Afilias, a leading domain registry operator, today announces that the Sunrise Period for the new “dot PET” or .PET top level domain is now open for eligible trademark holders only. .PET is the best Internet address for pet-related products and services as well as pet lovers everywhere.

.PET Launch Dates:

Sunrise: Today through February 23, 2016, registration of .PET domains is limited strictly to eligible trademark holders. To apply, please visit a sunrise authorized registrar.

Open Registration: Begins February 23, 2016. For more information about the .PET domain and registration schedule details, please visit www.get.pet.

.PET domains instantly convey to pet lovers that a site is all about pets, pet products and/or pet services. .PET is unrestricted, so it’s easy to get, easy to remember and ideal for marketing pet related items. Pet industry companies, veterinarians, breeders, animal rescues, pet owners, pet-owner focused markets like pet daycares and resorts will all benefit from the .PET TLD.

The love of domesticated pets is nothing new; dogs have been “man’s best friend” for over 12,000 years! But in recent years, the pet industry has morphed from necessities like pet food to a vast array of goods and services ranging from clothing ensembles to daycares and even pet spas. In fact, pet lovers are estimated to have spent a whopping $61 billion dollars in 2015 in the US alone on everything from vet visits to specialized pet-friendly nail polishes.

“.PET is the perfect choice for the pet lover and pet industry participants, and all those seeking to reach both,” said Roland LaPlante, chief marketing officer of Afilias. “.PET is designed to help pet lovers more easily find pet-related products and services on the Internet. It even works for sites dedicated to the pet itself (e.g. grumpycat.pet)! It also makes a great choice for rescues, shelters, clubs, associations and pet lovers of all kinds.”