Pet Industry Insight

California Proposes Legislation to Ban Lapdogs in Cars

Our favorite LA celebrities are notorious for freighting their small pet friends around town even on their laps while driving the streets of Hollywood. Even lesser known Californians are guilty of lapdogs traveling nearby the steering wheel.

If you have been following the news lately, you are probably aware that unrestrained pets traveling alongside their owner while driving could be a trend that is on its way out - at least in California.

State Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) is pushing legislation that bans pet owners from driving with animals on their laps. Recently, a bill regarding this legislation passed the state's Assembly Committee on Transportation and the State Assembly is considering adoption of the proposal.

The issue of concern is that lapdogs are distracting and could put motorists at risk. A live animal cab scamper between the driver and the steering wheel underneath the brake pedal causing major driving implications. Not only are unrestrained pets a threat to the driver, but they too face danger in not buckled in. Pets see the same risk a child (or any passenger for that matter) would if an accident occurred, which is why if Maze's bill passes, drivers with their Chihuahuas or Poodles unrestrained will pay a penalty.

So how should drivers keep their pets in place if they can't be on their laps or in the passenger seat? There are several products out there to protect both you and your pet from potential hazards on the road.

Among the most common setups are the back seat barriers, a strong wall that prevents pet interference from the backseat. For those pets that like to get up and move around while traveling, there are zip line/harnesses and booster seats that allow your pet the flexibility to safely move around in the car without interfering with the driver and passengers. Other popular products provide protection through vehicle seat belt use and of course, traveling carriers for the smaller pet travelers. Looking ahead, there is even a major auto manufacturer currently testing a built-in pet holder in place of the glove compartment. Whichever method of restraining you chose make sure you, your pet and passengers are secure and protected!

Eco-Friendly Tips for Your Pets

As the world commemorates this week in honor of our Earth, don't forget to include your pets in the celebration. Earth Day should serve a a reminder to pet owners the need to learn more about eco-friendly pet pet products and environmentally favorable practices.

 

The "Going Green" idea has seemingly infiltrated a new market, raising awareness about eco-friendly practices that affect some very special member sin our lives - our pets! The green lifestyle decisions we make, should carry over to our pet's lifestyle as well. Here are some tips to make your pet more environmentally friendly:

 

• Does the pollution from our pet's waste bags have you down in the dumps? Scoop your doggie doo in biodegradable poop bags. Biodegradable bags help cut greenhouse gas emissions, using materials from renewable, sustainable sources of agricultural origin.
• Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This timeless practice reduces pollution and reserves our environment. Utilize cat litter made of recycled materials produced nearby. Strips of newspaper or shredded paper works for many cats. Otherwise, make sure the brand of litter you buy isn't from across the country.
• Your furry friends will have a lot of fun with toys made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers such as hemp. Hemp fibers are one of the most durable in nature and are environmentally friendly. Who knew this stuff would make such a strong comeback from the 70s!

So there you have it, a few eco-friendly tips that will help you and your pets lead a sustainable life that supports the well being of our planet.

Pet Industry Insight

As president of the largest trade association of one of the largest industries,I have been quoted in CNN, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. I have appeared on CNBC, World New Tonight and was just in New York last week for tapings of Good Morning America and Martha Stewart. I even write a quarterly article for a high tech online magazine. But, I must admit, the world of 'new' media is just that, new to me.  But, if presidential candidacies are being announced on You Tube, I can have a blog! (My sons will be so proud of their 57 year old dad!). So, here it is, the inaugural 'Pet Industry Insight'!

If you have stumbled upon this blog, you are probably involved in or researching the pet industry. So you are likely aware that as a country we have gone to the dogs - and the cats and birds and fish and hamsters. We are a society in love with our pets.  More than 70 million households have a pet, and most of these households have more than one pet. In fact, these 71 million pet households are home to more than 350 million dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, snakes, birds, fish and lizards. There are more pets in the Untied States than people. We have made spending on pets the eight-largest retail segment. We spent more than $40 billion on our pets last year!

The pet industry is growing by leaps and bouds, and hundreds of new companies pop up every year in this booming business. Americans are intrinsically interested in businesses that boom, especially those that directly impact their daily lives. Hence,this blog that I'm hoping will filla  void in the  blogosphere. No current blogs authoritatively look at trends in the pet industry, discuss successful products or companies or analyze where the marketplace is heading. In my blog, I'll talk about the breadth of influecne that this increasing pet ownership is having on many diverse segments or the economy. That perspective should make this blog unique. I'll explore how busiensses grow by intelligently reading the American psyche and understanding what makes us bond with animals, project our our own lives and thoughts onto them, and essentially recast them in our image. The blog will serve as a cross-industry overview linking what we know about our growing affinity for pets with the rise of pet products. Weekly, I'll talk about the fastest- growing pet trends in the U.S., the newest needs of pet owners, and how entrepreneurs are filling those needs. I'll explore the nuances of one of America's most interesting and unique industries by providing perspective from one of the pet industry's leading authorities.

Yes, I am referring to myself. To give you a little background, I'm president of the American Pet Products Association or APPA as it's commonly called. APPA is the largest trade association in the industry and has been around for fifty year. We represent more than 1,000 companies that make pet products and put on the world's larges annual pet products trade show, Global Pet Expo. I've been in the pet industry for 30 years working at a variety of multi-million dollar companies serving in positions ranging from industrial engineer to general counsel to president. I live in Connecticut with my wife and golden retriever Dakota. For more information on me or APPA, you can check out our website a www.americanpetproducts.org. In the meantime, I'll be writing next week's Pet Industry Insight, and you can expect to hear from me every week. Until then, go pet your pet!