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Purina and AKC/CHF Partner

Purina and Canine Health Foundation Announce Multi-Million Dollar Partnership
Major Collaboration Dedicated Solely to Canine Health Research

St. Louis, Mo. (February 25, 2003)—Nestlé Purina PetCare and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) today announced a multi-million dollar, multi-year partnership to further canine health and research.

Purina and the AKC/CHF, the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine health research in the world, will work closely together to fund research that could advance the successful prevention and treatment of disabling and fatal diseases of dogs such as epilepsy, heart disease, orthopedic disease—and the number one disease killer of dogs—cancer.

"Since 1995, the Canine Health Foundation has been providing support for groundbreaking research to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners," says Dan Christian, DVM, Executive Director of the Purina Pet Institute. "Together with the Canine Health Foundation, we intend to make great strides in furthering research directed toward preventing and treating canine diseases. We are proud to announce this important partnership that continues Purina's dedication to the advancement of pet health through science and research."

The commitment furthers the work Purina has been doing with the AKC/CHF for the last eight years including providing resources and support for the mapping of the canine genome and the annual Canine Genome Mapping meeting, the Canine Cancer Initiative, the Canine Health Foundation Parent Club Conference, and the Search and Rescue Dog Health Fund. Additionally, in 2002 Purina established the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program to help breed clubs raise money for health research. In its first year, Purina donated over $40,000 through participating breed clubs to the Canine Health Foundation.

Purina-CHF Partnership/Add One

"Through our work as well as its other activities, Purina has dedicated more resources to the study and further understanding of canine health issues than any other pet food manufacturer," says Howard Falberg, president of the AKC/CHF. "We are honored to work with them in this unique partnership."

Like humans, dogs suffer from many diseases that are primarily genetic in nature. Through the AKC/CHF support of scientific research, significant progress has been made toward treating and minimizing the incidence of numerous canine diseases including the discovery of the genetic defects causing narcolepsy, cystinuria, stationary night blindness and von Willebrand's disease in several breeds. The AKC/CHF has also provided significant support to scientists completing the canine genome map—a monumental step toward eventually eradicating inherited diseases.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation, founded in 1995, is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world. Its mission is to develop significant resources for basic and applied canine health programs, with an emphasis on genetics to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners.

Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The Purina Pet Institute is the embodiment of Purina's commitment to achieve better nutrition for dogs and cats through scientific discovery and the enhancement of the pet/owner relationship.

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