Subject: AP Story
From: "Merilee:::Kern Communications" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:52:31 -0700

Sunday, August 10, 2008
        
      Keeping pets fit just got a little easier
      Company's 'Go Fetch!' service helps keep animals in shape
      By The Associated Press

With one out of every four dogs and cats in the western world reportedly obese, it seems that Fido and Felix are battling a health crisis. 

Like obese humans, weight-challenged animals run a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and joint and hip difficulties, among other medical problems.

With this knowledge, FETCH! Pet Care, the nation's largest provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, offers "Go Fetch!" -- a four-legged fitness service through which animals under the company's care get up, move and have fun for sustained periods of time with each visit. 

FETCH! Pet Care sitters arrive at the client's home outfitted with balls, frisbees, play toys, string and sheer enthusiasm to give the dogs and cats in their care a fun-filled workout. Each animal exercise regime is carefully tailored to the pet's age, ability, health condition, preferences and temperament.

Paul Mann, founder and CEO of FETCH! Pet Care, said, "Americans spend over $41 billion annually on pet-related goods and services, yet animal obesity persists. Despite how much they love and provide for their pet, many owners apparently overlook exercise as a fundamental way to foster their dog's or cat's happiness, overall well-being and longevity -- or they simply don't have the time to properly exercise their pet on a regular basis."

Keeping a pet's weight in check through habitual exercise provides them with many benefits, both physical and emotional. Mann offers these insights on the importance of pet-focused Phys-Ed:

Health: As with humans, daily exercise provides the body with a variety of health benefits, including improved metabolism and digestion, enhancement of the immune system to better ward off illness, increases in bone and muscle density and overall strength, as well as maximized cardiovascular system function "| just to name a few.

Energy: Daily walks or play sessions are a great way of energizing lethargic and/or overweight pets, and will give them a much-needed spring in their step.

Temperament: High-strung, hyperactive or even aggressive dogs often are quite calm and relaxed after a good day's workout. Regular exercise will keep these angst-ridden pets in a greater state of contentment.

Sleep: Want a good night's sleep? So does your pet. Daily exercise can greatly improve the quality of Fido and Felix's overnight slumber -- and in doing so, perhaps yours as well.

Socialization: New pups, adopted pets, those received as gifts and/or the timid especially benefit from daily exposure to, and playful interaction with, both humans and other dogs.

Happiness: Pets that exercise daily often thrive on, and return, the love and attention they receive from humans and their furry friends during the process.

Longevity: We all want our pets to be around as long as possible, and daily exercise is one way to help assure that. The multitude of health benefits daily exercise provides can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier and happier life.

How do you know if your pet is obese? According to the National Academy of Sciences, "A dog is at an ideal weight when one can easily feel the ribs with a minimal amount of fat, and when the waist is easily observed behind the ribs when viewed from above. At an ideal weight, a cat appears well-proportioned, shows a moderate waistline behind the ribs and has a thin covering of fat over the ribs and abdomen."

FETCH! Pet Care can be reached via toll-free telephone at 866-FETCH-ME or through its Web site at www.FetchPetCare.com, where you simply enter your 5-digit zip code to automatically be connected to the FETCH! Pet Care office location nearest you. 

To help consumers make informed choices, FETCH! Pet Care offers an at-a-glance comparison of its approach to at-home pet care with other available options, which is also accessible online at www.FetchPetCare.com/compare.