Pet lovers all have something in common – they enjoy spending time with pets, and they want to help those pets who may be less fortunate. On Oct. 1, 2011, at Purina Farms, dog and cat lovers had the opportunity to do both at the first-ever Purina Pet Project Event. Attendees found more than 30 different ways to give back to local homeless pets from constructing items for shelters to meeting adoptable pets to playing games and activities designed to spread the message about responsible pet care.

“Purina was overwhelmed with the turnout and enthusiasm of the people that came to participate in the Purina Pet Project Event," said Kristin Stapleton who helped coordinate the event. "Volunteers were lined up and ready to work 30 minutes before the event started.  More than 30 animal welfare organizations in the St. Louis area benefited from the event. This was a great day for local needy pets!”

The 2,800 participants accomplished a lot during the inaugural event. Here's a rundown of exactly what volunteers did during the event.
• 15 dog houses were decorated.
• 200 Kuranda dog beds were assembled.
• 40 cat towers were constructed.
• 220 pet blankets were made.
• 600 pet bowls and 550 bandanas were decorated.
• Through raffle tickets and games for participating animal welfare groups, participants raised $2,000.
• 20 pets were adopted.
• 12 huge bins were filled with donated supplies for the shelters and rescue groups.
• 27 volunteers were recruited for the Five Acres Animal Shelter makeover taking place a week later.

Each year, more than 50,000 dogs and cats enter St. Louis area public and private shelters, and outside of adopting a pet, many pet lovers are unaware of all the different ways they can make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Sometimes it's as little as interacting with homeless pets and helping them socialize to make them more adoptable. Other times, it could be a financial donation that helps an animal welfare organization cover the veterinary care for their animals. The Purina Pet Project event is a day dedicated to giving back to the animals that give us so much in return. It's a day for pet lovers of all ages to come out and participate in whatever way they feel comfortable. Join Purina Farms for the next Purina Pet Project Event, scheduled for Oct. 6, 2012.

Located on more than 300 acres of rolling hills, Purina Farms offers animal lovers of all ages an opportunity to get up close and personal with barnyard animals and everyday pets such as dogs and cats. Purina Farms features the Visitor's Center where kids can play in the hayloft, milk a cow, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride and watch exciting canine performances of flying disc and diving dog.

Purina Farms is open seasonally mid-March through mid-November but is closed all major holidays. Reservations are required. Call 314-982-3232 or 888-688-PETS (7387).

Recently, the Purina Event Center, a state-of-the-art indoor facility designed to host a variety of canine activities from conformation shows to performance events like obedience, agility and flyball, opened on the Purina Farms property, giving visitors a chance to see some of the most prestigious dog shows in the country year-round.

 "In the Sproutlight"  is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

See what's happening at the Farms!  Visit the Purina Farms Sproutlight Page

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