June 30, 2004

By: Leslie Piotrovski
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

Pethealth Inc. Announces New Radio Advertising Campaign to Promote its 24PetWatch Microchip Identification Network

Pethealth Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pethealth Inc., launched this week its first radio campaign in Ontario to promote its 24PetWatch microchip and pet registry program.

The ads, which will initially run for the next three weeks, re-enact the real-life experiences of owners who have reported to, or were contacted by, Pethealth when their pet was lost. Each ad ends with the pet successfully identified through the 24PetWatch Pet Recovery Network and reunited directly with its owner.

The program’s numerous success stories prompted Pethealth to create this campaign, which follows today’s popular 'reality' trend. One of the ads demonstrates how, through the 24PetWatch program, two lost pets were identified and the owner contacted even before she knew her pets were missing.

24PetWatch Microchip Identification Network is the only North America-wide manufacturer-neutral pet registry and recovery network that accepts all registrations regardless of the microchip’s manufacturer. Additionally, no registration fee is charged to pet owners if their affiliated shelter or clinic uses the 24PetWatch brand microchip.

Since February 2003 when 24PetWatch was launched, over 90,000 dogs and cats have been registered in the program’s database, making it the fastest-growing registry in North America. The Company now estimates that it is also the largest seller of microchips for companion animals in Canada by volume to veterinary clinics and shelters.

The success of the 24PetWatch program is timely given the controversy surrounding the actions of one of Pethealth’s competitors in 2003. Their decision to unilaterally implement a mandatory annual fee for all new and existing customers led to numerous complaints from veterinarians and pet owners alike and undermined user group confidence as a whole.

With the 24PetWatch program, in addition to free registration for pet owners whose shelters or clinics carry the 24PetWatch microchip, there are also no mandatory annual fees associated with the program.

Instead, the Company through another of its wholly owned subsidiaries, PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd, the largest Canadian provider of pet insurance, offers its pet insurance programs to those who are interested in providing major medical insurance coverage for their dogs and cats as well.

Indeed, the Company has developed new pet insurance programs specifically designed to be sold to those pet owners whose pets are microchipped. EmergencyCare, at just $19.95 a year, provides up to $3,000 of pre-authorised emergency medical treatment for lost dogs and cats.

Our goal is to reunite pets and owners as soon as possible by accurately linking the microchip directly to pet owner and pet information, said Mark Warren, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pethealth Inc.

Should a pet go missing, our clients have the advantage of being registered in a reliable and robust database. Our success to date shows that our model of microchip registrations and pet insurance is working very well indeed. For more information, see pet training aids.

About The Author:

Leslie Piotrovski is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.