BARK (Berkeley, Calif.), a publication for dog lovers, was nominated for a Folio “Eddie” award for best overall magazine in the enthusiast category. [December 2006 PET AGE]

Author Robert J. Goldstein seeks product photos and Web site addresses from aquarium equipment manufacturers for the 2007 edition of his Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook, published by BARRON’S EDUCATIONAL SERIES INC. (Hauppauge, N.Y.). Contact Goldstein at (919) 872-1174 or goldstein@rjgacarolina.com. [December 2006 PET AGE]

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) sponsored the My Dog Loves Central Park County Fair, held in October by the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Paws. Company representatives distributed samples from its TFH/Nylabone, Four Paws and Breeder’s Choice lines and promoted responsible pet ownership. [December 2006 PET AGE]

The stockholders of CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) approved an amendment to the company’s certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 100 million shares of non-voting Class A common stock. [December 2006 PET AGE]

CHISCO, which makes pet products and outdoor accessories, agreed to merge with CHUMS, creating the largest outdoor accessory company in the industry. The consolidated company will be headquartered at Chisco’s Salt Lake City facility and warehouse, where customer service, marketing and product customization will be stationed. All manufacturing will be centralized at Chum’s facility in Hurricane, Utah. At press time, the merger was expected to be finalized in November. [December 2006 PET AGE]

CLASSY SASSY PAWS INC. (Greensboro, N.C.), a designer of pet couture, sponsored a “Fifi and Fido” fashion show featuring canine models from local rescue groups during the 2006 Southern Women’s Show, held in September at the Greensboro Coliseum. [December 2006 PET AGE]

With the introduction of its Real Food Toppers line of whole food treats, COMPLETE NATURAL NUTRITION INC. (Marshalltown, Iowa) is urging owners to “Do What’s Best for Your Pet—Read Ingredient Statements” in all its marketing efforts. The company lists ingredients, including sodium, in bold colors and extra-large fonts on product packages. [December 2006 PET AGE]

To recognize the contributions of working dogs, DIAMOND PET FOODS (Meta, Mo.) awarded one free bag of food each month for 12 months to five service and therapy dogs based on essays submitted to the company by their owners or handlers. [December 2006 PET AGE]

DOGONFUNNY CREATIONS L.L.C. (Jarrettsville, Md.) donated more than $300 in cash and merchandise to Animal Rescue Inc. (New Freedom, Pa.). [December 2006 PET AGE]

FOR PETS ONLY, a luxury pet couture and accessory brand based in Milan, Italy, opened a flagship boutique at 87 Mercer St. in New York’s artsy SoHo district. [December 2006 PET AGE]

HANDICAPPEDPETS.COM (Amherst, N.H.), which sells products and services for elderly, injured and special-needs pets, said sales volume has doubled and Web site traffic has grown from 90,000 visitors per month to more than 120,000 per month since January. [December 2006 PET AGE]

THE IAMS CO. (Dayton, Ohio) and the HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) is teaming with more than 2,000 animal shelters nationwide for the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, seeking homes for more than 350,000 companion animals through Jan. 2, 2007. [December 2006 PET AGE]

IN CLOVER (Boulder, Colo.), maker of Connectin all-natural joint supplement for dogs, cats and horses, is celebrating its 10th year of business. [December 2006 PET AGE]

LIXIT CORP. (Napa, Calif.) was named 2006 Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration’s San Francisco District for being the largest employer of disabled workers in Napa County. [December 2006 PET AGE]

MAGGIE WAGS, an upscale dog boutique in Norfolk, Va., received exclusive regional rights to offer the couture line from ROMY & JACOB (Mount Royal, Quebec). [December 2006 PET AGE]

MASSACHUSETTS—Puppy Warranty. Legislation to establish a strict liability warranty for sellers of pet dogs was sent to a study committee. House Bill 3566 would mandate refund of the purchase price for any puppy that dies of a “medical condition” within six months of purchase, even if the condition did not exist before or at the time of sale. The bill also would establish a toll-free number where consumers can report sick animals and require that all pet stores display the number as a condition of their license. [December 2006 PET AGE]

MUTTOPIA (Toronto), maker of Muttluks dog boots, launched a new division with the introduction of Yogi Dogi Doga products for people and dogs. The line includes designer T-shirts, note cards and posters of dog breeds in classic yoga positions. [December 2006 PET AGE]

NEEPS INC. (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) launched nine new pet supply micro Web sites, including BuyPetStrollers.com, BuyPetCarriers.com, BuyAgilityGear.com, BuyBabbleBalls.com, AutoGearForDogs.com, PlushPets.com, PetStainAndOdorRemover.com, BuyDogSupplements.com and BuyKyjen.com. The company also reintroduced HealthyPetStore.com after honing its health-themed product lines. [December 2006 PET AGE]

NESTLÉ PURINA PETCARE CO. (St. Louis) held the Purina Senior PetLover Adoption Day campaign in October, providing approximately 200 animal shelters nationwide with materials that promoted pet adoption among senior citizens. [December 2006 PET AGE]

OHIO—Exotics Ban. House Bill 643, to prohibit the possession of specified “wild” and “exotic” animals without a permit, was referred back to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Among the animals defined as exotic are prairie dogs, iguanas and snakes in the Boidae genus. [December 2006 PET AGE]

ONLY NATURAL PET STORE (Boulder, Colo.) was named a finalist in MediaPost’s 2006 OMMA Awards and Media Magazine’s 2006 Creative Media Awards for its “Year of the Dog” e-mail newsletter campaign. Powered by Datran Media’s StormPost e-mail marketing system, the newsletter campaign generated a 660 percent increase in revenue for the company. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PET ECOLOGY BRANDS INC. (Dallas) now accepts consumer orders via its network of Web sites. The sites feature ScoopySearch, a global spidering search engine for feline and canine health information and resources, an affiliate program, new media center, Scoopy’s Pet Care Blog, and enhanced stock tracking and company information. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PET STUFF L.L.C. opened its second downtown Chicago store, at 1201 N. Clark. The store stocks a full line of dog and cat supplies as well as some basics for birds and fish. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES INC. (San Diego) and THE PETCO FOUNDATION (San Gabriel, Calif.) raised nearly $235,000 for more than 500 greyhound rescue organizations nationwide during its fifth annual Greyhound Planet Week fund-raiser. During the weeklong campaign, more than 800 Petco stores asked customers, vendors and associates to round up purchases to the nearest dollar. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES INC. (San Diego) launched a pet first-aid course at www.petco.com/firstaid. For a $35 fee, participants learn how to recognize emergencies, provide emergency life support, handle sudden illnesses and injuries, and prepare for disasters. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PETFINDER.COM (Tucson, Ariz.) recently signed its 10,000th animal welfare organization, the West Georgia Animal Welfare League (Douglasville, Ga.). [December 2006 PET AGE]

New PETLAND stores opened in Flagstaff, Ariz.; Fla.; and in Davie and Pompano Beach, Fla. [December 2006 PET AGE]

PUPPYPURSE (Nokomis, Fla.) was featured on “Good Morning America,” “The Richard & Judy Show” and “The Sharon Osbourne Show” in September. [December 2006 PET AGE]

QUABAUG CORP. (North Brookfield, Mass.), an international manufacturer of footwear components, acquired a majority interest in MY GOOD DOG (Biddeford, Maine), a manufacturer of dog accessories. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Luke Pfeifle and Alan DiSotto, former principles of My Good Dog, remain with the company as co-director and vice president of sales and marketing, and co-director and vice president of manufacturing and finance, respectively. They report to Kevin Donahue, now president and chief executive officer of both companies. [December 2006 PET AGE]

RHODE ISLAND—Puppy Warranty. A comprehensive puppy warranty that would have imposed a two-year warranty period for congenital and hereditary conditions and allowed consumers to be reimbursed for any dog whose breed the seller misrepresented died in the House Health Education and Welfare Committee. Unlike other warranty laws that tie such misrepresentation to the registration-eligibility of the animal, House Bill 6829 did not define what constituted “misrepresentation.” [December 2006 PET AGE]

RILEYCARE.COM (Los Angeles) launched to offer detailed information about pet care, including disaster preparedness, health and pet-safe products. A “Pets in the News” section provides relevant news content, a poisonous plant list, articles about seasonal and timely subjects, and “Riley’s Tips” for owners and dogs. [December 2006 PET AGE]

RUFF WEAR (Bend, Ore.) launched a new Web site showcasing its outdoor gear for dogs. [December 2006 PET AGE]

SNOOZER PET PRODUCTS (Greenville, S.C.) partnered with TRAVELON (Elk Grove Village, Ill.), a designer of travel accessories, to create and distribute a new line of stylish, comfortable and safe pet travel products. [December 2006 PET AGE]

THERAPEUTIC PET SOLUTIONS, a division of The Azcatl Cos. (Springfield, N.J.), hired Fastlane (Cladwell, N.J.) to help market its Shiny Paws organic coat and skin care products for pets. [December 2006 PET AGE]

VAN NESS PLASTIC MOLDING CO. INC. (Clifton, N.J.) was ranked No. 12 out of the 50 fastest-growing companies in New Jersey by NJBIZ, a business publication serving the state. Companies were ranked according to revenue growth over the last three years. [December 2006 PET AGE]

THE VELVET SNOOT, a luxury brick-and-mortar and online pet boutique, opened in downtown Highland Park, Ill. Owners Amy Weiland and Angelica Bolivar are giving 25 percent of proceeds from the sale of pink items offered at the Web store to breast cancer research. [December 2006 PET AGE]

A special committee of the board of directors of VIRBAC CORP. (Fort Worth, Texas) accepted an amended tender offer of $5.75 per outstanding share of the company’s common stock, and agreed to an amended merger agreement among Virbac S.A. (Carros, France), Labogroup Holding Inc. and Virbac Corp. to reflect the increased price. The new price represents a 38.6 percent increase from Virbac S.A.’s original proposal of $4.15 per share.
At press time, the tender offer was subject to a non-waivable condition that shares tendered, together with the shares presently owned by Virbac S.A. and its subsidiaries, constitute at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of Virbac Corp. If completed, the offer would be followed promptly by a merger of Labogroup into Virbac Corp. The expiration date of the offer was midnight on Oct. 31. [December 2006 PET AGE]

WOOFGANG’S (Longmeadow, Mass.) launched in October as a direct seller of handcrafted and hard-to-find high-end dog and cat products via in-home party hosts and consultants. [December 2006 PET AGE]