Nestlé Purina PetCare Company continues its long-standing support of canine health with a donation of over $229,000 to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF).

“Nestlé Purina PetCare is very proud of our long-standing partnership with the AKC Canine Health Foundation,” said Ann Viklund, Director of Conformation for the Breeder/Enthusiast Group at Nestlé Purina PetCare and a member of the CHF Board of Directors.  “We both are passionate about the mission of helping dogs live longer, healthier lives, and research funded through the AKC Canine Health Foundation is vital to achieving that goal.”

From the Affenpinscher Club of America to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, 191 national parent breed clubs participated in the Purina Parent Club Partnership (PPCP) Program in 2014, resulting in a contribution of $229,285.28 to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF). The donation represents half of the 2014 PPCP earnings. An equal donation was shared among the participating parent clubs.

Established in 2002, the PPCP Program enables Purina Pro Club members who participate in the program to designate a breed of dog and submit weight circles (similar to proofs of purchase) from qualifying Purina brand dog foods. An annual donation based on the value of the submitted weight circles is split between the parent clubs’ Donor Advised Funds (DAF) at the AKC Canine Health Foundation for canine health research and the parent clubs for education, research and rescue efforts. The PPCP Program has raised more than $3 million for canine health research in important areas such as cancer, epilepsy, cruciate ligament rupture, bloat, exercise-induced collapse, tickborne disease, and more.

In addition to PPCP funds, Nestlé Purina also supports the CHF mission with a corporate gift of $150,000. Since 1997, Nestlé Purina Petcare Company has invested nearly $11.5 million in the health of dogs through CHF, by supporting sound, scientific canine health research.

“Nestlé Purina has been a vital and committed partner in our mission. Their investment in CHF has enabled our researchers to seek answers to health problems faced by all dogs and to provide better treatment options and more effective prevention,” said Susan Lilly, Chief Executive Officer of CHF.