'Tree of Hope' Fundraiser Surpasses $2 Million Goal

'Tree of Hope' Fundraiser Surpasses $2 Million Goal
PETCO Foundation Effort Will Aid Local Animal Welfare Organizations Nationwide 


SAN DIEGO, Dec. 29  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The joy of the season will soon be
seen in the faces of animals across the country, thanks to the compassion of
customers, vendors and associates of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., who gave
generously to the PETCO Foundation's "Tree of Hope" in-store fundraiser.  This
year's effort raised more than $2 million for grass-roots animal welfare
organizations in PETCO store communities.

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

"I am continually impressed by the generosity and concern of our customers,
vendors and associates, expressed by their outstanding support of these animal
welfare programs," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "By helping us
exceed our goal of $2 million, they have ensured that many, many animals will
have a happy new year."

The Tree of Hope fundraiser, which ran from November 16 through December 24,
collected $2,050,775 for animal welfare efforts.  This year's giving was up 15%
over the 2002 Tree of Hope campaign, which raised $1,780,113.

Tree of Hope encouraged pet lovers to donate $1, $5, $10 or $20, and each donor
received a cardstock ornament to be signed and displayed in the store or taken
home as a reminder of their donation.  Donations were also made online at
http://www.petco.com/ .

Each PETCO store selected an animal welfare organization to be the recipient of
money raised at their location.  A portion of the funds will also go into a
regional pool, to be used by other animal welfare groups throughout the year. 
The money is used for adoption programs, spay/neuter campaigns and other animal
health related causes.  Past funding has helped provide veterinary care for
homeless and abused animals, outreach programs for handicapped and disadvantaged
individuals to help them adequately care for their companion animals, and even
created a veterinary subsidy fund for public assistance canines in need of
medical help through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

"People continue to demonstrate that they care about all animals, not just their
own pets, through their support of these animal welfare causes," Jolly said.  "A
lot of animals across the country will now have better lives as a result of
their compassion."

To find a PETCO store near you, log on to 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,
operating more than 650 neighborhood stores in 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 animal
charity, 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. 

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

http://photoarchive.ap.org/

DATASOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.



CONTACT:  Shawn Underwood of PETCO, [phone],  ;

or Paul Jolly of PETCO Foundation, [phone],  



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

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