Blue River and Purina launch food drive

Blue River PetCare and Purina have launched a nationwide Community Pet Food Drive in the United States, involving 143 veterinary hospitals across 127 cities and 37 states, according to a press statement by the company. The participating hospitals will collect pet food donations from clients, employees and community members throughout November to support local animal welfare organisations.

Each hospital has partnered with a local animal shelter or rescue organisation. In total, 134 organisations have been selected to benefit from the initiative. Purina will provide additional resources to participating shelters and rescues, extending the impact of community donations.

The initiative also aims to connect newly adopted pets and their owners with veterinary services. New pet adopters from participating rescue organisations will receive a voucher for a complimentary wellness examination at their local Blue River PetCare clinic.

Blue River PetCare, headquartered in Chicago, operates more than 200 veterinary practices across 40 US states. The food drive therefore involves a substantial proportion of its veterinary network.

“Our teams are deeply connected to their local communities, and this food drive gives our hospitals, clients and neighbours a tangible way to come together and support shelters and rescues,” said Mandy Lichtig, Vice President of Field Operations at Blue River PetCare.

Community members donating pet food will also be eligible for a Purina coupon redeemable through participating Blue River clinics on the Pro Plan Vet Direct platform. Each hospital will receive 40 coupons, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Purina's Pro Plan portfolio includes more than 140 specialised formulas covering everyday nutrition, therapeutic diets and supplements for dogs and cats.

The partnership forms part of Purina's wider support for animal welfare organisations. According to company information, the Nestlé subsidiary has contributed more than 150 million US dollars over the past five years to initiatives supporting pets, their owners, local communities and the environment.