Miranda Lambert And PEDIGREE® Brand Join Forces To Help Find Loving Homes For More Shelter Dogs

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy award-winner Miranda Lambert knows what it takes to record a number-one album – she's had four of them. And as a mom to six adopted dogs, she also knows what it takes to help the nation's more than four million shelter dogs find their loving homes – access to consistent, professional nutrition so they look and feel their best. That's why the country superstar is teaming up with the PEDIGREE^® Brand to launch a search for the next communities to benefit from The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project: an initiative started in Nashville and Chicago that supplies participating shelters with 100 percent of their core dog food needs, at absolutely no cost.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130122/AQ45297)

"I'm amazed every day by the unconditional love I receive from all of my adopted dogs. That's why it means so much to me to partner with PEDIGREE^®, a brand that truly believes in finding dogs loving homes as much as I do," remarked Miranda Lambert. "PEDIGREE^® knows that there are so many communities that have an abundance of homeless dogs, and together we want to help. That's why we're asking people to nominate their community at Facebook.com/PEDIGREE and spread the word about this incredible program. Every nomination helps raise awareness for dog adoption." 

Lambert will officially open The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project "Choose the Next Community" nomination period today at The Americana at Brand in Los Angeles, Calif. She will unveil her latest video project that showcases her love of dogs and why this initiative is important to shelter dogs from coast-to-coast. 

The PEDIGREE® Feeding Project
As the world's largest dog food brand, PEDIGREE^® Food for Dogs realizes it has the potential to impact more dogs' lives than any other brand. That's why it chose to focus on where it can make the biggest immediate difference – cities with an abundance of homeless pets – starting in 2012 with Nashville and Chicago. Already, more than 4,000 shelter dogs are receiving the professional nutrition they deserve through The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project's first year and now the PEDIGREE^® Brand is ready to help even more shelter dogs. 

"When shelters don't need to worry about how they are going to be able to feed their dogs or pay for the food, resources become available to expand and promote adoption programs," said Jeff Hingher, senior brand manager, PEDIGREE^® Brand. "Through The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project, we are able to do what we do best – provide shelter dogs with access to premium nutrition, and help these great dogs find loving homes."

As a result of the support from PEDIGREE^® Brand, shelters in Chicago and Nashville were able to save anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 a year, which allowed them to participate in activities such as off-site adoption events, expanding the audience of potential adopters; as well as update their facilities to provide a more home-like environment for the dogs, which helps the dogs transition more easily into their new loving home. When dogs are fed a consistent diet of professional nutrition, they are happier and healthier while they wait for their forever homes.

Choose the Next Community
Beginning today, dog lovers can visit Facebook.com/Pedigree to nominate the community where they think The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project can make the most difference in the lives of shelter dogs. 

The nomination process is simple:

• Visit Facebook.com/PEDIGREE and click on the "Choose the Next Community" tab.
• Watch Miranda Lambert's heart-felt video on why The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project is so important to her.
• Then, nominate your community. Submit stories of special dogs in your life, share photos and videos; PEDIGREE^® Brand wants to know what sets your community apart.
• Share Miranda's video with your friends and encourage them to nominate their community, too.

In March, Miranda and the PEDIGREE^® Brand will announce the names of the five communities that have been selected as finalists in the search. America will then vote to determine the next communities to participate in The PEDIGREE^® Feeding Project. The winning communities will be announced mid-2013.

About the PEDIGREE®Brand
The PEDIGREE^® Brand is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, the PEDIGREE^® Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources. For more information, please visit www.Pedigree.com.

About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world's largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world's most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, SHEBA® Food for Cats, WHISKAS® Food for Cats, THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand, and TEMPTATIONS® Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 2,400 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 15 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

^®/™ Trademarks ^© Mars, Incorporated 2013.

SOURCE PEDIGREE Brand