Aqua Zoo Inc., an independent pet supply chain, plans to open a 26,000-square-foot facility consisting of retail, office and warehouse space in the Highland Square shopping center in Jacksonville, Fla., during the first quarter of this year. The retail store will serve as the model for new stores expected to open throughout the Southeast over the next five years, according to founder/president Mark Draughon. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Aquariums previously sold under the All-Glass Aquarium name now are available under the Aqueon brand name. According to Matt Allen, senior brand manager for Central Aquatics (Franklin, Wis.), the tanks are manufactured the same way in the same location, and only their name is changing. [January 2008 PET AGE] 

Bella Creature Comforts L.L.C. (Houston) now makes its pet beds in El Salvador, the first Central American country to sign the Central American Free Trade Agreement. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Care.com (Waltham, Mass.) allows pet owners to find local pet sitters by ZIP code, days and times they are available, hourly rate and more. The site also provides references and background checks on sitters. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Casco Group Inc. (Cerritos, Calif.) formed the Store Fixture Think Tank Team to bring new store fixturing products and ideas to market faster. Headed by Matthew Bubear, chief operating officer of Casco Europe, the team includes individuals in sales, marketing, manufacturing, installation and senior management. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Classy Custom (Los Angeles), a maker of modern pet doors with mix-and-match frames, launched an online store at www.classycustom.com. [January 2008 PET AGE]

CONNECTICUT—Pet Store Regulations. The Department of Agriculture is considering amendments to proposed regulations that would effectively require pet stores to prohibit all customer contact with store animals and to post signs warning customers about the risk of rabies in pet store animals, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington). The rulemaking applies to any commercial setting in which the public may come into contact with animals. PIJAC testified that pet stores should be exempt from the rule. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Ethical Products Inc. (Bloomfield, N.J.) recently received the Outstanding Performance Award from Petcetera Inc. (Cranbury, N.J.). It was the third time the company had received that award. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Fetch! Pet Care, a franchise offering pet-sitting and dog-walking services, opened new locations in Surprise, Ariz.; Bakersfield, Camarillo, Silverlake, Simi Valley and Ventura, Calif.; Lake Mary, Fla.; and Fort Worth, Texas. The company now operates 116 franchises across the country. [January 2008 PET AGE]

A whopping 82 percent of pet owners say in-home pet sitting at the pet’s residence is the most “convenient, healthful and nurturing method of pet care,” according to a recent survey by Fetch! Pet Care (Berkeley, Calif.). Thirteen percent of survey respondents prefer in-home pet sitting at the sitter’s residence, 5 percent prefer group day care and less than 1 percent prefer boarding at a kennel. One out of three respondents (33 percent) said they have had a bad experience when boarding a pet, and 12 percent have had a bad experience more than once. Fully 50 percent of respondents said kennels put pets’ emotional health at risk, including depression, separation anxiety and stress from alpha dogs. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Chuck Simons of Groomers Helper.com (Margate City, N.J.) launched www.chucksimons.com, to provide grooming industry news and information as well as links to manufacturers, magazines and associations. [January 2008 PET AGE]

The Hartz Mountain Corp. (Secaucus, N.J.) in November voluntarily recalled 3,600 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats due to concerns of potential Salmonella contamination in bottles with lot code SZ-1637-1 and UPC number 32700-97701. The recalled product was made by UFAC Inc. of Baconton, Ga. [January 2008 PET AGE]

The Honest Kitchen Inc. (San Diego) in November won a six-month lawsuit against the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which had refused to allow the company to sell pet foods labeled as “human food grade” in the state. Agriculture officials acknowledged that the foods are human food grade, but claimed consumers might not be able to determine whether they are intended for animals or humans. The appellate court, determining that the labels were not misleading, ruled that the company had a constitutional right to make truthful statements about the quality of its products on its labels. [January 2008 PET AGE] 

Intergroom 2008, to take place April 11-13 at the Garden State Exposition Center in Somerset, N.J., once again will feature three days of international grooming competitions, educational seminars and trade show bargains. This year, the Terrier and Hand-stripping classes will not run concurrently with the All Other Purebreds class—which means competitors will be able to enter four classes in the Rising Star and Groomer of the Year competitions. For more information, visit www.intergroom.com. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Jarden Consumer Solutions (Boca Raton, Fla.), which markets professional grooming products under the Oster Professional and HydroSurge brand names, is partnering with the World Wide Pet Industry Association (Monrovia, Calif.) to host SuperZoo Groom as part of SuperZoo 2008, to be held Sept. 9-11 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Renowned groomer Christina Pawlosky will direct the grooming competition. For more information, visit www.superzoo.org or call 800-999-7295. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Instant Ocean-UPG Aquatics (Blacksburg, Va.) sponsored a three-day seminar on environmental quality in marine habitats at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. The seminar was designed for professional marine aquarists. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Mars Inc. (Chalfont, Pa.) unified its regional fish-care businesses—including API, PondCare, Rena and Aquarian— into a new operating unit called Mars Fishcare North America Inc. [January 2008 PET AGE]

MASSACHUSETTS— Pet Shop Inspections. A bill that would shift authority for inspecting pet shops from the Department of Agriculture to the Division of Consumer Affairs was read in October and awaits action in the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. The language of the bill indicates that enforcement authority covers all persons selling pet animals at retail, including breeders, according to PIJAC. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Moochie & Co. (Columbus, Ohio), an upscale pet fashion and accessory retailer, opened a new location in the Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Muddy Creek Animal Care Center (Rowley, Mass.) raised more than $3,000 during its second annual Dogtoberfest to benefit Zoo New England, a nonprofit corporation that operates the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Mass. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Mulligan Stew Pet Food (Jackson, Wyo.) inked an agreement with First Choice Pet Products (Miami) to distribute its products in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the southern region of South Carolina. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Carol Frank, formerly president of Avian Adventures, launched The Murphy Consulting Group (Dallas) to help pet-related businesses with channel distribution and sales, profitability analysis and improvement, business acquisitions and sales, business coaching, hiring and recruiting, employee incentives and retention, new product development, overseas manufacturing and more. For more information, call (214) 893-8661 or visit www.carolfrank.com. [January 2008 PET AGE]

The Mutt Hut Pet Boutique L.L.C. (Westwood, N.J.) launched on the Web to offer sophisticated fashions and accessories for dogs. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Under an agreement between Aflac Inc. (Columbus, Ga.) and WorldWide Insurance Services Inc. (Northbrook, Ill.), members of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (Clark, Pa.) now can save up to 30 percent on some of Aflac’s most popular insurance products. Quotes and products are available online from Aflac or through licensed WorldWide agents. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (Mount Laurel, N.J.) collected pet products from their clients to donate to local shelters and rescue groups as part of the Presents4Pets campaign, held during Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in November. [January 2008 PET AGE]

The National Dog Groomers Association of America (Clark, Pa.) has increased fees for its certification workshops and tests. Effectively immediately, mini-workshops are $75 for members, $85 for non-members and $100 on-site; full-day workshop are $110 for members, $125 for non-members and $150 on-site; tests are $125 per phase, $125 for the master test, $60 for written tests only and $100 for practical tests (except for terrier practicals, which are cost $75). Re-testing is $75. For more information, visit www.nationaldoggroomers.com. [January 2008 PET AGE]

NestlÉ Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis) signed a deal with Ethical Products Inc. (Bloomfield, N.J.) to launch a line of pet accessories, including leashes, collars, toys and feeding accessories, under the Purina name. The deal represents the launch of Nestlé Purina’s licensing program. [January 2008 PET AGE]

New York—Invasive Species. Gov. Eliot Spitzer signed legislation creating the New York Invasive Species Council. Senate Bill 6117 gives the new council the authority to investigate invasive species risks in the state and mandates reporting requirements. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Oh Henry (Richmond, Calif.), a maker of car seat covers for dogs, added a blog to its Web site, touching on topics such as dog parks, dog health, coonhound characteristics and dog product outsourcing. [January 2008 PET AGE] 

Old Mother Hubbard (Tewkesbury, Mass.) gave its 2007 Midwest Retailer of the Year Award to PetPeople (Upper Arlington, Ohio) and its Eastern Area Retailer of the Year Award to NYCPet.com (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for their commitment to educating customers while supporting the company’s mission to provide uncompromising pet nutrition. [January 2008 PET AGE]

OurPet’s Co. (Fairport Harbor, Ohio) reported net revenues of $2.43 million for the 2007 third quarter, up 7.7 percent from $2.26 million in the year-earlier period. Net income decreased to $3,244, compared with $144,470 in the year-earlier period. Dr. Steven Tsengas, president and chief executive officer, said third-quarter results were not as good as expected, due in part to the late launch of the SmartScoop Self-scooping Cat Litter Box. [January 2008 PET AGE]   

Pet Aromatics (Westminster, Calif.) was named one of the fastest-growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine. Pet Aromatics was No. 18 in the consumer products category. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Camp (San Francisco), a certified green boarding facility, opened Cat’s Safari in Presidio Heights, Calif. The new facility features the Safari Garden, a landscaped greenhouse with a fountain, bamboo bridges and jungle sounds, as well as aquarium towers, custom cat trees, and custom condos with beds. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Ecology Brands Inc. (Dallas) launched a national TV advertising campaign introducing Perfect Litter Alert to the home-delivery market on 14 TV network channels, including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, The Food Network, Life Time TV, Fine Living, Hallmark, E! TV, HGTV and Bravo. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Ecology Brands Inc. (Dallas) received $650,000 in financing from Tricon Holdings L.L.C. and Texas Atlantic Capital Partners in completion of a stock purchase agreement. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Fashion Week NY (New York) partnered with Tokyo Broadcasting Systems to present the first PFW Runway Show and Buyer Reception in Japan, Jan. 12-13 during the New Year Dog Party at Tokyo Big Sight. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Supermarket (Sunrise, Fla.) is using software by geoVue (Woburn, Mass.) to identify the best markets and locations for new stores. [January 2008 PET AGE]

PetFirst Healthcare (Jeffersonville, Ind.) agreed to offer pet insurance on shelves and at checkouts of Spartan grocery stores throughout Michigan. Spartan, the nation’s 10th largest grocery distributor, joins The Kroger Co., the nation’s largest traditional grocery chain, as a major retail partner for PetFirst. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio) opened a new location on Old Carriage Court North in Shakopee, Minn. The store is operated by Jeff and Heather Latko. [January 2008 PET AGE]

A panel of pet experts on PetPop.com (Los Angeles), a social networking Web site for pet owners, now is available to answer questions submitted by members each month. [January 2008 PET AGE]

PetRelocation.com (Austin, Texas), which offers local, national and international animal shipping services, revamped its Web site to offer pet shipping supplies, destination-focused information such as details about veterinarians and dog parks, and real-time interactive communities for pet lovers. [January 2008 PET AGE]

PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix) partnered with Milk-Bone, a brand of Del Monte Pet Products (Pittsburgh), to donate a $10,000 service dog to Robert Boyd of Tukwila, Wash., as part of the Milk-Bone Canine Heroes Program. Boyd, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 58 and uses a wheelchair, was partnered with a canine companion trained to retrieve dropped objects, turn lights on and off, and open doors. [January 2008 PET AGE]

PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix) opened a PetsHotel in its store in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. The company now operates more than 70 hotels in 24 states, and plans to open a total of 540 in PetSmart stores across the country. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Planet Dog (Portland, Maine) revamped its Web site, with a more comprehensive product and merchandising information, easier account management features, complete order histories and more. An “Our Stuff Is Your Stuff” page offers easy-to-download image files that retailers can use in their own signage and advertising. [January 2008 PET AGE]
    
Skamper Industries L.L.C. (Charleston, S.C.), maker of the Skamper-Ramp water-escape device for animals, reported a 30 percent increase in sales in October. The company attributed increases in part to distributors signed at trade shows in Australia and Spain. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Melanie Thystrup of Carolina Town and Country (Sanford, N.C.) won a Stroll Town bag, leash and collar set from Scoop Doggy (LaSalle, Ontario) during H.H. Backer’s Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference in October. Thystrup was recognized for suggesting “Get Spotted” as the name for the company’s new leopard print accessories. [January 2008 PET AGE]

SimplyShe (San Francisco) is getting 16 feet of dedicated shelf space for its four pet brands—SimplyDog, Lulu Pink, Max-A-Million and Big Paws—at Wal-Mart stores across the nation. The brands, three of which are exclusive to Wal-Mart, are designed to bring a wide range of dog fashion products to price-conscious buyers. [January 2008 PET AGE]

TBD Brands (Exeter, N.H.) signed Animal Supply Logistics to distribute Yöghund organic frozen yogurt for dogs in Washington and northern California, and Supreme Pet to distribute the product in Texas. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Treats Unleashed Inc., a Missouri-based pet bakery and boutique owned by Teresa and Ian Miller, in December opened its third location, at 310 Mid Rivers Center in St. Peters, Mo. [January 2008 PET AGE]

The U.S. Bureau of the Census is conducting an economic census: Businesses that received questionnaires are required by law to return completed forms by Feb. 12. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Veterinary Ventures Inc. moved to a new office/warehouse at 1135 S. Rock Blvd., Suite 330, in Reno, Nev. The company’s phone number remains the same. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Wag Pet Boutique (Raleigh, N.C.) partnered with local pet-related organizations to accept donations for the first Presents 4 Pets collection drive to build community support for small, local pet adoption and rescue organizations. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Wag’N Enterprises L.L.C. (Herndon, Va.) launched to promote emergency mitigation and preparedness to keep pets and owners safe in the event of a crisis. [January 2008 PET AGE]

WISCONSIN—Commercial Dog Breeders. Legislation that would require commercial breeders to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture and sets forth penalties for violators as well as remedies for purchasers was introduced in November. Senate Bill 308, along with companion Assembly Bill 567, defines “commercial dog breeder” as “a person who is engaged in the business of breeding dogs and who either sells, or offers to sell, at least 60 dogs in a year or has at least eight breeding female dogs.” The legislation charges the department with creating minimum standards for breeding facilities, the minimum age for the sale of puppies, and space/exercise requirements for dogs. The bill also prohibits retailers from purchasing dogs from commercial breeders if the retailer knows the breeder is not licensed. [January 2008 PET AGE]

Wonderful World of Fish ’n More, an aquatics specialty store, opened at 25-71 Steinway St. in Astoria, N.Y. Owned by Steve Valsamakis, the store features a custom 350-gallon L-shaped saltwater display tank, a custom 150-gallon Amazon freshwater display tank and a 200-gallon waterfall and koi pond display. [January 2008 PET AGE]