Dr. Patricia Olson Resigns From Morris Animal FoundationNovember 5, 2010 Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., has resigned as president and CEO of the Morris Animal Foundation. The move becomes effective Nov. 12. Dr. Olson had planned to retire in 2012 but decided to leave earlier for personal reasons, according to the nonprofit organization, which made the announcement today. Morris Animal Foundation will conduct a national search to fill the position of CEO. In the interim, Mark Carter, Ph.D., chair of Morris Animal Foundation’s Board of Trustees, will lead the foundation’s executive team: John Taylor, COO; Paul Raybould, executive vice president; and Wayne Jensen, DVM, Ph.D., chief scientific officer. “Animals around the world are living longer, healthier lives because of Dr. Olson’s leadership and vision,” Dr. Carter said. “We have been fortunate to have someone with her expertise, commitment and passion for animals at the helm for the past six years. The foundation’s trustees, scientific advisers and staff are all extremely grateful for Dr. Olson’s contributions.” Olson joined Morris Animal Foundation as its executive director in 2004. She was named president and CEO the following year. “It has truly been a pleasure to work with the Morris Animal Foundation team,” Olson said. “I am proud of …
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Hooters Fundraising Event Focuses On Spay/NeuterNovember 5, 2010 The 2nd Annual Hooters for Neuters will take place Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Hooters of Gastonia in Gastonia, N.C. The event was launched last year as a way to raise money for the Gastonia Animal League and bring awareness about the importance of spaying/neutering and microchipping pets. Dogs and cats will also be up for adoption. From 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hooters of Gastonia will donate 50 percent of the sales on all food and merchandise toward the cause. Last year, about $2,000 was raised. Hooters hopes to raise $2,500 this year. Gaston Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, part of Gastonia Animal League, will also be onsite offering microchipping at a rate of $20 per animal. “The Gaston Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic is thrilled to once again partner with Hooters for our 2nd Annual Hooters for Neuters ‘Real Men Neuter Their Best Friends,’” said Terry Albright Kenny, director of the clinic. “We are a small nonprofit, and Hooters generosity and support has been amazing. We expect this year’s event to be bigger and better than last year and we hope everyone will come and enjoy all of the activities.” <Home>
Study: Vets Most Popular Source For Pet Health InformationNovember 5, 2010 At least two-thirds of pet owners in the United States and Europe turn to their veterinarian or veterinary assistant for information about their pet’s health, according to a study by Grey Healthcare Group, a communications company in New York. The online study interviewed 1,355 pet owners in the United States and the United Kingdom, France and Germany in September. Pet owner is defined as a dog or cat owner. The second most popular source for information is online (59 percent for the United States and Europe), followed by friends/family with pets (33 percent in the United States and 24 percent in Europe). “It is not surprising that the study results show pet owners turn to websites as the second most popular source for information, but this represents a tremendous opportunity for pet care companies, along with the veterinary health care community, to help shape an expert-guided dialogue,” said Lynn O’Connor Vos, CEO of Grey. “Engaging owners online represents a significant opportunity to connect on their terms and become a more trusted source that understands their needs and wants.” The study also revealed: • In both the United States and Europe, about 50 percent of …
Missouri's Prop B Passes By Narrow MarginNovember 3, 2010 Missouri voters approved a controversial measure yesterday that will establish new regulations for the state’s “large-scale” dog breeding operations. Proposition B, otherwise known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, will amend the law to require any person who owns more than ten unaltered female dogs for the purpose of breeding to follow certain standards for feeding, veterinary care, housing, exercise and rest cycles between breeding. No person will be allowed to have custody of more than 50 dogs for the purpose of breeding. Under the proposed statute, a crime of puppy mill cruelty will be considered a misdemeanor. The question made it on the ballot as a result of a successful ballot initiative launched by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Humane Society of Missouri, and Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. Voters approved the measure by a narrow margin of 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent. Prop B spurred much debate in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Supporters, such HSUS and ASPCA, touted the measure as a much-needed tool to help police Missouri’s large-scale commercial dog breeders and ensure dogs receive …
Election 2010 Results: Votes For VetsNovember 3, 2010 Election day is over, the polls are closed and the results are in, at least most of them. Steve Katz, DVM, was on his way to winning the 99th Assembly District in New York as of this morning. The votes were still too close to call a victory, according to local news reports. Within the House of Representatives, Democrat Kurt Schrader, DVM, won a second term with about 51 percent vote to represent Oregon’s 5th District. However, Republican Charles Thompson, DVM, was defeated by Dan Boren, who was re-elected with about 57 percent of the vote to represent Oklahoma’s 2nd District. At the state level, Bill Rabon, DVM, won the vote to represent North Carolina’s 8th District. Elizabeth Jones, DVM, lost out to Warren Daniel to represent the state’s 44th District. Frank Walker, DVM, lost the vote to represent District 23 of the North Dakota State Senate to Joan Heckaman, who has had the position since 2007. Stewart “Chip” Beckett, DVM, who was vying to represent the 4th Senatorial District of Connecticut, narrowly lost to Steven Cassano. According to local newspapers, Beckett was hoping for a recount. Les Gerson, DVM, who was running for …
Feline Health Research Gets $3.5 Million BoostNovember 1, 2010Morris Animal Foundation reported today that $3.5 million in funding will be used for feline health studies over the next three years. Almost 30 active studies are addressing behavior, cancer, gastrointestinal problems, heart disease, kidney disease, pain management and urinary problems. Five studies funded by the foundation’s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign (www.research4cats.org) will look at upper respiratory infection in shelter cats. The campaign is also supporting the development of a tool designed to help scientists identify genetic predispositions to diseases such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, kidney disease and infectious diseases, among others. The genetic tool will be released in 2011, according to Morris Animal Foundation. Collectively, the foundation will manage about 300 animal health studies in 2011, with support of those studies totaling $17 million over the next three years. <Home>
AAEP Releases Clinical Guidelines On Racehorse CareOctober 29, 2010The American Association of Equine Practitioners today released the document “Clinical Guidelines for Veterinarians Practicing in a Pari-Mutuel Environment.” The guidelines, intended for veterinarians who treat racehorses, focus on the practice of administering medical treatment to a horse based on the entry date for its next race. All medical treatment of the racehorses should be based upon a veterinary diagnosis with appropriate time allowed for an evaluation following treatment to ensure the horse is recovered before it races again, according to AAEP. However, the association noted that the entry date should not be the primary factor when evaluating a horse’s need for medical care. “Our purpose is to reinforce sound medical principles within the unique environment of racing,” said Nat White, DVM, president of the AAEP. “As horse racing continues its pursuit of increased safety, we understand the need for us, as veterinarians, to examine our role in medication usage and medical treatment. These guidelines affirm the already excellent medical care provided by many veterinarians.” In addition to medication, the guidelines address the use of therapies such as shockwave therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The document also contains recommendations for maintaining medical records and changing the current racetrack veterinary business …
Nestlé Reports Growth In Pet Care DivisionOctober 29, 2010 Switzerland-based food giant Nestlé has reported pet care division sales at about $9.871 billion for the first nine months of 2010, compared to $9.819 billion during the same time period a year ago. The Vevey, Switzerland-based company cited the recent acquisition of Waggin’ Train, an Anderson, S.C.-based pet treat marketer, as a period highlight. As part of the deal, Waggin’ Train became a wholly-owned subsidiary of St. Louis-based Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. During a press conference today, Pat McGinnis, Nestlé Purina Petcare Co. president and CEO, said such acquisitions are just one of ways the company will fuel growth in the coming year. Nestlé Purina Petcare also plans to focus on consumer insights and the launch of new products, such Purina One Beyond, which is slated to launch in mid-January. “The Waggin’ Train acquisition and launch of Beyond are both examples of how we will continue our history of growth in a highly developed market place,” McGinnis said. “Our brands, as well as the pet care category, have been very resilient during the economic downturn, and we believe it is innovation and renovation that will contrite to drive both the pet care category and Nestlé Purina’s …
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Q3 Sales Dips 2%October 29, 2010 Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a division of Colgate-Palmolive, reported revenue of $521 million for its third quarter ended Sept. 30, a decrease of 2 percent when compared to revenue of $531 million in the year-ago period. Organic sales declined 1.5 percent during the quarter. Operating profit increased 1 percent during the quarter as lower sales and higher material costs were offset by benefits from cost-savings initiatives and lower advertising, according to the company. Recent new product introductions succeeding in the United States, according to Hill’s, included Science Diet Small and Toy Breed Canine, Science Diet Healthy Mobility Canine and Prescription Diet j/d Feline. New pet food products contributing to international sales included Science Diet Small and Toy Breed Canine and Science Plan Vet Essentials Canine and Feline. Year to date, Hill’s reported revenue of $1.5 billion, compared to revenue of $1.6 billion in the year-ago period. Overall, Colgate-Palmolive reported net income of $619 million on revenue of $3.9 billion for its third quarter, compared to net income of $590 million on revenue of $4 billion in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $1.6 billion on revenue of $11.6 …
PetMed Express Sees Q4 IncreaseOctober 29, 2010 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., reported net income of $6.1 million on revenue of $50.3 million for its fourth quarter ended March 31, compared to net income of $5.6 million on revenue of $48.1 million in the year-ago period. Reorder sales for the quarter were $40.4 million, compared to $37.2 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 9 percent. Year to date, the company reported net income of $26 million on revenue of $238.3 million, compared to net income of $23 million on revenue of $219.4 million in the year-ago period. Reorder sales for the year were $177.8 million, compared to $156.9 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 13 percent. Year to date, PetMed Express acquired about 815,000 new customers, compared to 802,000 in the year-ago period. Internet sales increased by 14 percent to $162.8 million for the year, compared to $143.3 million in the year-ago period, with about 68 percent of the orders being generated from the website during the year, compared to 65 percent in the year-ago period. <HOME>
