A SURVEY SAYS CAPITOL Hill remains a pet-friendly workplace today, with more than 80 percent of the 192 House and Senate offices that responded saying they welcome pets in the office. By comparison, the Society for Human Resource Management says, just 7 percent of American workplaces allow pets. The findings were consistent across party lines and geographic regions, suggesting one area, at least, where there is bipartisanship. The survey was sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare and conducted on behalf of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Pets+, 10/3/17
Pet Companies Top 9 States on Small Business Saturday
In nine states, pet stores/groomers led the way in Small Business Saturday, according to a poll from the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express. Shoppers in these states reported pet stores/groomers as the type of small business frequented the most: Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah and Vermont. Pets+, 11/28/17
California Bans Sales of Non-Rescue
California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a statewide ban on the sale of non-rescue, non-shelter dogs, cats and rabbits from pet stores. It is the first such statewide ban. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council had urged Brown to veto the bill, saying it “strips consumers of many pet store protections, risks hundreds of jobs, and reduces pet choice.” The provisions of the law go into effect in 2019. San Jose Mercury News, 10/14/17
Scam Targets Pet Buyers
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of scams to sell non-existent puppies and other pets to unsuspecting consumers that are so widespread that anyone searching for a pet online is likely to encounter them. Thieves impersonate pet sellers and instruct potential buyers to make upfront payments for shipping, insurance and other fees. In most cases, buyers never receive the pets, and they lose their money. Pets+, 9/26/17
Shark Tank Appearance Turns into 700-store Deal
A Shark Tank appearance has paid off big for Kristina Guerrero, an Air Force veteran who developed an on-the-go meal bar for dogs. PetSmart took interest in TurboPUP, and Guerrero soon had a deal to put the product in hundreds of stores nationwide. Guerrero is now targeting sales of $1 million. CNBC, 10/25/17
White House Petless
Donald Trump is unique among modern presidents in that he has no pets. Presidential pets have included not only dogs and cats, but also more exotic creatures, from bears to sheep to, in the case of John Quincy Adams, possibly an alligator. A spokeswoman said there are no plans to add a pet to the presidential family. Vice President Mike Pence’s family has owned several pets, including cats, dogs and a rabbit. CNN, 10/21/17
Pet Services Quadruple in Seattle
As of 2016, there were 328 licenses for groomers, canine day cares and dog walkers in Seattle. The number has grown more than fourfold compared to 10 years ago. Many of the daycare facilities are decked out with a wide range of amenities. Full-time doggy daycare typically starts in the $700- to $750-a-month range, before extras. Phillip Kasdorf of CityDog! Club says the blueberry facial is a well-received add-on at his business. Seattle Times, 10/10/17