National Pet Owners Survey Released
The American Pet Products Association released data from its biennial National Pet Owners Survey. The survey shows that 67 percent (85 million) of U.S. households own at least one pet. Millennials represent the largest segment of pet owners, especially bird owners, small animal owners and saltwater fish owners. More than 80 percent of Gen Z and millennial pet owners own dogs, while 50 percent or less own cats. The survey is free to APPA members and to the general public for purchase. americanpetproducts.org/survey
BizBark Connects Local Businesses with Pet Owners
Software developer BabelBark has launched BizBark Pro, which connects local businesses to pet owners. BizBark creates a community of support focused on a pet’s needs. BizBark Pro allows owners to manage communications and marketing through one platform. The platform links to BabelBark for pet parents and BabelVet for veterinarians. The platform also provides animal shelters with the ability to communicate with new pet parents. bizbark.com
PIJAC Honors 6 Pet Care Leaders
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council recognized six pet pros at Global Pet Expo. Robert L. Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association, received the Nancy G. Knutson Lifetime Achievement Award for his initiatives to unify the pet care community. The Chair’s Award of Excellence was presented to Sandy Moore of Segrest Farms for her commitment to advancing the aquatics community. Nestlé Purina was honored with the Excellence in Communications Award for educating lawmakers and the public about the Pet and Women Safety Act. The Pet Care Community Leaders of the Year Award went to the 2018 Herp Symposium Steering Committee for an event that brought together herp enthusiasts, industry representatives and government officials. Rob, John and Lucia Mellace received the Ambassador of the Year Award for growing Pet Express, while establishing relationships with lawmakers whose actions could impact the Massachusetts pet care community. The Pet Advocate of the Year Award honoree was Alika Garcia of Hawaiian Reefer. Garcia engaged with lawmakers on bills that would have curtailed the aquarium fishing trade. pijac.org
Pet Connections Expo Sets Dates
International Conference Development announced the third Pet Connections Expo will take place Oct. 15-16 in Edison, NJ. The expo provides free educational content for independent pet retailers to help strengthen their businesses and compete against online giants and chains. petconexpo.com
