Iams Home 4 the Holidays kicks off its 13th annual pet adoption drive

- Program to help place 1.5 million pets into loving homes this Holiday season -

TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2011 /CNW/ - Iams Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world's largest pet adoption programs, has kicked off its annual adoption drive with the goal of finding homes for 1.5 million orphaned pets across North America. Now in its 13^th year, the program, which runs from October 1, 2011 through January 3, 2012, has helped 5.8 million pets find loving homes across the globe.  This year, Iams will again work in conjunction with founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and more than 3,500 animal organizations worldwide to encourage pet adoption.  In addition, Iams will also donate 5 million meals to animals in need at adoption and rescue centers through its Bags 4 Bowls program.

"Only 45 per cent of dogs and cats admitted into shelter care are adopted out*, leaving many perfectly-fit family companions without a home," said Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer for the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. "Iams Home 4 the Holidays celebrates the experience of adoption and the love and companionship found through bringing home an animal in need."

While finding loving homes for orphaned pets is critical and the core of the program, the campaign is also designed to provide shelters and rescue centers with much needed food donations. With the help of consumers, the Iams Bags 4 Bowls program aims to donate 5 million meals to animals housed in participating organizations.*

"Each year, as many as 4 million orphaned dogs and cats are euthanized due to shelter overcrowding - that is approximately one pet every eight seconds," said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "We've been a part of the adoption drive for 13 years now and have really seen the benefit of what this program can do for animals, our employees and the families who adopt."

Canadians can participate in the program in more ways than one. Lend a hand by simply:

• Visiting the Iams Facebook page and clicking to "Like" the page or various messages, photos, videos, etc. For each "Like" comment, photo posted, etc., Iams will donate meals to participating animal shelters.
• Becoming a fan of the Iams Facebook page (www.facebook.com/iams) and creating a custom adoption announcement or holiday card to share the news of their new four legged family member or just send a season's greeting to their family and friends. For each card created and shared, Iams will donate meals to participating animal shelters
• Purchasing specially-marked packages of Iams dog or cat food during the duration of the campaign. For every specially-marked package sold, Iams will donate one bowl of food** to a participating Iams Home 4 The Holidays animal organization.

Iams Home 4 the Holidays strives to educate about the importance of adoption so that every pet adopted goes to a permanent, loving home. Those who adopt through the program will receive an Iams adoption kit loaded with important information about nutrition, training and proper care to ensure their relationship with the new animal starts off on the right paw. "Since its inception, Iams Home 4 the Holidays has seen 5.8 million pets find loving, forever homes and that truly is a gift that keeps on giving," said Maria Beatriz Rodriguez, Iams general manager. "We recognize that not everyone is in the position to welcome a pet into their home. However, we still want to empower consumers to get involved and our Bags 4 Bowls program enables people to do just that."

To learn more about how to get involved in Iams Home 4 the Holidays and the Bags 4 Bowls program, including details about pets available for adoption, fun ways to donate meals and quick access to informative content and tips, visit www.facebook.com/iams.

About Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH)

As one of the most successful pet adoption programs in the world, IH4TH partners with thousands of animal organizations dedicated to finding forever homes for orphaned pets. Founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams, IH4TH began in 1999 with just 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Since it began 13 years ago, IH4TH - along with more than 3,500 pet adoption centers - has helped 5.8 million families experience the joy of pet adoption, including nearly 1.1 million pet adoptions from 2010. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/iams.

About CFHS

Since 1957, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) has been working to improve conditions for animals across the country. With member humane societies and SPCAs across Canada, the CFHS is the national voice on animal welfare in Canada. It uses this voice to liaise with animal welfare organizations, government, the public, industry, the scientific community, educators and the media to end animal suffering. Find out more at www.cfhs.ca.

About Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where "people help animals and animals help people." Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive and the Animal Center Education Services program, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world.

About P&G Pet Care

For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba^® and Iams^® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Consumer Care Center at [phone]. You can also visit us on the Web at www.iams.ca or www.eukanuba.com.

*Based on 2008 CFHS statistics
**The size of a bowl of food will be calculated based on one feeding for an average size dog or cat.

Image with caption: "Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4608.jpg

Image with caption: "Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4609.jpg

Image with caption: "Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4610.jpg

Image with caption: "Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4611.jpg

Audio with caption: "Audio: Iams Home 4 the Holidays 30 second Radio PSA Spot". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2011/10/13/20111013_C3663_AUDIO_EN_4486.mp3

Video with caption: "Video: Iams Cats Home 4 the Holidays 30 second TV PSA spot". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111014_C3663_VIDEO_EN_4614.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4614.jpg&clientName=IAMS%20HOME%204%20THE%20HOLIDAYS&caption=Video%3A%20Iams%20Cats%20Home%204%20the%20Holidays%2030%20second%20TV%20PSA%20spot&title=

Audio with caption: "Audio: Iams Home 4 the Holidays 15 second Radio PSA Spot". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2011/10/14/20111014_C3663_AUDIO_EN_4615.mp3

Video with caption: "Video: Iams Dogs Home 4 the Holidays 30 second TV PSA spot". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111014_C3663_VIDEO_EN_4616.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111014_C3663_PHOTO_EN_4616.jpg&clientName=IAMS%20HOME%204%20THE%20HOLIDAYS&caption=Video%3A%20Iams%20Dogs%20Home%204%20the%20Holidays%2030%20second%20TV%20PSA%20spot&title=

Image with caption: Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)

Image with caption: Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)

Image with caption: Mike Arms is the founder of Iams Home 4 The Holidays and President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. (CNW Group/IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS)

For further information:

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