Petopia.Com Forms Exclusive Partnership with the Animal Cancer Center and the Argus Center for Human-Animal Bond Resources

May 2, 2000 – On the heels of its partnership with Veterinary Medicine Publishing/Thomson Healthcare, Petopia.com announced it has formed an exclusive, multi-year partnership with the Animal Cancer Center and the Argus Center for Human-Animal Bond Resources at Colorado State University. This partnership will provide visitors to Petopia.com with the latest information on treating animals with cancer and the issues of pet loss and bereavement. Both the Animal Cancer Center and the Argus Center for Human-Animal Bond Resources are part of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the organizations are widely regarded as leaders in their respective fields.

The Animal Cancer Center As part of the multi-year partnership, the Animal Cancer Center will provide Petopia.com with the latest information in pet cancer research, diagnostics and therapeutics. In addition to providing regularly updated content, the Animal Cancer Center will make animal cancer specialists available for chats and other community events on the Petopia.com Web site. The Animal Cancer Center will also provide content for a monthly column on cancer therapy options. With this partnership, Petopia.com will be able to leverage its relationship with the Animal Cancer Center to provide its visitors with one of the most comprehensive resources on animal cancer on the Web today.

The Argus Center for Human-Animal Bond Resources A long time advocate of the human-animal bond, the Argus Center is a leading expert in issues regarding pet loss and bereavement and has one of the oldest and most comprehensive family support programs in the world. As part of this partnership, the Argus Center will provide visitors to Petopia.com with the most current information on dealing with the loss of a beloved pet. Argus Center experts will also contribute information for a monthly column that will focus on important issues for helping pet lovers plan, prepare and cope with the loss of a pet.

"As cancer is the leading cause of death in pets, it is important that pet lovers have access to the latest treatment information, and Petopia’s relationship with these respected organizations enables us to serve the public in that way," said Andrea Reisman, CEO of Petopia.com. "Anyone who has ever had a pet can understand the power of the special bond between animals and humans, and these partnerships will empower pet lovers with valuable information for coping in times when that bond is threatened as a result of illness or death."

"This partnership will allow us to reach out to many more people with practical, useful information," said Laurel Lagoni, director of the Argus Center. "What we have to share is based on daily, clinical experiences working with families with critically ill pets. We want people to be aware of options, so they can make well-informed decisions."

Paws for a Cause National Fundraising Campaign In conjunction with the Animal Cancer Center and the Argus Center, Petopia.com will help launch and support the national Paws for a Cause campaign. The campaign, which begins during National Pet Week, May 7-13, is a year-long campaign to help build public awareness of cancer in pets and the treatments available to help them. The campaign will also help to raise funds for a much-needed new wing to house the Animal Cancer Center. The facility will be dedicated primarily to diagnosis, treatment, and the prevention of cancer in pet animals. As part of its role in supporting this event, Petopia.com will be shown as a major corporate sponsor on campaign-related marketing materials distributed to tradeshows, veterinary hospitals and the general public. Visitors to Petopia.com will be introduced to the campaign and encouraged to support it through the purchase of a clay paw-print kit with proceeds going to directly support Paws for a Cause.

About Petopia.com Petopia.com (www.petopia.com), the "Internet Pet Paradise," is a leading integrated pet retailer. A spirited online destination for pet lovers, Petopia.com was launched in August 1999 and provides all things pet-related, from food, grooming and healthcare products to community forums and expert advice. Based in San Francisco, Petopia.com is a privately held company funded in part by Technology Crossover Ventures; Europ@web, the Internet investment arm of Group Arnault; PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETC); Attractor Investment Management, Inc.; BancBoston Ventures; and Comdisco, Inc. Petopia.com has strategic alliances with NBC and ValueVision International (NASDAQ: VVTV); PETCO; the ASPCA, a leader in animal welfare in the Western Hemisphere; and Petfinder.com, a national online shelter network. In January 2000, Petopia.com acquired In the Company of Dogs, a premium specialty catalog and e-commerce Web site featuring apparel, house wares, gifts and accessories for dogs and their human owners.

About The Animal Cancer Center Based out of Colorado State University, the Animal Cancer Center is the largest group of veterinary professionals in the world dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in companion animals. With over 40 clinicians, scientists, nurses, technicians, and support staff, the Animal Cancer Center handles more than 7,000 appointments and more than 1,500 new animal cancer patients annually. The team of compassionate professionals at the Animal Cancer Center provides exemplary care on a daily basis. Using the latest tools, scientists examine cancer at molecular, genetic, and cellular levels to address the most perplexing questions about cancer. Research at the Animal Cancer Center is supported by the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Morris Animal Foundation, Bayer Animal Health, and The Limb Preservation Institute.

About The Argus Center The Argus Center for Human-Animal Bond Resources and its affiliates, including "Changes: The Support for People and Pets Program," focus on responding to the emotional needs of families with critically or terminally ill animals. The Argus Center also reaches out to practicing veterinarians in helping them to understand and respect the unique bond between humans and their companion animals. Understanding the nature of this special relationship encourages veterinarians to develop practices that are "bond-centered." The Argus Center encourages bond-centered practices to extend veterinary care to provide client-care services. These include a clinic environment that meets human needs, crisis intervention, support during decision-making, client education, and extended client care services, including referrals for pet loss counselors, animal behaviorists, groomers, boarding kennels and more. The Argus Center is dedicated to providing educational and outreach programs to veterinarians, veterinary health providers and pet owners.