Mars Petcare and the Staten Island YMCA Host Community Dog Walk at Silver Lake Park

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Oct 20, 2011, 12:47 ET

Event Highlights Dog Walking As A Way to Stay Healthy and Fit

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, Oct. 22, Mars Petcare and the Staten Island YMCA will host the 2011 "Woof Walk" Fun Run to help promote dog walking as a way for families to increase their physical activity levels while spending more time together and outdoors.

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The one mile walk around the Silver Lake reservoir will kick-off at 10 a.m. at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue in Staten Island. The walk will be followed by a family and pet fitness festival featuring dog yoga, a dog obstacle course, pet wellness checks by Banfield® veterinarians, pet caricaturist sessions, music, arts and crafts and face painting. Admission is free and open to all well-behaved pets and pet owners in the community.

"THE POWER OF PETS™ highlights dog walking as an accessible and affordable way to keep families and pets fit," said Debra Fair, vice president of corporate affairs, Mars Petcare US. "Pets can be an important part of a healthy and active lifestyle, and help foster the bonds of community. Mars Petcare is proud to bring this message to the Staten Island community."

Research suggests that regular walking can lower the risk of blood pressure and may help combat obesity in both humans and pets. Dog walking can be a gateway to a healthier and more active lifestyle for the nearly 40 percent of U.S. households that own a dog. A recent Mars Petcare survey found that nearly two-thirds of dog owners engage in exercise on a weekly basis because of their dog and that dogs are the driving force behind two-thirds of the walks their owners take each week.

"At the Staten Island YMCA, we work to promote healthy living in our community," said Joseph Verhey, executive director of the Staten Island YMCA Broadway Branch. "Through partnering with Mars Petcare, THE POWER OF PETS™ enables us to encourage the people in our community to be more active by encouraging neighbors to walk together with their pets."

THE POWER OF PETS™ Program
THE POWER OF PETS™ by Mars Petcare, a community-focused initiative that celebrates the health benefits of pet ownership, is focusing its 2011 program on dog walking as a way for families to increase their physical activity levels while spending more time together and more time outdoors. Mars, the largest global petcare company, owns some of the world's most beloved brands including, CESAR®, PEDIGREE®, NUTRO®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN® and Banfield® Pet Hospital.

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 is the world's largest petcare manufacturer producing some of the world's most beloved brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO®, GREENIES®, KITEKAT®, CHAPPI®, and CATSAN® Food for Pets. Mars Petcare is also home to Mars Fishcare, Mars Horsecare, and Banfield® Pet Hospital. The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition provides the science behind our leading petcare brands. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars, Incorporated has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance. For more information, please visit www.mars.com .

About the Staten Island YMCA
The Staten Island YMCA is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves Staten Island's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In scores of neighborhoods across the borough, the YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower nearly 57,000 Staten Islanders – including 23,000 kids and teens – to learn, grow and thrive. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the Staten Island YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, early childhood programs and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit ymcanyc.org/statenisland to learn more.

SOURCE Mars Petcare