Nestlé Purina PetCare Acquires Largest Website for Pet Adoption

6 June 2013 --- The world’s oldest and largest website for pet adoption, Petfinder, has been acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare.

The acquisition, Nestlé’s first investment in an online content property, is a major step in the company’s efforts to better serve and enhance the lives of consumers through digital technology and content.

Petfinder is the leading online database linking prospective adopters with adoptable pets, visited by more than 100 million pet-lovers each year.

Through a network of almost 14,000 animal welfare associations and pet shelters, the site links those looking for a pet with hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs seeking a new home.

Purina PetCare is already actively involved in supporting pet welfare organisations and the site offers a new opportunity to engage with a growing group of pet lovers from the US, Canada and Mexico.

So far the digital and mobile platform has facilitated more than 22 million pet adoptions.

“We are delighted to acquire this leading pet welfare website, which enables us to deepen engagement with and support of pet lovers, said Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s Head of Strategic Business Units, Marketing and Sales.

“It is a reflection of our determination to enhance consumers’ lives with services enabled by digital technology and content.”

“Petfinder is the online leader in linking prospective adopters with adoptable pets, and a resource for pet owners’ lifelong relationship with their pets,” said Joe Sivewright, President of North American Pet Food at Nestlé Purina PetCare.

The strategic acquisition, from Discovery Communications LLC, is expected to be completed in July.