27 Facts About Petco

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc is an American pet retailer with corporate offices in San Diego and San Antonio.

Petco sells pet food, products, and services, as well as certain types of live small animals.

In 2016 Petco was sold to CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, who retained control when Petco held its third IPO in January 2021.

Petco originated when Walter Evans, a co-owner of a Missouri-based distributor of pet supplies and products called United Pharmacal Company, moved to San Diego County, California.

In 1988 Petco acquired two other West Coast chains, Wellpet, Inc and The Pet Department, bringing its store number to 130.

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Devine rebranded the acquired WellPet and Pet Department stores Petco, hiring new leadership and extending the chain's credit.

Petco brought in aquariums and fish to increase foot traffic.

Petco introduced Red Ruff the dog and Blue Mews the cat as its logo mascots in 1991, and the following year it adopted the tagline "Where the pets go".

Petco went public on the NASDAQ under the stock ticker PETC, in 1994.

In 1997 Petco acquired 104 new stores, in large part from purchasing the competing chain PetCare in the Midwest and South.

The aggressive growth in 1997 proved costly, and in 1998 Petco accrued $8 million in net losses and its stock value dropped significantly.

In 2003, Petco bought the naming rights to San Diego's downtown baseball stadium, making it Petco Park when opened in 2004.

Petco committed $60 million to the San Diego Padres for 22 years of naming rights.

Petco was succeeded as CEO in 2017 by Brad Weston, previously company president and chief merchandising officer.

Petco was criticized for selling large exotic birds in their shops, and in 2005, after pressure from PETA, Petco agreed to stop selling parrots and other large birds.

In 2011 Petco opened a satellite headquarters in San Antonio, Texas to supplement its San Diego main office.

Petco expanded to Puerto Rico, opening a store in San Juan in 2012, and one in Ponce in 2013.

Petco was acquired by CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in a deal worth US$4.

In November 2018, Petco announced that it would stop selling pet food and treats containing artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, banning certain artificial ingredients.

In January 2021, Petco held its third IPO, with the intent of using the proceeds to pay down debt.

Also that month, Petco announced that half of all its products would be "sustainable" by the end of 2025.

Petco stores sell products such as pet food, pet supplies, small animals, and fish.

Petco offers services and hosts adoption events; some stores offer obedience training, dog grooming, pet vaccinations, and veterinary care.

In 2018, Petco partnered with JustFoodForDogs, which produces "human-grade" pet food.

In 2022, while Petco's website listed services including dog grooming and dog training, veterinary services, adoptions, a self-serve dog wash, and pet insurance, in-home training was unavailable due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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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.

In 2021, Petco debuted its "Love Lost facial recognition program", which uses a database to help locate missing dogs in the shelter system.