The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) is tackling pet obesity with a new program called the “Family Pet Pledge.”

A group of scientists from Purdue University have discovered, in a report published by The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a faster way to detect melamine levels by utilizing infrared spectroscopy in laboratory tests.

Australian animal health pharmaceutical company Virbac has voluntarily pulled their VeggieDent Chews off the shelves after being possibly linked to several cases of mysterious illinesses in dogs.

Mars Petcare announced the decision to close its Le Sueur, Minnesota, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, facilities in the USA by the end of 2009 in addition to the closing of the Portland, Indiana, plant.

Gudrun Maybaum, owner and founder of the bird food company Totally Organics, has announced the addition of an educational blog to the company’s website.

Pet Sitters International, Weruva Pet Foods and Esser Vineyards, a USA winery, announced their creation of the first “Esser Take Your Dog to Dinner Night,” to be held in restaurants nationwide on June 26.

Australia’s Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has ordered the irradiation of petfood to cease immediately after receiving evidence that some cats fell ill or died after eating irradiated dry food, according to an article from The Sydney Morning Herald.

ChemNutra Inc., a feed ingredient company, and its owners Stephen and Sally Miller intend to plead guilty in connection to 2007’s melamine-tainted petfood case, according to an article from The Associated Press.

HBH Pet Products announced the release of its new product, No Grainers dog biscuits and treats, which is a 100% grain-free, protein-infused alternative to treats with corn and wheat fillers.

DuPont announced the winners of the 21st DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation at the industry’s first online interactive exchange on sustainable packaging.