Natura Pet Products expands California Natural dog food line

Natura Pet Products expanded its California Natural grain-free pet food line with the introduction of two new dog food formulas.

Natura's California Natural line now includes the Kangaroo & Red Lentils and Salmon Meal & Peas formulas for dogs.

In addition to the Venison Meal, Lamb Meal and Chicken Meal formulas in the California Natural line, a Kangaroo & Red Lentils formula and Salmon Meal & Peas formula were added for adult dogs. The two new formulas are available in 5 lb., 15 lb. and 30 lb. bags. The dog food can be purchased at independent pet specialty retailers beginning in November 2011.

Petco kicks off National Pet Food Drive on October 30

From October 30 through November 13, Petco and the Petco Foundation will host the second annual National Pet Food Drive to collect pet food and litter donations at stores in the United States.

During the two-week drive, consumers can pick up extra food or litter during their shopping trip or bring unopened cans or bags from home, and drop it into the marked pet food collection bins located in each of the more than 1,100 Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide. Throughout the drive, Hill's Science Diet will match, pound-for-pound, every bag of dog and cat food donated, up to 100,000 pounds.
"We believe no one should have to give up their pet companions due to financial distress, and our associates and customers agree," said Paul Jolly, the executive director of the Petco Foundation and a Petco vice president. "Last year's drive provided more than 90 tons – that's almost 200,000 pounds – of pet food for families in need; an incredible gift leading into the holiday season and such an easy way for people to help keep pets well-nourished and with the families who love them in tough economic times. We hope to double that this year, so we're asking the communities we serve to give a little extra and help us raise awareness for this important year-round program." 
In addition to the opportunity to donate, Petco has also partnered with VolunteerMatch to give pet lovers around the country an opportunity to volunteer during the petfood drive. Best Friends Animal Society will support the national food drive by mobilizing its nationwide network of volunteers to register for the event and help drive awareness of the program.

To register as a food drive volunteer, visit http://petco.volunteermatch.org/ and select "Petco Foundation Pet Food Drive." Volunteer opportunities are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the pet food drive.

Pet ownership, pet care spending on the rise in Asia

Asia's aggregate pet population now exceeds 488 million, according to Euromonitor, evidence of the growing trends of pet ownership and pet care spending worldwide.

As people grow wealthier and couples have fewer children, pets become more popular, an article from Forbes says. The article points out that cultural differences affect pet ownership, such as those in Indonesia where many Muslims feel dogs are unclean, but that even in China, pet ownership is rising with 6.6% of households now owning a dog. The largest pet care market is found in Japan, where petfood, grooming and veterinary care were estimated to be worth US$18 billion in 2009. Euromonitor valued the pet market in America to be worth US$48.3 billion at that time.

Western companies like Mars and Nestle not only dominate most European and North American petfood markets, but also markets in Asia. Domestic competitors are emerging in Japan, where infant care and feminine hygiene company Unicharm now highlights its pet division on its website, and in South Korea, where food manufacturer CJ CheilJedang made Forbes' "Fab 50 companies for 2011" list.

NASC Adverse-Event Reporting System minimizes pet, human contamination risks

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a recall on October 6 for Salmonella contamination in Thumb Oilseed’s soy flour, which is used to manufacture certain animal foods. But, the National Animal Supplement Council's ability to scan thousands of products and ingredients in its NASC Adverse-Event Reporting System allowed NASC to identify 27 products containing soy flour and notify the eight companies selling these products with specific instructions on how to check the ingredient with raw material suppliers.  

“Entering products and ingredients into NAERS is required for all NASC members,” said Bill Bookout, president of NASC. “All member products are entered into the system so both products and ingredients can be specifically tracked to individual companies. If there is an issue, we can help specifically identify potential problems directly to the individual product SKUs.”
NASC says responses were received from all eight companies with updates and next steps within the same day, helping to minimize the risk to humans and animals.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for the animal health supplement industry, but it’s also one of our most important achievements,” Bookout said. “At NASC we believe we should embrace a philosophy of continuous improvement and we constantly strive to improve the quality of animal health supplements sold to consumers for the benefit of their companion animals.”  

Sam's Club launches new pet care product line

Sam's Club's new Simply Right line allows consumers to choose between wet and dry foods for their dogs.

Sam's Club recently launched a new pet care product line called Simply Right, available at its stores and online.

The pet care line includes eight petfoods, such as the Complete Nutrition cat and dog foods, and two Exceed dog food formulas, with a number of wet dog foods. The Simply Right line also includes a pet bed and a pet chaise lounger.
The new line will replace the company's Member's Mark pet care products.

Zuke's expands Dog and Cat Cancer Fund pet food retailer program

The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund, a nonprofit created by Zuke’s Performance Pet Nutrition founder, Patrick Meiering and his brother, Chris, to help make cancer treatment for pets affordable, is expanding its “Round Up at the Register” program for retailers.

The program helps increase awareness of this financial resource among pet stores and pet store customers who have encountered cancer in a pet or who may be in need of assistance in the future. “Round Up at the Register” provides pet parents with information about the fund, while also collecting donations to support the organization's work. The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund provides brochures and register displays for the promotional period free of charge.
“Partnering with nonprofits that work on behalf of pets builds a stronger, more loyal relationship with customers, resulting in lasting goodwill and increased revenues,” says Chris Meiering, president of the organization. “Customers know they are working with a retailer who supports their pet in ways beyond selling products and they are more likely to patronize that store. Retailers are also providing information about a valuable resource for their customers who may have a personal experience with pet cancer.”

Graphic design firm awarded for Lincolnbark pet treat packaging

Lincolnbark's pet treats won two American Graphic Design awards for its colorful packaging.

Bobbye Cochran, president of graphic design firm Bobbye Cochran + Associates, designed the logo and packaging for pet treat company Lincolnbark, earning two American Graphic Design awards from Graphic Design USA.

The 2011 graphic design competition had nearly 9,000 entries, and Cochran's work was among roughly 1,000 pieces selected for special recognition. Winners received an awards certificate and will be published in a printed and online design annual, scheduled for release in early winter 2011. 
“Thanks to Bobbye’s exceptional package design, our Sweet Little Butterpup dog treats are flying off the shelves,” said Lincolnbark’s director of marketing, Michelle Laing. “We receive compliments on our treats and their packaging nearly every day.”