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Purina Pro Plan Contest Honors Rescue Pets

Purina

Purina Pro Plan is hosting a nationwide competition honoring rescue pets and the organizations that helped give them a new lease on life via adoption into a new home.

Pet lovers can participate in the nationwide contest by voting on 10 finalist stories to help choose the winner, who will be featured in the official program at the 10th Annual National Dog Show, presented by St. Louis-based Purina.

The winning rescue organization, pet and owner will win a trip to Philadelphia and be honored in the main ring prior to the start of the National Dog Show presented by Purina, which airs on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the winner will receive VIP treatment at the National Dog Show including a backstage tour, exclusive tickets and seating, and the opportunity to have a meet-and-greet with David Frei, expert analyst for the show and nationally renowned dog expert.

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The winning pet rescue organization also will be rewarded with $5,000 in Purina Pro Plan brand pet food coupons to help support their continued care for animals in need.

The nationwide contest raises awareness about pet adoption and promotes the incredible but often untold stories of pet rescue, says Robert Tochterman, senior brand manager for Purina Pro Plan.

Through Oct. 3, consumers can visit www.facebook.com/rallytorescue to view the 10 finalist pet rescue stories and vote for their favorite. More than 63 stories were submitted and a judging panel selected the 10 most inspiring success stories as finalists. The contest winner will be determined by a combination of a popular vote and judges' scores.

Some of the finalists include Rudy, whose entry was submitted by A New Leash on Life Rescue (North Olmsted, Ohio). After being saved from a horrific hoarding situation, the rescued Shepherd mix learned to move on from his past and spread joy through the love of therapy work. Arrow, whose entry was submitted by Azalea City Cat Coalition (Mobile, Ala.) was spotted with an arrow hanging from his chest, and has since recovered. Milly, whose entry was submitted by Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue, Inc. (Grand Haven, Mich.) was found on a cold winter night with his eyes swollen shut and a severe skin condition.

The Rally to Rescue Tour is part of a larger campaign known as Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue. The campaign is committed to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue organizations nationwide via local adoption events. In addition to helping pet rescue organizations find loving, forever homes for more than 400,000 pets since 2005, Pro Plan has provided more than $1 million in support of the Rally to Rescue program during the past two years.

Smaller pet rescue organizations help place nearly half a million dogs and cats in homes each year and represent nearly 45% of all pet adoption agencies. However, they are often overlooked by potential donors due to more limited fundraising and marketing resources.

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