Purina helps celebrate domestic violence shelter dog park

Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Nestlé Purina PetCare hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 13, 2015, to celebrate Manhattan’s first-ever dog park in a domestic violence shelter.
The new dog park is located at Urban Women’s Retreat (UWR), an emergency shelter that is part of the URIPALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program. URIPALS is the only program in New York City and one of the few nationally that allows survivors of domestic violence to live in shelter with their pets. To date, URIPALS has helped 43 families with 63 pets, including 38 cats, 18 dogs, and a range of smaller animals, such as reptiles and fish, escape domestic violence.
Sponsored by Purina, which funded the design and construction of the dog park, the Purina Pet Haven will provide survivors of domestic violence and their families (including pets) with a safe and calming retreat in which to heal together while in shelter. The opening of the new dog park builds upon Purina’s previous support of the URIPALS program. In spring 2014, Purina also sponsored the creation of the Purina Play Haven at URI’s Safe Haven shelter in Brooklyn. Since its opening, the park at Safe Haven has served as a vital component in the healing process for a number of families and their pets.
“Through the URIPALS program, we have witnessed first-hand how important it is for survivors to have their beloved pets by their side while they heal,” said Nathaniel Fields, president and CEO of URI. “From early on in the URIPALS program, Purina has been committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their pets. We know that the new dog park will play an integral part in helping our clients heal, and for that we are extremely grateful to Purina.”
URI and Purina’s collaboration in support of URIPALS brings together one of New York City’s largest domestic violence service providers and a leader in the pet care industry around the closely linked issues of animal abuse and domestic violence. United by the belief that people and pets are better together, URI and Purina are helping reduce barriers to safety for families with pets in domestic violence situations and hope to continue raising awareness about the impact of abuse on the whole family — including pets.
“For most pet owners, the bond with their pet is incredibly strong, and for people in abusive relationships their pet can be an important source of comfort,” said Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina veterinarian. “Purina is very proud to support the Urban Resource Institute in its efforts to keep families and their pets together during this time of healing.”
As part of its support for the URIPALS program, Purina is also donating Purina ONE brand dog food, Purina Cat Chow brand cat food, along with other dog treats and cat litter. In addition, Purina is working with URI to provide supplies for welcome kits for families bringing pets to Urban Women’s Retreat, including pet travel carriers, safety gates, pet beds, pet feeding and watering bowls, cat scratching posts, leashes and pet toys.
 At the ribbon-cutting, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Aldrin Bonilla and New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal issued proclamations celebrating the URIPALS program and its impact on survivors of domestic violence and their pets in New York City.

PetSafe brand launching 'Bark for Your Park' contest

PetSafe brand, a developer of pet behavioral, containment and lifestyle product solutions and services, is launching its fourth annual Bark for Your Park US nationwide contest on May 7, 2014.

test
One US city will win US$100,000 and four other finalist cities will be awarded US$25,000 each to build an off-leash dog park in their community. “PetSafe is honored to be able to give back to communities who are eager to help make their towns more pet-friendly,” said Randy Boyd, CEO and president of Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand. “As part of the PetSafe brand, we’ve seen firsthand how a dog park can enhance a community, bring responsible pet owners together and create a wonderful place to live and visit. We are hopeful that every US community will be inspired to bark for their park this year!”
From May 7 through June 7, anyone within the continental US can vote for his or her city online at www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. In order to advance to the finals, each community must complete their application by finding a home for their dog park and encouraging their civic leaders to support the park. Based on the information provided by each city, PetSafe will confirm the availability of land, civic leader support, population size and total number of votes to select 15 finalist communities, which will be announced June 13.

PetSafe names 15 US cities as finalists in 'Bark for Your Park' contest

PetSafe announced 15 cities across the US that will move on to compete as finalists in the "Bark for Your Park" contest with a chance to win US$100,000 or US$25,000 to build a local dog park.
For the third year in a row, pet lovers across the US demonstrated their desire for off-leash dog parks in their communities, nominating 1,130 cities to compete to win a share of US$200,000 in funding for local dog parks through the PetSafe contest.
"We are overwhelmed again by the enthusiasm for 'Bark for Your Park,' and we'd like to see every community in America enjoy a dog park," said Randy Boyd, president and CEO of Radio Systems Corporation, maker of the PetSafe brand. "That's why we're proud and excited to help five of our 15 finalist cities this year build their community dog parks. But, no matter the outcome of the contest, we hope all 1,130 cities will continue to 'bark' for their parks and rally the support needed to make their dog park dreams a reality."
The finalist communities will continue "barking" for their park by voting daily on www.petsafe.net and PetSafe's Facebook page now through July 26. Finalist cities are required to submit a 30-second video designed to show the world why they deserve to win a dog park, and each city whose video receives 1,000 views on YouTube will earn an additional 1,000 votes.
The finalist city with the most votes will be named the winner of a US$100,000 PetSafe dog park. The city with the highest percentage of votes to its population will receive the "Bark from Your Heart" award and earn US$25,000 toward building a local dog park. The top vote-earners in each size category of small, medium and large cities will also each receive US$25,000 toward building a PetSafe dog park. "Bark for Your Park" contest winners will be announced on July 31. 

Food truck for dogs comes to Chicago May 7

On May 7, a new food truck for dogs will hit the streets of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The truck, called Fido To Go, sells ice cream and baked cookie treats for dogs. Tracy Werner, one of FTG's owners, said she came up with the idea by watching a segment about food trucks on TV.
"Everything I see on the news, I automatically go: Dogs—how does this relate to dogs?" Werner said. 
FTG will make its debut on May 7, at Chicago's Bark in the Park. The truck will run through October, stopping at venues across the city like dog parks and other dog events.

Nutro Co. to host dog park enhancement projects in May

The Nutro Co. will hold its Room to Run Dog Park Appreciation Project in May, to enhance dog parks in 30 cities across the US and Canada.
Most of the Room to Run projects will take place on Saturday, May 7, with one scheduled for Sunday, May 15 and another’s date not yet determined. The projects will vary by location and the particular park’s needs but, in general, will include painting fences, putting together benches, picking up trash and landscaping.
“Enhancing dog parks is a natural fit for The Nutro Company, as we’ve had a long-standing commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle for pets by producing natural pet food for more than 80 years,” said Kent Cunningham, vice president of marketing for The Nutro Co. “As pet owners ourselves, we are devoted to hosting the Room to Run project to revitalize dog parks across the country as they provide a natural oasis for dogs and their owners to interact and help reinforce the human-animal bond.”

Nutro begins inititative to enhance dog parks

The Nutro Co. began the Room to Run dog park appreciation project to enhance dog parks across North America.
Associates from the company and community members are hosting the event at dog parks in 30 cities across the US and Canada from June 12 to June 19. Volunteer opportunities vary by location but include activities such as painting fences, providing benches, picking up trash and landscaping.
"As a company, and as a group of passionate pet owners ourselves, we are dedicated to enhancing dog parks because of the benefits they bring to not only pets but also the owners," said Carolyn Hanigan, vice president of marketing for Nutro. "Taking the time to help communities revitalize their off-leash areas is an endeavor that we are eager to undertake, as it is so important to foster the human-animal bond and bring a bit of nature to our pets."
For more information on volunteering and a list of locations, visit the company's website.

NAPPS warns of hidden health risks at dog parks

As the weather becomes warmer pet parents will likely take their best friend to a dog park. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) offers three safety tips for pet owners who visit dog parks.
1. Bring a container of water to the park for your dog. The provided water stations are often used by raccoons or other wildlife during the night, and can spread dangerous infections, such as leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease.

2. Carefully wipe your dog’s paws after leaving the dog park. The park’s soil can be a source of parasites and diseases and should be cleaned from the dog’s paws immediately.

3. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations prior to visiting the dog park. Through playful activity, pets can be exposed to other dogs that have not received proper vaccinations.
“Pet parents are drawn to the wonderful social and exercise benefits of dog parks, but few are aware that dog parks can impose health risks on their beloved pet,” explained Monica Leighton, President of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). “At the core of NAPPS’ mission is a commitment to the welfare of animals. We urge pet parents to fully investigate the hidden dangers of dog parks before visiting one to protect their pet.”