PETCO Brings Canine Education Services In-House

PETCO Brings Canine Education Services In-House
PETCO Adds National Canine Education Programs Manager, Will Hire 300 Trainers 


SAN DIEGO, March 15  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.'s
ongoing effort to enhance the human-animal bondis getting a helping paw, as the
company rolls out standardized Canine Education Services across the country. 
PETCO previously contracted the service to a third-party provider, but increased
interest and demand encouraged the company to develop their own animal behavior
program.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO )

"We feel that the business is much more than obedience training," said Stu
Wolman, PETCO's Director of Pet Services.  "It's about ensuring that the pet has
the manners and discipline necessary to live a healthy and happy life in their
family environment."

To achieve that goal, PETCO recently hired renowned dog trainer Rocky Boatman as
their new National Canine Education Programs Manager.  Boatman brings 30years
of training experience to PETCO, as well as a strong passion for animals.

Boatman hit the ground running, hiring regional canine education coordinators,
helping to develop a standardized national program, and is placing the services
in most of PETCO's 660 stores nationwide.  PETCO has already hired more than 400
trainers across the country, with plans to hire an additional 300 canine
educators.

"It's important that we help build that relationship between people and their
pets," Boatman said. "And it will be comforting for our pet parents to know
that they can walk into any PETCO store anywhere in the country and receive the
same quality canine education service."

According to national pet research conducted by Nestle Purina, behavioral issues
are among the top reasons people relinquish their pets to shelters, and PETCO
hopes their new Canine Education services will help increase the number of pets
who remain permanent family members.  According to that same research, only 10%
of dog owners currently have their pets trained by a professional.

Any experienced trainers interested in becoming a part of the canine education
team can locate jobs and apply at http://www.petco.com/ .

PETCO (NASDAQ:PETC) is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food,
supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education.
PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of pet-related
products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels of customer
service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training them to
become counselors to our pet-loving customers. PETCO generated net sales of
$1.65 billion in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004.  It operates more than
650 neighborhood storesin 43 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a
leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at http://www.petco.com/ .
 The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $15
million since inception in 1999.  More than 1,900 non-profit grassroots animal
welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the
Foundation.  Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community
leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals, as well as the importance
of the human-animal bond.

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, which may cause the actual results of PETCO to be materially
different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO

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DATASOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.



CONTACT:  Shawn Underwood, PETCO, [phone], , or

Stu Wolman, Director, PETCO Pet Services, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.petco.com/ 

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