Our response to COVID-19

As news and information around Coronavirus/COVID-19 continues to evolve, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking proactive, precautionary steps to protect our partners, guests, the pets in our care and our overall business as it progresses. The health and safety of pets and their families is always our top priority and we are following and reinforcing all guidance and resources available from the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Here are some specific steps we are taking:

• We're encouraging all Petco partners to follow appropriate preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including staying home if they are feeling ill or believe they may be at risk.
• In addition to our Petco partners' established sick time and paid time off, we're providing up to five days of pay specifically designed to further support those directly affected by COVID-19 – whether by a confirmed case, required or voluntary self-quarantine due to being high-risk, living with or caring for someone at high-risk, or because they feel ill or face related dependent care challenges.
• To provide ongoing support to our Petco partners as they face the effects of COVID-19 – and in future times of need – we’ve launched the Petco Partner Assistance Fund, with $2 million from Petco and more from our sponsors at CVC Capital Partners, our board of directors, our Petco Pet Wellness Council, and our leadership team, including our CEO, Ron Coughlin.
• We have awarded $13 million in additional compensation for our Petco pet care center and field partners, including five cycles of COVID-19 appreciation bonuses, in recognition of the courageous way they are serving pets and their families in these uncertain times.
• All Petco pet care centers are cleaned and sanitized daily as part of our normal business operations. In light of COVID-19, we're increasing the frequency and extent of those cleanings and taking proactive steps to ensure all Petco locations (including pet care centers and our distribution and support centers) have ample hygiene and sanitation supplies available.
• To protect the health and wellness of our partners, guests and the communities we serve. We strongly encourage all Petco partners who can get vaccinated to do so as soon as they are eligible. Petco is providing a one-time $75 payment to each partner who completes their COVID-19 vaccination program and contributing $25 to the Petco Partner Assistance Fund – which provides assistance to employees experiencing financial hardship – on their behalf.
• Based on guidance from the CDC and other public health experts, as of May 21, 2021 facial coverings are optional for fully-vaccinated guests in our Petco pet care centers, unless mandated by state or local government.
• Out of an abundance of caution, we've made disposable gloves facial coverings available to all Petco partners and have installed register lane acrylic guards in Petco pet care centers nationwide.
• We've made hand sanitizer available to Petco partners and customers with dispenser stations located throughout our pet care centers, including high-traffic areas such as checkout counters and grooming salons.
• To help protect the health and safety of our employees and the broader communities we serve, we conduct health screenings for Petco employees, vendors and volunteer staff in all Petco locations. Upon arrival to our pet care centers, their body temperature is evaluated using non-contact thermometers. If they have a fever, they’re sent home to rest out of an abundance of caution.
• Using in-store signage, we’re encouraging customers to help us keep our communities safe by maintaining at least six feet of distance from others and following other recommended precautions.
• In addition to our physical Petco pet care centers, we're ready to serve pet parents online through petco.com and the Petco app, with repeat delivery; curbside pickup; same-day delivery and buy online, pickup in store options.
• Throughout the pandemic, we have restricted travel across the company, including vendor travel and visits to Petco locations, and cancelled attendance at large meetings and gatherings. As vaccination rates increase and COVID-19 cases decline across the country, we will continue to follow CDC guidance for travel and large gatherings.
• Support centers (corporate offices) partners are working from home when possible.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the nation's health protection agency, defines Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 tend to experience mild to severe respiratory illness that can include fever, cough or shortness of breath. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should see their healthcare providers as early as possible for examination.

The CDC says COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting sick, and those who have been fully vaccinated can begin to resume certain pre-pandemic activities.

The CDC recommends the following guidance for unvaccinated people:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available.
• Wear a CDC-compliant facial covering that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from people who don’t live in your same household.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

According to the CDC, based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. See what the CDC says if you have pets for more information about pets and COVID-19.

Public health experts continue to learn about the virus, but it appears it can spread from people to animals in some situations. The CDC is aware of a zoo tiger testing positive for COVID-19, as well as a small number of pets in the United States – mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. If you have pets, treat them as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible COVID-19 infection.

The CDC does not recommend routine testing for animals, and under no circumstances should pet parents take measures that may compromise their pets’ welfare.

If you're sick with COVID-19 and your pet also becomes sick, call your veterinarian. If your pet tests positive for COVID-19, keep the pet in isolation in the home (away from everyone else, including other pets) until a licensed veterinarian says they can be around other pets and people. Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

Since animals can spread other diseases to people, the CDC always recommends washing your hands after being around animals. For more information, read the CDC's FAQ on COVID-19 and animals. You can also learn more about staying safe and healthy around animals including pets, livestock, and wildlife, by visiting the CDC's Healthy Pets, Healthy People website.

Ferrets are known to be at risk for catching certain coronaviruses, and some other viruses that can make people sick. Currently, there are no known cases of ferrets becoming sick or showing positive for COVID-19.

Pet parents should always include pets in their family’s emergency preparedness planning and ensure they have enough food and product to care for pets as a general precaution for disaster preparedness.

To provide ongoing support to our more than 25,000 employees (we call them Petco partners) as they face the effects of COVID-19 – and in future times of need – we've launched the Petco Partner Assistance Fund. This employee relief fund received an initial $2 million investment from Petco, plus additional donations from the company's private equity sponsors at CVC Capital Partners, the Petco Pet Wellness Council – an independent coalition of leading experts in veterinary science and animal care – and personal donations from every member of Petco's Board of Directors and executive leadership team, including our CEO Ron Coughlin.

The Petco Partner Assistance Fund is administered by E4E Relief and open for donations. All contributions directly support Petco partners in need. Petco partners can apply for support as of March 22, 2020. This new fund is in addition to other measures we’ve taken to support our partners as we navigate COVID-19, including providing pay specifically designed to further support those directly affected by COVID-19. For more information on the Petco Partner Assistance Fund or to make a donation, visit petco.e4e.org.

Our team is working non-stop to meet the needs of pet parents during this rapidly evolving situation. In addition to our physical pet care centers, we're also ready to serve you in any of the following ways.

• Through petco.com and the Petco app – with repeat delivery; curbside pickup; same-day delivery and buy online, pickup in store options available at most Petco pet care centers.
• By phone – call 833-893-0111 to place orders and have pet food and other essentials delivered to your home.
• Curbside pickup – the majority of our Petco locations now offer curbside pickup to provide pet parents who are self-isolating with peace of mind knowing their pets' essentials can be brought directly to their car.

In addition to increasing the frequency and extent of daily pet care center cleanings, we're continuing to provide the pets in our pet care centers with appropriate care and habitat maintenance. As part of our industry-leading animal care standards, we have plans in place to protect and care for the pets in our pet care centers in the event of emergencies or pet care centers closures, and the current COVID-19 situation is no exception. If any pet care center needs to close, we will follow our emergency animal care protocol, including transferring animals to alternative safe locations if necessary.

Petco Love is working with local animal welfare organizations to ensure each of their adoptable pets currently housed at Petco pet care centers is being cared for appropriately.

We’re proud to be the grocery store, pharmacy and doctor’s office for many four-legged loved ones. We’re open and continuing to serve the needs of pets and their families – including our in-store veterinary care, grooming and dog training services – but we’ve taken the following proactive, precautionary steps to protect everyone in the broader Petco family.

• We’re offering group and private dog training lessons in our Petco pet care centers – book your appointment today!
• Pet parents can also continue reinforcing positive dog behaviors at home by attending Petco’s online dog training courses led by Petco certified dog trainers live via Zoom – book a virtual class for you and your pet!
• Based on guidance from the CDC and other public health experts, as of May 21, 2021 facial coverings are optional for fully-vaccinated guests in our Petco pet care centers, unless mandated by state or local government.
• Our in-store veterinary hospitals are continuing to provide full services care including, vaccinations, microchipping, surgery, dental care, and other vital health services for pets. In addition to frequent cleaning and sanitizing throughout the hospitals, we're offering new services like pet exchange, curbside drop-off and text notifications at select locations to help minimize personal contact. Ask about these options when you book an appointment. Check your location's updated hours of operation here.
• Vetco vaccination clinics are currently operating in select locations. To properly manage social gatherings, patients are welcomed by appointment only. Find a location near you to book your pet's appointment. Pet parents are being asked to conduct check-ins from their car via phone, to receive instructions on when to enter the clinic and where to wait. All waiting locations provide six feet of distance from the area where veterinary services are performed. Only the pet receiving services and one pet parent are being received per appointment – additional family members should remain home to help keep everyone safe. Rest assured, all Vetco vaccination clinic staff is being directed to constantly wash and sanitize their hands during shifts. Tables and tablets are also being routinely cleaned in all operating clinics.
• To help our groomers and pet parents maintain a safe distance from each other, we've restructured our Petco grooming schedules. We ask that only the pet receiving services and one pet parent visit our check-in desk. Pet parents are being asked to maintain a safe distance between themselves and others by waiting outside of the salon if another pet is being checked in and, when possible, we're scheduling pick-up times to limit the number of pet parents waiting for their newly-groomed dogs. We properly clean and disinfect the work area (counters, stations, and equipment) before welcoming the next pet.

In the communities where it’s safe to do so, Petco Love is working closely with local animal welfare organizations to place adoptable cats in the adoption stations located inside Petco pet care centers. Additionally, when and where safe to do so, Petco Love and local animal welfare organizations may resume weekend adoption events in select Petco pet care centers. To properly manage social gatherings, pet parents, community members and Petco partners are being asked to maintain a safe distance between themselves and others, as well as adhere to all in-store health and safety guidelines. Petco Love is also working closely with our animal welfare partners to encourage and support pet adoption, as well as foster care approaches that limit human interaction. Pets currently in pet care center adoption habitats will remain cared for and available for adoption.

As animal shelters brace for the long-term economic impacts of COVID-19, Petco Love activated the Pledge to Save Pet Lives by distributing $1 million in product and cash donations, and putting out a national call to implore animal lovers to help save animal lives. This was distributed as a matching grant to double donations and help increase local shelters' ability to help pet parents in need. This commitment follows Petco Love’s distribution of more than $13 million to animal welfare organizations nationwide, including a donation along with Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin to regional food banks operated by the ASPCA to assist pet parents in need.

Petco Love is in close communication with organizations across the nation to support emerging needs. They're also working closely with the animal shelter coronavirus collaborative group, which supports some of the largest shelters in the country by sharing information and bringing experts together to develop resources and recommendations. This includes a national effort to promote pet fostering to save lives.