Care.com Launches Family Pet Guide

New Online Guide from Care.com Provides Resources for Families, Pet Sitters and More.

With nearly two-thirds of all households in the United States owning at least one pet, families face a big decision when deciding which type of pet to welcome into their home. To help families better prepare for finding their next pet or answer questions about the pets they already own, Care.com (www.care.com), the premier source of trustworthy family care options, has launched the Family Pet Guide -- a comprehensive online resource that makes the process of searching for a pet less stressful.

Confused about which dog breed is best for a household with young kids? Curious about which cats are better indoors versus outdoors? Care.com's Family Pet Guide provides a comprehensive breed-by-breed listing of dogs, cats and small mammals to answer the basic questions that many families have when deciding which animal is right for their home. The guide is also an ideal resource for current pet owners or animal sitters to provide answers to the inevitable questions that often arise regarding medical or behavioral issues.

Care.com surveyed many of its members, ranging from experienced dog sitters and cat sitters to everyday owners, to get their frank and honest insights to the breeds included in the Family Pet Guide. Coupled with information from breed-specific resources, the guide addresses the reality of ownership and pet care needs for each breed.

"We are excited to add the Family Pet Guide to our collection of pet care resources," said Sheila Marcelo, Founder and CEO of Care.com. "For first-time pet owners or families looking to bring an additional pet into the household, this is a great resource to answer all of those lingering questions and ultimately find the right match. Caring for a pet can be a daunting task, so in designing the Family Pet Guide we wanted to provide a practical resource that will provide guidance to pet owners and pet sitters alike."

Whether looking for a playful pup for the kids or a companion pet for an elderly relative, Care.com's Family Pet Guide provides a great starting point to browse various animal breeds and species. With detailed information on training and exercise needs, grooming requirements and compatibility ratings, the Family Pet Guide takes the guesswork out of buying your next pet. From essential information such as "Which cats are actually hypoallergenic" to fun facts such as "What famous individuals have owned cocker spaniels," Care.com developed the Family Pet Guide to bring information previously spread across multiple resources all in one place. The guide also provides links to additional resources on each breed or species for families looking to do further research.

In addition to the Family Pet Guide, Care.com provides pet care listings for pet sitters, groomers, dog walkers and more in neighborhoods across the country. Added enhancements including pre-screened provider information, free background checks and recorded reference interviews have made Care.com the premier solution for addressing the pet care needs of families. These critical measures offer users an added layer of confidence and security when making important decisions regarding the care of your family's loved ones.

Launched in May 2007, Care.com connects people seeking qualified caregivers with a national network of trusted providers. With local search options currently available in more than 30 major cities across the United States, Care.com's online marketplace provides a network of care providers in areas including child care, pet care, tutoring and senior care.

For more information on Care.com's Family Pet Guide, visit here.

Care.com (www.care.com) is the premier source of trustworthy care options for children, pets and elderly parents. The company provides a simple and safe way for families and individuals to manage their care needs. Care.com offers a full breadth of subscription-based services -- child care, pet care, senior care and tutoring -- to address the lifecycle of specific care needs, while providing free background checks and a suite of tools and resources for selecting the best care possible. The company was founded in 2006 with a mission to help people achieve a more balanced life through smart care connections.

Dwight Howard, as Superman, Wins NBA All-Star Slam-Dunk Contest

By Mason Levinson

Feb. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard won the National Basketball Association's Slam-Dunk Contest while playing the role of a superhero during last night's All- Star Saturday festivities in New Orleans.

Howard, the NBA's rebounding leader this season, defeated defending champion Gerald Green in the two-dunk final round after scoring perfect 50s in his first two dunks of the night at the New Orleans Arena.

Toronto's Jason Kapono defended his title and tied a record in the 3-Point Shootout, while Utah's Deron Williams won the Skills Challenge in a record time. The San Antonio team of Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Becky Hammon claimed the Shooting Stars competition.

Howard, the 6-foot-11 (211-centimeter) All-Star of the Orlando Magic, scored a 50 on his first dunk by bouncing the ball off the back of the backboard, and then catching it in the air and dunking it.

On his next dunk, Howard removed his Magic jersey to reveal a blue tight-fitting shirt with a Superman emblem, and then tied a red cape around his neck.

The 22-year-old began running from center court as Magic teammate Jameer Nelson threw the ball over the backboard from behind the glass. Howard caught the ball with one hand as he sailed through the air and threw it through the hoop, earning a rousing ovation and another perfect score.

Flying Dunks

``We got the Superman costume down here in New Orleans,'' Howard said in a televised interview after being chosen the winner by 70 percent of fans in Internet and text-message voting. ``I came up with the idea to just take off from as far as I can and just try to fly.''

The highlight of Green's performance came on a dunk he labeled ``The Birthday Cake,'' placing a cupcake with a lit candle atop the rim extension, and then dunking while blowing out the candle. The Minnesota small forward earned a 47 for the effort.

The Raptors' Jamario Moon and Grizzlies' Rudy Gay were eliminated during the first round of competition.

Kapono tied the record Craig Hodges set in 1986 in the 3- Point Shootout with a score of 25 points in the final round to beat Cleveland guard Daniel Gibson (17 points) and Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki (14 points). New Orleans' Peja Stoyackovic, Detroit's Richard Hamilton and Phoenix's Steve Nash were eliminated in the first round.

Williams set the all-time record in the Skills Challenge, a timed test of shooting, passing and dribbling, completing the course in 25.5 seconds to top New Orleans guard Chris Paul (31.2). New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Miami's Dwyane Wade, the two-time defending champion in the event, were eliminated in the first round.

The team of Spurs center Duncan, former Spurs center Robinson and Hammon, a guard on the Women's NBA's San Antonio Silver Spurs, won the Shooting Stars competition, in which the teams must make shots from six different locations on the court. San Antonio beat Team Chicago in the final round as Duncan hit a half-court shot to complete their round in 35.8 seconds.