Purina Pro Plan launches ‘Call for Incredible’ campaign to spotlight outstanding dogs

April 25. 2017

A dog and owner at a Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge event.
A dog and owner at a Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge event. (Photo courtesy of Purina Pro Plan)

The following is an excerpt from a Purina press release:

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the IDC, Pro Plan is partnering with Tennis Hall of Famer Andy Roddick to kick off the “Call for Incredible” campaign to highlight all the ways dogs are “incredible” and call on dog owners to share their own stories. For every entry in the Call for Incredible Sweepstakes on proplan.com/incredible, Purina Pro Plan will make a donation to America’s VetDogs, to support the “incredible” and important work they do with service dogs and veterans with disabilities.

“Call for Incredible” is a year-long celebration showcasing all kinds of incredible dogs – from canine athletes like Incredible Dog Challenge competitors, to military dogs, and lovable couch companions like Andy Roddick’s two English bulldogs, Bob Costas and Billie Jean. Purina Pro Plan is calling for dog owners to share a photo and story on what makes their own dog incredible by visiting proplan.com/incredible. Here, dog lovers can also enter for a chance to win a trip to San Diego during Veterans Week in November to attend a special Incredible Dog Challenge on the historic USS Midway Museum, featuring some of the most incredible canine athletes and working military canines in the country. And for every entry, Purina Pro Plan will donate one pound of dog food, up to 20,000 pounds, to America’s VetDogs, which trains and places guide and service dogs to veterans with disabilities.

The “Call for Incredible” campaign will also highlight incredible dogs whose lives are dedicated to helping military veterans, such as the guide and service dogs that work with America’s VetDogs. America’s VetDogs recognizes the powerful impact dogs can have on a person’s life and is committed to training and placing assistance dogs with veterans to help better their quality of life.

Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge launches for 2017 to help North Shore Animal League

April 20, 2017

Andy Cohen Purina One Difference campaign
Andy Cohen engages with students while leading a lesson in New York on April 20, 2017. Along with a $20,000 donation to North Shore Animal League America’s Mutt-i-grees program, Purina ONE is partnering with Mutt-i-grees and Andy Cohen as part of its ONE Difference Campaign, which focuses on nourishing the lives of both students and shelter dogs across the country. (Photo by Amy Sussman/AP Images for Purina ONE)

From April 20 to May 31, 2017, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company will donate $10 (U.S. dollars) to the animal shelter/rescue organization North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) for each new consumer who registers for the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge subject to a maximum donation of $20,000.  The Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge invites dog owners to their dog’s food to Purina ONE SMARTBLEND.

Andy Cohen’s rescue dog, Wacha, enjoys a Purina ONE lunch on in New York City on April 20, 2017. (Photo by Amy Sussman/AP Images for Purina ONE)

For the second consecutive year, the ONE Difference campaign will benefit NSALA’s Mutt-i-grees, a shelter-led academic curriculum that brings shelter dogs into classrooms and libraries, allowing students to engage with the pets while learning lessons in emotional competence, academic achievement and social awareness. According to a Purina press release, Mutt-i-grees was developed by The Pet Savers Foundation, an affiliate of NSALA and Yale University School of the 21st Century. More than 4,000 schools and libraries nationwide participate in the program.

On April 20, 2017, Purina elebrated its ONE Difference campaign today with the help of television personality Andy Cohen and his former shelter dog Wacha. The Bravo executive/talk show host joined the brand and North Shore Animal League America at a library in New York City to name Wacha an honorary “Mutt-i-gree” for the day and help lead a lesson with area elementary school students.

DOGTV launches its first video-on-demand service on Xfinity TV

April 20, 2017

DOGTV

Comcast’s pet owners and their canines are in for a real treat: DOGTV, the world’s first and only television network created specifically for dogs, announced today its immediate availability on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand. For over five years, DOGTV has been the lead dog in canine content production by providing entertaining and enriching television shows and specials that combat dog boredom, separation anxiety, hyperactivity and more. The expansion to Comcast is DOGTV’s first-ever stand-alone video on demand (VOD) offering.

“The secret life of pets is not so secret—dogs need entertainment and enrichment, just like humans. The new DOGTV offering with Comcast has content with auditory and visual stimuli designed just for dogs, and we also have programming for their pet parents as well,” says Gilad Neumann, CEO and Co-Founder, DOGTV. “With our new video library, subscribers are in control of what type of content they want their dogs to watch, making it easy to pick and choose the programs that are best for their pups. We’re confident that pet owners’ guilt will subside when they leave the house knowing that their dog is watching expert-curated shows that are tailored to their dog’s personality and needs.”

DOGTV’s VOD offering is available to Xfinity TV customers for $4.99 per month. The subscription includes DOGTV’s original content that is scientifically developed and tested to provide 24-hour, pup-approved television for stay-at-home dogs. The programs and videos cover multiple categories, including relaxation, stimulation, and exposure, and are fueled by expert-driven research.

“Studies have shown that dog boredom is the number one leading cause of misbehavior in the home. Dogs also deal with real issues such as separation anxiety, possessiveness and aggressiveness, and we’re committed to creating content with stimuli that have been documented as having a real, tangible benefit,” said Professor Nicholas Dodman, Chief Scientist, DOGTV. “Our mission is to arm pet parents with the types of programming that fosters a happier furry friend.”

Daily programs for dogs, expert shows and specials, such as “Water Dogs,” “Noise Phobia” and “Dogs in Cars” are available on DOGTV’s VOD channel, and additional new content will be released later this year. Millions of dogs and dog owners are now able to watch the content specifically designed for a dog’s visual, auditory and emotional sensibility.

“DOGTV’s unique collection of programming for the four-legged members of families is a great addition to our Xfinity On Demand catalog and a great example of how Xfinity is working to increase consumer choice and selection,” said Daniel Spinosa, General Manager of Movies, Pay-Per-View and Commerce, Comcast Cable. “This partnership is representative of our commitment to delivering the best collection of content to our customers whenever and wherever they want to watch it.”

To find out if Xfinity TV is available in your area, visit https://www.xfinity.com/locations/in-my-area.html. DOGTV is currently available through DIRECTV, RCN, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV, Roku, and as an iOS and Android app. For additional information, including programming descriptions, please visit: www.dogtv.com. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DOGTV and follow us on Twitter: @DOGTV and Instagram: @DOGTV.

2017 Consumer Products Events product preview in New York: highlights and gift ideas

April 19, 2017

by Carla Hay

Consumer Product Events held a product preview at Morton’s in midtown Manhattan on April 19, 2017.  Although, the event focused on items for the home, gadgets and other things that would make great gifts for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, the participating companies in the event have products and services that are diverse enough for gift-giving on any occasion, whether that gift is for yourself or someone else.

Here are some of the highlights for people interested in cuisine, travel or pets:

Victoria at Consumer Product Events
Victoria Chef Collection (Photo by Carla Hay)

There are a lot of pasta products on the market, but Victoria Chef Collection is highly recommended because not only is it delicious (I tried it myself) but it’s perfect for people who want a homemade-style “heat up and go” instant pasta meal with sauce, without having to make everything from scratch.. And for people who like to support socially and environmentally conscious companies that offer organic items,  you should know that Victoria Chef Collection says its gourmet pasta meals are made with clean label ingredients.  Victoria Chef Collection currently comes in two flavors: Penne Alla Vodka and Penne Marinara.

Red Copper Consumer Product Events
Red Copper items (Photo by Carla Hay)

Red Copper is known for its red ceramic, non-stick cookware that makes it easy to cook without butter, oils and other fatty ingredients. According to the company, its cookware is also made of PDFA- and PTFE-free copper  infused with aluminum with strong, lightweight, chip-resistant materials. In other words, it’s thoroughly modern and ideal for those who want cookware that is “detoxified”, i.e., free from lead, cadmium and toxic heavy metals. Red Copper also has a ceramic-lined coffee mug that the company says can keep hot liquids heated for up to eight hours and cold liquids chilled for up to 12 hours.

Hotels By Day is a fantastic app and website catering to people with mid-to-upscale budgets who need to book a hotel room on short notice. If you’ve ever been temporarily stuck in a city due to flight schedules, or have had an unexpected extended stay during a trip, or if you just have any reason to book a hotel room for less than 24 hours, Hotels By Day offers all that and more at a discount. Many of the participating hotels are near airports.

Poochie Boots at Consumer Product Events
PoochieBoots (Photo by Carla Hay)

Dog parents and dog caregivers have so many choices when it comes to dog shoes, but PoochieBoots should definitely be considered an option. Not only are there numerous unique designs available (from holiday themes to “bad boy skulls” to emojis), but the PoochieBoots product line is also flexible enough for any type weather. (Many dog shoes tend to focus on protection against cold weather.) The convenient Velcro-styled straps for the shoes give it a clutter-free, extra measure of security that many dog shoes don’t have. The owner of PoochieBoots has a dog herself and knows exactly what it’s like to want to find the ideal footwear for a dog. People who support pet adoption and animal welfare should also know that PoochieBoots says it donates $2 from the sale of every set of boots to animal rescues and other shelters.

And some of the event’s other products that are also worth mentioning include:

AromaDome—an aromotherapy-styled fabric dome that fits over a massage table or bed.

WraPurse—a disposable, protective cover for the bottom of purses.

 

 

 

 

 

French children’s/maternity fashion brand Orchestra set to make its U.S. store debut in May 2017

April 18, 2017

Orchestra
(Photos courtesy of Orchestra)

The following is an excerpt from an Orchestra press release:

Orchestra, a French fashion brand for children’s and maternity clothes, has officially launched in the United States with its first English language website. In late May 2017, Orchestra will open its first U.S.-based fashion retail store at  King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania.

With the launch of Orchestra’s first English language website, us.shop-orchestra.com, shoppers in the U.S. will be able to browse all of Orchestra’s designs for the early years of childhood. The website will also offer membership to Orchestra’s Club loyalty program which gives valued customers access to exclusive savings.

Orchestra, a family-owned company since 1995, was created by Chantal and Pierre Mestre to design and produce a fun and affordable children’s clothing brand. Their experience as merchants in the textile industry and as parents to their own little ones, led them to develop a diverse fashion collection, ranging from newborn babies to young pre-teens.

Over the years, the brand has developed a unique distribution model that blends product groups and services. More than 3,000 designs are produced in a season and over 100 new items can be shipped to stores each week. The business has expanded its product offerings to include maternity fashion and childcare products and has introduced new shopping channels, particularly through its online store. Orchestra has become a unique “one-stop shop” for parents and expectant mothers, selling more than 80 million pieces a year.  Orchestra strives to bring value, service and quality to its customers. Today, Orchestra, the leader in children’s clothing in France, is the sixth largest children’s clothing retailer in the world and operates 700 stores in 40 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Hill’s Science Diet launches Youthful Vitality food for older dogs and cats

April 18, 2017

The following is a press release from Hill’s Science Diet:

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is a new line of food for dogs and cats aged seven and older to fight the effects of aging. These new products were scientifically formulated with the changing biology of aging pets in mind to best support their ongoing vitality through increased activity, family interaction and mobility.

Pet parents with older pets have built a lifetime of bonding and emotional connections. Just as with people, age can creep up slowly on pets, often going unnoticed. Despite every pet parents’ best intentions, nearly half of pet parents do not feed their pet age-appropriate food. With the introduction of Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality, pet parents can feel confident they are feeding their pets aged seven and older a food that helps get the most out of life and unlock that ageless spirit.

“As pets grow older, aging occurs inside every cell in their body and Hill’s studies these changes down to the gene level,” said Kathy Gross, Director of Clinical Nutrition at Hill’s Science Diet. “Our research shows that gene expression and activity are different in pets aged seven and older compared to their younger counterparts and this knowledge served as the foundation for the Youthful Vitality formula development.”

The Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality formula contains ingredients that provide key nutrients important for aging pets. The unique formulas have been scientifically developed for a seven and older pet’s biology and incorporate ingredients that support:

  •     Brain Function: Powerful antioxidants for a healthy brain to support desire for family interaction
  •     Energy and Vitality: Protein and L-carnitine support improved ability to run and play
  •     Healthy Digestive System: High quality, easy-to-digest ingredients with great taste
  •     Luxurious Fur/Coat: Essential fatty acids increase shininess and softness
  •     Healthy Kidneys & Bladder (cats): Controlled minerals maintain healthy kidneys and bladder
  •     Healthy Immune System (dogs): Vitamins C and E help bolster a strong immune system

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality not only contains proper nutrition, but pet parents are also recognizing significant positive changes. In fact, after feeding their older pets Youthful Vitality with all of its nutritional benefits, pet parents saw improvements in their pet’s behavior and appearance. Some of the positive benefits noticed in dogs include increased vitality, frequency in attention (and affection!) seeking behaviors, improved ability to rise from rest, less stiffness and a softer and shinier coat. The positive benefits noticed in cats include increased vitality, frequency in attention seeking from family members, improved ability to run and play and softer fur with less matting.

Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is available through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers nationwide. The dog food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food in both Original and Small & Toy breed varieties, and Chicken & Vegetables Stew in both large and small can sizes. The cat food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food and tasty canned varieties in Chicken, Tuna and Salmon.

 

American Humane donates $100,000 to 7 Louisiana animal shelters affected by 2016 floods

April 11, 2017

American Humane
Dr. Lesa Staubus (far left) presents the first of seven critically important grants totaling $100,000 to shelters affected by the devastating floods in Louisiana. The presentation took place at St. Landry Parish Animal Control in Opelousas, Louisiana on March 10, 2017. (Photo courtesy of American Humane)

The following is a press release from American Humane:

Months after floodwaters from the devastating, record-breaking August 2016 flood have subsided, local animal shelters and rescue organizations in Louisiana are still struggling to repair damaged facilities and replenish diminishing funds that were stretched thin while ensuring the safety of animals under their care during the flood. To throw a critical lifeline to Louisiana’s shelters, American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization that has been rescuing animals in disasters and cruelty cases for more than 100 years, is awarding $100,000 in emergency grants over the course of this week to seven remarkable local shelters that did lifesaving work for so many animals during the disaster.

The grant money is being presented to each shelter at events spanning each of the five days this week. The schedule of events is as follows:

(All times listed are Central Time)

Monday, April 10, 2017:

  • Location of Event: St. Landry Parish Animal Control, 255 Hangar Road, Opelousas, Louisiana
    Time of Event: 11:00 AM
    Shelter Receiving Grant: St. Landry Parish Animal Control
    Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $20,000
    The $20,000 grant will allow for the repair of crumbling insulation and harmful drainage issues that caused the shelter to temporarily shutter its doors. The repairs needed are crucial for the safety of animal residents at the shelter—insulation from the damaged ceiling drops onto dog beds and in their food bowls, and drainage issues have caused a backwash of spills within the shelter kennels.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017:

  • Location of Event: City of Walker Animal Control, 13740 Ball Park Rd., Walker, Louisiana
    Time of Event: 11:00 AM
    Shelters Receiving Grants: City of Walker Animal Control and Dog People of Livingston
    Grant Check Amounts from American Humane:

    • City of Walker Animal Control: $16,000
    • Dog People of Livingston: $13,000

Dog People of Livingston plans to use the $13,000 grant to host multiple free microchipping clinics, supply free collars and identification tags to pet owners, and lease digital billboard space on the highway to post pictures and information on pets lost in the parish.

City of Walker Animal Control shelter suffered water damage from the floods and other damages related to animal overcapacity. They plan to use the $16,000 grant from American Humane to repair water-damaged walls and treat for mold, replace damaged A/C units, and acquire additional caging to house more displaced and lost pets in the area.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

  • Location of Event: CATNIP Foundation at Big Sky Ranch, 15442 Jack Fork Rd, Folsom, Louisiana
    Time of Event: 11:00 AM
    Shelter Receiving Grant: CATNIP Foundation at Big Sky Ranch
    Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $18,000
    The $18,000 grant will go directly toward the purchase of a Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) trailer, which will help prevent animal overpopulation and in turn, reduce euthanasia and suffering. The trailer will be used to safely transport large numbers of animals for spay and neuter services, as well for pet adoption in less populated areas of Louisiana.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

  • Location of Event: CARA’s House, 9894 Airline Hwy., Sorrento, Louisiana
    Time of Event: 11:00 AM
    Shelter Receiving Grant: Companion Animal Rescue of Ascension (CARA)’s House
    Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $7,000
    The $7,000 grant will allow for the replacement of the shelter’s raised dog beds and cat housing, repairs to damaged storage buildings, and installation of new dog run fencing.

Friday, April 14, 2017

  • Location of Event: Jefferson Feed and Seed, 4421 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson, Louisiana
    Time of Event: 11:00 AM
    Shelter Receiving Grant: Humane Society of Louisiana
    Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $23,000
    The $23,000 grant will be used to create a “Disaster Response Staging Ground” at their 47-acre property in Washington parish. A portion of the large property will be made “incident ready” for short-term relief in large-scale cruelty investigations and disasters. When not in use for such purposes, the area will be used for temporary volunteer housing, special events, adoption days, and dog exercise yards.

Following the devastating flooding in Louisiana, American Humane sent its animal rescue team and two giant rescue vehicles to help pets in hard-hit Livingston Parish. They also worked with Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food to deliver 80,000 pounds of nutritious, free food to shelter animals in Louisiana. Now, to help support and rebuild these vital institutions, American Humane is providing $100,000 in grants this week.

“We are pleased that we can continue to aid the animals of Louisiana and help those who did so much to help thousands of dogs, cats, horses, and other vulnerable animals during the disastrous floods,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “We have been first to serve animals in disasters for 100 years and hope that these grants will serve to help many more in the future.”

Legoland Discovery Center Philadelphia opens for business

April 6, 2017

Miniland at the Legoland Discovery Center at the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Philadelphia
Miniland at the Legoland Discovery Center at the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of PREIT)

Legoland Discovery Center Philadelphia, an indoor family-friendly LEGO play experience, has opened at Plymouth Meeting Mall in Philadelphia. According to a press release from PREIT (the parent company of the shopping mall), Plymouth Meeting Mall’s Legoland Discovery Center is the only Legoland Discovery Center location in Pennsylvania. It is also just the fourth location on the East Coast, the ninth across the country, and the 17th in the world. The 33,000 square foot attraction offers the ultimate indoor Lego playground, featuring a first-of-its-kind Lego-themed ride; a 4D cinema; Miniland, a miniature replica of landmarks in Philadelphia; and more. It complements the mall’s existing innovative roster of tenants that includes Whole Foods Market and Dave & Buster’s.

PREIT CEO Joseph F. Coradino commented in a statement: “The mall environment a decade ago was vastly different from that of today, and tenants like Legoland Discovery Center further demonstrate how the mall industry continues to innovate and evolve. Our strategy is laser focused on diversifying our tenant base and enhancing the experience at our properties, introducing a variety of offerings that are new to our customers. By creating differentiated shopping environments for visitors that mirror their changing behaviors, PREIT is executing on its long-term strategy to add value to its shopping centers.”

American Humane launches program to train shelter dogs to be service dogs for veterans

April 6, 2017

service dog

The following is a press release from American Humane:

American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, announced the launch of a new program to rescue shelter dogs and train them to become lifesaving service animals for military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Through its Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, American Humane is working to harness the healing powers of the human-animal bond to help veterans. Vast anecdotal evidence and a growing body of scientific research show that specialized PTS and TBI service dogs can offer life-changing—and often lifesaving—support to affected veterans. However, there are obstacles standing in the way for veterans in need of service dogs: Waiting lists are long and the training process is time-consuming and expensive, costing upwards of $20,000 per dog.

American Humane’s new canine training center will provide specialized PTS and TBI service dogs to veterans in need, at no cost to the recipient.

“Every day, an average of 20 American veterans commit suicide, while an estimated 670,000 dogs are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year,” said President and CEO of American Humane, Dr. Robin Ganzert. “American Humane is thrilled to launch this program to help save lives on both ends of leash.”

American Humane’s new shelter-to-service-dog initiative is possible thanks to our incredible corporate sponsors, including Hallmark Channel, Kriser’s Natural Pet, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, as well as many other individual donors who offered their generous support to this program. Hallmark Channel’s support is part of Crown Media Family Networks’ PETS initiative, which is aimed at promoting adoption, emptying the shelters, and ensuring that every animal finds the loving forever homes they so deserve.

2017 Beverly Hills Dog Show: Look at the cute photos

March 31, 2017

by Amy McGregor

The Beverly Hills Dog Show
The Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, on March 4, 2017 (Photo by Steven Donahue/See Spot Run Photography)

The inaugural Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina will be televised on USA Network on April 16, 2017, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The show was previously recorded on March 4 and March 5, 2017, at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. David Frei and John O’Hurley co-hosted the show.

Olympic medalists Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir are correspondents on the show’s red carpet. Celebrities featured on the show include TV personality Maria Menounos, reality TV star  Lisa Vanderpump and actress Bo Derek

As part of the Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina, Purina is inviting dog owners and lovers across the nation to share with their digital and social communities (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) why their dog is the star of their family.

From April 10 to April 23, 2017, for every original social post submitted using the hashtag #BHDogShow and tagging @Purina, Purina will donate $1.00 (up to $25,000) to Leader Dogs for the Blind, a global organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Copyright 2017-2024 Culture Mix
CULTURE MIX