Dog Lovers Help Dearborn Animal Shelter Win Pedigree Food Contest

Three animal rescue groups in the Metro Detroit area have been chosen as the newest recepients of the Pedigree Feeding Project.

The winners include the Michigan Animal Rescue League, Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter and Genesee County Animal Control. The program will supply the shelters with 100 percent of their core dog food needs, at absolutely no cost, for one year.

"We are ecstatic for this opportunity from Pedigree to feed our shelter dogs for a whole year. We are so grateful to our community partners, Michigan Animal Rescue League and Genesee County Animal Control and all those who made it possible for us to be chosen as a recipient of the Pedigree Feeding Project," Elaine Greene, executive director for the Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter said.

"The Friends will pay forward the generosity of Pedigree dog food to use our saved resources to enhance community outreach and adoption programs," she said.

Shelter spokeswoman Sandra Boulton said the shelter cares for roughly 2,500 to 2,600 dogs and cats annually.

Pedigree began its search for two new communities earlier this year. In January, dog lovers across the country visited the Pedigree Facebook page to nominate a community or shelter that was close to their heart. In March, Pedigree and Grammy musician Miranda Lambert announced that five communities, including the three shelters in southeast Michigan, were finalists in the contest.

"It's so inspiring to see residents of these communities rally behind the shelters and everyday heroes providing invaluable support to shelter dogs in their hometowns," Lambert said. "I am proud to partner with Pedigree to recognize these communities and provide them with resources that allow them to further the work they do for shelter dogs."

The Humane Society of Northwest Pennsylvania, and The ANNA Shelter were also recipients of free dog food for a year.