Pet blog awards contest now accepting nominations

The fourth annual "Petties Awards" is now accepting nominations from the pet blogging community and their readers to recognize the best pet-related blogs of 2013.
Hosted by DogTime Media, the "Petties" is expected to exceed 2012's record of more than 20,000 nominations, and will accept nominations in 10 categories: Best Dog Blog, Best Cat Blog, Best Cause-Related Blog, Best Designed Blog, Best Individual Blog Post, Best Active-Living Blog, Funniest Blog or Blogger, Best Video Post, Best Pet Mobile Application and Best Overall Pet Blog.
The awards also give back to the animal community, allowing participants to choose a nonprofit animal shelter or rescue during the nomination process to receive a US$10,000 grant. The shelter with the most nominations will win the grant.
Nominations for the 2013 DogTime Pet Blog awards close June 28. The four bloggers with the most nominations in each category will be chosen as finalists. Voting for the finalists opens July 5 and closes July 31. Winners will be announced in an online ceremony in September. Each winning blogger will be awarded a US$1,000 donation to the animal shelter of their choice, along with a custom "Petties" award trophy, a "Petties Winner" badge for their blog site, a package of editorial coverage across the DogTime Media Network, and other social media traffic-driving opportunities.

HH Backer sells 'Pet Age' magazine to Journal Multimedia

Pet industry trade show producer H.H. Backer Associates sold its Pet Age magazine to Journal Multimedia.
H.H. Backer's last publication will be the December 2012 issue of Pet Age. Journal Multimedia will take over the publication with the January 2013 issue. 

PetSmart announces 2010 earnings, 2011 sales forecast

PetSmart reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010, and forecast the company's sales for 2011.
For the fourth quarter, earnings per share were up 26% to US$0.77. Comparable store sales, or sales in stores open at least a year, increased 6.3% helped by comparable transactions growth of 4.4%, according to the company. Total sales for the quarter were up 8.1% to US$1.5 billion, partially impacted by US$4 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations. Services sales, which are included in total sales, increased 7.2% to US$152 million.
For fiscal year 2010, PetSmart's earnings per share rose 26% to US$2.01 from US$1.59 the previous year. Comparable store sales grew 4.8%, benefiting from comparable transactions growth of 2.1%. The company reported total sales for fiscal 2010 were up 6.7% to US$5.7 billion, including a favorable impact from foreign currency fluctuations of US$25 million. For the year, services sales rose 7.5% to US$619 million.
“For all of 2011, we anticipate comparable store sales growth in the 3% to 4% range, and total sales growth in the mid-single digits range,” said Chip Molloy, senior vice president and chief financial officer. 

Global spending on pet supplies pushes US$77 billion

Worldwide spending in 2009 on pet industry supplies totals to €56.8 billion (US$76.9 billion), according to Euromonitor International.
Europe’s total spending of €21.7 billion (US$29.4 billion) has allowed it to overtake North America by €400 million (US$541 million) more in sales.
Click to see the graph breakdown of spending by continents.

Kitchenware for serving petfood now available

Australian designer Belinda Jennings has released her line of exclusive kitchenware for serving petfood – Muttlery & Catlery.
The range currently includes a pet spoon and pet cup designed to make serving wet and dry food easier for the pet owner.

Hill’s partners with home delivery company

VetCentric Inc., a delivery provider of prescription medications and veterinary therapeutic and wellness foods, announced its new affiliation with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
Under the new arrangement, VetCentric partner clinics now offer pet owners access to the entire Hill's petfood product line, including Hill's Prescription Diets and Hill's Science Diet products.