Partnerships & Acquisitions
Bansk Group Sells PetIQ's VIP Veterinary Services Business to Tractor Supply Company
ACQUISITION
**Bansk Group**, the consumer-focused private investment firm that owns **PetIQ**, has completed the sale of PetIQ's veterinary services division — operating as **VIP Petcare** — to **Tractor Supply Company**. The deal hands Tractor Supply a significant veterinary services footprint, deepening the farm-and-ranch retailer's push into pet health services and further consolidating the accessible, clinic-in-store veterinary care segment.
Pet Age — 2026-05-28
TAW Ventures Acquires Boston-Based Polkadog Dog Treat Company
ACQUISITION
**TAW Ventures**, an investment firm founded by **Jane Lauder** with a focus on pet health, wellness, and longevity, has acquired **Polkadog**, the Boston-based premium dog treat brand founded in **2002**. The acquisition adds a well-established specialty treat brand to TAW's growing pet health portfolio and reflects continued investor appetite for premium, health-oriented pet consumables.
Pet Age — 2026-05-27
Matrix Partners Joins Pet Sustainability Coalition as Advocate Member
PARTNERSHIP
**Matrix Partners**, a leading marketing agency serving the pet industry, has joined the **Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC)** as an Advocate Member. The move formalizes the agency's commitment to sustainability advocacy within the pet sector and expands the PSC's network of industry partners working toward more environmentally responsible pet product and packaging standards.
Pet Age — 2026-05-27
BluePearl Pet Hospital to Host Joint Blood Drives Benefiting Pet and Human Health
PARTNERSHIP
**BluePearl Pet Hospital** will host a series of joint blood drive events across the United States, designed to simultaneously support both **pet and human health** outcomes. The initiative represents a novel cross-species One Health partnership model and raises the profile of veterinary hospitals as community health contributors beyond traditional animal care roles.
DVM360 — 2026-05-28
Purina Named Official Dog Treat of U.S. Soccer
PARTNERSHIP
**Purina** has been named the **Official Dog Treat of U.S. Soccer**, launching a co-branded campaign that includes **U.S. Soccer crest-shaped dog treats**. The sponsorship offers veterinary teams a culturally timely opportunity to reinforce treat moderation and calorie guidance with pet owners during a high-profile sporting moment, while giving Purina significant brand visibility tied to the sport.
DVM360 — 2026-05-27
Industry Trends & Data
2026 Starwood Report: What Families Are Really Spending on International Pet Travel
DATA
**Starwood Pet Travel** has released its **2026 International Pet Travel Cost Report**, offering one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of the actual costs families incur when relocating dogs and cats internationally. The report provides detailed breakdowns of fees, logistics, and compliance costs across key destination markets, serving as a key reference for the growing international pet relocation services sector.
Pet Age — 2026-05-28
Product Quality Now Overtakes Cost as Top Priority in Pet Care Spending, Survey Finds
DATA
A survey by **Johnson's Veterinary Products** finds that **49% of pet owners** now prioritize product quality over affordability when making pet care purchasing decisions — a significant shift in consumer sentiment. The finding has direct implications for premium pet product positioning and suggests that value-based marketing messaging may be losing ground to quality-first narratives in the current market.
Pet Gazette — 2026-05-22
Pet Supplies Plus Hosts Detroit-Area 'Best Adoption Event Ever,' Having Placed 28,500+ Pets in 2025
DATA
**Pet Supplies Plus**, the largest pet retail franchise in the United States, partnered with Detroit-area rescue organizations for a major adoption event in Michigan. The company reports having helped **more than 28,500 dogs and cats** find homes in **2025** alone through its ongoing adoption program partnerships. The initiative highlights the growing role of retail chains in supporting animal welfare outcomes and community engagement.
Pet Age — 2026-05-28
How Changing Pet Feeding Habits Are Reshaping Retail Strategy, per Pets at Home COO
DATA
In an industry commentary piece, **Anja Madsen**, Chief Operating Officer of Retail at **Pets at Home**, argues that fundamental shifts in how consumers feed their pets — including fresh food, raw diets, and functional nutrition — are outpacing retailer responses. The piece calls for proactive assortment and merchandising adaptation as pet feeding behavior increasingly mirrors human food trends.
Pet Gazette — 2026-05-28
New HPAI Monograph Synthesizes Decades of Bird Flu Research
DATA
A newly published monograph offers a comprehensive, holistic assessment of **Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)** risk by synthesizing decades of scientific research. The publication is intended to serve as a resource for scientists, farm managers, and policymakers seeking a deeper understanding of bird flu dynamics and risk management strategies.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-24
Regulatory & Policy
Raw Dog Food Recall Grows to 180+ Lots Amid Listeria Contamination and Reported Illnesses
RECALL
Federal and state officials identified **Listeria monocytogenes** in multiple **Raaw Energy** raw dog food products distributed across **9 states**. The company has ceased production and expanded its recall to cover all products manufactured over a **5-month period**, now encompassing **more than 180 lots**. Reported illnesses have accompanied the contamination concerns, making this one of the more significant pet food safety events of 2026.
DVM360 — 2026-05-28
FDA Accepting First Round of 2027 Grant Applications to Support MUMS Animal Drugs
REGULATION
The **FDA** has opened its first round of **2027 grant applications** supporting the development of drugs for **minor use in minor species (MUMS)**. The agency is encouraging eligible sponsors and their research partners to apply, continuing its longstanding effort to incentivize drug development for species and conditions that lack sufficient commercial market incentive for private investment alone.
DVM360 — 2026-05-26
FDA Accepting Grant Applications for 2027 MUMS Animal Drug Program
REGULATION
The FDA has opened applications for its **2027 Minor Use and Minor Species (MUMS)** animal drug grant program. The funding is designed to support the development of drugs targeting uncommon diseases in major animal species, as well as treatments for minor species that are often overlooked by commercial drug developers due to limited market size.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-22
Texas AG and DOJ Launch Parallel Meatpacker Investigation Amid Beef Supply Concerns
REGULATION
Texas Attorney General **Ken Paxton** has initiated an independent investigation into meatpacker practices, running alongside an existing **Department of Justice (DOJ)** probe. The action is aimed at protecting cattle ranchers and ensuring the integrity of the beef supply chain. The investigation comes amid broader market pressures, with **approximately 62% of U.S. cattle inventory** located in drought-affected areas and beef production projected to decline slightly in 2027.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-22
Notable Moves & Leadership
Pet Sitters International Transitions Ownership as Founder Patti Moran Retires After 32 Years
LEADERSHIP
**Pet Sitters International (PSI)**, the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, has officially transitioned ownership from founder **Patti Moran** to **Adam and Rachel Foster**. Moran founded PSI in **1994**, building it into the premier credentialing and education organization for the pet sitting profession over more than three decades. The transition marks a generational leadership shift for one of the pet care industry's most recognized associations.
Pet Age — 2026-05-27
Pet Advocacy Network Announces Leadership Appointments and Board Changes
LEADERSHIP
The **Pet Advocacy Network (PAN)** Board of Directors has unanimously approved a series of leadership appointments and officer transitions aimed at strengthening the organization's governance structure and advancing its policy advocacy mission. PAN is the primary trade and lobbying organization representing the pet industry in Washington, D.C., and the appointments signal a renewed focus on legislative engagement.
Pet Age — 2026-05-28
IndeVets Promotes Five Veterinarians to Newly Created Senior Role
LEADERSHIP
**IndeVets**, the veterinary staffing and relief services company, has promoted **five veterinarians** to a newly created senior role, reflecting the company's efforts to build internal career ladders and retain experienced clinicians within its network. The move is part of a broader industry trend of relief and staffing platforms investing in structured career development to address veterinary workforce retention challenges.
DVM360 — 2026-05-26
Hollywood Feed Announces North Atlanta Opening and Southeast Expansion Plans
EXPANSION
**Hollywood Feed**, the healthy and holistic pet food and supply retailer, has announced an opening date for its newest **North Atlanta-area** location in Georgia, alongside plans for additional locations throughout the **Southeast**. The expansion underscores continued growth momentum for independent premium pet retail chains as they compete with national franchises for market share in high-growth Sun Belt markets.
Pet Age — 2026-05-27
Veterinary Dentistry Specialists Opens Sixth Location in Philadelphia; CityVet Expands to Orlando Area
EXPANSION
**Veterinary Dentistry Specialists** has opened its **sixth location**, this time in **Philadelphia**, further expanding the specialist dental care network across major U.S. metro markets. Separately, **CityVet** has opened a new practice in the **Orlando area**, continuing the Texas-based general practice group's multi-state growth strategy. Both openings reflect sustained capital investment in specialty and general veterinary clinic expansion.
DVM360 — 2026-05-27
WagWorks Seeks London Expansion as Member Visits Rise 18%
EXPANSION
**WagWorks**, an urban pet services company, is actively scouting new locations near workplaces and transport hubs across London following a **18% increase** in member visits. The demand surge points to growing consumer appetite for convenient, urban-accessible pet care services as return-to-office trends reshape commuter behavior and pet owner routines in major cities.
Pet Gazette — 2026-05-27