October 2005

MILLER MANUFACTURING DONATES OVER $100,000 IN PET AND ANIMAL CARE PRODUCTS FOR KATRINA AND RITA RELIEF EFFORTS

Miller Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Eagan, MN, is donating over 1,400 Pet Lodge™ wire dog crates, 2,700 pet bowls, and other related animal care products to aid with Hurricane relief efforts.  The wire crates will be used to safely transport animals being evacuated from disaster areas in the affected Gulf States.  Other items Miller manufacturers such as its Little Giant buckets will be used in the clean up efforts near Jackson and Hattiesburg, MS.  These donated Miller products have a retail value exceeding $100,000.

Miller is partnering with Animal Ark, a local animal shelter that has mobilized efforts to deliver supplies and rescue pets in the areas affected by the hurricanes.  Animal Ark is working with the national organizations of The Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society (Utah) to distribute the items where they are needed most.  Delivery of most of the Miller pet care products will be coordinated by the St. Francis Animal Shelter in Tylertown, MS.  

Mike Fry, Executive Director of Animal Ark, said of Miller’s donation: “This is a massive donation; the largest donation yet... the crates are a much needed item and are being donated at a perfect time.  We just can’t thank Miller enough.”   Over three semi-trailers full of pet care products will be donated and distributed.  Tom Botten, Miller’s President, said “Miller has a fifty year history of producing quality pet care products; this donation is one way we can help pet owners in this terrible time of need.”  

Miller Manufacturing Company is a leading manufacturer of farm, ranch, and pet care products and markets its products under the trade names of Little Giant and Pet Lodge.  Miller is owned by Frandsen Corporation, a holding company based in Forest Lake, MN.  Dennis Frandsen, CEO,  had this to say about the donation, “We often turn to our pets for a sense of comfort when we are in the midst of a tragedy. We are happy to help in this small way as the people of the Gulf States battle to regain a sense of normalcy. ” The John F. Cade Entrepreneurial award was presented to Dennis Frandsen by the University of St. Thomas in 2003.