to smaller shelters that are often overlooked by potential donors due to their limited fundraising and marketing capabilities.  Similarly, the PETCO Foundation has worked with and supported more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.  

"We are proud to be supporting this fantastic rescue organization in partnership with ProPlan," said Jim Myers, CEO of PETCO.  "With the support of some of the Rally to Rescue ambassadors, we hope to make this the largest Adoption Weekend yet," Myers said.  In addition to sponsoring the event, ProPlan is offering a free small bag of dog or cat food to anyone who adopts a pet during that weekend.

Every PETCO customer who adopts an animal through one of PETCO's sponsored animal adoption events or its charitable partners are invited to join PETCO's Think Adoption First program.  When proof of a pet adoption is brought into a store and a P.A.L.S. loyalty program membership is activated, customers will receive a free brochure that features exclusive savings on food and supplies. In addition, new pet parents will receive a year-long series of educational e-mails regarding the health and well-being of their new pet, as well as special offers of up to 25 percent in savings each month.

For more information on PETCO's National Adoption Weekends, visit petco.com/thinkadoptionfirst. For more information on Rally to Rescue, visit rallytorescue.org

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. We operate more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $55 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.  

About Rally to Rescue

Rally to Rescue® recognizes the importance of the work pet rescuers do to help protect homeless pets, and we are committed to doing our part to help in this mission. Rally to Rescue® helps rescue organizations across the country give rescued pets the nutrition and care they need and the loving homes they deserve. Rally to Rescue® focuses on the support of smaller pet rescue organizations that may often be overlooked by potential donors and adopters due to their more limited fundraising and marketing capabilities. But our nationwide efforts to raise awareness for pet rescue causes will have a positive impact on rescue organizations, big and small. Since the inception of Rally to Rescue® in 2005, more than 227,000 pets have found loving, forever homes. But there is still more work to do! Rally to Rescue® encourages everyone to help our Ambassadors across the country reach our grand total goal of 300,000 adoptions by the end of 2010.

SOURCE PETCO