Mars Petcare and the Prospect Park YMCA Partner to Host Innovative Pet-Friendly Family Fitness Fair

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Oct 15, 2010, 05:02 ET

Event Will Feature Fun Activities That Promote Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Saturday, October 16, Mars Petcare and the Prospect Park YMCA will host a pet-friendly fitness fair to help educate the community on the health benefits of pet ownership and how families can incorporate pets into a healthy, active lifestyle. Part of The Power of Pets™ initiative launched by Mars Petcare earlier this month, the event will feature pet-friendly fitness instruction, a dog obstacle course, community education discussions, pet health screenings by veterinarians from Banfield®, the Pet Hospital, and on-site pet adoption by Social Tees Animal Rescue.

The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the schoolyard of PS 10, located at 511 7th Avenue in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. It is free and open to all members of the community, including pets and their owners.

"The Power of Pets™ initiative helps put practical knowledge and advice about how to get fit with your pet into the hands of people and families," said Deb Fair, vice president of corporate affairs, Mars Petcare US. "The program brings to life the meaningful physical, psychological and social benefits of pets in a way that can have a real impact on the health of communities."

Exercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle, and research suggests that owning a pet helps increase levels of physical activity. A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. pet owners conducted by Mars Petcare revealed that more than half of pet owners would prefer to exercise with their pet instead of alone. The survey also revealed that 39 percent of pet owners feel that ensuring their pet is more active has made them more active as well.

"At the YMCA, we strive to be a partner in helping create strong healthy families and communities," said Kendall Charter, associate executive director for the Prospect Park YMCA. "We want to get people moving and get families playing together on a daily basis. Incorporating the family pet into a healthy, active lifestyle is a great way to do that."

The event will also feature an interactive education session given by Dr. Karyl Hurley, global scientific affairs director for The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition. Dr. Hurley is a world-renowned expert in the scientific field of human-animal interaction. Dr. Hurley's discussion will focus on the history of the human-animal bond, how pets make us healthier and how humans can return the favor by being responsible pet owners.

The Power of Pets™ Program

As the cornerstone of The Power of Pets™ program, Mars Petcare is collaborating with YMCAs in five cities to bring pet-friendly health and physical activity education and programming to communities. The collaboration marries Mars Petcare's passion for serving pets and pet owners with the YMCA's longstanding dedication to the holistic health and wellness of the communities it serves. In its pilot year, The Power of Pets™ will roll out at YMCA locations in Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; Nashville, TN; Chicago, IL; and Portland, OR.

More Information

For more information, please visit The Power of Pets™ fan page at Facebook.com/powerofpets. This page will be regularly updated with upcoming event information, tips for exercising with your pet, and facts about the benefits of human-animal interaction.

About Mars Petcare
Mars Petcare is the world's largest petcare manufacturer, with 2009 global sales of approximately $12 billion. Headquartered in Brussels, Mars Petcare produces brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO®, GREENIES®, KITEKAT®, CHAPPI®, and CATSAN®. Mars Petcare is also home to Mars Fishcare, Mars Horsecare, Petservices and Banfield ®, the Pet Hospital. The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition provides the science behind our leading petcare brands. Mars Petcare is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, a private, family-owned company employing more than 65,000 associates in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's largest food companies, generating global sales of more than $28 billion annually.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

SOURCE Mars Petcare