Kevin Martin and members of his champion world curling team were on hand Wednesday to help deliver over 2,000 kg of dog food to the Edmonton Humane Society to help launch a national fundraising campaign.

The campaign by Pedigree dog food will see about $1 million raised for the 30 shelters involved over five years, as well as encourage people to adopt pets rather than buy them.

“I’m a farm kid and I grew up with dogs, so it means a great deal to myself to get the dogs forever homes. … That’s what it’s all about,” Martin told media at the launch.

Society spokesperson Shawna Randolph said that the 2,000 kg of food donated will help feed the shelter dogs for one month and would normally cost the shelter a few thousand dollars.

The shelter also receives a portion of proceeds from specially marked Pedigree dog food.

“That goes a long way to help us care for the homeless and abused animals that come through our doors,” Randolph said.

The Pedigree Adoption Drive runs from Sept. 19 to Dec. 31 and aims to raise $5,000 for each of the thirty shelters involved, including EHS.