Hill's Pet Nutrition Donates $50,000 to Honor Animal Shelter Volunteers: Five "Shelter Heroes" Announced During National Volunteer Week

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Apr 11, 2016, 04:00 ET

TOPEKA, Kan., April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 10-17, Hill's Pet Nutrition recognized five Shelter Heroes who go above and beyond in their commitment to local animal shelters and helping pets find their forever homes. As a way of recognizing their contributions, Hill's also donated $10,000 each to the five shelters that these volunteers support.

Billy Eichhorn, one of the five Hill's Shelter Heroes Contest winners.

"We launched the Hill's Shelter Heroes Contest to recognize amazing volunteers and inspire others to start volunteering at their local shelters," said Gavin du Toit, Hill's Marketing Director. "Our Food, Shelter & Love® program reflects Hill's deep commitment to animals beyond selling pet food, and has worked with more than 1,000 shelters nationwide in the past 14 years. And we are not alone in this love, so we wanted to recognize the amazing work volunteers do every day. Without volunteers, most shelters would be unable to operate or care for homeless cats and dogs."

The Hill's Food, Shelter & Love® program has provided shelters with more than $280 million in pet food since 2002. The program currently feeds more than 100,000 homeless pets every day in over 800 shelters.

"Hill's provides the food, and volunteers donate their time, love and care until new homes for the animals can be found," du Toit said. "Together, we're helping transform the lives of shelter pets."

When Hill's announced the Hill's Shelter Heroes Contest, more than 100 shelters submitted heart-warming stories and videos of volunteers who make a real impact on the lives of homeless animals. Hill's announced 10 finalists and then asked pet lovers on their Facebook and Twitter pages to select the five winners.

The winners of the Hill's Shelter Heroes Contest are: Margo with Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City, California; Wendy with Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport, Mississippi; Carla with Pearl River County SPCA in Picayune, Mississippi; Billy with Great Plains SPCA in Merriam, Kansas; and, Annie with Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, Missouri. These compelling video submissions can be viewed at Hill's Shelter Hero Contest page.

"It is exciting to see Hill's Pet Nutrition's stronger-than-ever commitment to homeless pets and animal shelters like ours. The support offered by the Hill's Food, Shelter & Love® program has a positive impact on adoptions, volunteer programs and donations," said Robert D. Rohde, President & CEO, Dumb Friends League.

About Hill's Pet Nutrition
Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill's mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. The right nutrition combined with the devotion of veterinary professionals can transform the lives of pets; and healthier and happier pets can transform the lives of pet parents. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research and groundbreaking nutrition for dogs and cats based on a scientific understanding of their specific needs. HILL'S® Prescription Diet® therapeutic pet foods, HILL'S® Science Diet® and HILL'S® Ideal Balance™ wellness pet foods are sold through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about Hill's, our products and our nutritional philosophy, visit us at HillsPet.com, HillsVet.com or Facebook, keywords "Hill's Pet Nutrition."

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160411/353763

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition