ST. LOUIS, July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Nestle Purina PetCare Company today announced it has completed the acquisition of Petfinder, the largest online pet adoption website, from Discovery Communications. This is Nestle’s first major acquisition of a digital property, and it follows Nestle Purina’s announcement June 5 that it had signed a Purchase agreement to buy Petfinder. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Through a network of almost 14,000 animal welfare associations and pet shelters, Petfinder links people looking for a pet with hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs seeking a new home, and has facilitated more than 22 million adoptions since its founding in 1996. The acquisition complements Nestle Purina’s existing business by supporting the Company’s long-standing commitment to pet welfare organizations and its mission of building better lives for pets and the people who love them.

“Petfinder is an outstanding organization that is fully aligned with Nestle Purina’s belief that pets and people are better together and our commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership,” says Joe Sivewright, President, North American Pet Food, Nestle Purina PetCare Company. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to combine forces – enhancing Petfinder’s solid framework with our extensive nutritional expertise and vast knowledge of pet welfare.”

The Petfinder website reaches a large and engaged audience of animal lovers and pet owners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, achieving more than 100 million visits each year. Nestle Purina aims to enrich and add value for Petfinder’s pet-loving visitors and shelter partners, while the online space offers the company a digital and mobile platform to engage with a growing group of highly involved pet consumers and shelters.

The Petfinder business now will report through the Purina Corporate Strategic Brand Team, which is located at Nestle Purina Headquarters in St. Louis.

About Petfinder

Petfinder is the largest online, searchable database of animals that need permanent homes. With more than 315,000 adoptable pets from approximately 14,000 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. Petfinder also is an all-inclusive resource guide for how to select the right family pet and build a successful, life-long relationship.

About Nestle Purina PetCare Company

Nestle Purina PetCare Company promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. Annually, the Company invests more than $30 million in pet welfare and pet communities, and touches more than 2 million pets in pet welfare organizations with its donations and support and through programs such as Purina Pets for People, Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue and the Purina ONE Shelter Pet Program. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the world’s largest food company.

SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare Company