Homeless Pets Get Star Treatment During Stay in PetSmart Charities' Adoption
Centres

PHOENIX and MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 5 /CNW/ - Every day, PetSmart Charities offers more than 2,000 animal-welfare organizations throughout North America the opportunity to showcase adoptable pets in all 1,149 PetSmart stores. Now, these everyday adoptions are proudly sponsored by Purina(R) Pro Plan(R) and Maxx(R) Scoop brands in Canada.

An estimated 400,000 dogs and cats must be put down every year in Canada because they cannot find homes. That's why the PetSmart Charities adoption centres are a lifesaving alternative for animal-welfare organizations. With increased visibility and space, shelters and rescue groups are able to find homes for even more pets every year. For every minute that a PetSmart Charities adoption centre is open, one pet's life is saved. During the last 14 years, PetSmart Charities has found homes for more than four million pets across North America.

Pro Plan and Maxx Scoop are generously donating food and litter to all pets in Canadian PetSmart Charities adoption centres. Pro Plan is also providing financial support to help satisfy the needs of the pets in the adoption centres. Cats housed at the adoption centres will now receive Pro Plan brand food and Maxx Scoop litter during their stays, and all new adoptive pet owners will receive a free bag of Pro Plan brand dog or cat food and free Maxx Scoop cat box litter when they adopt a pet.

"We are very proud to be supporting this important program that finds forever homes for deserving pets," said Mary Siemiesz, Nestlé Purina Canada's Director of Product Strategy and Consumer Communications. "At Purina, we understand that welcoming a new pet into your life is a big responsibility. We want to help make happy homecomings a little easier - so that pets and people can focus on what's important, and establish a bond for life."

"Purina Pro Plan, Maxx Scoop and PetSmart Charities are working together to save the lives of homeless pets through everyday adoptions," said Executive Director of PetSmart Charities Susana Della Maddalena. "For so many pets, the difference between life and death is getting a better chance to find the lifelong, loving home they deserve. With the generous support of Purina, we can make sure that every pet who stays in one of our adoption centers is comfortable and well-fed."

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Pro Plan and Maxx Scoop, thousands of dogs and cats will find the lifelong, loving homes they deserve at PetSmart Charities' adoption centres.

"At PetSmart Charities, we want to make sure that every pet has the chance for a happy, healthy life," continued Della Maddalena. "Through this exciting partnership, we are saving the lives of homeless pets and helping to end the tragedy of euthanasia."

About PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities of Canada, Inc., (PCCI) is a registered charity that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Since 1999, PCCI has granted more than $2.1 million CAD to Canadian animal welfare agencies, and, through its in-sore pet adoption program, has helped save the lives of more than 100,000 pets.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada

Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada is a leading pet care company and global manufacturer of quality and nutritious pet food brands such as PRO PLAN, PURINA ONE, DOG CHOW(R), ALPO, BENEFUL, BEGGIN' STRIPS, T-BONZ, CAT CHOW(R), FRISKIES, FANCY FEAST, LUV, and cat litter brands such as MAXX SCOOP MULTI-CAT. Our promise, "Your Pet, Our Passion(R)", and the creation of PAWSWAY Pet Discovery Centre, the permanent home of the PURINA ANIMAL HALL OF FAME, reflects our commitment to pets and promoting responsible pet care. Purina is the proud sponsor of The Purina National and the Lions Foundation of Canada PURINA WALK FOR DOG GUIDES. For more information about Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada please visit www.purina.ca.

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For further information: MaryBeth McKenzie, Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada, T [phone], M [phone]; Kim Noetzel, Communication Manager, PetSmart Charties, [phone] - Office, [phone] - Wireless