Purina Parent Club Partnership Program & ISCA

Nestle Purina instituted a unique program in 2002 when it began to look 'outside the box' in order to help the future health and well being of our beloved Irish Setters. The Purina Parent Club Partnership is a program that enables national parent breed clubs to earn funding for canine health studies, education and/or rescue work.

To participate in the PPCP, you must be a member of the Purina Pro Club. You also must declare your participation in the program and specify that the Irish Setter Club of America will receive credit as a result of your weight circle redemption.

$378,126 was donated by Purina at the Purina Charity Ball at the International Kennel Club of Chicago Dog Show on February 26, 2005 for fiscal year 2004. This money is divided between participating breed clubs and the AKC Canine Health Foundation. The monies going to the AKC CHF are earmarked for a donor-advised fund that is directed by each national club so that research can be targeted to issues specific to that breed. The other monies are available to the national club for use in education, rescue and/or funding additional research. It is important to note that the AKC CHF will match the funds received by them up to 100% and this greatly increases the opportunity to fund breed-specific research.

The monies available through the PPCP are significant. The ISCA had PPCP earnings of $2,093.15 in 2005. There were 266 ProClub members declared for the Irish Setter and 103 of these submitted weight circles.

For the time period beginning January 1, 2006 through May 31, 2006 the ISCA has 292 ProClub members declared for the Irish Setter and 67 submitting weight circles. Earnings so far are $907.98.

In comparison, using the Labrador Retriever and its parent club, the Labrador Retriever Club as an example; the total amount earned for LRC in 2005 was $60,598.74. From the inception of the program through the end of 2005, the PPCP program as generated a total of $161,826.92 directly aimed at improving the health and well-being of the Labrador Retriever.

ISCA was among the initial clubs to recognize the PPCP as a worthwhile program that would benefit the future of our breed. Please encourage fellow Irish Setter lovers to declare for our breed and turn in those weight circles in order that our wonderful dogs can benefit.

As there are approximately 2 Pro Club members declared for Irish Setters to every one that redeems, there is a great opportunity to increase the amount of monies dedicated to improving our breed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON HOW THE PPCP WORKS AND HOW WILL IT HELP OUR DOGS

Does the Irish Setter Club of America distribute a membership list to the PPCP?
No, all participation in the program is voluntary and each Pro Club member must declare for the breed of their choice. This declaration can be done by current Pro Club members by notifying Pro Club at 1-877-PROCLUB or www.purinaproclub.com.
Will I lose points when I send in my weight circles for redemption to the Purina Pro Club?
No, the donation to the parent club is in addition to the normal Pro Club redemption value.
Do I have to keep up with the credit that is going to my breed club?
No, that record keeping is automatically handled by the Pro Club.
What percentage is being designated for Irish Setters or any other breed club?
Ten per cent of the value of the Pro Club redemption is donated to the designated parent club. For example, for every $100.00 worth of weight circles submitted by a Pro Club member, $10.00 will be donated to the ISCA. This amount is divided evenly between the club and the AKC Canine Health Foundation donor-advised fund.
Can I designate another breed, or change my designation?
Yes, you may change your choice once a year if you choose to do so.
How do I declare my participation?
There are several ways. You may declare either online (www.purinaproclub.com), call 1-877-776-2582 or sign up at a Purina sponsored dog show.
What happens to the portion that goes to the AKC Canine Health Foundation?
Up to 100 percent of the donation will be matched by the Canine Health Foundation if it meets funding guidelines. The Foundation provides research funding for breed-specific health conditions as well as health conditions that affect all breeds. This money goes into a donor-advised fund that is directed by the ISCA to address health issues of the Irish Setter.