Pet food companies’ charity can boost their public images and fulfill ethical goals.
Many pet food companies give back to society, and these philanthropic efforts can boost pet food companies’ public image while fulfilling ethical goals. Just as the pet food industry straddles the human and animal worlds, so too the philanthropic efforts of cat and dog food companies touch both people and pets.
Consumers seem to agree with the importance of their pet brands philanthropic efforts. According to Packaged Facts data, the percentage of people who say a brand’s charitable efforts play a significant role in their purchasing decisions has steadily increased since 2014.
1. K9 Salute LLC
K9 Salute LLC was founded by Jessica Harris, a retired combat medic with the US National Guard. Ingredients are sourced from military veterans farming near the company’s North Carolina headquarters. The packages feature dogs killed in the line of duty. K9 Salute also makes monetary and product donations to Vets to Vets United Inc., an organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be service dogs for veterans.
2. ResQ Naturals
ResQ Naturals aims to help support animal rescue organizations as they provide second chances for dogs and cats in need of a permanent home. The company has partnered with Karma Rescue, a California-based nonprofit, and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, which advocates for humane treatment of dogs worldwide.
3. GivePet
GivePet is a specialty pet treat company that gives a portion of its profits back to partner animal shelters. The pet treat company donates at least 10 treats for every bag purchased by dog owners. The pet treat company currently has distribution in 14 states.
4. Fromm Family Foods
Fromm Family Foods launched a Buy One, Give One free bag coupon promotion in May. For the philanthropic effort, Fromm gave out a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. The pet food company encouraged customers to give the free bag to a pet owner or shelter in need.
5.Global Pet Foods
From February 12-28, Global Pet Foods asked Canadian pet owners to make a donation at any Global Pet Foods store or online to support homeless pets. The Global Pet Foods Show Us Your Heart Fundraising Campaign raised more than CAD$1.25 million (US$966,000) to help animals in need.
6. Nestlé Purina
In 2015, Nestlé Purina’s philanthropic efforts included donating US$31.5 million worth of pet food, pet supplies and monetary contributions to pet-related charities and other community organizations across the country. The donations reached more than 120 pet welfare groups and the Urban Resource Institute, which operates four domestic violence shelters in the New York City area.
7. Woof Gang Bakery
Woof Gang Bakery partners with animal welfare organizations to host adoption events, donate pet food and supplies, provide grooming services and raise funds, including 43,000 total pounds of pet food along with a mixture of pet grooming services, treats, toys and accessories.
Tim Wall covers the dog, cat and other pet food industries as a senior reporter for WATT Global Media. His work has appeared inScientific American, Live Science, Discovery News, Honduras Weekly, Global Journalist and other outlets. He holds an M.A. in journalism and an M.S. in natural resources, both
from the University of Missouri - Columbia, along with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Wall served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2005 to 2007, where he coordinated with the town government of Moroceli to organize a municipal trash collection system, taught environmental science, translated for medical brigades and facilitated sustainable agriculture, along with other projects.
Many hours, efforts, dollars and brainpower go into pet food companies’ and regulatory bodies’ efforts to ensure that products on the market are safe and healthy for pets.
