NEW YORK, August 12, 2009 -- Inc. magazine today ranked Pet Doctors of America NO. 3,154 on its third annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Consumer electronics maker Vizio, Internet giant GoDaddy, rental car service Zipcar, and beverage maker Honest Tea are among the prominent brands featured on this year's list.

“Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate,” said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan. “That’s why our list is so eagerly anticipated every year.”

Pet Doctors of America offers a unique concept in veterinary care, by offering a “no appointment needed, ever” pet care solution. The walk-in concept features prices clearly posted in all stores, so there are no surprises. The full-service veterinary menu features vaccinations, advanced surgery, pet grooming, pet boarding, dental and flea care/heartworm.

To learn more about Pet Doctors of America, visit www.petdoctorsofamerica.com .

The 2009 Inc. 5000, unveiled today on Inc.com, serves as a unique report card on the U.S. economy. Despite the ongoing recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $214 billion, up $29 billion from last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 126 percent. The Inc. 5000 are responsible for creating more than 1 million jobs since their founding, making the list perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the economy. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found on Inc.com.

This year’s list also offers a preview of which industries are poised for growth in coming years. With an average growth rate of 667 percent, Insurance ranked as the top industry overall. Government Services was the top industry gainer with 252 companies on this year’s list, up from 135 last year. Health is the top industry by both total revenue ($22.7 billion) and total employment (156,223 jobs).

The Hottest Regions for Fast-Growing Companies

Once again, California tops the Inc. 5000 with the most companies of any state with 612. The Golden State is followed by Texas (393), New York (316), Florida (263), and Virginia (261). All 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, are represented on this year’s list.

New York boasts 371 Inc. 5000 companies, making it the top metropolitan area, followed by Washington, D.C. (317), Los Angeles (253), Atlanta (209), and Chicago (203).

The Inc. 5000 at a Glance

Bolstered by this year's No. 1 company, Northern Capital Insurance, Insurance emerged as the top industry, with an average growth rate of 667 percent. Other strong performers include Energy (523 percent) and Government Services (491 percent).

In total, the companies on the Inc. 5000 have created more than 1 million jobs. Health is the top employer with 156,223 jobs, followed by Business Products & Services (122,911), IT Services (89,632), Food & Beverage (86,572), and Construction (65,494).

IT Services had the most companies on this year’s list with 658, followed by Business Products & Services (502), Advertising & Marketing (398), Construction (354), and Manufacturing (342).

Topping this year’s list is Northern Capital Insurance, a Miami-based firm that is helping to revolutionize Florida’s ailing insurance industry. The company generated $95 million in revenue in 2008 and an impressive three-year growth rate of 19,812 percent.

The top woman-owned company is P3S (No. 17 overall), a San Antonio–based firm that provides IT network security and physical security services, mostly to the Defense Department. P3S, owned by Mary Ellen Trevino, recorded revenue of $13.5 million in 2008 and a three-year growth rate of 5,898 percent. The top minority-owned company is Harley Stanfield (No. 3 overall), a Washington, D.C.–based real estate investment firm that buys existing properties, makes them energy efficient, and then resells them as investment properties. Harley Stanfield, founded by Cedric Franklin, posted revenue of $38.4 million in 2008 and a three-year growth rate of 13,350 percent.

The Inc. 5000 posted an aggregate revenue of $214 billion in 2008, up nearly 16 percent from the previous year. The top five industries by total revenue include Health ($22.7 billion), Business Products & Services ($19.6 billion), Construction ($18.8 billion), Energy ($14.7 billion), and IT Services ($13.2 billion).

The Top 10 Inc. 5000 Companies Ranked by Growth

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SUMMER HEAT EXHAUSTION TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The old phrase “dog days of summer” takes on a different meaning for Dr. Dean Severidt, veterinarian and CEO of Pet Doctors of America. According to Severidt, as summer continues to heat up across the country, pets will become more susceptible to heat exhaustion – a problem that can be detrimental to the health of pets.

            “Heat exhaustion is a preventable problem that all pet owners should be aware of, especially if you live in warmer climates where temperatures can reach 90 or 100 degrees on any given day,” Severidt said.

            Severidt said the most common mistakes pet owners make is leaving the dog outside in the sun too long, exercising the pet in the heat of the day, or leaving the pet in a car. Some symptoms that may indicate a pet has heat exhaustion include excessive panting, gasping for air, lying down or collapsing and unable to stand up, unsteady walking and unconsciousness. 

            To prevent and inform pet owners about summer heat exhaustion, Severidt has provided several useful tips, including:

• Provide plenty of fresh water at all times for animals
• Do not leave dogs outside without shelter especially if they are not accustomed to it
• Do not exercise dogs in the heat of the day and don’t start an exercise program this time of year. If a dog is not used to running, do not start in the summer.
• Be careful with brachiocephalic (short nose) breeds as they can over heat quicker than other breeds
• Be careful with overweight dogs as they can overheat easier that dogs at a normal weight
• If a dog starts panting excessively, get it cooled off immediately and offer fresh water

            If a dog does get heat exhaustion, the best thing to do is immediately bring it to a veterinarian while cooling it off en route, Severidt said. A veterinarian will check for any side affects or long-term health problems, including brain damage, which can happen very quickly from heat exhaustion.

            Pet Doctors of America’s veterinarian care centers are located at 14333-43 Beach Blvd. in Pablo Station at the intersection of San Pablo Road and Beach Boulevard, and at 880 State Road A1A, Suite 21, in the Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center. The hours at both locations are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information about Pet Doctors of America, call (904) 223-5700 for the Beach

Boulevard location and (904) 285-7684 for the Ponte Vedra location or visit online at www.petdoctorsofamerica.com.

            Pet Doctors of America is a unique concept in veterinary care with its signature “no appointment needed, ever” pet care solutions available seven days a week. The walk-in care

centers feature a full-service veterinary menu including vaccinations, pet grooming, pet boarding, dental and oral care, and flea/heartworm care. The centers also include in-house

laboratories and state-of-the-art ultrasound and digital radiology equipment to evaluate the health of pets. The trained veterinary team at Pet Doctors of America can perform surgical procedures at its care centers using the latest technology and equipment.

            At every care center, Pet Doctors of America clearly posts its prices so there are never any surprises and there are never any additional fees for weekend or evening care. Pet Doctors of America’s licensed veterinarians provide peace of mind for owners of dogs and cats in a friendly, compassionate environment.