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Hill’s Announces $20 Million Expansion of Pet Nutrition Center

Pet Age Staff//August 16, 2019//

Hill’s Announces $20 Million Expansion of Pet Nutrition Center

Pet Age Staff //August 16, 2019//

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Press release: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Hill’s Pet Nutrition held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $20 million, 25,000 square foot nutrition facility focused on the needs of small dogs—‘Small Paws’—as well as a new Engagement Center developed for veterinarian and other pet caregiver engagement.

“Hill’s is excited to announce the expansion of our world-renowned pet nutrition center to focus on the special needs of small dogs and also to enhance our involvement with those who care for pets through the new engagement center,” said Hill’s president Jesper Nordengaard. “We are always investing in research and development to serve the nutritional needs of pets as well as learning from veterinarians, customers and caregivers through their experiences. This is how we fulfill our mission to transform lives.”

“This is a great day for the Hill’s team, and we are especially grateful to Topeka’s leaders and the amazing talent in the region who help make Hill’s the best at what we do,” added Nordengaard.

The new Small Paws center will include state-of-the art facilities and will be home to 80 small dogs under 12 lbs. who will have the benefit of specially formulated nutrition developed to their unique needs. The center will be devoted to exceptional veterinary care and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor enrichment activities that the dogs can choose during the day, including an outdoor Bark Park. The Engagement Center will have dedicated space to host educational seminars and continuing education programs for veterinary students and professionals.

“All around the world, there’s a steady increase in the popularity of small dogs. Our investment in this specialized facility will help us develop food with the taste and aesthetics that small dogs prefer and that works best with their distinctive behaviors and unique physiology,” said Dave Baloga, vice president, Science & Technology for Hill’s. “The Small Paws center will allow us to better understand their needs and discover new ways to help them lead happy, healthy lives.”

Today, more than half of dogs in the U.S. are small and miniature, and the percentage is growing. These small dogs have distinct needs compared to their larger cousins. For example, small stomachs mean they graze throughout the day, rather than eat one or two big meals like larger dogs. And because of their higher mass-specific metabolism, pound for pound, small dogs eat more than big dogs.

The event featured remarks from Mr. Nordengaard; Mr. Baloga; Topeka mayor Michelle De La Isla;  Molly Howey, sr. VP Economic Development for the Greater Topeka Partnership; Bonnie Rush, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University; and Noel Wallace, president and chief executive officer of Colgate-Palmolive, parent company of Hill’s. Joining in the groundbreaking were Shawnee County commissioner Kevin Cook, state commerce secretary David Toland, as well as partners from the local Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka.

Feature image credit: Estuardo Garcia