Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Supports Canine Health with Major Donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation
From left, Purina’s Pat Mullen and Ann Viklund present the 2018 PPCP donation to Dr. Diane Brown, CEO, and Dr. Charles Garvin, Chair of the Board, of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 12, 2019) – The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent, treat and cure canine disease, announces that Nestlé Purina PetCare has donated $473,829.39 to support canine health. The gift was presented to CHF Board Chairman Dr. J. Charles Garvin and CEO Dr. Diane Brown at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday, February 11.
The Purina Parent Club Partnership (PPCP) enables Purina Pro Club members to designate a parent breed club within the program, earn Purina Points by purchasing qualifying Purina pet foods, and submit proofs of purchase to participate in the program. An annual donation from Purina is shared between the parent breed clubs and their Donor Advised Funds at CHF. Since it began in 2002, PPCP has provided approximately $8 million for canine health research, breed rescue and/or educational efforts to positively impact the general well-being of dog breeds.
“Purina is proud to offer the PPCP Program and to partner with the AKC Canine Health Foundation,” said Ann Viklund, Purina Director of Conformation. “When you look at the wealth of research and the many discoveries this program has helped to support, it is apparent that this work often impacts not only the health of an individual breed but all dogs.”
Again in 2019, parent clubs will have added incentive to put their CHF Donor Advised Funds to work for canine health research by participating in a matching-gift opportunity called C.H.O.I.C.E. (Canine Health Opportunity to Impact CarE) through CHF.
“The CHOICE Program gives clubs the opportunity to support specific areas of health research for their breed and also benefit all dogs,” said Dr. Brown. “We thank the American Kennel Club for their matching gift opportunity for this program, and are grateful to Purina for being a longtime partner of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.”
In addition to PPCP funds, Nestlé Purina also supports CHF as a corporate partner and sponsors CHF’s National Parent Club Canine Health Conference. The biennial event, which brings together CHF-funded researchers, veterinarians, breeders, students, and dog lovers, will be held August 9 to 11, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1997, Purina and CHF have shared a mission of supporting canine health research to benefit all dogs and their people.
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About the AKC Canine Health Foundation
Since 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has leveraged the power of science to address the health needs of all dogs. The Foundation funds the highest quality canine health research and shares information on the funded discoveries that help prevent, treat and cure canine diseases. The Foundation meets and exceeds industry standards for fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by their four-star Charity Navigator rating and GuideStar Platinum seal. Learn more at www.akcchf.org.
About Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premier global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.
For further information: Barbara Fawver, Manager, Pet Influential Communications, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Corporate Public Relations, Phone: 314-982-2256, Email: barbara.fawver@purina.nestle.com; Bradford Brady, Director of Development and Communications, AKC Canine Health Foundation, Phone: 919-334-4023, Email: Bradford.Brady@akcchf.org