Snoopy, America's Beloved Dog, Goes High Tech in an iPhone App From HomeAgain® to Help Lost Pets Return Home

SUMMIT, N.J., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Snoopy, the iconic cartoon pooch, has a starring role in an iPhone® app to help HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service reunite pet parents with lost microchipped pets. Animal lovers have at their fingertips a handy way to participate in the nationwide HomeAgain PetRescuers network through the new, free app on the Apple® iPhone and similar devices including the iPad.

"This is a great tool for anyone who gets concerned when seeing a cat or dog loose on the street," said Gary MacPhee, director and general manager, HomeAgain. "We developed the HomeAgain PetRescuers app to make it easy for pet lovers to play an active role in helping lost pets get home quickly."  

An estimated one in three pets will go missing. The HomeAgain PetRescuers app, available at Apple's App Store for use on the iPod touch, the iPad and the iPhone, is the latest tool in HomeAgain's comprehensive Pet Recovery system.

The GPS-enabled app has many features that give pet lovers access to detailed information in the hopes of facilitating happy reunions. With the app, users can receive alerts about pets missing in a specific local area complete with photos and detailed descriptions of an animal's physical characteristics as well as any guidance provided by the pet owner about its expected response to strangers or other distinctive "personality" traits.

The app provides general information useful when dealing with unfamiliar animals in unusual circumstances. Additionally, heartwarming tales of lost pets returned home, shared by grateful pet owners, can be accessed via the app.

"There are currently more than 500,000 HomeAgain PetRescuers," MacPhee added.  "We expect to pass the one million mark by the end of the year with new PetRescuers enrolling either by downloading the new Snoopy iPhone app or online at www.homeagain.com."

About HomeAgain

HomeAgain, offered by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, goes beyond microchipping.  The national HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service reunites over 10,000 lost pets each month with their families.  Once enrolled, a pet's microchip is registered in the HomeAgain National Pet Recovery Database for its lifetime. In addition, the annual HomeAgain membership includes:

• Live Pet Recovery Specialists always available at 1-888-HomeAgain
• Lost Pet Alerts with a Lost Pet Poster sent to veterinary clinics, shelters and PetRescuers
• 24/7 Emergency Medical Telephone Assistance
• Travel expenses of up to $500 for dogs or cats found more than 500 miles from home

HomeAgain memberships are renewable annually for a fee of $16.99.  For more information, visit www.homeagain.com.

About Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, is focused on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of animal health products. The company offers customers one of the broadest, most innovative animal health portfolios, spanning products to support performance and to prevent, treat and control disease in all major farm and companion animal species. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health; subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station NJ, USA. For more information, visit www.intervet.com.

About Merck

Today's Merck is working to help the world be well. Through our medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer and animal products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching programs that donate and deliver our products to the people who need them. Merck. Be Well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

About PEANUTS WORLDWIDE

Iconix Brand Group in a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates has formed PEANUTS Worldwide, a new home to the global PEANUTS property. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS (R) brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

SOURCE Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health