Press

News Release

Hapou.Com is Launched to Improve the lives of Pets and Pet Lovers

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 16, 2008 – HAPOU, Inc. today announced the launch of HAPOU.com, “the ultimate pet lover's community”. This website is essentially an online pet “café”, connecting domestic pet owners and pet lovers from all over the world.

At HAPOU.com, people can showcase their pets online by creating personal pet profiles. They can also share their pet stories, experiences and advice with like-minded others. This leads to happier pet owners, and by extension, happier pets.

Robert Marhamat, HAPOU.com’s creator and a lifelong animal lover, said, “More than 380 million (1) domestic dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish and other household pets in this country are scratching for more attention from humans. I designed this website to encourage people to always appreciate their pets. You are the source of their welfare, you attend to their health and grooming, you are the other half of their companionship. HAPOU.com gives you a simple, rich and personal way to discuss the real-life challenges and successes of pet ownership with others.”

HAPOU.com helps people take care of a multitude of pet-related issues, including how to find the best pet for your personality and lifestyle, pet transportation, arranging a pet sitter on short notice, finding a pet a new home, and improving your pet’s health and welfare.

“Social networking and the Web 2.0 experience enables our pet-parenting skills to constantly evolve. It's no secret that dogs, cats, and even birds provide essential companionship and joy. Yet learning how to create and nurture that joy has been elusive—until now,” Marhamat said.

Key features of HAPOU.com include:

• HAPOU.com Perfect Pet Finder®: This helpful feature gives people the power to find the best pet based on their personality and lifestyle
• Online forums help people find pet sitters in their communities, find PetPals and locate recommended vets. There is also a section dedicated to matching people who can no longer take care of their pets with people who can.
• Forums that discuss other pet-related topics like how to handle difficult pets, the best pets and best breeds for homes with children, the challenges of big dogs, fussy cats and loud birds—and a whole lot more.
• Online discussion groups that focus on hot-button issues such as animal rights, product testing and pet euthanasia
• Users can send gifts to their PetPals or their pets on their birthdays. An automatic reminder notifies a user about a week before a birthday and allows him or her to send a gift from the HAPOU.com Store with just a few clicks
• Tips on mourning the loss of a pet
• Topical pet-related news
• Online shopping forum to help ensure you get the best quality pet products

About HAPOU.com

HAPOU.com was established in November 2007 as a free online community for pet owners and pet lovers alike. This San Francisco, California-based company lets users create pet profiles, then interact with one another and exchange useful information to improve their and their pet’s quality of life.

All revenue for the site is generated from online advertising and the sale of pet products and supplies.

Source: Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, American Pet Products Manufacturers Association