KONG Launches Pets Need To Play Campaign, Invites Animal Lovers Around The World To Go Online To Play With Adoptable Shelter Animals

GOLDEN, Colo., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- KONG Company (www.kongcompany.com), innovators of the "World's Best Dog Toy" and a full line of high-quality and fun products for dogs and cats, today announced the KONG Pets Need to Play campaign: a nationwide charitable program aimed at increasing adoptions of shelter animals. KONG will install the innovative iPet Companion in shelters across the country, enabling users around the world to play with cats that are available for adoption over the web. Additionally, KONG will donate its trademark Classic red rubber KONGs to dogs at the shelters, giving them the enjoyment of the toy recommended by vets, trainers and behaviorists more than any other.

Throughout the Pets Need to Play campaign, KONG will install iPet Companion in animal shelters across the US for six weeks at a time. The KONG iPet Companion, exclusively licensed by KONG, allows any online user to play with animals remotely by controlling unique robotic toys with a few clicks of a mouse. A camera captures all the fun and lets users watch the video live as the cats chase, jump, pounce and grab at the toys. With KONG's help, shelters will have the unique opportunity to house the interactive toys at their facilities and implement the portal on their websites, showcasing adoptable cats that are looking for forever homes, and allowing people to play with the cats over the internet. 

KONG elected to sponsor iPet Companion installations because of their demonstrated value in helping animal shelters. Those that have already installed the systems report higher cat adoption rates, increased donations, increased website traffic and positive media coverage in their communities – not to mention the amazing benefits of activity and entertainment for the cats awaiting adoption.

"At KONG our chief dedication is animals, and a big part of that is giving back to the animal shelter community by encouraging adoption of these animals and supporting their well being while they await their forever homes," said KD Frueh, president of KONG. "In our increasingly digital society, we felt there was no better way to reach the public and encourage adoption than by connecting these animals directly with people through the interactive iPet Companion virtual play system."

For adoptable dogs at the participating shelters, KONG will donate the iconic Classic KONG toys – the widely recognized snowman-shaped rubber dog toys. These KONGs, used in shelters everywhere, provide endless entertainment and comfort for dogs and can be used to dispense treats, for chewing, or for fetching since their playful shape gives them an unpredictable, stimulating bounce. When animals are enjoying a KONG, they are less likely to bark (or meow!), so noise levels drop, which reduces the stress in these environments. Less stress results in happier, more adoptable animals.

KONG's initial shelter partners of the Pets Need to Play campaign include:

• Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA (Phoenix, AZ)
• Foothills Animal Shelter (Golden, CO)
• Best Friends Animal Society (Los Angeles, CA)
• Humane Society of Dallas County (Dallas, TX)
• Wisconsin Humane Society (Milwaukee, WI)

Live interaction with cats can be viewed on each shelter's website, or visit www.ipetcompanion.com for a complete listing of active sites.

As a global leader in the pet industry and operating in more than 60 countries; KONG recognizes the responsibility that it has to its employees and the global communities it serves.  Since its beginnings in 1976, KONG has supported animal care organizations around the world.

About KONG Company

KONG Company is the premier global provider of interactive toys and other products for dogs and cats. The company's namesake Classic KONG is widely regarded as the "World's Best Dog Toy" and is recommended by vets, trainers and behaviorists more than any other toy. With a persistent commitment to innovation, the company continues to regularly introduce unique, high-quality dog and cat products. KONG also makes it a top priority to give back to the pet community. KONG was founded in 1976 and is based in Golden, Colorado. For more information visit kongcompany.com or facebook.com/KONGCompany.

SOURCE KONG Company