The door opens, and they wait to enrich our lives with their unconditional love. Our pets are good for both our mental and physical health, and all they ask for in return is care and safety. However, in Romania, hundreds of thousands of pets live on the streets or in shelters, abandoned, waiting for a better future. On the third Saturday of August, International Homeless Animal Day, Mars presents three ways to support animal shelters and help stray animals. Because every pet deserves a better world.
Almost 9 million dogs and cats live in Romania, but there are also hundreds of thousands of stray animals that need a loving and safe home. Mars, which makes popular pet food brands such as Pedigree and Whiskas, is calling for a collective mobilization on International Homeless Animals Day. The company constantly strives to create a better world for pets, especially by supporting shelters and promoting adoptions and responsible pet ownership. So the company has put together a list of ways anyone can help improve the lives of homeless animals and increase their chances of finding a loving home.
Adopt, but do it responsibly
Every pet deserves a safe and loving home. Adoption can change many lives at once by reducing the pressure on shelters, allowing even more animals to be saved. There are many reasons to adopt, such as the fact that shelter animals have already undergone basic health checks and vaccinations, so as a new owner you can be sure that you will find a healthy animal or know exactly what are his special needs. The staff also know the animals they care for well, so they can help you choose the animal that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
We must keep in mind that adoption should be a responsible decision, whereby we assume the annual vaccination, possible medical care, ideal food, sufficient and appropriate exercise and play for the breed, as well as the stability of a safe home. The most important thing is to choose an animal that suits our lifestyle, pace and circumstances, so that we can give it the right environment and care. And with stray cats and dogs you can develop a special relationship, because they return the care with a lot of love and gratitude.
Mars encourages its Associates to adopt through its internal adoption program. The company provides all Associates who adopt a dog or cat with an annual supply of pet food, and its offices pet friendly helps maintain a close and balanced relationship between Associates and their four-legged friends.
“When my parents found an abandoned kitten last winter, I didn’t think it would end up with me, especially since I already had two at home.” – says Mădălina, Associate Mars, about Minnie, a kitten that her parents’ cat did not accept. “On the other hand, she hit it off right away with my kitten and I bonded with her very quickly. I also knew about Mars’ internal adoption program, and I was surprised how easy it was to apply. And Minnie is still very excited about the packets of Whiskas he gets every day.”
Help abandoned animals through donations
Shelters work tirelessly to help stray pets and anyone can support their work. Monetary donations can help provide food, medical care and other basic needs for the animals, as well as the maintenance and improvement of the shelter. In addition to financial support, material donations such as blankets, toys, food and cleaning products are also very helpful. Mars has been supporting shelters for domestic animals with product donations for years, so this year more than 10,000 kg of pet food has been delivered to shelters in Romania.
Volunteer at an animal shelter
In addition to financial and material support, each of us can give our time and energy to help shelters. Volunteering allows us to participate in the daily care, walking and socialization of the animals, which makes their daily lives happier. Plus, by interacting with animals, we might even find a pet to develop a special bond with and eventually adopt.
And because animal shelters are often under-resourced, the help of volunteers is essential to their operation. Find a shelter near you and ask about volunteer opportunities!
“At Mars, we’re committed to creating a better world for pets, and our continued support of animal shelters and the promotion of responsible adoption are critical to achieving that goal. Through our initiatives, we aim to contribute to animal welfare and mobilize as many people as possible to join our cause. We believe that through joint efforts and sustained commitment, we can help build a better future for pets.” – said Ilie Găgeatu, Director General of Mars Romania.
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MARS IN ROMANIA AND CENTRAL EUROPE
Mars entered the Romanian market in 1994. Since 2016, the company has operated on the Romanian market under the umbrella of Mars Multisales Central Europe, which includes the markets of Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. With over 400 employees (called Associates), the Central European organization currently operates in two categories: Confectionery (Chocolate, Gum & Candies) and Pet Food. In addition, Mars operates two of its largest plants in these segments in the region, including a plant in Csongrád-Bokros Hungary, which produces dry food and pet treats, and also a production facility for confectionery (non-chocolate ) which also includes the confectionery development center in Poříčí nad Sázavou in the Czech Republic.
ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. A global family business, Mars transforms, innovates and evolves to positively impact the world. With over 140,000 dedicated Associates, Mars has a diverse, ever-growing portfolio that includes quality confections, food and services, and pet food. With annual sales of approximately $45 billion, the company produces some of the world’s most beloved brands, including Ben’s Original™, CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, KIND NA, M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN ® and WHISKAS®. We also create a better world for pets through our global network of animal hospitals and diagnostic services – including – AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ – that use cutting-edge technology to develop programs innovative in genetic health monitoring and DNA testing.
For more information, visit www.mars.com. You can also find us on Facebook, X (Twitter)Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
