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Press Press Releases 2004 24PetWatch offers national no enrolment fee registry to pet owners with microchipped cats and dogs. OAKVILLE, ON, July 29, 2004. Pethealth Inc. ("Pethealth" or "the Company") (TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1: PTZ) through its subsidiary Pethealth Services Inc. announced today that it will continue offering no fee registration to pet owners with dogs and cats into its national pet recovery network which operates under the name “24PetWatch”. 24PetWatch welcomes the more then 16,000 pets in Canada from other radio frequency identification device (“RFID”) microchip manufacturers into its database, including dogs and cats microchipped with a PetNet microchip. Since February 2003, over 135,000 pets have been registered in the 24PetWatch database in both the US and Canada making it the fastest-growing pet recovery registry in North America. In addition, the company is now the largest seller of RFID microchips in Canada by volume distributing its technology through veterinary clinics and animal shelters. 24PetWatch, the first North American-wide manufacturer-neutral pet registry and recovery network allowing pet owners with cats and dogs previously microchipped with competitor technology the ability to register into its database, update and transfer ownership information for free and with no annual charges. Pet owners may register via phone or online at www.24petwatch.com and 24PetWatch also provides the capability to upload pet photos, send eCards and much more. Anitech Enterprises, operating under the name PetNet, one of five companies to provide RFID companion microchips in Canada, was recently fined $150,000 by the Competition Bureau for misleading pet owners through a deceptive mail campaign. In an effort to provide pet owners with an alternative, 24PetWatch has advised the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (the “OVMA”) of its free registration policy and is currently the only provider listed on the OVMA’s website (www.ovma.org) to offer free registration. Over 10,000 PetNet microchipped pets have already been registered by their owners in the 24PetWatch database. “By creating a model that incorporates microchip registration and pet insurance we are able to provide an invaluable service to pet owners without the need for mandatory fees,” said Mark Warren, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pethealth Inc. "We not only provide a reliable database, we offer easy and no cost ways for pet owners to update their information. In addition, we also proactively scrub the data through direct mail and other channels on an ongoing basis to maintain the integrity of the database allowing us to reach our goal of reuniting lost pets with their owners sooner.” Petfinder.com, the largest online searchable database of more then 150,000 animals in need of homes through its more then 7,000 member shelter and rescue organization exclusively endorses 24PetWatch. "One centralized microchip database nationwide will be a valuable asset to shelters," says Betsy Saul, co-founder and CEO of Petfinder.com. "The integrity of a microchip database is crucial, and Pethealth Inc. has satisfied us that the data will be refreshed continually and will be rigorously maintained.” About Pethealth Founded in February 1998, Pethealth is Canada’s number one provider of pet insurance and is number two in North America, currently offering its PetCare Pet Insurance Programs in 10 provinces, 45 states and Washington, D.C. In addition to the PetCare Pet Insurance Programs, Pethealth offers its pet insurance programs under a variety of names, including QuickCare, ShelterCare and Union Plus Pet Insurance. In the United States, the PetCare Pet Insurance Programs are underwritten by Lincoln General Insurance Company, York, PA, through PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd., PetCare Insurance Agency, Ltd., both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, and Avalon Risk Management Inc. In Canada, the Company’s pet insurance is underwritten by ING Novex, a member of ING Group, and Kingsway General Insurance Company and offered through PetCare Insurance Brokers, Ltd. In addition, Pethealth, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Pethealth Services Inc. and Pethealth Services (USA) Inc., distributes Allflex pet microchip supplies to the companion animal market in North America and operates the related pet recovery registry under the trade name 24PetWatch. Pethealth is based in Oakville, Ontario. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements contained in this news release, if not historical, are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in forward-looking statements. Not for dissemination in the United States of America or to United States news wire services. For further information
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