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
PetAg has introduced its new **DYNE™ Joint Health & Mobility Soft Chews**, entering the competitive canine joint supplement market. The product is positioned as a next-generation alternative to traditional joint health options, targeting active dogs and owners seeking premium mobility support in a soft chew format.
Pet Age — 2026-07-31
INNOVATION
**Wave Trockensysteme GmbH** is integrating **Brain**, an AI-based control system developed by Austrian firm **Interkey**, into its industrial freeze dryers. The system replaces traditional PLC programming with an AI-driven approach, reducing commissioning time for freeze-drying equipment used in pet food production — a key technology for the growing freeze-dried pet food segment.
Pet Age — 2026-07-30
PARTNERSHIP
Two separate distribution deals were announced this week. **Palz&Co** partnered with **Southeast Pet** to expand distribution of its dog treats and accessories to independent pet retailers across the **southeastern United States**. Separately, **Van Ness** and **John A. Van Den Bosch** — both companies with more than **80 years** of history — formed a partnership to broaden supply of pet bowls and cat litter pans, helping meet growing retail demand.
Pet Age — 2026-07-30
EXPANSION
The ASPCA hosted a grand opening on **July 29** of the **ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic by Kathy Taggares** in Los Angeles, California, expanding access to veterinary care for underserved pet owners in the region. The clinic represents a significant step in addressing veterinary care gaps for lower-income communities.
Pet Age — 2026-07-31
INNOVATION
Cold-pressed dog food is gaining momentum as the latest innovation in pet nutrition, following the rise of freeze-dried, air-dried, and gently cooked formats. Industry observers are evaluating whether cold-pressed will become a mainstream segment, reflecting continued consumer demand for minimally processed, premium pet food options.
Pet Age — 2026-07-31
DATA
Pet retailers are allocating significantly more shelf space to feline products as cat ownership and per-cat spending continue to climb. The trend signals a structural shift in the pet retail landscape, with cats no longer playing second fiddle to dogs in terms of product variety, premium offerings, and retailer investment.
Pet Age — 2026-07-31
REGULATION
Veterinary Practice News issued a clinical reminder that **rabies must remain on the differential diagnosis** for any neurologic dog or cat without an obvious underlying cause. Given rabies' **lethal zoonotic potential** and the absence of any approved animal treatment, clinicians are urged to maintain vigilance regardless of perceived risk level, as failure to consider rabies could have serious consequences for both patients and public health.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-07-29
EXPANSION
**Pet Supplies Plus**, which bills itself as the largest pet retail franchise in the U.S., opened a new franchise location on **July 31** in **Queen Creek, Arizona** at **37752 N. Gantzel Road**, continuing its ongoing geographic expansion across the country.
Pet Age — 2026-07-30
LEADERSHIP
Two notable executive appointments were made in the pet industry this week. **Golden Child**, a next-gen pet wellness brand, named **Connor Stastny** — formerly President of **Grüns** — as its new **Chief Executive Officer**, bringing consumer brand scaling experience to the role. Separately, **BarkBox parent Bark** appointed **Anya Hamill** as **Chief Financial Officer**; Hamill brings more than **20 years** of financial leadership experience across public and private CPG companies.
Pet Age — 2026-07-30
LEADERSHIP
**Exubrion Therapeutics**, the animal health company behind **Synovetin OA**, promoted **Gregory Taglialatela, MBA** to **Chief Commercial Officer**, effective **July 1**. In his expanded role, Taglialatela will lead Exubrion's commercial strategy as the company continues to grow its veterinary therapeutics business.
Pet Age — 2026-07-30