My Week at the PETCO Foundation

Wow, what a week at the PETCO Foundation! It seems like every 15 minutes a PETCO store calls me to report an abandoned pet or some sort of puppy mill seizure in their area. More and more people are faced with a tough decision to give up their pet because they can no longer take care of them. How sad.

I am very proud to work for a company that will always help a helpless pet. While our stores are not animal shelters, they are a safe haven for a pet in need.

Just this week two dogs in different parts of the country found their own way to PETCO stores and turned themselves in when they lost their way. I am very happy to report that after a good meal and a nap in a warm bed they both were reunited with their families. This happened because one had the proper and current ID tags on and the other was micro chipped. Not everyone is that lucky. Most times the stray dogs and cats become part of the “system” and are eventually adopted out to new families or—well you know.

My plea this week is that everyone spread the word to have your dog, cat and bird micro chipped. We offer it at all PETCO stores during our vaccination clinics and they are at a lower cost than what you would pay if you went to the vet (check your local PETCO store for times). Your pets will always find their way home when they have a micro chip and if you keep that information updated. Collars and ID tags could be lost or become illegible but are a good safety net in addition to the micro chip (don’t forget to print new tags when you move or change your phone number).

On a more personal note my only child, Wayne, is finally moving to his own apartment next week. He is my baby and I will miss him but at the same time I am so happy that after 26 years (yes I said 26, hey, he’s a late bloomer) I will finally get my foster room back. Stay tuned – I am very sure that the foster room will soon be full of some interesting pets