A number of animal rescue organisations across South Africa have seen an influx of surrendered pets as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In an effort to alleviate the pressure that this has placed on shelters, Mars Petcare has launched the Buy One, Feed One campaign. For every PEDIGREE® or WHISKAS® product purchased, a meal will be donated to a furry friend in need.

The pandemic has placed a serious financial burden on South Africans, resulting in many needing to surrender their pets. The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWSSA) reported a 100% increase in the rate of surrendered cats and kittens between October and November 2021, while the rate of surrendered dogs and puppies increased by 23% in October, with a further spike of 55% in November 2021.

The MARS Petcare Buy One, Feed One campaign will take place in April and May, and run across all product ranges at leading supermarkets and retailers countrywide. Mars Petcare would like to encourage all pet parents to support by purchasing PEDIGREE® or WHISKAS® products to feed not only their fur babies but also a friend in need. Where possible, Mars Petcare also asks South Africans who are able, to consider adopting a pet to help the overburdened sanctuaries that they will be supporting through the Buy One, Feed One campaign. These include the Woodrock Animal Rescue, Soweto Animals Rescue and Advisory Centre and Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG).

“We have seen the number of abandoned pets increase over the last two years and understanding the additional layer of stress that this has placed on the sanctuaries, we would like to play our part in supporting them through our Buy One, Feed One campaign,” says Andi Wright, Marketing Director at Mars Petcare.

About Mars Petcare

Mars Petcare forms part of a global company, Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love, with almost 100,000 associates across 130 countries. Mars Petcare is dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

With 85 years of experience, their portfolio of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of the world's pets – including brands PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO™, GREENIES™, SHEBA®, CESAR®, IAMS™ and EUKANUBA™ as well as the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute which has advanced research in the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years.

Mars Petcare is also a leading veterinary health provider through an international network of over 2,000 pet hospitals and diagnostic services including BANFIELD™,

BLUEPEARL™,VCA™, Linnaeus, AniCura and Antech. They are also active in innovation and technology for pets, with WISDOM PANEL™ genetic health screening and DNA testing for dogs, the WHISTLE™ GPS dog tracker, and LEAP VENTURE STUDIO accelerator and COMPANION FUND™ programs that drive innovation and disruption in the pet care industry.

As a family business and guided by their principles, they are privileged with the flexibility to fight for what they believe in – and they choose to fight for our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Issued by Eclipse Communications, on behalf of Mars Petcare

Veronica Mtsishe (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Jani-Mari Swart (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)