New York Stock Exchange Goes to the Dogs to Support Animal Causes

MASON, Ohio - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Shelter and service dogs teamed up today to open and close the New York Stock Exchange raising awareness for pet adoption, service animals across the nation and celebrating the unconditional love between people and pets. Representatives from Procter & Gamble's (P&G) two leading pet care brands, Iams and Eukanuba, joined partners Helen Woodward Animal Center (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.), New York City's Bideawee and Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) to ring the opening and closing bells.

Yvette Arrington takes a break after trading today to consider adopting an orphaned dog from Bideawee, a leading animal welfare organization, who lent a paw to help ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 in New York. The campaign began Oct. 1, 2012 and runs through Jan. 2, 2013.

Iams rang the closing bell in honor of Iams Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world's largest pet adoption drives. The campaign, in its 14th year, began Oct. 1, 2012 and runs through Jan. 2, 2013 and is a partnership between Iams and Helen Woodward Animal Center to give more orphaned pets a fresh start through adoption and nutrition to keep their bodies as strong as their love.

"We founded Iams Home 4 the Holidays to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption," said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "Coming to the New York Stock Exchange to ring the bell is an honor and another great way to remind people who are considering a new 4-legged family member about some of the amazing pets waiting for their second chance at love."