Pet Industry Insight

Save Money Grooming Your Pet at Home

Bathing is a fact of life for most dogs and the hot, sticky weather requires more grooming than usual!Pet owners are finding themselves at their wits end with their dog's excessive shedding and need t for a clean cool down during the hot summer months. So what do you do when top spas that offer herbal shampoos, pre-heated towels and limo services are no longer an option? More and more pet owners taking their dog's hairy problems into their own hands.

Grooming pets at home is not only a cost effective choice but allows owners the opportunity to nurture that special bond with their pet while scrubbing them down in the backyard. Before you get down to dirty business, we have provided a list of simple grooming tips to keep in mind. If you would like to even take your research a step further, I recommend searching the internet for other helpful tools. There are a variety of web resources available to help guide you through grooming practices at home.

USE A SHEDDING BRUSH

Before you put your dog in the tub, use a grooming rake or shedding blade to brush out your pet's undercoat. Using a rake or shedding blade will remove loose and tangled hair and dirt- which I am sure you want to prohibit from ending up in your bathtub or drains.

NAIL TRIMMING

When it comes to nail-trimming, make sure you buy quality clippers to avoid a traumatizing experiencewith your dog. Splitting a nail or hurting their paw can be avoided with the use of high-end clippers.

SHAVING YOUR DOG

You can either learn how to cut your dog's hair and give them a regular trim or you can take them to the groomer for a clean and quick cut. The clippers used by professional dog groomers cost $400 or more and the results most likely will last longer and you will save one groom a year.

Plenty of pet suppliers carry great home grooming kits to help you with the listed grooming steps. It's easier than  you think, and the close bonds you forge by cleaning your own pet will only solidify the relationship between the two of you!

Pets Add Life Quiz

Social Media the New Trend for Pet Business Marketing

The way we market and communicate has never evolved and changed as rapidly as it does today. The foundation of social marketing is providing valuable, usable information in the form of industry related content shared in the form of social networking, video, blog posts and podcasts. Pet social networks and blogs have become a great tool for pet product promotion, industry information, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership and so much more.

According to idealfusion.com, online sophistication among pet-related businesses including e-commerce, design, and usability has significantly increased. Pet businesses are carefully considering their online audience and are developing strategic outreach methods via website usability, SEO, paid search, and word of mouth. Many pet businesses are now beginning to recognize and harness the power of social media and see it as an important part of customer relations. Social networks such as Facebook, Dogster.com and zootoo.com welcome quality commentary on all aspects of pet news, issues and products opening the door to a two-way communication highway where users provide as much content as traditional companies and media. Consumers want information and prefer to find it online in a social network where they can talk about it.

According to PetYap.com,  internet advertising has jumped from $16.9 billion in 2007, with an estimated growth to $42 billion in 2011 - these statistics reaffirm a growing marketplace for social media and confirm this method of promotion and advertising as a useful tactic to help businesses increase awareness of their product and services. Pet industry players will also benefit from online retailers, catalog companies and home-shopping television channels will continue to grow in popularity. Growth in online shopping is driven by two factors - first, the number of fast Internet connections in the U.S. homes and businesses leapt to about 100 million by early 2008 and these connections make buying online faster, more interactive and convenient.

H.R. 669 Initial Hearings

As many of you know, the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held the initial hearings on the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, better known as H.R. 669.

According to the bill, if any animal is not on an Approved List, it would be banned for possession (unless you could prove you owned it prior to a risk assessment), breeding, sale,l trade, or movement between states. So, if an unapproved pet species of fish reproduced in your aquarium, you'd be in criminal violation of the law. Likewise, if your son or daughter owned an unapproved species and you had to relocate to another state, you'd be in criminal violation if you took the pet with you.

Anyone owning pet fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals or invertebrates could e affected by this bill, as would companies selling pet products or services. Apart from dogs, cats and goldfish, virtually every species falls under the tarp created by H.R. 669.

Among the six invited guests who spoke before the Committee was Marshall Meyers, CEO and General Counsel of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council who spoke on behalf pet owners and the pet industry. He spoke against the bill in its current form, explaining why, if passed, it could have devastating affects on pet owners and the pet industry.

Meyers stated the industry's position that conceptually we support the development of strategic, risk-based process to prevent the introduction of invasive species (harmful nonnative species) into the United States. The current draft of the bill does not adequately take socio-economic issues and risk management options into account and would overburden resources currently available to the enforcement agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

As an industry we are very interested in working with the authors of the bill and other interested parties to craft more realistic legislation that serves the public and affected industries alike.

We need your help. Subcommittee Chairwoman, and author of the bill, Madeleine Z. Bordallo (NP-Guam), acknowledged, "We recognize the bill is by no means perfect, and that changes will be needed to address various concerns before any legislation moves forward." Subcommittee member Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (NP-American Samoa), a co-sponsor of the bill, congratulated Meyers and the pet industry for the tremendous grassroots response that has bee generated, nothing that it is important to have input from constituents on these issues.

Please go to http://www.nohor669.com/ and let your elected representatives know how you feel. Now is the time to take action to make sure any legislation concerning this important topic is fair and accomplishes the intended goal.

Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669)

I am sure a number of you have been hearing about The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669). I only began to realize how many of you have been paying attention when I scanned YouTube and discovered so many very impassioned reactions to the introduction of this controversial bill.

In a nutshell, this bill will require the US Fish and Wildlife Service to produce two lists of pets after conducting a risk assessment for each nonnative wildlife species in the US to determine if it is likely to "cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species' health or human health." In order to be placed on the "Approved List" it must be established that the species has not, or is not likely to, cause "harm" anywhere in the U.S. Otherwise it goes to the "unapproved list."

Before going any further there are two things that should be understood. First, "Nonnative Species" in the past trade encompass virtually every bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and a number of mammals (e.g., hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets) commonly kept as pets. Second, the way the bill is written HR 669 would essentially ban all species that do not appear on the Approved List, regardless of whether or not they have ever been petitioned for listing or are sufficiently well studied to enable a listing determination.

Species not appearing on the "Approved List" could not be imported into a United States, nor could they be moved in interstate commerce. Trade in all such unlisted species would come to a halt - possession would be limited and all breeding would have to cease. To reiterate: unless species are included on the Approved List import, export, transport and breeding would be prohibited. Exceptions are limited and would not be available to pet owners across the nation.

I agree with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and others in supporting the underlying intent of HR 669 to establish a risk-based process in order to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species. It has been clear for quite some time that steps are needed to enhance and improve the current listing process for species shown to be injurious under the existing Lacey Act. In addition to much needed appropriations to fund staff and other ancillary support aids, the Lacey Act needs to be modernized to make the process timely, efficient and transparent. However, HR 669 falls far short of accomplishing this objective.

Among the serious concerns with this bill is the fact that the HR 669 listing criteria mandates proving a negative - that no harm has or is likely to occur within the whole of the United States. We all know how difficult that is. Beyond this, the "risk assessment" process is too limited in scope and application and should instead be a broader "risk analysis" that also takes into consideration socio-economic factors and mitigation (management) measures that might be utilized by the federal and state agencies. Add to this the fact that because the Service does not currently have the capacity to implement the provisions of the act given limited staff and money, a disproportionately large number of species will not be able to be placed on the Approved List in a timely fashion.

The first hearing for the bill has been set for April 23 so if you find this is as troublesome as I do, you need to act quickly. I urge you to take the time right now to let your congressmen know your concerns. Also, alert your employees, friends, neighbors and any other like-minded people and urge them to do the same. For more information, you can go to www.pijac.org/files/public/US_HR_669.pdf. Thank you for your concern.

Pets Add Life Poetry Contest

The American Pet Products Association's (APPA) National Children's Pet Poetry Contest is now accepting pet related poems from our third grade students nationwide. It is easy to apply. Third graders just have to create a poem (keep it under 100 words) about anything pet-related (what they love about their pet, the joys they bring, the games they play, etc...). Five winners will be selected nationwide and will win a gift basket of pet products, their poem will be published in a NATIONALLY circulated publication, AND their classroom will receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet-related education! Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EST, and you can visit www.petsaddlife.org to upload to your child's poem, or for more information.

 

Pet Owner Spending Remains Steady in a 'Ruff' Economy

While most owners say they do not spoil their pets, they certainly don't skimp on them either. In tough economic times, people will find a way to manage their expenses in effort to continue to provide for pets. Although some spend modestly on their pets, a large group of Americans are still willing to spend a little extra on trendy outfits, brand-name treats and organic foods because pets are considered important members of the family and they deserve the best! As we have "humanized" our pets in so many ways, it is important for us to reward them in meaningful human terms rather than just pet terms.

The American Pet Products Association's (APPA) annual release of comprehensive industry information shows total pet spending in 2008 topping $43 billion, with no declines in any category from 2007. That's more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world and almost double the amount shelled out on pets just a decade ago. And, where most retail sectors are struggling to simply stay afloat, the pet industry is one of the fastest-growing with a projected 4.9% increase in spending to $45.4 billion in 2009.

Purchasing higher quality products and services is justified by consumers because it contributes to their pet's well-being. This is why the health and wellness sector of the pet industry is the most powerful trend in 2009. Veterinary care leads the way in the health-care related pet spending categories because of evolving medical advancements in pet care including cat scans, root canals and cancer surgery. Pet health care offers pet owners more medical choices and leads to anticipated growth of nearly 10% in this category for 2009. With the added costs of pet health care comes an increase in pet veterinary insurance, currently estimated at $271 million and projected to grow to $500 million by 2012. 

The growing craze of doggy hotels and day spas makes pet services the next fastest growing category. Service-based businesses like dog walkers, pooper-scoopers, trainers and even massage-therapists are booming and here's a look at how the costs break down.

 

 

 

The pet industry continues to grow despite the tough economic times we're facing. As pet ownership and pet quality of life continues to rise, so will the pet industry!

Historical White House Pets

 

The great Harry S. Truman once said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog" - and his stance on the matter rings true for several fo our past United States presidential candidates. The presence of a White House Dog has become a notable re-occurrence in past presidential campaigns leading up to our most recent campaign where President Obama promised his daughters a new puppy before millions of people. Dogs have played a supportive role in previous American elections and sometimes, have even helped shift a campaign's momentum. The most familiar of these political dogs, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fala and Richard Nixon's Checkers, both rescued candidates in hard times with their continuous support and unconditional love.

Fala, the infamous Scottish Terrier and favorite pet of President Franklin D. Roosevelt became an icon and celebrity to Americans. Fala was mentioned in political speeches and often in the press and really became a part of the president's amicable public image. Sources say that Fala accompanied the president everywhere in the White House, eating his meals in Roosevelt's study, sleeping in a chair at the foot of his bed- Fala was a trusty companion and never let Roosevelt down.

President Richard Nixon preserved his family-oriented role by referring to Checkers, the White House Cocker Spaniel, in political speeches and during interviews. Checkers was a campaign donation from a Texas salesman who heard Nixon's wife mention during a radio interview, how much the children whanted a dog. He sent them a black and white spotted American Cocker Spaniel that his daughters named Checkers and through out the presidency, this lovable canine served as a faithful companion to both Nixon and his family.

When George H.W. Bush took office in 1989, his Springer Spaniel Millie won American's hearts with her sensational best seller, "Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush" which described a day in the life at the White House through a dog's eyes. Millie brought joy to not only the Bush family, but lifted the spirits of fellow Americans as well. Most recently, First Lady Michelle Obama has announced that the family is looking to welcome a rescue dog into their family. The anticipated puppy has dominated news and Americans are eager to find out what decision the Obama family will make.

Presidential pets have become an important part of our political history and have prtime and time again a necessity for candidates - they remind them of their better selves, help lessen anxiety and bring humor to a demanding and difficult job.

Pet Boutiques Feeling the Weight of the Economy

I know pet boutique business owners are really fearing for the fate of their business knowing that high end, boutique-type products are probably the weakest segment of the pet economy right now. But I dont' think this segment has reached its "tipping pont" just yet, it has merely hig a plateau. Those who will pamper their pets are somewhat less affected by the current economic struggle and, for the most part, will still buy fancy things for Fluffy and Spike. The influx of new folks to that segment will slow down considerably for now. The successful boutique shop will have to hedge a bit for the next 9-12 months and carry more lesser priced objects along with their high end stock. There are some very nice value priced items that can complement their current offerings. The key is to have enough variety to keep your current clients coming back. From all I am hearing, as the economy begins to recover, people will quickly return to their old spending habits for their pets. Many feel bad depriving their pets of all of the items they currently purchase and will quickly make up for lost time. So my advice to you would be to maye consider lowering your expectations for the moment, stay afloat and be an ally to your clientele. In time, it will pay off.

Online Pet Health Care Resources

Most Pet owners want to become more proactive in managing their pet's health and with the growing development of online pet health care resources and web tools, pet owners can have their questions answered instantly with the click of a mouse. I have selected a few great sites that provide thorough information, customized veterinary records and also offer the ability to connect directly with a dedicated and knowledgabe network of veterinary specialists. Although thes sites and services provide valuable information, it is importatnt to remember that nothing should be considered orused as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The services provided on this site are merely in place to educate pet owners on health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives.

PetzMD.com is a useful online pet heatlh care website that has really cahnged the face of online pet health ifnormation. The website features a reference library for illnesses, ailments and diseases along with the 'Z-Sympton Checker', a simple and easy-to-navigate database designed to help pet owners learn more about their ept's health and possible conditions. PetzMD.com provides pet owners access to pet ehalth news articles and decision-support services that allow owners to make educated decisions about treatment options, pet health risk ans pet healthcare providers.

DoggedHealth.com is another website that serves as a comprehensive and authoritative canine health and wellness resource. This website, hosted by board-certified vterinarians, allows users to make educated healthcare decisions for their dogs through applications such as 'First Aid 101' - a solution to emergencies that require immediate action including canine CPR, the Heimlich maneuver and cut and wound care. The website also supplies owners with a breadth of knowledge when it comes to choosing a vet, geriatric and puppy care, travel safety as well as vaccines, hygiene and dental care.

Not only can you turn to the internet for medical inquiries, but websites such as PetCareRX.com have pharmacists and veterinarians available online to answer questions about ordering prescriptions online, pet medications that veterinarians do.

The growing development of pet health websites is a trend that has become increasingly importatn because it allows owners to personally take charge of their pet's health situation - empowering them to find advice, experts, and fellow pet enthusiasts that can answer their questions and help them make educated deciscions.