2020 Pet Sitter of the Year Named

Pet Sitters International has named Jeanne Crockett of Crockett’s Critter Care in New Bern, NC, the 2020 Pet Sitter of the Year. Crockett will serve as the “face of the professional pet-sitting industry” and will be crowned at PSI’s 2020 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference in October. petsit.com, crockettscrittercare.com

Registration Open for Atlanta Pet Fair

Registration is open for the Atlanta Pet Fair and Conference, March 12-15. The fair will feature more than 100 exhibitors, 65 educational seminars, four panels, nine independent certification courses and half-day intensive classes. Throughout the weekend, there will be dog and cat grooming demonstrations and a variety of business development and marketing sessions. atlantapetfair.org/registration

ASC Helps Indies to Sell Online

Animal Supply Company is partnering with e-commerce platforms BigCommerce and Shopify to help independent pet retailers enter the online space. animalsupply.com/connect

PLC Initiative Helps Consumers Acquire Dogs

The Pet Leadership Council has launched Be Dog Smart to help consumers make informed decisions about dog acquisition, whether by way of a professional breeder, shelter or rescue, pet store, friend or family member. “The success of the pet care community rests on consumer trust and confidence, which is why the PLC found it imperative to gain a better understanding of the public’s wants and needs when it comes to companion animals,” said Bob Vetere, executive director of the PLC. Be Dog Smart offers a website with information such as costs to consider, questions to ask and information on identifying responsible breeders, shelters, rescues and pet stores. Resources are available for pet pros who wish to help promote Be Dog Smart to consumers. bedogsmart.org

Global Takes Place Feb. 26-28

Global Pet Expo, ranked the 46th largest trade show by Trade Show Executive magazine, and presented by the American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association, takes place Feb. 26-28 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. globalpetexpo.org

Work of Art

Odds are, you have a pet portrait — or 10 — hanging on the walls of your business. Put a different spin on the popular decor item with help from CROWN AND PAW. Simply upload a photo of a pet and choose a costume, and an artist will digitally combine it with that of an authentic 19th century portrait or Renaissance-era oil painting. Available in three sizes on canvas and poster paper.

$29.95-$89.95

crownandpaw.com

Safety First

Dog walkers: Add a Max & Molly Matrix Ultra LED for nighttime outings. From ONLY AN OCEAN, the light comes on a silicone band that easily attaches to a collar, harness or leash, and a soft-touch button provides three flash functions. The LED lasts for 13 hours and recharges in 30 minutes via the included USB cord. Stock a supply yourself for sale.

$16.99

onlyanocean.net

Relationship Counseling

Do customers regularly ask you for advice about their cat’s less than desirable behavior? If so, then add “I Love Happy Cats: Guide for a Happy Cat” to your bookshelf. Author and animal behaviorist Anneleen Bru shares how to recognize subtle stress signals in cats and respond to them, to build a closer and more fun relationship.

$24.99

schifferbooks.com

Clearing the Air

Pets can sure stink up a room. The Good Dog Collection from HILLHOUSE NATURALS helps to mask odors with its Sweet Vanilla, Fresh Lavender and Soft Amber fragrances, available in candles, air and linen sprays, and diffusers. Use them in your business, and when customers ask about the lovely smell, have the products ready to sell.

$16.50-$52.50

hillhousenaturals.com

No-Slip Grip

Dog training centers: Give your students even more grip for their paws with the KLIMB Traction Mat from BLUE 9 PET PRODUCTS. The perfect-fit mat goes on top of the KLIMB platform to ensure a slip-free surface for activities and routines that require even more traction. Made in the USA from all-natural rubber and UV-stabilized for outdoor as well as indoor use.

$29.95

blue-9.com

ACTIVATE YOUR AQUATICS sales with a monthly accessories program. Find a price that works for you and offer to send your fish folks a monthly pack of aquatics accessories with a featured new item and a few of your favorites. To drive in-store traffic, include a coupon for your pricier accessories.

Floating Aquarium Log
ZooMed

KEY FEATURES:This naturalistic floating log works for fish, newts, frogs and mudskippers to offer a spot for sleep, play, food and spawning.

SALES TIP:The bottom weighted log comes in various sizes and lets pets climb on top without the log rolling over.

mzoomed.com, (888) 496-6633

$17.99

Natural White Aquarium Sand
Aqua Terra by World Wide Imports

KEY FEATURES: Premium-quality, all-natural substrate that provides ample living space for beneficial microbes and anchoring for plants.

SALES TIP: Let your fish folks know that in aquatic setups, it also aids the filtering process by increasing the surface area available for nitrifying bacteria to colonize.

(704) 732-0475

$4.99

GloFish Anemone
Tetra

KEY FEATURES: A black-light reactive ornament with a silvery finish that reflects LED lights.

SALES TIP: A helpful add-on, this colorful piece provides with swim holes perfectly sized for GloFish to swim through and hide.

tetra-fish.com, (800) 526-0650

$9.94

Betta Aqua Décor Ornaments
Marina

KEY FEATURES: A pop of color and a fun activity for Betta fish, these ornaments are available in six different designs, like this red stone archway.

SALES TIP: Super safe: nontoxic and made from fade-resistant material.

usa.hagen.com, (800) 724-2436

$4.99

Maple Rock
Pisces USA

KEY FEATURES: The complex structure of this 9-pound rock adds immediate interest to any design, reminiscent of gypsum interlaced with sparkling white quartz.

SALES TIP: Natural, handpicked scenery for Iwagumi and Amano style aquariums, biotope, bonsai and rock gardens.

piscesusa.com, (424) 385-4294

$35.95

Nano ATO
Transworld Aquatic / JBJ Aquatics

KEY FEATURES: An automatic top-off system reimagined with dual optical level-sensors for ultimate precision.

SALES TIP: No mo’ overflow: This compact digital sensor offers the security of a full tank without a mess.

jbjaquarium.com, (877) 374-9981

$99

Vintage Action Air Diver
Penn-Plax

KEY FEATURES: Add a touch of vintage to any tank with this classic aquarium ornament and attached aeration hose.

SALES TIP: Form and function: Bubbles flow from the vintage-style diving helmet to simulate breathing and improve water circulation.

penn-plax.com, (866) 625-2385

$9.99

LED Air Stone
Elive

KEY FEATURES: Create a colorful column of bubbles in your aquarium with endless color combinations thanks to color-changing LEDs. The air stone base features suction cups that will securely mount to the bottom of your aquarium.

SALES TIP: Doubles as a night light or to accent your favorite piece of aquarium décor.

elivepet.com, (855) 354-8318

e$4.99