Compatible image types are:

.gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .bmp

MAXIMUM image file size is 60k (60,000 bytes).

Yes. Two types of animated banners are compatible with our website. They are animated .gif images and Flash (.swf) animations. If you choose Flash-based animations, consider the fact that many potential customers may have Active-X blockers enabled on their browsers, and therefore may not be able to view your Flash banners. If you have a simple animation, we recommend you consider creating an animated .gif instead of a Flash-based animation. Animated .gifs usually have larger file sizes than Flash banners, but for simple animations, your .gifs should be well within the maximum file size requirements.

Just follow these 4 easy steps:

1. Fill out our simple advertising sign-up form with your personal information.
2. Choose your banner purchase package(s) (see Figure 1, above, for details).
3. Pay for your package(s) through PayPal.
4. Upload your banner images.

It's that simple! You can be advertising in a matter of minutes!

How much does it cost to place a banner advertisement on LostPetSOS.org?

Lost Pet SOS is offering promotional advertising rates to celebrate the launching of this valuable community resource, as outlined in Figure 1 above. These introductory prices are guaranteed to remain at the present low rates until at least August 15, 2005. Rates will be re-evaluated every 6 months thereafter, beginning on August 15, 2005. Such evaluations may or may not result in ad rate adjustments. However, should a rate adjustment be planned, LostPetSOS will notify all then-active advertisers at least fifteen (15) days prior to our implementation of such adjustment(s). All impressions already paid for prior to a rate adjustment will not be affected by the new rates. However, once an advertiser's purchased impressions are used up, any renewing ad packages will be charged at the then-current (i.e., adjusted) advertising rate.

How does LostPetSOS.org charge for banner advertisements?

Banner advertising space is sold by impressions, on a Cost-Per-Thousand (impressions) basis, or CPM. CPM advertising is unique to the Internet, due to the limitations of ad space. An "impression" occurs when a visitor browses the website and your banner advertisement rotates into view for that visitor.

Where are banner advertisements placed?

We currently offer vertical banner advertising for right-side placement, as demonstrated throughout our main site pages. While left-side advertising slots are not available at this time, it is possible that we may expand our current banner advertising policy to offer left-side banner advertising space at some point in the future.

What are the available banner sizes?

Banner advertising space is available in three (3) sizes: 120 x 240, 120 x 90, and 120 x 60 (width x height, in pixels).

What are "impressions," and how do they work?

An "impression" occurs each time an advertiser's banner ad rotates to the designated ad space during a visitor's browsing experience.

Due to the limitations of "cyberspace," banner ads are randomly rotated on our website in a designated advertising "slot". Random rotation occurs in two ways. One way is each time a visitor either clicks a hyperlink, or clicks his or her browser's "refresh" or "reload" button while browsing our website. The other way is an automatic refresh that occurs if a visitor has been on any one page for ten minutes.

Each time a site visitor clicks a link on the website, banner ads randomly rotate to a different banner. These rotations provide advertisers with multiple ad-impression opportunities during a visitor's stay. The links that visitors might click include, but are not limited to (a) the top navigation links: Home, About Us, Contact Us, Advertise; (b) left navigation links: Search Lost & Found (including each click of the "Search" button), Report a Lost or Found Pet, two "What To Do When..." articles (each of which contains links to other areas of the site), User Login (which includes additional user-related links); (c) bottom (footer) navigation links: Site Map (which contains numerous links back to other site areas), and Privacy Policy. As you can see, a visitor could easily cause ads to rotate 10-20 times during one visit.

The anticipated number of daily visitors, although low in the beginning, should reach 1,000 or more within a short period of time. Hence the number of rotations could easily exceed 10,000 - 20,000 in a single day. Similarly, the number of banner ads, while few in the beginning, is also expected to increase in the near future. Consequently, the number of banner ad impressions you can expect, while perhaps fewer in the beginning, will still be seen by a majority of visitors due to the low banner ad volume. Similarly, as banner ad volume increases, so will the number of daily visitors, ensuring that your banner ad is visible to a significant number of visitors every day.

Why should I advertise on this website?

Hundreds of thousands of pets become lost every day in the United States. For this reason, LostPetSOS.org plans to become the premiere pet locator service in the nation. LostPetSOS helps visitors remember us by providing a "Bookmark Us" function that, when clicked, automatically adds LostPetSOS.org to the visitor's "Favorites" folder.

Notice: We reserve the right to modify our advertising rates at any time, without prior notice to potential advetisers.

Who are LostPetSOS' target visitors?

The target audience for the LostPetSOS.org FREE pet lost and found locator service is made up of individuals from all walks of life and all age groups within the United States. Pet owners who have lost a pet come to this website to search the FOUND animals database, and to report their missing pet in the LOST pets database. Other visitors include pet lovers who have found a stray animal and who are attempting to locate its owner. They may come to the website to search the LOST pets database and to report the stray in the FOUND pets section. These visitors also come from all walks of life and all age groups within the United States. Most visitors are expected to return more than once to check the database on a regular basis.

What is LostPetSOS' advertising policy?

To maintain the integrity and quality of the LostPetSOS.org website, all banner advertising must be PET-RELATED in order to be relevant to target visitors of this website. For example, a rental car agency could advertise on our site by focusing ads on providing pet transport carriers (such as soft-sided travel crates that are seat-belt compatible) with the agency's vehicle rentals. Such an advertisement is not only pet-related, but also addresses a way to prevent a pet from becoming lost in the event of a traffic accident.

LostPetSOS.org retains sole decision-making authority over relatedness and relevance of any advertiser's banner ad. We reserve the right to reject and remove (e.g., delete) any banner advertisement considered to be incompatible with this website's purpose and/or target audience. Any remaining impressions already purchased may be applied to an acceptable alternate banner advertisement owned by the advertiser in question. If the advertiser instead prefers a refund of his remaining advertising dollars in his account, the advertiser must request a refund in writing within sixty (60) days of being notified by LostPetSOS of a rejected banner advertisement. Mail refund requests to: Lost Pet SOS.org, 705 N. 110th Place, Mesa, Arizona 85207.

Are any types of products/services forbidden to be advertised on LostPetSOS.org?

Yes. Advertising related to dating services, adult websites and/or related products or services is expressly forbidden. If it isn't rated for general audiences, it isn't allowed on LostPetSOS.org. Advertisers who do not abide by this policy will be banned. No exceptions.

What types of pets are listed on the LostPetSOS.org website?

Types of pets include dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses, and other animals (such as gerbils, guinea pigs, goats, mice, mules, donkeys, etc.).

How can I become a sponsor for LostPetSOS.org?

"Sponsors" are advertisers or other organizations interested in supporting LostPetSOS.org by providing large contributions to help Lost Pet SOS fund this valuable community service and meet its goals of becoming the premiere web presence to help the plight of homeless animals. To show our appreciation, Lost Pet SOS offers premiere advertising space to its sponsors in the form of wide banner ad placement at the top or bottom of the website. If you would like to learn more about becoming a sponsor, send an email to >>info [at] LostPetSOS.org<< with "Sponsor Request" in the subject line. Please be sure to include your name and telephone number or email address so that our staff can properly respond to your inquiry.

How will I know if my banner ads are working?

Your advertiser account provides you with substantial statistical information on each banner ad that you place on LostPetSOS.org. With these statistics, you can track the number of impressions per ad, as well as the number of clicks per ad, and we've even calculated the "click-through" percentage rate to give you an idea of the usefulness of each banner ad you place. You can track your banners on a daily, weekly, monthly and even annual basis! These stats will give you a visual cue about how well your ads are doing and which periods within the year are the best and worst for you.

Can LostPetSOS.org set up my banner account for me?

Yes. For $10.00 USD LostPetSOS.org will set up your account for you, upload your first banner image, and handle any troubleshooting issues that may arise in this process. We can upload additional images for you for $5.00 USD each, once your account has been set up by us or by you. Click here to request us to set up your advertiser account.

Can someone create my banner images for me?

Yes. LostPetSOS has a strategic alliance with Platinum Design, to help our advertisers create their banner images. Click here for details on banner design services.

How can I speak to a live person to answer my additional questions?

To contact the LostPetsSOS.org Advertising Sales Team, fill out our contact form. Be sure to give us your name, telephone number or email address, and the best time to reach you, and a representative will contact you immediately.