'Operation Stopgap' to Aid Southern California Dog Owners Affected by Wildfires

WILMINGTON, Del., October 25, 2007- Flexpetz, the company behind the innovative dog share membership program, has launched Operation StopGap to help Southern California dog owners who may have been affected by the recent wildfires. Concerned that many dog owners may have to seek long-term alternative accommodation that may not be dog-friendly, the company's CEO and founder, Marlena Cervantes, is worried that the only option open to dog owners may be the local animal shelters. Given that these shelters are overwhelmed, Cervantes concedes that surrendering one's dog almost amounts to a death sentence for these animals.

A San Diego native, Cervantes wanted to do something practical for her community during this difficult time, and came up with Operation StopGap as a way to prevent at least some dogs from even reaching a shelter. Says Cervantes: "I kept hearing people on the news describing how they had to flee their homes with just a few possessions and their dogs, but then finding themselves displaced into temporary situations that are either not dog-friendly or a practical dog environment. I could immediately foresee that much to the distress of the owners, many of them will simply have no choice but to surrender their loving, family dog to overflowing shelters where they are at high risk of being put down."

Continues Cervantes: "I realized that Flexpetz could offer a unique long term solution to dog owners, albeit only a limited number, given the established dog care infrastructure we have in place. It might take a long time for the dog's owners to settle in to a living situation where they can have their dog back full time, and no one wants to see their family pet in a kennel for months on end. So in the meantime, FLEXPETZ is offering to take care of as many dogs as we can and provide a caring and loving environment supported by our members, and at no cost to the dog owners." (PRN)

FLEXPETZ has set up a toll-free number at 866 603-5046 for anyone to contact the company to discuss their situation and how Flexpetz can help or via email at stopgap@flexpetz.com. More information on Operation StopGap can also be found on the company's website at http://www.flexpetz.com