Retiring Petco Love President Susanne Kogut
Recognized for more than a Decade of Dedicated Service
SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Petco Love, a national nonprofit dedicated to leading change for pets and the people who love them, today announced the retirement of President Susanne Kogut and the appointment of Chelsea Staley, the organization’s current Director of Lifesaving, as its next President, effective December 17.
Petco Love announced today the appointment of Chelsea Staley (pictured with her pets), the organization’s current Director of Lifesaving, as its next President.
Kogut, who has served as President since 2013, has been a transformative force in expanding Petco Love’s impact, strengthening the organization’s lifesaving partnerships, and driving major innovations — including the launch and national growth of Petco Love Lost, the free, searchable pet reunification platform helping families find missing pets across the country. Under her leadership, Petco Love has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in lifesaving work and advanced its mission to harness the power of love to make communities and pet families stronger.
“Serving as President of Petco Love has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Kogut. “The compassion, collaboration, and commitment of the animal welfare community continues to inspire me every day. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and thrilled to pass the baton to Chelsea. Her strategic vision and deep dedication to lifesaving make her the perfect leader to guide Petco Love into its next chapter.”
Staley joined Petco Love in 2020 as Director of Lifesaving, bringing extensive experience in animal welfare leadership, shelter operations, and community-based lifesaving strategies. In her role, she has overseen national lifesaving programs, strengthened shelter partnerships, and championed data-driven approaches to help more pets find safety and love.
“Chelsea has demonstrated tremendous leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to lifesaving and pet adoption,” said Joe Venezia, Petco Love’s Chairman of the Board and Petco’s Chief Revenue Officer. “The Petco Love Board and I have complete confidence in her ability to guide Petco Love into its next chapter, and we look forward to working with her to continue advancing our mission and expanding our impact for pets and the people who love them.”
“I am honored to step into this role and look forward to working closely with the Petco Love Board of Directors and Petco’s leadership team to continue advancing our mission,” said Staley. “Together, we will build on Petco Love’s strong foundation and pursue new opportunities to make an even greater lifesaving impact for pets and the families who love them.”
The Petco Love leadership team will continue to drive lifesaving impact for pets with a combined 70+ years of animal welfare experience. Kogut will assist in the transition as necessary to ensure continuity and support for Petco Love’s ongoing initiatives.
About Petco Love
Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999, we’ve empowered animal welfare organizations by investing more than $430 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We’ve helped find loving homes for more than 7.1 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Is love calling you? Join us. Visit Petco Love or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.
About Petco
We’re proud to be “where the pets go” to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We nurture the pet-human bond in the aisles of more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico. Customers experience our exclusive selection of pet care products, services, expertise and membership offerings in stores and online at petco.com, and on the Petco app. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide, and have helped find homes for 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
Media Contact:
Crystal Bugary, Petco Love
[email protected]
SOURCE Petco Love
