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Invisible Fence® Brand Kicks Off Sixth Annual Shelter to Forever Home Contest to Help Keep Pets in Their Forever Homes

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Invisible Fence® Brand is on a mission to prevent pets from filling shelters with their contest awarding $20,000 to support animal shelters across the country. Voting opens today until September 30, 2024.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Invisible Fence® Brand is hosting its sixth annual nationwide From Shelter to Forever Home Contest, awarding one animal shelter $10,000 and donating needed supplies to several other shelters. This initiative aims to bring awareness to lost dogs and educate pet parents about solutions to keep their furry friends safe, ensuring they don’t join the ranks of the millions of lost pets that fill shelters every year. The program will kick off on August 1st, with voting lasting until September 30th. As the pioneer in the pet containment industry, Invisible Fence® Brand asks the community to unite around this cause to continue promoting the initiative of keeping pets safe in their forever homes.

Raising Awareness for Lost Pets
According to the American Humane Society, approximately ten million dogs and cats are lost in the U.S. every year and less than 23% are reunited with their owners*. Through the From Shelter to Forever Home Contest, Invisible Fence® Brand hopes to reduce the number of missing pets and help increase the shelter’s return-to-owner rates. From August 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, the public is invited to nominate their local animal shelter to give them a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000, donated on behalf of Invisible Fence® Brand. The shelter or rescue with the most nominations on September 30th will win the monetary donation. Additionally, Invisible Fence® will award $10,000 worth of supplies spread across 20 shelters nationwide to further support the mission.

“We’re thrilled to host our From Shelter to Forever Home Contest for a sixth year in a row”, said Marta Dalton, vice president of marketing for Invisible Fence® Brand. “Over the past six years, we have seen great success in this initiative in sharing our mission and passion for protecting pets. Invisible Fence® Brand, the leader in pet containment backed by over 50 years of experience, continues to keep this program live to ensure pets live a happy, healthy life while giving them the freedom they deserve.”

Shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S. are rallying for nominations and need their community’s support. We encourage you to share the contest on social media and nominate your local shelter by visiting https://www.invisiblefence.com/shelter-to-forever-home-contest to cast your vote.

From Shelter to Forever Home Making an Impact
2023 Grand Prize Winner Rags to Riches Animal Rescue received $10,000 to support their fight against a life-threatening parvovirus case that affected a handful of puppies in their care. With help from Invisible Fence® Brand, they were able to treat the puppies that otherwise would have resulted in euthanasia. “We are very appreciative of Invisible Fence® Brand for all the help that they give, not to us, but to all of the animals every day. Thank you so much for everything!” said Sierra, volunteer for Rags to Riches Animal Rescue.

 >>>>> Nominate Your Local Shelter Here Starting August 1st

Preventing Lost Pets Before They Become Lost
In addition to raising awareness for tools and resources to return lost pets to their families, Invisible Fence® Brand advocates products and solutions that prevent pets from escaping their yards. Since 1973, Invisible Fence® Brand has protected over three million cats and dogs with their outdoor containment solutions, including Boundary Plus® Wired System, Boundary Plus Smart® System, and all-new Invisible Fence® GPS Collar.

“We always want to avoid a lost dog, so an underground fence gives us ease in knowing the dog is going home to a secure environment. It allows the dog the freedom to roam their property safely. Dogs are great for being socialized on leashes for walks, but they also need that free time to run around and just be dogs. Invisible Fence® Brand creates that possibility!” said Kirstin Mende, chief executive officer and founder of Lucky Dog Refuge.

“Our exclusive technology is only a small part of what makes Invisible Fence® Brand the safest and most dependable pet containment solutions on the market,” said Wally Shaw, general manager for Invisible Fence® Brand. “But it is our team of certified pet trainers that ensure pets are successfully trained to guarantee confidence, comfortability and freedom within their boundaries.”

Taking preventative measures like installing an Invisible Fence® Brand system and recovery measures are the best ways to keep your pet within safe boundaries and living happily in their forever homes. To learn more about preventing lost pets in your area, visit the Invisible Fence® Brand Blog for tips on keeping your pet safe.

To help spread the word about preventing lost pets in your community and to help keep adopted pets with their forever families, nominate your local animal shelter on Invisible Fence® Brand’s website. View more information Invisible Fence® Brand news here. For additional information about the Invisible Fence® Brand, call 800-578-3647 or visit InvisibleFence.com.

About Invisible Fence® Brand
Invisible Fence® Brand has been the leader in pet containment solutions for over 50 years. Our innovative technology and expert training ensure that pets are safe, happy and free to explore their surroundings across the U.S. and Canada. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we offer a range of customizable solutions to fit the unique needs of every pet and home. From indoor and outdoor containment systems to behavioral training, Invisible Fence® Brand provides peace of mind for pet owners everywhere. Trust the brand that has protected over three million pets and counting.

About PetSafe Brands™
PetSafe Brands™ is the largest manufacturer of hard pet goods for dogs and cats. Founded in 1991 as Radio Systems Corporation, PetSafe Brands™ has grown into a global corporation selling in over 52 countries. Our brands include Invisible Fence® Brand, Kurgo®, PetSafe®, SportDOG® and Premier Pet®. We are driven by innovation and technology to improve the lives of people, pets, and our communities. Our portfolio includes trusted and industry-leading electronic containment & training systems, waste management products, fountains, pet doors, automatic feeders and more. The PetSafe Brands™ corporate office is based in Knoxville, TN, with regional offices worldwide, and is owned by Clayton Dubilier & Rice, LLC.

Contact: Meredith Crawford
Email: mcrawford@petsafe.net

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SOURCE Invisible Fence® Brand

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Bringing Local AI Home: UGREEN Introduces Privacy-First HomeAgent for Smarter Living

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UGREEN, a leading global consumer technology brand, announced two new product lineups at a European launch event. The unveiling of the UGREEN HomeAgent series of agentic local AI hubs and a new MagFlow lineup marks UGREEN’s next stage of growth. Building on its established presence in digital accessories and smart storage, the company is now dedicated to a broader spectrum of intelligent consumer electronics designed to enhance everyday life.

UGREEN HomeAgent: Agentic Local AI Hub for Homes

At the center of UGREEN’s broader intelligent consumer electronics vision is UGREEN HomeAgent, a groundbreaking Agentic AI Local Hub unifying local storage, computing, and control into one device. It connects a growing ecosystem of UGREEN AIoT devices, including security cameras, smart speakers, and smart photo frames, as well as third-party devices.

UGOS Pro is UGREEN’s in-house operating system built on a Linux architecture, offering professional storage management, robust data security, easy backup and sync, and extensive expandability.

UGREEN HomeAgent is powered by the all-new UGOS Pro, combining NAS-grade storage and data management with integrated home security features, smart home capabilities, and natural voice interaction to deliver a more complete all-in-one experience.

Traditional surveillance cameras usually only document bad news, and their footage is constantly overwritten, so the moments truly worth keeping quietly disappear. That’s why UGREEN set out to redefine the home camera system, not as a surveillance tool, but as a camera for life.

“HomeAgent proactively recognizes moments that are truly worth remembering and organizes them into a personalized daily briefing for every family. Moments that might otherwise be forgotten can return. We want to help families preserve the precious time they spend together.” – Samuel Zhang, CEO of UGREEN

As an agentic local AI hub integrating on-device intelligence, local storage, AI computing and smart-home control, HomeAgent serves as the AI brain of the connected home. Designed to keep data private and local, it enables intelligent file management, proactive home monitoring, voice-driven automation and unified device control. The ecosystem includes the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro, the NVIDIA® Jetson Thor™-powered MasterAgent MA100, SynCare smart cameras, the UGREEN Smart Speaker for Uliya, and UGREEN Gallery smart frames, while remaining compatible with third-party Matter-enabled devices. Together, they deliver a private, expandable AI platform that helps users preserve memories, monitor their homes and coordinate devices through natural, context-aware interactions.

MagFlow Pro: Active Heat Dissipation and Sustained Fast Charging

Announced alongside HomeAgent, MagFlow Powerbank is the world’s first liquid-cooled Qi2 25W magnetic power bank, featuring CryoPulse™ micro-pump liquid cooling, active heat dissipation and sustained fast charging.

The launch complements UGREEN’s strong range of charging options, outlining the brand’s commitment to true-rated performance and flagship-quality power.

Availability Timeline

Pre-orders for the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro and UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 opened on September 4, 2026, via the UGREEN AIoT Official Store, and remain available until the official Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign launches on October 27, 2026. Other AIoT accessories will be introduced as part of the Kickstarter campaign beginning on October 27. During the pre-order period, customers can place a deposit starting at $50 to reserve the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro or UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 and secure 50% off with the Super Early Bird discount.

About UGREEN
UGREEN is a leading global tech brand creating innovative products that make everyday life smarter, easier, and more connected. From smart charging and productivity to smart storage and AIoT, UGREEN designs technology around the needs of modern life.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bringing-local-ai-home-ugreen-introduces-privacy-first-homeagent-for-smarter-living-302870674.html

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Iwa Robotics Unveils HAWK, CANARY and PELICAN: An Autonomous Drone Fleet Equipped to Detect, Diagnose, and Suppress Urban Wildfires

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Robotics company pairs long-range detection, real-time fire diagnostics, and precision aerial suppression into a single dispatchable system — operated by fire departments as an autonomous aerial fleet.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iwa Robotics, Inc., a Los Angeles-based autonomous field systems company, today publicly introduced its three-platform drone line for wildfire and emergency response missions: HAWK, a long-endurance reconnaissance aircraft; CANARY, a sensing platform that diagnoses fires and optimizes crew engagement; and PELICAN, a self-guided aerial suppression aircraft equipped to resolve hot spots and establish fire lines with perpetual drenching. Together, the three platforms execute missions under a single operating framework the company calls its Discovery and Resolution Fleet™ (DRF), dramatically enhancing firefighting capabilities across the full lifecycle of urban wildfires.

Iwa’s aircraft are purpose-built for the challenges faced in wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones and are piloted as an autonomous fleet by fire crews in the field. Iwa’s CANARY platform provides crews with critical insights upon arrival and continues to track fire behavior and evolving threat levels. “At its core, Iwa’s platform is centered on enhancing crew safety with in-field tools to diagnose the threat and engage accordingly – this includes critical sensory data and personnel risk signals,” said Mirza Samnani, CEO of Iwa Robotics. “We are particularly excited about the crew safety tools our Canary platform brings to a unit — it’s like your dalmatian in the sky.”

Iwa’s technology was originally developed and tested alongside working fire crews and has been field-hardened by pilot teams during active missions. “From the start, our approach has been to work side by side with fire crews, learning directly from the people who know this best: field teams, drone pilots, and fire captains who understand both firefighting and drone controls inside and out. They told us what they needed. We engineered it,” said Mirza.

Iwa intends to equip fire agencies with a dedicated fleet of drones under its fleet-as-a-service model – providing the turnkey aircraft platform, requisite autonomy training, ongoing data insights, maintenance, and insurance. The approach allows agencies to add aerial detection and remote suppression capabilities without any upfront capital expenditure, training programs, or lengthy procurement cycles. The company is currently embarking on its second cross-country roadshow with field demonstrations scheduled for fire and public safety agencies across eight states. Interested outfits can request a field demonstration at roadshow@iwarobotics.ai and can receive product information through this channel.

About Iwa Robotics

Iwa Robotics, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based autonomous field systems company that operates NDAA-compliant drone fleets for wildfire response and emergency management. Its HAWK, CANARY, and PELICAN platforms work as a coordinated system to detect, diagnose, and suppress fires, delivered to public safety agencies as a managed service. Iwa’s mandate is to be above every emergency™. Learn more at www.iwarobotics.ai.

Media Contact

Nadya Merchant 
Communications
nadya@iwarobotics.ai
https://www.iwarobotics.ai/

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SOURCE Iwa Robotics

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Real Estate Expert Pamela Z. Hill Explains Why Whidbey Island Is a Popular Destination for Vacation Homes in HelloNation

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The article examines the factors that continue to attract buyers seeking vacation properties and a slower pace of life.

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash., Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why are so many buyers choosing Whidbey Island for a vacation home? A recent HelloNation article provides the answer, featuring insights from Pamela Z. Hill of Whidbey View Homes Inc in Whidbey Island, Washington. The article explores why Whidbey Island has become a popular destination for vacation homes and highlights the combination of natural beauty, accessibility, and lifestyle benefits that continue to attract buyers.

The HelloNation article explains that many people searching for a vacation property today want more than a place to visit occasionally. Buyers increasingly seek locations that offer peace, privacy, and a connection to nature throughout the year. According to the article, Whidbey Island has become appealing because it delivers these qualities while maintaining convenient access to larger cities and modern amenities.

One of the primary reasons Whidbey Island vacation homes remain in demand is the balance between seclusion and accessibility. While some vacation destinations can feel remote, the island provides practical transportation options through the Deception Pass Bridge and ferry routes connecting residents and visitors to surrounding communities. The article notes that buyers often appreciate being able to reach Seattle, Everett, and other regional destinations without sacrificing the benefits of island living.

The article also highlights the island’s natural beauty as a major factor driving interest. Waterfront views, forests, beaches, farmland, and mountain scenery create an environment that feels distinctly different from urban areas. Buyers exploring Pacific Northwest vacation homes are often drawn to Whidbey Island because its landscapes remain attractive throughout the year while offering a variety of settings depending on personal preferences.

Outdoor recreation is another key advantage discussed in the article. Residents and visitors have access to activities such as hiking, kayaking, boating, fishing, biking, and beachcombing across all seasons. The article explains that buyers frequently view outdoor recreation as an important part of the lifestyle they hope to enjoy when purchasing a second home.

The HelloNation article also points to the appeal of the island’s small communities. Towns including Langley, Coupeville, and Oak Harbor each offer their own character while maintaining the slower pace many buyers seek. Local shops, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and galleries contribute to a sense of community that differs from the atmosphere often found in larger resort destinations.

According to the article, flexibility has become another important reason buyers are drawn to the area. Some people purchase vacation homes for seasonal use, while others plan to spend extended periods on the island during retirement or while working remotely. As flexible work arrangements become more common, buyers are increasingly able to consider locations that support both relaxation and practical long-term living.

The article further explains that Whidbey Island real estate offers a wide variety of property types. Buyers can choose from waterfront homes, cottages, cabins, properties with acreage, and homes located near parks or marinas. This variety allows individuals to focus on finding the lifestyle that best matches their goals rather than adapting to a single type of vacation market.

The slower pace of daily life also remains an important attraction. The article notes that many buyers view the island as a place where they can spend more time outdoors, enjoy quieter surroundings, and feel more connected to nature. Watching wildlife, spending time near the water, and experiencing less congestion often become significant parts of the appeal.

As interest in Pacific Northwest vacation homes continues to grow, the article concludes that Whidbey Island stands out because it combines convenience, natural scenery, outdoor recreation, and welcoming small communities. These qualities continue to make the island an attractive option for buyers seeking a vacation property that supports both relaxation and long-term enjoyment.

Why Whidbey Island Has Become a Popular Destination for Vacation Homes features insights from Pamela Z. Hill, Real Estate Expert of Whidbey Island, Washington, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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