Royal Canin launches feline spay/neuter Facebook campaign

Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin launched a new feline spay/neuter campaign that rewards cat owners with free petfood for sharing a Facebook infographic.
The “You Share, We Give” campaign began to celebrate the launch of the company’s new Spayed/Neutered cat food formulas. In addition to canned formulas, the Spayed/Neutered cat diets also include four dry formulas: Kitten, Appetite Control, Appetite Control 7+ and Spayed/Neutered 12+.
Facebook users who share Royal Canin's Facebook infographic with another Facebook user will receive a downloadable coupon good for a free sample of the Spayed/Neutered canned formula, with up to 25,000 cans total given away. The company will also donate US$25,000 to the American Humane Association in support of feline health research.

Nestle Purina debuts Be Happy dog, cat food line

Nestle Purina's Be Happy line includes two varieties of dry food for both dogs and cats.

Nestle Purina is debuting a new Be Happy line of dog and cat foods inspired by the happiness pets share with their owners.
Be Happy petfood formulas are designed to support strong bones and teeth, healthy vision and a healthy skin and coat. Be Happy is available in two varieties for cats: Deep Sea Duos Crunchies with Ocean Fish and Salmon Flavors, as well as Poultry Pair-adise Crunchies with Chicken and Turkey Flavors. Be Happy is also available in two varieties for dogs: Beef Flavor and Chicken Flavor.
With the launch of the new petfood, the brand is also reaching out through social media channels such as Facebook and Pinterest. On the Be Happy Facebook page, fans can create e-cards, customize their own t-shirts and upload photos from the Be Happy mobile photo app, available in iTunes and Google Play. The brand's Pinterest site includes a board for "Happiness Art," which features craft projects inspired by the brand's philosophy. 

Interpets 2012 draws record number of visitors, exhibitors

In 2012, the Japanese pet industry show Interpets drew more visitors than its first show in 2011, with 46,883 visitors in 2012 compared to 39,481 in 2011.
Among those who attended Interpets, which took place August 23-26, were 9,836 pet industry professionals.
The 2012 show also had 257 exhibitors, including 48 from abroad, exhibiting new products. This is higher than the 217 exhibitors the show drew in 2011, shortly after an earthquake in Fukushima.

Nestle expands Purina petfood production facility in Hungary

Pet food manufacturer Nestlé is investing more than CHF54 million (US$56.3 million) to expand its Purina petfood production facility in Hungary.
The expansion at the company's plant in Bük will create about 150 new jobs by the end of this year. When the project is completed in March 2013, the expanded facility will have four new production lines that will double the capacity to produce the company's pouch petfood brands, such as Felix and Friskies. 

SuperZoo 2012 to host 871 pet product, services exhibitors

The World Pet Association has announced that its pet industry trade show SuperZoo 2012 has increased booth space by 18 percent over last year's show, with 871 exhibiting pet product and services companies.
The show, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 11-13, will feature new pet market trends like all natural and organic products, high-tech accessories like programmable feeders and automatic doors, mobile services for seniors and their pets, and more. SuperZoo University will present content in three targeted tracks of business development, animal wellness and technology/Internet.
Among many other opportunities, pet professionals at SuperZoo will be treated to a concert by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at the House of Blues, sponsored by pet food company P&G Pet Care. The performance will be held Tuesday, September 11, with general admission tickets available to attendees for US$10. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Pets in the Classroom program.

Groups commend FDA, AAFCO for ingredient definition process extension

Five major US grain, animal feed, feed ingredient and petfood organizations commended the US Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials for extending the current Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, entitled Memorandum of Understanding Between the US Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
"This 12-month extension is vital to the continued success of the AAFCO ingredient review process. The US animal feed and petfood industries need workable paths for getting new feed ingredients approved and into the marketplace. The extension of the current [Memorandum of Understanding] will ensure there is no gap in available review mechanisms for the industry in short order.
"The ingredient review process has worked for many decades and we look forward to another very successful year and hopefully many more to come,” according to the five associations. 

Research and Markets offers new global pet food market report

Research and Markets added the Pet Food Market - Global Scenario, Trends, Industry Analysis, Size, Share And Forecast, 2011-2017 report to its offering.
The report identifies factors that will drive the pet food market and sub-markets in the next few years, with an analysis of the pet food industry, current market trends, industry drivers and challenges for better understanding of market structure. The report also provides analysis of pet food manufacturers, product sales, trend analysis by segments and demand by geography.
Highlights of the report include:


• Definition, estimates and forecast of pet food product market from 2011 to 2017
• Analysis of product segments for pet food product market with historical data and forecast
• Trends and forecast based on major geographical markets, namely US, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW based on segments of pet food product market
• Profiles of major market participants for better understanding of their contributions
Companies mentioned are: Mars Inc., Nestle SA, Colgate-Palmolive Co., Proctor & Gamble Co., Del Monte Foods Co., Agrolimen SA, Uni-Charm Corp., Nutriara Alimentos Ltda., Total Alimentos SA, Mogiana Alimentos SA