Nature’s Variety, the maker of the Instinct and Prairie petfood brands, is marking National Pet Week by volunteering in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, animal shelters.

The company's employees have committed Friday, May 11, to volunteering at Stray Rescue of St. Louis and The Cat House in Lincoln, performing tasks such as dog walking, laundry and clean-up duties. Employees in the Lincoln manufacturing plant will also take part in the "Living Our Purpose" activities at The Cat House and by clearing weeds and trash from a local feral cat colony. Also as part of the company's National Pet Week celebrations, themed "Helping Pets, It's in our Nature," all full-time employees will receive additional time off work to volunteer at the shelter or rescue of their choice.

“It is important to us as a company to walk the walk, if we are going to talk the talk,” said Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety CEO. “We know we help change the lives of pets every day through healthy nutrition and diet offerings, but it’s important for us as a company to serve pets at shelters and rescues. It’s something our team believes in, and we’re happy to offer our time and resources to help Stray Rescue and The Cat House.”