CALIFORNIA—Breed-Specific Legislation. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in October signed into law Senate Bill 861, to allow local governments to pass breed-specific legislation to address public safety and welfare concerns in their communities, including mandatory spay/neuter for “potentially dangerous breeds.” The legislation takes effect Jan. 1, 2006.

CALIFORNIA—Puppy Sales. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in October signed Senate Bill 914, making it a misdemeanor to sell puppies under 8 weeks of age without written approval of a veterinarian. Animal shelters are exempted.

City Dog opened its doors at 545 Park Blvd. in San Diego, in the shadows of Petco Park, home of the Padres baseball team. The independent retailer offers a full line of pet supplies as well as do-it-yourself dog washing.

Comp-Ware Systems Inc. recently moved its corporate office to 21310 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas, Fla. The company had been operating out of a temporary facility since its main office was destroyed by hurricanes in September 2004. Its new sales hotline is 866-243-5159.

Design North (Racine, Wis.) won an American Graphic Design Award from Graphic Design USA magazine for a trade show display featuring Mini Bow Aquariums by All-Glass Aquarium Co. Inc. (Franklin, Wis.).

Drop ’n’ Flop Inc. (Woodbridge, Ontario) was named the exclusive manufacturer of Roots pet apparel and accessories, and plans to add dog boots, a pet bed and a compact point-of-purchase display to the line. Pet Science Ltd. (Brampton, Ontario) distributes the Roots pet line in eastern and central Canada, and Coast-to-Coast Pet Care Inc. (Richmond, British Columbia) distributes the line in western Canada.

E.A.T.s—Edible Animal Treats (Toledo, Ohio) chose Aromatics Inc. (White Salmon, Wash.) to supply American-grown catnip for its Pawbreakers! The Catnip Candy for Cats.

Actress Diane Keaton is teaming with The Iams Co. (Dayton, Ohio), the Helen Woodward Animal Center (San Diego) and more than 2,000 animal shelters to find homes for 350,000 dogs and cats during the Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive through Jan. 2. This year, each new adoptive family will receive an Iams starter kit containing food samples, coupons and important tips on pet care, behavior, training and nutrition.

INDIANA—Dangerous Dogs. The Indianapolis City-County Council tabled a proposal to deem Rottweilers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, “pit bull” terriers and any mix of these dogs to be dangerous dogs. The proposal would have limited owners to two “dangerous dogs.”

International Absorbents Inc. (Ferndale, Wash.) reported sales of $6.07 million for the 2006 second quarter, up 11 percent from sales of $5.5 million for the year-earlier period. Net income was $48,000, down 89 percent from $447,000 for the year-earlier period. According to chairman Gordon L. Ellis, the company has not yet achieved optimal efficiencies at its new East Coast production facility, due in part to the development and production of new products such as CareFresh Colors cat litter.

MASSACHUSETTS —Dog Importation. A bill that would prohibit shelters from importing dogs from foreign countries was recommended for the executive session. House Bill 3650 also would establish tracking procedures for shelters that import dogs from shelters in other states.

NEW MEXICO —Commercial Breeders. A rewrite of Albuquerque’s animal code would define and regulate commercial breeder facilities. The proposed ordinance defines commercial breeder facilities as any facilities in any zone other than a residential zone that are used for breeding and care of newborn animals.

OurPet’s Co. (Fairport Harbor, Ohio) redesigned its Web site at www.ourpets.com, making it easier to navigate and incorporating more information about the company and its products as well as an interactive forum.

PENNSYLVANIA—Puppy Warranty. A bill that would amend the puppy warranty statute to increase the warranty period for illness or injury from 10 days to 90 days from the date of sale was sent to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, where at press time it awaited a hearing. House Bill 1946 also would require the seller to refund the purchase price and pay for any incidental expenses the new owner has incurred if the seller is found to have misrepresented the dog’s pedigree.

PENNSYLVANIACare Standards.— House Bill 1911, a bill that would regulate tethering and dictate the types of runs and shelters dog owners could use, was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Pet Ecology Brands Inc. (Dallas) signed agreements with four regional distributors in the southern and eastern United States; C&H Distributors Inc. (Lebanon, Ind.), covering the Midwest; and Jupiter Industries Inc. (Scarborough, Ontario), covering all of Canada.

PetSafe (Knoxville, Tenn.) is challenging pet owners to enter innovative, quirky, fun or helpful pet product ideas into its online Idea Fetch contest at www.ideafetch.com through Nov. 30. The winner will receive $40,000, and the winning idea will be developed into a product to be sold in Petco stores nationwide.

The Princess and the Pup (Phoenixville, Pa.) collected luxury pet products with a total value of more than $3,000 from its suppliers for a silent auction to benefit the Chester County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Pennsylvania.

Royal Pet Meals Inc. (Sausalito, Calif.) in September completed its purchase of Thirsty Pooch.com.

SeaYu Enterprises Inc. (San Francisco), maker of Petrotech Odor Eliminator, named Moose Rocket, a golden retriever belonging to Heidi Mueller of Bainbridge, Wash., the stinkiest pet in North America. As winner of the online contest, Mueller received $300.

ShopByBreed opened corporate headquarters in the Park Valley Corporate Center in West Chester, Pa. The new facility houses a research laboratory where employees can focus on product development.

Shure Pets (Chicago), which sells products through Pupperware Parties, recently signed its 800th pet consultant and added a range of proprietary items for all pets.

Sojourner Farms (Minneapolis) now sells its European Style Dog Food Mix and Europa Grain-Free Dog Food Mix through several wholesale suppliers in Japan.

The WBFI Research Foundation (Sioux Falls, S.D.) in September launched Project Wildbird, a three-year, $1 million study to study the feeding habits of wild birds across the United States and Canada. Data generated by the study will provide guidelines for feed and feeder-type preferences in all seasons in 13 eco-regions.

Woodstream Corp. (Lititz, Pa.) recently acquired Colibri Holdings (Denver), including its Perky Pet and Yule-Hyde brands. Woodstream will continue to operate the Colibri manufacturing facility in Denver, using it as a primary point of distribution into the western United States. In addition, Woodstream will expand existing distribution centers in Lititz, Pa., St Joseph, Mo., and Knoxville, Tenn.