Petco Teams Up with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations to 'Clear the Shelters'

Petco Teams Up with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations to 'Clear the Shelters'

Nationwide pet adoption campaign aims to help thousands of homeless pets find their forever homes this Saturday

SAN DIEGO, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeless pets in animal shelters across the country will be finding forever homes when Petco, a national leader in promoting responsible pet care and parenting, joins forces with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, for the Clear the Shelters nationwide pet adoption campaign this Saturday, July 23. Clear the Shelters aims to connect thousands of homeless pets in more than 600 animal shelters across the country with potential pet parents.

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"At Petco, we've been committed to helping save animal lives through pet adoption for more than 50 years," said Brad Weston, president of Petco. "We're proud to be part of this lifesaving event and looking forward to helping more animal lovers become great pet parents by providing everything they need to create happy, healthy homes for their new family members."

This year's Clear the Shelters event follows last year's highly successful inaugural effort, which resulted in nearly 20,000 pets finding new homes through an unprecedented partnership between the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations and hundreds of animal shelters located all across the country and in Puerto Rico. The nationwide day of action literally emptied dozens of animal shelters across the country and inspired local communities to take action and open their homes to animals in need.

"We are thrilled to have the support of Petco for our second annual Clear the Shelters nationwide pet adoption campaign," said Bruce Kallner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales and Marketing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. "Petco's commitment to the well-being of all pets will help the NBC and Telemundo-owned stations, and our partner animal shelters, execute another successful campaign this year."

With more than 50 years in the pet specialty business, Petco understands the importance of the special bond between pets and pet parents. That's why Petco is committed to a "Think Adoption First" philosophy, which means potential pet parents looking to add a new pet to their family are encouraged to consider adopting a homeless animal, rather than purchasing one, even from Petco stores. As a matter of policy, Petco has never sold dogs or cats and has always been committed to pet adoption. Adoptions at Petco happen once per month at all Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide. In addition, many stores have their own adoption events each weekend. Check with your local store for details.

By thinking adoption first, Petco's philosophy seeks to accomplish the following:


-- Increase the number of pets adopted into loving homes
-- Decrease the number of pets in shelters nationwide
-- Encourage pet parents to consider adopting before purchasing a pet of
any kind
-- Provide pet parents with all of the tools, services and advice that they
need to help them live a longer, fuller, happier life with their pets.
At this year's Clear the Shelters adoption event, participating shelters will have Petco ambassadors distributing "Welcome to the Family" packets, answering questions from adopting pet parents and giving away sample pet food.

Additionally, a post-adoption drive special will air on Friday, July 29 that will recap the previous week's national day of action. Natalie Morales, NBC News' TODAY West Coast Anchor, and host of Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live, will host the special that will on the NBC Owned Television Stations and more than 120 NBC affiliate stations (check local listings). Telemundo's Stephanie Himonidis "Chiquibaby" and Elva Saray, will host the special that will air on Telemundo stations the same day (check local listings).

For more information about Petco's Think Adoption First Program visit www.petco.com/adoption. For more information on Clear the Shelters visit www.cleartheshelters.com. You can also follow the effort on social media by using the dedicated hashtags #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues in Spanish.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation
With more than 50 years of service to pet parents, Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,430 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 115 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; prescription services and pet supplies from the leading veterinary-operated pet product supplier, Drs. Foster & Smith; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has invested more than $150 million 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 thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 400,000 animals every year.

About NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations is the division of NBCUniversal that includes 28 NBC and Telemundo local television stations, a regional news network and their associated websites and digital platforms, as well as a group of out-of-home properties, a production company, an in-house marketing and promotions company and two national multicast networks, COZI TV and TeleXitos. The local stations, which can be viewed in 36 percent of U.S. homes and Puerto Rico, produce and deliver compelling and unique local news, information and entertainment programming to viewers in the communities they serve, with a goal of connecting to their English and Spanish-speaking audiences anytime and anywhere.



Contact: Megan Oxford, Megan.Oxford@petco.com

Parinaz Farzin, Parinaz.Farzin@edelman.com
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SOURCE Petco

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Petco

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


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