Mars Petcare US Hosts Fourth Annual Pet Adoption Fair

Tennessee's Largest Adoption Fair Makes A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, October 13, Mars Petcare US will host the fourth annual Mars Petcare Adoption Fair in partnership with more than 30 animal shelters and rescues from surrounding counties. The event is Tennessee's largest pet adoption fair and will be held at Mars Petcare US headquarters from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 315 Cool Springs Boulevard in Franklin, Tenn.

The Mars Petcare Adoption Fair is a free event featuring more than 250 local dogs and cats for adoption, free food and drinks and activities for the entire family.  Country music legend and pet enthusiast Barbara Mandrell will emcee the event and celebrate the new adoptions made that day until noon.  In addition, Dr. Tiffany Bierer, nutritionist at Mars Petcare, will be available for adoption and nutrition advice. 

"Last year's event averaged one new adoption every two minutes," said Larry Allgaier, president of Mars Petcare US. "Think about that.  Families from all over Middle Tennessee made adoption their first choice and changed the lives of more than 160 homeless dogs and cats. I have a feeling this year will be an even greater success."

With an estimated eight million dogs and cats entering shelters and rescues each year, it's more important than ever for adoption to be the first consideration for potential pet owners. 

"There's something remarkable about a family falling in love with a shelter dog or cat," said Judy Ladebauche, executive director at Metro Animal Control.  "This adoption fair is the perfect place to witness that kind of thing – over and over.  We look forward to it every year because we know we're going to find homes for some very lucky pets." 

During the event, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, MARS VETERINARY®, American Kennel Club, PetSmart and many others will be available to educate new parents and answer questions about the rewards and expectations associated with a successful pet adoption.  To celebrate, Mars Petcare US will give each new pet parent a three-month supply of either PEDIGREE® food for dogs or WHISKAS® food for cats with their adoption during the event.

Last year's event found loving homes for 161 homeless pets in Middle Tennessee.  

The fourth annual Mars Petcare Adoption Fair is an initiative by Franklin-based Mars Petcare US as part of the annual Mars Volunteer Program (MVP) in October. More than 2,200 Mars Petcare US employees at offices and factories across the United States will make a difference by volunteering in activities that benefit the local communities where they live and work.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.  In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today.  Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Mars 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.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, BANFIELD® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO™, EBLY™, MASTERFOODS™ and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA®™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.®, KLIX™ and FLAVIA®; Mars Symbioscience –SERAMIS™, CIRKU® and COCOAVIA®.

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

About Mars Petcare US

Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world's largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world's most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, SHEBA® Food for Cats, WHISKAS® Food for Cats, THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand, and TEMPTATIONS® Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 2,200 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 15 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

SOURCE Mars Petcare US