"CSI: Miami" Stars Eva LaRue and Omar Miller Join Natural Balance Pet Foods®, PETCO™ and Independent Pet Stores for National Guide Dog Month in September

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eva LaRue and Omar Miller, stars of TV's "CSI: Miami" are teaming with Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods, PETCO (TM) and independent pet stores to celebrate National Guide Dog Month in September and raise money and awareness for guide dog organizations across the country.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110829/LA59322)

"We want people to realize that this is more than just a fundraiser for a good cause," said Miller. "This is really about empowering the visually impaired with the life-changing gift of a guide dog. Guide dogs and training are provided at no cost to qualified applicants who are blind or visually impaired. With 10 million visually impaired people in the U.S., the demand for guide dogs continues to grow."

"Every seven minutes someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired," said LaRue. "Guide dogs are heroes, providing safe mobility, loving companionship and restoring confidence to their handlers."

Throughout September, pet parents can visit any of PETCO's more than 1,100 locations nationwide, as well as select Independent Retailers of Natural Balance to help support National Guide Dog Month. PETCO shoppers can make donations at the register or online at  www.petco.com/guidedogs.

All proceeds from these National Guide Dog Month activities will be donated to participating guide dog training facilities nationwide, a list of which is available at http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/programs/NatGDMonth2011.html

About Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods®

Based in Pacoima, California, Natural Balance was founded by Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick in 1989 on the philosophy of providing pets and their owners The Food For a Lifetime™. All Natural Balance products are free from artificial preservatives, flavors, colors and bleached ingredients, and are used and respected worldwide by top trainers, breeders and caring pet owners who want the best for their animals. In addition to its more than 50 dog and cat food varieties, the Natural Balance product catalog includes several Zoological Formulas™, which are currently fed to carnivores, bird of prey and reptile populations in some of the most prestigious zoos and animal reserves across the country.

For more information about Natural Balance, its Buy With Confidence™ program and its unique product line, please visit  www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

About PETCO™

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate nearly 1,100 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at  HYPERLINK "http://www.petco.com/" www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $75 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 7,000 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

SOURCE Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.