Petco has introduced a new “Welcome to the family” program, available at stores beginning Nov. 25, 2024. The free booklets, for both dogs and cats, include practical guidance and shopping checklists created by the retailer’s veterinary, training and grooming teams, plus exclusive pet services and savings on Petco-owned brands.
And just in case that’s not enough adorableness for you, Chewy has brought back its Chewy Claus letter-writing campaign. Pet parents are encouraged to send their pets’ wish lists to Chewy Claus to ask for anything their paws, claws, fins and wings want or need. For every letter submitted by Dec. 20, Chewy will donate one pound of food to one of its nonprofit partners, up to 600,000 pounds. Since the program kicked off in 2022, more than 500,000 pets (or rather their owners) have written letters to Chewy Claus.
“Chewy Claus is dedicated to spreading joy during the happiest time of the year,” said Orlena Yeung, Chief Brand Officer at Chewy in a statement. “When we received thousands of letters from pets asking for homes, we knew we had to help. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than by uniting pets with loving families — whether they’re first-time pet parents or welcoming a furry friend back home.”
In response, Chewy also will provide free pet adoptions during the holiday season’s weekend kickoff, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2024. The retailer is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters and make the U.S. “no-kill” in 2025. In February 2022 Chewy hosted a TikTok Live pet adoption event for Valentine’s Day
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Creating an Ecosystem to Support Pet Families
“Welcoming a new pet home is a celebratory, meaningful time for pet parents, yet it’s also overwhelming in many ways,” said Dr. Whitney Miller, Chief Veterinarian at Petco in a statement. “From understanding your pet’s unique nutritional needs to preventative veterinary care and positive dog training, making it a smooth transition for both the pet and the family is so important, and we’re here to help pet parents every step of the way.”
Key areas for new pet parents to manage include:
- Setting up the home;
- Developing a routine;
- Preparing for the vet;
- Finding the appropriate food for nutrition and the owner’s budget;
- Training;
- Prioritizing pets’ mental health; and
- Planning for long-term health and safety, including microchipping and health insurance options.
The Welcome to the Family coupons are valid through November 2025, and pet parents must visit a brick-and-mortar Petco location to get the booklets and redeem the coupons.
