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Habitattitude and Green Bay Aquarium Society Will Host Exotic Rehoming Event

The Habitattitude Rehoming Network and the Green Bay Aquarium Society (GBAS) will be hosting a rehoming event for individuals who are no longer able or willing to care for their exotic pets.

The Habitattitude Pet Surrender Event is intended to provide a safe and humane way for owners to surrender their exotic pets. The event allows exotic pets to get paired with a new family instead of being released into the wild or otherwise disposed of. During the course of the event, owners may surrender their exotic pets with no questions asked. The event helps, pets, their former owners, their new owners, and the environment.

The release of exotic animals into non-native habitats can have severe ecological consequences and is, in many cases, illegal.

The Habitattitude Pet Surrender Event will be held on March 10 between 12 and 5 PM at the 1,000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukana, Wisconsin. The following day, March 11, the GBAS will be hosting a fish auction to rehome those taken in during the surrender event and other fish. Some proceeds from the auction will go to support the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC).

“We are happy to provide a safe place for aquarium pet owners to surrender their pets, no questions asked. Having the surrender event the day before the auction helps us to rehome fish quickly without having to worry about long-term foster care and storage.”

— John Moyles, President, Green Bay Aquarium Society

 

More information about the events, including information on how to register for the auction, can be found here.

Source: Green Bay Aquarium Society to Help Exotic Pet Owners, PIJAC

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APPA, PIDA to Celebrate Anniversaries at Global Pet Expo

This year’s Global Pet Expo will host major anniversaries of two of the pet industry’s most prominent organizations, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA).

During Global Pet Expo, which runs from March 21 to 23 in Orlando, APPA will celebrate its 60th anniversary while PIDA will celebrate its 50th.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate place to celebrate our anniversary than at Global Pet Expo. We have been partners with APPA on this show, among many other ventures, for years and we share the same mission of advancing our great industry and helping businesses succeed in this environment.”

— Steve King, President, PIDA

To mark the occasion, APPA has invited members, present and past, to submit stories, photos, or videos celebrating their experiences in the pet industry. Members are encouraged to submit their materials to APPA’s Facebook page or to post them to Twitter under the #APPAs60th hashtag.

 

Source: Global Pet Expo 2018 Marks APPA and PIDA Anniversary Milestones

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Bird Charmed by Human Song

An Instagram post recently demonstrated that not only do humans enjoy the songs of birds, but that they seem to be pretty big fans of humans’ as well.

Branca de neve passando para dizer boa noite!!! Kkkk gratidão #boanoite

A post shared by Gabrielle Lima (@ameninaqueadoralivros) on

As the video shows, a tiny bird seems to be attracted to the singing of Gabrielle Lima, a woman from São Paulo, Brazil. While the bird appears to be just curious by the singing at first, it quickly opens its mouth in what appears to be awe.

Regardless of what the bird is actually feeling, Mother Nature Network’s Noel Kirkpatrick reminds us that we shouldn’t be too surprised. “A 2014 study published in Science found that song-learning birds and humans share the same gene expression when it comes to learning how to vocalize,” said Kirkpatrick, “Perhaps Lima’s singing voice resonated with the genes in this little bird, speaking to it’s inner nature.

Source: Woman charms bird with lovely lullaby

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Petfood Forum 2018 Schedule Announced

The schedule for Petfood Forum 2018, set to take place from April 23–25, has recently been announced. Among the highlights for this year’s event are keynotes from Jack Hanna and Brian Hare and the return of the Petfood Innovation Workshop, where attendees can get hands-on experience about the latest in pet nutrition.

As with previous Petfood Forums, this year’s event will feature several single-presenter and panel sessions around topics ranging from manufacturing safety and marketing to emerging technologies and trends.

For more information about Petfood Forum 2018 or to register, visit petfoodforumevents.com

Source: Pet food executives offer insights at Petfood Forum 2018

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Two Thirds of Pet Owners View Pet Food Industry with Skepticism

How do pet owners view the pet food industry? A new series from PetfoodIndustry.com suggests that, when it comes to the relationship between pet owners and pet food companies, it’s complicated.

In the first of a three-part series on pet owners’ perceptions of pet food companies, David Sprinkle, Research Director for Packaged Facts, writes that there seems to be some trust issues between the two. In surveys collected ahead of Petfood Forum 2018, only 1/3 of pet owners indicated that they trust the quality of the food produced by pet food companies. These responses remained fairly consistent across smaller companies, natural/organic companies, and mass-market leaders.

When asked whether or not they trust the product information released by pet food companies, pet owners responded similarly; only about 1/3 of respondents indicated they trusted the information released by pet food companies.

“This skepticism, or at least withheld general endorsement of the pet food industry, is both a reason for and an effect of marketing based on product differentiation. To a very significant degree, it represents a spillover from consumer ambivalence about processed foods overall, and the choice complexities and informational crossfire now inherent in placing almost any food product in your shopping basket, real or virtual.”

— David Sprinkle, Research Director, Packaged Facts

For additional insights into pet owners’ perceptions of the pet food industry, read the full series on PetfoodIndustry.com.

Source: What do pet owners think of the pet food industry? (Part 1)

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Bichon Frise Earns Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

A Bichon Frise took home the Best in Show award at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The Bichon Frise, known as “GCh. Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love” (but lovingly referred to as “Flynn”), along his handler, Bill McFadden, claimed the event’s most coveted honor.

Is it the shoes?

Continuing a trend that now spans over a decade, Flynn is the latest Westminster winner to have been fed a Pro Plan-based diet. Eleven out of the past twelve Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winners have had diets based on the Purina line.

“Though Flynn might not look like an athlete, we think of him as one, and Purina Pro Plan has always been a champion of providing quality formulas for dogs which helps with the quality of his coat and muscles. We do a lot of dog shows and nutrition plays an important aspect for him, so it’s nice to have a dog food company that has the best interests for our dogs at heart.”

— Bill McFadden, Handler, Flynn

Source: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Names Bichon Frise as ‘Best in Show’

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PetSmart Launches Healthy Pet Advisory Council

PetSmart recently launched a new initiative intended to drive research, innovation, and education in pet nutrition.

The initiative, known as the Healthy Pet Advisory Council, is intended to help PetSmart develop healthier pet foods while also educating pet owners on the latest advances in the science of pet nutrition. Among the areas to be investigated by the council are the development of new ingredients and manufacturing technologies as well as strategies to educate pet owners and retail employees on issues surrounding pet nutrition and health.

A number of experts in the areas of pet nutrition, health, and food safety have been recruited to serve on the Healthy Pet Advisory Council. Current members include:

  • Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, DACVN, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Randy Johnson, PhD
  • Kelly Swanson, PhD, Professor, Comparative Animal Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, Clinical Nutrition Section Chief, Cornell University

“The goal of the council is to advance the health and wellness of pets across North America through pet nutrition research and innovation. This research will help enhance PetSmart’s proprietary pet food formulations and educate pet parents in line with advances in pet nutritional science. We sought out some of the most innovative thought leaders in this area, including veterinarians, researchers and nutritionists to join our effort, and we look forward to providing new options for pets and pet parents in the future.”

— Paul Hunt, Senior Vice President, Sourcing & Product Development, PetSmart

In the weeks ahead, the council intends to launch a public website to provide nutritional guidance to pet owners.

Source: PetSmart forms Healthy Pet Advisory Council

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HABRI Teams Up with NAVC to Launch Human-Animal Bond Certification Program

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) recently announced the launch of a new certification course for veterinary practitioners.

The new certification course, Human Animal Bond Certified, focuses on the the benefits of human-animal interaction and pet ownership and how they can be applied to veterinary practice. The program consists of a series of online modules put together by specialists from fields including human-animal interaction and veterinary medicine. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) serves as a founding educational partner for the program. Zoetis and Petco, both HABRI co-founders, as well as PetSmart Charities, are premier sponsors for the program.

“Human Animal Bond Certified will become the new gold standard for veterinarians looking to engage their clients in a meaningful and effective way. Through an easy online interface that can be completed at an individualized pace, the Certification will support every aspect of a veterinary practice, from better client dialogue and compliance to improved financial performance.”

— Tom Bohn, CEO, NAVC

More information about the Human-Animal Bond Certified program, including information about how to sign up for the program, can be found at HABRI.org.

 

Source: HABRI, NAVC Launch Human-Animal Bond Veterinary Certification

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Canine Care Certified Program May Improve Both Consumer Confidence and Canine Welfare

In a piece written for Pet Age, the Director of Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science, Dr. Candace Croney, argues that Canine Care Certified not only helps improve the welfare of dogs, it may help improve trust among consumers as well.

Launched in 2016, Canine Care Certified is a voluntary certification program for breeders who want to demonstrate a higher quality of care for dogs and puppies. The program’s higher standards are based on those developed by Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science and peer-reviewed by animal scientists and canine welfare experts from around the world. Canine Care Certified is intended to help breeders strive for a higher level of care for their dogs, but, according to Croney, the program may also help resolve an emerging dilemma among prospective pet owners.

According to Croney, those looking to purchase a pet dog are increasingly concerned about the conditions in which dogs are bred and raised. This concern has led to many communities enacting bans on the sale of pets sourced from commercial breeders in an attempt to curtail puppy mills and other illegal breeders. Meanwhile, demand for purebred puppies continues to surge among those very same prospective pet owners — so much so that shelters and breeders are struggling to keep up. According to Croney, this creates an environment ripe for black market breeders seeking to capitalize on this increased demand.

As an alternative to pet sale bans, Croney suggests that programs like Canine Care Certified offer a better solution for ensuring that puppies and dogs are raised in safe, healthy environments. By raising welfare standards and encouraging breeders to adopt them, Croney argues that we can improve the welfare of dogs and puppies while also ensuring that there are enough dogs available to safely meet demand.

Research we conducted at Purdue University provides some insight here. An online survey of U.S. residents studied public perceptions of dog breeding and sourcing of dogs and related animal welfare concerns… [We found] strong support for regulation of breeders’ practices, specifically for mandatory compliance with best practices, breeder education and increased transparency of dog-breeding practices.

— Dr. Candace Croney, Director, Center for Animal Welfare Science, Purdue University

Source: Improve Canine Welfare and Consumer Trust with Canine Care Certified

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Amazon Plans Pet Product Expansion

According to Pet Business, retail giant Amazon has announced plans to expand further into the online pet food market.

Amazon’s announcement was made during the Pet Industry Leadership Conference last month. The announcement comes after the company identified pet products as an area with great growth potential for the company. Amazon’s pet food sales increased by 38% in 2017 and are projected to continue growing into 2018. Its pet food sales figures for 2017, $1.4 billion, represent roughly 1/6 of all pet food sales in the United States.

Among the changes made by Amazon to better accommodate the sale of pet products is the launch of its Pet Profiles system which allows Amazon members to add information about their pets to their accounts, and changes to its warehouses to better accommodate heavy bagged goods like cat litter and dry pet foods.

Source: Amazon to expand its online pet food, pet products

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Pet Sustainability Coalition Board Gains WellPet CEO

Camelle Kent, CEO of WellPet, is the latest addition to the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC)’s strategic advisory board.

Founded in 2013, the PSC’s mission is to promote sustainable advancement in the pet industry. Its strategic advisory board meets on a bimonthly basis to provide guidance and feedback to the larger coalition. With the addition of Kent, the board gains expertise and experience through her background with Timberland as well as the pet industry.

“I am both honored and excited to join the Pet Sustainability Coalition advisory board to collaborate with colleagues in the pet industry to expand the number of companies that are taking advantage of what PSC has to offer: education, inspiration, and business tools.”

— Camelle Kent, CEO, WellPet

For more information about the PSC, visit petsustainability.org.

Source: WellPet CEO Joins Pet Sustainability Coalition Board

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New Dietary Research Offers Hope for Pet Obesity

According to recent findings, several weight loss approaches popular among humans may also be effective in treating obesity in pets.

Intermittent fasting (IF) and time-restricted eating are two closely related diets that have shown promise in combatting obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle in humans. While different in some respects, the two approaches share the practice of alternating between periods of fasting and periods of eating. Diets built around intermittent fasting have been shown to improve one’s cholesterol profile, inhibit the body’s inflammatory response, reduce triglycerides, and moderate blood glucose.

Using the effects of IF in humans as a model, Nestlé Purina PetCare set out to determine if a similar diet could be effective at weight management in cats and dogs. The result is a new approach Nestlé Purina PetCare calls Intermittent Calorie Restriction (ICR). ICR-based diets involve two foods given at different times throughout the day. The first food contains enough calories needed to maintain a pet’s metabolism; the second has a 25% calorie deficit intended to promote fat burning. By alternating between the two foods, pets’ metabolisms are better regulated, allowing them to develop more lean muscle while also burning off excessive fat stores.

The ICR approach’s avoidance of prolonged periods of fasting — as is commonly found among IF diets — not only helps pet owners resist the temptations of pets who might beg for food during a period of fasting, it also helps avoid species-specific metabolic issues. For example, cats who fast for extended periods are more prone to developing hepatic lipidosis, a condition in which the liver suffers damage as a result of excessive fat metabolization over time. By reducing the interval between meals and the duration of the fast, ICR avoids many of those potential issues.

Source: Pet food nutrition research addresses pet obesity

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Pets of the Homeless Recruiting Volunteers

Pets of the Homeless, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency care to the pets of homeless people is seeking volunteers to expand its network of veterinarians.

As a volunteer-based organization, Pets of the Homeless relies on veterinarians, social workers, and other volunteers to provide food and veterinary care to homeless persons. To volunteer for the organization, veterinarians must agree to provide exams and treatments at no more than 80% of their usual rate. Additionally, they must provide Pets of the Homeless with a treatment estimate after the initial exam. Services provided under Pets of the Homeless are limited to acute injuries and illnesses, vaccines administered during procedures, spaying/neutering, and euthanasia, when appropriate.

While Pets of the Homeless makes every effort to assist every pet as they are presented, funding limitations prevent the organization from covering nonessential vaccinations, dental care, boarding, grooming, some long-term treatments, as well as dogs and cats over 14 years of age.

“Since 2008, Pets of the Homeless has paid more than $652,000 to provide veterinary emergency care and wellness clinic services to over 17,500 pets. Despite improvements in the economy, homelessness continues to be a reality for many people. The need for pet food and veterinary care will continue to be a pressing concern for those who find themselves homeless and the pets that rely on them.”

— Genevieve Frederick, Founder, Pets of the Homeless

For additional information on how to volunteer for Pets of the Homeless and other ways to contribute, visit petsofthehomeless.org.

Source: Pets of the Homeless Seeks Veterinarians to Assist with Emergency Care

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Healthline Names HABRI Among Best Animal Therapy Organizations

Healthline.com, one of the leading health information sites on the Internet, recently named the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) among its 2017 list of the best animal therapy non-profits.

Organizations were selected for their inclination to “educate, inspire, and support people while sharing the benefits of therapy animals.”  Ten organizations were selected in all, including:

“This honor boosts HABRI’s mission to establish the human-animal bond as an essential part of our health and wellness. It also serves as a seal-of-approval that shows HABRI is making a real difference for the health of both people and their pets.”

— Steven Feldman, Executive Director, HABRI

 

Source: HABRI Named Among the Best Animal Therapy Non-Profits

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AVMA to Recognize Achievements in Animal Welfare

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently announced it would be merging three existing animal welfare awards under a new banner to recognize significant achievements in the advancement of humane efforts and animal welfare.

The AVMA Animal Welfare/Humane Awards comprise the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, the AVMA Animal Welfare Award, and the AVMA Humane Award. According to AVMA President, Mike Topper, the unification of the three awards under a single category will allow the organization to better highlight the diverse range of talent and efforts in veterinary medicine while also underscoring the value of adopting a One Health perspective.

Criteria for the AVMA Animal Welfare/Humane Awards are as follows:

  • Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award: Outstanding work of veterinarians in preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. Named in honor of the late Leo K. Bustad, pioneer in the field of human-animal interaction.
  • AVMA Animal Welfare Award: Achievement of an AVMA member veterinarian in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy.
  • AVMA Humane Award: Advancement of the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. Awarded to non-veterinarians only.

The awards will be presented, together, during the AVMA’s annual convention in July. Nominations for the awards are being accepted through February 15.

Source: Group of awards spotlights commitment to animal wellbeing

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Kent Pet Group Announces Support for Human-Animal Bond Research

Kent Pet Group, makers of World’s Best Cat Litter, recently became an official supporter of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and its research on the benefits of human-animal interaction.

Kent Pet Group joins over 25 other companies and organizations supporting HABRI. Michael Eversmeyer, President of Kent Pet Group, stressed the importance of supporting research into the human-animal bond.

“Kent Pet Group is proud to support HABRI and its mission to advance human-animal bond research. Kent Pet Group understands the importance of advancing science and uses scientific innovation every day to discover new ways to use natural ingredients and develop better pet products. Supporting the science behind the human-animal bond made perfect sense.”

— Michael Eversmeyer, President, Kent Pet Group

In recent years, a number of studies have demonstrated that pets have a beneficial effect on a wide range of aspects of human health and wellbeing, including cardiovascular health, child development, healthy aging, depression and anxiety, as well as other forms of mental and physical health. The benefits don’t just go one way; a recent HABRI-conducted survey of 2,000 pet owners indicated that a greater awareness and understanding of the scientific research on the human-animal bond motivates pet owners to take better care of their pets.

Source: Kent Pet Group Supports Human-Animal Bond Research

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PIJAC Continues to Challenge Hawaiian Ornamental Fish Ban

Members of the Hawaiian fishing industry have teamed up with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) in fighting a bill that proposes a ban on ornamental fishing in the state.

If passed, Hawaiian Senate Bill 2003 would revoke existing ornamental fishing licenses while also preventing new ones from being issued. Members of the ornamental fishing industry in Hawaii have said that the bill would effectively stop the industry for the foreseeable future. The moratorium on the issue of new licenses would remain in effect until a study of the environmental impact of ornamental fishing can be conducted, per the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HEPA).

PIJAC Vice President, Robert Likins, stated that the bill would unfairly harm the ornamental fishing industry while doing nothing to protect the Hawaiian ecosystem. “The fact is that study after study has concluded aquarium fishing is sustainable and has no appreciable impact on the environment, as Governor [David] Ige rightly concluded when he vetoed Senate Bill 1240 last year. PIJAC and our members in Hawaii are ready and eager to engage in good-faith discussions with lawmakers to follow through on promises made to further advance the environmental stewardship by the trade,” said Likins.

PIJAC has challenged several Hawaiian supreme court decisions related to the HEPA requirements surrounding ornamental fishing.

“Hawaii Senate Bill 2003 will close one of, if not the, most responsible fisheries in the world. This bill will put people out of work and risk the lives of licensed divers by limiting their ability to have licensed, qualified diving partners. And it will do nothing to protect Hawaii’s pristine waters.”

— Robert Likins, Vice President, PIJAC

Source: PIJAC Urges Hawaii Senate to Drop Ornamental Fish Ban

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Global Pet Care Sales Up 14% Since 2012

The global pet care industry grew 14% between 2012 and 2017 according to a recent statement from Paula Flores, the head of pet care research for market research firm Euromonitor International. The 14% growth figure represents $13 billion in increased sales, for a total of $109 billion in sales in 2017.

According to Flores, speaking as part of the recent Top Pet Food Trends for 2018 webinar, this growth rate was higher than that seen among other packaged goods. Among the drivers of these increased sales, dog food sales represented the largest portion of sales in North America, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific region. In Eastern Europe, cat food sales held the largest share. While sales increased internationally as well as domestically, the United States captured 44% of the global market.

Among the trends predicted for 2018, Flores indicated that clean label packaging would likely continue to be a driving force. Similarly, sustainability and transparency of the supply chain were anticipated to be major selling points to so-called “sleuthy shoppers,” those who are willing to thoroughly investigate products before committing to a purchase.

For other insights from the webinar, check out the full article on Petfood Industry.

Source: Global pet care sales grew 14 percent in past five years

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Petco Foundation Awards $765,000 to Animal Welfare Organizations

The Petco Foundation recently awarded over a quarter of a million dollars to 52 different animal welfare organizations as part of its Holiday Wishes campaign.

As part of the holiday-themed campaign, stories were solicited from thousands of individuals about how their adopted pets changed their lives. Animal welfare organizations selected by the winning authors are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in funding from the Petco Foundation.

The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, were issued throughout the month up to the final award on December 20. The authors of the winning stories each received a $1,000 Petco gift card.

For a full list of winners and their stories, view the Holiday Wishes website.

Source: The Petco Foundation to Award $765,000 in Grants to Animal Welfare Organizations This Holiday Season

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HABRI Awards Four New Grants to Study Effects of Pet Ownership

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) recently announced that it has awarded four new research grants intended to explore the effects of human-animal interaction on human health. Subjects of the grant-funded projects range from the effects of pets on the development of social skills on children with autism spectrum disorder to their effects on the wellbeing of older adults living alone.

The four projects were selected from a pool of nearly 50 proposals HABRI received this year. Together, they represent the latest in the over $200,000 HABRI has awarded in research grants this year and the $2 million it has funded since 2010.

“These projects are exciting, including HABRI’s first two cat studies, and we look forward to seeing the results. Each year, HABRI receives an increasing number of research proposals, which is why we need even more support from within and outside the pet care community. Together, we will deliver the scientific research needed to strengthen the role of pets in the lives of children, families and the communities where they live.”

— Bob Vetere, President, HABRI

For more information about the latest research projects funded by HABRI as well as the results of its previously-funded grant projects, visit HABRI.org.

Source: New research grants focus on human-animal bond

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