Year: 2014

In Honolulu, an island-wide shortage of crickets has pet owners searching for ways to keep their reptiles from starving. Crickets are a main food source for many reptiles and at the moment, the islands’ major supplier isn’t putting any out on the market.

The company that supplies many of our islands pet stores with crickets said it had a problem with breeding and it has to wait until January before it can sell again. Crickets cannot be brought in from the mainland because of the State Agriculture Department’s regulations.

“We used to sell about 75 a week and now we’re selling that much in a day,” said Ricky Baker, owner of the Pet Hale store in Miliani.

Other stores that used to stock the insects are also out. They’ve been that way for several weeks after the islands’ major supplier ran into production problems. The Pet Hale gets its crickets from a private breeder who hasn’t run out.

“We have probably quadrupled at least our sale of crickets since the shortage so we’ve seen a lot of people come in that haven’t been here before,” said Baker.

As workers sort bottles of crickets, they’ve also been answering a lot of phone calls from pet owners who are out of food and can’t find the insects anywhere else.

“Basically they’re frantic, you know I need to feed my chameleon, I don’t have crickets, do you guys have any and they’re very relieved when they find out we do,” said Baker.

These shop owners say this is the most significant shortage they’ve heard of in years. According to Baker, they’ve been getting customers from Hawaii Kai to Makaha stopping in.

“We’ve got them. If you have a hungry chameleon, we’re here, so we’re not having a shortage so you can come on by,” said Baker.

Sleepypod introduced the Sleepypod Crash Replacement Program to extend pet safety after an auto accident.

Sleepypod will replace or provide a replacement discount on any pet carrier or safety harness damaged in an auto accident, regardless of the brand.

“Sleepypod wants to ensure pet safety after an auto accident,” says Michael Leung, Sleepypod co-founder and lead product designer. “The integrity of a pet safety restraint may be compromised during an auto accident, so it is critical to inspect a pet carrier or harness for damage before being reused.”

In this program, Sleepypod products may be eligible for replacement at no charge. Pet safety restraints made by other brands may be eligible for a 30 percent discount on a Sleepypod pet carrier or safety harness.

Bulldog Marketing & Sales Inc. is launching Strategic Consulting Services.

Bulldog is the pet marketing and sales agency formed by industry veteran John Cullen to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups and mid-sized organizations access to top level marketing talent without expensive overhead. Bulldog’s Strategic Consulting Services guides organizations of any size on overall business management, strategy, marketing, sales and more.

“We realized that some companies simply need advice and strategic direction,” said John Cullen, principal at Bulldog. “Our plans start at only $900 with no monthly commitment making our expertise budget friendly.”

For $900, a new or existing company can have a pet marketing and sales expert on tap to answer tough questions like, “Where should I advertise?,” “How do I go-to-market?,” “How do I get an appointment at Petco?” or “How do I produce my products in China?”

Bulldog’s years of expertise in the pet industry make it uniquely qualified to answer these types of questions and more. Simply put, Bulldog can help an organization achieve its objectives faster and cheaper than going it alone.

The award winning Tuggo Dog Toy company and the new Pettag+ Pet Activity Tracker have already signed up for Bulldog’s new services.

“Bulldog’s pet industry expertise has already been a significant asset to my business,” said Adam Harrington, owner of Tuggo Dog Toys. “From pricing and media negotiation to press release writing and finding independent reps, Bulldog’s Strategic Consulting Services really deliver.”

Senate Bill 698 would amend the Code of Virginia to create Section 3.2-6504.1 (“Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Fund”) and Section 3.2-6504.2 (“Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program”).

The newly-created fund would reimburse participating veterinarians for the surgical sterilizations they perform on “eligible” cats or dogs.

The program would be funded by imposing upon every person in the Commonwealth engaged in business as a manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor of pet food products an annual Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Fund surcharge of $50 for each ton of pet food distributed.

A companion animal would be eligible for surgical sterilization at no or reduced cost to its owner if it is the companion animal of a low-income owner, a feral or free-roaming cat, or in the possession of an animal shelter, pound, other releasing agency, or nonprofit organization and has not been transferred from a jurisdiction outside Virginia into the Commonwealth.

SB 698 was pre-filed for the 2015 legislative session on Nov. 26. The bill will be considered by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources after the Virginia General Assembly convenes on January 14, 2015.

The Company of Animals has revamped and remodeled their entire U.S. website.

The new site features a streamlined design that makes it easy for visitors to learn more about The Company of Animals’ extensive selection of solution-based training and behavioral products.

“This newly redesigned website is much easier for pet parents to use,” said Dr. Roger Mugford, founder of The Company of Animals. “It also provides valuable educational and promotional tools for our retail partners.”