Original Pet Food Company partners with PAWS/LA to help needy families and their pets during the holidays

Hundreds of dogs and cats living with needy families will get an early holiday present at a special Holiday Pet Pantry in downtown Los Angeles at PAWS/LA. Thanks to a generous donation from Los Angeles-based Original Pet Food Company, 500 low-income pet owners will receive a free month's supply of organic dog and cat food ensuring their animals will have healthy, nutritious meals throughout the holidays.

"While many people in Los Angeles struggle to keep their pets fed all year long, the need is even more acute during the holidays," said Pamela Magette, executive director of PAWS/LA which provides services to assist low-income seniors and people disabled by a life-threatening illness keep and care for their pets. "In fact, LA shelters see a December surge in pets abandoned during the tightest cash flow month of the year. Original Pet Food Company stepped up just in time for us to be able to help more people and pets during this critical period."

"Recognizing that most people think of their pets as family, we understand how heartbreaking it is when they cannot adequately provide for their animals," said Melissa McGinnis, founder of Original Pet Food Company, which recently introduced the first line of pet meals made from organic, grass-fed beef. "Original Pet Food Company feels fortunate that we can play the role of Santa Paws to dogs and cats that might otherwise go hungry during the holidays."

PAWS/LA will open its doors at 1150 S. Hope Street, LA at 9 a.m. for the Holiday Pet Pantry to begin handing out cases of Original Pet Food Company product. Adding to the festive spirit, Santa Paws and his elves will be on hand to greet people and pets. The Holiday Pet Pantry will be open until 3 p.m., or until supplies last.

ABOUT PAWS/LA:

PAWS/LA (www.pawsla.org) is dedicated to preserving the loving bond between people and their companion animals. It provides services to assist low-income seniors and people disabled by a life-threatening illness keep and care for their pets. Founded in 1989, PAWS/LA currently serves more than 1,700 disenfranchised animal guardians and their 2,000+ companion animals.

ABOUT ORIGINAL PET FOOD COMPANY

Based in Los Angeles, California, Original Pet Food Company (www.originalpetfood.com) manufactures the first line of dog and cat foods made from organic, grass-fed beef. Other varieties include chicken and fish that are also free of artificial hormones and fillers. Original Pet Food Company products are sold at specialty retailers in California and Nevada and online at www.gotpetfood.com.