The Truth about Pets and Dating

PetSmart Charities® of Canada and Match.com reveal how pets play a role in relationships

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - PetSmart Charities of Canada, the leader in pet adoptions in the country, and Match, the world's largest dating website, have teamed up to reveal what pet-loving singles want when searching for a companion.  As more than 80 per cent of Match singles identify as pet lovers, "The Truth about Pets and Dating" survey of Canadian singles helps connect the dots between dating and pets to give singles a new "leash" on love.

The results pinpoint how singles rely on their pet's judgment of a date; whether or not a date's pet choice says something about their personality; and, whether or not "cat people" and "dog people" can truly make a love connection.

"As the leader in pet adoptions, we take pride in making the perfect match between adopted pets and their new pet parents," Todd Cramer, senior programs manager, PetSmart Charities. "Just like finding your perfect date, finding a new pet companion is a rewarding decision that will create memories to last a lifetime. The key is knowing how to successfully introduce your adopted pet into a new relationship and to make your pet a priority in your dating life."

Highlights from the "Truth about Pets and Dating" survey include:

• Pet adoption is hot: 59 per cent of singles agree that they are more attracted to dates that have adopted their pet.
• Man's best friend: 66 per cent of men and women would not date someone who didn't like pets.
• Puppy love: 65 per cent of singles say that their date's choice in pets says a lot about their personality.
• Paws turn heads: 20 per cent of women find photos of pets in an online dating profile a turn-on.
• "Purrfecting" your dating profile: Men are twice as likely to use their pet to attract a potential date than women (17 percent vs. 8 percent).
• Meeting the pets: 72 per cent of singles think their dates' reaction to their pet is important.
• Animal attraction: 29 per cent of single women have been more attracted to someone because of their pet.
• Cats and dogs: 28 per cent of singles think that a relationship could not work with a "cat person" while only 9 per cent of singles think that a relationship could not work with a "dog person".

"There is definitely something to be said for puppy dog eyes as Canadian singles admit that pet owners tend to turn heads, especially if their furry companion is adopted," says Kimberly Moffit, Psychotherapist and Canadian Match.com Relationship Insider. "Owning a pet can say a lot about a new partner. It shows that they are willing to put in extra effort and are able to be a strong companion, both of which are keys to a successful relationship."

To celebrate pet lovers, Match and PetSmart Charities of Canada are teaming up to host a pet-friendly Stir event in Vancouver, BC on Sunday, September 28. Stir, events by Match, is in its third year of providing singles with creative and innovative experiences for singles to meet offline. To sign up for these events, singles can become members or subscribe today at www.match.com.

For tips on how to introduce your four-legged companion to your two-legged one, visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Data compiled from both a 2014 online survey of Match users with pets which represents the attitudes and behaviors of over 1,272 Canadian singles as well as from Match member user data, 2014

About PetSmart Charities OF CANADA®
PetSmart Charities of Canada is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 14,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores and our sponsored adoption events. A leading funder of animal welfare, PetSmart Charities of Canada has granted more than 5 million to help pets in need, with a focus on spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered charity, separate from PetSmart, Inc.

ABOUT MATCH.COM®
Launched in 1995, Match.com was the original dating site and pioneer of the online dating industry. Today, 19 years later, Match.com operates leading subscription-based online dating sites in 25 countries, eight languages and across five continents and is responsible for more dates, relationships and marriages than any other website. Match.com is an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI) and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.match.com.

SOURCE: PetSmart Charities of Canada, Inc.

For further information: Melissa Adamson, GolinHarris for PetSmart Charities, [e-mail], 416-642-7967; Stephanie Kerr, PetSmart Charities of Canada, [e-mail], 289-313-6368