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| Animal advocate Dick Van Patten poses with a faux tiger. |
Pet food developer and animal advocate Dick Van Patten will be honored with the 301st star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which will be unveiled Jan. 12.
Van Patten and his business partner launched Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989. The company has since grown into a major player in the pet food industry, supplying cat and dog food throughout the United States as well as several foreign countries. The company also manufactures a line of food for zoo animals, including big cats.
Van Patten is also known for his charitable work supporting animals. He sponsors arson investigation dogs working with department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and he’s teamed up with Petco to raise money for Guide Dogs of the Desert in Southern California.
“His commitment to animals is evident by the support Natural Balance provides for the many animal shelters and service dog organizations across the country,” said Rick Rockhill, Petco spokesman.
Van Patten’s show business career includes Broadway plays, dozens of feature films and several television series that includes one of his best-known roles as Tom Bradford in “Eight is Enough.”