Halo, Purely For Pets® and Freekibble.com Join Forces to Feed Shelter Pets!

Freekibble.com Chooses Wholesome Halo, Purely For Pets® As Their Official Sponsor to Feed Shelter Pets Across the Country

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 9, 2010

Halo, Purely for Pets® (www.halopets.com), a leading producer of natural pet care products, announced today that it will be the official sponsor of Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com. Created in 2008 by 14-year-old Mimi Ausland when she was just 11 years old, Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com are online dog and cat trivia games whose mission is to feed shelter pets in need. By simply answering the daily trivia questions on Freekibble.com or Freekibblekat.com, right or wrong, 10 pieces of kibble are donated to homeless dogs and cats. Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com are 2 of the top 5 most trafficked animal rescue sites in the world with over 100,000 combined daily visits. To date, the websites’ daily visitors have helped Freekibble donate 3,846,737 nutritious meals to hungry pets in shelters, rescues and food banks across the country. As official sponsor, Halo’s Spot’s Stew will now be the exclusive food donated by Freekibble.

“We are thrilled to partner with such an amazing young woman and her organization,” said Steve Marton, CEO, Halo, Purely for Pets®. “Her desire to keep shelter pets fed, not with just any food, but with natural, healthy food, is commendable. We at Halo are honored to be able to help Freekibble fulfill their mission of feeding shelter pets in the best possible way.”

“Just like us, the quality of food that pets eat is so important,” said Mimi Ausland, creator of Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com. “We are really excited to be working with Halo to feed shelter dogs and cats the very best, all natural and nutritious food – it will make them happier and healthier while they wait to find a family of their own!”

Halo, Purely For Pets® uses wholesome, natural, quality ingredients and only real meats in all of their pet food as they believe nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life. Halo is the only pet food honored with the National Canine Cancer Foundation Seal of Excellence. Recently, Halo supported the United States Postal Service campaign to promote its 2010 social awareness stamp “Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet” to raise awareness of pet adoption. In conjunction with this campaign, Halo, Purely For Pets® made a commitment to donate 1 million meals of Halo’s Spot’s Stew in 2010 to shelter pets awaiting adoption. They will continue this wonderful initiative with Freekibble.com to keep feeding hungry shelter pets across the country.

For more information, please visit www.halopets.com, or www.freekibble.com and www.freekibblekat.com.

ABOUT HALO, PURELY FOR PETS®

For over 20 years, Halo, Purely for Pets® has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality. Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life. Halo’s natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products - including the award-winning Halo Spot’s Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats - are available at Petco and Whole Foods, at thousands of independent pet specialty and natural food stores, and online at www.halopets.com.

Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer -- became a part-owner of Halo in 2008, saying, “because I think Halo is incredible, I decided to become part owner in hopes that all animals have the chance to be the healthiest they can be. And I'm anxious to spread the word so that everybody knows about Halo.”

ABOUT FREEKIBBLE.COM

Freekibble.com was created by 14-year-old Mimi Ausland, when she was 11 years old, to help feed the homeless dogs and cats at her local animal shelter. “There are 10’s of thousands of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the country, all needing to be fed a good meal… and they deserve it!”. Mimi was named the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States Kid of the Year because of the impact Freekibble has had on feeding animals in need, and for the awareness she has created for shelter pets.

Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com receive more visitors than any other animal rescue non-profit website. With the help of Freekibble’s 400,000 loyal monthly followers, they have donated over 3.7 million nutritious meals to over 100 shelters, rescues and food-banks across the country. At the end of each month, Mimi personally delivers all of the donated food to the Humane Society of Central Oregon and will be working with Halo, Purely For Pets® to distribute the pet food to all the other animal shelters they are assisting. Freekibble is played in 137 countries.

DAD'S Pet Care® to Honor Founder and Expand Corporate Mission by Announcing a New Parent Company, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition®

America’s oldest privately-owned pet food company is reorganizing under a new corporate umbrella company called Ainsworth Pet Nutrition®.

Meadville, PA (Vocus) September 13, 2010

America’s oldest privately-owned pet food company is reorganizing under a new corporate umbrella company called Ainsworth Pet Nutrition®. DAD’S Pet Care® was founded in 1933 by George Ainsworth Lang Sr., and his father. The new structure will help the company better represent its more diversified product portfolio developed through a series of strategic business initiatives over the past decade.

“We have made several acquisitions and investments to expand our capabilities and have added exciting new products to our portfolio,” said Sean Lang, CEO of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and the great-great-grandson of the company’s founder. “The company has evolved from a small regional business to a multi-tiered North American organization that makes a wide spectrum of pet foods and snacks. We’re excited that our new name honors Granddad Ainsworth and his life-long focus – creating nutritious, high quality foods and treats for dogs and cats.”

Series of Aggressive Acquisitions and Innovations Lead to Reorganization
Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is the result of an ambitious strategic plan aimed at expanding the company’s product and production capabilities. The company has made investments in the following companies:

• Hampshire Pet Products (organic certified facility for baked food and snacks);
• Targeted Pet Treats (injection formed snacks and chews);
• Gaines of Canada;
• Back to Basics® (ultra premium dog food);
• Arkat Animal Nutrition.

Each of these businesses specializes in unique product and/or production technologies. ARKAT Animal Nutrition was acquired in February 2010, providing new manufacturing facilities and two well-known specialty pet food brands, VF Complete® and Enhance®. A more than $10 million investment in new state-of-the-art manufacturing enhancements and a 70 percent increase in the workforce at the Dumas, Ark. facility were announced in June 2010.

Internal product innovations have also paved the way for growth. Rachael Ray NutrishTM dog food arrived on store shelves in 2008, and Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6TM dog treats and The SourceTM dog treats were introduced in 2010.

Company Reorganizes Into Three Business Units
DAD’S Pet Care will continue to operate as one of three business units now part of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. Ainsworth Specialty BrandsTM and Ainsworth CustomTM are the other two divisions.

“Our reorganization ensures that each of our business units and brands have the R&D, innovation, funding and focus they deserve,” said Lang. “We’ve also established dedicated teams of marketing experts and sales professionals who can address the needs of each specific business.”

Food safety is the number one priority across all three business units. “We ensure premium ingredient quality, precise cooking methods and a focus on safety that is unsurpassed in the marketplace today,” said Lang. “In fact, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is the first pet food manufacturer in the U.S. to earn a Safe Quality Foods rating of Excellent, the highest rating that can be attained through the Level 2, Global Food Safety Initiative.”

Ainsworth Specialty Brands
Ainsworth Specialty Brands caters to pet owners who require specialized, ultra premium nutrition for their pet. The brands in the Ainsworth Specialty Brands portfolio deliver the highest ingredient quality and advanced nutrition science. Products are all manufactured in facilities owned by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition right here in the United States.

Ainsworth Specialty Brands ultra-premium pet products are sold exclusively to specialty stores as well as farm and feed retail outlets. The products include:

• VF Complete: Approachable nutrition with all natural ingredients;
• Enhance: The all-season nutrition solution for high performance sporting dogs;
• Back to Basics: Grain-free ultra-premium pet foods and treats that deliver uncomplicated, holistic pet nutrition;
• The SourceTM: Premium ingredients with a purpose for pets’ overall health and well-being.

“These brands are uniquely designed to address the specialized needs of certain pets,” said Lang. “This winter we are re-launching Back to Basics which will play an entirely different role in the category in 2011.”

DAD’S Pet Care
The DAD’S Pet Care division houses brands and selective retailer brands that provide sound nutrition, value and convenience. They include:

• DAD’S®: A full line of affordably-priced dog and cat foods made with ingredients sourced from local farms;
• Rachael Ray Nutrish: Premium nutrition for pets with simple, natural ingredients. The Nutrish food line features meat as the first ingredient and no by-products. Rachael Ray’s proceeds go to help animals in need;
• Kibble Select CompleteTM: The perfect combination of great taste and great nutrition for dogs;
• Better Than: Surprising, clever and unexpected dog treats that are safe and healthy.

“The DAD’S brands will continue to be a keystone of our growth plans and have satisfied multiple generations of dogs using locally sourced ingredients,” Lang emphasized.

Rachael Ray Nutrish has been a significant charitable endeavor. Rachael Ray donates her proceeds from the sale of Nutrish to help animals in need through Rachael’s RescueTM. More than $1 million has been raised since the product line launched in Fall 2008.

The Dad’s Pet Care business unit will also continue to serve the needs of retailers through development and supply of innovative retailer brands. “We approach these brands as if they are our own by applying our marketing expertise and resources to further their development,” explained Lang.

Ainsworth Custom
This division caters to business partners who require custom solutions to fit their unique needs. Ainsworth Custom goes beyond providing manufacturing services by also supporting product and brand development. This custom manufacturing division produces a wide variety of super-premium brands. "We produce innovative products for more than 30 ultra premium brands across our matrix," said Elliott Haverlack, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition's chief operating officer.

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Experiences Record Growth Despite Recession
While many businesses across the United States have struggled in recent years, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition has flourished. In fact, the company has experienced more than 100 percent organic (not counting acquisitions) growth since 2006, and the company has tripled its investment in marketing, sales and R&D departments during this period.

“Pet food is the only thing we do and it’s the only thing we’ve ever done in our 77 year history,” said Lang. “Our family has always been dedicated to pet parents and their furry family members, and that focus will continue as we make aggressive investments in growth and innovation over the months and years ahead. Granddad Ainsworth always taught the younger Langs about the temporary nature of success, and we continue to work hard to earn the trust of our pet parents every day.”

About Ainsworth Pet Nutrition®
Ainsworth Pet Nutrition® is a fifth generation family-owned and operated company named after one of the company founders, George Ainsworth Lang. The company is focused entirely on pets, catering to all segments of the pet food industry. Ainsworth Pet Nutrition has three business units including DAD’S Pet Care®, Ainsworth Specialty BrandsTM and Ainsworth CustomTM. The company makes a wide spectrum of pet foods and snacks, from brands that offer sound nutrition and convenience to ultra-premium specialty foods. Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is committed to food safety and manufactures all of its pet food in the United States using whole grains and quality meats that can be traced throughout the entire supply chain. To learn more, visit www.ainsworthpets.com.

Luxury Pets® Furnishings & Accessories Launches with the Dream Collection

Luxury Pets® Furnishings & Accessories will launch today with its debut Dream Collection at SuperZoo 2010, the National Show for Pet Retailers in Las Vegas (booth #1866). The complete Dream Collection COMBINES luxury, beauty and style and has everything to suit a discriminating pet's needs. It features collars, bowls, beds, blankets, jackets, pendants, treats and leashes for dogs and cats. Ad-executive turned designer and CEO Keith Sanna is the creator of Luxury Pets® Furnishings & Accessories. While enrolled in the pet fashion design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, Sanna showcased a preview of select items from his line during Pet Fashion Week NY 2010. The designs garnered tremendous attention and acclaim from attendees, designers and media.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) September 14, 2010

Luxury Pets® Furnishings & Accessories will launch today with its debut Dream Collection at SuperZoo 2010, the National Show for Pet Retailers in Las Vegas (booth #1866). The complete Dream Collection combines luxury, beauty and style and has everything to suit a discriminating pet's needs. It features collars, bowls, beds, blankets, jackets, pendants, treats and leashes for dogs and cats.

Ad-executive turned designer and CEO Keith Sanna is the creator of Luxury Pets® Furnishings & Accessories. While enrolled in the pet fashion design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, Sanna showcased a preview of select items from his line during Pet Fashion Week NY 2010. The designs garnered tremendous attention and acclaim from attendees, designers and media. Sanna explains, "I am thrilled to unveil the full Dream Collection for the first time. I wanted to create a comprehensive and environmentally responsible line of upscale pet products for our cherished four-legged friends. Functionality, high-quality and durability go hand-in-hand with gorgeous design and styling. Our products are designed to enhance and blend with both the owners' and pets' lifestyle."

The line will be sold online, in high-end department stores, finer hotels, and pet boutiques throughout the world. For an updated list, visit www.luxurypets.com. Sanna and business partner Michael Gallotta hand-selected eco-friendly fabrics and materials to reduce the impact on the environment. The complete Dream Collection features high quality and durable materials including Italian leather handles for the leashes, marble and granite bowls, lambskin leather bomber jackets and silk windbreakers.

Luxury Pets grew from an idea of creating leashes and beds for pets that would go beyond everyday standards and blend with the owner's lifestyle and home surroundings. It quickly became apparent that there was a similar need for fashion forward accessories to complement the pet owner's style and apparel. Sanna and Gallotta began to grow with the line of luxury beds, blankets and started creating unique bowls, collars, leashes and apparel for friends and family. The word soon traveled to the large dog community, and a specific custom order line was showcased by two twin Great Dane beauties who were the inspiration for the Dane sized beds!

Luxury Pets' beds are available in two original silhouettes, the Heart bed and the decorative Pettifor bed and are available in small, medium and large sizes (which invites a nap and sleeps one person and dog comfortably). The signature heart beds are luxurious and eye-catching and complement a home. The decorative Pettifor bed is crafted with fine soft all-natural angora wool. Made with environmentally responsible and washable EcoDesign™ UltraSuede, Luxury Pets’ beds are filled with 100% nature-based eco-friendly filler and are available in four sizes. The blankets coordinate with the beds and are available in two styles: The Sunday Morning Blanket and the Sweet Slumber Blanket. The blankets are two-toned and available in four sizes.

Luxury Pets’ leashes come in six different styles and colors for pets of all sizes and lifestyles. The Fifth Avenue Leash features all natural wool and a cashmere-lined handle. The Provence Leash is fashioned with Mohair wool, and the various other styles feature the Luxury Pets designer logo along with leather-lined handles.

Luxury Pets’ collars offer comfort and sophistication for your pet. The Natural Elegance Collar is crafted with Gregorian ribbon, pink pearls, soft lamb’s leather and a padded inner lining. The Via Torino and Boulevard Collars are made from luxurious houndstooth wool. Give the gift of an engraved heart collar pendant in either gold or silver (based with nickel plated zinc) to complement the leashes.

Combining natural materials and fabrics with an eye for detail and design, the Worth Avenue Collection jackets and windbreakers will keep your pet warm and stylish. The Leather Bomber is reversible and available in two different styles and colors.

Sturdy, sleek, and sophisticated, Luxury Pets’ granite and marble bowls will never spill and complement a kitchen or living space. Designed to accent modern homes, the single and double basin bowl combinations are available in a variety of colors.

The Organic Hearts & Star treats are made from human-grade ingredients. Luxury Pets’ treats and treat baskets are available in several flavors such as Roast Beef & Potato, Sesame Garlic, Alaskan Salmon, Crispy Cheese, and Sweet Potato.

The Luxury Pets Dream Collection is now reality.
Visit www.luxurypets.com
Follow us on Twitter @luxpets
Fan us on Facebook - Luxury Pets

About Luxury Pets:
Luxury Pets is a premier international pet furnishings design house. They design, manufacture, distribute and retail pet fashion and lifestyle products including: beds, blankets, bowls, leashes, collars, apparel, as well as offer unique treats and toys, all bearing the distinctive Luxury pets logo. Luxury Pets is a World Pet Association Member 2010.

About Keith Sanna and Michael Gallotta:
Luxury Pets is owned and operated by friends and colleagues Keith Sanna and Michael Gallotta. Keith Sanna holds a BA in advertising and has worked for more than twenty years in advertising and marketing for Sony, General Motors, Hyundai Motor America, Kawasaki Motor Corporation, Coca-Cola, American Express, Columbia Pictures, Hewlett-Packard and the Oracle Corporation. As well as working tirelessly on building the Luxury Pets brand, he is currently attending The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan studying pet fashion and design. Michael Gallotta holds a BA in Communications and Journalism and is an accomplished freelance writer and artist. He grew up in Manhattan and has worked in the luxury market since 1990. Together these friends have made Luxury Pets into both a thriving enterprise and a labor of love. Holding true to the wise words of a friend and fellow animal lover: "Our four-legged friends who give so much and ask so little deserve to live the dream as much as we do."

Networking via Blogging Saves Pets' Lives! Liz Marshall at lizardmarsh.net Helps Rescuers and Encourages More People to Do the Same

Rescuers are needed to save innocent animals. Rescuers need financial assistance in order to save dogs and cats from shelters, and from homelessness, abandonment, abuse and other emergencies. Many people wish they knew more about how to help the homeless animals. Blogging, sharing, retweeting, cross posting and donating are ways to help.

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) September 15, 2010

Especially since the foreclosure crisis, and because of the poor economy in general, the trend of surrendering pets to animal shelters has sadly skyrocketed. The rates of foreclosure and surrendering may not slow down soon. However, the good news is that the rescue field is vast, many people are trying desperately to rescue, and other people want to help the rescuers. More help is definitely needed.

Liz Marshall is a volunteer rescue cross poster who blogs and networks for pet rescue. Her blog lizardmarsh.net helps to rapidly disseminate alerts regarding cats and dogs needing rescue, as well as the need for charitable contributions to help the people who are heroically rescuing cats, dogs and other innocent animals. This is done by posting the message on the blog, then having it automatically syndicated on, for example, Facebook and Twitter. The post is also automatically going into the blogosphere via LinkedIn, MySpace, and more sites. Other people pick up the feeds without Liz Marshall knowing (which is generally fine and welcome). Liz also sends the URL for the blog post to lists of recipients, including Yahoo groups such as (to name just one among hundreds of possibilities) Foster Homes To The Rescue Yahoo group, in an email. Readers of the blog on the web and recipients of the email are welcome and encouraged to forward the link, retweet, and share. Networking does save lives.

The associated blog lizardmarshmart.net showcases appeals which are particularly focused on the need for financial gifts to support rescues, as opposed to the need to find rescuers, foster homes, or volunteer transporters willing to physically step up for a specific pet or group of pets. It is also a place for people to do fun, environmentally-friendly shopping. Some bloggers and webmasters have tabs for their shopping and donating sections, but in this example a second blog seemed to be an organized solution.

Technological advances in simple email, digital photography, videos, and social media have made it easier to spread the word (and pictures) about pets in danger. Many people are gripped by the apparent hopelessness of shelter animals and other animals in distress. With blogging, emailing, and social media sites, many more of these caring people can participate in saving lives by getting information and photos out to family, friends, and other associates in their network. They can also donate, no matter where in the world they are. Through mechanisms such as PayPal, ChipIn, FirstGiving and so on, it is fast and efficient for many people to join forces to raise funds for a specific pet or group of pets.

For three years, lizardmarsh.net has been one of the sites useful for getting the word out. The use of blog post links which can be so easily forwarded, and have the advantage of not losing the picture or original content, is recommended. Often, in forwarding emails to others' email in-boxes, content and photos are lost or garbled. A blog retains the original message and photos in tact and also can be updated at any time which means everyone who received the first transmission of the blog link in their inbox will see updates in a link if they are looking at it later.

Rescue cross posters are volunteers who take the initiative to help "original posters" reach wider audiences when they ask for it. First, the original observer, good Samaritan who “accidentally” rescued a pet off the street, a rescuer or other individual or organization puts an email in play to attract the needed help for an animal emergency, rescue, transport, or fundraiser. Then the rescue cross posters, which can include individuals using their email lists or Yahoo groups or blogs such as lizardmarsh.net, help with that communication effort. Presently many rescuers are full and strapped financially, so it is important to cross post widely to summon help. It is vitally important to reach increasing numbers of people in order to attract new and potential rescuers to the field.

Many people make generous donations to animal rescue. The need for additional and future generous donors to continue supporting the work of rescue is huge. As more and more charitable people can be reached to help facilitate rescues, more lives can be saved. Thankfully more people are rallying to physical rescue and to financially support the rescuers. Rescuers are seriously needed. Quick and efficient networkers are needed too. Donations are also needed. These are some of the ways more people have the opportunity to pitch in.

About Liz Marshall
Liz has been networking for pet rescue since Hurricane Katrina. The crisis of animals in shelters has always been dire, due to lack of spaying and neutering, and other reasons. With the increase in terrible events such as Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Disaster, even more pressures put multitudes of animals at risk of abandonment. Liz' Google Profile may be seen at: http://www.google.com/profiles/lizardmarsh

Bell Rock Growers Showcases New Pet Greens® Crunchy Cat Treats at SuperZoo

New Pet Greens® Crunchy Cat Treats help control tartar and deliver green nutrition with wheat grass. Now available in three all-natural, grain-free recipes, made with nutritious greens, turkey, chicken, salmon, and other wholesome ingredients. Pet Greens Crunchy Cat Treats are showcased Sept. 14-16 at SuperZoo, booth 2354.

San Marcos, CA (PRWEB) September 15, 2010

Bell Rock Growers, the pioneer grower and supplier of green nutrition products for pets, adds tartar control crunchy treats to their popular line of Pet Greens® Treats for cats. New Pet Greens Crunchy Cat Treats are all-natural recipes, made with nutritious greens, turkey, chicken, salmon, and other wholesome ingredients. All varieties are grain free and contain no wheat gluten, no corn or soy, and no artificial colors or flavors. Available in three varieties - Turkey & Veggie, Chicken Pot Pie and Seafood Salad - Pet Greens Crunchy Cat Treats, Powered with Green Nutrition®, will be showcased during the SuperZoo pet industry trade show Sept. 14-16, 2010, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada (booth 2354).

Now cats can enjoy healthy and delicious Pet Greens Treats with the added benefit of a crunchy recipe to help control tartar and plaque buildup. "Studies show up to 90 percent of domestic cats develop dental issues. Including crunchy treats in a cat's diet is a great way to help improve dental health," says Bell Rock Growers Co-Founder Catherine Hoffmann.

Pet Greens Treats are the pet food industry's only line of cat and dog treats made with nutrient-rich wheat grass. While wheat grass and pet treats may seem like an unusual combination, Hoffmann says Pet Greens Treats are a tasty, convenient way to deliver green nutrition that is missing in most commercially produced pet foods. "Cats and dogs have a natural attraction to greens. While dogs are considered omnivores and cats carnivores, they are both able to digest plant-based foods and benefit from their powerful nutrients," says Hoffmann, who has co-authored an e-book on the topic. The e-book, called 'Why Green Nutrition? Exploring the Nutritional Benefits of Wheat Grass for Pets,' is available for free downloads at www.bellrockgrowers.com.

Wheat grass is one of the finest sources of antioxidant vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for cats, dogs, birds, reptiles and small animals. Wheat grass also provides a safe alternative to potentially harmful household plants and chemically treated outside grasses.

Pet Greens Treats have a suggested retail price of $3.99 - $4.29 for 3 oz. packages of semi-moist and crunchy cat treats in all varieties. Retailer prices may vary. Retailers and distributors who visit Bell Rock Growers at SuperZoo (booth 2354) in Las Vegas will receive Pet Greens samples and exclusive show offers.

:: About Bell Rock Growers

Based in San Marcos, Calif., Bell Rock Growers is a certified organic grower of live wheat grass and the pioneer supplier of green nutrition products for pets. The company's complete line of products Powered with Green Nutrition® include: certified organic Pet Greens® Live Pet Grass®; Pet Greens Dog Biscuits and Pet Greens Dog & Cat Treats - all made with nutrient-rich wheat grass; certified organic Pet Greens Garden self-grow wheat grass kits; earth-friendly, therapeutic Pet Greens Grooming Line made with wheat grass and oatmeal; Pet Greens Live Catnip; and Pet Greens premium dried Catnip Buds.