Arlington, TX (June 7, 2011) – Sunshine, longer days and warmer temperatures can mean only one thing: more time spent outdoors! This includes Fido, who wants to play fetch, take long hikes, and spend as much time possible in the backyard. Petmate offers irresistible warm-weather products that will make playtime more fun while keeping pups active and healthy!

Toys for “Together” Time
Interactive toys are great for dogs to help promote healthy exercise and plenty of one-on-one time with their favorite playmate – their parent. Dogs love to tug about as much as they love to fetch and chew! The new BOODA® Fur Tugs™ are three toys in one, providing great interactive chewing, tugging and fetching play! A fun, new twist on the traditional tennis ball, Fur Tugs have a sturdy nylon handle on one end, a tennis ball on the other, and furry plush in the middle to create a great game of tug while giving dogs different textures to explore. Offered in bright, vibrant colors in three sizes, Fur Tugs will be available in June in specialty stores nationwide, and retail prices range from $9.99- $16.99.

Give your pup lots of rough-and-tumble interactive play with the new BOODA® Tuff N Tuffer™. These toys combine durable rubber and tough plush to create an interactive toy that will stand up to even the toughest of play. The different textures, together with a great vanilla scent and chicken-flavored rubber, will delight a dog’s senses and encourage independent play. Also great for games of fetch or tug, these sturdy toys are made from Tuff Plush™ fabric, making them able to withstand heavy chewing but still soft enough to feel like regular plush. Retailing for $11.99 starting in June, they are offered in a variety of fun shapes and bright colors!

Petmate knows that dogs go wild for “grunter” toys, and the Aspen Pet® Grunts™ provide super grunting fun! Perfect to cuddle and carry around the house, the Grunts come in colorful and loveable characters. Available in pet supply stores nationwide in June 2011, the Grunts will retail for $8.99.

The BOODA Wing-a-Ball™ is made from high-quality braided polypropylene rope and contains a handy loop to grip and use as a fetch toy or a tug toy. For pet parents who want to play fetch, simply swing the Wing-a-Ball, release and watch it float! For those who are more interested in getting into a tug-of-war match, its unique design provides a sturdy grip while also giving Fido maximum tugging and chewing pleasure. Available in a variety of sizes, retail prices range from $10.99 – $19.99.

Dogs love the crunch of a water bottle and the squeak of a plush toy. Petmate combined the two to create SqueakBottles™, a fun multi-media toy that has both a squeaker and empty water bottle covered in soft plush, for a squeaking, crunching good time! An oversized squeaker is protected by the screw-on cap inside the creature’s head. When the fun is crackled and crunched out of the water bottle, simply insert another empty water bottle and the party starts all over again. As an added bonus, SqueakBottles are a perfect way for pet parents to re-use plastic water bottles before recycling them, helping create a healthier environment for the planet. Five fun and adorable sea-life characters are offered at specialty stores nationwide, and retail for $13.99.

Dogs love water and Floatimals™ are as much fun as you can have in the water! These quirky bug and animal characters, constructed of neoprene fabric, are fabulous toys that float and are perfect for a day at the pool, park or even the backyard. Small and large sizes are available in a variety of bright, aquatic colors and characters making them as fun to look at as they are to play with! They retail for $4.99 and $7.49, and are available at specialty stores nationwide.

For the Active Pup
Exercising a dog is important to their health and well-being. And with warmer weather and longer days, taking a pooch for a stroll is an easy and a great way to spend one-on-one time with Fido. The Walkabout® is a lightweight leash that is ergonomically designed to comfortably fit any hand, and uses a patented “trigger”-style index finger control for quick action, rather than the standard thumb control. A tangle-free inlet keeps the leash webbing from getting jammed inside the housing. Available in stores nationwide, the Walkabout is offered in a variety of colors in three sizes, and prices range from $24.99 – $32.99.

The Comfort Cushion™ Adjustable Leash is ideal for pet parents who like the feel and control of a traditional leash, but are looking for an easy way to adjust the length. Adjustable leashes with clasps or buckles take time and effort to adjust, but the Comfort Cushion Adjustable Leash’s slider can easily change the length of leash in seconds! The handle is engineered to fit comfortably, making it easy to grip and soft to hold. The leash includes an extra “D” ring near the handle, for clipping keys, bags, and anything else needed during walks. Offered in two sizes and two colors, black and red, retail prices range from $14.99 – $17.99. Available at pet stores nationwide.

The Mountain Collar, which coordinates with the Mountain Leash™, is perfect for the dog that loves the outdoors, and wants to look as stunning as the scenery! With a satiny nylon rope fabric that can handle high impact use, it won’t tangle or mat your dog’s fur, even during rough-and-tumble outdoor play. A sturdy buckle makes the collar easy to adjust for a custom fit. The collar comes in two sizes to fit most dogs, and is available in pink, blue and black. Retailing for $10.99 and $13.99, the collar is available wherever pet supplies are sold.

For the Backyard-Loving Pet
For pet parents and their pets who like to be outside at every chance, here are some products that will make backyard time more fun. The Petmate Tie Outs® let you give Fido the freedom to explore without fearing he will go astray. Designed to give dogs an adequate amount of room to exercise while eliminating the chance of getting tangled up around a tree or other object, the Tie Outs are able to withstand pulling from even the strongest of dogs. Prices range from $7.99 – $42.99.

For the pooch that prefers to dine al fresco, the Petmate Fool-A-Bug® bowls feature a revolutionary design that disrupts crawling insects’ navigation system to keep bugs out. Available in two colors, it is priced at $16.00.

It’s the challenge all dog owners share: how to clean up their pup’s “business” as easily and quickly as possible. The Clean Response™ Swivel Bin & Rake is a canine waste pick-up system that turns this unpleasant chore into mess-free, stress-free disposal. Simply swivel the high-capacity bin down to the ground, scoop the waste using the rake and lift the handle. The bin swivels up, acting as a storage device for the waste until emptied. Pet parents can use ordinary plastic grocery bags that hook on in seconds. The long ergonomic handle eliminates back and leg fatigue, while the soft comfort grip makes it easy on the hands. It retails for $32.99 and is available at pet stores nationwide.

The rugged Aspen Pet® Chew- and Moisture-Resistant Beds are as durable as they are comfortable. Made from a dense, oxford weave that is chew-resistant, the fabric has a laminated PVC backing to repel moisture. The perfect choice for dogs that have a tendency to chew or for outdoor use, this pillow bed, made with high-loft recycled fiber fill, will stand up to some wear and tear! Offered in four classic color combinations, the bed features contrasting piping accent that provides the perfect finishing detail. Available in August 2011 for $39.99 at specialty and mass pet stores nationwide.

Hotter Temperatures Mean Thirstier Pups
Dogs love to lap up water, especially in the hot summer months! And, like their human counterparts, pets require water as a vital element for survival. The Pet Café Waterer is perfect for households with multiple pets, providing water all throughout the day. The large capacity water storage is ideal for short stays away from home, and fewer refills make it convenient for busy pet parents. Best of all, it’s made of PET plastic, making it more environmentally sustainable than the PVC bottles that are currently on the market. Available in a variety of stylish colors, prices range from $9.99 – $24.99, based on size.

The new Petmate Replendish™ Waterer provides a continuous flow of fresh, filtered water throughout the day. The Replendish Waterer features an advanced water filtration system to remove and reduce the presence of many volatile, organic chemicals and chlorine for clean refreshment anytime. The large capacity water storage bottle is ideal for short stays away from home, and fewer refills make it convenient for busy pet parents. The base features Microban®, which helps prevent the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, keeping it cleaner, for longer. The bottle is made of PET plastic, making it healthier for pets and the environment. Offered in four different sizes and a variety of colors, prices range from $14.99 – $44.99.

Perfect to bring along for runs in the park, a day at the beach, hiking, camping, or in the car, the Porta LeBistro® Waterer is a hand-held water dispenser that conveniently provides refreshment to Fido on the go. Offered in two sizes, it is easy to use: simply squeeze the bottle to dispense water into the detachable pan. It easily attaches to a belt or backpack with clip, or can hang around the neck for hand-free refreshment on the run. The small, which holds 128 ounces, is priced at $16.99 and the medium, which holds 352 ounces, is $29.99.

Committed to the wellbeing of pets and the world they live in, Petmate is the trusted authority in smart solutions for devoted pet parents and discerning retailers alike. Sound advice and high quality products that are innovative, safe, practical and fun are Petmate hallmarks, as shown in our complete lines of: kennels, dog houses, bedding, litter maintenance, feeding and watering solutions, toys, collars and leads, and pet accessories. We, at Petmate, have pets too and are driven to create a healthy, happy life for your pets and ours. Petmate products can be found at pet supply stores nationwide. Call 1-877-PETMATE or visit www.petmate.com for more information.