National nonprofit organization Petco Love and the local ASTRO Foundation want to hear how your adopted pet has transformed your life in big and small ways.
The ASTRO Foundation is encouraging adopters in the community to share how their adopted pet changed their life — for a chance to win a lifesaving investment up to $100,000. Each Petco Love Story entry of a pet adopted at ASTRO gives the local organization a chance to win. ASTRO serves the communities of Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon.
Submissions opened on Aug. 11 for Petco Love Stories, an annual call for adopters to share their heartwarming and inspiring tales of love about the pet they adopted from their local animal welfare organization, including the ASTRO Foundation.
Since 2013, more than 25,000 adopters have shared their Petco Love Story, and Petco Love has awarded $8 million in lifesaving investments to the animal welfare organizations that made those adoptions possible. The annual campaign is a celebration of the unique love adopted pets share and the heartfelt ways their love enhances the lives of their adopters. Earlier this year, Petco Love awarded $500,000 to 25 animal welfare partners across the country in celebration of the 2024-2025 Petco Love Stories winners, with the grand prize-winning organization receiving $100,000.
Local officials said the ASTRO Foundation “wants you to brag about your pet and submit your love story to inspire more pet adoptions” and help shelter pets find loving homes.
“Every adoption is a ripple of hope. By sharing your Love Story, you not only celebrate the joy your pet has brought into your life, but you also inspire others to open their hearts and homes to pets who still need loving homes,” said Megan Scoullar, Director of Adoption Services.
“Petco Love Stories highlights the life-changing impact adopted pets have on the people who love them,” said Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love. “These powerful stories not only celebrate the unbreakable bond between pets and their families, but also highlight the incredible work of our animal welfare organization partners across the country. We’re proud to champion these connections and help more pets find loving homes.”
Participants can submit their Love Story in written form or share a link to a public-facing social media video, or by using both formats. This allows adopters to creatively express the unique ways their pets have impacted their lives.
Submissions for Petco Love Stories are open to individuals ages 18 and older, or those with parental consent. In 500 words or less, participants can share their Love Story along with photos or videos of their adopted pet. Submissions opened on Aug. 11 and close at 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Sept. 29, 2025.
The ASTRO Foundation encourages all past adopters to share their love story and help us continue saving lives through adoption. Show the world that adopted pets change our lives for the better.
For more information, contact Megan Scoullar, ASTRO Foundation, megan@astrofoundation.org or Crystal Bugary, Petco Love, media@petcolove.org.
Founded in 2012, the ASTRO Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon. To date, ASTRO has rescued over 10,000 animals, placing hundreds of cats and dogs into loving homes each year. Beyond adoptions, ASTRO addresses the root causes of animal homelessness through its Community Cat Program, Happy Pets Food Pantry, and humane education efforts. In 2025, ASTRO opened its new facility in Oakdale, creating a hub for adoptions, community programs, and compassionate connections between people and pets. Learn more at www.astrofoundation.org.
Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since its founding in 1999, the organization has empowered animal welfare organizations by investing nearly $421 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. They’ve helped find loving homes for more than seven million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Visit petcolove.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
