Covetrus announces the opening of its newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility
In the pet industry, Covetrus, a global leader in animal-health technology and services, has announced the grand opening of its newly expanded, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical compounding facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The 50,000-square-foot facility represents a significant advancement in the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, customized medications for veterinary practices and pet owners.
This expansion brings together the operations of Atlas Pharmaceuticals and Roadrunner Pharmacy under one roof, enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining services. The facility boasts 32 ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms for Atlas Pharmaceuticals, and 20 ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms for Roadrunner Pharmacy, ensuring the highest standards of sterility and quality in compounded medications.
By consolidating these operations, Covetrus aims to better serve veterinarians and pet owners with innovative dose forms, office-use orders, and expedited shipping options. The facility’s advanced capabilities are designed to address drug shortages and backorder issues, providing customized veterinary compounded medications that meet the specific needs of individual patients.
Home for the Pawlidays : The Ultimate Streaming Experience to Keep Pets Happy This Holiday Season!
PetSmart has introduced a unique streaming service designed to alleviate the holiday blues for pets left alone during the festive season. PetSmart aims to provide companionship and stimulation through this innovative platform.
The streaming experience offers a variety of pet-friendly content, including soothing music, engaging visuals, and interactive segments tailored to entertain and comfort pets in their owners’ absence. This initiative reflects PetSmart’s commitment to enhancing pet well-being, especially during times when pets may feel more isolated.
This development aligns with a broader trend of pet-focused media offerings. For instance, services like DOGTV provide content specifically curated to alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, featuring programs based on extensive scientific research.
Pet Advocacy Network Challenges New York’s Retail Pet Sale Ban in Landmark Lawsuit
The Pet Advocacy Network has filed a lawsuit seeking to block New York’s impending ban on the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits, set to take effect on December 15, 2024. The legislation, known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, aims to halt the influx of animals from large-scale breeding operations. Commonly referred to as “puppy mills,” they are often criticized for inhumane conditions and health issues among animals.
The Pet Advocacy Network argues that the ban will adversely affect small businesses and limit consumer access to responsibly bred pets. Mike Bober, President and CEO of the organization, stated, “By signing [the bill] into law, the New York Governor has destroyed the livelihoods of law-abiding small business owners and removed longstanding legal protections for animals and families who adopt puppies, kittens, and rabbits.”
Conversely, animal welfare advocates support the ban, asserting that it will reduce animal cruelty and encourage the adoption of pets from shelters and rescue organizations. New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized that the law is designed to “help put an end to the dangerous puppy mill to pet store pipeline that endangers pets and costs New Yorkers thousands of dollars in veterinary care.”
Under the new law, retail pet stores are prohibited from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits but may collaborate with animal shelters and rescue organizations to facilitate adoptions. Violations can result in fines of up to $1,000 per infraction.
Purina has announced a $4.5 million donation to three leading U.S. veterinary schools
In other pet industry news, Purina has announced a $4.5 million donation to three leading U.S. veterinary schools: Colorado State University (CSU), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and the University of Minnesota. This contribution, unveiled in honor of the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, aims to support the development of future veterinarians and enhance pet health outcomes.
The donation will be allocated equally among the three institutions, each receiving $1.5 million. These funds are designated to support various initiatives, including scholarships, research programs, and the enhancement of clinical services.
The deans of the respective veterinary schools have expressed gratitude for Purina’s generous support, emphasizing that the funds will significantly enhance their educational programs and research capabilities. This partnership is expected to yield long-term benefits for the veterinary community and pet owners alike, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing animal health.
HABRI has announced a new grant aiming to deepen the understanding of the human-animal bond leveraging AI
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has announced a new grant to support research that applies machine learning and data analytics to human cohort data. The research aims to deepen the understanding of the human-animal bond and its effects on both pet and human health. This initiative seeks to harness advanced computational methods to uncover insights into how interactions with companion animals influence physical and mental well-being.
HABRI’s funding opportunities focus on investigating the health outcomes of pet ownership and animal-assisted interventions (AAI) for both humans and animals involved. The organization emphasizes innovative approaches to studying the positive effects of companion animals on human health, with areas of interest including child health and development, healthy aging, and mental health.
By integrating machine learning techniques with extensive human health data, the forthcoming research aims to identify patterns and correlations that traditional analysis methods might overlook. This approach is expected to provide a more nuanced understanding of how the human-animal bond contributes to health outcomes, potentially informing the development of targeted interventions and policies that promote the well-being of both people and their pets.
HABRI continues to support scientific research that substantiates the mutually beneficial relationship between humans and animals, advancing the growing body of evidence about the positive roles that companion animals play in the integrated health of individuals, families, and communities.
We hope you found this pet industry report informative.
About the author
Marshall Takundwa is a writer at The PetConomist. He writes about the pet and veterinary industry and creates pet related content. Visit www.thepetconomist.com an exciting blog and newsletter helping pet parents to find quality pet products and services.
