Honest Kitchen switches to free-range chicken

The Honest Kitchen is transitioning all its chicken-based, dehydrated raw petfoods to sustainably farmed, free-range chicken this fall.
The chicken will be sourced exclusively from Petaluma Poultry, a division of Coleman Natural Foods, and is US Department of Agriculture-certified free range, humanely raised, vegetarian fed without the use of animal fat or by-products and free from antibiotics, according to the company.
“Humane farming and respect for the origins of our food are very important to me on a personal level, and it’s been a long-term ambition of our entire staff to be able to offer this level of quality to our consumers,” said Lucy Postins, founder and president of The Honest Kitchen.
Petaluma Poultry’s free-range birds are raised in roomy, naturally lit barns and have open access to outdoor pens, according to the company. The company’s farms have an ISO 14001 certification from the Environmental Resources Management Group of Companies.

Wegmans selects new petfood supplier

Wegmans Food Markets chose Meadville, Penn., manufacturer Dad’s Pet Care to produce its line of dry petfoods, according to reports.
Wegmans’ brands, Bruiser dry dog food and Buju and Ziggie dry cat food, will be produced at the new location.
The retailer chose Dad’s Pet Care after an onsite inspection for high food safety standards. The Pennsylvania location complies with Safe Quality Foods 2000 level two standards. Wegmans says it holds its petfood to the same safety standards as its human foods.
The change in manufacturers comes after last year’s product recalls from a strain of Salmonella found at the previous supplier’s facility.

Lantmannen Doggy to triple output

Due to strong demand by Swedish, German and Russian consumers for its dog and cat food, Swedish petfood manufacturer Lantmannen Doggy will expand production to triple its output, particularly of products packaged in Tetra Recart packaging.
The company is investing approximately €6.2 million (US$9.1 million) into the project, which has a spring 2010 completion date.

Fishy pet treat lauded

A treat product from Fish4Dogs was voted the best new product for 2009 by the Pet Product Retail Association (PPRA).
Founder Jill Angell saw a market niche to include healthy fish products into the petfood market with Star Treats. Versions of the treats feature taurine, Omega 3 and salmon oil.

Hartz gives to animal sanctuary

The Hartz Mountain Corp. recently donated $112,000 of food and supplies to help some 1,700 abandoned and abused pets.
The recipient is the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, the US's largest companion animal sanctuary, where there is a daily need for food, toys, bedding and other supplies.

Promotion encourages owners to get pets to vet

Beginning in October, National Pet Wellness Month, participating US veterinary clinics will launch a new educational campaign: A Happy, Healthy Pet Starts With a Plan. The campaign, promoting regular veterinary care, is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Fort Dodge Animal Health and VPI Pet Insurance.
The three-step plan encourages twice-a-year wellness exams, disease prevention and pet health insurance products.

Dogs get Texas-sized donation

WellPet Foundation, the charitable arm of the Wellness Natural Pet Food, donated nearly 17 tons of dog food and snacks to the 800 dogs currently residing at the DAWGS N Texas animal shelter. The shelter is an animal wellness group and sanctuary based in Dalhart, Texas, USA, whose primary goal is to find loving and safe homes for the animals in its care.