BC SPCA joins Hill's Science Diet's "Second Chance for Love" program

May 6, 2009. For immediate release.

The B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, B.C.'s largest non-profit animal welfare society, has entered into a two-year partnership with Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada Inc. Under the agreement, Hill's® Science Diet® will donate pet food for all dogs, cats, kittens and puppies being cared for in BC SPCA branches across the province. The goal of the Hill's® Science Diet®'s "Second Chance for Love" program is to ensure that shelter animals are as healthy as possible to increase their chances of adoption.

"As we are a not-for-profit, many of our branches have relied heavily on food donations from the public or pet supply stores and these acts of kindness have been appreciated tremendously," said Bob Busch, the BC SPCA's general manager of operations. "However, it is not ideal to feed animals different types and qualities of food because a changing diet can have a negative impact on their digestive systems. We're excited that our arrangement with Hill's will enable us to offer the animals in our care consistent and high quality pet food." In total, the BC SPCA will receive nearly 206,000 pounds of Hill's® Science Diet® each year. "It is a huge benefit to have our food costs covered across the province and we are grateful to Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. for their support," said Busch. He adds that under the new agreement, every SPCA adopter will receive a free bag of Hill's® Science Diet® for their new cat or dog.

Busch notes that while BC SPCA branches will no longer need individual donations of pet food, other donations are still needed. This includes monetary donations as well as "wish list" items, such as leashes, collars, toys and scratching posts. "We are grateful for the many ways that individuals and local businesses reach out to help the animals in our care. We could not exist without their generosity."

Last year the non-profit BC SPCA cared for nearly 40,000 abused, neglected, injured, lost and abandoned animals in its 37 branches.

For more information:

Lorie Chortyk, General Manager, Community Relations, BC SPCA, 604-647-1316, 604-830-7179.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.