Pets With Microchips May not Be Found if Lost

com), whose members
include the Humane Society of the United States and the American Veterinary
Medical Association, among others. distributor for
DATAMARS SA, a global market-leader in developing RFID .
Launched in August 2004, Think Adoption First encourages PETCO customers
to consider adoption before the purchase of any companion animal.

PETCO Foundation's 'Spring A Pet ' National Pet Adoption Days Save Lives

nature breeders

newscom. "If the United
States does not adopt a global scanner, pet owners run the risk of losing the
beloved pet that the microchip is supposed to protect.S. is one of the only countries
worldwide that does not use the ISO -- International Standards Organization --
standard .

* The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation which surveyed
a random sample of 1045 people.

amphibians equestrian

, a universal
scanner, at the very least, is a necessary step that will provide a viable
solution to this problem," said Parvis Hassan-Zade, CEO of DATAMARS SA. Helping
those groups find homes is PETCO's National Pet Adoption Days.

consumer merchandise

Eighty-nine percent
(89%) of the respondents did not know that the United States is one of the
only countries worldwide that does not have a universal (or global) scanner
that can read all microchips.S.S.S. The company has expanded rapidly following a buy-out in 1991 and
now has over 120 employees located in Switzerland, Asia and the United States .

CONTACT: Melissa Vigue Theresa Wray
Peppercom Peppercom
212.8 million to benefit grassroots animal
welfare groups, like Whisker City, a division of Blue Sky Charities in
Seattle.
In conjunction with "Spring A Pet," all PETCO stores around the nation are
expected to participate in "National Pet Adoption Days," April 8 and 9.

Online stores offering pet supplies, pet-themed merchandise, small pets are listed in this branch .

birds arthropods

About The Crystal Import Corp.6165 415-438-9825
twray@peppercom . Two-Day Adoption Fair to Highlight PETCO's Commitment to Animal Welfare

SAN DIEGO, This weekend, PETCO stores
across the country will host a pet adoption fair to celebrate the one-year
anniversary of the company's "Think Adoption First" program. PETCO operates more
than 750 neighborhood stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

PETCO (Nasdaq: PETC) is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food,
supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education.

supplies cats

are providing a false sense of security for
pet owners," said John Snyder, senior director of companion animals and equine
protection with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). A microchip
can ensure that a dog or cat is returned to its rightful owner, but only if it
is readable by the scanner. Donations can also
be made online at http://www.
Last year's campaign raised over $1. More than 3,500 non-profit
grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation receive
Foundation support.

shopping pets

More than half (59 percent) of those surveyed about the various microchip
systems currently on the market said that they did not know that many of the
chips are encrypted and can only be read by proprietary technology.S.
"Due to the competing technologies being sold in the U.2 million for animal welfare organizations in PETCO communities across the
country .

arthropods identification

Nearly 90% of Those Surveyed Are Unaware of Universal Scanner Issue

BIRMINGHAM, Ala . The competing
technologies available in the U.

PETCO.

branch dogs

"
With an estimated two million cats and dogs in the U. currently carrying
microchips, many of these ID systems are still encrypted and can only be read
by proprietary technology.
Losing a pet is a significant problem .
A global scanner that can read all chips is supported by the Coalition for
Reuniting Pets and Families (http://www.readallchips.
The Crystal Import Corp.com

com.

arthropods dealers

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association pet
travel rose 33 percent to 20 million -- 80 percent of them dogs - in 2004. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community
leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals, as well as the
importance of the human-animal bond.com.

shopping merchandise

, The Crystal Import Corp.
In fact, according to Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People magazine,
over eight million animals will flood animal shelters this year and
50 percent, roughly four million, will come during May, June, July and August
as a result of thousands of litters born in the spring.
PETCO encourages customers to consider adoption before the purchase of any
companion animal -- even if it's one of the birds, reptiles, or small animals
currently offered in PETCO stores.

The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more
than $28 million since its inception in 1999.

amphibians pets

PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of
pet-related products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels
of customer service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training
them to become counselors to our pet-loving customers.
That is one reason the PETCO Foundation's annual "Spring A Pet" fundraiser
provides funding to support animal welfare organizations and their efforts to
spay , neuter and find homes for thousands of these animals each year. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a
community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals and celebrating
the human-animal bond.

consumer theme

S.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 88 percent of the population is
unaware that microchips implanted in dogs or cats in the United States may not
be readable overseas or in Canada, as the U.com, Think Adoption First urges customers to seek adoptable animals
in the community as a first option, providing informational kiosks and
in-store adoption opportunities to a larger variety of rescue organizations. "Past funding has also supported our Whiskers on
Wheels mobile adoption center that drives to local PETCO stores and showcases
the pets we have available in our shelters," said Brown.

themed stores

To encourage microchip manufacturers to
come to an agreement, a major pet food company has offered to donate 30,000
global scanners to shelters and veterinarians (a substantial $5 million
donation) that can only be utilized pending the cooperation of all microchip
manufacturers in the United States.
"With 'Spring A Pet,' we are trying to assist orphaned animals and find
lifelong, loving homes by supporting the heroic animal welfare rescues that
make it their mission to save their lives," said Paul Jolly, PETCO Foundation
Vice President and Director. For more information on "Spring A Pet" and
the PETCO Foundation or to locate a store near you, visit http://www.
PETCO 's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of
pet-related products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels
of customer service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training
them to become counselors to our pet-loving customers.

themed amphibians

PETCO Stores Nationwide to Host 'Think Adoption First' Weekend

pets identification

(Photo: http://www. is the Alabama-based, U.

themed reptiles

931.

branch birds

RFID is a wireless data collection technology that uses electronic tags for
storing data that is used for identification purposes. This means that while a pet owner may have had
his/her pet implanted with a microchip, the chip may not be readable by animal
shelters or other recovery organizations that only have one scanner. This Saturday
and Sunday, join PETCO and its community adoption partners to help raise
awareness on animal welfare and find loving families for homeless pets.

branch stores

com/cgi-bin /prnh/20050420/NYW149 )
Approximately the size of a grain of rice, pet microchips are devices
implanted in pets to provide a permanent form of identification through the
use of radio frequency identification (RFID) -- a one of a kind ID number. Donors of $20 or more will receive a
"Making a Difference" picture frame while supplies last.
"We're pleased to offer our customers and all pet loving people an opportunity
to help their local animal welfare adoption groups by making donations or
adopting a new companion animal into their family," said Paul Jolly.

supplies theme

distributor of DATAMARS SA , a microchip manufacturer, today announced the
results of a national survey underscoring the lack of consumer awareness
concerning the use of microchip identification in pets. More than half (53 percent) of
respondents have had a pet lost or stolen or know someone who has, and 50
percent of that group indicated that their pets were not found.

About DATAMARS SA
Founded in 1988, DATAMARS SA is headquartered in Bedano, Switzerland (near
Lugano).

stores branch

"We are not surprised by the results of this study. DATAMARS is a global market-leader in the development of RFID
technology .com .

nature reptiles

In conjunction with online partner
Petfinder.
"Think Adoption First not only increases the visibility of adoptable dogs
and cats in the area, it raises awareness that local rabbits, birds , and small
animals are also in need of good homes," says Paul Jolly, Vice President and
Director of the PETCO Foundation. More than 2,700 non-profit grassroots animal
welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the
Foundation.

amphibians merchandise

, the
U.
And, during the spring and summer season, the Travel Industry Association
estimates that more than 32 million Americans will be traveling with a family
pet, increasing the risk of a pet getting lost in unfamiliar surroundings . PETCO does
not sell dogs or cats, and for over 40 years has worked with shelters to find
homes for millions of adoptable animals, but the stores do offer small
animals, reptiles and birds. The
PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $24
million since inception in 1999. Through Sunday, April 16, customers will have the opportunity to
purchase special "Spring A Pet" donation cards in denominations of $1, $5, $10
and $20, or round-up their purchase.PETCO. PETCO operates more
than 790 neighborhood stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as
well as a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at
http://www.

supplies fish

"With this program, PETCO is giving animals
of all kinds a second chance at life by helping them find their forever
families . SAN DIEGO, Spring sees an influx of
homeless companion animals at our nation's animal shelters .
This year's national campaign, now underway, is expected to raise
$2.PETCO.

loss merchandise

"

PETCO (Nasdaq: PETC) is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food,
supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education. "The funding we receive supports spaying, neutering , and veterinary
care to prepare our cats for adoption," said April Brown, Whisker City Founder
and Volunteer Director.