Have you picked out your pet’s Halloween costume yet?
According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, roughly one in five pet owners plan on dressing their pets up for Halloween. The survey, which covers a wide range of topics, indicated that 18% of pet owners had costumes in mind for their pets for Halloween 2018. This is up from 16% in 2017. Among the factors cited for the increase in costumed pets are a stronger economy and increased activity among millennials.
The new guidelines were presented at the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition Congress in Munich last month, in front of an audience of scientists and veterinary professionals. The revised guidelines represent the latest in the FEDIAF’s effort to continually update them to reflect the current state of the science.
“One of FEDIAF’s main objectives is to safeguard the wellbeing of pets by providing well balanced and nutritionally sound pet food through its member companies. That is why FEDIAF has taken up the task of regularly adapting the recommendations for nutrient levels in pet food in close cooperation with independent scientists. This enables the pet food industry to adjust the nutritional quality of complete diets for dogs and cats based on state-of-the-art scientific knowledge.”
— Thomas Brenten, Chair, FEDIAF Nutrition and Analytical Science Working Group
A full version of the Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs is available through the FEDIAF website.
The Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award consists of five different awards, each with an emphasis on a different area of excellence within the pet industry. The 2018 Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award recipients include,
https://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.png00Jamie Branthttps://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.pngJamie Brant2018-10-09 06:16:322018-10-18 03:22:12Pet Industry Women of the Year Announced
Dog owners who rent are likely all too familiar with the discrimination that comes with trying to find pet-friendly housing. From breed-specific policies to additional pet-related fees, renting an apartment can be challenging and expensive for those with dogs. For those reasons, anyone who has ever attempted to find dog-friendly housing may appreciate the fact that there is at least one apartment complex for which owning a dog isn’t just permitted, it’s a prerequisite.
Hundehuset (Danish for “the dog house”) is a new 18-unit apartment complex located in Zealand, Denmark, that requires its tenants own a pet. The complex, currently in development, was conceived by local developer, Martin Viuff, as a response to the limited number of pet-friendly apartments available in Denmark.
“People are tired of the fact that there are so many places where you cannot have a dog. We’d like to welcome dog owners. Many of them feel a little lonely.”
— Martin Viuff, Developer, Hundehuset
In addition to simply requiring dogs, the complex has been designed to cater to dogs and their owners. The complex features durable floors that are intended to better resist dogs’ nails while also being easy to clean. Residents will also have access to an outdoor bathing area to keep their pups nice and clean.
https://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.png00Jamie Branthttps://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.pngJamie Brant2018-10-04 11:45:002018-10-18 17:45:28Danish Apartment Complex is for the Dogs (Exclusively)
The WayStation program safely transports dogs from overcrowded shelters to pet shelters in other parts of the country where shelter resources are more readily available and where demand for dogs may be higher. The WayStation program has also helped relocate dogs following natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
The program has been funded by a $1.2 million grant from PetSmart Charities since September 1, 2017. During the year-long span since then, the WayStation program has transported over 4,000 dogs to shelters where they’ve had a much higher chance of being adopted into loving families.
“Many people may not realize that the large-scale practice of transporting pets emerged from the needs made clear in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But whether we’re talking about transporting displaced pets following natural disasters, or simply relocating them to give them a better chance of finding a loving home, pet transport continues to be an important part of reducing pet homelessness and a best practice PetSmart Charities is committed to supporting through grant funding.”
— David Haworth, President, PetSmart Charities
For more information about the WayStation Program, check out the full release.
At the annual Pet Night on Capitol Hill earlier this month, several members of Congress were recognized as “Pets’ Best Friend” by the Pet Leadership Council (PLC), for their efforts on behalf of companion animals and those who serve and support them.
Pets’ Best Friend award recipients include:
Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-5)
Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1)
Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9)
Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-7)
Rep. Robert Latta (OH-5)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2)
Rep. Paul Mitchell (MI-10)
Rep. Kurt Schrader, DVM (OR-5)
Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-6)
Rep. Ted Yoho, DVM (FL-3)
Rep. David Young (IA-3)
Rep. Don Young (AK-AL)
“We are grateful to these representatives for their unwavering support for policies and programs that encourage animal health, responsibility and education among pet owners and the general public.”
— Bob Vetere, Chair, Pet Leadership Council
Pet Night on Capitol Hill is an annual celebration of pets, pet owners and the human-animal bond, hosted by the Pet Leadership Council and the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI).
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey, more than 84.6 million households own at least one pet and 53 percent report their pet is good for their health. Studies have demonstrated health benefits including decreased stress and obesity rates and improved heart health among pet owners, and pets have also been shown to have positive impacts on families with autistic children as well as those suffering from memory impairment and post-traumatic stress. In 2016, a study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and George Mason University, calculated an $11.7 billion savings in U.S. healthcare costs as a result of pet ownership.
The Pet Leadership Council is made up of pet industry leaders, animal welfare, veterinarians and academia. Their mission is to advocate for pets and those who serve and support them by promoting responsible pet ownership and educating the public on efforts to improve the health and well-being of companion animals.
https://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.png00Jamie Branthttps://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.pngJamie Brant2018-10-01 10:02:502018-10-15 21:41:41Pet Leadership Council Honors Congress Members with "Pets' Best Friend" Award
Powers brings with her 27 years of experience in association management and nearly 20 years of experience in executive director roles. Previously, Powers served as executive director for Beacon, Networking for Life and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association.
“I am thrilled to be joining this fabulous organization and to work in an industry that I am passionate about,” Powers said. “I am committed to continuing to lead PIDA forward with a strong focus on this progressive organization’s mission. From my experience, I understand the importance of wholesaler-distributors in the supply chain and will continue to promote the value of strong partnerships with suppliers and customers. I am also dedicated to continuing PIDA’s active engagement with industry partners such as APPA, PIJAC and WPA, as well as the Pet Care Trust, the Pet Leadership Council and HABRI.”
— Celeste Powers, President-Elect, PIDA
Powers will succeed current PIDA president, Steve King, who will begin his tenure as president of the American Pet Products Association (APPA) in January. Powers will assume the role of president on November 5, 2018.
https://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.png00Jamie Branthttps://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.pngJamie Brant2018-10-01 08:01:122018-10-18 03:03:29PIDA Announces New President
Petland‘s Norwin location recently announced that it will be hosting its second annual Paws for the Cause charity event later this month.
The charity event will feature dinner, demonstrations, and a variety of raffle and auction activities. Proceeds from the event will go toward funding affiliate rescues, shelters, and humane organizations.
Prize and auction donations are being accepted at Petland’s Norwin location during regular business hours. Tickets are also available from the Norwin location as well.
Paws for the Cause will take place on October 14 at 5:30 PM at Stratigo’s Banquet Center at 131 Colonial Manor Road in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
https://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.png00Jamie Branthttps://petleadershipcouncil.org/resources/uploads/pet-leadership-council-logo-sm.pngJamie Brant2018-10-01 07:05:552018-10-18 18:06:01Petland Hosts Second Annual Paws for the Cause
The AMR Challenge is a joint effort to encourage governments and private industry to make commitments to reduce AMR through various means. As part of the joint AMR Challenge, PIJAC is working with the pet care community to develop and establish a document, known as Recommendations for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Companion Animal Care, intended to address antimicrobial use and outline best practices for the industry. PIJAC also intends to develop educational materials and to provide outreach and education to the pet care community and the general public on the subject of antimicrobial use.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the world’s progress in healthcare, food production, and even life expectancy and affects both humans and animals. When microorganisms are exposed to antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, they may develop a resistance to that drug. Microorganisms that have developed a resistance become harder to treat using those same drugs. Microorganisms that have developed a resistance to most known treatment options are commonly known as “superbugs” and can pose a serious risk to whatever they infect due to their difficulty in treating.
To learn more about PIJAC’s efforts to combat AMR, read the full release.
As residents of North Carolina frantically attempted to evacuate in the hours ahead of Hurricane Florence’s landfall, one woman was determined to rescue many of the pets left behind. Her reward? Twelve misdemeanor counts.
Tammie Hedges, founder of Crazy’s Claws N Paws, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income families pay their veterinary bills, had shifted her focus to rescuing pets left behind during the evacuation. Before the hurricane hit, she had begun to convert warehouse space into an animal shelter. When Florence began to pose a threat to the coast, Hedges had not yet registered the shelter officially, but had enough essential supplies and resources to begin sheltering animals until the storm passed.
Over the course of the storm, Hedges’ shelter took in 27 animals from people who were unable to evacuate with their pets. The animals were provided with food, water, basic medical care, and 24 hour supervision.
Once the storm passed, Hedges received a call from the Wayne County Department of Animal Control in which she was told she would need to surrender the animals in her care. With few other options, Hedges complied. Several days later, Hedges was arrested and charged with twelve counts of misdemeanor practice/attempt veterinary medicine without a license and one count of solicitation of a Schedule 4 controlled substance.
While the Department of Animal Control’s grounds for seizing the animals from Hedges’ unregistered animal shelter was valid under the law, many view the seizure and Hedges’ arrest as a gratuitous act against a well-intentioned good samaritan. Following the arrest, members of the community rallied around Hedges and her efforts. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help cover Hedges’ legal fees and a petition calling for the dropping of the charges has collected over 10,000 signatures.
UPDATE:
Following the public outcry in support of Hedges, the Wayne County District Attorney’s office dropped all charges against her.
Pet Halloween Costumes Continue to Grow in Popularity
Have you picked out your pet’s Halloween costume yet?
According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, roughly one in five pet owners plan on dressing their pets up for Halloween. The survey, which covers a wide range of topics, indicated that 18% of pet owners had costumes in mind for their pets for Halloween 2018. This is up from 16% in 2017. Among the factors cited for the increase in costumed pets are a stronger economy and increased activity among millennials.
Source: Pet Costume Popularity Increases
FEDIAF Publishes Revised Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dogs
The European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) recently announced new nutritional guidelines for cat and dog foods.
The new guidelines were presented at the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition Congress in Munich last month, in front of an audience of scientists and veterinary professionals. The revised guidelines represent the latest in the FEDIAF’s effort to continually update them to reflect the current state of the science.
A full version of the Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs is available through the FEDIAF website.
Source: FEDIAF presents new nutritional guidelines at Vet Congress
Pet Industry Women of the Year Announced
The Women in the Pet Industry Network recently announced the recipients of this year’s Pet Industry Woman of the Year award.
The Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award consists of five different awards, each with an emphasis on a different area of excellence within the pet industry. The 2018 Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award recipients include,
Advocate Award
Judy Morgan, DVM
Naturally Healthy Pets
Corporate Award
Carol Borden
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc
Entrepreneur Award
Peggy Hoyt
PetFriendly.Love
Rising Star Award
Yasaar Nakchbendi
Chirpy Cats
Solopreneur Award
Jen Reeder
Divided Sky
Source: Pet Industry Woman of the Year Winners Announced
Danish Apartment Complex is for the Dogs (Exclusively)
Dog owners who rent are likely all too familiar with the discrimination that comes with trying to find pet-friendly housing. From breed-specific policies to additional pet-related fees, renting an apartment can be challenging and expensive for those with dogs. For those reasons, anyone who has ever attempted to find dog-friendly housing may appreciate the fact that there is at least one apartment complex for which owning a dog isn’t just permitted, it’s a prerequisite.
Hundehuset (Danish for “the dog house”) is a new 18-unit apartment complex located in Zealand, Denmark, that requires its tenants own a pet. The complex, currently in development, was conceived by local developer, Martin Viuff, as a response to the limited number of pet-friendly apartments available in Denmark.
In addition to simply requiring dogs, the complex has been designed to cater to dogs and their owners. The complex features durable floors that are intended to better resist dogs’ nails while also being easy to clean. Residents will also have access to an outdoor bathing area to keep their pups nice and clean.
Hundehuset is slated to open some time in 2019
Source: Don’t bother trying to rent at this Danish apartment complex unless you own a dog
PetSmart Charities-Funded WayStation Program Saves 4,000 Dogs
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey recently announced that it had saved the lives of over 4,000 dogs through its WayStation pet transport program.
The WayStation program safely transports dogs from overcrowded shelters to pet shelters in other parts of the country where shelter resources are more readily available and where demand for dogs may be higher. The WayStation program has also helped relocate dogs following natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
The program has been funded by a $1.2 million grant from PetSmart Charities since September 1, 2017. During the year-long span since then, the WayStation program has transported over 4,000 dogs to shelters where they’ve had a much higher chance of being adopted into loving families.
For more information about the WayStation Program, check out the full release.
Source: One Year After Receiving a $1.2 Million Grant from PetSmart Charities, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center’s WayStation Program Celebrates Saving the Lives of 4,000 Dogs Through Pet Transport Initiative
Pet Leadership Council Honors Congress Members with “Pets’ Best Friend” Award
At the annual Pet Night on Capitol Hill earlier this month, several members of Congress were recognized as “Pets’ Best Friend” by the Pet Leadership Council (PLC), for their efforts on behalf of companion animals and those who serve and support them.
Pets’ Best Friend award recipients include:
Pet Night on Capitol Hill is an annual celebration of pets, pet owners and the human-animal bond, hosted by the Pet Leadership Council and the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI).
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey, more than 84.6 million households own at least one pet and 53 percent report their pet is good for their health. Studies have demonstrated health benefits including decreased stress and obesity rates and improved heart health among pet owners, and pets have also been shown to have positive impacts on families with autistic children as well as those suffering from memory impairment and post-traumatic stress. In 2016, a study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and George Mason University, calculated an $11.7 billion savings in U.S. healthcare costs as a result of pet ownership.
The Pet Leadership Council is made up of pet industry leaders, animal welfare, veterinarians and academia. Their mission is to advocate for pets and those who serve and support them by promoting responsible pet ownership and educating the public on efforts to improve the health and well-being of companion animals.
Source: Pet Leadership Council Honors Congress Members with ‘Pets’ Best Friend’ Award
PIDA Announces New President
The Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) recently announced that Celeste Powers, CAE, will serve as its new president.
Powers brings with her 27 years of experience in association management and nearly 20 years of experience in executive director roles. Previously, Powers served as executive director for Beacon, Networking for Life and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association.
Powers will succeed current PIDA president, Steve King, who will begin his tenure as president of the American Pet Products Association (APPA) in January. Powers will assume the role of president on November 5, 2018.
Source: PIDA Announces its New President
Petland Hosts Second Annual Paws for the Cause
Petland‘s Norwin location recently announced that it will be hosting its second annual Paws for the Cause charity event later this month.
The charity event will feature dinner, demonstrations, and a variety of raffle and auction activities. Proceeds from the event will go toward funding affiliate rescues, shelters, and humane organizations.
Prize and auction donations are being accepted at Petland’s Norwin location during regular business hours. Tickets are also available from the Norwin location as well.
Paws for the Cause will take place on October 14 at 5:30 PM at Stratigo’s Banquet Center at 131 Colonial Manor Road in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Source: Petland Hosts 2nd Paws for Cause
PIJAC Joins Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) recently announced that it has joined the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The AMR Challenge is a joint effort to encourage governments and private industry to make commitments to reduce AMR through various means. As part of the joint AMR Challenge, PIJAC is working with the pet care community to develop and establish a document, known as Recommendations for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Companion Animal Care, intended to address antimicrobial use and outline best practices for the industry. PIJAC also intends to develop educational materials and to provide outreach and education to the pet care community and the general public on the subject of antimicrobial use.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the world’s progress in healthcare, food production, and even life expectancy and affects both humans and animals. When microorganisms are exposed to antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, they may develop a resistance to that drug. Microorganisms that have developed a resistance become harder to treat using those same drugs. Microorganisms that have developed a resistance to most known treatment options are commonly known as “superbugs” and can pose a serious risk to whatever they infect due to their difficulty in treating.
To learn more about PIJAC’s efforts to combat AMR, read the full release.
Source: PIJAC Joins the AMR Challenge to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
Good Samaritan Arrested for Helping Animals Affected by Hurricane Florence
As residents of North Carolina frantically attempted to evacuate in the hours ahead of Hurricane Florence’s landfall, one woman was determined to rescue many of the pets left behind. Her reward? Twelve misdemeanor counts.
Tammie Hedges, founder of Crazy’s Claws N Paws, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income families pay their veterinary bills, had shifted her focus to rescuing pets left behind during the evacuation. Before the hurricane hit, she had begun to convert warehouse space into an animal shelter. When Florence began to pose a threat to the coast, Hedges had not yet registered the shelter officially, but had enough essential supplies and resources to begin sheltering animals until the storm passed.
Over the course of the storm, Hedges’ shelter took in 27 animals from people who were unable to evacuate with their pets. The animals were provided with food, water, basic medical care, and 24 hour supervision.
Once the storm passed, Hedges received a call from the Wayne County Department of Animal Control in which she was told she would need to surrender the animals in her care. With few other options, Hedges complied. Several days later, Hedges was arrested and charged with twelve counts of misdemeanor practice/attempt veterinary medicine without a license and one count of solicitation of a Schedule 4 controlled substance.
While the Department of Animal Control’s grounds for seizing the animals from Hedges’ unregistered animal shelter was valid under the law, many view the seizure and Hedges’ arrest as a gratuitous act against a well-intentioned good samaritan. Following the arrest, members of the community rallied around Hedges and her efforts. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help cover Hedges’ legal fees and a petition calling for the dropping of the charges has collected over 10,000 signatures.
UPDATE:
Following the public outcry in support of Hedges, the Wayne County District Attorney’s office dropped all charges against her.
Source: Woman arrested after helping animals affected by Hurricane Florence