Trick or Treat, Smell My...Paws?

Market Wire, October, 2008

A recent PetSmart® (NASDAQ: PETM) survey shows that one in 10 pet parents dressed their pets in costumes for Halloween last year. With more than 160 million dogs and cats in the U.S., this means that at least 16 million of them are wondering what their loving pet parents have in store this year. Pets and pet parents can take comfort knowing that PetSmart has the latest in Halloween pet products and costumes, and a costume party and photo event to keep pets well-heeled and tricked out this Halloween.

"Every year more and more pet parents dress their pets up for Halloween and include them in the fun," said PetSmart Dog Fashion Expert Rashell Cooper. "Pets are members of the family, and just like kids, they will sport the latest trends in costumes this Halloween."

Cooper expects favorite Halloween pet costumes from 2007, like the pumpkin, witch and princess costumes, to be popular again this year. "Our angel and devil costumes are back this year, which some pet parents will buy for the same pet." New exclusive costumes include a bumble bee, replete with a stinger, a cow and a mail man with the saying, "Mutt Mail." All dog costumes are available for less than $20 U.S. ($22 CAN).

"We can't forget about the cats," said Cooper. PetSmart has a line of Halloween cat hats including a devil, witch, pumpkin, clown and -- of course -- a mouse. "People don't believe me when I tell them that cat costumes are a huge hit with our pet parents. No one thinks their cat will wear a hat, but many of them will!" Cat hats are $6.99 U.S. ($7.99 CAN).

For the first time, PetSmart has a variety of costumes featuring favorite Disney characters, including Snow White, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. For the pets or parents who think less is more, PetSmart also offers traditional orange- and black-themed collars and leads, hats and tees.

Along with a variety of Halloween dog toys , PetSmart offers a teddy bear wearing a pumpkin or devil costume that is an exact match to the dog costume. "It's a fun and unique way to incorporate Halloween into everything that makes pets -- and their parents -- happy," said Jim Smith, senior buyer of toys for PetSmart.

Howl-O-Ween Costume Party and Photo Event

Pets and their parents can model their favorite Halloween fashions during PetSmart's annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest and Photo Event on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event, which will be held in all PetSmart stores, will include a costumed pet parade from 6:30-6:45 p.m., and a Best Pet Costume Contest from 6:45-7:15 p.m. Winners of the contest will be selected by the audience and will receive PetSmart gift cards worth $20 for first place, $10 for second place and $5 for third place.

The first pets to arrive at the event will receive free goodie bags filled with treats and coupons. Pet parents can capture the excitement of the night with a digital photo and Halloween-themed frame for $4.95 with their PetPerks® card.

"Participating in unique activities, such as PetSmart's Howl-O-Ween event, strengthens the bond between pets and their parents by creating new ways to spend time together," said Suzanne Hetts, a certified animal behaviorist and owner of Animal Behavior Associates. "Anytime pets and their families can do things together both at home and away from home, it creates stronger relationships, and happier, better socialized pets. The Howl-O-Ween event provides a safe environment and a great opportunity for pets and their parents to be together and have fun."

Pet parents eager to share their pet's winning look before PetSmart's Howl-O-Ween event can enter the PetSmart Online Howl-O-Ween Photo Contest co-sponsored by Avanti Press. The contest runs from September 22 through October 19. The grand prize winner will receive a $150 PetSmart gift card, a box of 1000 cards/envelopes with the winning photo on it, and an Avanti gift bag valued at $100. The winning photo may even be turned into a nationally-distributed greeting card by Avanti Press. In addition, five finalists will win $150 PetSmart gift cards, a box of 200 cards/envelopes each with their winning photos on them, and an Avanti gift bag valued at $100. Winners will be announced October 27, 2008 on PetSmart.com.

For more information about Halloween costumes, safety tips and the national Howl-O-Ween party, or to talk with a PetSmart expert, call the PetSmart 24-Hour Media Line at 623-587-2177 or visit www.petsmartnews.com .

About PetSmart

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 1043 pet stores in the United States and Canada, a growing number of in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® cat and dog boarding facilities, and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information ( http://www.petsmart.com ). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers complete pet training, pet grooming, pet boarding, doggie day camp and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization, has funded more than $70 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store pet adoption programs, has helped save the lives of more than 3 million pets.