The Petco Foundation and Natural Balance® Pet Foods Celebrate Service and Therapy Animals with Helping Heroes Campaign

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Petco Foundation and Natural Balance Pet Foods® are once again joining forces to celebrate service and therapy animals nationwide this October with a Helping Heroes fundraiser benefiting organizations that support these special, heroic animals.

"Service and therapy animals offer their handlers the chance to live fuller lives, to achieve lifelong goals, embark on adventures, overcome illnesses, and safeguard military bases around the world," said Rick Rockhill of Natural Balance Pet Foods. "We're thrilled to once again partner with Petco and the Petco Foundation to honor these heroes."

From Oct. 4 – Oct. 26, contributions to the Helping Heroes campaign can be made at any Petco or Unleashed by Petco store or online at www.petcofoundation.org with all funds going to service and therapy animal organizations throughout the United States.

Natural Balance will also donate $1 for every 4.5-6 lb bag of Natural Balance Ultra Whole Body Health dog or cat food sold during the campaign, up to $50,000.

"The transformative impact that therapy and service animals have had on millions of individuals is nothing short of heroic," said Susanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation. "They dedicate their lives to helping the people in their care. On behalf of everyone at Petco, the Petco Foundation, and Natural Balance, we thank you for your support in ensuring that their life-changing work continues for those who need them most."

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.petcofoundation.org.

About Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods®
Based in Burbank, California, Natural Balance® was founded in 1989 with the philosophy of providing pets and their owners The Food For a Lifetime®. Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods offers a wide selection of premium dog and cat food and is used and respected worldwide by top trainers, breeders and caring pet owners who want the best for their pets.

Natural Balance products include Ultra Premium balanced meals, grain-free Alpha® formulas, and L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® with limited protein and carbohydrate sources. Natural Balance products include these and many more unique formulas of dry food, canned food, stews and treats for dogs and cats of all ages.

At Natural Balance the health and safety of pets is our first priority. Not only are our products made from the finest ingredients, but they are extensively tested for safety through our Buy With Confidence® program. Every production run of Natural Balance Pet Foods is tested for nine known contaminants before distribution so that customers can "Buy With Confidence" and know their pet food is safe. Simply visit our website, click on the Buy With Confidence® link and enter the product date code on the bag to find the actual laboratory results posted in real time.

For information about Natural Balance, Buy With Confidence and our unique product line, please visit www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

About Petco & the Petco Foundation
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing the powerful relationship between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,300 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 100 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; nine Pooch Hotel destinations for pet daycare, boarding and spa services; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $125 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

SOURCE The Petco Foundation