We are giving $150,000

We appreciate all of the interest and enthusiasm people across the country have demonstrated for the "Tales for the Pet Lover's Heart" online program this year. Due to concerns about the integrity of voting for this campaign, we have changed the program structure to make it what we believe is fair and equitable for all 18 participating animal welfare organizations:

All 18 participating organizations will advance to the second stage of the program. Each will be provided a video camcorder to videotape its "tale" and will be eligible to receive an additional $50,000 if selected the campaign's "Top Tale".

The donation structure will remain the same. Purina and Kroger will donate $3,000 to each participating organization; four runners-up in the video phase each will receive an additional $11,500 donation; and one finalist will receive an additional $50,000 donation.

There will be no consumer voting for the videos. All submitted videos will be reviewed by Blind Squirrels Production Group, the creators of the Emmy Award-winning television special "Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart." Blind Squirrels will select the top five finalists. Spokesperson Trista Sutter, a pet lover who starred in ABC's "The Bachelorette;" will then work with Blind Squirrels to choose the "Top Tale" winner from among the five finalists.