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.
LAUNCH
**VETRESKA** has launched the **Circuit Collection**, a motorsport-inspired line of pet accessories developed in partnership with **Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman**. The launch is part of VETRESKA's global brand campaign **'Fast Life. Reimagined,'** marking a high-profile celebrity collaboration designed to elevate the brand's lifestyle positioning in the premium pet accessories segment.
Pet Age — 2026-07-16
LAUNCH
Three UK pet brands introduced new products this week. **Park Life Pet** launched dog-friendly roast chicken-flavoured crisps, expanding its treat range. **Tug-E-Nuff** unveiled the **Aero-Tug**, a lightweight interactive frisbee designed for fetch, tug, and water play. **Nutravet** introduced a **kidney support liquid for cats**, a nutritional supplement formulated to aid renal function and maintain phosphorus balance — complementing research published by the Purina Institute on feline chronic kidney disease.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-14
INNOVATION
Researchers from **Nestlé Purina Research**, in collaboration with investigators at **Texas A&M University**, presented new data at the **American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum** (Seattle, June 12) revealing measurable changes in fecal gut metabolites in cats with **chronic kidney disease (CKD)**. The findings advance understanding of the gut-kidney axis in felines and may inform future therapeutic nutrition strategies.
Pet Age — 2026-07-15
PARTNERSHIP
**SitStay**, an innovative dog treat brand, and **John A. Van Den Bosch LLC** have announced a new distribution partnership aimed at expanding the reach of SitStay's **Chicken Chips** product line. The collaboration pairs SitStay's brand with Van Den Bosch's established distribution infrastructure to broaden retail access across key markets.
Pet Age — 2026-07-15
PARTNERSHIP
**American Distribution & Manufacturing Company (ADMC)**, a premier wholesale distributor, has expanded its portfolio by adding **Moodify Pet** to its full national distribution footprint. The partnership gives Moodify Pet — a pet calming and behavior product brand — access to ADMC's broad retail network, supporting the brand's growth ambitions in the fast-growing pet wellness segment.
Pet Age — 2026-07-15
PARTNERSHIP
**Versele** and **Pantex Holland** have restructured their pet healthcare distribution arrangement, with **Pantex Holland taking over registration and sales of the Oropharma veterinary range**. The reorganization is designed to streamline distribution and strengthen market access for the Oropharma product line across relevant European markets.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-15
DATA
The North American Veterinary Community (**NAVC**) and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (**HABRI**) announced at the **American Veterinary Medical Association Convention** that **Boehringer Ingelheim** has achieved Human-Animal Bond Certification — a recognition highlighting the company's commitment to advancing the science and practice of the human-animal bond within veterinary care.
Pet Age — 2026-07-17
DATA
At the **AVMA Convention 2026** in **Anaheim, California**, veterinary leaders discussed how principles developed in **wildlife medicine** can be applied to improve the health, welfare, and clinical experience of **companion animals**. The cross-disciplinary dialogue reflects growing interest in translational veterinary science as a tool for advancing companion animal practice standards.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-07-13
REGULATION
Researchers have published a study examining whether a **soft tick species found in Texas** is capable of transmitting **African Swine Fever (ASF)**, mapping its habitat to inform disease surveillance, response, and control strategies. The findings are intended to strengthen **U.S. ASF preparedness** ahead of any potential domestic outbreak — with significant implications for swine producers and animal health regulators.
Feedstuffs — 2026-07-14
LEADERSHIP
**Doubtless**, a global pet insurance and solutions organization, announced the appointment of **May Pelz as President of Pets Best**, alongside several additional senior leadership hires to strengthen its **North American** team. The moves signal Doubtless's intent to accelerate growth in the competitive U.S. pet insurance market.
Pet Age — 2026-07-15
LEADERSHIP
UK pet calming brand **Pet Remedy** has been awarded the prestigious **King's Award for Enterprise**. Managing Director **Martyn Bartlett-Judge** attended a reception at **St James's Palace** to receive the honor — one of the UK's highest business accolades — underscoring the brand's international commercial success and innovation in the pet wellness category.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-16
EXPANSION
UK independent pet retailer **Empawrium** has secured a new unit in **Alva** as part of a phased expansion plan to add **dog daycare and veterinary services** to its offering. The move represents a strategic diversification beyond traditional retail into higher-margin pet services, a growing trend among independent operators.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-10