Canyon Creek Ranch® Launches National "Better Way Project" To Help make A Difference In The Lives Of Pets And The People Who Love Them

ST. LOUIS, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Have you ever had an idea to help make life better for pets, but didn't have the resources to make it a reality?  Canyon Creek Ranch, a line of natural pet food, knows that many pet lovers desire to provide the best lives possible for four-legged companions in their communities, including helping local dog and cat charities, but may lack the funding and support needed to make a difference.

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That's why Canyon Creek Ranch has launched the Better Way Project, an initiative to help create a future that is happier, brighter and more positive for pets.  Whether it's creating a mobile vet clinic for underserved communities, building a playground for shelter animals, or starting an online network for lost pets, Canyon Creek Ranch is seeking ideas that are innovative, make a positive impact on pets, pet owners and their communities and are practical to implement.  Pet lovers can visit BetterWayProject.com to submit, share and support ideas, some of which may be used as inspiration for projects that the brand will bring to life.

Canyon Creek Ranch has committed a minimum of $200,000 in 2013 to bring up to eight Better Way Projects to life.  In addition to providing financial support, the brand may provide on-the-ground volunteers, product donations and other materials, depending on the scope of the project.

"As a passionate pet guardian, I am always searching for ways to enhance the lives of my two dogs to help them be happy and healthy.  For most of my life, I have also been dedicated to creating a better life for animals in my community who are less fortunate, such as shelter pets," said Nikki Moustaki, pet expert and animal trainer.  "I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help spread the word about the Canyon Creek Ranch Better Way Project in an effort to help improve the lives of even more pets in communities across the country."

In 2012, Canyon Creek Ranch completed three Better Way projects: adding dog-friendly features to a public park in Orlando, FL; making a monetary donation to a dog therapy program in Iowa City, IA to help recruit new therapy teams; and renovating the cat area of a shelter in Salem, MA to create more open play areas. Videos and photos from the completed projects can be viewed on BetterWayProject.com.

"We recognize that many pet lovers have innovative ideas on how to make life better for their pets but may not have the resources needed to make these ideas a reality, which is why we created the Better Way Project," said Paul Seal, Canyon Creek Ranch brand manager.  "Canyon Creek Ranch is committed to always searching for a better way of doing things to enhance the lives of pets.  This commitment begins with our line of natural pet food that features simple, recognizable ingredients for dogs and cats, and continues with the Better Way projects we are bringing to life in communities across the country."

Submitting a Better Way Project Idea

Pet lovers across the country are invited to share their ideas to enhance the lives of pets in their communities on BetterWayProject.com.  Submissions must include a name for the project idea; a written description of the idea, including the inspiration, how it is innovative and will help the lives of pets in your community; and either a link to a video (posted to YouTube or Vimeo) or up to five photos illustrating the project idea.  Either a video and/or at least one photo are required for each idea submitted.

Once a project idea is posted on the Canyon Creek Ranch Better Way Project website, other pet lovers will be able to show their support for an idea by clicking a "Support" button and sharing the project idea via a "Share" widget on their social media channels. Ideas will be considered by the Canyon Creek Ranch brand as inspiration for a project it will bring to life through funding, volunteers and additional resources.

For more information about Canyon Creek Ranch's Better Way Project, or to view current project ideas, please visit BetterWayProject.com.

About Canyon Creek Ranch

Crafted with pride at our facilities in Clinton, Iowa; Crete, Nebraska; and, St. Joseph, Missouri, Canyon Creek Ranch pet food offers multiple nutritious and flavorful dog and cat food recipes in both dry and wet varieties that have real meat, fish or poultry as the primary ingredient.  The Canyon Creek Ranch recipes are formulated without corn, soy, or wheat and have no added artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  The line of Canyon Creek Ranch pet food is available at select pet specialty retail stores nationwide. Visit CanyonCreekRanch.com for more details.

SOURCE Waggin' Train LLC