San Diego, Calif. (Oct 28, 2004) - Imagine a puppy's paw print in the snow ... a kitten climbing into a holiday stocking ... an orphaned cocker spaniel comfortably resting at the feet of his new best friend ... or an older tabby rediscovering the warmth of a spot near the fireplace.
Creating more than 300,000 memorable snapshots and lifelong relationships is the goal of this year's "Have a Heart: Home 4 the Holidays" campaign.


Helen Woodward Animal Center will team with more than 1,300 shelters across the country, actress and animal lover Diane Keaton and the Iams Company to encourage prospective pet parents nationwide to bring a pet home for the holidays. This year's adoption drive takes place from November 8, 2004, through January 2, 2005.

"When I first got involved in Home 4 the Holidays in 2001, we had a simple and sincere focus -- to save the lives of dogs and cats," says campaign spokeswoman Keaton. "It's remarkable and rewarding to realize this is now the most successful pet adoption drive in history, but our focus remains the same and there is plenty of work remaining."

During this year's Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive, the Iams Company will make a financial donation of $100,000 to participating adoption centers. In addition, each new adopting family will receive an Iams starter kit containing food samples, coupons and important tips on pet care, behavior, training, nutrition, and an offer from Veterinary Pet Insurance for one month free coverage with the purchase of a one-year policy.

As a new addition, this year, each kit will contain the Have a Hart Pledge and sweepstakes offer.

"The Iams Company is proud to be a part of this campaign that's saving pets' lives," says Kelly Vanasse from the Iams Company. "And we want to make sure every new pet gets a great start with a healthy heart. New pet parents who review our heart healthy tips and sign the pledge will have a chance to win a lifetime supply of Iams pet food."

Helen Woodward Center originated the Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive back in 1999 with 14 animal shelters in San Diego County.

"More people bring pets into their homes during the holiday season than any other time of the year, and we want people to adopt orphaned pets instead of buying them from the pet store," says Mike Arms, president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "There are so many wonderful pets in shelters throughout the world waiting for loving homes. We work hard with all shelters to ensure we're making the right matches between families and pets because we want these to be lifelong friendships."

Prospective pet parents can learn more about the "Have a Heart: Home 4 the Holidays" adoption drive by calling 1-800-566-5038 or visiting www.home4theholidays.com or www.iams.com.

About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where "people help animals and animals help people." Founded in 1971 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 50,000 people and 15,000 animal annually. Helen Woodward Animal Center also is creator of the international "Home4 the Holidays" pet adoption drive and the "Animal Shelter University" program.

About the Iams Company
For more than 50 years, The Iams Company has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba and Iams Dog & Cat Foods, the Eukanuba Veterinary Diets line of canine and feline prescription diets or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at (800) 863-4267 or visit www.iams.com.