The sixth edition of the “ABKA Pet Services Industry Survey,” a biennial benchmarking tool for pet-services facilities, is now available from ABKA (Colorado Springs, Colo.). For more information, call 877-570-7788 or e-mail info@abka.com. [April 2008 PET AGE]

The 36th All American Grooming Show will take place Aug. 14-17 at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Ill., a new venue for the event. Show highlights will include “Canine Grooming Secrets,” an all-day educational program by top groomers Sue Zecco and Jay Scruggs. For more information, visit www.aagrmgshow.com. [April 2008 PET AGE]

The American Kennel Club (New York) and Pfizer Animal Health (New York) created the nonprofit AKC Humane Fund Inc. to promote responsible pet ownership through education, outreach and grant-making. It will provide funding to organizations active in promoting pet welfare. [April 2008 PET AGE]

American Pet Cross (Charlotte, N.C.), a nonprofit national organization launched in January, provides funds and support for animals in the areas of disease, abuse, abandonment and disaster. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Applica Consumer Products Inc. (Miramar, Fla.), maker of the LitterMaid automated cat litter box, filed a lawsuit against OurPet’s Co. (Fairport Harbor, Ohio), claiming OurPet’s infringed on one or more patents when it launched its SmartScoop Self-scooping Cat Litter Box last year. At press time, OurPet’s was preparing to defend its product and pending patents. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Bark Busters Home Dog Training, a dog training franchise based in Englewood, Colo., expanded its suburban Chicago services with a new location in Joliet, Ill. The company now operates 240 franchises in 41 states. [April 2008 PET AGE] 

Bella Creature Comforts L.L.C. (Houston) donated Bella Beds and Bella Binkys to Houston-based E-Rescue, an organization that treats and adopts out companion animals. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Simple Solution Stain and Odor Remover by The Bramton Co. (Dallas) is the first product in the pet industry to earn the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Bubbles Pet Spa L.L.C. (Torrance, Calif.) was named Best Pet Groomer of 2007 on the My Fox LA’s Hotlist. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Camp Bow Wow (Boulder, Colo.) in January signed an agreement for its 200th franchise, to open late next year in Beaufort/Hilton Head, S.C. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Central Garden & Pet Co. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) reported net sales of $314 million for the 2008 first quarter, down 1 percent from $317 million for the year-earlier period. Net sales for the company’s pet products segment were $202 million, unchanged from the year-earlier period. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Nationally known trainer Amy Robinson demonstrated the LaZer Brite Collar and Lead, Halti Head Collar, Easy Rider Harness and Safari Self-cleaning Slicker by Coastal Pet Products Inc. (Alliance, Ohio) on a recent segment of “Designing Spaces TV.” [April 2008 PET AGE]

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Milk-Bone, Del Monte Pet Products (San Francisco) launched the Make a Milk-Bone Moment contest. The winner will receive a $100,000 contract as the Milk-Bone 100th Anniversary SpokesDog. For more information, visit www.milk-bone.com. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Dog Beach Dog Wash, San Diego’s oldest continually owned do-it-yourself dog wash, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Fetch! Pet Care, a pet-sitting and dog-walking service based in Arvada, Colo., opened new locations in Arvada, Overland Park, Kan., Middleton, Mass., and Ridgewood, N.J. The company now operates 142 franchises. [April 2008 PET AGE]

From the Field Earth-Friendly Pet Products (Yelm, Wash.) signed Oglesby & Associates Inc. (San Francisco) to represent its line of natural hemp cat toys and organic catnip in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. (Topeka, Kan.) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (Schaumburg, Ill.) partnered to launch the Alliance for Healthier Pets, a public education program designed to raise awareness about the pet obesity epidemic and the life-threatening effects of obesity in pets. [April 2008 PET AGE]

The Humane Society of the United States (Washington) and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (Davis, Calif.) partnered to launch the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, allowing veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary technicians to participate in animal welfare programs in the areas of disaster response, expanded hands-on care, spaying and neutering, advocacy for legislation, and corporate and veterinary medical school reforms. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Iams Home 4 the Holidays, a pet adoption campaign by The Iams Co. (Dayton, Ohio) and more than 2,600 animal shelters, found new homes for nearly 500,000 cats, dogs and other animals from Nov. 5, 2007, to Jan. 3, surpassing its goal of 415,000 adoptions. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Lixit Corp. (Napa, Calif.) was named Business of the Year by the Napa Chamber of Commerce.

MAINE—“Puppy Mills.” Companion bills introduced to address a variety of animal welfare issues wait action in the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry action after a February hearing. House Bill 1394 would establish humane breeding standards for dogs and outlaw “puppy mills.” House Bill 1545 would amend animal cruelty law, shelter requirements and breeding kennel advertisement requirements. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Pedigree Food for Dogs, a brand of Mars Petcare U.S. (Franklin, Tenn.), in February kicked off the fourth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive by opening the Pedigree Dogstore in New York’s Times Square. Visitors to the short-term adoption center can learn about dog adoption, meet adoptable dogs and make donations to support various shelters across the country. [April 2008 PET AGE]

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (Mount Laurel, N.J.) elected Vickie L. Reason of Happy Tails Pet Services (Tucson, Ariz.) as treasurer, and Nancy Stevens of Ark Angels Pet Care (Raleigh, N.C.) and Jennifer Haralson of A Pause for Paws Inc. (Lincoln, Neb.) as new board members. Other board officers and members remain the same. [April 2008 PET AGE]

NEW JERSEY—Care and Housing Regulations. Pet dealers would face steep fines for overcrowding animals under proposed legislation governing the proper care and housing of animals. Senate Bill 364 would direct the Department of Health & Senior Services to review current regulations and set care and housing standards for each species of animal sold by kennels, pet shops and other retail establishments. Violators would be subject to civil penalties up to $5,000 as well as license revocation. At press time, the bill awaited a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Growth. [April 2008 PET AGE]

A Paw Spa moved to a larger location with an upscale Roman spa theme in Littleton, Colo. In addition to full-service grooming, the spa offers a retail boutique, self-service bathing rooms, indoor/outdoor doggie day care and in-home pet care. [April 2008 PET AGE]

As part of a contest sponsored by Pet Butler (Dallas), individuals and small groups may submit original jingles about the company’s professional pet waste cleanup service for the chance to win $2,500. For details, visit www.petbutler.com. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Butler (Dallas), a pet waste pickup service, reported more than $3.5 million in revenue for 2007, up 75 percent from 2006. The company’s now operates 92 locations in 26 states. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Ecology Brands Inc. (Dallas) in January began the process to become a fully reporting company, which includes moving its trading activities to the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Pet Sitters International (King, N.C.) partnered with wholesale-distributor Loveland Pet Products (Mason, Ohio) to launch the PSI Store Online, offering more than 2,000 pet products and a variety of items for professional pet sitters. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio) was No. 202 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 29th Annual Franchise 500, putting it in the top 10 percent of approximately 3,000 U.S. franchisors. The company was cited for its financial strength, stability, growth rate and size. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Phillips Feed and Pet Supply (Bath, Pa.) in January purchased Valley Pet (Lehigh Valley, Pa.), a grocery distributor specializing in pet hard goods. At press time, Phillips planned to use its warehousing, distribution and technological capabilities to expand Valley Pet’s business beyond 600 grocery stores in a defined region. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Planet Dog (Portland, Maine) gave $500 merchandise credits and store locator listings on its Web site to Bad Dog Frida L.L.C. (Madison, Wis.), Especially for Pets (Newton, Mass.) and For the Love of Pete! (Richmond, Va.) as winners of its first Adoption Champion Awards. To be given annually to three Planet Dog retailers, the awards recognize performance in pet adoption days, fund-raisers for shelters and rescue organizations, annual contributions to the Planet Dog Foundation, and participation in Glow for Good campaigns. [April 2008 PET AGE]

PricelessParrots.com, a new online resource for beginning and experienced parrot owners, offers more than 100 pages of information and a forum with more than 30,000 articles covering every facet of parrot-keeping. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Sergeant’s Pet Care Products (Omaha, Neb.) partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (Reston, Va.) to co-brand and market Nature’s Guardian flea/tick and health care products as well as Protected Wildlife Plush Toys. A portion of sales will directly support NWF conservation programs. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Groomers who place qualifying orders for K9 Soft Claws by SmartPractice (Phoenix) can receive a variety of free marketing support materials, including season-specific display posters, personalized salon postcards, listings on the company’s Web site and free product. For more information, contact Charles Thomas at 800-762-7877, Ext. 225. [April 2008 PET AGE]

StickySheets L.L.C. (Colorado Springs, Colo.) retained Matrix Partners (Chicago) to coordinate all branding efforts across North America, including advertising, public relations, promotions, Web developments and other marketing venues.

TENNESSEE—Commercial Breeding. Companion bills defining “commercial dog and cat breeders” would place many new requirements on breeders in the state. Senate Bill 3147 and House Bill 2914 define a commercial breeder as “a dealer who maintains 20 or more unsterilized adult females for commercial breeding purposes.”
Among other things, the legislation would require commercial breeders to create a fire emergency plan, cooperate with inspections by animal control officers, maintain records of animal purchases, breeding history and veterinary care, and maintain no more than 50 adult dogs at one time. [April 2008 PET AGE]

The Tiffany & Co. FOUNDATION (New York) joined forces with actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and leading fashion and home designers to support the launch of Too Precious to Wear, a public awareness campaign designed to show how the fashion and design industries and consumers can safeguard marine corals. Ocean conservation group SeaWeb oversees the program. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Tropiclean Pet Products (Wentzville, Mo.) retained Matrix Partners (Chicago) to manage public relations for its line of environmentally friendly pet grooming products. In particular, Matrix will build consumer awareness about Tropiclean’s recent commitment to environmental sustainability. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Veterinary News Network (Denver), a national network of veterinarians who provide expert medical information to the public, launched the Go Pets channel at podcastGo.com, where pet owners can download video news stories about a wide variety of animal health topics. [April 2008 PET AGE]

WEST VIRGINIA—Non-native Species Regulation Board. Pet shops selling or breeding non-native species would have to meet a host of new requirements under pending legislation that would create a Non-native Species Regulation Board. House Bill 2774 also would require permits for possessors of non-native species. Non-native species are defined as “any animal, other than domestic animal or wildlife, and includes crossbreeds of animals that do not occur naturally either presently or historically within the boundaries of the state, as well as all species listed as threatened or endangered that are not presently or historically native to the state.”  [April 2008 PET AGE]PET AGE

Zeus & Co. (Evanston, Ill.) opened Zeus & Co. West to serve independent pet stores, veterinary clinics, kennels and health food stores on the West Coast. [April 2008 PET AGE]

Zootoo.com (Secaucus, N.J.) is a new Web site at which animal lovers can share information about pet services, products, news, volunteer activities and more.[April 2008 PET AGE]