The 37th annual All American Grooming Show will be held Aug. 13-16 at the Westin in Chicago. For information, visit www.aagrmgshow.com. Competition rules are available at www.unitedshowmanagersalliance.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The American Humane Association (Englewood, Colo.) sent 12 Animal Emergency Rescue Responders to Valley City, N.D., to set up a temporary shelter for pets and animals displaced during the spring flooding of the Red River. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The American Pet Products Association (Greenwich, Conn.) named Michael Farmer, president and chief executive officer of GlobalOne Pet Inc. (Grapevine, Texas), chairman of the board. In addition, it named Roger Morgan, president and chief executive officer of The Bramton Co. (Dallas), vice chairman; and Paul D. Cooke, vice president of trade and industry development for Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis), secretary/treasurer.
Also, Diane Peterson, chief sales and marketing officer for cell response formulation for Mulligan Stew Pet Food (Jackson, Wyo.), was elected to the board of directors. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Water Garden News ranked Aquascape Inc. (St. Charles, Ill.) No. 1 for popularizing water features through marketing. The magazine also cited the father-and-son team of Gary and Greg Wittstock among the top 10 pioneers who influenced the industry. [June 2009 PET AGE]

ARKANSAS—Licensing Fees. A bill that would have established steep license fees for owners of multiple dogs and cats—including pet stores—died in the Senate Judicial committee. Senate Bill 864 would have required anyone who owns 12 or more dogs, cats or any combination of the two to annually obtain a license from the Arkansas Agriculture Department. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Kendra Otto of Oswego, Ill., won Best in Show and Lindsey Berry of Altamonte Springs, Fla., was named Best All-Around Stylist at The Atlanta Pet Fair, held March 5-8 in Atlanta. For a complete list of winners and class sponsors, go to www.atlantapetfair.com and click on “2009 winners.”
The next Atlanta Pet Fair will be held March 4-7, 2010 at the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel. For details, contact McPaw Inc. at 770-908-9857 or atlantapetfair@yahoo.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

AVVAA World Health Care Products Inc. (Lumby, British Columbia) signed up with Steve Allen Media (Los Angeles) to launch three product lines: Neuroskin, pet products and equine products. [June 2009 PET AGE]

An online group that seeks an all-out ban on drying cages as well as the passage of legislation requiring licensing for groomers is gaining media attention. Thomas Bruckner of Long Island, N.Y., created badgroomer.com to promote his legislative agenda after his pug-beagle mix collapsed in a grooming parlor and died. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The Big Bad Woof, a pet food and supplies store in Washington, said its goal is to offer franchises in the Washington metro area this year. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Brakke Consulting (Dallas) is opening an office in Lenexa, Kan. The firm also has offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Indianapolis and Stuart, Fla. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Bravo! (Vernon, Conn.) signed distribution deals with Middle West Distributors Inc. (Chicago); Premier Distributing Inc. (Mount Vernon, Mo.); and RFG Distributing Inc. (Crystal, Minn.). [June 2009 PET AGE]

Brilliant Pet (Chicago) is the new family brand name for Lucky Litter L.L.C. and its product lines, ScoopFree and FroliCat. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Canidae Pet Foods (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) conducted its first Amgen Road Bike Raffle to benefit cancer research in conjunction with the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. The race attracted a world-class field of cyclists—including Lance Armstrong, returning to U.S. professional cycling after a three-year hiatus.
Half of the proceeds from the Canidae raffle went to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation to fund canine cancer research, and the other half to Armstrong’s Livestrong Cancer Awareness Foundation to fund cancer research in people. [June 2009 PET AGE]

CAREFRESH (Ferndale, Wash.) launched www.carefresh.net, an interactive Web site about owning and caring for small pets. [June 2009 PET AGE]

In partnership with The Cat Fanciers’ Association Inc. (Manasquan, N.J.), Motel 6 (Carrollton, Texas) is offering discounts on rooms to owners of CFA-registered cats. For discounted rooms, CFA enthusiasts can enter a special access code at www.motel6.com or www.staystudio6.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Glen Fleischer was named president of the pet products division for Central Garden and Pet Co. (Walnut Creek, Calif.). James V. Heim was named president of business development.
Stuart W. Booth, the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and secretary, is transferring out of his current role and will act as a consultant to the company on key corporate projects. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The Chroma Corp. (McHenry, Ill.) hired Mir Ali as its director of technology. [June 2009 PET AGE]

D&D Commodities Ltd. (Stephen, Minn.) named Orscheln Farm & Home (Moberly, Mo.) 2008 Multi-Store Retailer of the Year. In addition, it named Cherree Theisen Sales Association Inc. (Chanhassen, Minn.) 2008 Broker of the Year. [June 2009 PET AGE]

D&D Commodities Ltd. (Stephen, Minn.) also hired Chris Braddock as special accounts manager. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Del Monte Foods (San Francisco) named Catalyst:SF (San Francisco) its agency of record. The agency will manage digital strategy and digital-media planning and buying for Del Monte’s brands, which include Meow Mix, Kibbles ’n Bits and Milk-Bone. [June 2009 PET AGE]

DogToys.com (West Chester, Pa.) launched a “Made in the USA” section on its Web site in response to what the company says is a high demand for American-made products. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The Dublin Dog Foundation, the nonprofit branch of Dublin Dog Co. Inc. (Charlotte, N.C.), agreed to provide support for Canine Assistants, a nonprofit organization that trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or special needs. In addition, it launched www.dublindogfoundation.org. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Flexi USA (Cincinnati), IDTag.com, a division of Little Gifts Inc. (Secaucus, N.J.),  Nurtured Pets, a division of Lauren Composites (New Philadelphia, Ohio) and PetzLife Products Inc. (Spring Park, Minn.) all contributed products to be given away during the Genesis Awards, presented by the Hollywood Humane Society of the United States. The award ceremony was held in March in Beverly Hills, Calif. [June 2009 PET AGE]

FLORIDA—Pet Warranty. Legislation to amend the state’s pet warranty law passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture in April but never received a scheduled April 15 House committee hearing and has been temporarily postponed. Senate Bill 288 would remove enforcement authority of the pet warranty law from the state attorney and place it with the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. It also would require pet dealers to provide a general disclaimer relative to genetic disorders in dogs and cats. [June 2009 PET AGE]

ForeverLawn Inc. (Albuquerque, N.M.) installed 30,000 square feet of K9Grass at Unleashed (Dallas), the largest indoor dog park in the United States. Unleashed held its grand opening in March. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Glo-Marr Products Inc., a division of Kenic Pet Products, (Lawrenceburg, Ky.), hired Liz Barnes Marquardt as marketing director. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Tammy Colbert of Huntington Beach, Calif., won first prize in the Nature’s Specialties Winner’s Circle Tournament and Jackie Boulton of Calgary, Alberta, was champion in the Andis World Cup Grooming Games at Groom & Kennel Expo 2009, held Feb. 12-15 in Pasadena, Calif.
Approximately 2,600 people attended the event, up 44 percent from the previous year, according to Barkleigh Productions Inc. (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), the show organizer.
The next Groom & Kennel Expo will be held Feb. 18-21, 2010. For details, contact Barkleigh at  717-691-3388 or go to www.groomexpo.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Daryl Conner, a Certified Master Pet Stylist and a contributing editor to PET AGE, has been named editor of the GroomTeam USA newsletter. She succeeds Jeff Davidson, who held the position for six years. Conner is based in Appleton, Maine. [June 2009 PET AGE]

GroomTeam USA (Beaumont, Calif.) announced the top 10 stylists of 2008, based on points accumulated through sanctioned competitions: Irina Pinkusevich was first, with 102 points; followed by Lindsey Berry, 82 points; Komako Tanaka, 72 points; Greta Dalrymple, 67 points; Jonathan David, 62 points; Kendra Otto, 54 points; Veronica Frosch, 26 points; Olga Zabelinskaya, 25 points; Tammy Siert, 16 points; and Julie Wilkins, 16 points.
Members of the 2007-2008 team that will compete in Germany in September are Irina Pinkusevich, Lindsey Berry, Veronica Frosch, Komako Tanaka and Greta Dalrymple.
For more information, go to www.groomteamusa.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Kennelwood (St. Louis) donated $3,250 raised during its annual Santa Comes to the Pets to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. [June 2009 PET AGE]

MONTANA—Dog Breeder and Pet Store Inspections. Legislation introduced to impose new requirements and registration fees for dog breeding kennels and pet stores was tabled in the House Agriculture Committee. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Mulligan Stew Pet Food (Jackson Hole, Wyo.) signed six new distributors: CBC Group (Charlotte, N.C.); CAM Pet Supply (Albuquerque, N.M.); Holistic Pet Source (Nashville, Tenn.); MJM Unique Pet Supplies Ltd. (Kitchener, Ontario); PPI Pet Products (Lakeville, Mass.); and Siemer Enterprises (Teutopolis, Ill.).
Mulligan Stew also named ROMAC Export Management Co. (Los Angeles) as its exclusive export manager throughout Asia.  [June 2009 PET AGE]

Angelwish Inc., an international nonprofit organization, presented a humanitarian award to Richard Heyderman, chief operating officer of Multi Dimensional Resources (Carlstadt, N.J.), for his work to distribute toys and gifts to children impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Multi Dimensional, which designs and manufactures POP displays, retail fixtures and packaging for the pet industry, has provide space in its 102,000-square-foot warehouse as well as staff assistance to help Angelwish distribute more than $726,000 worth of toys and gifts to children living with HIV/AIDS since 2006, according to Angelwish founder and chief operating officer Shimmy Mehta. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Lisa and Dave MacDonald of Nahackys Aquarium in Melbourne, Fla., won a store makeover from Casco Group (Cerritos, Calif.) and Global Pet Expo. They will receive $25,000 in store fixtures from Casco, a $5,000 store design layout by Pacific Store Designs and a one-year subscription to PetPowerRadio.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The Nash Academy (Lexington, Ky.) launched www.groomersreference.com, an informational site that features illustrated guides for bathing, grooming and styling every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (Mount Laurel, N.J.) launched a new nationwide pet sitter certification program. For information, visit www.petsitters.org. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Natura Pet Products (Fremont, Neb.) named Brian Streit vice president of manufacturing; Kent Cooper, director of procurement and contract services; Andrew Kemp, chief financial officer seat; and Don Wilke, manufacturing manager. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Natura Pet Products (Fremont, Neb.), makers of Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Karma and Mother Nature, received certification of conformance from the International Organization for Standardization for Food Safety Management 22000:2005. Natura is the only pet food manufacturer in the United States to receive this distinction, which specifies rigorous standards for food safety management systems. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis) signed on as the primary sponsor of www.marthastewart.com/pets, created by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (New York). [June 2009 PET AGE]

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis) is sponsoring a video contest in conjunction with its “Mighty Dog Nation” campaign. Winners will be featured in “Mighty Dog Nation: The Movie,” and three grand prize winners will appear in a 30-second film trailer to air during the National Dog Show on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. For information, visit www.mightydog.com. [June 2009 PET AGE]

North American Pet Products (Corona, Calif.) hired Kevin Butscher as vice president of sales. The company also appointed Jeremy Moser to oversee all marketing and product development projects. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Pet Butler (Carrollton, Texas) reported revenue growth of 20 percent in 2008, plus 29 percent growth in franchises. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Brent Weinmann was elected secretary of The Pet Care Trust (Washington). Weinmann, of Vitakraft Sun Seed Co. (Bowling Green, Ohio), has served on the foundation’s board for several years. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Petcetera, a 49-unit pet superstore chain based in Richmond, British Columbia, in March filed for creditor protection under Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and instituted a two-month, nationwide inventory liquidation sale to generate cash flow. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio) received the Don Dixon Memorial Workplace Campaign Award from The United Way (Alexandria, Va.). [June 2009 PET AGE]

Ronald Kirk resigned from the board of directors of PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix) to work in President Obama’s administration. Kirk, 54, was confirmed by the Senate as a U.S. Trade Representative in March. Once the mayor of Dallas, Kirk joined the PetSmart board in 2003. [June 2009 PET AGE]

PetSmart Charities (Phoenix) sent an Emergency Relief Waggin’ trailer with 16 tons pet food and supplies to Valley City, N.D., to help pets displaced during the spring flooding of the Red River. It also sent a back-up trailer loaded with essential care items for pets and their rescuers. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Pet Stuff L.L.C. (Chicago) announced plans to open its third downtown Chicago location. Pet Stuff opened its first store in 2005. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Pet Supermarket (Plantation, Fla.) sponsored the SPCA Wildlife Care Center’s eighth annual “Walk for Wildlife” in April. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Pets Plus U.S.A. (Horhsam, Pa.) opened its 10th store and held a grand opening at its  Bensalem, Pa., location in March. [June 2009 PET AGE]

PetzLife Products Inc. (Spring Park, Minn.) named Kristen Fulton, a Certified Master Groomer, as company spokesperson for the grooming community. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Puppy Piñata L.L.C. (Naples, Fla.) is donating a portion of all sales to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (Washington). [June 2009 PET AGE]

PurinaCare Insurance Services Inc., a subsidiary of Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis), named KGBTexas (San Antonio) its public relations agency of record. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Red Dog Spa & Boutique (Fairfax, Va.) opened its flagship pet eatery, boutique and cage-free grooming salon in the Fairfax Towne Center in March. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Sojourner Farms (Minneapolis) named Liz Morken as national sales representative. [June 2009 PET AGE]

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, on March 5 approved the disclosure statement filed by Spectrum Brands Inc. (Atlanta) in connection with its proposed pre-negotiated plan of reorganization. Also, on April 15, the court authorized Spectrum to begin soliciting approval for its reorganization plan, which the court will consider at a confirmation hearing scheduled for June 15.
Spectrum, the parent of United Pet Group and UPG Aquatics, voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganization protection in February. [June 2009 PET AGE]

VERMONT—Permits and Licensing. A lengthy bill that would have affected tax revenue of pet sales through permits and licensing requirements received an April hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance and remained  in committee awaiting further action at press time. Senate Bill 137 also includes warranty requirements for cat and dog sellers as well as health certificate provisions for the importation of certain animals.   [June 2009 PET AGE]

Veterinary Ventures Inc. (Reno, Nev.) hired James Scott Jr. as a warehouse clerk. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions supplied the grand prize for season two of Animal Planet’s reality pet grooming competition “Groomer Has It.” The prize, a fully equipped grooming salon built on a Dodge van, is called the Endurance Sprinter. [June 2009 PET AGE]

Watt Publishing Co. (Rockford, Ill.), which produces “Petfood Industry” magazine, launched Petfood-Connection.com, an online community for pet food professionals. [June 2009 PET AGE]