According to a report from the St. Louis Business Journal, national pet store chain  to build an education center at the new downtown headquarters of . Stray Rescue’s purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health, and place them in loving adoptive homes. The organization operates three shelters in the St. Louis area. Representatives from PETCO plan to present Stray Rescue founder Randy Grim with a check this week to help with the $3 million building project.

Stray Rescue is planning for a July 1 grand opening of the new animal companion center, which will include a trauma center and vet clinic, a parvovirus treatment unit, 69 dog runs and Stray Rescue’s administrative offices as well as the education center funded by PETCO.

So far, the majority of large donations for the new 17,000-square-foot shelter have come from businesses based outside of the state, according to Grim, and he asking local businesses and donors for additional financial support to finish construction and begin work on a second phase of construction that will include a visitor lobby, adoption floor and outdoor dog play yard.

Virtually all of the pets rescued by the organization have been abused and neglected. According to the Stray Rescue website, rescued animals often make the best pets, in return for a little affection and attention, rewarding their new owners with unmatched love and loyalty.

The PETCO Foundation partners with over 6,200 non-profit animal welfare groups to provide the monetary, tangible and educational resources that will help them continue to make a difference in the lives of the companion animals in our nation. So far, 2.7 million animals have been saved as a result.