Toronto Blue Jay and pet adoption advocate, Mark Buehrle, has teamed up with Global Pet Foods & Hill’s® Ideal Balance™ to shine a spotlight on homeless pets and the animal caregivers that work tirelessly to support them.

From September 1 – 30, Global Pet Foods® & Hill’s® Ideal Balance™, along with Mark Buerhle, are inviting Canadians to nominate outstanding animal shelter and rescue volunteers for the 2nd Annual Heroic Heart Pet Service Award.

“It takes a special kind of person to see the horrific abuse animals endure on a daily basis,” says Buehrle. “It’s important these volunteers know they are making a difference to all of the animals they are working with and are doing a very good thing.”

Heroic Heart award winners will receive a $1,000 cheque to support a specific shelter/rescue project or cover the cost of veterinary bills. Winners will also receive 12 large bags of Hill’s® Ideal Balance™ pet food – donated to their shelter of choice.

Commencing September 1st, you can nominate a pet hero, or yourself, by filling out a ballot and sharing a brief story (500 words or less) describing how the nominee has demonstrated outstanding care and compassion to homeless pets. Entrants are also encouraged to share how the $1,000 donation will make a difference to the nominees’ shelter or rescue. Nominations can be made at your local Global Pet Foods store or online through Facebook.com/GlobalPetFoods.

Nominations will close September 30, 2013 and a panel of judges will review all nominees’ Heroic Heart stories. Four (4) Heroic Heart Pet Service Award winners will be selected from all entries across Canada.

The 2013 Heroic Heart Award winners will be announced in early November, 2013 with an award presentation to follow at a local Global Pet Foods store.

For more details please visit Facebook.com/GlobalPetFoods.