Build-A-Bear launches interactive Promise Pets

Build-A-Bear Workshop is rewriting the rules on stuffed animals with a new line of toys that are linked to a mobile app.

The retailer’s new Promise Pets feature a free mobile app that families can download to bring the experience of pet care to life, teaching children about animal care through an interactive play experience.Breeds in the collection include the Golden Retriever, Beagle, Yorkshire Terrier and Persian Kitten. Build-A-Bear plans to introduce more breeds throughout the year.

"In line with our strategic product expansion initiative to create play beyond the plush, our Promise Pets interactive app provides a platform to teach children the importance of animal welfare and responsibility for their care," said Gina Collins, chief marketing officer, Build-A-Bear. "Furthermore, our partnership withPetfinder is a testament to Build-A-Bear's heritage of supporting animals in domestic pet adoption programs, and underlines our commitment to add a little more heart to life with unique philanthropic collaborations."

The Promise Pets mobile app offers children a realistic pet play experience while teaching them about the responsibility of pet ownership. App users will start as 'Pet Care Rookies' and work their way up through five levels of certification to earn the ultimate 'Pet Care Pro' status. Through fun, engaging games, users will be able to collect Paw Points, earn certificates, and give their pet all the affection and care he or she deserves.

The Promise Pets app will deliver helpful guidance such as:

Feeding: Every pet has different feeding needs, but it is important with any pet to feed it on a schedule, use portion control, provide plenty of water, and provide snacks and treats. Remember, treats should only be used as rewards.

Potty Training: When it comes to potty training your pet, starting as soon as you bring your pet home will help ensure success. Always remember housetraining a dog, cat, or other pet requires a routine and lots of practice.

Vet Checkups: Taking your pet to routine vet checkups is important to help your vet keep a record of your pet's normal health and behavior, and catch signs of illness as early as possible.

Exercise: Doing daily activities with your pets, such as walking or playing with toys that test their curiosity, can help maintain their physical and mental health.

Grooming: It's important to keep your pet well-groomed, which for many animals involves regularly bathing, checking for fleas and brushing. Users can download the Promise Pets app in the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store.

As part of the launch, Build-A-Bear is teaming up withPetfinder.com and the Petfinder Foundation to help shelter pets find happy homes. Petfinder.com is the largest searchable database of adoptable pets in the U.S. and is responsible for 44% of pet adoptions across North America, while Petfinder Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that helps local animal welfare agencies promote pet adoptions.

The organization's grant recipients include more than 13,000 organizations, caring for more than 300,000 homeless pets at any given time throughout North America. Now through May 31, guests in the U.S. can make a donation of $1.00 or more, via in-store or online checkout, to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to support local educational outreach programs that teach children about caring for pets.This national grant program will be administered by the Petfinder Foundation.

"Build-A-Bear is the perfect partner to help us educate families — especially children — about how they can help find happy homes for amazing pets currently available in shelters and rescues," said Emily Fesler, marketing manager, Petfinder. "We believe if children learn at a young age, their compassion for animals will carry through their entire lives and hopefully spur them to adopt pets of their own in the future."

Since its inception, Build-A-Bear has focused its community outreach efforts on improving the lives of children, families and animals. Together the company and its guests have donated more than $41 million globally to organizations including Make-A-Wish, USO, The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, DonorsChoose.org, First Book, and dozens of other nonprofits supporting children's health and wellness, domestic pets, literacy and education, and other important causes.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has about 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide.