Source: PR Newswire The pet services industry faced challenges in 2024, including shifting consumer behavior, rising labor costs, and declining revenues, particularly in daycare services. In-home pet care gained market share in urban areas, pressuring traditional facilities to innovate. Inflation also influenced consumer spending, with price-sensitive pet owners seeking discounts and bundled services. Millennials and Gen […]
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Source: VIN News VCA Animal Hospitals is permanently closing at least 17 urgent care centers across five states, marking a shift from its previous expansion strategy. Originally launched in 2022, VCA’s urgent care centers aimed to provide same-day or next-day care for non-life-threatening conditions. However, closures in Texas, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Arizona suggest a reassessment […]
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Source: dvm 360 A study from the Dog Aging Project (DAP) at Texas A&M University and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine found that an owner’s age significantly influences their dog’s diet more than their education or income. Researchers analyzed data from over 40,000 dog owners, examining demographic factors and pet characteristics such as age, breed, and diet. The study revealed that 82% […]
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Source: dvm 360 The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has approved a proposal from Kansas State University’s (KSU) Olathe Innovation Campus to oversee scientific reviews of new animal food ingredient submissions for AAFCO’s Official Publication. This initiative replaces the previous FDA-supported “Ingredient Definition Request” process, which ended after the expiration of an MOU between AAFCO and the […]
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Source: Pet Sustainability Coalition The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the WPA Good Works program to enhance sustainability efforts in the pet industry. The funding will support initiatives such as promoting eco-friendly packaging, responsible ingredient sourcing, and educating businesses on effective environmental strategies. With over 200 members in 18 countries, PSC has spent 11 years […]
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Source: ABC 13 News A rabid skunk attacked a dog named Hagrid in the Forestdale Subdivision of Lynchburg, Virginia, over the weekend. The Virginia Department of Health confirmed that the skunk tested positive for rabies. Hagrid’s owner, Mary Dietrich, heard barking and discovered the skunk biting her 13-year-old dog’s hind legs and tail. In an effort to save Hagrid, Dietrich […]
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Source: Popular Science A recent study published in Scientific Reports examined how scent detection ability varies among dog breeds. Surprisingly, border collies—a herding breed—outperformed some traditional hunting dogs like golden retrievers, vizslas, and basset/bloodhounds in finding hidden treats. However, beagles completed the task faster than all other breeds tested. Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary tested 551 […]
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Source: CBS 17 The Wake County Animal Center in Raleigh, N.C., is temporarily closing for at least 30 days due to an outbreak of Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Strep zoo), a contagious respiratory illness in dogs. Three dogs at the shelter have died from the disease, prompting officials to take immediate action to contain the outbreak. During the closure, […]
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Source: AZ Central JBS has partnered with stakeholders to donate 3 million livestock tags to improve cattle traceability in Pará, Brazil, aiming to track every head of cattle in the state by 2026. Pará, home to Brazil’s second-largest cattle herd, is the focus of this initiative, which seeks to revolutionize livestock management and sustainability. Of the […]
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Source: iGrow News JBS has partnered with stakeholders to donate 3 million livestock tags to improve cattle traceability in Pará, Brazil, aiming to track every head of cattle in the state by 2026. Pará, home to Brazil’s second-largest cattle herd, is the focus of this initiative, which seeks to revolutionize livestock management and sustainability. Of the […]
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Source: Great American Crop Twenty-three states have joined the Iowa Pork Producers Association in appealing to the Supreme Court to challenge California’s Proposition 12, which regulates nationwide pork farming practices. The appeal follows the Ninth Circuit Court’s dismissal of a lawsuit claiming the law is discriminatory. Proposition 12 bans the sale of pork from farms that do not […]
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Source: KUTV A parvovirus outbreak at the Weber County Animal Shelter in Ogden, Utah, led to the euthanization of about 20 dogs. Shelter officials addressed concerns on Facebook, clarifying that the no-kill shelter had to follow American Veterinary Medical Association protocols for disease control. The outbreak began on January 27, infecting 18 vaccinated dogs. Despite their prior immunization, the shelter was required […]
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Source: Cision PR Web Fear Free® has launched a new Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification to ensure low-stress care for pets in critical situations. This program expands the organization’s mission of reducing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in animals by equipping emergency and urgent care veterinary teams with specialized training and protocols. Dr. Jennifer Merlo, Vice President […]
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Source: Pet Age The Feather in Her Cap Association celebrated the achievements of women in the Animal Health industry at its eighth annual awards ceremony, honoring leaders for their contributions to Veterinary medicine and innovation. Laurie Hueneke Martens, Associate Vice President at Merck Animal Health, won the 2025 Feather in Her Cap Award for her work in public policy, international […]
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Source: AVMA News The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) has urged the AVMA Board of Directors to prioritize resources supporting veterinarians in rural practices. Their goal is to improve recruitment and retention by leveraging data-driven resources, partnering with other professional organizations, and addressing challenges unique to rural Veterinary work. During the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in January, delegates highlighted rural veterinarians […]
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Source: AP News Animal shelters and zoos across the U.S. are offering unique anti-Valentine’s Day fundraisers, allowing people to symbolically get revenge on their exes while supporting a cause. Options include naming feral cats before they are neutered, or naming cockroaches and rodents after former lovers before feeding them to larger animals. One participant, Teri Scott from Washington, […]
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Source: CBS 6 News Richmond Veterinary nurse Becky Lacy has launched Animalance RVA, a specialized pet transport service in Richmond to assist pet owners facing mobility or transportation challenges. With over 20 years of experience, Lacy was part of the team that cared for Tommie, the pit bull set on fire in Richmond six years ago. She converted […]
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Source: Atlanta News First The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has detected rat lungworm, a dangerous parasite, in invasive apple and mystery snails found in the state. Originally from South America and East Asia, these snails are illegal in Georgia. Rat lungworm typically infects rats but can be transmitted to snails when they ingest the parasite’s larvae. […]
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Source: The San Francisco Standard A deadly outbreak of parvovirus, a highly contagious and often fatal illness in dogs, is spreading in San Francisco’s Tenderloin and SoMa neighborhoods. Cases have surged since 2022, particularly in areas with high numbers of unsheltered homeless residents. However, it is unclear how many affected dogs belong to unhoused individuals. Access to […]
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Source: Today’s Veterinary Business Precision oncology is revolutionizing cancer treatment for dogs, offering targeted therapies based on tumor DNA. With nearly six million canine cancer diagnoses annually and only 600 Veterinary oncologists in the U.S., most dogs lack access to specialists. However, precision medicine is becoming available to general veterinarians, allowing them to prescribe personalized, highly effective treatments that […]
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