Petco™ and Natural Balance® Pet Foods Commemorate National Service Dog Month with Fundraiser and Monument

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco™ and Natural Balance Pet Foods® have joined forces once again to celebrate National Service Dog Month in September with a fundraiser on behalf of U.S. organizations that support and/or train service dogs. The annual fundraiser has always supported guide dogs, but this year in addition to guide dogs, it will also raise funds on behalf of all service dogs including Military Working Dogs and the country's first ever national monument honoring Military Working Dogs.

This is the first time in U.S. history that the U.S. Congress has elevated an animal, a dog, to national monument status by law, and both Natural Balance and Petco have been strong supporters of this initiative since the beginning. The National Monument, which will be dedicated in 2013, will feature a current day combat dog and its handler. The monument will reside at the 341^st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. All proceeds from the sale of 12 oz. Limited Edition Natural Balance Jerky Bars Treats at Petco will be donated to fund this national monument honoring Military Working Dogs.

From Sept. 2 – Sept. 22, 2012, contributions can be made at any Petco or Unleashed by Petco store or online at http://www.petco.com with all funds going to service dog organizations. In addition, proceeds from the purchase of 12 oz. Limited Edition Natural Balance Jerky Bars Treats at Petco will benefit the service dog monument at Lackland Air Force Base. For more information visit http://www.petco.com.

In addition, Petco and Natural Balance are proud to support the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act, which is currently in the early stages of legislation. The Act is sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal and supported by the ASPCA, Military Working Dog Adoptions, Natural Balance and Petco. The act would classify Military Working Dogs as canine members of the Armed Forces instead of equipment. The act would also extend certain benefits to retired Military Working Dogs, including the creation of a military decoration to be awarded to Military Working Dogs killed in action or perform especially courageous acts while in service to the United States. To read about the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act please visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s2134

Contact:
Mia West
(619) 920-4101
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco