Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest Honors Remarkable Pets With Extraordinary Tales of Survival

ST. LOUIS, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The resilience of a rescue pet and the bond that quickly forms with its new owner is truly remarkable.  This year, the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest celebrates these extraordinary pet rescue stories with a nationwide competition honoring these rescue pets and the organizations that helped give them a new life.  Pet lovers can participate in the nationwide contest by voting on 10 finalist stories to help choose the winner, who will be featured in the official program at the 10th Annual National Dog Show, presented by Purina®.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, go to: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/rallytorescue/50879/

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110628/MM25408 )

The winning rescue organization, pet and owner will win a trip to Philadelphia and be honored live in the main ring prior to the start of the National Dog Show presented by Purina®, which airs on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the winner will receive VIP treatment at the National Dog Show including a backstage tour, exclusive tickets and seating, and the opportunity to have a meet-and-greet with David Frei, expert analyst for  the show and nationally renowned dog expert.  The winning pet rescue organization also will be rewarded with $5,000 in Purina® Pro Plan® brand pet food coupons to help support their continued care for animals in need.

"These extraordinary dogs and cats serve as inspiration to all of us about the sheer power and determination for survival among rescue pets," said Robert Tochterman, senior brand manager for Purina® Pro Plan®. "We're proud to recognize these amazing animals and the dedicated rescue organizations that care for them."

The nationwide contest raises awareness about pet adoption and promotes the incredible but often untold stories of pet rescue.  The Pro Plan Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest honors rescue pets that have overcome tremendous odds thanks to the constant support and dedication of small pet rescue organizations.

Through Oct. 3rd, pet lovers across the country can visit www.facebook.com/rallytorescue  to view the 10 finalist pet rescue stories and vote for their favorite.  More than 63 stories were submitted and a judging panel selected the 10 most inspiring success stories as finalists. The contest winner will be determined by a combination of a popular vote and judges' scores.  

Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest Finalists

Pets honored as the 10 finalists in the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest include:  

• Tucker, submitted by Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, Inc. (Deerfield Beach, FL)
  • Named after the truck that once abandoned him, a black lab who showed his ongoing hope through a tail wag now lives with happiness in his forever home.
• BB King, submitted by Billerica Cat Care Coalition (North Billerica, MA)
  • A friendly black cat appeared at a feeding station in need of a meal and serious medical attention. In the end, he lost his tail, but found care and the forever home he always deserved.
• Alex, submitted by Sheltie Shack Rescue of Kansas, Inc. (Blue Rapids, KS)
  • Forced from a breeding facility to an animal shelter, a fearful Sheltie soon found hope in a few kind hearts who knew he was worthy of a second chance.
• Rudy, submitted by A New Leash on Life Rescue (North Olmsted, OH)
  • After being saved from a horrific hoarding situation, a rescued Shepherd mix learned to move on from his past and spread joy through the love of therapy work.
• Pepper, submitted by Sheryls Den Animal Rescue (West Milford, NJ)
  • One fateful snowy day, a selfless woman on her way home from rescuing 15 dogs in a shelter unexpectedly crossed paths with one more who couldn't be left behind.
• Arrow, submitted by Azalea City Cat Coalition (Mobile, AL)
  • After spotting a desperate cat – sick, with an arrow hanging from his chest – a devoted team of volunteers worked diligently to give him the life he deserved.
• Julie, submitted by Adopt A Spot Dalmatian Rescue, Inc. (Chesapeake, VA)
  • When a sick Dalmatian underwent surgery to heal his condition, the outlook wasn't good. But the strong, vibrant puppy continued to show the world he had more life than ever expected.
• Titan, submitted by Texas Husky Rescue, Inc. (Carrollton, TX)
  • When a puppy with a severe cleft palate was given little chance of survival, faith, perseverance and a public outpouring not only gave him a chance to thrive, but life in a forever home.
• Milly, submitted by Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue, Inc. (Grand Haven, MI)
  • Found on a cold winter night with his eyes swollen shut and a severe skin condition, a brave Weimaraner goes through many caring hands on his continued path towards finding a forever home.
• Bodie, submitted by Almost Home Animal Rescue of Rutherford County (Murfreesboro, TN)
  • Originally said to be "unadoptable," a frightened dog with multiple health conditions soon proved he was not only ready to live his life, but to be a continuous inspiration to those around him.

About Rally to Rescue®

Smaller pet rescue organizations help place nearly half a million dogs and cats in homes each year and represent nearly 45 percent of all pet adoption agencies.  However, they are often overlooked by potential donors due to more limited fundraising and marketing resources.

The Rally to Rescue® Tour is part of a larger campaign known as Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue®.  The campaign is committed to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue organizations nationwide via local adoption events.  In addition to helping pet rescue organizations find loving, forever homes for more than 400,000 pets since 2005, Pro Plan® has provided more than $1 million in support of the Rally to Rescue® program during the past two years.

To learn more about the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® campaign or find out where the Rally to Rescue® Tour will be traveling, visit www.facebook.com/rallytorescue.  

About Nestle Purina

Nestle Purina PetCare Company promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets.  A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the world's largest food company.  Rally to Rescue is not a 501(c)(3) organization.

SOURCE Purina Pro Plan