THE POWER OF PETS™ by Mars Petcare and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington Host Woof Walk Fun Run on the National Mall

Event Highlights Dog Walking As A Way to Stay Healthy and Fit

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, Oct. 22, Mars Petcare and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington will host the 2011 "Woof Walk" Fun Run to help promote dog walking as a way for families to increase their physical activity levels while spending more time together and more time outdoors.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110817/DC53582LOGO-b)

The 2 kilometer walk around the National Mall walk will kick off at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, located on 3rd Street between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues.  The walk will be followed by a family and pet fitness festival featuring dog yoga, dog and kid obstacle courses, Q&A with Banfield® veterinarians, pet caricaturists, music, arts and crafts and face painting.  Admission is free and open to all well-behaved pets and pet owners in the community.

The event is part of THE POWER OF PETS™ by Mars Petcare program, which celebrates and promotes the health benefits of pet ownership.  In 2011, the program is focusing on dog walking as an easy way for families to stay active.    

"Obesity and chronic disease continue to be very tough challenges in this country – for both people and pets," said Debra Fair, vice president of corporate affairs, Mars Petcare US.  "Walking with your dog is an easy and affordable way for families to be more active together, and being more active can have significant health effects.  Mars Petcare is proud to bring that message to our nation's capitol through our POWER OF PETS™ program."

Research suggests that regular walking can lower the risk of blood pressure and may help combat obesity in both humans and pets.  Dog walking can be a gateway to a healthier and more active lifestyle for the nearly 40 percent of U.S. households that own a dog. A recent Mars Petcare survey found that nearly two-thirds of dog owners engage in exercise on a weekly basis because of their dog and that dogs are the driving force behind two-thirds of the walks their owners take each week.  

"At the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, we believe that healthy, active families are the key to building strong and vibrant communities," said Janice Williams, senior vice president of program development, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.  "When you're out walking your dog, you're talking to people, getting to know your neighbors, as well as increasing your activity level.  Our partnership with Mars Petcare helps us encourage people to view dog walking as a fun and important part of a healthy and active lifestyle."    

THE POWER OF PETS™ Program
THE POWER OF PETS™ by Mars Petcare, a community-focused initiative that celebrates the health benefits of pet ownership, is focusing its 2011 program on dog walking as a way for families to increase their physical activity levels while spending more time together and more time outdoors. Mars, the largest global petcare company, owns some of the world's most beloved brands including, CESAR®, PEDIGREE®, NUTRO®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN® and Banfield® Pet Hospital.

For more information, please visit THE POWER OF PETS™ fan page at Facebook.com/powerofpets.  This page will be regularly updated with upcoming event information, tips for exercising with your pet and facts about the benefits of human-animal interaction.  

About Mars Petcare
Mars  is the world's largest petcare manufacturer producing some of the world's most beloved brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO®, GREENIES®, KITEKAT®, CHAPPI®, and CATSAN® Food for Pets. Mars Petcare is also home to Mars Fishcare, Mars Horsecare, and Banfield® Pet Hospital. The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition provides the science behind our leading petcare brands. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars, Incorporated has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington has been providing vital programs and services for local adults, children and families for more than 150 years. The YMCA is one of the largest social service agencies in Washington D.C., suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington touched the lives of 265,000 people through our 17 branches and program centers. For more information, visit www.ymcadc.org.

SOURCE Mars Petcare