The company was founded by Walter Evans and is headquartered in San Diego. Petco is bent on creating loving communities to enhance bonds between pet parents and their companions. It generates yearly revenues of $4.1 billion and it’s the 107th largest private company in the U.S. Petco introduced Unleashed in the year 2006, to expand its offering of services. It opened its first location in the neighborhood of San Diego. Its price and value are similar to that of the national retailer but it provides personalized services, commitment, and expertise of a friendly neighborhood store. These stores are not very common but still have around 65 stores in nine different states with nearly 30 of them located in California.
Other States Where The Stores Are Located-
New YorkMarylandMassachusettsVirginiaOregon
Operations
It operates more than 1500 locations, spanning the countries of the U.S.A, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It also has an online presence with a perfectly functional website (petco.com) and app (Petco app). Users can find the nearest Unleashed store by using an online locator. Each location has its page online. Petco also owns PupBox, a monthly delivery service. It also operates a loyalty card program, which was launched in 1997. Petco also initiated the “Love lost facial recognition program” to help find missing dogs from shelter houses.
Petco Love
It is a not-for-profit initiative by Petco to support numerous animal welfare organizations all across the country and has found homes for more than 6.5 million animals through its in-store adoption campaigns.
Petco is one of the biggest players in its domain and is considered to be a health and wellness company, providing services to pet parents. Its main focus is on improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and Petco’s partners.
Petco spends more than $30 million for this cause per annum. This foundation also supports spay and neuter programs, and animal-assisted therapy and encourages kind treatment of animals by humans.
Services Offered
Food And Nutrition
It gives great attention to pets’ health and nutrition by providing a wide range of food and treatment options for all kinds of pets. Its shelves display a plethora of carefully hand-picked brands. As of 2022, it had the following brands;
Hills’ Science Diet Instinct Pet FoodRoyal CaninBlue Buffalo
Grooming Products
Its products are not confined to food, but one can also find accessories and fashion categories in the store for adequate grooming. The products of Petco are sustainable, natural, and organic, perfect for cat and dog lovers who want to take the best care of their pets. They sell high-end goods and toys manufactured in the U.S.
Events And Pet-Care
They also organize fundraising events like pet adoption, vaccination services, and a self-serve dog wash. . It has a program called VitalCare, a subscription-based veterinary service.
1. Positive Dog Training
This training curriculum includes potty training, puppy socialization, adoption seminars, and loose leash walking. It helps in strengthening the social, mental, and physical health of dogs. Consistent training helps grow trust between the owner and the dog. Petco has already helped 1 million families with their training programs.
2. Vaccination Drives
The stores offer preventive services for the wellness of the pets with a licensed veterinarian in the store itself. One does not have to book appointments to avail of these services. The cost of vaccination is based on the kind of vaccinations needed and the location. Pet parents are offered a variety of packages to choose from.
3. Self-Service Dog Wash
Pet parents can use this service along with supplies like shampoo, conditioner, towels and aprons, combs, blow dryers, brushes, etc. The user is charged $15. It helps pet parents to escape the mess and stress of bathing their pets at home and provides a convenient, affordable way to get the task done.
Petco Unleashed Vs Petco.
The major difference is that Petco Unleashed does not have caged live animals. Some exceptions may exist where a small part of the store has a few small animals, but all in all, Unleashed stores don’t keep live animals.
They also have a dog-washing area with necessary supplies like shampoo and conditioner. Unleashed stores do not offer complete grooming services but they do sell a wide range of grooming products.
One other thing to note is that Unleashed stores usually cater to dogs and cats while Petco stores focus on all kinds of pets.Although both had their first store in San Diego, Petco was founded way earlier in the year 1965 with Petco Unleashed opening in 2006.
Think Adoption First
It is a philosophy supported by the company to encourage the public to go for adoption rather than engaging in the act of buying and selling animals for companions. It does not sell dogs and cats but used to sell large exotic birds and parrots. It was highly criticized by PETA and under immense pressure, Petco decided to stop the sale of large birds and parrots. Petco has stopped selling rabbits as well.
Petco Insurance
Pet health insurance helps pet parents to afford necessary life-saving care. This service covers a variety of health and wellness needs, like;
Veterinary TreatmentDiagnostic TestingBehavioral IssuesAccidentsDental DiseaseMedication and Therapies.
Conclusion
It is a pet store without any live animals that is better for people that are dog/cat parents rather than for people searching for pets. Their main focus is on providing good customer service.
Que. What are the timings of the store?
Ans. They are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
Que. Are Unleashed stores closing?
Ans. A number of these stores have shut down in recent years but the company has not formally announced closing Unleashed stores.
Que. What kind of animals does Petco extend its insurance services for?
Ans. It provides insurance programs for cats and dogs.
Que. Where are Petco gift cards available?
Ans. Gift cards can be purchased from local Petco stores, Unleashed stores, or online.
