Pet Food Sales Are Rising
When all the receipts are tallied, Americans will have spent $13.64 billion on pet food in 2004—approximately 44 percent of their total spending on pet care and products, according to Business Trend Analysts, a marketing research firm in Commack, N.Y...

Retailers Use Dive In! Promotions
Nearly 4,000 pet retailers across the United States—including superstore chains—are using resource materials from the Dive In! Aquarium Fish marketing campaign to boost sales of tropical fish and aquariums and to educate consumers about aquarium-keeping as a hobby...

What Happens When Pets Rule the Roost
Do you ever break the “no pets on the bed” policy when your spouse is away? Or sneak an extra treat to Whiskers when your significant other isn’t looking? If you do, you’ve got lots of company: Approximately 70 percent of pet owners break pet-related household rules when their spouse or significant other is away, according to a national survey by the American Animal Hospital Association (Lakewood, Colo.)...

FDA Finalizes Bioterrorism Rules
Federal rules finalized in December require people who manufacture, process, pack, transport, distribute, receive, hold or import pet food, treats and chews to establish and maintain records on the products, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.)...

Advisory Group Nixes Pet Guardianship
A national public policy advisory group last fall approved a resolution opposing legislation that would reclassify pet owners as guardians, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.)...

Canada May Ban Suspect Cattle Tissue
To protect animal feed, including pet food and treats, from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in December proposed a ban on the use of cattle tissue that may contain the agent that causes BSE...

Index Says Consumer Confidence Is Flagging
The Associated Press/Ipsos CASH Index fell to 89.8 in November, down 7.6 points from 97.4 in October. It marked the third consecutive month in which the consumer confidence measure had fallen...

Survey Says Customer Service Is Lacking
Whether they shop in retail stores or on the Internet, nearly all consumers value customer service, according to a national survey by the National Retail Federation Foundation (Washington) and American Express Co. In fact, 99 percent of shoppers said that customer service is at least somewhat important when they’re deciding to make a purchase...

Backer's Spring Trade Show Will Include Exciting Contests
More than 7,000 pet and gift retailers, boarding kennel operators, grooming professionals, distributors and other buyers are expected to attend Backer’s 17th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show and Educational Conference, to be held April 1-3 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J...

Organizers Set Line-up for Petfood Forum
Targeting professionals interested in manufacturing, regulating and marketing pet food, Petfood Forum 2005 will take place April 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago...

America's Family Pet Expo Draws Huge Crowds in Michigan
Held outside California for the first time in its 16-year history, America’s Family Pet Expo drew more than 26,000 attendees to the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Mich., when it was held Nov. 19-21. In fact, it ranked among the center’s top 10 shows...