Petco
An American pet-care retailer combining pet food and supplies with grooming, training, adoption, insurance, and veterinary services.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
6requests
1companies- Anthropic6
- Profile
- 2
- Controversies
- 2
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
From this site's server log
Overview
Petco is an American pet-care retailer whose business spans merchandise, services, digital products, and veterinary care. The company began in California in 1965 as a mail-order veterinary-supply business established by Walter Evans, who had previously been associated with United Pharmacal Company. It opened its first retail store in La Mesa, California, in 1976 and adopted the Petco name in 1979. The first store using the Petco name opened in Tigard, Oregon, in 1980. During the 1980s and 1990s, Petco developed from a regional supplier into a national chain. It emphasized premium pet-food brands such as IAMS, Hill's Science Diet, and Nutro rather than competing solely through warehouse-style discounting. Acquisitions of West Coast chains including Wellpet and The Pet Department expanded the store base, while later purchases extended the company's reach into the Midwest and South. In the early 1990s, Brian K. Devine led a turnaround that consolidated acquired stores under the Petco name, strengthened the merchandise assortment, and introduced fish and aquariums as important traffic drivers. The company also expanded to the East Coast and established a distribution center there. Petco has changed ownership and public-market status several times. It first listed on Nasdaq in 1994 under the symbol PETC. Leonard Green & Partners and TPG Capital acquired the company in a 2000 leveraged buyout, after which it returned to public ownership in 2002. A second leveraged buyout took the company private again in 2006. CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired Petco in 2016, and those investors retained control when the company completed its third initial public offering in January 2021. The listing accompanied a corporate-name change to Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. and introduced the ticker WOOF. The modern Petco model is broader than a conventional pet-supply store. Retail locations sell food, treats, toys, habitats, aquatics products, medication, and other supplies for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals. Selected locations provide grooming, training, vaccinations, veterinary appointments, self-service dog washing, and adoption programming. Petco also operates or has operated digital and subscription businesses including PetCoach, PetInsuranceQuotes.com, PupBox, and Vital Care. Its smaller Unleashed by Petco stores generally focus on dog and cat products and do not sell live animals. The company has increasingly positioned itself around pet health, welfare, and responsible product standards. It promotes adoption through Petco Love, an independent nonprofit formerly known as The Petco Foundation, and has never sold dogs or cats in its stores. Petco stopped selling large parrots and similar birds in 2005, discontinued rabbit sales in 2008, removed dog and cat treats made in China in 2015, announced a policy against foods and treats containing specified artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in 2018, ended shock-collar sales in 2020, and removed traditional rawhide products from its assortment in 2021. It has also developed sustainability and veterinary-care initiatives. Petco is closely associated with San Diego through its corporate headquarters and the naming-rights agreement for Petco Park, home of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. The brand has used several identities and taglines, including the early mascots Red Ruff and Blue Mews and the slogan “Where the pets go.” Its present identity presents Petco as a health-and-wellness platform rather than only a retailer. The company remains active, although its public filings and leadership changes reflect the competitive pressure affecting large-format retail, e-commerce, veterinary services, and discretionary pet spending.
History
Petco originated in 1965 when Walter Evans established a mail-order veterinary-supply business in San Diego County with five associates. Evans became its first chief executive. The company entered physical retail in 1976 with a La Mesa, California, store and adopted the Petco name in 1979. Its first Petco-branded store opened in Tigard, Oregon, in 1980. The company pursued premium pet food during the 1980s, adding brands such as IAMS, Hill's Science Diet, and Nutro to differentiate itself from supermarkets. In 1988 it acquired Wellpet and The Pet Department, while ownership passed to The Spectrum Group and Thomas H. Lee Company. Growth and acquisition activity increased the store base but also created financial strain. Brian K. Devine, recruited from Toys “R” Us, led a restructuring beginning around 1990. He unified acquired stores under the Petco banner, refreshed management and credit practices, favored premium and natural merchandise, and expanded the fish and aquarium category. Petco introduced the Red Ruff and Blue Mews mascots in 1991, adopted the “Where the pets go” slogan in 1992, and began East Coast expansion. Petco went public on Nasdaq in 1994 as PETC. It expanded rapidly through the decade and acquired 104 stores in 1997, including much of the PetCare chain. The expansion contributed to losses in 1998. Petco also invested in online retailer Petopia in 1999; after the dot-com company's collapse, Petco absorbed much of its technology and redirected Petopia.com traffic to Petco.com. Leonard Green & Partners and TPG Capital completed a leveraged buyout in 2000. Petco returned to the public market in 2002, and James Myers, a long-serving former chief financial officer, became chief executive in 2004. In 2003 Petco obtained naming rights to San Diego's downtown baseball stadium. The venue opened as Petco Park in 2004 under a 22-year agreement with the San Diego Padres. The company continued adding services such as grooming, obedience training, vaccinations, and adoption events. Its “Think Adoption First” philosophy encouraged adoption rather than the purchase of companion animals. After criticism from animal-welfare advocates, Petco stopped selling large exotic birds in 2005 and has not sold dogs or cats. The company went private again in 2006 through another Leonard Green and TPG transaction. Petco stopped selling rabbits in 2008, citing concerns about surrendering animals to shelters. In 2011 it established a satellite headquarters in San Antonio and began expanding into Puerto Rico, followed by Mexico through a joint venture with Grupo Gigante. Petco acquired online specialist Drs. Foster and Smith in 2015, gaining prescription-pharmacy and digital-commerce capabilities, but closed the subsidiary's operations in 2019. Its LiveAquaria business was later sold. A planned public offering was withdrawn after CVC Capital Partners and CPP Investments acquired Petco in 2016. The company broadened its distribution through a 2018 Canadian Tire store-within-a-store partnership, although its principal company-operated markets remained the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Chile. It also announced restrictions on artificial ingredients in food and treats in 2018 and ended shock-collar sales in 2020. In January 2021, Petco Health and Wellness Company completed its third IPO and began trading as WOOF. Subsequent initiatives included removing traditional rawhide products, promoting more digestible alternatives, and setting a goal for half of its products to be sustainable by the end of 2025. Petco's recent strategy has emphasized recurring services and health care, including veterinary clinics, Vital Care subscriptions, grooming, training, insurance-related tools, and digital advice. Leadership changed substantially in 2024: Ron Coughlin left as chief executive, R. Michael Mohan served on an interim basis, and Joel Anderson was announced as chief executive in September. Petco remains a publicly traded, active pet-care retailer operating through stores, e-commerce, service locations, and animal-welfare partnerships.
- 2024
Chief-executive transition
[1]R. Michael Mohan served temporarily before Joel Anderson became chief executive.
- 2021
Third IPO and WOOF listing
[1]The company returned to Nasdaq as Petco Health and Wellness Company under WOOF.
- 2016
Acquired by CVC and CPP Investments
[1]The two investment groups acquired Petco after a planned IPO was withdrawn.
- 2003
Petco Park naming agreement
[1]Petco acquired naming rights to San Diego's baseball stadium.
- 2000
Leveraged buyout
[1]Leonard Green and TPG acquired Petco and took it private.
- 1994
First IPO
[1]Petco listed on Nasdaq under the symbol PETC.
- 1979
Petco name adopted
[1]The business was rebranded Petco.
- 1976
First retail store opens
[1]Petco's predecessor opened its first retail location in La Mesa, California.
- 1965
Veterinary-supply business founded
[1]Walter Evans established a mail-order veterinary-supply company in California.
Products and positioning
Health- and wellness-oriented, service-integrated pet retail with premium merchandise, omnichannel access, and an emphasis on adoption and responsible pet care.
Retail stores · 1965
Petco stores
Petco stores sell food, treats, toys, habitats, medication, aquatics merchandise, and general supplies for companion animals. Store formats vary, with selected locations adding grooming, training, vaccinations, veterinary care, self-service washing, and adoption events.
Specialty retail
Unleashed by Petco
Unleashed is a smaller-store format focused primarily on dog and cat food, accessories, services, and community activities. Unlike the conventional Petco format, these stores generally do not sell live animals.
Subscription service
Vital Care
Vital Care is Petco's recurring-care offering, providing subscription benefits connected with veterinary visits and selected routine services such as dog nail trims and teeth cleaning, subject to the applicable plan and market.
Digital service
PetCoach
PetCoach is a web and mobile advice service offering pet-care information and access to guidance. It extends Petco's relationship with customers beyond store visits and product purchases.
Veterinary care
Petco veterinary services
Selected Petco locations contain veterinary hospitals or clinics offering services such as examinations, vaccinations, and other routine care. Veterinary services are central to the company's health-and-wellness positioning.
Animal welfare · 1999
Petco Love
Petco Love, formerly The Petco Foundation, is an independent nonprofit created to support companion-animal welfare and adoption organizations. Petco stores host adoption events in collaboration with local shelters and rescue groups.
Controversies
2013
Rat-bite fever lawsuit
A family sued after a child died from rat-bite fever allegedly contracted from a pet rat. A jury found Petco not negligent or liable.
2011
Johnson City flood deaths
A store flood during Tropical Storm Lee killed nearly 100 animals. After initially disputing the cause, Petco accepted responsibility for misjudging the flood risk.
2010
California animal-care and overcharging settlement
Petco settled a consumer-protection case alleging customer overcharges and inadequate care of some animals. The company did not admit liability.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Sustainability product commitment
United States
Petco announced an objective for half of its products to qualify as sustainable by the end of 2025.
Outcome. Sustainability target announced
- 1992Where the pets go
United States
Petco adopted the “Where the pets go” tagline as part of an identity built around broad pet-owner traffic and community presence.
Outcome. Brand tagline and positioning development
- Think Adoption First
United States
Petco's adoption-first program encourages customers to consider adopting companion animals and supports adoption events hosted with animal-welfare groups.
Outcome. Ongoing adoption and welfare platform
Brand decisions
2021
Traditional rawhide products removedOtherBackground
Petco reviewed chew products in the context of digestibility and pet health.
Action taken
It removed 32 traditional rawhide products and replaced them with alternatives described as easier to digest.
Aftermath
The decision supported the company's health-and-wellness merchandising strategy.
2020
Shock collars removedStrategyBackground
The company faced broader scrutiny of aversive training products.
Action taken
Petco ended sales of shock collars in its stores.
Aftermath
The move aligned the assortment with a welfare-focused brand position.
2018
Artificial-ingredient restrictionsStrategyBackground
Petco sought to differentiate its food assortment through health-oriented standards.
Action taken
The company announced that it would stop selling pet foods and treats containing specified artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Aftermath
The policy strengthened Petco's premium and wellness-oriented identity.
2015
Removal of China-made dog and cat treatsStrategyBackground
Petco had previously stopped selling certain China-made dog and cat food and faced consumer concern about treat sourcing.
Action taken
It became the first national pet retailer to stop selling dog and cat treats made in China.
Aftermath
The decision reinforced a sourcing and product-safety positioning.
2000
Petopia assets integratedM&ABackground
Petco had invested in online retailer Petopia before the dot-com downturn.
Action taken
After Petopia sold most of its assets, Petco used acquired assets to develop its own e-commerce operation and redirected Petopia.com to Petco.com.
Aftermath
The transaction helped establish Petco's online channel.
Recent events
Reported
Petco launches 'Never Naughty, Always Nice' 2026 holiday campaign[3]
On October 13, 2026, Petco (NASDAQ: WOOF) officially kicked off its 2026 holiday campaign 'Never Naughty, Always Nice.' The campaign includes a 2026 Holiday collection with hundreds of new arrivals, 70% of them priced at $10 or less; 'Petsgiving' sampling events at select stores nationwide on November 21–22; weekly 'Nice List' promotions from November 21 through December 25; Black Friday and Cyber Monday BOGO promotions; free in-store events including pet photos with Santa returning to select stores on December 12; new items such as the Petco-exclusive Lambchop Advent Calendar launching in November; a holiday cookbook collaboration with celebrity chef Ronnie Woo launching exclusively at Petco in mid-November; and a give-back program with national nonprofit Petco Love to deliver food to adoptable shelter pets.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Reported
Lowe’s and Petco announce in-store pet departments[4]
Lowe’s is partnering with Petco to open Petco pet departments within Lowe’s stores. The first location was expected to open in February 2022 in Alamo Ranch, Texas, with 14 additional locations planned by the end of March in Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Reported
Lowe's and Petco partner to bring Petco shops into Lowe's stores[5]
Lowe's announced a new partnership with Petco under which Petco shops are planned to appear in a select group of Lowe's stores starting the following month, initially in Texas, with other locations in Texas and North and South Carolina to follow.
Petco rolls out BanQu recycling platform[6]
Petco is driving the rollout of BanQu, a digital platform for tracking recycling transactions and material origins, to South African recycling buyback centres. Ten centres were already equipped, and the system was to be rolled out to 100 centres over the next year.
Reported
Petco appoints Brian LaRose chief financial officer[7]
Petco announced that Brian LaRose was appointed chief financial officer, effective August 19, 2021. Mike Nuzzo continues as chief operating officer and president of Petco Services.
Reported
Petco appoints R. Michael Mohan as Lead Independent Director[8]
Petco announced that its Board of Directors appointed R. Michael Mohan as Lead Independent Director. Mohan joined Petco's board in March 2021 and will continue to serve on its Audit Committee.
Reported
PetDx and Petco announce OncoK9 rollout[9]
PetDx announced that it was partnering with Petco to roll out OncoK9, a liquid-biopsy test for detecting cancer in dogs. The initial rollout at Petco veterinary offices was scheduled to begin May 26.
Reported
Petco launches Petco Pay credit cards[10]
Petco announced the launch of Petco Pay, a credit card program comprising a co-branded Mastercard and a private-label credit card, issued by Alliance Data. Petco said it would donate a portion of purchases made with the cards to Petco Love, up to $1 million annually in total.
Reported
Petco launches sustainable shopping destination[11]
Petco launched a sustainable shopping destination on petco.com and added in-aisle signage at most of its pet care centers to help customers identify and shop for sustainable pet products.
Reported
Petco announces IPO pricing[12]
Petco announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 48 million Class A shares at $18 per share. The company said trading on Nasdaq was expected to begin January 14, 2021, and the offering was expected to close January 19, subject to customary conditions.
Sources17 sources
- 1Petcoen.wikipedia.org
- 2Petco corporate websitepetco.com
- 3Petco 启动2026年"Never Naughty, Always Nice"假日季营销活动prnewswire.com
- 4Lowe’s与Petco宣布在店内开设宠物用品专区yahoo.com
- 5Lowe's 与 Petco 合作在 Lowe's 门店引入 Petco 商店businessinsider.com
- 6Petco推出BanQu回收追踪平台engineeringnews.co.za
- 7Petco任命Brian LaRose为首席财务官prnewswire.com
- 8Petco 任命 R. Michael Mohan 为首席独立董事prnewswire.com
- 9PetDx与Petco宣布推出OncoK9检测服务finance.sina.com.cn
- 10Petco推出Petco Pay信用卡prnewswire.com
- 11Petco 推出可持续产品购物专区prnewswire.com
- 12Petco 宣布首次公开募股定价prnewswire.com
- 13Petco与DoorDash合作推出全美当日配送prnewswire.com
- 14Petco宣布设立员工援助基金timesofsandiego.com
- 15Petco在墨西卡利开设门店sdbj.com
- 16Petco在蒂华纳开设首家门店timesofsandiego.com
- 17Petco Announces Closing of Initial Public Offeringprnewswire.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/petco · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled