To create a better world for pets, Mars Petcare senior leadership and associates volunteer at Blue Cross of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, 26 February 2023: - Staying true to the organizational purpose of making a better world for pets, MARS Petcare, a pioneer in pet care and nutrition, continued its volunteering program at the Blue Cross of Hyderabad (BCH) today. As part of this Associate Volunteering initiative a team of 30 associates lead by Salil Murthy, Managing Director, Petcare at MARS International India Ltd took time out of work and actively participated in volunteer work at the shelter. The enthusiasm and love for pets brought alive Mars’ organizational purpose of creating a world where all pets are wanted, cared for and welcome. A happy world for pets is a better world for everyone.
Mars Associate Volunteering program involves associates of Mars Petcare participating in various activities like Puppy bathing, Feeding the shelter dogs, mop making, talking dogs for walk, feeding the shelter animals every month. Today, they also cleaned up the puppy and kitten adoption centre at BCH. Associates also volunteer at community schools around the Mars pet food factory in Siddipet through various activities ranging from painting schools, providing school notebooks/uniforms and through sessions on sustainability and sensitization towards pets.
Speaking about the volunteering program, Salil Murthy, Managing Director, Petcare at MARS International India Ltd said, “It is always a rewarding experience taking part in the volunteering activity at Blue Cross of Hyderabad. There are a lot of wonderful pets in shelters who really just want to be loved, and it is gratifying to contribute to pets and the larger pet welfare ecosystem. We have a two-decade old partnership with Blue Cross of Hyderabad and it is significant in our efforts towards making a lasting impact on the lives of animals. In addition to stray feeding, Indie adoptions and upgrading adoption centres at few shelters, the volunteering initiative is one of the ways through which Mars associates live their purpose. We continuously support our associates tap into their passions and ideas to make a difference to the lives of pets in the community”.
Mars Petcare partners with more than 30 shelters across the country to provide them with capacity building, facility upgrades, free/discounted pet food and to promote adoptions. There are active partnerships with governments in pet welfare activities and a significant contribution to the socio-economic progress of Telangana through the pet food factory, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, providing employment to local communities, supporting schools and sustainable sourcing from farmers.
In April 2022, Mars Petcare had adopted an Indie dog from the Blue Cross of Hyderabad, Maya, who was an adult, healthy and playful female despite the physical challenge of a deformed front right leg. Maya was welcomed to the MARS Petcare office at Hyderabad, and joined Milo, a Beagle, who was adopted few years earlier, and brings tremendous energy to all associates each time they step into the office. Through partnerships with shelters under the Pedigree adoption campaign, Mars Petcare had facilitated almost 1200 stray puppy/dog adoptions across the country, and will continue this program to find loving and welcoming homes to more pets from shelters.
Globally, Mars Petcare has been championing a Better World for Pets, which includes creating pet-friendly cities. Better Cities for Pets stems from the increasing need for cities to evolve so that pets and pet owners can enjoy pet friendly spaces, offices, healthcare infrastructure and lower human-animal conflict. This also includes welfare of street pets and a strengthened foster care and shelter environment. With more progressive policies in place, organisations can create pet-friendly setups. Pets at work can boost morale, help build a sense of community and get us up for regular play breaks – all things that are good for health. Mars Petcare has an entire how-to toolkit for pet friendly offices available on its website that companies can use for best practices. https://www.bettercitiesforpets.com/
