With Spring Comes Kitten Season and Important Health Tips for Cat Owners - National Veterinarian Expert Available for Interviews.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.:

WHAT: It's springtime and that means kitten season is here!
            With approximately 34 million U.S. households owning at
            least one cat and an estimated 2 million pet cats in New
            York City alone, it's more important than ever that cat
            owners become knowledgeable about taking care of their
            feline friends.

            Coinciding with its Spring Adopt-a-thon, The American
            Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
            will offer free screening tests for Feline Leukemia Virus
            (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in New York
            City's five boroughs on its mobile clinics. The free tests
            will be made available to pet owners with proof of public
            assistance.(a)

            For a complete schedule of dates and locations, visit
            www.aspca.org/nyc_cares. Testing takes only a few minutes
            and cats can be tested for both diseases at the same time.

       WHY: It's estimated that 31 million cats in the U.S. are at
            risk for the diseases, but only a small percentage of cats
            are being tested. The American Association of Feline
            Practitioners recommends testing all newly adopted cats
            and kittens for FIV and FeLV.(b)

     PHOTO: Friday, May 6, 2005, from 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.
            ASPCA Mobile Clinic, Bronx Zoo
            Corner of Southern Blvd,
            Crotona Parkway and East 182nd St.

            Photo Opps:

            --  Pet owners bringing cats to mobile clinic for free
                testing
            --  National veterinarian expert, Lynn Fremin Buzhardt,
                D.V.M., available to offer tips on how to keep cats
                healthy

                Additional opportunities available at the ASPCA New
                York City, 424 E. 92nd Street

    EXPERT: Lynn Fremin Buzhardt, D.V.M. is a recognized
            spokesperson in the veterinary field on the treatment of
            feline infectious diseases. She is a valuable media
            resource and has served as a guest on television news
            programs and an expert source for newspaper and magazine
            articles on important subjects pertaining to companion
            animals. Dr. Buzhardt has a warm, relatable style in media
            interviews that enables her to connect with pet owners to
            deliver important tips to keep their pets healthy and
            happy. She has been in practice 25 years.

   CONTACT: Carrie Kocik
            Office:  [phone] ext. 3081
            Mobile: [phone]
            [e-mail]

For more information regarding feline leukemia virus and feline
immunodeficiency virus, cat owners should contact their veterinarian.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners also provides
information about FeLV and FIV online at www.fivtest.com, with support
from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

    (a) Includes Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, Disability, Food Stamps or
        Rent Receipt from Public Housing.

    (b) AAFP. 2005 Report of the American Association of Feline
        Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on
        Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management.