Pet News Roundup, April 11

Happy Friday, and happy National Pet Day!

To celebrate, we wanted to showcase how our pets can inspire us to be better, kinder people, and even motivate us to create amazing businesses.

We’d also love to learn what makes YOU tick. Do you prefer interviews with successful pet business owners, or in-depth analysis pieces? Or something else?

Let us know below!

IN TODAY’S EDITION

🇺🇸 U.S. dog and cat food sales came in at US$51.7 billion in 2024, and consisted of 9.8 tonnes and over 600 plant- and animal-based ingredients, according to a report by the American Feed Industry Association, the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation, Pet Food Institute and the Institute for Feed Education and Research.

🇺🇸 Mars appoints Helio Fujita as Global People & Organization VP for the company’s pet health, services, and nutrition business. Fujita, who will lead Mars’ people & organization function, has over 25 years’ HR experience across several different industries, including health, pharma and automotive.

🇬🇧 Untamed raises GBP10 million UK-based direct to consumer pet food company Untamed has raised GBP10 million (approx. US$12.9 million) in a Series B funding round. Untamed focuses on human-grade cat food and plans to expand into retail and new regions.

🇬🇧 Different Dog raises GBP10 million UK-based fresh dog food subscription service Different Dog has raised GBP10 million from new and existing investors to move to a new facility in Telford, UK.

🇳🇬 🇶🇦 Kormotech expands to Nigeria and Qatar. The move expands the pet food company’s presence to 46 countries worldwide. The Ukraine-based family business aims to adjust its revenue allocation so that by 2028, 70% of its sales come from international markets, and the remaining 30% from Ukraine.

🇰🇷 🇺🇸 Yuyu Pharmaceutical enters U.S. pet market South Korea-based Yuyu Pharmaceutical has invested a total of KRW1.24 billion (approx. US$867,000) in a drug development company, Vetmab Biosciences (VETmAb), and a dog-focused community service, DOG PPL. Both investment targets are based in California. 

PRODUCT NEWS

🇺🇸 Mark Jacobs launches Bark Jacobs For the month of April, Bark Jacobs customers will be able to personalise Marc Jacobs’ leather goods with hand-painted pet portraits.

🇺🇸 Hagen Group launches new cat food line Pet products company Hagen Group has launched a new line of Catit-brand cat food at national U.S. retailer Pet Supplies Plus.  

🇨🇦 Pets Global partners with Natural Pet Distributors in Canada U.S.-based independent pet health company Pets Global has partnered with Natural Pet Distributors to distribute its pet nutrition products across Canada.

HAPPY NATIONAL PET DAY!

National Pet Day, celebrated on April 11 in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, honours the special bond we share with our companion animals.

Discover how these eight beloved pets have inspired their owners to launch thriving businesses built on love (and a lot of hard work). 

1. Hugo inspired Matt Meeker to found BARK, after he discovered that most pet toys and accessories weren’t the right size for this beloved Great Dane.

2. Gem led to the creation of Hidden Gems, Hong Kong’s first zero-waste pet store which focuses on healthier, freeze-dried and dehydrated pet treats.

3. Frits Smit prompted Yanic Klue to create South Africa’s first luxury dog hotel (read her story here).

4. Bobo the Skateboarding Bulldog is the mascot of The Wagington luxury dog hotel in Singapore. The beloved Bobo was often seen skateboarding happily on the premises.

5. Tylee inspired Ryan Cohen to found U.S. online pet retailer Chewy.

6. Dosi, who was afraid of thunderstorms, inspired Phil Blizzard to create the ThunderShirt, which swaddles the dog and reduces anxiety during thunderstorms and fireworks. Phil’s company ThunderWorks has now sold millions of ThunderShirts.

7. Lilo’s refusal to have his teeth cleaned the old-fashioned way prompted Victor Carpio to create the innovative Dental Wand (read his story here).

8. Vinnie inspired Elliot Roxby to create Our Pets Life, after he struggle to find the right products for the beloved German Shepherd.

Have a great weekend!

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