Rummy named Rally to Rescue winner

Although Rummy could not see the adoring audience outside of the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles, Calif., his tail wagged with excitement and pride. With the help of actress and pet lover Emily Procter (“CSI: Miami,” “West Wing”) Rummy, a two-year-old Siberian Husky, was named the grand prize winner in the Rally to Rescue “Doing More for Pets” Rescue Stories Contest. Rummy was originally found blind, bald, starving and infested with potentially deadly parasites. Today, Rummy not only has a new look - he has a new leash on life, and is taking $5,000 worth of Pro Plan brand pet food back to Husky Haven, the Houston, Texas rescue organization that nursed him back to health.
“I'm thrilled to be a part of this special day and to provide Rummy with the recognition he deserves,” said Emily Procter. “His story is so heart-warming, and I’m in awe of his unwavering spirit and courageous achievements. It is such an honor to help spread the word about all the pet finalists here today, and to acknowledge the amazing people who rescued them.”
Purina® Pro Plan® launched the “Doing More for Pets” Rescue Stories Contest to promote the amazing but often untold stories of pet rescue, and raise awareness about its importance. The contest honored rescued pets, like Rummy, that have overcome great odds to survive and thrive under harrowing circumstances, thanks to the incredible hard work and dedication of small pet rescue organizations across the country. More than 100 rescue stories were submitted and a judging panel selected 10 rescued pets that genuinely touched their hearts. From May through September, pet lovers across the country were invited to vote for the most inspirational rescue story out of the 10 and crown the grand prize winner.
Rummy’s 'tail' would never have been told if it wasn’t for Angie Claussen of Husky Haven, who submitted his rescue story with the hopes of Rummy making the finals and sharing his amazing story with pet lovers everywhere. Claussen, along with Rummy’s proud foster mom, Lisa Goebel, tirelessly campaigned throughout the summer and helped Rummy rack up votes from pet lovers in their home town of Houston, Texas and across the country.
Similar to Rummy’s heroic survival story, many pet rescue stories may seem too unbelievable to be true. Even more astonishing are the miraculous recoveries made by these extraordinary pets from such thoughtless acts of neglect. To read these incredible pet rescue stories visit www.rallytorescue.org.

Ambassadors to the Rescue
The program is an extension of the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue nationwide. The honored pets could not have survived without the passion and commitment of the selfless pet rescue workers known as Rally to Rescue Ambassadors. These tireless individuals work to ensure the safety and well-being of homeless dogs and cats. Thanks to the efforts of these organizations, each year thousands of dogs and cats are rescued, brought back to health and placed in loving homes. Rally to Rescue helps nearly 500 rescue organizations across the country give homeless pets the nutrition and care they need and the forever homes they deserve.
"Rummy's story is absolutely incredible and pet lovers across America felt the same way," said Ken Wilhelm, director of Pro Plan Rally to Rescue. "However, each one of these special pets overcame tremendous hardships and now live happy and healthy lives, which is why we've honored them all here today. These stories are made possible by the selfless and dedicated work of Rally to Rescue Ambassadors, whose passion and love make a difference in the lives of homeless pets everyday."

About Rally to Rescue
“Doing More for Pets” is part of Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign, which launched in April 2005 and is working to identify up to 500 pet rescue organizations to serve as Ambassadors. The campaign supplies “Doing More for Pets” t-shirts and collar and wristband sets to Rally to Rescue Ambassadors nationwide to distribute in support of their rescue efforts. Each t-shirt costs $15 and the collars and wristbands are $5 per set. In addition to being sold by local organizations, the t-shirts and the collar and wristband sets are also available for purchase online at www.rallytorescue.org. All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts and collars and wristbands by rescue organizations benefit participating Ambassadors. Proceeds from online sales help Rally to Rescue benefit participating rescue organizations. Rally to Rescue is not a 501(c)(3) organization.
To learn more about the Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign or to purchase a “Doing More for Pets” t-shirt or collar and wristband set, go to http://www.rallytorescue.org.
Pet finalists, along with their owners, flew to the “Doing More for Pets” Recognition Ceremony aboard Midwest Airlines as members of the airline’s Premier Pet Program. Launched in 2005, the program is an industry leader for providing special services to pets and is pleased to lend its support to the Rally to Rescue campaign. As the grand prize winner in the Rescue Stories Contest, Rummy and his foster guardian will receive roundtrip transportation for two people and one pet to anywhere Midwest Airlines flies. For more information about Midwest Airlines and its Premier Pet Program, visit www.midwestairlines.com.
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world's largest food company.