Canine Partners, our corporate charity, helps people with disabilities to enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life, by partnering them with highly trained assistance dogs. Caring for these dogs not only enriches lives in a practical way, but also provides physical, psychological and social benefits for their disabled owners. Their value shows in the difference the dogs make to their human partners - and the very special relationships they share.

The charity receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public and corporate donations and legacies.

Purina is proud to be involved with the work of Canine Partners. All puppies in training are fed on Purina Pro Plan, we support a range of fund raising initiatives, including the Bluebell Walks campaign and also sponsor Partners magazine.

Cats Protection is the UK's largest feline welfare organisation, rehoming over 60,000 cats and kittens every year through its network of 261 voluntary-run Branches and 29 Adoption Centres. Dedicated to prevention as well as cure, Cats Protection works actively to reduce the numbers of homeless and stray cats, promoting neutering and all aspects of responsible pet ownership.

Purina is proud to support the work of Cats Protection. Each year we supply a wide range of Purina cat foods to 16 Adoption Centres, helping to ensure a healthy, well-balanced diet for cats and kittens in Cats Protection's care. Purina has also supported a variety of awareness and fund raising initiatives, and currently provides free starter packs for every owner rehoming a cat from Cats Protection's National Cat Centre and the 15 further Adoption Centres.

For over 160 years the Dublin SPCA has been working to end the unnecessary suffering of animals in Dublin city and county. Ireland's oldest and largest animal welfare organisation, the DSPCA successfully rescues and rehomes over 2,500 domestic pets each year.

When animals first come to the DSPCA, many are suffering from neglect. A good, balanced diet is an important first step to recovery. Purina supports the DSPCA by supplying all the cat and dog food used in their Dublin adoption centre. We also provide every new owner with a Purina goody bag and adoption guide, to help make the move to a new home as comfortable as possible.

The Feline Advisory Bureau promotes the health and welfare of cats by advancing standards of veterinary practice and the levels of care provided by owners, breeders and catteries. By gathering information and funding veterinary surgeons to specialise in the care of cats, FAB has had a major influence on improvements in veterinary diagnosis and treatment and in the welfare of cats in boarding and quarantine catteries.

Purina has supported The Feline Advisory Bureau by sponsoring owner and professional research and reports in best veterinary and boarding practice, including the FAB Boarding Cattery Manual, a comprehensive guide to setting up and running a successful high quality boarding cattery.

Many of us are largely unaware of the vital role that dogs now play in protecting the UK public. Over 3000 professional dogs perform a range of public services, from drugs and explosives detection to forensic investigation, missing person searches and life saving.

The Pro Plan Protection Team is a nationwide group dedicated to raising awareness of the important work of these dogs. Comprised of both service dog handlers and civilian volunteers, the team brings together representatives from various police forces and The Association of Fire Investigation Dog Handlers and the Lifeguard service.

Bilbo, the canine lifeguard, the Protection Team's latest member, is a typical example of the team's work. Bilbo, a New Foundland, patrols the busy Sennen Cove Beach in Cornwall with owner and Head Lifeguard Steve Jameson, for Penwith District Council. Veterans of numerous successful rescues, Bilbo and Steve also work with local schools in the quieter winter months to promote beach safety.

Naturally diet is crucial to keeping these dogs in peak condition. All Protection Team dogs are fed Purina Pro Plan.

The role of working dogs in prisons is vital to the security and safety of both staff and prisoners. Set up in 1967, dogs from the Prison Dog Section are on patrol around UK prisons 24-hours a day, and are also involved in search operations for missing prisoners and illegal items.

The German Shepherd is the breed of choice for patrolling, with initial training lasting eight weeks for both dog and handler. Search dogs include Labradors, English Springer Spaniels, Collies and Pointers. Their initial training lasts between four and six weeks depending on whether the dog is a passive search dog, or an arms and explosive search dog. Dogs are trained at the National Dog Training Centre near Doncaster, at some of the larger UK prisons themselves, or by accredited providers such as the Police Dog Training Schools.

Purina products are fed widely throughout the Prison Service.