In 1926, Purina began a transformative journey in pet nutrition at Gray Summit, Missouri, under the leadership of Donald Danforth. As a member of the company since the early 1920s, he advocated for establishing a facility to scientifically validate the quality of canine nutrition. His vision materialized with the founding of the Purina Dog Care Center, endorsed by his father, William H. Danforth.

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The center aimed to create nutritionally complete dog food from quality ingredients, maintain detailed feeding records to assess health impacts, and provide exceptional care in a comfortable setting. This initiative marked the inception of many Purina PetCare firsts and solidified Danforth’s legacy.

According to Nina Leigh Krueger, President and CEO of Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, the values initiated by the founder continue to guide the company today. A century later, Purina remains committed to science-driven solutions in its modern Pet Care Centers.

Under the direction of Sheri Smithey, PhD, the Senior Vice President of Global PetCare Research & Development, Purina's team focuses on enhancing pet nutrition and care, driven by a culture of innovation. "Each project we create begins with one simple word: Imagine," Smithey stated. Her team studies how pets think and feel, paving the way for future discoveries in pet care.

Highlights of Purina’s noteworthy achievements over the last hundred years include:

- **1933:** Admiral Richard Byrd chooses Purina Dog Chow for his Antarctic expedition, later praising it as the best ration he had used.

- **1956:** Purina pioneers extrusion technology in pet food, creating quality dry kibble known for its nutrition and digestibility.

- **1986:** Launch of Purina® Pro Plan®, featuring real meat as the primary ingredient, becomes the preferred choice among sporting dog and show champions.

- **1987:** A groundbreaking 14-year canine life span study reveals that dogs fed 25% less than their peers lived healthier, prompting changes in feeding guidelines across the pet food industry.

- **1998:** Introduction of the first hydrolyzed protein diet for dogs with allergies, through Purina Veterinary Diets.

- **1999:** Establishment of the world's first Canine Reference Family DNA Distribution Center.

- **2004:** First application of molecular-level nutrition in a therapeutic diet for dogs with joint issues.

- **2007:** Launch of the first probiotic nutritional supplement to support immune health.

- **2010:** Opening of the Purina Event Center, designed for major dog and cat events and located on the historic site of the Dog Care Center.

Innovations continue with products like Tidy Cats® Lightweight litter in 2013, Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care in 2019, and LiveClear® in 2020, a cat food that reduces allergens.

Krueger remarks, "The vision and values of our founder have been instrumental in our relentless pursuit of innovation in pet nutrition and care over the past 100 years," affirming the ongoing commitment to asking, "What Next?"