Nestlé Purina and Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) have teamed up to launch the second annual “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” campaign, celebrating the unique bond between people and their pets, while raising funds for animal welfare organizations nationwide. Together Purina and the Kroger family of stores will donate $150,000 to animal welfare organizations in 2009 and will recognize six exceptional pet lovers’ tales via a national television special this fall.
The campaign invites pet lovers to share their favorite pet tales with Purina and Kroger online at www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com. For each story shared, Purina and Kroger will make an additional donation to animal welfare organizations.
“There is an unmistakable bond between people and their pets,” said David Tornberg, marketing manager at Nestlé Purina. “Nestlé Purina is committed to promoting responsible pet care, humane education and community involvement. Our project with Kroger enables us to further engage pet lovers with a program that gives back to the communities in which our consumers live and allows us to share endearing stories about the human-pet relationship.”
“Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” is running from June through November and will culminate with the national airing of the “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” TV special in November.
“We’re proud to support the ‘Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart’ program,” said Bill Dankworth, vice president, grocery/direct store delivery, for Kroger. “Aligning our family of stores with one of the world’s leading pet food manufacturers allows us to recognize the special bond our customers share with their pets.”
Television Special
The “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” TV special will celebrate six pet lovers and will spotlight the positive effects people and their pets have on one another. Additionally, the program will highlight relationships between owners and their pets from submissions on the www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com. The program will include stories such as:
Racing Towards the Future – From competitive racers to loved family members, see how some greyhounds are getting the chance to experience a new way of life.
A Nose Knows – Everyone knows that dogs are a man’s best friend – but are they heroes too? Learn just how brave a man’s best friend sniffs out danger.
Entertaining Animals – From juggling and balancing acts to comedy skits for all ages, watch how one animal trainer works with cats and dogs.
“This program brings to life one of the most powerful human relationships – that between a person and their pet,” said pet owner Melissa Heeter of Atlanta, who was featured along with her dogs in the 2008 Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart program. “It was a privilege to work with Purina and Kroger in 2008 to share my story about the bond that my dogs and I share. I was proud to play a part in supporting local animal welfare organizations.”
Online
Pet lovers’ stories come to life online at the “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” Web site. The site includes information about the television special; tips for helping homeless pets find their forever home; and fun family activities for caring and communicating with your four-legged friend. Consumers can submit their own pet tales directly to the site for the chance to raise additional money for animal welfare organizations in their community. The pet tales submitted by August 31, 2009 will be considered for inclusion in this fall’s TV special.
For more information on the “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” program or to submit your own pet tale, visit www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com. To find a Kroger store near you, visit www.Kroger.com.
