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Heigl Lands in the Dog House "Grey's Anatomy" Star Partners With PEDIGREE(R) Food for Dogs to Give Millions of Homeless Dogs a New "Leash" on Life NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 09, 2007 -- On the ABC Network's hit show "Grey's Anatomy," Katherine Heigl's character, Dr. Izzie Stevens, is no stranger to sticky situations. But on February 8, she literally found herself "in the dog house"... this time for a great cause -- the third annual PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive. Heigl, who owns four dogs and is a passionate dog advocate, held court inside a giant PEDIGREE® dog house set in the middle of Times Square in an effort to raise awareness for shelter dogs as part of an educational and fundraising campaign that focuses on finding dogs loving homes. Because of their love for dogs, PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs created The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive to help shine a spotlight on the plight of homeless dogs. Through no fault of their own, more than four million dogs end up in shelters every year. Sadly, nearly half of those canines never find a place to call home, a trend that the PEDIGREE® brand and Heigl hope to help reverse. "There are so many shelter dogs that desperately need a loving home and a second chance at happiness," said Heigl. "I was fortunate enough to have found my dog, Anderson, at a shelter and his love is totally unconditional and genuine. I am so happy to be able to give him the love and attention he deserves. Through The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive, I hope others will open their hearts and homes and consider adopting a shelter dog." Getting Involved There are several easy ways dog lovers can take part in The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive this year: -- Adopt a dog from a local shelter or breed rescue organization anytime during 2007, and PEDIGREE® will provide you with a FREE, one-month supply of food. Just go to pedigree.com to download the dog adoption form. -- Purchase PEDIGREE® products. For every PEDIGREE® product purchased, the brand will make a donation to support local animal shelters and breed rescue organizations nationwide, a charitable commitment that could reach up to $1 million in 2007 with America's help. Additionally, during the month of February The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive is asking consumers to help raise up to $250,000 for the American Humane Association in two simple ways: -- Log onto pedigree.com and click on The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive pledge card and the PEDIGREE® brand will make a $1 donation to the American Humane Association. -- Consumers can also log onto pedigree.com to make their own donation to the American Humane Association, which will be matched by the PEDIGREE® brand. The PEDIGREE® brand's total charitable donation to the American Humane Association's shelter-focused programs as part of these February activities could reach up to $250,000. "Our love for dogs is the driving force behind the PEDIGREE® brand," said Rob Leibowitz, vice president - marketing, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs. "Dogs add so much value to our lives and at PEDIGREE® we want to ensure we're doing everything we can to enable all dogs to have the healthy, happy lives they deserve. So, we put our hearts and wallets behind this important cause and hope to donate more than $1 million dollars this year to shelters and leading organizations like the American Humane Association in the fight to find loving dogs loving homes." Responsible Pet Ownership It's important to note that adopting a pet is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Caring for a pet is a big responsibility, but most dog lovers will tell you that adding a canine to your family will bring a great deal of joy and happiness. To help educate potential dog owners, www.pedigree.com offers a special dog adoption microsite providing a wealth of information all about dogs, from how the adoption process works to training and everyday care and nutrition. A downloadable Adoption Guide is a resource for those considering adoption and offers tips and checklists that are handy for first-time animal shelter visits, vet trips and even shopping. Potential dog adopters can also tune in to the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, sponsored by PEDIGREE®, which airs on February 12, 2007 - February 13, 2007 on the USA Network. The show is a great way for potential dog owners to learn more about specific breeds. To learn more about adoption and find a shelter near you, visit pedigree.com. PEDIGREE® brand products are available at grocery, pet specialty and mass merchandise outlets nationwide. For more news about PEDIGREE, log onto www.masterfoodsnews.com. 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 MASTERFOODS USA Masterfoods USA, the United States food, snack and petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world's leading food manufacturers. The combined food, snack and petcare segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands with more than $5 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, Masterfoods USA employs more than 7,000 associates in the United States, with 15 manufacturing facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food For Dogs and WHISKAS® Brand Food For Cats. About the American Humane Association Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the nation's only organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal welfare and protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curriculum, and trainings to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human and animal bond. American Humane's regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed..."™ End Credit Disclaimer on TV and film productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, DC is an advocate for child- and animal-friendly legislation at the state and federal levels. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more. |
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