SAN DIEGO (August 28, 2009) — PETCO Animal Supplies today announced the cancellation of this weekend’s Fifth Annual National Chihuahua Race finals in New York City due to potentially unsafe weather and travel conditions.

“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of pets and, of course, their human family members,” said PETCO Chief Marketing Officer Elisabeth Charles. “With this in mind, the potentially dangerous weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Danny’s expected path up the Eastern seaboard have prompted us to cancel this weekend’s event.”

 The championship races were originally scheduled to take place in Riverside Park on Saturday, Aug. 29.

 “We know lots of people and pets have been looking forward to this exciting event, just as we have,” said Charles. “But with the welfare of our little racers at heart, we feel this is the right thing to do.”

PETCO’s Chihuahua Races have always been about bringing people together to have fun with their pets. That’s why the company will be honoring its promise of a trip to New York City, including flights and accommodations, for the seven regional winners and their pet parents, should they decide to proceed with their trip. For more details on how to travel safely with or without your pet, visit PETCO.com/letsgo.

PETCO expects to reschedule the finals at a later date in the year. Details will be determined in the coming weeks. For more on PETCO’s National Chihuahua Races, visit PETCO.com/races.

Nearly 1,000 Chihuahuas raced in front of more than 2,900 fans at seven regional competitions in a race across the country from the West Coast to the East Coast over three weekends in August. The seven finalists were from all around the country including California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut and New York.

PETCO stores along the East Coast are on hurricane preparedness alert and will be standing by ready to take any necessary actions should the storm strengthen.

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About PETCO
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 950 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $50 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

Contact:           Lisa Epstein, 858.997.4540, lisae@PETCO.com
                               Courtney Pendleton, 619.237.7722, courtney.pendleton@fleishman.com