App Vies to Be Prime Pet Parent Resource
Fetch Labs, creators of the Fetch My Pet iPhone app, has launched a feature called Discover, a curated content engine for all things pets. Fetch My Pet users have access to a personalized hub including deals on products, services and location-based activities. Local independent pet businesses can sign up to become partners and thus discoverable through the app. Learn more about becoming a partner at fetchmypet.com.
Marketing Expert to Speak at Global
Shama Hyder, a business book author and marketing expert, will speak at the Professional Women’s Network breakfast during Global Pet Expo. Hyder founded The Marketing Zen Group, a digital marketing agency with an emphasis on social media marketing, in 2009. She has written five business books, including Transform Your Brand in the Digital Age. The breakfast takes place at 8 a.m. March 24. globalpetexpo.org
SuperZoo Offers Retailer Resource
With the release of a guide outlining the importance of building a customer database, SuperZoo unveiled a web page whose contents offer tips for retailers and other consumer-facing professionals to improve their businesses. The latest white paper, called “Database Collection Made Easy,” provides insight on the importance of data as a tool to analyze customers’ buying patterns and product preferences, and to tailor messaging based on this analysis. Other papers cover social media marketing, using trends to create the best product mix, building and profiting from your website and using industry stats to assess your strengths and weaknesses. superzoo.org/resources
Pet Sitter of the Year Named
Pet Sitters International has named Cathy Vaughan, owner of Cathy’s Critter Care in Schertz, Texas, the 2018 Pet Sitter of the Year. The world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters presents the award annually to a pet sitter who embodies the passion and professionalism of the pet-sitting industry. Vaughan holds a degree in biology. She worked as a sea lion trainer at the San Antonio Zoo before leaving to focus on her growing family. She started Cathy’s Critter Care and began her career as a professional pet sitter in 1998. Vaughan will be crowned at the association’s 2018 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo in Myrtle Beach, SC, in September. petsit.com
Animal Care Certs Stepped Up a Level
The Professional Animal Care Certification Council announced its highest level of certification: Certified Professional Animal Care Operator. The council continues to offer exams at the provider and manager level as well. “We know that many pet care business owners and managers were waiting for the [operator] level to be offered,” says Anna Torres-Radle, the council’s board chairperson. While the deadline has passed to register for the next round of testing in late March, information on future exams will be available at paccert.org.