Heavy petting? Try this Dutch dating Web site

AMSTERDAM, Feb 26 (Reuters) Looking for the love of your life? Does your pet put potential partners off? -- There is now a Web site where you can find a partner compatible with your dog, cat, snake or spider.

A new Dutch Web site -- www.dier-en-mens.nl -- says it is a meeting place for all animal lovers, whether you are looking for a partner, someone who also likes snakes and spiders or someone who takes care of your chickens when you want to go away for the weekend.

''How can you find a nice partner who is just as crazy about animals as you are?'' said Betty Mercey yesternday who launched the dating site this weekend which is called ''Animal and Human''.

Members of the site can describe themselves and their pets, and when they think they have found someone who also likes their pets, they can contact each other through the Web site.

''I've heard from friends who have pets that it is difficult to find a partner. Specifically if you have more than one pet,'' said Mercey, who owns thirteen dogs and four cats with her partner.

Since the launch of the Dutch-language Web site, inspired by similar sites in the United States and Britain, 13 people have registered, of which the majority are female, Mercey said.

''I think women are quicker to do these things, and that there are more women than men who have several pets, as men tend to work full time and have less time for animals,'' she said.

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