Best Friend Ventures › Briefing
A weekly roundup of funding, product launches, partnerships, industry trends, regulation, and notable leadership moves across the pet care sector. Curated by Best Friend Ventures from 48 pet-industry sources.
EARNINGS
UK pet retail giant Pets at Home is projecting profits of **£92 million** as its retail turnaround strategy delivers results. The group's recovery has been supported by a four-pillar strategy centred on product, price, execution, and cost discipline, signalling renewed investor confidence in the business.
Pet Gazette — 2026-03-31
FUNDING
The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) has received an **unrestricted $1 million donation**, paid in full, accelerating construction of the nation's first federally authorized monument honoring service animals. The funds represent a significant milestone in NSAM's campaign to recognize animals that serve alongside humans.
Pet Age — 2026-03-31
LAUNCH · INNOVATION
Emsland Group has introduced Empet SmartBind, a new starch-based texturising ingredient for wet dog and cat food. Notably **carrageenan-free**, the product responds to growing consumer and regulatory scrutiny of traditional gelling agents, offering pet food manufacturers a cleaner-label alternative for wet food formulation.
Pet Gazette — 2026-04-01
LAUNCH · INNOVATION
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight + j/d is being promoted to veterinary professionals for its clinically demonstrated ability to improve cats' mobility in **as little as 1 month** while simultaneously stimulating metabolism to support fat burning and weight loss — addressing two common comorbid conditions in feline patients.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-04-01
LAUNCH · EXPANSION
Award-winning British pet cleaning brand Vamoosh is entering the US market via a launch at Target, following **10 years** of retail growth and category innovation in the UK. The move represents a significant transatlantic expansion for the brand, bringing its cleaning solutions to one of America's largest mass-market retailers.
Pet Age — 2026-03-31
LAUNCH · EXPANSION
Casco Pet has launched a dedicated animal shelters division, offering shelter kennels engineered from materials designed to be easy to clean, reduce animal stress, and optimize the visitor experience. The division targets institutional buyers such as rescue organizations and humane societies, with a stated goal of **increasing adoption rates**.
Pet Gazette — 2026-03-31
PARTNERSHIP · INNOVATION
Kennel Connection, a 100GROUP company and leading pet care facility management software provider, has announced a full integration with iDogCam — a camera solution built specifically for the pet industry. The partnership enables pet parents to access **live camera feeds** directly through the Kennel Connection pet parent portal, enhancing transparency and trust for boarding and daycare operators.
Pet Age — 2026-03-31
PARTNERSHIP · INNOVATION
Penn Vet has received a **NIFA grant** to evaluate a targeted probiotic cocktail designed for early-life microbiome intervention in dairy calves. The research aims to assess whether specific microbial formulations administered early in life can improve calf health, growth performance, and long-term productivity — with implications for both animal welfare and producer economics.
Feedstuffs — 2026-03-31
DATA
Analysis of more than **71,000 pet insurance claims** shows that pet toxicity incidents are increasing, with common household toxins driving a growing number of emergency veterinary visits. The data identifies the substances most frequently responsible for claims, offering actionable insights for pet owners and veterinary practices on prevention and client education priorities.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-03-31
DATA
The global natural flea repellent market reached **$1.23 billion in 2024** and is expanding at more than **7% annually**, according to data cited by Earth Animal. The brand is positioning its non-toxic flea and tick protection line to capitalize on a measurable shift in pet parent preferences away from conventional chemical-based treatments.
Pet Age — 2026-04-01
DATA
Industry analysis highlights the spring season as the pet grooming industry's busiest cycle, driven by a convergence of three major consumer needs: undercoat shedding management, reactive skin care from seasonal allergies, and the onset of flea and tick season. Retailers and groomers are advised to stock accordingly and train staff on the **'itchy season' trifecta** to maximize revenue and client satisfaction.
Pet Age — 2026-04-01
DATA
A veterinary industry commentary highlights growing client awareness and scrutiny of veterinary practice pricing, noting that pet owners are increasingly sophisticated in distinguishing between systemic economic pressures and individual practitioner behavior. The piece argues that clients are **holding veterinarians to a higher standard of transparency and accountability**, making pricing communication a key strategic challenge for practices.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-04-01
DATA
Hartz, one of the US's most recognized pet care brands, is celebrating its **100-year anniversary** — a milestone reached by fewer than **0.05% of US companies**. Rather than focusing solely on commercial messaging, the brand is channelling its centennial platform toward promoting pet fostering and adoption, reinforcing its positioning around animal welfare.
Pet Age — 2026-03-31
REGULATION
The Pet Food Institute (PFI), whose members produce the **vast majority of US dog and cat food and treats**, has issued a formal statement on EPA biofuel standards, warning that expanded biofuel mandates could create meaningful supply pressure on key pet food ingredients. While supporting American energy security goals, PFI is calling for policy frameworks that protect ingredient availability and affordability across the pet food supply chain.
Pet Age — 2026-04-01
REGULATION
Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach, Florida has launched the 'Neuter Scooter for a Nickel' promotion, offering low-cost male pet neutering services from **April 1 through June 30, 2026**. The high-impact access program is designed to directly address pet overpopulation through affordability, targeting communities where cost has historically been a barrier to spay/neuter compliance.
Pet Age — 2026-04-01
EXPANSION · LEADERSHIP
Animal health company Axiota has designated Wamego, Kansas as its **global headquarters**, situating itself within the KC Animal Health Corridor — recognized as the world's largest concentration of animal health assets. The move signals a strategic commitment to the region's deep talent pool, research infrastructure, and industry network.
Feedstuffs — 2026-04-01
EXPANSION
Belvoir Barkery is set to open a new boutique location at a Leicestershire retail hub, expanding its physical retail footprint. The store will feature the brand's signature range of **natural treats and organic options**, alongside technical pet accessories, catering to the growing premium and natural pet product consumer segment in the UK.
Pet Gazette — 2026-04-01
EXPANSION
Nestlé Purina PetCare has donated **45,000 pounds of Purina dog food** to rural communities in Western Alaska still recovering from the impact of Typhoon Halong. The initiative underscores Purina's corporate social responsibility commitments and the critical role pets play in disaster-affected communities, where access to pet food can be severely disrupted.
Pet Age — 2026-04-01