Wahl® and Petfinder.com Foundation to Host Nationwide Search for America's 'Dirtiest Dogs'

- Photo contest to promote dog adoption and award $7,000 in grants to three shelters-

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Sep 24, 2012, 10:29 ET

STERLING, Ill., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogs love to get dirty, but dog adoption shouldn't be a dirty word. That's why in honor of National Dog Adoption Month, Wahl and Petfinder.com Foundation are encouraging dog owners everywhere to help them "do the dirty work" needed to clean out America's dog shelters.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120425/CG93815LOGO)

According to Petfinder.com Foundation, more than eight million animals are placed in shelters annually, but only half of them ever get adopted. The number of dogs adopted is lowest in the months of October, November and December.

"We are asking people to help support pet adoption by entering their local shelter into the running to win $5,000 in funding," said Noah Horton, assistant director for Petfinder.com Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports animal shelters and rescue groups nationwide. "This additional funding is vital to these shelters and can help them provide the vaccinations, neuter procedures and shelter care these pets need while waiting to be adopted."

Unlike traditional pet photo contests that feature squeaky clean animals, Wahl and Petfinder.com Foundation are encouraging dog owners to do the opposite—for a good cause.

For the entire month of October, people can submit a photo of their dog at its dirtiest along with a short story and shelter nomination to the Dirty Dog Contest App on the WAHL Facebook page. Those who do will be in the running to become one of three people to win a year's supply of pet grooming products from Wahl along with a monetary donation to the animal shelter of their choice.

"We're excited to be partnering with Petfinder.com Foundation on such an important and worthwhile effort," said Shay Moeller, product manager for Wahl's Home Pet Division. "We're looking forward to seeing a great turn-out and to supporting some deserving animal shelters and rescue groups."

Winners of the Dirty Dog contest are based on Wahl and PetFinder.com Foundation selecting the top 25 photos/stories and then fans voting for their favorites November 2-16. Prize packs for the Dirty Dogs Contest winners include:

First Place Prize: The grand prize winner will receive a year's supply of Wahl pet grooming products, $100 gift card to wahlhomeproducts.com and $5,000 awarded to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.
Two Second Place Prizes: Two second place winners will receive a Wahl grooming kit, $50 gift card to wahlhomeproducts.com and $1,000 awarded to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.

Aside from putting a new twist on the photo contest, the Dirty Dogs Contest addresses one of the biggest challenges facing animal shelters and rescue organizations today.

"The common misperception is that all shelter and rescue pets are ill-tempered and dangerous," said Horton. "The reality is that shelter pets are great pets, and they need homes. Through the Dirty Dogs contest, we want to send a message that dog adoption is not a dirty word."

To help animal shelters prepare their pets for adoption, Wahl recently donated pet grooming supplies to more than 130 Petfinder shelters nationwide. These supplies included Wahl's new All-natural Pet Shampoos and Deluxe Pro-Series Clippers. In addition, Wahl will be providing free shampoo samples to Dirty Dog participants and giving away grooming supplies throughout the contest period.

More information on the Petfinder.com Foundation and pet adoption can be found at petfinderfoundation.com. To enter the Dirty Dogs contest, or view the official rules, visit the WAHL Home Facebook page. For information on proper pet grooming and how Wahl pet products can help clean up your dog in the aftermath of mud puddles, dirt and tangles, visit wahlpets.com.

About Petfinder Foundation

The Petfinder Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity, helps homeless pets by saving lives through adoptions, helping shelters prepare for and recover from disaster and working to make sure animal welfare organizations across the country are more sustainable. Its mission is to ensure no adoptable pet is euthanized for lack of a home. Since 2003 the foundation has provided over $20 million in grants to animal welfare organizations and Petfinder member shelters and rescue groups.

About WAHL

Now in its 93^rd year, Wahl Clipper Corporation is an international industry leader in the manufacturing of products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade, consumer personal care and animal grooming. Headquartered in Sterling, Ill., Wahl currently employs some 2,000 people worldwide in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the United States. Wahl products are available in 165 countries around the world. For more information about Wahl, visit www.wahl.com.