As consumers sign up, they may customize their card with their pet's picture by sending in the picture by mail, submitting a digital photo online or choosing from three card designs.

Cardholders get two reward points for every dollar spent at participating veterinary clinics, major pet retailers, farm and feed stores and neighborhood pet specialty stores. They also receive one point for every dollar spent for other purchases. Cardholders receive 500 bonus points with their first purchase and can earn up to 100,000 points annually.

Rewards redemptions start at just 750 points for a $7.50 Hill's Science Diet or Prescription Diet brand pet foods product discount certificate. For 1,000 points, cardholders can get a $20 rebate on veterinary clinic expenses or make a $10 donation to a needy animal shelter.

"Many of us have a soft spot in our hearts for our pets," said Marsha Schonekas, PetRewards marketing manager at Bank of America. "This credit card is a great way for consumers to help with expenses or make a donation to an animal shelter - while at the same time giving us another way to show off pictures of our pets."

"We are pleased to bring to market the first and only PetRewards card for pet owners as an innovative tool for them to offset expenses regarding veterinary services, pet food and donations to shelters," says Stefano Pettinella, associate marketing director for Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.