Mars Petcare US Hosts Pet Adoption Drive

Associates at Local Pet Food Manufacturer Help Pets in Need

MATTOON, Ill., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mars Petcare US is hosting a pet adoption drive in Mattoon, Ill. on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The event includes adoptable pets from five local animal shelters and rescue groups and will be held at the Mars Petcare facility located at 6565 E. CR 1000N in Mattoon, Ill.

The adoption drive is a free, family-friendly event and four-legged family members are welcome to attend with their owners. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable canned goods for both people and pets. Everyone who adopts a pet at the event will receive an adoption starter kit including PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs or WHISKAS® Food for Cats.

"This event means a lot to our associates and our community," said Jim Palkovic, plant manager at Mars Petcare US in Mattoon. "And it means everything to those pets looking for a second chance.  With the help of our partnering shelters and rescues, we plan to help every last one of them find a new home."

In addition to dozens of adoptable pets from five area shelters, the Mattoon, Charleston and Coles County K-9 units will be onsite giving agility and training demonstrations and displaying their new squad cars. Barb's Pet Barber will also offer grooming tips for pet owners.

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.

Donated canned goods will be given to the Mattoon Community Food Bank and donated pet food will be divided among the participating animal shelters and rescues. 

The adoption drive is an initiative by the Mattoon Mars Petcare US facility as part of the annual Mars Volunteer Program (MVP) in October. More than 2,200 Mars Petcare US associates 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.

For more information about Mars Petcare US, please visit http://www.mars.com.

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.

®/™ Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2012

SOURCE Mars Petcare US