US pet industry sales reach $86 billion, growth projectedMarch 14, 2018The U.S. pet industry continues along a healthy growth trajectory, with overall sales of pet products and services rising almost 5 percent last year. Burgeoning online sales and strong numbers in veterinary services and pet food contributed to the advancement of the market, which Rockville, Md.-based market research firm Packaged Facts estimates at $86 billion in the brand new report U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2018-2019. Sales of retail channel pet food made it the largest pet category with 39 percent of the market. The 5 percent growth experienced by pet food in 2017 matches that of 2016, with online sales as the foremost growth channel. Growing even faster were veterinary services, which now represent 31 percent of the market. Retail channel pet supplies came in third. Meanwhile, the industry's smallest category, nonmedical pet services, grew 5 percent in 2017. Continuing the trend of channel migration, the pet food and pet supply retail channels are experiencing much of their growth outside of the core mass-market and pet specialty channels, namely online, where annual percentage sales gains have been in the mid double digits. Both channels are feeling the e-commerce heat, with big-box pet specialty especially hard hit even …
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West Texas A&M approves veterinary education centerMarch 14, 2018The Texas A&M University System Regents have approved plans to build a $22.8 million veterinary education, research, and workplace facility at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon. This is the latest development in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences' effort to expand veterinary education outreach throughout the state. Operated by Texas A&M, the new Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach Center (VERO), as well as a Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) relocating from Amarillo to Canyon, will be constructed adjacent to WTAMU's Agricultural Sciences Complex. "With these three new facilities in Canyon, the Texas A&M System has invested nearly $90 million in the future of agriculture and animal health in this region," said John Sharp, A&M system chancellor. "We have created a two-way superhighway of veterinary education and research activity from Canyon to College Station, and it runs right through these new structures." Expected to finish construction in 2020, VERO will house laboratories, research centers, and classrooms where students can work side by side with veterinarians to learn practical workplace skills. The facility will offer its students opportunities for research and collaboration with faculty and peers at TVMDL and the Agricultural Sciences Complex. "This arrangement …
4 things veterinarians, pet marketers must know about Gen Z, millennialsMarch 13, 2018Pet ownership in the U.S. is trending younger and younger. The 57 million pet owners under age 40 account for 41 percent of all pet owning adults in the United States. Over the past decade Gen Z (18- to 24-year-olds) and millennials (25- to 39-year-olds) accounted for more than half of the growth in the pet owner population, according to Rockville, Md.-based market research firm Packaged Facts in the company's new report Gen Z and Millennials as Pet Market Consumers: Dogs, Cats, Other Pets. "Adult pet owners under age 40 are as much the present as they are the future of the industry," said David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts. "These younger generations of pet market consumers are critical to the bottom line of pet product and service marketers because the vanguard of the baby boomer generation is reaching the age when pet ownership declines sharply. Moreover, boomers will be succeeded by members of Gen X, who spend heavily on pet products and services but are a relatively small population cohort." As to be expected, Gen Z and millennial pet owners are influencing the pet industry in unique ways that are quite different when compared to the …
MU veterinary pathobiologist: Pet food benefits outweigh risksMarch 13, 2018According to recent reports, more than 107 million cans of dog food have been recalled because they contained trace amounts of pentobarbital, the tranquilizer used to put down sick or injured animals. Tim Evans, DVM, Ph.D., an associate professor of veterinary pathobiology and head of toxicology in the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, stresses that while no measurable concentrations of pentobarbital should be in these products, pet owners should monitor resources for updates and notices for pet food recalls. "The FDA plays a key role in preventing these situations and in protecting our pets when these situations arise," Dr. Evans said. "For the last couple of years, I have been trying to disseminate information on what veterinarians and their clients can do when they suspect a pet food contamination. I firmly believe that the nutritional and health benefits of commercially manufactured pet foods, especially those manufactured by companies with a long history of dedication to pet nutrition and health, continue to greatly outweigh the low risks of contamination in these products." Evans says tools and resources are available for consumers to stay informed of pet food recalls such as the …
Henry Schein supports CSU sports medicine and rehabilitation veterinarianMarch 13, 2018Henry Schein Inc. announced its support of a three-year residency position with the Small Animal Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Colorado State University. The company's donation of health care supplies supports Ilan Frank, DVM, a second-year resident with the service. The Small Animal Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation team provides nonsurgical orthopedic care to sporting, hunting, working, and service animals, as well as pets with mobility issues. The veterinarians on the team use innovative imaging techniques, medical treatments, and rehabilitation to help animals regain strength, speed, and endurance after an injury. The donation is an initiative of Henry Schein Animal Health, Henry Schein Medical, and Henry Schein Cares, the company's global corporate social responsibility program. As a veterinarian in the Israeli Army, Dr. Frank helped to establish the veterinary services of the Army's Special Operations and served as the chief veterinarian of its K9 unit for 15 years. In that position, he often worked with military working dogs, conditioning them for service and treating them after injury. His experiences in the military led him to pursue a residency at CSU …
Pet drug peddler sentenced to 30 monthsMarch 13, 2018 Following a plea agreement, former Orange County veterinary drug salesman Sean Gerson, 49, received a 30-month prison term for his part in spearheading an online pet drug ring. Gerson's sentencing follows a six-year federal investigation into his involvement with multiple websites, illicitly selling veterinary drugs. Last September, Gerson conceded to heading a criminal group that imported, transported, and sold foreign-branded, misbranded, and unapproved prescription animal drugs and parasiticides, with most business conducted online under 樂威壯 his company, Vaccination Services. He had been involved in the illicit trade since 2002. Gerson also admitted to intentionally defrauding/misleading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, selling unregistered and foreign-branded products to undercover law enforcement agents, and amassing at least $2.5 million from the illegal sale and purchase of pet drugs and parasiticides. As part of his plea deal, Gerson agreed to surrender $2.5 million in assets and pay a $200,000 fine in addition to his prison sentence. To read more, click here.
AVMA, United partner to board emotional support animals safely, legally for allMarch 9, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association and the AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust have entered into the emotional support animal-airline travel challenge. United Airlines recently announced a new policy requiring a veterinary signature vouching for the health, behavior, and training of psychiatric service and emotional support animals flying with its passengers. The airline said the policy took effect March 1. The AVMA reviewed United's veterinary health form and expressed concern that the information it requested might not appropriately support the health and welfare of their animal and human passengers—and that it created potential liability risks for veterinarians attesting to them. After collaborating with United, the airline has adopted AVMA recommendations and will be posting a new form on their website that reflects alternate language. The new form will allow veterinarians to confidently report meaningful information to assist United in making decisions about transporting psychiatric service or emotional support animals on its flights, according to the AVMA. Requested revisions include: The form should be completed and signed only by a licensed veterinarian. The original version asked a veterinarian to attest that s/he "is not aware of any reason to believe that this animal would pose …
Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, The Veterinary Cooperative partnerMarch 9, 2018Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, the provider of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, has partnered with The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC) to advance their shared mission to improve pet health. "With pet health insurance, TVC clinic clients can worry less about cost and focus on their pet's care. This helps make it easier to provide great care for pets," said Allison Morris, president of TVC. TVC is a cooperative of 3,000 independent veterinary hospitals that helps level the playing field in pricing, marketing, and other business components for smaller hospitals among the growing corporate locations and big-box stores. "TVC is a leader in this space and we're proud to be able to partner with them," said Gina Fortunato, AVP of Veterinary Field Services, Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Complete Coverage is robust coverage that includes exam fees for covered conditions, diagnostics, alternative therapies, treatments, and more, the company stated. Pet owners can choose their annual limit, reimbursement percentage, and annual deductible to customize plans to fit their needs. For more information visit cfpetinsurance.com or theveterinarycooperative.coop.
Pathway Vet Alliance rebrand unveiled at WVCMarch 7, 2018Pathway national veterinary management group has rebranded as Pathway Vet Alliance to promote the company's position as a "change agent for good" in the veterinary industry and elevate its focus on providing personalized management support and tooling to veterinary practices across the U.S., the company said in a statement. As part of the rebrand process, Pathway is adopting a new logo, color palette, typeface, website, and streamlined brand system. "Our company has always been deeply passionate about inspiring positive change for our partners, the veterinary industry, and beyond," said Stephen Hadley, DVM and CEO of Pathway Vet Alliance. "This rebrand is an amazing opportunity to better communicate our company culture and values. We work with veterinary hospitals to remove the administrative burden from their team, so they can focus on what they love—providing the best care possible to our patients." Pathway rolled out its new identity at the 90th Annual Western Veterinary Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Throughout WVC, Pathway aimed to raise funds for the American Humane Association, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation's Veterinary Care Charitable Fund, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by donating $5 to …
Heroes for Healthy Pets helps veterinary clinics maintain disease-free facilitiesMarch 7, 2018At the 90th annual Western Veterinary Conference, Clorox Healthcare and Merck Animal Health, in coordination with the International Boarding and Pet Services Association, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Pet Sitters International, VETgirl, and Barkleigh Productions, announced the launch of the Heroes for Healthy Pets Infectious Disease Management Certification Program to educate veterinary and pet professionals on the risks of infectious diseases. The program provides best practices for preventative care, including strategic vaccination and cleaning and disinfection protocols to help maintain disease-free facilities and keep pets healthy. "The Heroes for Healthy Pets certification program provides essential support to the veterinary and pet professional community to help keep pets healthy," said Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus), CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). "The program is complementary on VetFolio and provides professionals an excellent opportunity to better understand infectious diseases and preventative care." The certification program consists of two free educational modules taught by three veterinary experts in infectious disease: Understanding Infectious Diseases led by Jason Stull, DVM, Ph.D., and Michelle Evason, DVM, DACVIM, and Effective Infectious Disease Control led by Melissa Bourgeois, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM. "Dogs that are social or visit pet …
