Just in time for the Big Game, Hill's Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-led nutrition and PetSmart, a leading pet retailer, are teaming up with football player and pet parent Chris Godwin to celebrate our off-field MVPs--our pets. With more than 6.5M pets entering shelters each year, the MVPets campaign raises awareness about the importance of pet adoption and encourages pet parents to choose pet adoption when adding a pet to their family.
In collaboration with UNINTERRUPTED, the multi-Emmy Award-winning athlete empowerment brand within The SpringHill Company founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Chris Godwin joined forces with Hill's Pet Nutrition and PetSmart to create More Than A Pet, a heartwarming series where Chris shares his love for advocating for shelter dogs, including his personal adoption of Ziggy, who he was able to give the second chance she deserved.
More Than A Pet is a fun play on UNINTERRUPTED's "More Than An Athlete"--an expression that reimagines the connection to the athlete's world beyond sport. While Chris Godwin is More Than An Athlete, Ziggy is also More Than A Pet.
"Second chances are really important, especially for animals like Ziggy. It inspired us to find a way to give back and help more pets. We created the Team Godwin Foundation and our Second Chance Fund - this is a place we have been able to make a difference for pets in need," said Godwin, MVPets campaign spokesperson. "We can't do it alone, so I am grateful for companies like Hill's Pet Nutrition and PetSmart for all they do to provide support and resources to help pets in need. It's been great working with both companies to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and giving pets the second chance they deserve."
When he's not playing football, he's playing fetch with his dogs. Godwin also shares an inside look at how he'll do anything for his pets and invites other pet parents to join in creating an MVPet player card in collaboration with Hill's and PetSmart.
How It Works:
- Step 1: Visit MVPets.com and upload your pet's photo
- Step 2: Customize a jersey design
- Step 3: Share your custom player card using #MVPet and #AnythingForPets on social
For every MVPet Player Card created through Feb. 15, 2023, PetSmart and Hill's Pet Nutrition are donating $1 to PetSmart Charities, up to $150,000.
"For the last 75 years, Hill's Pet Nutrition has been on a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Through our Hill's Food, Shelter & Love program, we've helped provide more than $300 million in pet food to more than 1,000 shelters and have helped more than 13 million pets find new homes," said Caroline Chulick, head of marketing for Hill's Pet Nutrition U.S. "We are proud to join forces with PetSmart to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and provide engaging ways for pet parents to celebrate the special relationships with their pets and support shelter pets in need."
"Our MVPets and 'More than a Pet' campaigns are the perfect way for PetSmart and Hill's to celebrate what all pet parents–star athletes or not--already know: pets change our lives for the better, and we'll do anything for them," says PetSmart Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Will Smith. "It's only fitting then that these initiatives support PetSmart Charities, which has helped more than 10 million pets find loving homes. With our commitment of up to $150,000 in partnership with Hill's, we're shining a light on how adoption enriches the lives of pets and the people who love them."
