Posted: June 5, 2009 3:00 a.m. EDT
 The Purina Pro Plan Rally Across America tour raises pet-adoption awareness nationwide and visits Southern California on Sunday. |
The Purina Pro Plan Rally Across America tour has found homes for over 225,000 animals. In its third annual outing this year, organizers hope to get that much closer to their goal of finding homes for 300,000 pets within five years. During its third stop on the tour, Rally Across American visits the Orange County Super Pet Adoption event that takes place on Sunday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Irvine Animal Care Center at 6443 Oak Canyon Road.
Residents can learn how to get involved in the pet rescue effort from the local organizations and charities at the event. In addition, people will be able to adopt pets from the various rescue groups that will be present. Anyone who adopts a new pet receives an adoption kit as a token of appreciation to help them care for their new four-legged friend. Attendees also will have the opportunity to speak with and watch Purina Pro Plan trainer Melissa Heeter and her rescue dog Viola demonstrate customized training techniques based on different personalities of pets.
“Some potential pet owners hesitate to adopt a rescue pet because they believe they were relinquished due to behavioral problems from past treatment or neglect and may not be a good fit for their home,” Heeter says. “We want to help prospective adopters understand that with just a little training and patience, rescue pets will feel more at ease in their new environment, making for a happy and lasting relationship.”