Pet News Roundup, April 18

Happy Friday! This week has brought a number of newsworthy pet industry deals, including Mars Petcare backing US direct-to-consumer brand Happy Howl, and Better Choice offloading its Asia business.

IN TODAY’S EDITION

🇺🇸 Mars Petcare backs direct-to-consumers company Happy Howl. US-based Happy Howl’s funding round also saw participation from Michelson Found Animals, Darco Capital, Visible Ventures, and private investors. Happy Howl produces gently cooked, shelf-stable meals for pets. 

🇺🇸 Better Choice sells Halo’s business in Asia for US$8.1 million. Pet health and wellness company Better Choice’s wholly-owned subsidiary Halo, Purely for Pets, Inc. has sold its Asian business to CZC Company for US$8.1 million. The move would allow Better Choice to concentrate on its core portfolio of health and wellness products, while creating an additional revenue stream through the royalty arrangement.

🇺🇸 Tariffs create concern about pets being surrendered to animal shelters. Pet owners and shelter advocates are concerned about the potential consequences of rising costs, according to Forbes.

🇺🇸 52% of US pet owners skipped or declined veterinary care. Financial considerations are biggest deterrents to getting veterinary care, according to Gallup.

🇨🇳 China’s pet market recovery signals economic rebound. China’s pet industry recovered strongly in 2024, according to industry platform PetData. China’s urban consumption market for pet dogs and cats surpassed RMB 300.2 billion (US$41.1 billion), up 7.5% year-on-year, according to PetData’s 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper.

🇬🇧 The Nutriment Company acquires Bulmer Pet Foods. Nutriment said the acquisition is part of its strategy to “expand its portfolio to make raw feeding more accessible across the UK”.

🇬🇧 Vets are under pressure to bring in more money. Some vets say they are put under “consistent pressure” to generate more income per pet, the BBC reports.

🇳🇿 EBOS seeks to raise up to NZ$275 million to buy SVS Veterinary Supplies. Australian animal and health care company EBOS is raising up to NZ$275 million (US$163 million) to buy New Zealand’s SVS Veterinary Supplies.

PRODUCT NEWS

🇺🇸 Kaley Cuoco’s pet wellness brand Oh Norman! launches at Chewy. Oh Norman!’s pet supplements, treats, and grooming products are now available at Chewy.com.

🇬🇧 Jollyes removes small animals from stores. The UK-based retailer has removed all live rabbits, guinea pigs and birds to make way for expanded raw frozen food ranges. 

🎾 ATP Tour & Purina PRO PLAN sign multi-year partnership. The ATP and Purina PRO PLAN (part of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe) have signed a multi-year partnership, making Purina PRO PLAN the Official Pet Nutrition Partner of the ATP Tour.

🇳🇴 Norwegian brand Non-stop dogwear launches Dog Rescue Sling. Non-stop dogwear has launched the Dog Rescue Sling, which was created in partnership with Norwegian Rescue Dogs. The ultra-light, high-visibility Dog Rescue Sling is designed to allow wearers to carry dogs in front, on the side, or as a backpack.

REVIEW: PET GENIE WASTE DISPOSAL PRODUCTS

Embarrasingly, Luxury Pet Care News is a little late to the game when it comes to dog and cat waste disposal. Well, no more. 

We recently tested out Pet Genie’s products, and gone are our days of awkwardly scooping poop into a random plastic bag and tying a knot.  

PROS

Easy setup: Both items were easy to set up and use. No instructions required after the first use.

Smell control: This is a major benefit, especially for smaller spaces. Both products’ containment system kept things fresh, with no unpleasant wafts between clean-ups. 

Compact and durable: Both products fit easily in tight corners, making them ideal for smaller living or outdoor spaces. The materials are also sturdy: the hinges stay hinged and the latches stay latched.

More hygienic: Both disposal systems greatly reduced mess. Each item has a wide opening, making it easier to scoop in cat litter and drop in dog poo bags.

CONS

Poop escaping scooper: The scooper for the LitterLocker has wider gaps than we’d prefer, meaning cat litter sometimes managed to escape. 

Cartridge price: The refill bag cartridges are a great product, but they’re a little pricey at around US$11 per cartridge. 

Overall rating: 5 / 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall, Pet Genie’s waste disposal systems earned top marks. The products are an elegant combination of form and function, making them a great choice for pet owners who value hygiene and practicality. Pet waste disposal is now most definitely easier, and dare we say, the air also smells a little sweeter.

Pet Genie products are available at most online pet retailers.

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