Petco™ Turtle Relinquishment Program Addresses Salmonella Outbreak

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As salmonella infections linked to turtles continue to be reported across the United States, Petco™ has responded with their Turtle Relinquishment Program in joint partnership with Concordia Turtle Farm. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers more information at this link: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/dpk-salmonella.html.  Petco stores will accept any aquatic turtle, regardless of size."

Since 1975, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale and distribution of small turtles with shells measuring less than four-inches in length. This is a necessary safety precaution that Petco has happily adhered to in order to protect the safety and wellbeing of customers. Turtles relinquished to a Petco store whose carapace length is under four inches will be shipped to Concordia Turtle Farm. The Turtle Relinquishment Program excludes stores in Hawaii.

The following safety tips from the CDC and Petco will help eliminate the potential of salmonella infection:

• Don't buy small turtles under four inches from street vendors, websites, pet stores or any other sources.
• Do not capture turtles in the wild and keep them as pets.
• Do not keep reptiles in child care centers, nursery schools or other facilities with young children.
• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after touching reptiles or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults should always supervise hand washing for young children. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer.

For additional safe handling techniques, download the Petco Recommendations for Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Diseases in Reptiles care sheet: http://www.petco.com/assets/caresheets/reptile/infectious-disease-reptile.pdf

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 1,150 stores nationwide, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $100 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 8,000 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 250,000 animals through in-store adoption events every year.

CONTACT:
Mia West
619.501.2756
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco