Discovery Press Web United States

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Silver Spring, Md. – Petfinder, the online leader in responsible pet ownership, has been committed to animal welfare and the organizations dedicated to the cause since its founding in 1996. To date, Petfinder has facilitated more than 20 million pet adoptions and, as a go-to resource for millions of pet parents, is extending its value through the launch of the Petfinder Seal of Approval – a special designation for partner products, services, brands and initiatives that have met strict pet-friendly criteria.

With the announcement, Petfinder is happy to acknowledge the first three recipients of the Petfinder Seal of Approval: HomeAgain, PetFirst Healthcare and Thundershirt. Each brand has been vetted to ensure that they have:

• Not been involved in invasive or harmful testing on animals during the past 10 or more years, and has no current or planned involvement in invasive or harmful testing on animals.
• Not been involved in the promotion of the sale or breeding of animals during the past 10 or more years, and have no current or planned involvement in the promotion of the sale or breeding of animals;
• Not had a record of animal injury or death due to product or brand use for at least the past 10years, and brand does not currently support events or initiatives that cause or promote animal injury or death and has not supported such events or initiatives for at least the past 10 years; and
• Demonstrated a commitment to explicitly and positively impact the welfare of animals through donations, promotions and/or financial support.

“Petfinder is committed to responsible life-long relationships between pets and people, and that is a commitment that we look for our partners to take seriously,” said Iain Langridge, General Manager of Petfinder. “The Petfinder Seal of Approval extends the trust and authority of our brand to like-minded supporters of animal welfare, and we are pleased to award the Seal to HomeAgain, PetFirst and Thundershirt – and look forward to adding more socially responsible partners to our program.”

“When I co-founded Petfinder 16 years ago, businesses dedicated to our cause were the exception and not the rule,” added Betsy Banks Saul, Co-Founder of Petfinder. “Today, I am proud to see that group growing and extend my thanks to the companies that have made that important commitment by supporting Petfinder and its 14,000 members shelters and rescues, enabling us to unite countless pets with their fur-ever homes.”

Partners who qualify for the Petfinder Seal of Approval are invited to use it across their branded communication channels, including product packaging, advertising, marketing and communications. By purchasing products that feature the Petfinder Seal, consumers are supporting brands that are actively striving tomake life better for pets.

For more information on the Petfinder Seal of Approval, please visit petfinder.com/sealofapproval. Companies that would like to apply for or have questions about the program, are invited to email petfinder_seal@discovery.com. 

About Petfinder

Petfinder is the largest online, searchable database of animals that need permanent homes. With more than 320,000 adoptable pets from more than 13,700 animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Petfinder has facilitated more than 20 million adoptions since it was launched in 1996. In addition to being an adoption database, Petfinder also is an all-inclusive resource guide for how to select the right family pet and build a successful, life-long relationship. Thanks to its sponsors, Petfinder is free to both visitors and to its animal placement organization members. Sponsorsinclude BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a manufacturer of home cleaning and floor care products, The Animal Rescue Site, PetFirst Healthcare, the exclusive pet insurance provider for Petfinder, and HomeAgain, a microchip and pet recovery service.

More from Petfinder

Online: petfinder.com

Facebook: facebook.com/petfinder

Twitter: @Petfinder

Pinterest: pinterest.com/petfinder

iPhone App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/petfinder-mobile/id557228073?mt=8

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 149worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.