Contact: Jason Eberly/Marc Vasquez Geoff Howe Marketing Communications for Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. 816-842-8656 or jeberly@geoffhowe.us / mvasquez@geoffhowe.us
Sharon Granskog for American Veterinary Medical Association 847-285-6619 or sgranskog@avma.org
AVMA/Hill’s Alliance for Healthier Pets Shows Big Success
TOPEKA, Kan., (April XX, 2008) – The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. are pleased to report the AVMA/Hill’s Alliance for Healthier Pets – Obesity Awareness Program has met with great success in the veterinary community.
Since the program launch in January, more than 11,000 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kits were requested by pet hospitals across the United States, and PetFit.com received more than 70,000 visitors including 8,600 individuals agreeing to sign the PetFit™ Challenge pledge, a symbol of a renewed commitment to their pet's health.
“The response to the AVMA/Hill’s Alliance for Healthier Pets has more than exceeded our expectations,” said Hein Meyer, D.V.M., Ph.D., DECVIM-CA, director of Strategic Initiatives at Hill’s. “Though we are excited by this reaction from the veterinary profession, our work is not finished and we are committed to continue this momentum in the hope of helping even more pets who are overweight or obese.”
Alliance awareness efforts have generated more than 110 million advertising editorial impressions through various trade and consumer media outlets. “We are extremely pleased to see the numbers of both pet owners and veterinary health care teams who are receiving the pet obesity awareness message and taking an active interest to help put a stop to this life-threatening epidemic,” said Gregory S. Hammer, D.V.M., president of the AVMA.
In addition, the PetFit Tour has made its way through Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Phoenix, Ariz., Las Vegas, Nev. and Los Angeles, Calif., educating pet owners and veterinary health care team members on the dangers of pet obesity. Through this journey, the tour stopped at the North American Veterinary Conference, Western Veterinary Conference and American Animal Hospital
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AVMA/Hill’s Alliance Update
Association Conference, numerous national community events, nearly 60 veterinary practices and more than 75 pet retail locations.
In July, the PetFit Tour will stop at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in New Orleans. At the Convention, attendees can learn how making positive changes in a pet’s lifestyle through regular veterinary weigh-ins, feeding the right pet food, monitored feeding and championing regular physical fitness can lead to a healthy weight and a better quality of life.
About the American Veterinary Medical Association
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 75,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to animal, human and public health. Visit AVMA.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.
About Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hill’s® Prescription Diet® brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Hill’s® Science Diet® brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores. Founded nearly 60 years ago with a unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill’s has never wavered from its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill’s produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and provide to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the health of the practice. For more information on Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. and Hill’s Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition™ visit HillsVet.com.
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