Petfinder.com Foundation Partners With Merial to Donate $1 Million Worth of Generators...

Petfinder.com Foundation Partners With Merial to Donate $1 Million Worth of
Generators to Shelters and Rescue Groups Nationwide
Petfinder.com Announces 'Power to the Paws' Program to Ensure Animal Welfare
Groups Are Prepared for Natural Disasters

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Petfinder.com, the largest
online database of adoptable pets, announced today the launch of its Power to
the Paws program in which the Petfinder.com Foundation is giving more than $1
million worth of generators to shelters and rescue groups across the country.
Petfinder.com, a network of more than 11,800 animal welfare organizations,
found that many groups lack the tools they need to prepare for natural
disasters and ensure the safety of their animals. With ongoing support from
Merial, the maker of HEARTGARD(R) (ivermectin) and FRONTLINE(R) brand
products, and its Paws to Save Pets(SM) program, the Foundation is giving
generators to eligible members that submit a grant application by October 1,
2008.
"We think it is critical to provide shelters and rescues with resources to
prepare for natural and man-made disasters," said Betsy Saul, co-founder of
Petfinder.com. "Petfinder.com is extremely thankful for Honda's help in
distributing generators to animal welfare organizations and for the
long-lasting relationship we have with Merial. It is amazing to work with such
great corporations who understand the importance of our family pets and the
homeless animals in need."
To encourage community members to get involved and support their local
shelters, Petfinder.com is also holding a voting contest at
http://www.petfinder.com/disasterprep . The two Petfinder.com shelters or
rescue groups with the most votes on the site will each receive $5,000.
Visitors can also take the Power to the Paws Disaster Preparedness Pledge
which encourages individuals to protect their pet's safety and alleviate the
strain on their local animal welfare organizations.
"As our network grows, we have seen how quickly disasters can devastate
communities unexpectedly. We now have more than 290,000 adoptable animals
listed on our site, and we want to ensure the safety of every single one,"
said Saul.
About Petfinder.com:
Petfinder.com is an online, searchable database of animals that need
permanent homes. A directory of over 11,800 animal shelters and adoption
organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico, the organization's technology
helps visitors search adoptable pets in their areas that fit their family's
individual needs and preferences. In addition, Petfinder.com also offers a
wealth of information about how to select a family pet and how to raise and
care for an animal. The Web site is free to use. Animal shelters and placement
groups can register to join Petfinder.com online and can start entering pets
the same day. Petfinder.com was named one of TIME magazine's 50 Best Web Sites
of 2008.
About Merial:
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company,
providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being
and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than 5,000
people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2007 sales were
nearly $2.5 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co.,
Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please visit www.merial.com .
CONTACT:
Thea Linscott Katy Layton
CooperKatz & Co. for Petfinder.com CooperKatz & Co. for Petfinder.com
917-595-3061 917-595-3057
tlinscott@cooperkatz.com klayton@cooperkatz.com

SOURCE Petfinder.com

Thea Linscott, +1-917-595-3061, tlinscott@cooperkatz.com, or Katy Layton,
+1-917-595-3057, klayton@cooperkatz.com, both of CooperKatz & Co. for
Petfinder.com