American Veterinary Medical Association and Hill's Pet Nutrition Launch First- Ever...

American Veterinary Medical Association and Hill's Pet Nutrition Launch First-
Ever Alliance to Address Pet Obesity Epidemic
Leading Experts Unveil Official Education Initiative and Weight-Loss Challenge

TOPEKA, Kan. and SCHAMBURG, Ill., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- America's
struggle with weight gain and obesity is an issue that extends beyond the
human population -- it is now a serious problem that plagues 54 million cats
and dogs in the United States(1). To address this issue, the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one of the most trusted authorities on
animal health and welfare, and Hill's Pet Nutrition(R), a leader in pet
nutrition, announced the Alliance for Healthier Pets, a joint partnership to
raise awareness of the pet obesity epidemic and to educate pet owners on the
life-threatening health dangers linked to overweight pets.
With approximately 35 percent of the total pet population being overweight
or obese(2), America's pets are at greater risk than ever before for heart
disease, diabetes, arthritis, and potentially, a shortened life expectancy.
With this in mind, the AVMA and Hill's designed the Alliance for Healthier
Pets to help empower pet owners with the most up-to-date medical information,
weight-loss tools and prevention tips to help keep their pets healthy. Most
pet owners are not aware that their cat or dog is overweight, and through this
Alliance, AVMA and Hill's hopes to raise awareness of this important issue and
encourage people to take action when it comes to their pet's health.
"The launch of this Alliance with Hill's is an unprecedented joint
initiative that for the first time places the full force of America's
veterinarians behind fighting pet obesity and educating pet owners," said
Gregory S. Hammer, D.V.M., president of the AVMA. "We feel an enormous
responsibility to address this pet health crisis, and we are proud to be
working with Hill's to help overweight dogs and cats lose weight and get fit."
The AVMA and Hill's Alliance for Healthier Pets will rollout various
interactive programs and tools for both the veterinary community and pet
owners designed to encourage healthy lifestyle activities, proper nutrition,
and preventative screenings. As a first step, the AVMA and Hill's are
encouraging pet owner's to take action today and pledge to help America's pets
lose 50 million pounds this year through the 2008 PetFit Challenge.
"The AVMA is a true leader in the field of animal health and welfare. We
are thrilled to partner with them to bring this important issue to the
forefront and encourage pet owners to get serious about the health of their
pets," said Neil Thompson, president, Hill's America. "We hope the Alliance
for Healthier Pets and PetFit Challenge will help inspire pet owners to take
action today."
Like humans, poor eating habits and a lack of exercise greatly contribute
to declining health and weight gain in pets. For example, just five extra
pounds on a medium size dog, like a Beagle, is the equivalent of nearly 25
additional pounds on an average woman. And, for a medium size cat, like a
Siamese, four extra pounds equals 45 additional pounds on an average woman.
To help bring this to life for pet owners, the Alliance is launching an 18-
market PetFit mobile tour that will offer consumers an interactive "science
museum"-like educational experience and one-on-one nutritional consultations
with veterinarians, veterinarian technicians and veterinary students.
Additionally, Hill's and the AVMA have partnered with celebrity fitness
trainer and loving pet owner, Gunnar Peterson to create a proprietary People
and Pets Fitness video that provides pet owners with simple exercises to get
themselves and their pets in shape. This video, along with new pet-focused
weight loss tools, are available for free at www.petfit.com. In addition to
directly providing consumers with these important tools, the program also will
supply veterinary hospitals and clinics with an Obesity Awareness and
Prevention kit. This in-office kit contains collateral and educational
information that will encourage pet owners to work with their veterinarians on
creating a healthy lifestyle for their pets.
For more information on the program, the weight-loss challenge, fitness
video and tools along with the tour schedule, pet owners can visit
www.petfit.com.
About the American Veterinary Medical Association
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is the oldest and largest veterinary medical
organizations in the world, with more than 76,000 member veterinarians are
engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are
dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including
its relationship to animal, human and public health and welfare. Visit
AVMA.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access
up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Prescription Diet(R) brand pet
foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Science
Diet(R) brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty
stores. Founded more than 55 years ago with a unique commitment to pet
nutrition and well-being, Hill's has never wavered from its mission to help
enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.
Hill's produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and
provide to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health
care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the
health of the practice. For more information on Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. and
Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition(TM) visit HillsVet.com.
(1) U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook, 2007 Edition

(2) "Overweight Pets Are on the Rise," Veterinary Economics. August 1,
2005.

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.

Lisa Giassa of Cohn & Wolfe for Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., +1-212-798-9776,
+1-201-406-7690, cell, Lisa_giassa@cohnwolfe.com; or Sharon Granskog of
American Veterinary Medical Association, +1-847-285-6619, +1-847-280-1273,
cell, sgranskog@avma.org