Checker Day 2025: A Celebration of Teamwork, Tradition and Heroism

Checker Day has been a beloved tradition at Nestlé Purina PetCare since the 1940s—a day where employees don their finest checkerboard shirts to celebrate camaraderie, community, and a shared sense of purpose.

While for some their checkerboard shirts have been replaced by red Purina T-shirts, the sentiment is the same. We are a team.

This year, on Tuesday, September 16, we took that spirit to a whole new level at Nestlé Purina Petcare Canada. While we missed our remote employees as well as staff in Innisfail and Caledonia, they were in our hearts as we celebrated at our Mississauga headquarters.

Honouring Heroes: Animal Hall of Fame Inductees

We proudly unveiled our 2025 Animal Hall of Fame Winners—two extraordinary pets whose bravery left us in awe:

• Toph, a 3-year-old blind Great Pyrenees, saved owners Judy and Chris Spry from a house fire in St. Charles, Ontario.
• Night, an 11-year-old Doberman, protected owner Craig Campbell from a charging grizzly bear in Cochrane, Alberta. 

Their stories reminded us of the powerful bond between people and pets—and the incredible things that bond can inspire.

Fun, Food and Giving Back

Checker Day wasn’t just about heroics—it was also about joy! The day was packed with:

• A morning of making cat and dog toy donations, benefiting the Toronto Humane Society and North York Women’s Shelter (as part of our Purple Leash program)
• A costume contest that brought out many people’s creative side
• A lively round of human bingo

And of course, we “broke bread” together—sharing meals and moments that reminded us of the power of teamwork.

Relive the Magic

It was a day to pause, connect, and celebrate everything that makes our Nestlé Purina family so special. Be sure to check out the video to relive the highlights!