The Truth About Pets and Dating

PetSmart Charities, the nation's leader in pet adoptions, and Match, the world's largest dating website, have teamed up to reveal what pet-loving singles want when searching for a two-legged companion. With over 80 percent of Match singles identified as pet lovers, "The Truth about Pets and Dating" survey of 1,000 singles helps connect the dots between dating and pets to give singles a new "leash" on love.

The results pinpoint when to introduce their pet to a potential date; how singles rely on their pet's judgment of a date; and, whether or not "cat people" and "dog people" can truly make a love connection.

"As the leader in pet adoptions in North America, we take pride in making the perfect match between adopted pets and their new pet parents," said Todd Cramer, senior programs manager, PetSmart Charities. "This survey has confirmed that pets play a significant role in making (or breaking) a relationship. The key is knowing how to successfully introduce your adopted pet into a budding relationship and to make your pet a priority in your dating life."

Below are highlights from the "Truth about Pets and Dating" survey, including:

• Pet Adoption is Hot: 59 percent of singles agree that finding out your date had adopted rather than bought their pet would make them seem more attractive.
• Bark Off: 66 percent of men and women would not date someone who didn't like pets.
• Paws Turn Heads: 27 percent of women find photos of pets in an online dating profile a turn-on.
• Puppy Bait: Men are almost four times more likely to use their pet to attract a potential date than women (22 percent vs. 6 percent).
• Vetting it Out: 70 percent of singles think their dates' reaction to their pet is important.
• Animal Attraction: 35 percent of single women have been more attracted to someone because of their pet.
• Hot Dogs: 72 percent of single women say that a dog is the "hottest pet a guy could own."
• Purse Pooches: 28 percent of single men would be turned off if a woman's pet could fit in her handbag.
• Dog Eat... Cat? Dog owners are less open to having a relationship with a cat owner. Only 66 percent of dog owners would date "cat people" vs. 97 percent of cat owners who would date "dog people."
• Time to Meet the Pet: 46 percent of singles would bring their pet to a walking trail on a first date.

"Dating can be a dog-eat-dog world, so one way to get a leg-up on the competition is to adopt a dog especially if you're a guy," says Whitney Casey, Match relationship expert. "And like the movie, 66 percent of single pet-owners agree that their date Must Love Dogs (or cats) whatever their pet may be, they're more likely to find a compatible match if they share the same animal attraction."

To celebrate pet lovers across the nation, Match and PetSmart Charities are teaming up to host pet-friendly Stir events starting on June 1 in four cities across the U.S. and Canada. Stir, events by Match, is in its third year of providing singles with creative and innovative experiences for singles to meet offline. The events will include appearances by the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team, professional trainers and local food trucks. 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.

*Data compiled from both a 2014 online survey of Match users with pets which represents the attitudes and behaviors of over 1,000 members, as well as from Match member user data, 2014.

ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart stores and our sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, 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.