Tewksbury, Massachusetts (October 25, 2010) - WellPet  strives to recognize independent pet specialty retailers that raise the bar in customer care, innovative business practices, and community support. At the H.H. Backer 44^th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show & Educational Conference in Rosemont, Illinois, WellPet presented an award for retail excellence during the company’s Annual Valued Partner Appreciation Reception. The 2010 Midwest District Retailer of the Year Award was given to Mounds Pet Food Warehouse of Madison, Wisconsin, and was accepted by Mary Jansma, Tim Walton, Deb Walton, Jim Zimmerman, Katie Van Altena, Connie Esser, Adrienne Eberl, Brian Manning and Megan Griffin.

Mounds Pet Food Warehouse has demonstrated their utmost commitment to delivering superior customer service and education on natural pet nutrition. They believe in and sincerely reflect the WellPet mission; to do whatever it takes to provide the healthiest natural products to the pets that depend on us.

Mounds Pet Food Warehouse has built a solid reputation for providing exemplary service to their loyal, satisfied customers. They offer a wide selection of unique products, like Wellness® Natural Food and Snacks for Pets and Holistic Select® Food for Pets and always deliver product knowledge with the pet’s interest at heart. Mounds Pet Food Warehouse also succeeds at bringing awareness to the health and well-being of pets by maintaining in-house adoption centers at all of their stores and hosting the Annual Mounds Dog Fest that draws thousands of people to see demonstrations of everything from agility trials to Police K9 units at work.

“We are proud to recognize our long time partner Mounds Pet Food Warehouse for retail excellence,” said Tim Callahan, WellPet’s CEO. “The staff at all five of their store locations excels at educating consumers about pet health and nutrition. Their knowledge, experience and outstanding service have earned them the trust of pet parents and that’s what makes them a deserving WellPet partner.”

WellPet hosts the Annual Valued Partner Appreciation Reception to recognize the exceptional contributions of its retail partners at the H.H. Backer Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show; a yearly trade show that brings together manufacturers from the pet industry and global retail buyers. WellPet sales and executive team members and retailers alike enjoy the opportunity to network, reconnect and relax together each year.

About WellPet

WellPet is home to the family of premium natural pet food brands including Wellness®, Old Mother Hubbard®, Eagle Pack® and Holistic Select®. In bringing together Old Mother Hubbard and Eagle Pack, two companies with a long history of delivering on the promise of doing whatever it takes to make the healthiest natural products for pets and over 100 years of combined experience in the natural pet food market, WellPet delivers an unwavering commitment to nutritional innovation and product quality. We promise that "Your pet's wellbeing is at the heart of all we do, that's why we do whatever it takes to make the healthiest natural products for the pets that depend on us." WellPet products are sold in pet specialty stores and natural food stores across North America. For more information, please visit www.wellpet.com or call 1.800.225.0904.

About Mounds Pet Food Warehouse

Mounds is a locally owned and operated pet supply store with five convenient locations throughout south central Wisconsin. The staff is the most knowledgeable and dedicated in the area, always willing to go the extra mile for its customers, by placing special orders, assisting with loading a purchase, and by offering expert and friendly advice on all of your pet questions. Their motto is, "If we don't know the answer, we'll find out".

Mounds works in partnership with local humane societies and rescue organizations to find homes for animals in need. Each store has its own Humane Society Satellite Adoption Center, where you can receive information about adopting a new pet, and meet adoptable animals.
Mounds hosts several events each year to raise awareness about the animals in their communities. Mounds is committed to reducing overpopulation, and therefore do not sell animals at any of their stores - instead, they refer you to rescue organizations and humane societies for adoption alternatives, as well as local kennel clubs for referrals to reputable breeders. Visit www.moundspet.com for more information.