Great New Pet Supplies for Spring 2013
I love finding interesting new products, especially those that make life easier and more enjoyable for pets and people.
In my latest article, New Pet Supplies for Spring 2013, I cover come great one including:
- A new line of dog grooming products from Burt's Bees
- A cat litter that can detect illness in kitties
- Pet bowls made from bamboo
- A line of '80s-themed dog items from rocker Bret Michaels (pictured)
Do you have an interesting, innovative pet product or provide a unique pet service? Then I want to hear from you!
I am always seeking information about pet supplies and services that help make the world a better place, for pets and people. You may contact me at petshops@aboutguide.com.
Note: All pet supplies submitted for consideration must already be on the market.
Photo courtesy of Business Wire
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Royal Canin Recalls Pet Mats in Canada Due to Potentially Toxic Chemical
Royal Canin has issued a recall of heating/cooling gel pocket mats for dogs and cats distributed in Canada because they contain diethylene glycol, a chemical that can be toxic to pets and people if ingested.
The Healthy Canadians website reports that about 465 of these mats were distributed in Canada as promotional items; the covers bear the Royal Canin logo in the lower right corner.
The mats were distributed via dog and cat shows and through the company's Elite Breeder's Club between Jan. 27, 2011 to April 1, 2013.
No illnesses to people or pets have been reported thus far.
For more information, call the company at (800) 527-2673, or e-mail them via this link.
Photo courtesy of Healthy Canadians
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Natural Balance Merges with DelMonte Foods
In rather earth-shattering news, people and pet food giant Del Monte Foods has announced a merger with Natural Balance Pet Foods, the respected independent pet food company founded by actor Dick Van Patten in 1989.
Del Monte has been in the pet food game for a long time, and in a big way, with such iconic brands as Meow Mix and Milk Bone among its family of products.
Natural Balance is well-known for producing such respected holistic brands as the heralded L.I.D. (limited ingredient diets) pet foods, among others.
Many in the pet food industry predicted that the independent mom and pop pet food makers would eventually be swallowed up by big corporate conglomerates.
In May 2010, the industry was rocked when Proctor & Gamble bought Natura Pet Foods, home of Evo, Innova, California Naturals and other respected premium brands.
Natura issued a massive recall for a variety of dry foods in March and April of this year.
The terms of the merger between Natural Balance and Del Monte were not disclosed.
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Pets
Whenever there is a disaster, animals are always involved, either as victims, heroes or both.
Yesterday's devastating tornado in Moore, Okla., is no exception.
There have been heartwarming reports of pets that were rescued unharmed, including the pictured kitty that was pulled from a mobile home.
You can rest assured that there are others, many of which won't be as lucky, and will require lots of care and housing.
One group that immediately came to the rescue is 1 Day Ranch, a rehab and recuse center for horses and dogs located in Shawnee, Okla.
Center operator and owner Maeghan Hadley (pictured with the kitty) and volunteers have been working around the clock to help pets affected by the tornado.
If you and your customers would like to help, check out the group's Facebook page.
Groups like this make the world a better place.
And please join me in praying for the people and pets affected by this heartbreaking event.
Update: Since I first posted this story, many other groups have joined forces to help pets affected by the tornado. To learn more, visit the Central Oklahoma Humane Society website.
Photo courtesy of 1 Day Ranch
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First Luxury Pet Hotel Franchise Spoils Pooches to the Max
Nowadays, critters are getting pampered like never before, with all kinds of luxury services previously only available to people now offered for pets.
And just when you thought the pet services industry couldn't get any more elaborate comes D Pet Hotels, a five-paw luxury franchise that features all kind of amenities for pooches that most people never get to experience.
You can learn all about this, along with how to go about acquiring a franchise, via my article Pet Friendly Lodging for Posh Pooches.
Owner Alissa Cruz, who previously worked in the luxury people resort industry, launched the franchise in 2008.
What really fascinated me about this enterprise was that it has managed to be a howling success, despite that it was launched in the throes of the lingering recession.
That's because this company appeals to well-pawed clientele whose parents (many of whom are celebrities) will spare no expense when it comes to spoiling them.
In my next life, I want to come back as a Hollywood movie producer's pup!
Photo courtesy of D Pet Hotels
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Get Set for Pet Quest 2013
Pet Quest, the big pet grooming show presented by Barkleigh Productions, promises to be bigger and better than ever for 2013.
The next event takes place June 20-23 at the Roberts Conference Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, with a slew of diverse events on tap.
Among the highlights will be a three-day trade show taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; GroomTeam sanctioned grooming contests, loads of seminars, certification programs and more.
The really big news will be a demonstration of the art of Japanese freestyle grooming - the first of its kind in North America - to be presented by world-acclaimed groomer Irina Pinkusevich.
This four-hour program will take place 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, June 20.
For more info and to register, visit the Barkleigh website.
Photo courtesy of Barkleigh Productions
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Posh Pooch Named America's Top Dog Model for 2013
The group America's Top Dog Model named Johnny B. Goode, a dapper Standard Poodle from Florida, the winner of the Top Dog Model contest for 2013.
This year's theme was "Jet Set Paws," in celebration of glamour traveling with pets.
Johnny, who lives with his mom, Debra Blevin in West Palm Beach, is well known as a jet-setting canine, who especially enjoys yachting.
In addition to the many paw-some prizes he received, he will get to grace the cover of the next America's Top Dog Model calendar.
America's Top Dog Model was founded by former fashion model and pooch lover Jo Jo Harder to help celebrate the special bond between people and dogs, and to support various animal charities and rescue organizations.
Congrats to Johnny, you handsome dog!
Photo courtesy of Jo Jo Harder
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Paw-some Stuff for Pet Lovers
As I have said before, it's a good idea to offer items for pet lovers, in addition to carrying products for pets.
I give some terrific ideas in my article Great Products for Pet Lovers. Among the examples are the coordinated matching pup and people duds produced by Stella & Me, pictured here.
Not only would any of these make terrific gifts for holidays from Christmas to Mother's Day, these would surely be great sellers year-round for people who enjoy products that enable them to celebrate their love of their pets.
If you are interested in unique out-of-the-box products to increase your bottom line, carrying pet-themed products for people is a wonderful idea.
Photo courtesy of Stella & Me
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Hill's Launches Disaster Relief Program
Hill's Pet Nutrition has announced the establishment of a Disaster Relief Network through its Food, Shelter & Love program, to aid in the distribution of pet food to various shelters across the country in the event of a disaster.
Said to be the first such program of its kind in the U.S., this was designed to enable the company to work more effectively with animal shelters following hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters.
Since 2002, the Kansas-based company has donated approximately $240 million in pet food to 1,000 different shelters around the country, and has helped 7 million homeless critters find fur-ever families.
This news item was of special interest to me because Omar and I were temporarily displaced during Hurricane Sandy, which absolutely slammed our Jersey Shore region. In fact, many in our area are still recovering from the devastation.
I was most impressed with the manner in which shelters helped to find lost pets and reunite them with their humans, and how many shelters graciously offered to house, feed and care for pets while their families were forced to evacuate to people shelters.
This is just another great way for humans to help pets in times of need. So hat's off to Hill's.
Photo courtesy of Hill's Pet Nutrition
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Online Marketing Demystified
I first heard about online marketing and advertising pro Phil Frost when a colleague of mine recommended that I attend one of the webinairs on search engine optimization offered by the New York-based company he co-founded, Mainstreet R.O.I.
This company helps small businesses navigate the often complex world of online marketing and advertising.
As I was impressed with the straight-forward, easy to comprehend ways he presents information, I decided to interview him for my article Online Marketing and Advertising Tips from a Pro.
These days, getting into the online marketing game is no longer optional; it is absolutely crucial, as more and more people turn to the Internet and mobile devices to obtain all kinds of info.
Hopefully, Phil's tips and advice will enable you to navigate the process with ease.
Photo courtesy of Mainstreet R.O.I.
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