TOPEKA, Kan., May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --In response to the tornado devastation in Moore, OK, Hill's Pet Nutrition has activated its recently announced Disaster Relief Network to feed displaced pets and assist pet parents within the disaster zone.
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Within the first two hours of the disaster, Hill's began working through affiliated animal clinics and hospitals in Edmond, Shawnee and Oklahoma City, OK, and has already shipped thousands of pounds of dog and cat food and stands ready to ship any additional amounts that may be needed. Additionally, Hill's is sending pet food and feeding bowls to organized community relief centers and additional food to local animal clinics in the disaster area to be distributed free to local pet owners. The company is also planning a convoy of food, pet supplies and other items to support stricken families in the coming weeks.
"Since our shelter is in close proximity to the area devastated by the tornado, we have responded by sending our mobile unit, our staff and volunteers to provide community relief for pets and pet owners in Moore," said Gina Gardner, President, Humane Society of Tulsa. "Through the Hill's Disaster Relief Network, we started receiving needed food donations from the company within 24 hours to help these families and pets as they struggle to recover from this disaster."
Earlier this month, Hills announced the formation of the Hill's Disaster Relief Network, the first of its kind, from its many existing relationships with local animal shelters that receive pet food support through the Hill's Food, Shelter & Love' program. The Network enables Hill's to quickly deploy pet food resources in emergency situations and disasters through a backbone of nearly 100 participating animal shelters across the country that can then work with other local animal welfare organizations that are directly feeding pets and distributing food to pet owners in the disaster areas.
"As a mission company dedicated to enriching and lengthening the relationship and special bond between people and pets, we are acutely aware of the impact that disasters like this have on all family members - both humans and animals," said Hill's US President Kostas Kontopanos. "That's why we are dedicated to doing what we can to ensure that affected cats and dogs can be properly fed and cared for as the community copes with this tragedy."
Hill's is encouraging individuals who would like to aid in the disaster relief to make donations to the Humane Society in Tulsa via PayPal on their website at www.tulsapets.com. All incoming donations are being used for OKC tornado relief. Also, Hill's said that it will be including updates and pictures from the disaster relief efforts on its Facebook page at Facebook.com/HillsPetUS.
About the Hill's Food, Shelter & Love' Program
Since 2002, Hill's Food, Shelter & Love' program has donated more than $240 million worth of Hill's® Science Diet® brand foods to nearly 1,000 shelters nationwide and helped more than 7 million pets find new homes. Every day, the program helps feed more than 100,000 homeless pets across the country. Through the Disaster Relief Network, Hill's will be able to increase the reach of its assistance to pets, pet owners and communities during natural disasters and emergencies.
About Hill's Commitment to Disaster Relief
Hill's has a strong record of responding when emergency resources are needed during major natural disasters. Specifically, Hill's assisted shelters during Hurricanes Sandy, Isaac and Katrina, the Waldo Canyon wildfire near Colorado Springs, the tornadoes in Joplin, MO, and the tsunami in Japan. Hill's also joined forces with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation in 2010 to support more than 90 veterinary shelters and clinics along the Gulf coast struggling to respond to a record number of pets in need, whose owners were unable to provide needed pet food and medical care in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hill's® Prescription Diet® brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, Hill's® Science Diet® brand pet foods and the new Hill's® Ideal Balance' sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores. Founded more than 60 years ago with a unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's is committed to its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's produces high-quality, great tasting pet foods owners can trust and give to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the health of the practice. For more information about Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., and Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition' visit HillsPet.com, or visit us on Facebook, keywords "Hill's Pet Nutrition.
SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition
