Wisdom Panel® To Donate Portion Of November Sales To American Humane Association

Wisdom Panel® 2.0 Dog DNA Identification Test will be discounted from November 1-24 on WISDOMPANEL.COM and a portion of proceeds will be donated to American Humane Association

News provided by

Mars Veterinary; American Humane Association

Oct 28, 2014, 08:00 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of American Humane Association, today Wisdom Panel^® announced it will be offering $15 off each Wisdom Panel 2.0 Dog DNA Identification Test from November 1^st through November 24^thfor every kit sold on www.wisdompanel.com. Mars Veterinary will also donate $5 for each test kit purchased to American Humane Association to aid their work to ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of animals across the United States. By purchasing a Wisdom Panel 2.0 Breed Identification Test on www.wisdompanel.com this holiday season, you're not only giving yourself the gift of wisdom, but also supporting animals of all kinds across America.

"We are grateful for the support of sponsors like Mars Veterinary in helping us ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of dogs, and all animals," said Paul Raybould, chief innovation officer for American Humane Association. "Canine DNA Tests has the potential to help owners have a stronger and better connection to their pets, which is in line with our mission. We want to unleash the full potential of the bond between humans and animals to the mutual benefit of both."

Wisdom Panel 2.0 provides dog owners with a quick and convenient way to test their dog's DNA to identify the breeds that make up their mixed-breed dog; reveal the parental ancestry of a "designer" dog; or show whether a dog matches the profile of known purebred dogs in the Wisdom Panel database. The state-of-the-art Wisdom Panel 2.0 offers unprecedented accuracy by testing for more than 200+ breeds and varieties, including 100 percent of American Kennel Club registered breeds. Armed with breed insights, the test can give owners valuable insights on behavior questions and may help owners have a better relationship with their dog and take better care of their dog's health.

"A DNA test makes a truly unique gift for any dog lover, one that provides them with valuable insights for the well-being of their dog," said Dr. Neale Fretwell, General Manager of Mars Veterinary. "This holiday season, in addition to learning more about your dog, you'll be supporting American Humane Association. Our partnership is evidence of our ongoing commitment to helping improve the lives and well-being of all dogs."

Wisdom Panel 2.0 is available at www.wisdompanel.com for $79.99. However, if customers order the test between November 1^st and November 24^th, they'll receive $15 off. The test kit includes "do-it-yourself" cheek swabs, to administer the test at home and pre-paid shipping to mail the sample to the lab. Within three weeks of receipt of the swab sample, dog owners will be emailed an official Ancestry Report revealing their dog's genetic background.

About American Humane Association

American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About Mars Veterinary
Mars Veterinary, makers of the Wisdom Panel^®Canine DNA Test is a division of MARS^®Incorporated, a company known for innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the world. Its mission is to facilitate responsible pet care by enlightening pet owners and communities with valuable insights into their pets as individuals through innovative, science-based discoveries. For nearly a decade, Mars Veterinary has researched and developed the Wisdom Panel® state-of-the-art genetic tests for mixed-breed dogs, revolutionizing personalized pet care. By discovering a mixed-breed dog's ancestry, pet owners and veterinarians can work together to tailor wellness programs that fit the one-of-a-kind needs of a mixed-breed dog. For more information, visit www.wisdompanel.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 objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 72,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE^®, ROYAL CANIN^®, WHISKAS^®, KITEKAT^®, BANFIELD^® Pet Hospital and NUTRO^®; Chocolate – M&M'S^®, SNICKERS^®, DOVE^®, GALAXY^®, MARS^®, MILKY WAY^® and TWIX^®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT^®, EXTRA^®, ORBIT^® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES^® and STARBURST^® candies, and ALTOIDS^® AND LIFESAVERS^® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN'S^®, DOLMIO^®, EBLY^®, MASTERFOODS^®, SEEDS OF CHANGE^® and ROYCO^®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX^® and FLAVIA^®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA^® and WISDOM PANEL^®