[19
MAY 00] PETS AT HOME NEWS
Pets Log On For Love On The Internet
BY ANTONY
HOPKER
Lonely
pets in Coventry and Warwickshire can log on to love with the
nation’s first ever pets’ dating service.
Pets
At Home, a chain of pet supermarkets which has stores in Fletchamstead
Highway, Canley and the Gallagher Retail park in Stoney Stanton Road,
has set up the interactive love line for desperate dogs, unfancied
fish and birds looking to get their feathers ruffled.
The
idea was stumbled upon following the plight of a parrot that was
unlucky in love.
Billy
the 2ft blue and gold Macaw, was desperate to find love but couldn't
find an appropriate mate.
His
owner wanted to meet potential partners - but couldn't find any
locally. Pets at Home were so struck with the idea of an on-line
dating agency that they launched one immediately.
Interactive
pet lovers who want to take part simply complete an online
introduction card and download a picture of their pet.
Interested
owners can search the site by animal type and breed and even
personality to find the ideal partner for their chum.
Anthony
Preston, chairman and founder of Pets At Home, said:
"The
dating agency for pets is just the first step, soon we hope to have
on-site chat forum where prospective partners can 'vet' each other.
"Who
knows - if the service takes off, we might just offer the same
service for their owners!"
In
addition to the dating service, web wanderers can order and pay for
every conceivable pet product on-line, and visitors can even tap into
tips on dog training and even ask for advice about sick animals.
The
1,000 page site also contains links to other animal-related sites such
as those operated by popular aquariums and safari parks.
Mr
Preston added:
"As
a progressive and innovative company, the website is a natural
development which will allow an even bigger audience to access our
products and services.
"It
will support our existing network of stores and provide us with an
additional revenue stream by allowing customers to make on-line
purchases. Above all it's a site which is fun for everybody."
Pets
At Home has 150 supermarket-style stores around the country and turns
over in excess of £180 million a year.
The
company sees the launch of its website as underpinning its position as
leader in the rapidly expanding pet product market, currently worth
around £2 billion a year.
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