VCA’s Same-Store Sales Down 2.7 Percent In Q1June 2, 2009 VCA Antech Inc.’s same-store revenue declined by 2.7 percent in the first quarter ended March 31, while the same-store gross profit margin rose to 18.8 percent from 18.5 percent. The Animal Hospital Division reported first-quarter revenue of $238.4 million compared to $226.1 million in the year-ago period. The 5.4 percent increase was driven by acquisitions made in the past 12 months. The Los Angeles company made nine acquisitions during the quarter, marking historical combined annual revenue of $20.9 million. VCA Antech’s Laboratory Division reported first-quarter revenue of $77.5 million, compared to $76.7 million in the year-ago period. Revenue in the Medical Technology Division was $9.2 million in the first quarter, compared to $13.8 million in the year-ago period. Overall, VCA Antech reported first-quarter net income of $32.9 million on revenue of $315.9 million, compared to $32.2 million and $307.8 million, respectively, in the year-ago period. The company also affirmed its 2009 financial guidance: revenue of $1.36 billion to $1.39 billion and net income of $135.2 million to $141.1 million. <HOME>
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Financial News Briefs - June 2009June 2, 2009 Food giant Nestlé, based in Vevey, Switzerland, reported Pet Care Division sales of $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $2.5 billion a year earlier. The company attributed the performance to resilient demand for key premium and superpremium Purina brands, such as Dog Chow, Beneful, Pro Plan and Cat Chow. According to Nestlé, the growth of its pet care business was supported by products at different price points as well as the continued success of 2008 launches. Vetco Hospitals Inc., a subsidiary of PawsPlus Inc. of Sarasota, Fla., reported that March sales jumped by 39.1 percent, to $1.4 million, up from $981,600 in the year-ago period. First-quarter sales increased by 40.7 percent, to $3.1 million. Schering-Plough’s animal health business reported revenue of $630 million in the first quarter ended March 31, a 13 percent decrease from the year-ago period. Overall, the Kenilworth, N.J., company saw first-quarter net income of $805 million on revenue of $4.4 billion, compared to $314 million and $4.7 billion, respectively, in the year-ago period. Schering-Plough also reported that its merger with Merck remains on track.
California Spay/Neuter Bill Fails In SenateJune 2, 2009 The California Senate on June 1 rejected Senate Bill 250, a measure that would require sterilization of most of the state’s cats and dogs. The vote was 16-15, with 21 votes needed for passage. A vote to reconsider the measure will take place on June 2. SB250, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, calls on cat owners to spay or neuter their pet at 6 months of age if the cat is allowed to roam at large. The bill also requires the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months of age unless the owner gets an unaltered dog license. The bill has been amended to authorize local governments to use existing procedures to issue intact dog licenses or to charge a fee for procedures related to the issuance, denial or revocation of unaltered dog licenses. In addition, unaltered dogs used in legal hunting activities would be exempt from being cited. The sterilization of dogs found to be at large continues to be a requirement under the bill. SB250 is backed by the Social Compassion in Legislation, which says the bill would reduce euthanasia rates and save tax dollars, as well as various humane …
California Spay/Neuter Bill Moves To Senate FloorJune 1, 2009 California Senate Bill 250 goes before the Senate Floor during the first week of June 2009, where the full Senate votes on the measure that seeks to require spay or neuter surgery for most of the state’s cats and dogs. SB 250, by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, calls on cat owners to spay or neuter their cats at 6 months of age if the cats are allowed to roam at large. The bill also requires the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months of age, unless the owner gets an unaltered dog license. The bill has been amended to authorize local governments to use existing procedures to issue the intact dog licenses or to charge a fee for procedures related to the issuance, denial or revocation of unaltered dog licenses. In addition, unaltered dogs used in legal hunting activities would be exempt from being cited. The sterilization of dogs found to be at-large continues to be a requirement under the bill. Click here to view the amended version. <HOME>
Australia Bans Pet Food IrradiationJune 1, 2009 Australia has banned the government-mandated practice of irradiating imported pet food, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The ban comes after a number of cats died or became ill after eating irradiated cat food manufactured by the Canadian company, Champion Petfoods Ltd. The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has ordered the sterilization process to cease immediately after receiving international reports that some cats can suffer neurological damage from eating irradiated dry food, according to the Herald. Details on the reports were not immediately available. Late last year, Champion issued a voluntary recall of its Orijen cat food in response to multiple reports of cats showing symptoms of neurological problems after eating the food. At that time, the company reported that 30 to 40 cats were affected and four or five cats had to be euthanized. Champion eventually pulled out of the Australian market after concluding that the health issues were caused by Australia’s irradiation process. Additionally, Champion changed its policy to one that prohibits it from selling to countries where its products will be irradiated. <HOME>
New York Legislators Introduce Bills To Regulate Dog And Cat DealersJune 1, 2009 New York state legislators have introduced two bills, Senate Bill 5392 and Senate Bill 4961, that aim to regulate dog and cat dealers. The Senate Committee on Agriculture is set to hear the two measures on June 2. As introduced, Senate Bill 5392 seeks to limit dog and cat ownership. Under the proposal, no person or business would be allowed to possess more than 50 intact dogs over the age of four months and intact cats over the age of four months that are kept for the purpose of breeding and selling of their offspring. The bill would authorize officials to confiscate animals from violators. Senate Bill 4961 amends the definition of a “pet dealer” to include anyone who sells, offers to sell or negotiates the sale of “animals born or raised on the premises of another or who keeps on his or her premises more than four intact female dogs six months of age or older for the purpose of breeding.” The definition still includes breeders who sell or offer to sell animals, but eliminates the current exemption for those who sell less than 25 animals per year. Senate Bill 4961 also sets forth a …
Denver Pit Bull Lawsuit Gets New LifeMay 29, 2009 An appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Denver breed ban has been allowed to move forward by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision favors plaintiffs Sonya Dias, Hillary Engel and Sheryl White in their appeal challenging the city’s breed ban, which prohibits pit bulls within the city limits. Specifically, the Denver ordinance bans ownership or possession, and calls for the euthanization, of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, or any dog with a majority of physical traits of one or more of these breeds within the city and county. The dog-owning plaintiffs Dias, Engel and White have asserted that the breed ban is unconstitutional. The original lawsuit filed by the three former Denver residents stated that they were forced to move out of the city with their dogs because of the ban, which they claimed was a violation of their constitutional rights. This ruling reverses the United States District Court of Colorado’s dismissal of the suit in 2007. More than 1,000 dogs within the city limits have been euthanized as a result of the ordinance. <HOME>
Optibrand To Market ClearView Optical Imaging System In JapanMay 29, 2009 Optibrand Ltd. of Ft. Collins, Colo., recently received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to market its ClearView Optical Imaging System in Japan. The system, which digitally captures images of the retina and other internal eye structures, will be marketed by Meni-one Co. Ltd. beginning in June. Optibrand recently signed on other commercialization partners as well. For instance, the company chose Dan Scott and Associates of Westerville, Ohio, as its exclusive ClearView partner in North and South America. In addition, Optibrand has an exclusive partnership agreement with Eickemeyer in Europe and with VetServices in Australia/New Zealand. <HOME>
FDA Initiates Animal Drug Grant ProgramMay 28, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has initiated a grant program to support the development of new animal drugs intended for minor species or minor uses in major species. Major species include: • Dogs • Cats • Horses • Cattle • Pigs • Turkeys • Chickens All other animal species, except humans, are considered minor species. The grant program was established by the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004. A MUMS grant must be for the purpose of “defraying the costs of qualified safety and effectiveness testing expenses incurred in connection with the development of designated new animal drugs.” The FDA will offer $750,000 in grants for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Grants for total costs will be available for up to $50,000 per year for up to two years for routine studies; and up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for studies of unusual complexity, duration or size. A third year of funding may be available for long-term toxicology studies. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 1. Click here for details.
Study: Household Income Strong Predictor Whether Cats Are NeuteredMay 27, 2009 About 80 percent of cats living in U.S. households are neutered, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assn. The telephone survey of 1,205 adults, representing 850 cats, further revealed that annual family income was the strongest predictor of whether cats in the household were neutered, with middle- to higher-income households reporting rates of more than 90 percent. The peer-reviewed study is said to be the first nationally representative study to thoroughly examine the correlation between income and neuter status. The study was based on data collected by Harris Interactive for the nonprofit group Alley Cat Allies. “This study indicates that spaying and neutering is an accepted, established practice among the large majority of Americans with pet cats,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “This is a very positive finding. As a result, our nation’s pet cats are living much healthier lives.” The proportion of cats that were neutered differed significantly across annual family income groups: 96.2 percent of cats in households with an income of $75,000 were neutered. 90.7 percent of cats in households with an income …
