Staff report
WENTWORTH – On a recent day at the Rockingham County Animal Shelter, employees at Eden’s Purina pet food manufacturing plant took the time to volunteer for a series of tasks with creatures four-legged and two-legged.
Some socialized kittens and walked dogs awaiting adoption, while others built a chicken coop and cleaned kennels as part of the company’s initiative, PetCare Pride Day, on May 25.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual effort which sees Nestlé/Purina send staff to volunteer locally at the company-wide community service event.
Earlier this year, Purina donated more than 3,700 pounds of dry dog food, wet cat food and cat litter to feed animals cared for in the area by RCAS. The donation came months after Purina announced plans to revitalize the former Miller Brewery in Eden, transforming it into an innovative and technically advanced pet food manufacturing facility, slated to open in 2022.
Plans call for Purina to invest $450 million to renovate the existing structure and produce leading dry dog and cat food brands, including Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. By 2024, Purina plans to employ over 300 people in Rockingham County.
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RCAS began operations in 2011 and has seen heavy traffic and demand for services to house and place adoptable animals in the years since. While much of its operating costs are covered by the county’s annual budget, the shelter relies heavily on community support and donations to care for more than 5,000 animals each year.
