Mar 31, 2010

2010 Planet Dog Romp-a-thon

Portland, ME – Planet Dog, the socially responsible pet industry leader, has embarked on a national fundraising campaign to raise crucial funds for the training, placement and support of dogs working to help people across the country. The 2010 Planet Dog Romp-a-Thon is a nationwide challenge for retailers and consumers to help Planet Dog sell 20,000 Orbee-Tuff® Glow for Good Balls by the end of the year. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of every Glow for Good Ball is donated to the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), Planet Dog’s non-profit organization, to provide cash grants to canine service organizations.

“We are proud of our support of canine service organizations, but are overwhelmed by the number of exemplary programs asking for our help,” says Kristen Smith, the Executive Director of the Planet Dog Foundation. “We created this fundraising challenge to help educate retailers and consumers about the significant contributions of working dogs in our society and to engage them to help more dogs assist children and adults in need,” adds Smith.

The fundraising campaign is open to all retailers that sell Planet Dog merchandise and there are many rewards being offered for participation. Although the Romp-a-Thon officially kicked off on March 26th at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL, all Glow for Good Balls sold in 2010 will count.

The Romp-a-Thon winner will be determined by a Retailer’s creativity and leadership in Challenge participation, coupled with their increase in the percentage of Glow for Good Ball purchases in relation to overall Planet Dog purchases in 2010. The overall challenge winner will win a custom run of 100 FREE, Orbee-Tuff “2010 Romp-a-Thon Winner Balls” with their logo featured on them. If interested, they will have the option to purchase more. The winner will also be invited to help the Planet Dog Foundation determine the recipient of a year-end grant.

For retailers participating in the challenge, Planet Dog will provide free in-store signage about the 2010 Planet Dog Romp-a-Thon and a “Glow-o-Meter” to help track the progress. Online retail outlets will have access to digital files for online use on websites.

Retailer participation will be promoted throughout all of the company’s communication outlets. The top 3 Glow for Good Ball sales leaders will be featured monthly in the “Hot Shop” section of WOOF, Planet Dog’s popular newsletter that is sent to thousands of dog loving consumers each month, as well in Kibble, their quarterly outreach piece aimed at retailers.

Catherine Frost, past Brand Champion for Planet Dog and founder of Folio Marketing, and fellow Planet Dog “Pack of Philanthropist” member Allen Screen & Digital Printing are donating their time and resources for the design and creation of the Romp-a-Thon signage. “We appreciate the support of our local philanthropic partners,” says Stephanie Volo, Planet Dog’s President. “We are incredibly lucky that they are always willing to help!” adds Volo.

The Glow for Good Ball features the PDF logo on it and is made in the USA from Planet Dog’s award-winning and recyclable Orbee-Tuff material. It features a smooth, round shape and 5 out of 5 chompers on Planet Dog’s chew-o-meter scale. In addition to glowing in the dark, it is also bouncy, buoyant, mint-scented and 100% guaranteed.

“The Glow for Good Ball was inspired by working dogs everywhere,” says Volo. “It was designed to spread the message of the Planet Dog Foundation in the community, and to encourage others to ‘act’ on behalf of these wonderful partners who enhance and save human lives,” adds Volo.

Sit. Speak. Act.
Planet Dog is proud to donate 2% of the purchase of every Planet Dog product to the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) to support canine service programs nationwide. PDF provides cash grants to programs throughout the country that train, place and support dogs who help people in need. Since January 2006, PDF has given away more than a half a million dollars in cash grants and in-kind product donations. For more information and a full list of programs and grantees, please visit www.planetdogfoundation.org.