Mars Petcare US Makes Second Pet Food Donation to Oil Spill Region

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Petcare US, one of the nation's leading providers of pet care products, today delivered more than 15,000 pounds of cat food to the oil spill stricken areas of Southeast Louisiana. The donation will aid the Gulf Coast outreach efforts of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA). This is the second donation from Mars Petcare US to help pet owners whose livelihoods have been devastated by the oil spill.

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"Cats are often thought of as fiercely independent and self-sufficient so they're sometimes overlooked in times of real need," said Debra Fair, vice president of corporate affairs, Mars Petcare US. "In our second pet food donation, we felt it was important to focus on cats and their owners and try to bring them a little relief. We're pleased the LA/SPCA will help us distribute the food directly to the cat owners who need it most."

The WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand Food for Cats provided by Mars Petcare US will be distributed by the LA/SPCA through Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans distribution sites and animal shelters in the region. Outreach is focused on pet owners in the parishes of Terrebone, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines. Details on the outreach program can be found at www.la-spca.org/gulfcoastrelief.

Southeast Louisiana shelters have seen an increase in the number of cats coming in to shelters, according to the LA/SPCA. Cat owners relinquishing their pets because they can no longer afford to care for them is compounded by the naturally busy summer cat breeding season.

"The coastal parish animal shelters have experienced two to three times the number of pets being relinquished than last summer," says Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the LA/SPCA, "Studies have shown pets reduce stress, aid in overcoming depression and loss, and provide comfort in times of need.  Knowing how bonded people are with their pets, it's heartbreaking to hear of families having to make this kind of decision. The pets have become innocent victims of this disaster."  

First Donation

The cat food donation represents Mars Petcare US' second pet food donation to help pet owners in Louisiana directly affected by the oil spill. On June 3, the company partnered with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to deliver more than 12 tons of dog and cat food. The pet food was given to the Plaquemines Parish Department of Health and Animal Control and distributed directly to pet owners in need.

About Mars Petcare US

Mars Petcare US is the U.S. petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, a private, family-owned company and one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., Mars Petcare US employs more than 3,000 associates in the U.S., with 17 manufacturing facilities nationwide and owns some of the world's favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats, and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand. In addition, Mars, Inc. owns the portfolio of brands produced by ROYAL CANIN®, The Nutro Company, and Banfield, The Pet Hospital.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

About LA/SPCA

The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) is an organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the homelessness, neglect and abuses that signal animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the highest standards of care and compassion.

For information on our outreach program, please visit: www.la-spca.org/gulfcoastrelief.

SOURCE Mars Petcare US