SAN DIEGO, July 26 /PRNewswire/ — Nine million pets are expected to be euthanized in the U.S. this year. That is up from 7 million just 3 years ago, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Pet overpopulation is a significant and growing problem in the U.S. and is one reason the PETCO Foundation has developed a national campaign that will offer pet owners a low cost spay and neuter alternative called “Spay Today 2000.”
Funds to support the “Spay Today 2000” campaign will come from customer donations at PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. stores and a grant from the PETCO Foundation. From Sunday, July 30 through Sunday, August 20, customers at PETCO stores will be asked to “Round UP” their purchases. For example, a customer whose purchase is $18.56 will be asked to “round up” to $19.00 or perhaps $20.00. All proceeds from this campaign will go to fund low cost spay and neuter operations provided by participating local veterinarians or to fund
local animal welfare organizations that provide these services.
Spay and neuter operations can cost more than $100. But through “Spay Today 2000” pet owners will be able to able to purchase a voucher at PETCO stores that allow them to have a cat spayed or neutered for $10 and a dog spayed or neutered for $20. Participating veterinarians have reduced their fees as their way of supporting this important program. The difference between the cost paid by the pet owner and the amount charged by the veterinarian will be made up with funds raised through the “Round UP” campaign. See your local PETCO store for additional details.
“Pet ownership is a responsibility,” said Paul Jolly, Director of the
PETCO Foundation. “Part of that responsibility involves owners ensuring that their companion animals don’t add to the pet overpopulation problem. ‘Round UP’ and ‘Spay Today 2000’ is an easy way for our customers to support a low cost spay and neuter program and for pet owners to not use the cost excuse as a reason to not spay or neuter their pets.”
PETCO is a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 500 stores in 39 states and the District of Columbia. To find the nearest store, log on to www.petco.com.
The PETCO Foundation was established early last year to develop and manage fundraising campaigns in PETCO stores and support a variety of animal welfare programs. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $1.8 million for more than 300 pet-related organizations across the nation. Proceeds from the campaigns go to local groups in communities in which the money was raised.
/CONTACT: Don Cowan, 858-657-2086, or Paul Jolly, 626-287-0952, both of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc./Web site: http://www.petco.com/(PETC)
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