Petco

Infobox_Company
company_name = PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
company_
company_type = Private
genre = Pet food
foundation = 1965
location = San Diego, California
industry = Retail
products = Pet supplies
slogan = "Where The Pets Go."
homepage = http://www.petco.com

PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California, and is now a private company held by Texas Pacific Group and Leonard Green & Partners. Their mascots are Red Ruff (dog) and Blue Mews (cat), who both appear on the logo.

As of 2007, PETCO has 900 locations in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Brian Devine is the Chairman of the Board and James Myers is the CEO. Bruce Hall retired as the COO at the end of the 2007 fiscal year.

On July 14 2006, PETCO announced the company would be acquired by two private equity groups, Texas Pacific Group and Leonard Green & Partners at a cost of $1.8 billion.

The PETCO Foundation, since its inception in 1999, has raised in excess of $34 million for support of more than 3,500 non-profit animal welfare programs across the nation.

In 2004, PETCO launched the "Think Adoption First" program, which encourages the adoption of companion animals as opposed to the outright purchase of them. The program is to reflect PETCO's goal of finding a loving and suitable home for animals.

PETCO runs a natural/holistic food section in its stores referred to as "It's All Natural". The line contains a variety of brands of natural foods that offer no additives or preservatives, and includes only pure/natural ingredients to promote the physical well-being of cats and dogs. The section has become increasingly popular and profitable in the last few years, instantiating a similar trend in other leading pet stores. PETCO often opens its doors to competitors to visit and observe/photograph the section to help in expanding the healthier diet.

Petco carries several lines of pet foods owned and or endorsed by well known celebrities. One of their first lines of natural/organic foods, Natural Balance dog and cat food is owned and endorsed by Dick Van Patten. There were several advertisements in the store in early 2008 along with Halo Brand pet foods around the same time. Halo Brand dog and cat food is partially owned by Ellen Degeneres and endorsed by her as well. Ellen has been seen on her talk show talking proudly about the food and how she is an avid shopper at Petco and uses her Petco savings card along with her American Express. In the summer of 2008 Petco launched a new line of pet foods endorsed and co created by Cesar Millan, made by Castor and Pullox pet foods inc. Cesar Millan is best known for his show on television, The Dog Wisperer, where Cesar trains dogs and it's owners how to love and understand one another.It has also been known that celebrity mogul and multi pet owner Paris Hilton as well as former model and pet owner Kimora Lee Simmons shops at Petco for their line of unique products. Petco had benefited from this shop in their stores due to the demands and increase of pet parents that want natural products for their pets well being. Petco endorses healthy pets and a healthy way of living for pets. These celebrity endorsed foods are found in their "It's All Natural" food department, located in most renovated and new Petco stores.

Pet Services

Petco offers an array of services, in select locations, designed to improve the quality of life of both you and your companion animals. Petco offers grooming, professional pet photography, digital art production, dog training, pet insurance, and an online pet first aid course. [http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petserviceshome_Nav_6.aspx]

Animal Rights

* PETCO was spotlighted when they were selling large exotic birds in their shops. They have now signed an agreement with PETA to end the sale of large birds. This agreement can be found at [http://www.peta.org/feat/PETCOAgreement/default.asp PETCO Agreement] .

Environmental Record

PETCO natural and organic pet foods, and a wide assortment of environment-friendly pet care products, including pet toys, accessories, cat litter and cleaning supplies. [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/4/prweb880894.htm]

Notes

References

http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petserviceshome_Nav_6.aspxhttp://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/4/prweb880894.htm

Naming rights

* PETCO owns the naming rights to the new PETCO Park baseball stadium, home to the San Diego Padres.

External links

* [http://www.petco.com/ Official website]