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| Contact: | Kim Noetzel Communications Manager 623-587-2872 KNoetzel@PetSmartCharities.org |
GIVING MAN'S BEST FRIEND SOMETHING TO BARK ABOUT
PEDIGREE® and PetSmart Charities both believe that every dog deserves a lifelong, loving home. Sadly, that's not the case for nearly half of the millions of dogs that end up at shelters each year – only one out of two ever finds a permanent home. To help find families for these dogs, PEDIGREE® and PetSmart Charities have partnered on several initiatives to help create awareness and raise money for the cause of dog adoption.
On Sunday, November 11, PEDIGREE® jump-started the holiday gift-giving season by presenting PetSmart Charities with a check for $200,000 at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race in Phoenix, Arizona. The donation included funds raised in the past year by PEDIGREE® and PetSmart Charities through two unique programs aimed at mobilizing consumers to aid their four-legged friends:
- Become a Hero – In February and March 2007, select PEDIGREE® food packages sold at PetSmart stores contained "Hero Coupons." For every coupon redeemed, PEDIGREE® matched the value of the coupon in a donation to PetSmart Charities.
- Cans for Canines – For every 24 cans of PEDIGREE® food purchased at PetSmart stores in the months of September and October 2007, PEDIGREE® donated $5 to PetSmart Charities.
PetSmart Charities Executive Director Susana Della Maddalena added, "It's heartbreaking to see so many healthy, loving dogs in shelters and rescue organizations. We're thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with PEDIGREE® to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of these homeless pets."
PEDIGREE® and PetSmart Charities are excited to continue their fundraising partnership with their second annual holiday gift wrap campaign. Starting November 5, and throughout the holiday season, exclusive dog- and cat-themed wrapping paper from PEDIGREE® will be sold for $1 in all PetSmart stores and online at PetSmart.com. All proceeds generated from sales of the holiday gift wrap will benefit animal welfare programs across the U.S. and Canada funded by PetSmart Charities.
With the combined efforts of PEDIGREE® and PetSmart Charities, the hope is that more of the country's canine companions will find themselves in loving homes. To learn more about adoption, find a shelter near you and/or make a donation, visit pedigree.com and petsmartcharities.org.
About PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities, Inc. (PCI) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raises awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promotes healthy relationships between people and pets. Since 1994, PCI has granted more than $52 million to animal welfare agencies and, through its in-store adoption programs, has helped save the lives of more than 3.1 million pets. To learn more about how PCI is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.
About PEDIGREE®
PEDIGREE® is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, PEDIGREE is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources.
About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare U.S. is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Mars Petcare U.S. employs more than 3,000 associates in the United States, with 29 facilities nationwide and owns some of the world's favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats, SHEBA® Brand Food for Cats and The GOODLIFE Recipe™ Brand. In addition, Mars, Incorporated owns the portfolio of brands produced by ROYAL CANIN USA Inc., NUTRO Products, Inc. and GREENIES®.