SAN DIEGO, Sept. 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ASPCA estimates that 25 percent of the five to seven million animals that enter shelters each year are purebred cats or dogs. While these animals patiently await adoption into a forever family, Petco stores, the Petco Foundation and NUTRO® ULTRA™ food for dogs will host a "Breeds in Need" fundraiser in their honor to help move purebred pets from shelters into breed-focused rescue groups. This allows shelters to regain space for additional animals that would otherwise be left homeless. Petco customers can donate, via the Petco Foundation, to "Breeds in Need", which will benefit local breed rescue groups and promote adoptions.
"Petco and the Petco Foundation have always promoted a 'Think Adoption First' philosophy to encouraged pet adoption and, together, we support thousands of hard-working animal rescue groups across the nation," said Paul Jolly, a Vice President at Petco and Executive Director of the Petco Foundation "Through this "Breeds in Need" program, we hope to raise awareness for the importance of pet adoption and the vast numbers of purebred dogs and cats waiting to find their forever homes, while also raising money to benefit animal shelters and breed-specific rescue groups across the country so they can continue their amazing work."
Breed rescue groups tirelessly pull purebred dogs and cats from shelters and accept relinquished purebred animals into their breed-focused facilities and foster homes, caring for these animals until a home is found. The "Breeds in Need" fundraiser is dedicated to promoting adoptions and rearranging shelter space to accommodate additional homeless animals. From October 2, 2011 to October 29, 2011, Petco shoppers can donate to "Breeds in Need" at any of the more than 1,100 Petco stores nationwide, or online at www.petcofoundation.org.
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 $80million 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.
About Nutro Products, Inc.
The Nutro Company is a leading manufacturer of natural* pet food products sold exclusively at pet specialty stores. The company has been making "The World's Best Pet Food" for more than 80 years and is dedicated to quality, excellence and innovation in dog and cat nutrition offering healthful formulas for every pet's life stage, activity level and size. The Nutro Company's family of brands includes NUTRO® MAX®, NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® and NUTRO® ULTRA™ pet food brands in addition to the GREENIES® brands which include the U.S. leader in pet specialty dental chews, GREENIES® PILL POCKETS® treats and GREENIES® JointCare treats. For more information, please visit www.nutro.com and www.greenies.com.
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*With added vitamins and minerals.
®/™ Trademarks © The Nutro Company 2011.
CONTACT:
Mia West
619.501.2756
mwest@west-pr.com
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