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.
EXPANSION · EARNINGS
UK pet retailer Jollyes reported revenue growth of **8.7% to £169 million** and has announced plans to double its store estate, targeting **250 UK locations**. The expansion strategy is underpinned by strong top-line performance and an expanding product range, positioning Jollyes as a major force in the British pet retail market.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-09
LAUNCH · INNOVATION
Wonderdog has launched an **at-home blood testing kit paired with AI-powered health intelligence** for dogs, aiming to shift canine healthcare from reactive to preventive. The platform provides continuous monitoring and personalized insights, mirroring advances seen in human healthcare and targeting the millions of American pet owners who treat dogs as family members.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
LAUNCH
Pet Blood Bank UK has opened a **national donation registry for felines** following government approval, establishing the UK's first national cat blood bank service. The charity-led initiative addresses a critical gap in feline emergency medicine, expanding on existing canine blood bank infrastructure to serve cats across the country.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-08
LAUNCH
New brand RAWR has entered the UK market with a freeze-dried raw pet food range targeting the **£421 million raw pet food sector**. The high-protein, grain-free meals are designed to deliver raw nutrition in a convenient, shelf-stable format, appealing to health-conscious pet owners seeking premium feeding options.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-07
LAUNCH · REGULATION
Zoetis has received **European Commission marketing authorization** for Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND, a recombinant vector vaccine that simultaneously protects chickens against **Newcastle disease and Marek's disease**. The approval marks a significant regulatory milestone for Zoetis's poultry health portfolio across European markets.
Pet Age / Feedstuffs — 2026-07-08
ACQUISITION
Bond Vet and Small Door Veterinary have finalized their merger, forming **one of the largest premium veterinary networks in the country**. The combined entity aims to expand access to trusted veterinary care across the US. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
ACQUISITION
Outward Hound has announced that funds affiliated with **H.I.G. Capital** have assumed majority ownership of the company. The acquisition is designed to provide Outward Hound with additional resources and support to build on its existing family of pet product brands. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Pet Age — 2026-07-10
PARTNERSHIP · EXPANSION
Dog supplement brand Wuffes has announced its launch at **Pet Supermarket**, continuing its rapid expansion into pet specialty retail. The partnership represents Wuffes' latest brick-and-mortar move as the brand accelerates its omnichannel growth strategy beyond its direct-to-consumer origins.
Pet Age — 2026-07-08
PARTNERSHIP
AniVatio and Vetio UK have entered a collaboration combining **AniVatio's proprietary oral gel technology** with Vetio's manufacturing capabilities to develop palatable pet supplements. The partnership targets growing consumer demand for easy-to-administer supplement formats for companion animals.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-08
DATA
Virbac's **Every Pet Project** donation program has reached a cumulative milestone of **$500,000 in donations** to animal charities across the United States. Since its launch, the program has awarded two organizations per cycle, reflecting growing corporate social responsibility investment within the animal health sector.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
DATA
A study by Insure Your Paws reveals that **one in five (20%) pet owners** lack the financial resources to cover emergency veterinary costs. Average cruciate ligament surgery costs have now surpassed **£3,100**, highlighting the growing financial burden of pet ownership and the continued opportunity for pet insurance and financing products.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-06
DATA
The **Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC)**, in partnership with rePurpose Global, has announced the return of Plastic Recovery July — an industry-wide initiative enabling pet companies to fund **verified plastic recovery projects worldwide**. The campaign reflects accelerating sustainability commitments across the pet industry as brands respond to consumer and regulatory pressure on packaging waste.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
DATA
Growing consumer awareness of human gut health is driving a parallel interest in **pet microbiome nutrition**, according to Veterinary Practice News. Pet owners increasingly recognize the role of dietary fiber fermentation in producing beneficial compounds supporting immune function and overall wellness, creating opportunities for probiotic and fiber-rich pet food and supplement innovation.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-07-08
REGULATION
The UK government has unveiled proposals for the most significant overhaul of the veterinary sector in **60 years**. Key measures include mandatory price transparency lists for veterinary practices and a **£21 cap on prescription charges**. The reforms are aimed at improving consumer access and affordability of veterinary care.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-09
REGULATION
AAFCO's **Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM)** initiative is set to change every pet food label on the shelf, representing the most significant update to pet food labeling in **more than 40 years**. Retailers and manufacturers are being urged to prepare proactively to avoid supply chain and compliance disruption as implementation deadlines approach.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
REGULATION
The National Chicken Council (NCC) has released updated broiler welfare guidelines, featuring a **new section on Controlled Atmospheric Stunning** and expanded lighting verification checks for growout houses. The updates reflect evolving welfare standards and regulatory expectations across the poultry production industry.
Feedstuffs — 2026-07-09
REGULATION
Labor unions have filed for a **preliminary injunction** to prevent the USDA from implementing a proposed reorganization plan involving office and staff relocations. The legal challenge could affect regulatory operations relevant to animal health, food safety, and agricultural oversight functions administered by the agency.
Feedstuffs — 2026-07-08
REGULATION
Newly introduced legislation establishes the **Swine Health Improvement Plan**, a voluntary program providing health status certification confirming that US pork premises are free of **African Swine Fever (ASF) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF)**. The program is designed to strengthen US pork's international trade credibility and biosecurity standing.
Feedstuffs — 2026-07-07
EXPANSION
Ceva Animal Health, the **world's fifth largest animal health company**, has elevated companion animals from a growth opportunity to a declared strategic priority, with a concentrated focus on the US market. The move signals a significant shift in resources and commercial direction toward companion animal products and services in North America.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
LEADERSHIP
Royal Canin North America, a **billion-dollar brand under Mars, Incorporated**, has named **Jennifer Cullen** as General Manager of the US Veterinary Business Unit. The appointment underscores Royal Canin's continued investment in its veterinary channel, a key growth pillar for the global pet health nutrition leader.
Pet Age — 2026-07-09
LEADERSHIP
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has opened entries for the **Veterinary Business Excellence Awards 2026**, recognizing veterinary businesses demonstrating distinguished performance, innovation, and sustainable practice leadership. The awards shine a spotlight on best-in-class operators in the UK veterinary sector.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-09
LAUNCH
Purina's **Puppy Chow and Kitten Chow** brands have launched the 'Chief Snuggle Officer' campaign for 2026, seeking pet ambassadors to highlight the importance of nutrition during the critical early years of a pet's life. The consumer-facing campaign is designed to drive brand engagement and underscore Purina's nutritional positioning for young pets.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-08