Pets and Their Owners No Longer Have to Heel in Long Lines as PETCO Now Accepts MasterCard® PayPass™

Leading Pet Supply Retailer Joins Expanding List of Merchants Accepting Contactless Payment Technology to Offer Consumers Speed and Convenience

PURCHASE, N.Y.–MasterCard Worldwide and PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., announced today that MasterCard PayPass, an innovative contactless payment option, will now be accepted at all of PETCO’s nearly 900 stores located in 49 states and the District of Columbia. PETCO, a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services, is an ideal location for this quick and easy contactless payment option, helping customers and their four-legged friends speed through the checkout process.

“We understand the time and attention that a pet can demand, so we try to make life a little easier for our customers,” said J Smith, PETCO’s Vice President, Network & Store Systems. “For years, we have allowed customers to bring their pets to the store, and now PETCO is accepting MasterCard PayPass so that consumers spend less time in line, and more time doing the things they enjoy.”

With MasterCard PayPass, consumers no longer need to juggle their dog’s leash or cat’s carrying case while reaching for their wallet to fumble for cash. Customers simply tap their PayPass-enabled card or device on the PayPass reader and are on their way. Purchases under $25 will not require the customer to sign the receipt, further speeding up the transaction. In addition, PETCO will continue to accept traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards.

“By accepting MasterCard PayPass, PETCO demonstrates that it is a leader when it comes to exceptional customer service,” said T.J. Sharkey, Senior Vice President, US Merchant Sales, MasterCard Worldwide. “PETCO’s commitment to making the shopping experience as quick and convenient as possible will be appreciated not only by their customers, but also by the pets that they welcome in their stores.”

About MasterCard PayPass

MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems and parking garages. As of 2Q 2007, there are more than 16 million PayPass cards and devices issued globally, and PayPass is currently accepted globally at more than 55,000 merchant locations, including participating 7-Eleven, CVS, McDonald’s, Regal Entertainment Group theaters and many others. PayPass is also accepted at numerous professional football and baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit www.mastercard.com/paypass.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link between financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes close to 16 billion payments each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercardworldwide.com.

About PETCO

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. The company operates nearly 900 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Its nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $36 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 4,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.