For Immediate Release

Contact: b j Altschul, APR

240.773.5967
bja@mchumane.org
Main Shelter Information: 240.773.5960

Rockville, MD -- Approximately 250 animals currently housed at the Montgomery County Humane Society will dine on a little over a ton of pet food delivered today, courtesy of Adventist HealthCare’s corporate office in Rockville.

Most of the donated food will be used at the shelter, and some will also be offered to MCHS foster homes since they foot the bill to feed foster animals in their care.

The employees at Adventist HealthCare’s corporate office in Rockville are holding a pet food drive through July 29 to help the homeless animals under the care of MCHS. The drive is part of a quarterly employee-giving program conducted by Adventist HealthCare, the largest health-care provider in Montgomery County.

Even before the official drive, AHC already had collected one ton of pet food that was delivered to the shelter July 13. Most of the advance collection -- 2,137 pounds including dry dog food and canned cat food -- was done by five employees.

In FY2010, the Montgomery County Humane Society received more than 9,200 animals live, including almost 5,300 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. On any given day there may be 250 or more animals housed at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, plus more than 200 in foster care.

The shelter uses approximately:

· 120 pounds of dry dog food per day, or 840 pounds per week
· 60 pounds of dry cat food per day, or 420 pounds per week
· 1 case of 13.5-oz. cans of dog food per day (usually mixed with the dry dog food), or 7 cases per week
· 4 to 6 cases of 3-oz. or 5.5-oz. cans of cat food per day, or 35 cases per week

In addition, picky eaters are offered a range of different types of food including Cesar canine cuisine, Mighty Dog and baby food for dogs, and sardines, baby food and tuna for cats. Some animals require special diets due to health issues such as skin problems, urinary tract infections, or kidney disease.

Adventist HealthCare has a long history of helping the Montgomery County Humane Society. Previous support has included:

· Donation of medical grade equipment to perform tests for parasites on animals
· Donation of new hospital supplies that can be used for veterinary purposes
· Purchase of durable, easy-to-clean Kuranda beds for the kennels
· Maintaining an adoption information table for employees
· Fund-raising projects such as drawing and pet photo contests

Individuals wishing to donate may bring fresh, unopened bags of kibble or cans to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive, Rockville, MD. For other ways to help visit mchumane.org, see the current wish list.

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About the Montgomery County Humane Society:

The Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, MD, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization that has served Montgomery County since 1958. MCHS receives funds to operate the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under a grant from the Montgomery County Government and from private donations. As the only full-service animal shelter in the county, MCHS handled more than 9,200 animals in 2009, and, as an open admission shelter, never turns an animal away. Visit mchumane.org to learn more, or call 240.773.5960 option 4. Hours to visit with the animals are weekdays, noon-7pm, and weekends, noon-5pm; closed Wednesdays.

About Adventist HealthCare:

Adventist HealthCare is a non-profit network of healthcare providers that includes hospitals, home health agencies, nursing centers, and other healthcare services. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Adventist HealthCare employs more than 7,500 people and cares for more than 450,000 men, women and children in our community each year among our various entities and services. The primary service areas for Adventist HealthCare are the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and northwestern New Jersey.