News & Newsletters: Page 810

Pedigree Innovation Grants awarded to animal shelters, rescue groups

The Pedigree Foundation awarded more than US$200,000 in Innovation Grants to 10 animal shelters and rescue groups for their ideas and efforts to help find dogs new homes. The one-time grants will fund creative projects aimed at increasing dog adoptions and will assist homeless dogs with behavior training, feeding, housing and medical support.

Market Trends and Reports

Americans spend more money on pets than children

Americans are spending more money on their pets than their children, according to a blog on The Telegraph's (UK) website. The pet market, which includes petfood as well as accessories and toys, is growing and outstripping the children's toy market, particularly around the holidays.

Pet Food Industry Association of South Africa vows to eliminate petfood fraud

The Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI) has vowed to eliminate petfood fraud in 2011 and protect South African pet owners from "rogue petfood manufacturers." PFI "will put all its forces and energy behind cleaning up any illegal practices in the petfood industry that harm the image of the industry and may possibly place pets at risk," according to an association statement.

HSUS spends 50% of funds on fundraising, overhead costs, says watchdog

According to a 2010 "Watchdog Report on Animal Charities" from Animal People News, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) spends roughly 50% of its raised funds on continued fundraising and additional overhead costs, including paying lobbyists and HSUS's pension plan. This number, which Animal People News said it calculated based on HSUS's 2009 federal tax return, is in opposition with the 29% HSUS said it spends on overhead.

Market Trends and Reports

Sugar in pet treats may be contributing to obesity

Roughly 90 million pets in the US are considered obese, and part of the problem may be the sugar companies add to pet treats, say experts. Whether it's corn syrup used as a thickener or dextrose used to evenly distribute moisture, sugar can add calories to a pet's diet that tip the scales, according to veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Larsen, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of California's School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis.

Food safety legislation rides on US government funding bill

The US House of Representatives has tied major food safety legislation to a government funding bill for the Senate's consideration before Congress concludes its final session of 2010. The legislation would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to order a food recall and increase the frequency of its inspections.

Petfood pantries help needy families provide for and keep pets

In today's poor economy, many pet owners who can no longer afford to provide for their pets are forced to find them new homes, which is why petfood pantries around the country are becoming popular new ways to assist needy families in feeding and keeping their furry friends. Randi Helpinstill, recently featured in the Daytona Beach News Journal, founded the Peninsula Pet Pantry with neighbor Geralyn Nelson, after her search to adopt a kitten overwhelmed her with the large number of pets displaced due to the financial hardships of their owners.

BarkingDeals.com offers group pet product discounts to consumers

BarkingDeals.com was recently launched to provide pet industry companies an outlet for social media marketing and consumer product discounts, functioning like the popular site, Groupon. BarkingDeals.com offers products from pet manufacturers and distributors at discounts of 50% to 90% for members, including free shipping.

Petfood maker Sunshine Mills awarded US$61 million in software lawsuit

Sunshine Mills was awarded US$61 million by an Alabama, USA, jury in a lawsuit alleging fraudulent sale and implementation of Ross Systems' enterprise resource planning beta software in 2005. The lawsuit was filed in 2008 after the beta software demonstrated by Ross was supposed to work out-of-the-box but failed to do so when it went live, according to Daniel McDowell, one of the attorneys representing Sunshine Mills.

Lobbyists influence FDA's food safety overhaul

More than 221 organizations hired 77 lobbying firms to fight over details in the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act recently passed by the US Senate, according to The Washington Post. Nearly all of Washington, DC,USA's largest lobbying firms registered to lobby on the overhaul, but it was smaller firms that represented clients' interests most often, The Post reported.

Del Monte reports second quarter gains for pet products division

Del Monte Foods Co. reported second quarter gains for its pet product division, while overall sales declined and overall profits rose. Del Monte's pet division reported an increase in operating income from US$84.8 million to US$92.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, ended October 31.

Petco launches mobile site for on-the-go shopping

Petco launched a customized mobile website for shopping and pet care information online and on-the-go. Powered by Digby's Mobile Software Platform, the new site offers 24-hour mobile access to Petco's products with photographs, customer reviews, a store locator and online purchasing capabilities.

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