The 14th Annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays Helps Nearly 1.3 Million Animal Adoption and Provides 5.5 Million Meals to Shelter Partners

TORONTO --(Business Wire)--

Iams Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world's largest pet adoption drives, announced that nearly 1.3 million pets were placed in forever homes between Oct. 1, 2012 and Jan. 2, 2013. As part of the annual drive, Iams helped find homes for over 46,000 orphaned pets in Canada alone. More than 8.3 million pets have been placed in forever homes since Iams and founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center, along with thousands of animal organizations across the globe, partnered to do something about shelter overpopulation when the program first started in 1999.

Wyatt, a tiny kitten was abandoned and found near death was nursed back to health and found his forever home through Iams Home 4 the Holidays. (Photo: Business Wire)

"We're celebrating the fact that in just three months we helped save the lives of almost 1.3 million animals," said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "We're proud of the work we've done and we're especially proud of the hard work the partner organizations continue to do every day. Take the story of Wyatt, a tiny kitten who was abandoned and found near death. Wyatt was nursed back to health by dedicated cat rescue volunteers and has since found his forever home. Stories like these show us the importance of promoting pet adoption and how a program like Iams Home 4 the Holidays can make a huge difference in the life of a pet."

Adoption wasn't the only way people got involved this year as the program also focused on providing proper nutrition for pets still awaiting families. Consumers were able to share their passion for pets and help Iams donate ood to participating animal shelters by buying specially marked bags of food or by liking Iams on Facebook (News - Alert) (Facebook.com/Iams).

"During the holiday season, when most people consider bringing a pet into their home, it is important for us to double our efforts to raise awareness about the wonderful animals available for adoption in local shelters across Canada," said Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. "The generous support from Iams, not only ensures access to proper nutrition for shelter animals, it also helps highlight an ongoing issue that could be easily eradicated through public awareness."

About P&G Pet Care
For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba^® and Iams^® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at (800) 525-4267. You can also visit us on the Web at www.iams.ca or www.eukanuba.ca.

About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where "people help animals and animals help people." Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive and the Animal Center Education Services program, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at Twitter.com/hwac or visit us at animalcenter.org or Facebook.com/helenwoodwardanimalcenter.

About the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
Since 1957, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) has been working to improve conditions for animals across the country. With member humane societies and SPCAs across Canada, the CFHS is the national voice on animal welfare in Canada. It uses this voice to liaise with animal welfare organizations, government, the public, industry, the scientific community, educators and the media to end animal suffering. Find out more at www.cfhs.ca.