Second Annual National Food Drive for Family Pets Starts Sunday at Petco

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco and the Petco Foundation are calling all animal lovers to take part in the second annual National Pet Food Drive to help pet parents in need provide a healthy and plentiful holiday season for four-legged family members. The National Pet Food Drive will kick off Sunday, Oct. 30, and last through Sunday, Nov. 13.

During the two-week drive, consumers can pick up extra food or litter during their shopping trip, or bring unopened cans or bags from home, and drop it into specially marked pet food collection bins located in each of the more than 1,100 Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide. Throughout the drive, Hill's Science Diet will match, pound for pound, every bag of dog and cat food donated, up to 100,000 pounds.

"We believe no one should have to give up their pet companions due to financial distress, and our associates and customers agree," said Paul Jolly, the Executive Director of the Petco Foundation and a Petco vice president. "Last year's drive provided more than 90 tons – that's almost 200,000 pounds – of pet food for families in need; an incredible gift leading into the holiday season and such an easy way for people to help keep pets well-nourished and with the families who love them in tough economic times. We hope to double that this year, so we're asking the communities we serve to give a little extra and help us raise awareness for this important year-round program."  

"The food bank program means so much to me," said Khadejaia Alexander, a low-income pet parent who receives pet food and support from PAWS Los Angeles, a Petco Foundation Food Bank Partner. "I need to take care of myself, so it's less stress on me knowing that my dogs can eat and I can provide a nice home for them. People see a lot of human needs, but forget about animals and the help their owners may need. The food bank has been so helpful to me, it's really a blessing."

Since the National Pet Food Bank program launched in March 2010, Petco and the Petco Foundation have collected and donated nearly a million pounds of pet food and litter to families in need. Each Petco and Unleashed by Petco store has collection bins available for year-round collection; and each store partners with a local food bank or animal welfare group to ensure donations are provided directly to economically stressed pet parents in that store's community.

In addition to the opportunity to donate, Petco has also partnered with VolunteerMatch, the nation's largest network 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. And, for the second year, Best Friends Animal Society® will support the national food drive by mobilizing its nationwide network of volunteers to register for the event and help drive awareness of the program.

To register as a food drive volunteer, visit http://petco.volunteermatch.org/ and select "Petco Foundation Pet Food Drive." Volunteer opportunities are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the pet food drive (Oct. 30 and Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13). Once registered, volunteers can pick a Petco store location and volunteer time slot of their choice, and will be eligible to sign up for other volunteer opportunities in the future.

To learn more about the Petco Foundation and how you can make a difference for animals in your community and across the country, 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 1,100 stores nationwide, including more than 30 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $80 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 7,000 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