Pet Industry Briefing — Friday, June 19, 2026

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.

Summary

Top story: Elanco launches $25M venture capital platform for animal health innovation
Sources scanned: 48
Funding activity: $34.5M+
Categories with news: 6

Funding & Investment

Elanco Launches $25M Ventures Platform to Accelerate Animal Health Innovation

FUNDING

Elanco Animal Health has announced plans to establish **Elanco Ventures**, a dedicated corporate venture capital (CVC) platform backed by a **multi-year, $25M commitment**. The platform is designed to invest in and advance innovation across therapeutics, technologies, and One Health solutions within the animal health sector. Elanco Ventures will operate as a formal vehicle for supporting early-stage companies and accelerating breakthroughs that align with Elanco's broader mission in companion and production animal health.

Pet Age / Feedstuffs — 2026-06-18

University of Florida Receives $9.5M Gift to Combat Cattle Pest Threats

FUNDING

The University of Florida has received a **$9.5M gift** dedicated to developing new strategies to prevent and treat diseases spread by mosquitoes, flies, and other pests affecting cattle. The funds will support research aimed at addressing significant livestock health threats, with implications for both production animal welfare and agricultural economic stability.

Feedstuffs — 2026-06-12

Product Launches & Innovation

Petlibro Debuts Granary 2 Next-Generation Smart Pet Feeder System

LAUNCH · INNOVATION

Petlibro, a leading automatic feeder brand, has launched the **Granary 2**, its next-generation smart pet feeder system. The new product positions automatic feeders not merely as convenience tools but as daily health monitoring touchpoints for pet well-being. The Granary 2 reflects a broader industry shift toward connected pet care devices that provide owners with ongoing insights into their animals' feeding habits and health status.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

Wag N' Wash Launches First-Ever Mobile App for Grooming and Pet Care

LAUNCH

Wag N' Wash, the neighborhood pet care franchise offering grooming, self-wash services, and natural pet food, has officially launched its **first-ever mobile app**. The app is designed to streamline grooming appointment booking and enhance the overall pet care experience for customers. The move marks a significant digital investment for the franchise brand as it looks to modernize customer engagement.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

Zooomy Launches Free Joint Health Monitoring App for Pets

LAUNCH · INNOVATION

Zooomy has launched a new **web-based joint health monitoring application** for pets, accessible free of charge and requiring no product purchase to use. The app represents a growing trend toward digital health tools that give pet owners accessible ways to track and assess their animals' mobility and joint condition, potentially enabling earlier veterinary intervention.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-17

Green Pantry Launches Specialist Dog Food Range in Partnership with Pickles Vets

LAUNCH · PARTNERSHIP

Green Pantry has launched a **four-recipe dog food range** developed in collaboration with veterinary group Pickles Vets, focusing on specialist health needs. The range is the result of an **18-month co-development process** between the brand and the veterinary group, underscoring a growing trend of vet-endorsed, health-focused pet nutrition products entering the market.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-18

Partnerships & Acquisitions

Hill's Pet Nutrition Named Presenting Sponsor of Clear The Shelters Adoption Campaign

PARTNERSHIP

Hill's Pet Nutrition has elevated its longstanding support of NBCUniversal Local's **Clear The Shelters** campaign by becoming its **presenting sponsor**. The initiative drives pet adoption across the United States and reflects Hill's continued investment in animal welfare causes. This expanded commitment signals a strategic alignment between the global pet nutrition brand and high-visibility adoption advocacy.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

StreetVet and Battersea Alliance Expands Outreach to Vulnerable Pet Owners

PARTNERSHIP · EXPANSION

The alliance between StreetVet and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has delivered veterinary care to **hundreds of pets** belonging to vulnerable and homeless individuals. The partnership plans to establish **12 new outreach locations over five years**, aiming to support thousands of additional pets in underserved communities across the UK.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-16

Tuggs Secures First Retail Partnership with UK Pet Retailer Jollyes

PARTNERSHIP

Fresh pet food brand Tuggs has secured its **first retail deal** with UK pet retailer Jollyes, marking a significant distribution milestone for the direct-to-consumer brand. The product range was designed in collaboration with **vet nutritionist Katie McCaul**, reinforcing the brand's credentials in nutritionally sound pet food. The deal signals a wider trend of digital-first pet food brands moving into brick-and-mortar retail.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-15

Pet Dental Specialist Luna Plans New Clinic Openings in UK Expansion Drive

EXPANSION

Luna the Dental Vets, a UK-based specialist provider of veterinary dental services, has announced plans to open **new clinics in Eastleigh and Surbiton** as part of an ongoing expansion drive. Alongside new sites, Luna is launching a range of **restorative treatments and home-care products**, broadening its service offering beyond in-clinic procedures into at-home pet dental care.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-18

Industry Trends & Data

Licensed Pet Products Market Booming as Brand Recognition Drives Retail Growth

DATA

The licensed pet products market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by pet humanization trends and strong emotional connections between consumers and brands. Traditional licensed partnerships with names such as **Disney, Marvel, and major sports teams** are being joined by a broader range of IP, as retailers increasingly view licensed pet products as a powerful revenue driver. The trend reflects broader consumer willingness to extend brand loyalty into the pet category.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

Tractor Supply Customers Raise $547,000+ for Shelter Animals via Relief for Rescues Campaign

DATA

Tractor Supply Company, the **largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States**, announced that its customers contributed **more than $547,000** through its Relief for Rescues fundraiser, in partnership with country artist Miranda Lambert. The campaign provides critical financial support to animal rescue organizations, demonstrating the significant philanthropic engagement that major pet-adjacent retailers can generate among their customer bases.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

PEDIGREE Launches 'PEDIGREE Mutt' Campaign in Brazil with Ronaldinho Gaúcho

DATA

PEDIGREE has launched a major brand campaign in Brazil called **"PEDIGREE Mutt,"** enlisting football legend **Ronaldinho Gaúcho** to reframe cultural perceptions of mixed-breed dogs. The campaign aims to change the meaning of the word 'mutt' in Brazilian culture, celebrating mixed-breed dogs as symbols of pride. The initiative highlights how global pet brands are investing in purpose-driven marketing tied to major cultural moments.

Pet Age — 2026-06-18

Regulatory & Policy

UK Vets Push for Ban on Over-the-Counter Flea Treatments at House of Lords

REGULATION

A panel of UK vets presented evidence to the **House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee** calling for a ban on **over-the-counter flea treatments**. The push is backed by growing evidence of environmental harm and concerns about the efficacy and safe use of these products without veterinary guidance. The move could significantly impact the retail flea treatment market if legislative action follows.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-15

RCVS Pushes Back Against Proposals to Create Independent Veterinary Regulator

REGULATION

The **Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)** has issued a formal warning against MP proposals to establish a new independent veterinary regulator, arguing the move would **weaken professional standards and increase costs** for veterinary practices. The RCVS contends that stripping its regulatory powers would undermine the quality of veterinary care across the UK and create operational inefficiencies within the profession.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-16

Notable Moves & Leadership

FEDIAF Elects Benyfit Co-Founder Greg Van Praagh as New President

LEADERSHIP

The European Pet Food Industry Federation (**FEDIAF**) has elected **Greg Van Praagh**, co-founder of raw pet food brand Benyfit and former UK industry chairman, as its new president. Van Praagh takes over leadership at the Brussels-based assembly, bringing direct brand-building and industry advocacy experience to the top role of Europe's leading pet food trade body.

Pet Gazette — 2026-06-12

Dan Shike Appointed Head of Animal Sciences Department at University of Illinois

LEADERSHIP

**Dan Shike**, a nationally recognized expert in beef cattle production systems and longtime faculty member, has been appointed as the new **Animal Sciences Department Head at the University of Illinois**. The appointment brings significant academic and research leadership to one of the country's prominent animal science programs, with implications for livestock health research and the next generation of animal health professionals.

Feedstuffs — 2026-06-16