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World Famous Canine Scooby-Doo and Animal Behaviorist Cesar Millan Join Forces with Schools Nationwide to Host Mutt-i-grees Pack Parties in Collaboration with North Shore Animal League America’s 2014 Tour For Life

(March 7, 2014 – Burbank, CA) – Animal shelters nationwide are preparing to host the world’s largest mobile cooperative adoption event as North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization gets ready for its 14th annual Tour For Life. Beginning March 12 through May 16, this mobile pet adoption tour will make its way across the country, stopping in 52 U.S. cities and 26 states, plus Washington D.C., and cover more than 17,000 miles. To continue the celebration of animal shelter adoptions, the world’s most beloved canine Scooby-Doo will be joining forces with North Shore Animal League America by inviting schools and libraries along the Tour For Life route to celebrate locally by hosting Mutt-i-grees Pack Parties. In conjunction with Tour For Life and its mobile adoption events, locally-hosted Pack Parties are events designed to raise funds and raise awareness for local shelters and Mutt-i-grees’ in-school curriculum programs that teach social and emotional learning skills by helping homeless animals. “Warner Bros. and Scooby-Doo are proud to support the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum and partner with North Shore Animal League America’s Tour for Life,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “With Scooby-Doo at the head of the pack, even more young fans and dog-lovers will be able to participate in community-hosted Pack Parties across the country to advocate for shelter adoption and help animals find the home that they deserve.” John Stevenson, President of North Shore Animal League America, encourages community members to attend their local Tour For Life and/or Pack Party, as they will be supporting their community shelters and schools. He said, “All across America, students are making an impact and significant difference in the lives of homeless animals by sharing the message of the importance of shelter adoption.” He emphasized, “Each community should support their local event, because not only does it celebrate animal adoption but it also familiarizes communities with their local shelters and schools.” “Mutt-i-grees and Pack Parties have provided incredible support to us in so many ways. Their dedication and commitment is inspiring and their wonderful program has helped us motivate our club members to raise money for shelter animals and learn of their plight. We are so grateful,” said Kimberly Spanjol, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LMHC YAP (Youth Animal Protectors) Club, NYC of the Stephen Gaynor School. Proceeds raised through the national Mutt-i-gree’s Pack Party website will benefit North Shore Animal League America and the Cesar Millan Foundation. The school or library raising the most funds at a Mutt-i-grees Pack Party will also be eligible to win $1000 for their organization along with a visit from top-dog, and Mr. Mutt-i-gree himself… Scooby-Doo! To learn more about local events or to support the national Mutt-i-grees Pack Party efforts, visit www.scoobypackparty.com. Sponsored by PURINA, Tour For Life reinforces the importance of adoption and familiarizes communities with their local shelters and schools. Since its inception in 2001, Tour For Life has saved the lives of tens of thousands of animals across the country. North Shore Animal League America’s Tour For Life Mobile Rescue & Adoption Units will travel cross-country routes, simultaneously, stopping at scheduled destinations from coast to coast, and helping more than 100 shelters and rescue groups find homes for orphaned pets. To learn more about North Shore Animal League America’s Tour For Life, including the schedule and stops visit www.animalleague.org. About Scooby-Doo:
Scooby-Doo is one of the few classic properties to maintain top on-air ratings across the globe and is consistently ranked as one of the top properties in the Warner Bros. Consumer Products licensing portfolio. Scooby-Doo is the only dog with human characteristics who can live and play in a kid's real and imaginative world. Scooby loves to solve mysteries, is hip and cool and makes 'spooky' fun; he truly is the dog that can Doo it all! About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. About North Shore Animal League America:
North Shore Animal League America has saved more than 1,000,000 lives. As the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn’t complete until each animal is placed into a loving home. Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty and advance standards in animal welfare. We reach across the country to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters, unwanted litters, puppy mills, natural disasters and other emergencies and find them permanent, loving homes. As a leader in the no-kill movement, we are dedicated to promoting shelter pet adoptions; encouraging spay/neuter programs; reducing animal cruelty; ending euthanasia; and advancing the highest standards in animal welfare. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly in the pursuit of our vision of a world where all companion animals find permanent homes to end euthanasia. Please join us in saving the lives of innocent animals by donating to support our lifesaving mission. About The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum:
The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum is an initiative of the Pet Savers Foundation, the program and policy development arm of North Shore Animal League America (Animalleague.org) – the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. For nearly two decades, The Pet Savers Foundation has been an industry leader and innovator in the field of companion animal welfare. The Pet Savers Foundation has a history of creating mission-driven, groundbreaking programs that are piloted and then adopted by shelters nationwide. The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Yale University School of the 21st Century, and was graciously funded by The Cesar Millan Foundation. About The Cesar Millan Foundation:
Dog behaviorist Cesar Millan officially established the Cesar Millan Foundation with the mission to create and deliver community humane education programs and promote animal welfare. Since its inception on Valentine's Day 2007, the Foundation has provided semi-annual Pack Leadership grants and materials to non-profit animal organizations to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abused and abandoned dogs, mobilized emergency assistance through the Daddy's Emergency Animal Rescue (DEAR) Fund, and contributed critical funding and professional insight to develop The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum with The Pet Savers Foundation, in collaboration with the Yale University School of the 21st Century. For more information please visit www.millanfoundation.org. About Nestlé Purina Petcare Company:
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is a global leader in the pet care industry and promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri. Nestlé Purina is part of Swiss-based Nestlé, the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company.
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