News & Newsletters: Page 768

International Grains Program launches animal feed industry blog

The International Grains Program at Kansas State University launched a new blog with animal feed industry information as well as posts specific to the program's focus of feed manufacturing and grain management, flour milling and grain processing, and grain marketing and risk management. “We are excited about this opportunity to engage with our audience in a different capacity,” said Mark Fowler, IGP associate director.

Weatherchem progresses on petfood packaging sustainability initiatives

Petfood packaging company Weatherchem announced it is making significant progress toward its goal of becoming "landfill-free." During 2012, the company says its efforts will focus on reducing the weight of its recyclable packaging closures to save material usage and shipping and fuel costs. One of Weatherchem's closures will use 20 percent less plastic, with production cycle times cut by 25 percent to save electricity.

Natura launches new petfood ingredient tracking website

Natura Pet Products launched a new website, www.SeeBeyondTheBag.com, that lets customers see how the manufacturer creates new petfood formulas and where the petfood ingredients are sourced. Natura’s new website shares the regions where Natura’s ingredients are sourced on an interactive map and presents a narrated video tour of the company’s plant in Fremont, Nebraska, USA, with profiles of employees working in manufacturing and product development at the plant.

Natura's site lets consumers track ingredients and their source on an interactive map.

Iams petfood brand launches Facebook contest for senior pets

Iams petfood brand is launching a contest on its Facebook page that lets dog and cat owners whose pets are 11 years old or older enter to win a year's supply of petfood to celebrate the Iams new Senior Plus formula and educate pet owners about the unique nutritional needs of senior pets. Each week, the "Play Young, Stay Young" contest will select a winning dog and cat, based on a photo and brief essay submitted by the owner.

PetSmart Charities launches Facebook pet adoption profile application

PetSmart Charities and Adopt-a-Pet.com created a new Facebook profile application to drive public awareness and increase adoptions of the nearly 8 million homeless pets in the US. The Share a Pic, Save a Pet application alerts friends, family and followers about adoptable pets in their community and showcases their photos.

Butcher's Pet Care opens new petfood manufacturing plant in UK

Butcher’s Pet Care opened a new £38 million (US$60.2 million) petfood manufacturing plant in Crick, Northamptonshire, UK. The 260,000-square-foot facility increases the petfood company's capacity by nearly 50 percent or 5 million cans extra per week.

Older adults benefit from pet ownership, research shows

Aging adults can benefit from relationships with pets, according to new research from the University of Missouri. Rebecca Johnson, an associate professor in the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, College of Veterinary Medicine and director of the school's Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, says that having a pet can lower the stress hormone cortisol while increasing oxytocin, prolactin and norepinephrine, which are hormones related to joy, nurturing and relaxation.

'Hallmark Channel's Pet Project' launched to promote pet adoption

Crown Media Family Networks' Hallmark Channel is partnering with PetSmart Charities and the American Humane Association in the recently launched "Hallmark Channel’s Pet Project" campaign. "Hallmark Channel’s Pet Project" campaign is designed to celebrate the joy pets bring to people's lives, as well as to promote awareness of the epidemic of pet homelessness and encourage pet adoption.

Woman launches Change.org campaign against chicken jerky dog treats

An Ohio, USA, woman launched a petition campaign on Change.org calling for the recall of Nestle Purina's Waggin' Train dog treats, claiming her Fox Terrier died after consuming the chicken jerky treats made in China. Terry Safranek's campaign on Change.org was launched after a Food and Drug Administration representative picked up a sample of the treats from her house for its ongoing investigation.

Rising dog ownership in India driving demand for petfood, accessories

Dog ownership in India is rising, according to Euromonitor International, which projects India as the fastest growing global pet market, and rising pet ownership rates are driving demand for petfood, health products and pet accessories. The Times of India says Gurgaon, India, has a ratio of one dog per 15 people in the city.

Diamond Pet foods voluntarily recalls Lamb Meal & Rice dog food

Diamond Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall of its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice formula as a precautionary measure because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The petfood manufacturer says the dog food recall is a voluntary measure and that no illnesses have been reported and none of the company's other petfood products are affected.

Spring Naturals, Daily Kibble host free dog food, treats contest

Spring Naturals petfood brand is partnering with Daily Kibble for a contest that will award two Daily Kibble subscribers with a chance to win free Spring Naturals dog food for themselves and the animal shelter or rescue of their choice. Daily Kibble readers can enter into the drawing by visiting the Daily Kibble Spring Naturals Web page by April 30, and submitting their name, email address, zip code and animal shelter or rescue of their preference.

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