1. CHEWY PAINTS A PRETTY PICTURE
Fast-rising pet supply startup Chewy.com has a creative approach to customer service, including sending 700 customers a week a surprise gift — a free oil painting of their pet. Chewy, which is on track for $880 million in revenue in 2016, could be heading for an IPO in 2017. Bloomberg Businessweek, 11/23
2. PUPPY ADOPTERS GET NATIONAL FAME
A year’s supply of dog food was the gift for seven Michigan men who adopted a litter of abandoned puppies they found in the woods on a bachelor party trip. The men appeared on “Good Morning, America” and received a year’s worth of Loyall Life dog food. Michigan Live, 11/24
3. PETSMART SUED FOR DOG’S DEATH
The owners of a dachshund that died while getting a pedicure are suing PetSmart for negligence. A groomer at PetSmart in San Mateo, CA, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after the death of one-year-old Henry in May. Lawyers for the dog’s owners say PetSmart’s methods for training its groomers in safety are inadequate. Fox 13 Memphis, 11/23
4. HERO SAVES ANIMALS FROM FIRE
A police officer earns our “Pet Hero of the Month” award for racing into a burning New Jersey pet store to save every animal inside. Greenville Gazette, 11/25
5. LOCAL WOMAN SPARKS ADOPTIONS
After a local woman offered to pay all adoption fees through the end of 2016, Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter saw a surge in interest — with 250 people waiting in line the next morning to adopt an animal. Good News Network, 11/17
Advertisement
6. FACEOFF OUTSIDE R.I. PET STORE
Protesters and supporters of Rhode Island pet store Perfect Puppy faced off outside the store in November. Activists claimed the store was selling unhealthy dogs from “puppy mills,” while supporters disputed the claim. Picket signs from opposing groups read “Need love? Buy a puppy!” or “Sick puppies sold here.” NBC 10 News, 11/26
7. PET OWNERS TRYING CANNABIS EDIBLES
Some pet owners are giving their older, sick or anxious pets treats containing cannabis. While anecdotal evidence has indicated possible benefits, the edibles have not been approved for use by federal regulators and California’s veterinary board has said any veterinarians offering or recommending cannabis to animals could lose their licenses. Santa Cruz Sentinel, 11/20
8. 8% OF FAMILY PETS SIGN HOLIDAY CARDS
When sending holiday cards from your family, does your pet also “sign” the card? One in 12 British pet owners does this, according to a study of 2,000 people from a greeting card supplier. Sounds like a great idea, as long as the participation doesn’t extend to letting the family pet pick out the gift. Daily Express (UK), 11/25
9. PETSMART HITS 1,500 STORES
PetSmart’s North American brick-and-mortar presence hit 1,500 with a location in Sheridan, CO. The store was one of 80 the company opened in 2016. Chain Store Age, 11/16
10. SHARE SMART ON TURKEY DAY
Next Thanksgiving, do feed your pets: sweet potato, vegetables and turkey. Don’t feed: chocolate, raw bread dough, or stuffing. NBC K5, 11/21
Advertisement
