Whole Foods Market Selects Big Cat Rescue For Donate Your Dime Program

TAMPA, Fla. – January 29, 2011 – Whole Foods Market in Tampa has selected Big Cat Rescue as the non-profit recipient of the grocer’s Donate Your Dime program beginning in January. Located in Tampa, Big Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the country dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned exotic cats.

“As part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to supporting our local community, we have many ways of giving back to local non-profits, such as our Donate your Dime program,” said Maria Gumina, Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods Market in Tampa. “We provide customers with a 10 cent refund for each reusable bag they use. Customers are then given the opportunity to donate the dime refund to a predetermined charity. Whole Foods Market team members are proud to have selected Big Cat Rescue as the worthy non-profit organization to receive the Donate Your Dime funds beginning in January of this year.”

“Big Cat Rescue is thrilled to have been chosen by Whole Foods Market in Tampa as the recipient of this wonderful program,” said Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue. “Whole Foods Market is committed to providing quality natural products for both people and their pets. I want to encourage all of Big Cat Rescue’s supporters to shop at Whole Foods Markets and support those who are helping the big cats.”

About Whole Foods Market’s Pet Foods: All of the pet foods sold at Whole Foods Market are natural, meaning that they do not contain synthetic preservative, flavorings or other artificial additives. The company has long-standing, trusted relationships with several pet food companies that put animal health first and that are transparent in their manufacturing practices, so consumers can know as much as possible about the ingredients in every product. Whole Foods Market’s pet food brands provide a variety of choices for pet owners with different feeding philosophies and for pets with specific dietary needs, preferences and sensitivities – from natural and organic to grain- or gluten-free diets to special formulas for weight control, joint support, urinary tract health and more. Visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/tampa for more information.

About Big Cat Rescue: Located in Tampa, Fla., Big Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the country dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats. The sanctuary is home to more than 100 exotic cats. For more information, visit bigcatrescue.org.