Mr. Thompson’s career has spanned numerous industries both domestically and internationally. He has devoted his 35 year career to building companies, as a result raising in excess of $600 million in equity for various projects. In 2002, Mr. Thompson teamed up with JW Childs Associates purchasing the Meow Mix brand of cat food from Nestle/Purina for $167 Million. He directed the re-launching of the brand; the jingle “Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow” is one of the most recognized jingles in the branded arena. JW Childs and Mr. Thompson sold the Meow Mix Company in 2003 for $435 Million. Mr. Thompson re-invested and remained CEO. In 2006 The Meow Mix Company was sold to Del Monte Foods for $720 Million.

Past director of the ASPCA of New York City and current director of the ARF (Animal Rescue Fund) of the Hamptons.

Currently, Mr. Thompson is the Founder of Zootoo.com. Zootoo was founded in October 2007. Mr. Thompson is focused on using the new media/internet to connect all pet lovers across America. The site focuses on sharing information, connecting pet lovers on an unbiased platform and helping pets but in the new furry face book.

Mr. Thompson’s efforts and development work has earned him the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. He has also made numerous appearances in the national media including speaking engagements on entrepreneurial, manufacturing, and branding topics. He is a devoted family man who has been married for 25 years and has three children. Richard is also passionate about his hobbies which include flying, biking, skiing, playing squash, and golf.

Blog Entries by Richard C. Thompson

Therapeutic Pets for Kids with Autism

Posted December 3, 2008 | 03:51 PM (EST)


I'll be the first to admit that I know lots about kids, and probably more about pets, but very little about autism. But I have witnessed kids with autism around pets, and oh, what a difference. Therapy pets make such wonderful companions -- cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and other types...

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Going the Wrong Way

1 Comments | Posted November 13, 2008 | 11:34 AM (EST)


Whenever we go through hard economic times, more pets are abandoned. People lose their homes and can't take their pets with them. People lose their jobs and cannot afford to feed them. Or people feel they just have to cut back, and deem their pets expendable. It's sad... but it's...

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A Plea to President-elect Obama: Adoption is the Option

3 Comments | Posted November 5, 2008 | 03:24 PM (EST)


During your acceptance speech last night, which was a great and compassionate one, you told your daughters - and the world - that you are getting them a puppy for the White House. As a passionate pet lover, I was happy to hear that the tradition of pets in the...

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Confidence Saved the Cat

1 Comments | Posted October 29, 2008 | 05:50 PM (EST)


You know the old saying, "curiosity killed the cat." I wish that were the case. But in fact, it's not curiosity. It's euthanasia. Euthanasia is estimated to kill five million cats and dogs each year -- it's awful, and I'm determined to do something about it.

That's my passion --...

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What About the Animals?

18 Comments | Posted October 24, 2008 | 05:32 PM (EST)


Times are tough. No doubt about it. As the financial crises deepens, everyone's looking to blame someone, and there's plenty of blame to go around -- the politicians, the bankers, the consumers who borrowed and bought beyond their means. But there's a very large and important part of our population...

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