Taking a "Byte" Out of Pet Theft

SEATTLE - Dec. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- PetHub, the world's fastest way to get lost & found animals home again, announced today its partnership with DNA Diagnostic Center (DDC), the world's largest, most experienced private DNA testing laboratory. The partnership provides a critical tool for proving animal ownership and identification in the war against pet theft.

According to PetFinder.com, "up to 2 million animals are stolen each year. Only about 10% are ever returned home." The frightening facts of what can happen to these animals are below.

Many stolen animals end up in:
- Puppy mills using them for breeding
- Dog-fighting groups use them as "bait dogs"
- Laboratories buy them for research
- Pet stores sell them to new owners

With PetHub's unique ID tags and software services that return lost animals faster than an ID tag with only a phone number or a surgically implanted microchip, adding DNA identification into the solution just increased an animal's chances of getting home.

"I want my dogs and cats to have every chance possible to get home again," said Tom Arnold, founder and CEO of PetHub, Inc. "They have PetHub ID tags, microchips, licenses, and now their own DNA reports uploaded to their online PetHub.com profiles." By safely and securely storing a wealth of data about his animals on PetHub.com, Arnold pre-empts the question of who the legal guardian is of the animals in his care; he has paperwork, now including DNA results from a well-established and proven DNA testing lab, to back it up.

"We are thrilled to partner with PetHub.com," said Randall Smith, National Accounts Manager at DDC's Veterinary Division. "Our DNA testing coupled with their software services for finding and returning lost animals is a powerful tool to keep our four legged family members safe."

Since 1995, DDC has been dedicated to providing the highest quality human DNA testing services available at a reasonable price. DDC Veterinary, a division of DDC, provides the same quality testing and legendary service for those seeking DNA services for animals.

Even with DNA testing and PetHub's GPS and "Amber Alert" for pets services, it still comes down to responsible and vigilant ownership. "Don't leave your pets unattended when you take them out, do get them 'chipped,' put a collar and tag on them, and get a summary report of their DNA and link it to your PetHub.com account," encouraged Lorien Clemens, Director of Marketing at PetHub, Inc.  "Prepare now because if they go missing, it happens fast and usually at the worst time! With our new DNA partner you'll be armed with several tools to enable your pet's quick and safe return home."

For more information, visit http://www.PetHub.com/DNA.

About DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)
DDC is one of the world's largest DNA testing companies. Founded 19 years ago, DDC offers comprehensive DNA testing services for paternity and other family relationships, forensics, cell line authentication, and veterinary. DDC receives more than 800,000 consumer calls each year and performs over half a million tests annually. The Company is known for its groundbreaking technologies, including an exclusive license for the most innovative and accurate non-invasive prenatal paternity test using SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) Microarray Technology, which only requires a simple blood draw from the mother and alleged father. DDC's unique Dual Process™ ensures all professionally collected DNA samples are independently tested twice producing legal results of unmatched quality and reliability. DDC is recognized through a number of accreditations nationally and internationally achieving perfect ratings in its past 19 inspections including those performed by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). DDC is also accredited by ACLASS to meet the standards of ISO 17025:2005 and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board International and follows the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) guidelines, which attests to DDC's superior forensic testing service. For more information: http://www.dnacenter.com.

About PetHub, Inc.
PetHub, Inc., gets lost pets home faster by utilizing current and new technologies, including NFC wireless ID tags, QR codes, GPS mapping, mobile notifications, a free 24x7 "Found Pet Hotline" and free owner web accounts and pet profiles. Winners of Pet Business Magazine's "Innovative Product" award, Dog Fancy Magazine's "Editors' Choice" award, and Pet AGE Magazine's "Retailer Silver Select" award, PetHub has proven so successful that of the 200 PetHub "pack members" that went missing in 2012, 97% were home in less than 24-hours, and 25% were home in under an hour (the national statistics show that 1-in-3 animals will go missing and, once gone, less than 18% of dogs and less than 2% of cats get home again -- PetHub has clearly made a huge difference in getting lost animals home again, quickly!). Visit http://PetHub.com/DNA (for DNA information), http://PetHubFound.me (Success Stories), and http://PetHub.tv (for fan videos and more). See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMU84MIPpi4