Organix earns Non-GMO Project Verified status

Organic pet food leader Organix has earned Non-GMO Project Verified status for its canned pet food recipes made with organic chicken. Organix, the most complete line of certified organic natural food for pets made under the USDA’s National Organic Program, received this status for undergoing a stringent verification process that recognizes best practices for GMO avoidance in recipe ingredients.
“Just as people want to know what’s in their own food, we believe pet parents should care about what’s in their pet’s food as well,” said Mark Sapir, vice president of marketing for Merrick Pet Care, the maker of the Castor & Pollux Organix brand. “We chose to pursue Non-GMO Project Verified status for our popular Organix chicken canned recipes for cats and dogs so pet parents can easily choose pet foods that avoid GMOs and be further assured that what they’re feeding their pets is safe.”
The Non-GMO Project verification was achieved after in-depth audit of both Organix ingredients and the company’s manufacturing facilities to ensure the company is meeting the highest possible standards for GMO avoidance. As part of the verification, 10 Organix canned food recipes containing organic chicken will bear the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. Recipes include:

• Organix Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Chicken & Potato Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Grain Free Chicken & Potato Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken & Vegetable Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Butcher & Bushel Grain Free Organic Shredded Chicken Dinner with Fresh-Cut Potatoes in Gravy Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Butcher & Bushel Grain Free Organic Tender Chicken Dinner with Fresh-Cut White Potatoes & Apples in Gravy Recipe (for dogs)
• Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver Pate Recipe (for cats)
• Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken Pate Recipe (for cats)
• Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken Recipe Shredded in Gravy (for cats)
• Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe Shredded in Gravy (for cats)

Pet parents can expect to see the new cans bearing the Non-GMO Project Verified seal nationwide starting in Summer 2015 everywhere Organix recipes are sold, including PetSmart, natural grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Markets, and online.
In addition to receiving this verification, Organix canned recipes are also USDA-certified organic and made with 95 percent organic ingredients. Recipes include organic ingredients such as organic chicken, organic fruits and organic vegetables, with no added growth hormones, antibiotics or synthetic fertilizers. All Organix recipes are made in the US in an organically certified facility, and contain no ingredients from China.

One Dog Organic Bakery donates 100 bags of treats in May

One Dog Organic Bakery L.L.C. (ODOB) donated more than 100 bags of treats to its rescue partner of the month, bringing total treats donated to more than 200 pounds. The donations during May marks a new record for ODOB.
ODOB owner Veronica Glynn recognized an opportunity to share her love for rescued dogs and her passion for safe, nutritious dog food to help minimize some of this financial burden faced by rescue groups and shelters.
“Both of our pups have been rescued and I estimate that 80% of my customers have rescued their fur family. We believe that all dogs should have access to safe and nutritious food. Feeding your dog something so small as a treat shouldn’t be a life or death decision,” Glynn said.
In February 2015, ODOB launched its K9 Rescue Outreach campaign and had its first rescue signed up less 24 hours later. Scheduling already into April 2016, the program provides much more than safe food to its rescue partners. Every month, ODOB features a Rescue Spotlight on its weekly blog about those who have dedicated their lives to rescuing animals.
When asked how helpful the K9 Rescue Outreach program is to his organization, Tip Burrows, executive director of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, said: “Extremely helpful. Firstly, treats are a luxury for our shelter dogs. Healthy treats even more of one.”
“I have the best job in the world and being able to make a difference in one dog’s life, something so small as providing a treat to a dog who has never experienced human kindness. It just doesn’t get any better than that,” said Glynn.

Interzoo 2014 introduces organic petfood showcase

Organic products for pets will attract special attention at the 2014 Interzoo, according to show organizers, with the organic petfood showcase.

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Manufacturers of certified organic petfood can present their products for the first time at a special show in hall 3A, including an accurate description of each product and a reference to the exhibitor's stand (maximum two products per registration). The showcase exhibitors will also be presented in the exhibition catalogue and Exhibition Guide, and their registered products will be published complete with product description, photo and stand information on the Interzoo website.
Interzoo will be held May 29-June 1, 2014, in Nürnberg, Germany.

Farm-to-bowl dog food gaining popularity among pet owners, farmers

Farm-to-bowl dog food is gaining popularity among some producers and consumers of petfood looking not only for a healthy option for their pet, but also a way to help the environment by reducing waste on farms. 
Two years ago, Jake Dickson, a butcher in New York, New York, USA, began selling premium, locally sourced dog food blended with veggies from a farmers market and leftover meats from his shop. Although the food is "quite expensive," Dickson said about 100 customers per week purchase it.
"For us, it's all about 100 percent utilization of the animal," Dickson said. "If we're going to slaughter it, we want to use every part. And second, if we use every part, we're more profitable as a company."
The trend in sustainable petfood has also led some to set up subscription-based "doggie CSAs," or community-supported agriculture.
One such doggie CSA is run by Dennis Adams and his wife, who live near Columbus, Ohio, USA, and raise free-range sheep, alpaca and chickens at Cota Farms. Adams grinds up the leftover meat after it's processed and sells it as raw dog food at local farmers markets. Adams now has 50 subscribers to his CSA, and he has even recruited other ranchers and farmers in the area to sell their meat.
"This is premium, organic meat," Adams said. "Dogs are lucky to get it."
Another doggie CSA is operated by Tasha Ardalan in San Diego, California, USA. Ardalan collects the season's leftover fruits and vegetables from local farmers, who would otherwise just throw them out. "The farmers love it," she said. 
Ardalan mixes the produce with meats from local ranchers and sells the raw, organic dog food patties for about US$4 per pound to subscribers of her CSA, Foxy Treats. Ardalan says she consults with local veterinarians to formulate the recipes. "Some customers are a bit skittish about the food being raw," she said. "So I just tell them to bake it."

Global Pet Food Stores to expand into western Canada

Global Pet Food Stores Inc. is reportedly planning to expand its natural and organic pet food stores into the western Canadian market.
The company, which currently operates two stores in the US and 155 stores in Canada, recently opened its latest store in Calgary, Canada. President Jim Walker said the region could also see another four to six stores open within the next 18 months. “Western Canada has been the fastest growing portion (of the chain’s expansion) over the course of the last probably 18 months,” said Walker.
Jay de Nance and Michael Kehoe, of Fairfield Commercial Real Estate Inc., are currently looking for space for the company’s expansion.

Merrick's 'Doggupy' movement promotes organic pet food

Pet food company Merrick Pet Care recently held a movement with dogs and their owners demanding high-quality food as a play on the Occupy Wall Street movement that took place in the US.
More than 40 dogs and their owners participated in the "Doggupy" movement in Union Square in New York, New York, USA, which highlighted Merrick's organic pet food offerings.
Participants lobbied for a more widespread commitment to locally sourced, protein-rich pet foods, made in the US. Participants held signs with "United we sit, together we stay" and "Liberate the bowl." In addition, producers of the movement, Lipari Production Group, and Merrick also brought dogs from local animal service organizations to participate.
To go along with the "Doggupy" movement, Merrick also created a "pawtition" on its Facebook page, where dog owners could share photos of their dog and enter to win a year's supply of Merrick's dog food.

Wet and dry Castor & Pollux Organix pet foods certified under National Organic Program

Merrick Pet Care Inc., makers of Castor & Pollux Organix brand pet food, have earned organic certification under the US Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program for all of its Texas,USA-based manufacturing facilities. The company is certified under the National Organic Program for both dry and wet pet foods.
The organic certification, awarded by organic certifying agency Oregon Tilth, was achieved after an examination of Merrick's supply chain, ingredient suppliers, manufacturing facilities and systems processes. To maintain the certification, Castor & Pollux Organix must adhere to criteria outlined in the National Organic Program, including future audits.
"Our brands and product reputations have been built by the Merrick heritage of using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients from local growers," said Keith Bridwell, vice president of manufacturing for Merrick Pet Care. "This organic certification simply underscores the commitment across our entire company in developing real, wholesome food for pets that exceeds consumer expectations."

Merrick acquires natural, organic pet food company Castor & Pollux

Merrick Pet Care Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks, a privately held natural and organic pet food company based in Oregon, USA.
Although specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, Merrick Pet Care says the acquisition of Castor & Pollux further advances its key growth strategies of expanding the company’s brands in the super-premium petfood segment and allows for greater utilization of its manufacturing facilities located in Hereford, Texas, USA.
“This acquisition is about building a new company that is even stronger than the sum of its parts,” said Greg Shearson, CEO for Merrick Pet Care. “Both Merrick and Castor & Pollux were built by passionate founders determined to provide optimal nutrition for pets. That remains our commitment today. Our Merrick pet food recipes are developed and made every day in our own facilities, enabling us to deliver superior nutritional quality and safety.
“Even in this historically difficult economic environment, we see pet parents seeking higher quality and ingredient certainty in the food choices they are making for themselves and their pets,” said Shearson. “And together, we can better meet the growing demand for the highest quality petfood.”
Merrick plans to consolidate Castor & Pollux's operations at Merrick’s Texas, USA, facilities.
"The addition of the outstanding Castor & Pollux brands gives us a solid footing within the natural and organic space. Coupled with some exciting new plans we have to evolve the Merrick brands in the next few months, we are well positioned for growth of our entire Texas-based operation,” Merrick Pet Care Inc. founder, Garth Merrick, said.

Pet supply chain caters to to organic, human-grade pet foods

Brad Kriser, owner of Feeding Pets for Life LLC, says he’s trying to attract pet owners to his pet supply chain by providing pet nutrition-conscious customers with a wide variety of all-natural, organic and human-grade pet foods and pet treats. 
Based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and Los Angeles, California, USA, the stores feature an assortment of brands of natural dog and cat food, as well as upscale pet toys and clothing and unique items like bison-tendon treats and duck-feet snacks. 
“The Whole Foods of the pet world—that's what we want to be known as,” Kriser said.
In the stores, a sign, signed by Kriser, reads “All our foods are personally approved by me. And yes, I've tried them all.” 
“We're trying to show there's someone behind every decision,” he said.
Kriser says his least-expensive brand, Canidae, retails for US$10 for 4 pounds, while, in contrast, premium supermarket dog foods typically cost about US$7 for the same-sized bag.
Kriser says that his revenue increased by 40 percent in 2011. He is currently looking for capital to open seven more locations in 2012, including one in a new market of Denver, Colorado, USA. He hopes to eventually grow the company into a national chain with more than 100 locations.

Veterinarian clarifies natural, organic pet food label terms

Pet food ingredient labels can be confusing to pet owners because certain terms have no legal definition. Ernest Ward, veterinarian and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, says pet owners need to do their research when selecting what to feed their dog or cat.

Ward says there is no official definition for the term "natural," which could mean anything that is not synthetic but does not guarantee the product's quality or nutritional value. Another term often found on petfood labels is "organic." This refers to how plants were grown or animals were raised. The US Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program provides standards for human organic foods, which require at least 95% of ingredients be in compliance to have the USDA seal on the package; this applies to pet foods, too. Pet food consumers may also look for this seal on the labels of organic petfoods. The label "grain-free" on pet food packages means that they do not contain grain, wheat, corn or animal by-products.
Consumers must also understand how pet food is regulated, Ward says. The Association of American Feed Control Officials establishes nutritional standards for pet food, while the US Food and Drug Administration regulates petfood and its labeling.
Ward says pet owners should look for pet foods that contain the highest amount of protein that is minimally processed. When pet food ingredients are heated, Ward explains, much of the food's nutritional value is lost, and pet foods with a high amount of carbohydrates do not offer much nutritional value, either.

Greenopia's consumer tips on natural pet food selection

A popular trend in the pet food industry is consumers' recent demands for natural and organic pet foods. In an article from thedailygreen.com, Doug Mazeffa, research director at Greenopia.com, offers tips to consumers on selecting a "green" pet food.

While many consumers believe that organic, "green" pet foods often cost more per ounce, Mazeffa says these petfoods also tend to have higher concentrations of nutrients, meaning pets may not need to be fed as large of a quantity of the food. Mazeffa recommends that consumers check ingredient labels of pet foods in supermarkets so as to avoid harmful food preservatives. He also advises pet owners to stay away from pet foods that have the ingredient "meat and bone meal" listed on the label, because he believes this is the lowest quality protein.
To ensure the petfood is organic, Mazeffa suggests looking for food that is marked as certified organic and meets US Department of Agriculture standards for being free of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and artificial preservatives.
Greenopia.com rates petfood brands based on sustainable and humane production, packaging, food grade and ingredients, recycled materials, building logistics and overall supply chain. Greenopia also considers how well the company reports the petfood ingredients and the petfood manufacturer's environmental goals and practices. Greenopia gave the highest ratings to Best Organic and Natural Dog Foods, Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food, Karma Organic Dog Food, Best Organic and Natural Cat Foods, Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Cat Food, and Natural Planet Organics Cat Food.

Expanding pet industry gives entrepreneurs a chance for success

The American Pet Products Association estimates that consumers are spending more than US$50 billion on petfood and supplies, a 5% increase over the previous year. At a time when other industries are shrinking or at a standstill, the growing pet industry gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to start their own business selling popular pet products like organic pet food and treats.
"You don't have to go out and invent some patentable, new concept that's technologically innovative," says Bob Vetere, executive director of APPA. "If you have a pretty sweater that you can knit for a dog-that's got a niche too. You can cater to both ends." 
The pet market is relatively easy to enter, according to entrepreneur.com, because there are not only many opportunities for product innovation, but also many businesses can be started from home. Vetere says the pet industry adds about 200 to 250 serious businesses each year, though many of these small businesses do not make it past the first year.
Entrepreneurs must understand the market they are targeting as well as the business logistics of the product or service they are offering, experts say. John Nolan, president of Core Marketing and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management, says pet market entrepreneurs should conduct feasibility studies on their product or service before investing much money and time into it.  
"The feasibility study should entail a comprehensive competitive analysis of all existing competitors," Nolan says. "You must know their products, features, benefits, pricing and marketing. In a nutshell-everything about them."

Organic growth in pet segment boosts Hill's Pet second quarter earnings

Colgate-Palmolive, parent company of Hill's Pet Nutrition, held an earnings call on July 28, to discuss the company's second quarter 2011 results. 
The company is focused on organic pet food sales growth in emerging markets, where the highest quarterly growth in one year was recorded, helped by strong organic growth in the Hill's pet segment, according to Bina Thompson, president of investor relations. In the U.S., Hill's veterinary product channel saw renewed growth in the second quarter, following a decline during the economic recession. Thompson said this growth in the US and Europe is being driven by Vet Exclusive products the company launched earlier in the year, under the Science Diet Healthy Advantage brand in the US and Science Plan VetEssentials name in Europe. Natural petfood is the fastest growing segment within the category, as pet humanization and the inclusion or exclusion of specific ingredients are increasingly driving consumer behavior, according to Cook.
The company expects modest growth for the third quarter of 2011 and the full year, and organic sales growth in the mid-single digits following the launch of several new petfood products. A full transcript of the earnings call is available online.

Pet food follows organic food trends of pet owners

Recent trends in organic food have carried over from the plates of pet owners to the bowls of their pets. Big-box pet retailers and pet specialty stores are increasingly stocking shelves with premium, organic, locally-sourced, free-range, minimally-processed and raw pet foods to follow this trend, says a recent Los Angeles Times article.
"If there's a trend in human food and supplements, you'll see it on the pet food aisle," said Bob Vetere, president of American Pet Products Association. "Gluten-free, vitamin supplemented, breed-specific, senior formulas — all of these have taken over the pet marketplace, and we're seeing the competition increasing." 
Pet owners are spending more to feed their pets, as retail pet food sales were up 2.8% from 2009, to US$18.4 billion in 2010, according to the Packaged Facts. The market research company predicts that sales of natural foods will surpass overall petfood sales within the next five years, despite the fact that these foods can be more expensive than commercial pet food brands.
Many pet owners seek food they believe is more wholesome and natural compared with large commercial brands. Some pet owners switched to specialty foods after a 2007 recall of pet foods tainted with melamine, though there is no guarantee that specialty pet foods foods cannot also be contaminated, experts warn. In some cases, veterinarians say, legitimate pet concerns, such as meeting the nutritional needs of old age or treating allergies, are reasons pet owners switch to feeding a specialty food.
Dr. Nancy Scanlan, a veterinarian and executive director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, says experimentation may be the best method of finding the right pet food. Scanlan encourages pet owners to talk to their veterinarian, read pet food ingredient labels and look at studies in peer-reviewed journals.

Eco-dogs.com launches web-based storefront for pet owners interested in natural, organic, green products

Eco-dogs.com has officially opened its web-based storefront, according to co-founder Marion Elledge, who said that "the goals of eco-dogs.com are to introduce pet owners to natural, organic, eco-friendly products available on the market today, provide insight into how they can support a more sustainable environment by using these products and offer holistic, grain-free, gluten-free petfood and treats that are a much healthier choice than those carried in your local grocer." 
Initial items listed in the web store include pet products like Cycle Dog, Ecollargy, Wagging Green, and Earth Dog collars and leashes, which are made of organic materials such as soy, hemp, 100% cotton, 100% wool and bamboo. Other items for sale are constructed from things like recycled inner tubes, recycled billboards and recycled plastic bottles. "It is important to us to bring awareness as to how people can involve their pets in their eco-conscious efforts to prevent global warming and guarantee a sustainable environment," said co-founder and Vice President Roger Franklin

A few warning signs in petfood industry to watch

Unlike the larger economy, the petfood market seems to be humming along. Last week, Nestle Purina announced it expects its petfood sales in Latin America to surpass US$1 billion sometime next year. And a USA Today article listed pet supplies as one of the few categories enjoying increased US consumer spending this year, while most categories are still seeing declines.

Yet the picture isn't entirely rosy for petfood: The article quotes Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association, saying that while the 7% increase in pet supplies comes partially from growth in sales of organic petfood and other "high-end" items, economy-priced petfood is also selling briskly, with mid-priced products getting the squeeze.

This is certainly not a new phenomenon, especially for petfood, but the recession and its lingering effects seem to be exacerbating the situation. If you have mid-priced petfood brands, this could be a warning sign.

In another good news-maybe not so good news story, a last month a company called Pethealth Inc. released a PetPoint Report, the "first and only monthly gauge of both pet adoptions and relinquishments affecting animal welfare." It's based on aggregate data from almost 850 US animal welfare organizations using the company's PetPoint software.

First, the good news:

* Adoptions of cats rose 3% in September 2010 over 2009, while dog adoptions grew by 2%.

* Owner relinquishments (surrendering to animal shelters or welfare organizations) of cats and dogs decreased by 6% and 5%, respectively.

* Euthanizations declined 10% for cats and 7% for dogs.

All very positive -- and yet:

* Those owner surrenders of cats still totaled nearly 25,000 in September, with over 18,600 dogs surrendered.

* These animal welfare organizations took in over 37,700 stray cats and over 23,000 stray dogs in September.

* Average adoptions prices declined for cats and dogs older than 1 year old, while adoption prices for dogs younger than 1 were flat (meaning overall, shelters are taking in less money).

PetHealth says it will be releasing this report monthly, though I believe you have to subscribe (probably for a fee) to receive it. These numbers bear watching as a sign that many pet owners in the US are still hurting financially.

Original Pet Food Co. introduces grass-fed beef petfood line

Original Pet Food Co. introduced a new line of dog and cat petfood, which the company says is made from organic, grass-fed beef.
The company said the beef for this product line is sourced from Pampas-grazed cattle in Uruguay. This grass-fed beef is high in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, according to Original Pet Food Co.
"With the sustainable, organic, grass-fed beef revolution well underway, we believe it's high time for the same quality meats to make their way from the dinner plate to the pet bowl," said Melissa McGinnis, founder of Original Pet Food Co.

NOSB scheduled to meet about organic petfood in October

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet October 25-28 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, to discuss NOSB Handling Committee’s recommendation that it adopt a plan to regulate organic petfood.
The recommendation is one of 66 items on the committee’s agenda, as part of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service's National Organic Program. The Handling Committee first recommended the plan in September 2008, following an initial report by the Organic Pet Food Task Force that was completed in April 2006.
Individuals and organizations may submit comments on this matter until October 12. The agenda and proposed recommendations can be viewed online. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov (preferred) or via e-mail at nosb@ams.usda.gov. Requests to speak at the meeting can be made to Lisa Ahramjian, executive director of NOSB, at nosb@ams.usda.gov or +1.202.720.3252.

'Natural' petfood may not be best, veterinarian says

"Natural" petfoods may not always be the best choice to feed to pets, according to veterinarian Susan Nelson of Kansas State University, in an article from UPI.com.
Nelson warned that cats and dogs do not have the same nutritional needs as humans, therefore "natural" petfoods with many fruits and vegetables may not meet all of a pet's nutritional requirements.
"Natural and veggie-based pet foods are based more on market demand from owners, not because they are necessarily better for the pet," Nelson said.
Nelson advised consumers to look for labels from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which sets minimum standards for the nutritional adequacy of diets. Consumers should be wary of any petfood company that claims to have organic or holistic food because these categories don't exist by AAFCO definition, according to Nelson.

Sydney gets organic restaurant for pets

Sydney, Australia, has a new restaurant for cats and dogs called Chew Chew featuring organic menu offerings, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The restaurant is run by pet nutritionist Naoko Okamoto and opened in June. Home delivery is also available.
Okamoto began by selling small organic treats at markets and exploring customers' needs.
Dishes include chicken mince with coleslaw salad, beef steak with mushrooms and doggie-cinos. Treats and biscuits are also available for ordering online.