Contact: Darla Worden, Media Relations, 303-744-0935 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Animal Shelters on International Sled Dog Race Receive Pedigree Food for Dogs

Jackson, Wyoming-December 19, 2001-- Pedigree ® Food for Dogs, title sponsor of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), is contributing one year’s worth of dog food to each of the communities on the race route announced Frank Teasley, Race Director. The communities on the 2002 route are Jackson Hole, Dubois, Pinedale, Lander, Evanston/Mountain View, Kemmerer and Alpine. The food is used by the communities as prizes during the festivities surrounding the IPSSSDR, and distributed to local animal shelters.

"We are thrilled to receive the Pedigree pet food contribution," said Corey Rybeck, Jackson Hole Animal Shelter. "We use it at the shelter and the doggies here love it"

The Pedigree brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society. Such programs include Homeward Bound, a national pet adoption support program to encourage adoption of the nation’s 12 million homeless animals; the National Association for Search and Rescue; police canine units; and non-profit organizations that train and place service dogs for hearing and visually impaired people. 

During the 2002 IPSSSDR, Pedigree will host a daily web cast on its web site, www.pedigree.com , that will feature video footage of the race. Through HOMEWARD BOUND, Pedigree will make a donation to animal shelters for each visitor to the site during the race.

Pedigree Food for Dogs offers complete and balanced, highly palatable products for all different stages of a dog’s life. Developed with veterinarians and recommended by top breeders of champion dogs, Pedigree dry food products contain the PEDIGREE NATURAL BODY DEFENSE SYSTEM that includes a scientifically formulated antioxidant blend containing Vitamin E, Vitamin C and zinc. These nutrients help to build dogs' natural defenses and protect them from the inside.

The International Pedigree Stage Stop Dog Sled Race was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. The IPSSSDR, the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states, is slated for January 26 through February 6, 2002, beginning in Jackson Hole and traveling through 12 Wyoming communities. For more information, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, call (307) 734-1163, or visit www.pedigree.com.

For more information about community animal shelters and their plans for the PEDIGREE Food for Dogs, contact the following agencies:

Jackson Hole: The Jackson Hole Rotary will be awarding PEDIGREE Food for Dogs as prizes during the Winter Carnival at the Town Square on Saturday, January 26, 2002. Jackson Hole/Teton County Animal Shelter will receive six months of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs at the shelter. For more information, contact Corie Rybek at 307-733-2139.

Dubois: Dubois will distribute PEDIGREE Food for Dogs as prizes for its sled dog races, ski jouring races and dog parade; and it will provide the local animal shelter with six months of food. For more information, contact Tracey Wiener, 307-455-4021.

Pinedale: Pinedale will distribute PEDIGREE Food for Dogs as prizes at its Doggie Talent show, and it will provide the local animal shelter with six months of food. For more information, contact Julie Early at City Hall, 307-367-4136.

Lander: The Pet Connection--an animal adoption program in which committee members keep animals in their homes until the animals are adopted-will receive one year’s worth of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs. For more information, contact Syd Miller, 307-332-9297.

Mtn. View/ Lyman: The Lyman Animal shelter will receive one year’s worth of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs for the shelter. For information contact Jill Carder, 307-787-6500.

Evanston: The Evanston Animal Shelter will receive one year’s worth of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs for the shelter. For information contact Cindy Hutchinson, 307-783-6471. 

Kemmerer: Kemmerer will sponsor a pet parade around Triangle Park at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, PEDIGREE Food for Dogs will be distributed to the animal shelter at the Kemmerer Police Department. Contact Teri Picerno to learn more about Kemmerer’s dog centered events, 888-300-3413.

Alpine: The Alpine Animal Shelter and veterinarian will host a vaccination and microchip clinic at reduced rates during the week of the race. Also, any dog adopted will go home with free PEDIGREE Food for Dogs. For information about the Dog Adoption Specialty Day, contact Tina Gertsch 307-654-9990.