Pet Food Processing - January 2024 - 55

The Scoular Foundation helps financially support a
number of communities in which the company operates.
" People can see the value of having Scoular in their
community beyond just the jobs the company provides, "
Kucks said.
As one of the largest employers in Seward, Petsource
is trying to have a positive effect on its community by
helping finance the town's new Seward Wellness Center,
set to open in 2025.
" We are trying to contribute to the community beyond
our business, " Kucks said. " It brings more meaning
to the people that work here - it helps them be proud of
where they work beyond just making pet food. "
True innovation arises
from having many different
perspectives and backgrounds
in all roles and at all levels of
the organization. "
Jennifer Weber, ADM
Prioritizing pets
As members of the pet care industry, many companies
take corporate responsibility a step further with their
efforts to support pets through internal and external
programs. These programs range from donating food to
area shelters, as Mars Petcare has done alongside Greater
Good Charities through its Extend a Paw program, to
supporting the pets in the community, as KLN Family
Brands, parent company of Tuffy's Treat Company, did
by building the NutriSource Dog Park in Delano, Minn.
Pet food processors share a common mission of producing
foods to help keep furry family members healthy
and happy for the duration of their lives. But many processors
feel their commitment to pets should go beyond that.
Purina's Purple Leash Project works to keep domestic
violence survivors and their pets together. The program
is supported by the company's RedRover® fundraising
campaign.
" Today, our goal is to help ensure at least 25% of US domestic
violence shelters offer pet-friendly services by the
end of 2025, " Toscano said. " We've already provided grants
to 39 shelters across the country, and every state now has
at least one pet-friendly shelter, but our long-term goal is
to fundamentally change the landscape of domestic violence
services for survivors with pets, so no survivor has to
choose between their own safety and the safety of their pet. "
The company has also partnered with Urban Chestnut
Brewing Company in the Raise a Pint for Pets program
in its hometown of St. Louis. For every 16-oz can of
Urban Underdog American Lager sold at participating
food and beverage establishments, the company donated
$1 to IMPETUS: A Coalition for Pet Progress.
" By buying beer, pet lovers can help shelter pets in
need, " Toscano said. " Together, [since 2017] we've raised
more than $225,000 for local animal shelters and helped
countless pets find their forever homes. "
Purina has a number of other pet-centric programs,
all with the goal of supporting pets beyond the bowl.
Royal Canin has helped more than 7,000 dogs get
adopted since 2010 through the Missouri Puppies for
Parole program. The 10-week program, active in 16
Missouri prisons, allows offenders the opportunity to
train rescue dogs in obedience and socialization skills
to prepare them for adoption. Royal Canin also provides
food for dogs in the program.
" The Missouri Puppies for Parole program is a true
testament of Mars Petcare's purpose of making 'a better
world for pets,' " said Daryn Brown, president of Royal
Canin North America. " It has been an honor to be a part
of this program, and we owe a great deal of thanks to
the Missouri offenders who have helped 7,000 dogs find
their forever homes. "
The program has achieved adoption rates of more
than 95%.
" We are grateful and proud of Royal Canin's investment
in Puppies for Parole since the program's start, " said
Jennifer Liebi, Puppies for Parole coordinator. " Their
contributions allow us to set our dogs up for nutritional
success and support the bonds that form between the
dogs, their trainers and eventual adopted homes. "
Mars Petcare considers itself to be a purpose-driven
company. Through this mission, the company strives to
offer support and services to pet owners, and potential
pet owners, beyond the food they sell. The PEDIGREE
Foundation exists to help find as many homes as possible
for pets in shelters. The Foundation helps fund shelters,
cover adoption expenses for potential pet parents,
and pair pets with potential homes.
A recent PEDIGREE program called Rescue Doodles
utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to pair families with
new four-legged family members. Children submitted
doodles of their dream dog, and AI and the Adopt a Pet
program helped pair the " doodle " with potential adoptable
pets in the area.
" We love the business performance of our brands,
but performance without purpose is meaningless, " said
Jean-Paul Jansen, chief marketing officer of Mars Pet
Nutrition North America.
Accepting responsibility for employees, communities,
the planet, and even pets is the price of doing business for
today's corporate citizens - a corporate mission that is
no longer negotiable for any company who wants to excel
beyond the bottom line.
Royal Canin has partnered
with Puppies For
Parole since its inception
in 2010. The program
provides offenders with
the opportunity to train
rescue dogs to prepare
them for adoption.
Puppies For Parole
PFP
www.petfoodprocessing.net | January 2024 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 55
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - January 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pet Food Processing - January 2024
