PETCO
Encyclopedia
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
. Its mascot
s are Red Ruff (dog) and Blue Mews (cat), who both appear on the corporate logo.
As of 2010, PETCO had over 1,000 locations in 50 states and the District of Columbia. PETCO opened its first store in Kona, Hawai'i, in the fall of 2008.
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, TPG Capital
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.
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.
Unleashed by PETCO is a boutique style concept store first opened in Hillcrest, San Diego, California
. The stores are smaller than a typical big-box PETCO store and specialize in natural, organic, and higher-end products.
to end the sale of large birds.
lawsuit, without admitting liability
. The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court that alleges Petco overcharged its customers and improperly cared for some animals, following inspections of PETCO stores throughout California from 2005 through 2008. PETCO paid more than $850,000 to resolve a similar case in 2004.
PETCO in Mission Viejo, California is now requiring that whenever a "feeder mouse" is purchased, the customer must sign a form promising to take good care of the mouse. Although they acknowledge that it is a feeder mouse, PETCO first stated this was a law of the State of California, then a law of Orange County, and now store policy. PETCO in Mission Viejo will not sell the feeder mouse to the customer if said customer refuses to sign the form.
In September 2011, a PETCO location in Johnson City, New York
came under fire when, during a severe flood of the surrounding area caused by Tropical Storm Lee
, nearly 100 animals drowned when staff failed to move them to safety. Despite severe weather warnings and flood advisories for the nearby river in the days leading to the flood, PETCO had initially claimed it didn't receive warnings by the local government that flooding was going to occur, and decided not to move the animals. PETCO had also claimed that the casualties were caused by a backup in the store's drain/sewage line, and not by the flooding that had submerged the store with four feet of water. Johnson City Mayor Dennis Hannon has called PETCO's initial claims "absurd", and stated that "With all the flood warnings and evacuation orders that were issued, for them not to go down there is just absolutely disgusting", further commenting that the flooding was caused by the weather and river flooding, and that the sewer/drain line backup was only a small part of the problem. Johnson City police have also stated that flood warnings were issued by the National Weather Service
, and they should have been taken more seriously. On September 12, 2011, PETCO issued a statement accepting full responsibility for the event, saying that they "misjudged" the risk of a flood. PETA has called for a criminal investigation against PETCO.
baseball stadium, home to the San Diego Padres
.
Personal grooming
Personal grooming is the art of cleaning, grooming, and maintaining parts of the body. It is a species-typical behavior that is controlled by neural circuits in the brain.- In humans :...
and dog training
Dog training
Dog training is the process of teaching skills or behaviors to a dog. This can include teaching a dog to respond to certain commands, or helping the dog learn coping skills for stressful environments. Dog training often includes operant conditioning, classical conditioning, or non-associative...
. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, it is headquartered in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Its mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
s are Red Ruff (dog) and Blue Mews (cat), who both appear on the corporate logo.
As of 2010, PETCO had over 1,000 locations in 50 states and the District of Columbia. PETCO opened its first store in Kona, Hawai'i, in the fall of 2008.
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, TPG Capital
Texas Pacific Group
TPG Capital is one of the largest private equity investment firms globally, focused on leveraged buyout, growth capital and leveraged recapitalization investments in distressed companies and turnaround situations. TPG also manages investment funds specializing in growth capital, venture capital,...
and Leonard Green & Partners
Leonard Green & Partners
Leonard Green & Partners is a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyout transactions, particularly of middle market companies. As of 2010, the firm had with approximately $9 billion in assets under management....
, 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.
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.
Unleashed by PETCO
Hillcrest, San Diego, California
Hillcrest is a neighborhood in San Diego, California northwest of Balboa Park and south of Mission Valley.Hillcrest is known for its tolerance, diversity, and locally-owned businesses, including restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, trendy thrift-stores, and other independent specialty stores...
. The stores are smaller than a typical big-box PETCO store and specialize in natural, organic, and higher-end products.
Animal Rights / Controversy
PETCO was spotlighted when they were selling large exotic birds in their shops. In 2005 they signed an agreement with PETAPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
to end the sale of large birds.
Legal Issues
In June 2010, prosecutors from Marin, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Mateo and Santa Barbara counties announced that PETCO had agreed to settle a $1.75 million consumer protectionConsumer protection
Consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional...
lawsuit, without admitting liability
Legal liability
Legal liability is the legal bound obligation to pay debts.* In law a person is said to be legally liable when they are financially and legally responsible for something. Legal liability concerns both civil law and criminal law. See Strict liability. Under English law, with the passing of the Theft...
. The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court that alleges Petco overcharged its customers and improperly cared for some animals, following inspections of PETCO stores throughout California from 2005 through 2008. PETCO paid more than $850,000 to resolve a similar case in 2004.
PETCO in Mission Viejo, California is now requiring that whenever a "feeder mouse" is purchased, the customer must sign a form promising to take good care of the mouse. Although they acknowledge that it is a feeder mouse, PETCO first stated this was a law of the State of California, then a law of Orange County, and now store policy. PETCO in Mission Viejo will not sell the feeder mouse to the customer if said customer refuses to sign the form.
In September 2011, a PETCO location in Johnson City, New York
Johnson City, New York
Johnson City is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 15,535 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
came under fire when, during a severe flood of the surrounding area caused by Tropical Storm Lee
Tropical Storm Lee (2011)
Tropical Storm Lee was the twelfth named storm and thirteenth system overall of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, developing from a broad tropical disturbance over the Gulf on September 1. It was designated as Tropical Storm Lee the next day...
, nearly 100 animals drowned when staff failed to move them to safety. Despite severe weather warnings and flood advisories for the nearby river in the days leading to the flood, PETCO had initially claimed it didn't receive warnings by the local government that flooding was going to occur, and decided not to move the animals. PETCO had also claimed that the casualties were caused by a backup in the store's drain/sewage line, and not by the flooding that had submerged the store with four feet of water. Johnson City Mayor Dennis Hannon has called PETCO's initial claims "absurd", and stated that "With all the flood warnings and evacuation orders that were issued, for them not to go down there is just absolutely disgusting", further commenting that the flooding was caused by the weather and river flooding, and that the sewer/drain line backup was only a small part of the problem. Johnson City police have also stated that flood warnings were issued by the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
, and they should have been taken more seriously. On September 12, 2011, PETCO issued a statement accepting full responsibility for the event, saying that they "misjudged" the risk of a flood. PETA has called for a criminal investigation against PETCO.
Naming rights
PETCO owns the naming rights to the new PETCO ParkPETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
baseball stadium, home to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.