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Month: April 2014

Chew On This

Whether it’s called a toy or a treat, having something to chew on is top priority for small animals.

These guys have teeth that continually grow, and gnawing is a natural way for the animals to keep their teeth at the proper level to provide healthy eating habits and good dentition.

But chew toys aren’t just a necessity, they’re also fun.

Bright colors and enticing flavors are not only attractive to the small animals they’re made for, but they also attract the attention of the people shopping in a store. After all, it’s become pretty common, no matter what the species, for people to treat their pets like part of the family. It’s a trend that holds true for small animals as much as it does for dogs and cats, making it easy for customers to pick up a toy for their pet while shopping for the basics of food and bedding.

“Customers are always looking for something new and fun to give their small pet, so it is important to keep the category stocked with new and different options,” Jason Casto, director of Kaytee Hard Goods, Pets International, said.

Luckily, with the wide variety of popular treats on the market and the exciting new products being launched this spring, there is plenty to keep a store’s small-animal toy category well-stocked and fresh.

Puzzling It Out

Most owners of small pets understand the importance of providing chew toys to satisfy an animal’s natural gnawing instinct. But toys provide so much more than just something to chew on. They are also important for intellectual stimulation, which is not only fun for the pets and helps encourage their natural urge to forage, but it’s also fun for owners to watch their pets playing and interacting with toys.

With that in mind, Vitakraft has introduced an exciting new interactive toy, the SunStation, which makes nutrition and enrichment fun. The product is a wooden puzzle-type toy, with pieces of rope that the animal will pull to remove the squares, where treats can be hidden to entice the animal to play with the toy and also serve as a reward.

SunStation all-natural treats are paired with this toy, which can make a great end-cap display and also increase incremental sales as customers return to buy more treats to keep their pets playing with the toy. This toy is designed for rabbits, but could be used for other species as well.

A similar item, the Nut Knot Nibbler, has been around for years and is still very popular. The all-natural wood toy combines a variety of shapes and textures into a type of ball. Pets nibble on the wooden toy until they reach the almond nut hidden inside.

“Small animals want to hunt for their food, and these types of toys help with that foraging instinct, as well as providing a nutritional treat,” Lisa Kniceley, trade sales specialist, Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., said.

Straight-Out Chews

While puzzles and games are exciting, traditional toys made just for chewing are very popular too, and have plenty of fun flavors and varieties to keep interest high.

Vitakraft’s Crunch Sticks and Treat Sticks continue to be popular items, with a wide range of flavors including wild berry and popcorn.

“We tend to humanize our pets, therefore we want to humanize the treats we give them,” Kniceley said. “That’s some of what drives our flavor choices, as well as our fun items like the Vita Prima line of Garden Veggie Pizzas.”

The treat looks like a pizza but is formulated for small animals with toppings such as carrots, leeks and pumpkin.

Pizzas aren’t the only humanized treat available for small animals. Marshall Pet Products offers Salad Bowls in two varieties, Fruit and Veggie. Made of Timothy hay bowls filled with bits of dried fruits and vegetables, these are a nutritious treat for small animals.

Wood toys are following the same trends. Look for Kaytee’s Layer Cakes this summer, a wooden chew toy made to look like a small cake, where the chocolate and vanilla layers are really different shades of wood.

Kaytee is also giving a traditional shape a new twist with its line of Carrot Patch toys. The line comes in three varieties—wood, sisal and loofah—all in the shape of a carrot, but each with a specific dental benefit. The wood helps trim teeth, the sisal conditions them, and the loofah helps floss and clean the animal’s teeth.

And as with most things, bigger can be better for small animal chews. After all, the more there is of the treat, the longer it will last.

Vitakraft’s Garden Pops, in strawberry and apple flavors, provide layers of chewing fun for small animals. Each has a soft, wood center covered with a crunchy baked biscuit and layered with flavored toppings.

Kaytee’s Jumbo Crispy Garden, launching this spring is also one of the largest chew toys made specifically for small animals. With carrot or corn shapes, the dried fruit gourd will keep animals busy for a while.

Making it Fun

One of the best ways to show customers just how much fun these treats and toys can be is to give them to the small animals living in your store.

“Having toys in the cages helps customers see that these products are more than just a treat, they’re a necessity,” Casto said. “Without a safe source for chewing, small animals could chew on food bowls, water bottles or cage parts, causing a potentially poor consumer experience.”

In addition to having them out, create a fun end-cap highlighting the new toys with some of the more popular foods, making the treats a natural addition to any shopping experience.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match

They say that finding your perfect match is hard, but as retailers know, finding the perfect pet for a customer may be even harder.

When a customer comes in, they may have no idea what type of animal they want. It is important to not just ask the customer questions, but to ask the right questions. While customers may know, or think they know, what they want, it is still important to make sure that pet matches that person.

The same theory goes for an adoption event being held at a store. Pairing a dog or cat with the correct owner is a very important step of the adoption process.

“My advice to adoption event hosts and to retailers helping out in finding the right adoptable dogs is this: Listen to the family’s desires and consider what general type of dog they are looking for,” Sarah Brasky, The Dog Matchmaker, a dog adoption and foster specialist, said. “When it comes to getting a new dog, it’s all about personality and finding the right match.”

Brasky goes on to say that if a person suggests they want a Labrador or Retriever-type dog, it could be a signal that they may want an eager-to-please family-friendly dog.

“Another bit of advice I would share [is to] leave breed stereotypes at the door, and focus on the specific animal in front of you,” Brasky said. “When attending an adoption event, meeting animals ‘in person’ makes a world of difference, rather than basing an opinion on a photograph.”

It’s a big step when someone decides to get a pet. It doesn’t matter if it’s a dog, cat, lizard or fish.

“Getting a new dog is a big commitment,” Brasky said. “There are many options when getting a dog: Young, old, small, large, long hair, short hair, etc.”

Retailers can help facilitate this process by educating themselves on the characteristics of some of the most popular breeds, and working with local groups to learn the proper questions to ask.

Reptiles

The reptile category is a large one because there are so many options. Such as lizards and snakes to tortoises and frogs.

Loren Leigh, president of LLLReptile & Supply Co. Inc., said a great question to start off with when speaking to customers is, “What is their expectation of what they are buying?”

“I would say a good half have no idea what animal they want,” Leigh said. “They are fascinated by reptiles, they know somebody who has one or they heard something about it,” she says, adding that a customer might even be influenced by a movie, such as “Rango.” And then it comes back to helping the customer decide what type of animal they really want.

Reptiles are unique in the sense that they can appeal to several different types of people. If the customer would like to hold it and handle it, there are options for that. If the customer has smaller children that want to be able to handle the animal, there are options for that, as well as choices for customers who just want the pet to sit on their desk.

“I would say the biggest question, or the most common one, is how big of a space are they willing to dedicate to what they are buying because most of the reptiles people are buying are at their baby state,” Leigh said. “Let’s say, narrowing down, that I just want a tortoise for my backyard. … Then diving into that same question a little further, ‘How big of an area do you have? Do you live near the beach? Do you live in the desert?’ Once you get a picture of what their overall situation is, you can narrow down the animals.”

Tina Scheben, the owner of Repxotica, said the first thing she asks customers is if they are willing to feed them live insects.

“That will steer you in the right direction of which animal is right for them,” Scheben said. “You would be surprised how many people want a reptile but don’t want to feed them crickets or anything that moves. They want it to be vegetarian to some degree. Having those people in mind, if they are not willing to feed insects, it will limit their choices drastically.”

Past that, Scheben said the next big question to ask is if they have younger children and, more importantly, if their children are the ones that will want to handle the animal.

“Depending on the age of the children, I would stick with the bearded dragon or a gecko,” Scheben said. “[Get] something that isn’t going to bite them, and can handle being handled; The kids can pick them up, they aren’t going to take off, they are friendly and 99 percent of the time they will not bite.

“Then you have other reptiles like Monitor Lizards that if you walk into my store with a 3-year-old, I would be like, ‘No way.’ You have got to fit the animal to the person.”

Bearded Dragons are somewhat considered the dog of the reptile world, according to Scheben.

“They are very friendly, they want to associate with people, you walk into the room and they will run to the end of the tank waiting for you to feed them,” Scheben said.

The last two constraints that Scheben brought up were with space and the kind of budget a person has. While there are some reptiles that need a 6 foot cage or bigger, others can fit in a 1 foot cage that sits on a desk. Typically, a customer will bring up the space constraints when they first speak to a retailer.

When it comes to budget, there is a wide array of choices with reptiles. There are cheaper reptiles and more expensive reptiles that can affect how big of an enclosure they have, which can also cost more.

“People that are experienced with reptiles know exactly what they want,” Scheben said. “People that come in with kids, they have no idea what they want. We steer them into the direction of what they may want because this will be easier for you. Sometimes we show them two or three things that we think will be the best fit for them, but they really like the other thing.”

Questions to Ask

Michael Griffith, the account executive at Segrest Farms, said that when it comes to pairing customers with animals, the retailer should make it their responsibility to thoroughly understand the needs and wants of the customer, and to ensure there are staff members who are familiar with the care of every animal offered for sale.

While the specific line of questioning will be different depending on what animals they are looking at, there are some good starting points.

“Do you want something that is handleable?,” Griffith said. “For many people, not looking for fish, at least, the answer to this is likely to be yes. This is a great starting point for steering the customer towards certain animals and away from others.”

When it comes to fish, space is a large issue consumers must consider.

“You need enough tank space to support the fish you buy once they reach adult size,” Griffith said. “[This] can be extraordinarily challenging for a number of species commonly available, such as Redtail Catfish, Pacu and Iridescent Sharks.”

If a customer is buying a fish, ask them for details about their aquarium, such as their tank size, filtration, how long it has been running, water chemistry details and what other fish the customer already has. This is vital in order to be able to make suggestions on what tank mates might work well, what should be avoided, or advise if the tank is overstocked and shouldn’t hold any more fish.

Finally, ask the customer if they can accommodate the specific needs for the animal.

“This is one area where you hope the customer has done research on the animal, but you should always ensure that they know the specific requirements before they purchase the animal,” Griffith said. “Issues such as keeping an elevated salinity for a brackish fish, whether or not UV light should be supplied for a specific lizard, what temperature the enclosure should be kept at, and how to handle humidity and ventilation are all vital to successfully keeping certain animals.”

The final thing Griffith said is to not be afraid to say no to the customer.

“It can be easy to get into the mindset that if a customer says that they want to buy something, you should just sell it to them,” Griffith said. “However, if that animal doesn’t fulfill the customer’s desires, or if the customer is unable to provide the necessary care for it, don’t be afraid to tell the customer that they probably shouldn’t get that animal and explain the reasoning why.

“It is not uncommon for new fish customers to get discouraged and quit keeping fish because they bought a tank and a lot of fish to go in it, only to have the fish all die from aggression problems or ammonia poisoning. By helping your customers avoid this, they will respect your honesty and you will develop trust with your customer, leading to a more loyal, long-term relationship.”

There are similar questions that should be asked when it comes to small animals. Many times parents think little, furry creatures like a hamster would make great start pets for their children, but they need to be prepared that just because they are small, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily easier to care for.

Denice Fishette, customer service manager for Marshall Pet Products, suggested retailers ask customers questions such as if they have the income to support the care of the pet and what other pets they already may own.

She also suggested asking them what they already know, and don’t know.

For example, if someone came into a store asking about ferrets, she suggested asking them what they already know about the animal, its care and the commitment it takes to raise one.

No matter what the animal, retailers should be prepared to help their customers pick the one that best fits their lifestyle and will create a positive experience for both the animal and owner.

How the Digital Landscape Is Changing Marketing

One of the largest growth areas in marketing right now is in digital.

According to a study by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, spending on Internet advertising in the U.S. totaled a record $10.7 billion in the third quarter of 2013, which is a 15 percent increase from the same quarter in 2012. In the pet industry, this is something we are seeing more companies embrace and find successful.

Before the digital age, companies that wanted to market to consumers focused on advertising in print, television or radio. The number of television channels and shows was miniscule compared to what there is today. But as television offerings expanded, video games became popular and the Internet widely available, audience fragmentation made it exceedingly difficult to capture the attention of the consumer. Digital advertising is becoming increasingly popular, as consumers are focusing on content creation, management and distribution.

Social networks, and social network advertising, allow pet businesses to market to a specific audience of pet owners that are likely to be interested in their products. This group of consumers can be narrowed based on past shopping history and other personal information users have chosen to share with the network.

However, that doesn’t mean you can just throw together a Facebook page and expect customers to flock to you. To stand out, it’s important to really know who your potential customers are, and target your advertising to that demographic.

Social networks are not traditionally a place to make direct sales. It is all about building a relationship with your followers and engaging with them. It is a source of information, as pet owners share what they love about your products, questions they face, as well as what they don’t like. A savvy marketer can compile this information and notice trends that can help to direct future efforts.

Smartphone use has continued to increase, along with tablets.  We’ve seen tremendous growth in using handheld devices with personal shopping. Physical retail is becoming a location to learn about and touch products, while many younger consumers delay making the actual purchase until price-comparing online.

It will become increasingly important for physical retail stores to focus on creating quality in-store experiences,  as well as having a strong online presence in order to keep younger customers. Millennials and Generation Z are the most likely to utilize mobile online shopping, and this category is expected to continue to grow in the years ahead.

In addition to online shopping, video viewership is shifting to online sources. Teens and young adults are currently watching as much television online as they do on an actual television set. No longer is video advertising limited to the old standby of television, which has significant cost hurdles for many small pet businesses.

Online video sites such as Hulu, YouTube and others allow consumers to select programs and watch them at their convenience anywhere that has an Internet or cellular connection. Consumers are not restricted to network schedules and cable pricing.

Viewers are reachable with targeted, relevant ads that either play before, during, or in-between online videos. Instead of showing a commercial to a million random people at a very high cost, as traditional television would provide, businesses can now reach thousands of people who would actually be interested in a product. Coming up with a compelling online video advertisement can now provide a better return on the marketing investment, and at a lower price point than television.

Consumer communication and purchasing have been migrating to digital channels at a pace much faster than marketing. Despite this growth, we have only begun to see the shift in marketing budgets to digital activities. This provides a terrific advantage to the few pet companies pursuing this advertising category.

Retailers Could Face New Government Rules

Are pet retailers about to face expanded scrutiny from the federal government? A group of dog breeders, along with a handful of cat breeders, say that is exactly what’s happening as a result of an administrative change by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Retail pet stores may soon find themselves subject to inspections by the USDA, inspections from which they have previously been exempt, according to advocates for dog and cat breeders who are suing the USDA over new enforcement practices under the Animal Welfare Act of 1966.

A group of 40 dog clubs, along with two cat clubs, is taking the action because the USDA has imposed a new rule, known as “The Retail Pet Store Rule,” which took effect Nov. 18, 2013. The new rule has expanded a rule originally intended to impose licensing and inspection requirements on large breeders who sell dogs and cats over the Internet.

The new reading of the rule, the group says, will not only subject breeders to unannounced inspections of their residences, but will also take away a special exemption retail pet stores had since the original passage of the Animal Welfare Act.

“Although Congress has amended the AWA several times since its passage, Congress has not changed or narrowed the AWA’s exemption of retail pet stores,” the lawsuit says. “By promulgating a regulation instead of seeking a statutory solution in Congress, the USDA has circumvented congressional intent. Moreover, the rule’s redefinition of ‘retail pet store’ is inconsistent with the required record that was developed to justify the rule.”

The group’s concern is that the government could begin imposing costly new licensing requirements for breeders on tight budgets.

The plaintiffs and the USDA are in serious disagreement over the number of breeders who will be affected by the rule change, with the government placing the number at between 2,600 and 4,640. The plaintiffs insist tens of thousands will be affected, including virtually all of the 19,000 breeders who are members of the organizations joining in the lawsuit.

Congress has amended the Animal Welfare Act several times since the law’s original enactment. This change, however, was strictly administrative, another point that has raised the ire of the breeder groups, particularly because Congress never eliminated the retail store exemption in any of its amendments to the act.

However, not everyone is unhappy about the change.

The lawsuit by the breeder groups has come under fire from the Humane Society, which has indicated its intention to join the government in defending against the suit, indicating the rule change had “closed the regulatory loophole” that permitted puppy mills to abuse dogs and sell them online with no regulatory oversight.

On-site inspections by the USDA could result in establishments being ordered to make structural upgrades in order to qualify for licenses. While such requirements are less likely to affect established pet retail facilities, they could represent a significant burden on breeders who operate out of their homes and will now fall under a broadened definition of what constitutes a retail pet store.

– Dan Calabrese

Ethical Honored for Growth

Ethical Products has won the, “Manufacturer Partner of the Year” award from Jerry Wilson and Associates for 20 percent growth, incredible promotional support and bonus opportunities provided to the staff for the year 2013.

Jerry Wilson presented the award to Jonathan Zelinger and Andy Paules at their recent 16th Annual Sales Conference in La Jolla, Calif.

Crash Your Store: Sloppy Kisses, A Treat Boutique for Dogs

Welcome to our first Crash Your Store series, where we randomly stop into pet retail outlets, interview the owner/staff, take some photos and feature something fun they are doing at their business.

You never know where, or when, we will show up.

I happened to be in Saratoga Springs last weekend, when a fellow dog owner saw my friend and I with our dogs, and highly suggested we go and check out this “fun event down the street.”

When people think of Easter egg hunts, they for the most part, imagine little kids running around the yard looking for plastic eggs.

Not the case if you are in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Melanie Dallas, the owner of Sloppy Kisses, A Treat Boutique for Dogs, takes this long-standing tradition and gives it to the dogs, literally.

Her annual Easter egg hunt for dogs attracts regular and new customers into her store, and makes it fun for the whole family.

“We put Easter eggs throughout the store, we have treats inside and put them at the dog’s level and then the dogs have to go around the store and sniff out the eggs and find the egg that they want,” she explained.

In addition to treats, inside the egg there are also slips for free prizes, such a free squeaker toy, or coupons.

“We find it brings a lot of customers in, because it’s interactive between the dog and the human,” Dallas said. “A lot of people treat their dogs as members of the family, so if you would be taking your human child to an Easter egg hunt, why couldn’t you take your furry friend to an Easter egg hunt.”

Dallas started Sloppy Kisses with her husband, Eugene, in February of 2006, after previously being in the retail human food space and then noticing trade show floors were getting increasingly more crowded with gourmet pet treats and products.

While she does make her own treats, she also sells everything from leashes and collars to sports-licensed team pet jersey and other pet clothing.

For Easter, Dallas also has pre-made baskets that customers can purchase for the dog.

 Pet Age spoke with Dallas about the egg hunt.

 

Here are several more photos from her store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, in case you are wondering, the dog Dallas is holding, is my dog Toby.

Trade Show Proves to Be Invaluable Tool

For mobile groomers, like Alisa Kane, owner of New Jersey-based Dog-Gone Stylin’, Intergroom creates a world of convenience and opportunity.

“It is perfect place to pick up everything you need and you don’t need to pay shipping,” Kane said. “Mobile is hard because when you are not in the shop, it’s hard to learn about new products and talk with others about clients.”

Despite having various online forums and ways to communicate with other groomers across the country through the internet, Kane said she still finds a show like Intergroom invaluable.

“There are show specials so [even with travel costs] you are still saving money,” Kane said, who estimated she would likely spend between $1,000 and $2,000 at the event and has been attending for the last 9 years. “You get to try on smocks and really overall get to try it before you use it.”

Founded by Shirlee Kalstone in 1981, this year’s Intergroom, a pet grooming competition and trade show featuring industry vendors, master classes and grooming seminars was held in April at the Hilton Meadowlands in New Jersey.

SEE PHOTOS FROM INTERGROOM 2014.

The annual event drew groomers, retailers and vendors from across the country, including Tyana Leake, a groomer at It’s A Dog’s Life in Massachusetts.

“I really wanted to learn from expert groomers and competitors,” Leake, whose first time it was at the event, said. “Everyone is just so open to teaching new things.”

She too liked the idea of being able to test out the products.

“If you buy something you don’t really know how it will work,” she said, while testing out The German Red Clipper. “Here you can try it on hair and different dogs and get a feel if you want to use it or not.”

One of the draws of Intergroom is its grooming competitions, which is one of the reasons Brynn Haynes, a competitive groomer and owner of Bark n’ Bubbles, was at the event.

“It’s something different than everyday hair cuts,” she said. “I saw it [a creative grooming style] on a cover [of a magazine] and thought, ‘Wow, I would never be able to do it. It’s so cool.’”

But, now it’s second nature. She even got her current dog, Frost, a standard poodle, specifically for the competitions.

“My dog is so happy,” she said. “He just soaks up the attention. It’s fun to see everyone’s creative grooming.”

The Robert Abady Dog Food Company Issues Recall

The Robert Abady Dog Food Company is recalling its 2 pound, 5 pound and 15 pound boxes of Abady Highest Quality Maintenance & Growth Formula for Cats, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the FDA.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders. The food comes in corrugated boxes with plastic liners marked with lot # 14029/21 stamped on the right side top of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the issue.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company. Production of the product has been suspended while the company and FDA investigate the source of the problem.

Consumers who purchased the product are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact the company at 1-845-473-1900.

 

Mars Acquires Several P&G Pet Brands

Mars has agreed to buy Procter & Gamble‘s Iams, Eukanuba and Natura brands in major markets for $2.9 billion in cash, the companies announced in a joint press release.

The strategic move for Mars Petcare will expand its already large portfolio of pet brands, and signals Proctor & Gamble’s move to reduce its pet segment.

“Exiting Pet Care is an important step in our strategy to focus P&G’s portfolio on the core businesses where we can create the most value for consumers and shareowners,” A.G. Lafley, P&G’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said. “The transaction creates value for P&G shareowners, and we are confident that the business will thrive at Mars, a leading company in pet care.”

The geographic regions included in the acquisition, which account for approximately 80 percent of P&G Pet Care’s global sales, include North America, Latin America and other selected countries. The agreement includes an option for Mars to acquire the business in several additional countries.  Markets not included in the transaction are primarily European Union countries.

P&G said it is developing alternate plans to sell its Pet Care business in these markets.

“This acquisition is a perfect fit with our Mars Petcare vision of making A Better World For Pets,”  Todd Lachman, Mars Petcare global president, said. “The deal reinforces our leadership in pet nutrition and veterinary science, attracts world class talent and grows our world leading portfolio.”

The companies expect to complete the transaction in the second-half of 2014, subject to regulatory approvals.

 

 

Southeast Pet to Distribute PureLife 4PETS

PureLife 4PETS, a Florida-based pet health supplement company, has announced that it’s full line of products has been picked up by the distributor, Southeast Pet.

The partnership with Southeast Pet means that PureLife 4PETS supplements will now be offered in pet stores throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama.

The line of pet health supplements includes Omega-3, Immune Support, Joint Mobility, Antioxidant Protection and Weight Management.

“At PureLife 4PETS we strive to provide the highest quality supplements for dogs and cats,” Oscar Tenorio, product manager for PureLife 4PETS, said. “As a pet parent, my dream and commitment is to produce the best, most advanced supplements to improve the health for my dog and pets everywhere.”

 

PIJAC Board Adds New Members

Joe Watson of Petland, Inc. and John Mack of Reptiles by Mack were unanimously elected to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council‘s board of directors.

“Both Joe and John understand the challenges the pet industry faces as legislative threats multiply, as well as the potential adverse effect on the entire industry,” Ken Oh, president and CEO of PIJAC, said. “Each bring a unique perspective to the PIJAC Board, ensuring our capability of protecting and representing the entire pet industry from harmful regulations and legislation,”

Watson is the president and CEO of Petland. He started with Petland as vice president of operations and then served as their COO. Prior to joining Petland in November 2005, he served as vice president for the telecommunications firm Horizon, where he oversaw sales, marketing and retail operations under the Sprint brand.

Mack is the founder, CEO, and owner of Reptiles by Mack. Reptiles by Mack is one of the largest breeders, wholesalers and suppliers of captive-bred reptiles in the United States. He founded Reptiles by Mack in 1985 and has grown his company from a simple husband-and-wife team operating out of their home to a massive complex with a full-time staff of animal care technicians. Reptiles by Mack helped spearhead the captive-breeding push in reptile sales, representing a fundamental shift in the way reptiles and amphibians entered the pet trade.

Also at the meeting, Oh, who in addition to his PIJAC responsibilities is general manager of the Pet Care Division for WF Young, and Andy Ponte, PIJAC secretary/treasurer and vice president of North American sales for United Pet Group, were re-elected to serve another term.

Greg Cyr of Central Garden and Pet was appointed 2nd vice chair. Rolf Hagen, Jr., who previously held the position, will remain on the PIJAC board of directors.