PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES INC. : What’s “Betta” Than a Personalized Fish? – 4

What’s “Betta” Than a Personalized Fish?

Betta Fish Make a Big Splash at Petco™’s “Meet the
Critters” Event

San Diego, CA (August 2012) – With a fresh school
year right around the corner, kids will be
responsible for learning new skills. A new pet,
such as a betta fish, is a great way to teach
children about responsibility while teaching them
what it means to be a pet parent. Bonding with
their bright, colorful and charismatic friend can
liven up any homework desk as the school year
begins. Petco™’s “Meet the Critters” event on
August 18-19, 2012 from 1-2 p.m. will showcase the
betta fish to help attendees learn more about this
multi-faceted fish and whether it’s right for their
home this school year.

During the two-day, family-friendly “Meet the
Critters” event, attendees can tour the Petco Zoo,
which displays the variety of colors and patterns
bettas come in, as well as the many accessories
that can be used to create a personalized betta
habitat. On their tour, guests will also learn fun
facts about betta fish, such as:

• Bettas recognize their owners and will actually
  learn faces! 
• Male betta fish will build bubble nests when
  they’re happy.
• They love to have lots of colorful plants and
  accessories in their habitats; silk plants are
  the best choice because they do not cause tearing
  to a betta’s delicate fins.
• The betta is a native freshwater fish from
  Thailand and Cambodia where they are known to
  live in rice patties.
• Bettas are anabantoids, which means they can
  breathe atmospheric air thanks to a unique organ
  called the labyrinth. This is one characteristic
  that makes them such hardy fish.

Once guests have narrowed down the accessories for
their betta fish habitat, they are encouraged to
take pictures of their new pet and upload to www.facebook.com/petco. 
The site will host a Betta Photo Contest from
August 13 through August 26, 2012 to give children
a chance to show off their very own betta
habitat.   

For more information on Petco’s “Meet the Critters”
events visit http://www.petco.com/kids.

About Petco

Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that
provides the products, services and advice that
make it easier for our customers to be great pet
parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision
for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World.
We operate more than 1,100 stores nationwide,
including more than 30 Unleashed by Petco
locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and
www.petco.com. 
The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit
organization, has raised more than $90 million
since it was created in 1999 to help promote and
improve the welfare of companion animals. In
conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and
support approximately 7,500 local animal welfare
groups across the country to help find homes for
more than 250,000 animals through in-store adoption
events every year.

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