Small is safe: Ford Fiesta earns Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first mini-car to earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the introduction of a new roof strength test. The award applies to vehicles built after July 2010. The Fiesta is the eighth Ford Motor Company vehicle to earn the Institute’s top designation – breaking a tie with Toyota for the most Top Safety Picks of any automaker. Fiesta’s extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture® and advanced airbag technologies helped the car perform well in IIHS testing.  more...

Wes Sherwood |  wsherwoo@ford.com |  313.248.2335

Surprise shipment lands at Ford plant, finds new home at Detroit Zoo

A rare reptile, believed to be a stowaway in a shipment of auto parts from Mexico, has found its way to a new home at the Detroit Zoo. The Yucatan Spiny-tailed Iguana was spotted scurrying across the loading dock at Ford's Van Dyke Transmission Plant on July 29, and will now live at the Detroit Zoo. The reptile can only be found in a 1,200-square-mile range of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  more...

Marcey Evans |  mevans13@ford.com |  313.322.9211

Accelerating electric vehicle battery testing with wireless monitoring

Ford is leveraging the Internet and wireless technology to accelerate testing and refinement of advanced lithium-ion battery systems that will power its upcoming plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Ford's rapid progress is enabled by two monitoring methods that allow engineers to collect real-time performance data from batteries in the lab and on vehicles in the field via the Internet, and wirelessly update system software to improve capability and durability. These proprietary methods significantly reduce test-fleet downtime and have allowed Ford to more than double its battery lab-testing capability.  more...

Jennifer Moore |  jmoor186@ford.com |  313.248.2335

Unexpected head-turner does the Woodward cruise

Among the tens of thousands of spiffed-up new and classic cars cruising Woodward Avenue last weekend was a rather unusual vehicle that was attracting a lot of attention. A Mustang? A vintage T-Bird, perhaps? No, it was a Ford Transit Connect. That's right. Dream cruising Woodward was Marygrove Awnings' Transit Connect, wrapped from front to back with the company's distinctive logo and sporting colorful, striped roof-mounted awnings that projected out on each side. Quite the head-turner, Marygrove's vehicle demonstrates just how far a little creativity can go with Ford's versatile compact van.  more...

Anne Marie Gattari |  agattari@ford.com |  313.323.7809

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

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Throughout September, pet parents can visit any of PETCO's more than 1000 locations to help PETCO and Natural Balance Pet Foods achieve their goal to raise $1M for guide dog organizations across the country.  Customers may contribute at the register by either rounding up their purchase amount or making a donation of $1, $5, $10 or $20.  In addition, $1 of any $25 purchase or greater of bags of Natural Balance dog food featuring Nicolette Sheridan's photo will also go to funding guide dog training and support.  Donations may also be made online at www.petco.com/naturalbalance through September 24.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030603/PETCOLOGO)

"I've always loved dogs, and supporting National Guide Dog Month is a special way to celebrate the unique bond between dogs and their owners," said Nicollette Sheridan. "Together, we can help make a difference for this important cause."

"The  facts around legal blindness are compelling; every seven minutes someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired, additionally recent statistics show that thirteen percent of our military return from war with eye injuries," said Elisabeth Charles, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for PETCO. "Guide dogs are given to the visually impaired for free, yet it costs over $40,000 to train a guide dog team. PETCO is very proud to support the education of guide dogs. These animals are a gift of independence for someone who cannot see."

For more than two years, a potential guide dog puppy learns, practices and trains for the day when it graduates as a certified guide dog.  A puppy is raised with a trainer for 18-20 months before it is given to a guide dog school for four to six months of formal training work with a harness.  For the last month, the dog is matched with a blind person and they train together at the facility.

100% of proceeds from these National Guide Dog Month fundraising activities will be donated to several participating guide dog facilities, including:

• Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. (Oregon)
• Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. (California)
• Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
• Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
• Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
• The Seeing Eye, Inc.
• Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
• Guide Dogs of the Desert
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
• Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc.
• Leader Dogs for the Blind  

About PETCO

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $55 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.  

About Natural Balance Pet Foods:

Since 1989, Dick Van Patten and his partner Joey Herrick have been supplying the public with premium quality dog and cat foods.  Today Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc has grown into an international company providing pet foods throughout the United States, Canada, The Pacific Rim and Europe.  The Natural Balance ultra premium line of pet foods for dog and cats, includes: Ultra Premium Dry and Canned Dog and Cat food, Dog Food Rolls in 3 varieties: Lamb, Beef and Turkey, Treats for Dogs, Organic Dog Food, Allergy Formulas, Eatables for dogs, gourmet canned dog foods made in a USDA approved plant that makes food for people, and Zoological Formulas made for lions, tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, snakes and carnivorous birds.  Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, CA and is available at PETCO and local independent pet stores. More information is available at www.naturalbalance.net. 

SOURCE PETCO

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Kathleen Kalaf had two adorable cats, Simba and Asha, and they mysteriously disappeared, on different days about a week apart. While searching for her cats, she learned of some undercover operations that are currently underway in her small local beach town. Kalaf did the routine checking with the SPCA, humane society, police department and animal control with no success, but it wasn't until she connected with local pet lovers that she found out what was really going on in Sea Bright.

Kalaf said that this is a "hush-hush" operation. "Sea Bright has a serious abundance of feral cats," said Kalaf, "and some local residents are now destroying the animals themselves, and leaving poison out to kill local cats." Kalaf said that several area residents have reported this to her since learning about her loss. Hundreds of cats have reportedly disappeared or been killed by locals.

It has also been reported that in Sea Bright, at times, it seems like the number of wild cats rivals the number of residents (http://www.redbankgreen.com/2010/05/sea-brights-crackin-down-on-cats.html). According to Councilwoman Dina Long, the town has been working on Sea Bright's feral cat problem and has a grant approved to work with the SPCA on a catch, neuter and release program. However, progress has been stalled due to an objection by the Fish and Wildlife Committee, which is concerned about protecting the Piping Plover on the beach. Local officials stalled the program when the Committee said that the SPCA program would be violating an endangered species law, and possibly fined for civil and criminal penalties.

Furthermore, the Committee wants the cats relocated to a sanctuary as they are too close to the Piping Plovers. Local officials said that the federal government wants all roaming cats off the streets, beaches and waterfronts, and there are to be no roaming cats within two miles of any protected species. Local officials are seeking assistance from senators and the Department of Environmental Protection.  

"In the meantime, residents have been taking the matter into their own hands. Some pet lover residents are trapping, neutering and releasing the cats back into their environment in Sea Bright, and paying for the neutering themselves, in an attempt to control the population," said Kalaf, in whom several residents have been confiding. "They are operating out of kindness. Many of these individuals are very stressed at what they are seeing from other residents, who are operating out of cruelty."

Kalaf, who is still in grief over the loss of her cats, said the situation is completely out of control. "Local residents were sharing their stories with me but were afraid to come forward, as threats have been made against them." Cat opponents have also been reported to be illegally transporting cats to a wildlife preserve in Colts Neck, NJ and to Earle Naval Base.

Laurie Garrison, SPCA Executive Director, has been involved with local officials on the grant program, and local officials said that she was hoping to avoid the present situation. Local officials even held a meeting between cat advocates and opponents in Sea Bright, but the issues remain unresolved.

Kalaf continues to conduct her own investigation into the "cat holocaust" in Sea Bright -- and warns others to guard their pets. Aside from the feral cat problem, Kalaf said that at this time no measures have been taken to protect local pet owner interests from those performing the holocaust. Kalaf encourages local residents to keep close tabs on their pets, and keep them inside, and to report any evidence of animal cruelty to local police immediately. She is offering a small reward for any information about the whereabouts of her pets, dead or alive.  

For photos and more information, visit http://www.thecatholocaust.com, email thecatholocaust@live.com or contact Kalaf at 732-933-3827.

Kalaf has been a resident of Sea Bright for ten years, and is the founder of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Atlantic Journey To Wellness, Inc. (http://www.atlanticjourney.org) and the owner of Hopes Avenue, LLC (http://www.hopesavenue.com).

http://hub.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-06/Front_Page/Sea_Bright_MCSPCA_team_up_for_feral_cat_control.html

http://www.redbankgreen.com/2010/05/sea-brights-crackin-down-on-cats.html

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Kathleen Kalaf

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission is calling for nominations of citizens willing to participate in one of four Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs) to help gather input related to the deer management goal of reducing deer-human conflict in three Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in 2011.

Those WMUs identified for next year are: WMU 2D, which consists of areas in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Venango, Indiana and Westmoreland counties; WMU 2F, which consists of areas in Forest, Warren, Elk, McKean, Jefferson, Clarion and Venango counties; WMU 2G, which consists of areas in Clinton, Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, McKean, Cameron, Elk, Clearfield and Centre counties; and WMU 3C, which consist of areas in Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming and Lackawanna counties.

All nominations will be compiled and presented to the Commonwealth's Office of Strategic Services, who will interview potential candidates, make the final selections of participants and facilitate the meetings.  The Game Commission does not participate in the selection process, and there is no guarantee that any nominee will be selected or even contacted for an interview.

"Citizens will serve as representatives of specific stakeholder groups and work with other stakeholders to provide a deer population recommendation for each WMU," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "CAC recommendations then will be considered by Game Commission personnel – along with indicators of deer health, forest habitat health and deer population trends – when making deer management recommendations to the Board of Game Commissioners.

"We are looking for nominees that are fair and open-minded; have good interpersonal skills; are not holding office in organizations related to the stakeholder group they are seeking to represent; and are willing to collect input from members of the stakeholder group they represent outside of formal Citizen Advisory Committee meetings."  

Roe noted that the Board of Commissioners retains the authority to make final deer management decisions.

"The purpose of the CACs is to gather input related to the deer management goal of reducing deer-human conflict," Roe said.  

The objectives of CACs include providing an opportunity for the Game Commission to understand stakeholder values regarding deer management; an opportunity for stakeholders to interact with one another; an opportunity for stakeholders to have direct input concerning deer population goals that ultimately affect all Pennsylvanians; and an opportunity for the Game Commission to inform stakeholders on the mission of the Game Commission, complexities of deer management, and the importance of proper management.

Stakeholder groups needing representation in all CACs, except where noted, are: sportsmen-resident; sportsmen-nonresident; forest industry; rural non-farm landowner; homeowners in developed areas; highway safety agent; public land owner; conservationist; and agriculture.

CAC Nomination Form can be downloaded from the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "White-Tailed Deer" on the homepage, and then choose "Citizens Advisory Committee." Individuals also may contact the Game Commission by phone at 717-787-5529 to obtain a CAC Nomination Form, which should be returned to the address provided on the form.  

Nominees must live in the WMU in which they apply and must complete a CAC Nomination Form to be considered.  All nominations must be received by Sept. 15.

For further information, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) click on "White-Tailed Deer," and then choose "Citizens Advisory Committee," where additional information can be found, including detailed reports from previous CACs held in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: PGCNews@state.pa.us

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

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From bringing dogs to yoga class to performing acupressure on cats or feeding a natural diet rich with functional ingredients, research shows more people than ever before are now incorporating holistic techniques when caring for their pets. In celebration of National Holistic Pet Day on August 30th, Holistic Select® staff veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend shares his advice to help pet parents take a more holistic approach to the care of their dogs and cats.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100826/NE55559 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100826/NE55559 )

Dr. Townshend says the easiest way to do this is to feed your pet meaningfully with a food that goes beyond natural, and includes ingredients that activate a higher level of health for the animal. As Hippocrates once said, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal your patient with food."

Dr. Townshend looks for functional foods and ingredients like the ones found in Holistic Select Pet Food. Holistic Select also includes Select Actives® - Nature's Power Ingredients. This combination of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients provide superior nutritional benefits to enhance the whole body health of pets. And pet lovers can see the benefits that come from feeding their pets holistically in their shiny coats, bright eyes, increased energy levels and fewer adverse reactions to food. "A proper holistic diet can be a preventative step to ensure long term health," says Dr. Townshend.

Second, but equally as critical to achieving balance is exercise - anything from doga, (yoga with your dog), to hiking, swimming, or a game of hide and seek with your furry friend. And while it doesn't have to be overly strenuous in order to be beneficial to their well-being, regular exercise is a must. "Obesity remains a top concern for vets because it causes so many long term issues like diabetes, heart, hip and joint problems," he says. "Holistic Select Weight Management Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe for dogs is based on the latest science that goes beyond just cutting fat and calories. Choosing a holistic diet that is nutritionally balanced, feeding the proper amount of that food, and encouraging increased activity levels, will help the pounds come off."

Other modalities are crossing over too, like massage, acupressure and meditation to achieve peace, serenity and mindfulness. And science has proven what pet owners have always known to be true ... pets make us feel better. The simple act of petting a dog or cat has numerous health benefits for humans including lowering of our heart rates, blood pressure and reducing stress. And our furry friends benefit just as much from touch. Spending time together on a regular basis gives pets something to look forward to and strengthens their connection with you as well.

So on National Holistic Pet Day, nurture your pet by making the holistic approach a part of their care. Share a new bonding experience or exercise together to achieve balance. But most importantly, take the time to evaluate what your dog or cat is eating and consider a holistic diet to achieve a higher level of health for your pet.

Holistic Select Pet Food is available nationwide in independent pet specialty stores. To find an authorized Holistic Select retailer, please visit http://www.holisticselect.com/.

Holistic Select® – Activate A Higher Level Of Health For Your Pet

Holistic Select, a proud member of the WellPet® family of brands, is a line of food and snacks for dogs and cats that goes beyond natural with the power to positively impact a pet's health. Holistic Select is built on a foundation of premium proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and is filled with a unique set of Select Actives® known as "Nature's Power Ingredients". This complementary blend of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients provides superior nutritional benefits and enhances the whole body health of pets. Holistic Select food and snacks have no added artificial colors, flavors or synthetic preservatives. Holistic Select is sold in pet specialty stores across North America. Visit: http://www.holisticselect.com/ to learn more. Find Holistic Select on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/holisticselectpetfood and Twitter at http://twitter.com/holisticselect.

SOURCE Holistic Select

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