FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PETCO Contacts:
Don Cowan
Director of Public Relations, PETCO
(858) 657-2086
The Search for America's Fastest Chihuahua Is On
Third Annual PETCO Unleashed Races Ready to Roll
SAN DIEGO, April 10, 2007 - They may be tiny in stature, but they are ready to kick some tail! The search for America's Fastest Chihuahua is on, as the third annual PETCO Unleashed races are about to roll across the country.
Thousands of pint-size pets with larger-than-life personalities will face off during 15 regional races held during the first three weekends in May. The competitors, accompanied by their human family members, will race in heats of 10 along a 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track. Regional winners will be awarded a trip to San Diego to race for the coveted title of America's Fastest Chihuahua in front of cheering crowds between innings of a major league baseball game at PETCO Park, home to the San Diego Padres, on Sept. 2, 2007.
Regional races will be held on May 5 in Sacramento, Calif., Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Miami; on May 12 in Boston, Phoenix, Anaheim, Calif., San Francisco and Dallas; and on May 19 in Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Houston and Washington, D.C.
The national race will decide a successor to the current title holder, 3-year-old Tiger from Bakersfield, Calif. The winner will earn bragging rights, a trophy, a $300 PETCO gift card and a year's supply of Royal Canin Chihuahua food - approximately 12 times the average Chihuahua's weight.
Chihuahuas are the 11th most popular purebred dog breed in the country, according to the American Kennel Club. They are also considered the smallest and lightest dogs in the world. PETCO and race co-sponsor Royal Canin hold the event to celebrate this fast-growing small breed of dog and to encourage all animal lovers to consider adoption as a first option when adding a pet to their family.
"These little dogs have huge hearts and make great companion animals," said Heather Olson, local store marketing program manager at PETCO. "The PETCO Unleashed race is about family fun and about reminding people that there are millions of adoptable pets - including Chihuahuas - waiting for loving homes."
During the races, PETCO and The PETCO Foundation will again work with Chihuahua Rescue & Transport to help more homeless Chihuahuas find new families.