(PRESS RELEASE) EDMONTON, AB — Champion Petfoods, an award-winning pet food maker, donated more than 3.7 million meals of nutritious ORIJEN and ACANA pet food to animal welfare organizations in 2021 to help cats and dogs in need. The beneficiaries include more than 40 local animal welfare organizations surrounding the Acheson, Alberta and Auburn, Kentucky kitchens where Champion operates.
Earlier this year the company also entered into an exclusive 3-year sponsorship with Best Friends Animal Society, an organization that works with a network of more than 3,300 animal welfare, shelter partners and community members in the U.S. Champion Petfoods signed an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society as part of its Forever Project to support pet parents, and coordinated the effort with the launch of ACANA Rescue Care for Adopted Dogs, the first dog food in the U.S. formulated specifically for the unique needs of rescue dogs and their transition from shelter environments to their forever homes.
In addition to donating meals and launching a food just for rescue dogs, Champion made monetary donations to the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) of Alberta, Canada and the Logan County Humane Society (LCHS) of Kentucky. Support for the LCHS went to support its 22Vets initiative that provides veterans with rescue dogs to help them cope with the effects of post traumatic stress disorder.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a locally-founded company in our community that gives back to animals in need as generously as Champion Petfoods does,” said Liza Sunley, CEO of EHS. “Thanks to the supportive donations from Champion, we’ve been able to feed many homeless animals in the Edmonton area high-quality, nutritious meals so they can thrive while they await adoption, including both cats and dogs in the care of our shelter and those in the care of other animal welfare organizations we work with closely.”
“At Champion Petfoods, we’re committed to supporting pets in need,” said Chief People Officer Jess Eide. “The people working and volunteering at these animal welfare and animal rescue organizations are passionate about providing needed care and nutrition, and we’re grateful for the impact they make. Our work with them enables us to make progress toward realizing our purpose which is to Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime. We look forward to continuing our long support of rescue pets and organizations in 2022.”