MARKHAM, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec 10, 2015) -

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In what may be the cuteness overload move of the year, specialty retailer Pet Valu has enlisted the help of 13 personality-packed photos from Canadian pet families to raise funds for Dog Guides of Canada.

Pet Valu just released its 2016 calendar and while supplies last, Canadian pet lovers can pick-up a copy in return for a "give what you can" donation to Dog Guides of Canada at any Pet Valu store across the country.

More than 20,000 beauties competed for the honour of becoming a 2016 Pet Valu calendar pet - and this year's selection includes dogs, cats, a parrot - and even a brightly coloured green lizard.

A Year of Giving Back with Pet Valu

"If you love pets and you want to give back, the Pet Valu calendar is a great way to keep you smiling all year long," says Rose Ferrante, Director of Marketing, Pet Valu. "In return for a copy of our 2016 calendar, featuring charismatic Cover Dog Otis the English Bull Dog puppy, we ask customers to make an in-store donation to Dog Guides of Canada. Pet Valu is a national sponsor of Dog Guides and every donation helps train and provide service dogs to help Canadians live with conditions like autism, epilepsy and vision impairment," says Rose.

Introducing Otis - Pet Valu 2016 Cover Dog

English Bull Dog Otis won over Pet Valu judges thanks to his big brown eyes and irresistible puppy charm. No longer a puppy, but still just as cute, Otis lives in the GTA and his antics are chronicled on Instagram for adoring fans and followers. Otis is available for interviews, photos and autographs. Bring treats!

Meet the 2016 Pet Valu Calendar Pets:

Teeny Toronto short-haired tabby Rigutis' big green eyes earned her a spot as the Pet Valu January star. Her name means "little stripes" in Friulian and was inspired by her adorable stripes and markings.

February is all about puppy love and features four sweetly named Golden Retriever puppy siblings from Skeleton Lake, Ontario: Jelly Bean, Skittles, Licorice and Rolo.

March features reluctant Easter Bunny Bowie, enduring bunny ears for his GTA owner with irresistible French Bulldog attitude.

Dapper, Fedora-wearing Peanut, a Crested Gecko who hails from St. Catharine's Ontario is the only reptile featured in this year's calendar. His laidback ways and brightly coloured leaf-green skin made him the perfect choice for Pet Valu's April calendar page.

Pretty KeeKo is a rare Peach Front Conure parrot who lives in Palmerston, Ontario. His owner's photo of KeeKo perching on a branch of pink cherry blossoms was chosen to grace the month of May.

For June, Pet Valu judges selected a beautiful Summer garden photo in tribute to Dunnville, Ontario's regally named Russian Blue - General Sterling Price.

Heidi, a water-loving German Sheppard mix captured the July Pet Valu spotlight thanks to her spirited personality and an expansive, surfside photo taken at a Toronto beach.

Adorable pair of Rough Collies Aidan and Abbey cinched the August calendar page with a playful lakeside photo taken by their Winnipeg owner during a weekend at the cottage.

September's calendar Pet Izzie the Pug isn't just a pretty face. The pride of Lethbridge, Alberta (and her owners) is a Champion Agility Dog and performs animal assisted therapy at seniors homes.

When she's not racing on his cat wheel and travelling around North America, Seascape - an exotic Bengal cat from Westchester, Nova Scotia - loves frolicking in the October leaves.

Gorgeous and good natured Red, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from Bedford, Nova Scotia was selected as Pet Valu's November calendar pet, thanks to a fetching photo taken during a Fall play session.

December's calendar pet has a story that reflects the goodwill of the season. Ragdoll cat Beauregard was abandoned when he was just two years old. Luckily for him, he soon found his forever home at a rescue adoption event hosted by a local Pet Valu store. His new family feels so fortunate that they were the ones to get the opportunity to give him his forever home!

About the Cause

Lions Foundation of Canada provides Dog Guides at no cost to qualified applicants. Dog Guides Canada is a national training school and charity that has already provided specially trained Dog Guides to more than 2,000 Canadians, aged 4 to 88 years old. The Lions Foundation estimates the price to train and place a Dog Guide at about $25,000. The organization is 100% donation based, does not receive any government funding and relies on support from individuals, service clubs, foundations and corporate sponsors. Learn more at www.dogguides.com

About Pet Valu

Pet Valu, Inc. www.petvalu.com is a Canadian specialty retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies with more than 600 stores across Canada and the US. The Pet Valu family of stores consists of Pet Valu Canada, Pet Valu US, Paulmac's Pet Foods, Bosley's by Pet Valu and Jack's Pets.

The Pet Valu family of stores pride themselves on providing pet owners with the best selection of pet care items at competitive prices, together with Pet Expert service, at convenient, neighborhood store locations. Pet Valu offers more than 7,000 products, including a broad assortment of premium, super premium and holistic private label brands scientifically developed by internal nutritionists.

Pet Valu is a proud national sponsor of Dog Guides of Canada and provides fundraising and support year-round. In-store donations given by customers for the Pet Valu 2016 Calendar will be donated to Dog Guides of Canada to help more Canadians in need receive the amazing gift of a Dog Guides of Canada service dog.

Pet Valu, Paulmac's, Bosley's and Jack's team members are true Pet Experts who can help you find the right nutrition and other solutions for your pets. To learn more, please visit: www.petvalu.com or www.facebook.com/petvalu

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