[San Diego] – Petco announced the launch of the “Think Adoption First” video series Thursday, a documentary-style series featuring celebrity pet parents reflecting on the impact their adopted pets have had on their lives. The first videos in the series feature professional surfer Taylor Knox, professional skateboarder and rally cross driver Bucky Lasek, Tyson Ross of the San Diego Padres and roller derby athlete Bonnie Thunders. The series affirms the company’s commitment to a “Think Adoption First” philosophy to encourage prospective pet parents to consider adopting a homeless pet and help reduce the number of adoptable pets in shelters.

“Think Adoption First is rooted in our belief that every pet should have the chance to be adopted into a loving home and we continue to support this commitment through our work with the Petco Foundation,” said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. “We hope by seeing the stories shared by Taylor, Bucky, Bonnie and Tyson, it will inspire people to visit their local shelter or rescue group and think about adoption before purchasing a pet of any kind.”

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters care for 6-8 million homeless dogs and cats every year in the United States. 25 percent of pets in shelters are purebreds. Approximately 3-4 million of those animals are euthanized before they can find a loving home. Timed with the start of spring when pet adoptions increase in comparison to the winter months, the initiative aims to encourage people to consider giving an adoptable pet a forever home.

Petco and the Petco Foundation partner with 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 as part of the Think Adoption First initiative. To date, Petco has helped more than 4.2 million pets find homes through adoption events at our stores. The Petco Foundation has raised more than $125 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals.

Petco stores host adoption events throughout the year where new pet parents can receive tips on how to care for their pets from Petco representatives, learn about local pet adoption efforts and, most importantly, meet adoptable pets.

The Think Adoption First video series will continue to expand to feature more stories of celebrities and their special relationships with their adopted pets. To view the first videos in the Think Adoption First series, visit Think Adoption First YouTube videos. For more information about Petco’s Think Adoption First program, visit www.petco.com/adoptions.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation

Celebrating 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 1,400 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 100 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; 10 Pooch Hotel destinations for pet daycare, boarding and spa services; 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 raised more than $125 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.