PHOENIX, Mar 04, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

As Rango, the much anticipated animated feature about a reptile, opens in theaters nationwide today, PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM), a leading expert in specialty pets, is encouraging families to educate themselves about the benefits and responsibilities of being a good reptile pet parent.

"Curiosity about reptiles will increase among parents and children who see Rango, and for that reason, PetSmart is excited to be involved with this movie," said John Gerstenberger, Specialty Pets Expert at PetSmart. "Our goal is to be the source for the appropriate education and information about caring for reptiles for anyone who is considering adding these special pets to their family. From cost and time commitments to behaviors, nutrition and habitats, our specially trained pet care associates have the information and expertise to help people make informed decisions about what pet, if any, is right for them."

According to Gerstenberger, families should consider the following key points when thinking about adding a reptile to the family:

• Set-up and maintenance costs: Reptiles, like any other pet, need housing, food and annual health check-ups. Some even have specific habitat requirements such as special lighting that require scheduled replacements. Make sure you understand both the immediate and ongoing costs of caring for a pet reptile.
• Living space: All pet reptiles need an enclosed habitat with enough floor space for them to easily move around and/or climb. Think about where you want to keep the habitat in your home, and make sure the habitat is big enough to accommodate the pet reptile as it grows.
• Daily lifestyle: Reptiles need fresh food and water on a regular basis. Because they are kept in an enclosed habitat, time and attention to the cleanliness of that space is also required. And, like most pets, reptiles want and deserve your attention. Hanging out and bonding with your reptile can be the most rewarding part of having these special creatures as pets.

Families wanting additional information on pet reptiles and their care can join Gerstenberger in a live chat on http://www.facebook.com/PetSmart on March 8, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Additionally, families can access breed-specific PetSmart Care Guides at www.PetSmart.com/CareGuides, visit the PetSmart reptile microsite at www.PetSmart.com/reptile or go to their local PetSmart store and talk with a pet care associate.

About PetSmart

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 47,000 associates and operates more than 1,187 pet stores in the United States and Canada, 180 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel^(R) 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, PetSmart^(R) Doggie Day Campâ" pet day care services and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, has provided more than $110 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities^(R), PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 4.4 million pets.

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SOURCE: PetSmart, Inc.

GolinHarris for PetSmart
Anuradha Koli, 972-341-2578
akoli@golinharris.com
or
PetSmart Media Line, 623-587-2177
pr@ssg.petsmart.com