Weekly Roundup
Friday · 7/10/2026 · Issue #366
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Quick Hits

🪥 Squishface launches Nub Brush to solve one of dog grooming's most overlooked hygiene problems

💰 Pitch your company in the comments for a chance to raise $500k

💵 Petfolk co-founder helps launch oversubscribed $75M Venture Fund

👶 SF licenses more new dogs than babies

🚀 AHNTI opens applications for 2026 Innovation Showcase, spotlighting animal health's next breakthrough startups

🎨 Pet Care Brands Are Throwing Out the Old Playbook

🏡 Barkitecture is booming as pet-friendly homes become more popular

🇺🇸 The most popular dog names in each state

🎬 Blue Buffalo partners with Elle from the Legally Blonde universe

Fi Brings Starlink Satellite Tracking to Dog Collars
Fi Ultra automatically switches beyond cellular range, giving adventure-loving owners another way to find dogs who wander far off the grid.
Bond Vet and Small Door Veterinary Merge in Major Vet Care Deal
The combined company brings together more than 55 clinics and over 1,000 employees as it looks to expand access to convenient, technology-enabled veterinary care.
Chewy Hires Melissa Bell as Chief Brand Officer
Chewy has tapped the global brand veteran to sharpen its marketing, creative strategy and push to become pet care's most trusted destination.
Pet Food Labels Face Their Biggest Overhaul in 40 Years
AAFCO's sweeping modernization initiative will reshape pet food labels, creating a major transition for brands, retailers and consumers.
Vetster and PetSmart Bring Virtual Vet Care to Canada
The partnership brings virtual veterinary care into PetSmart stores, making expert advice easier for Canadian pet parents to access.
457 Pet Care Operators Reveal a Troubling Profitability Gap
A new benchmark finds strong demand across pet care, yet many operators still struggle to turn that growth into meaningful profits.
Animal Health Angels Backs Paws on Plates
The investor group is backing a family-run fresh dog food company built around premium ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
Wonderdog Launches Preventive Health Platform for Dogs
The new platform is betting the future of pet healthcare lies in spotting health risks long before symptoms appear.
Woof Gang Bakery Lands New Investor for Expansion
Fresh investment will help fuel the franchise's ambitious plan to open 40 new locations during 2026.
Kontota Launchs Nationwide Client Engagement Platform
The new platform helps mobile grooming franchises strengthen customer relationships with automated communication and branded digital tools.
Animal Pharma Has a $70B Story to Tell
As companion animal healthcare booms, industry leaders believe it's time the sector received the attention it deserves.
From The Underbite
Pet-industry M&A is moving again in 2026, but not the way the last cycle moved.
Our July Pro Report walks the year's verified deals and the findings underneath them: private equity showed up only as the seller, every buyer already owned a pet company, and the financing math that made the old buy-and-flip playbook work has broken. Every figure is sourced or graded, no forecasts.
It's the clearest read we've published on who is actually buying in pet right now, and what it means if you're building something you eventually want to sell.
Pro members can read it now.
Hero Husky Saves Child From Charging Bear
When a bear charged toward a young child, the family's husky didn't hesitate to step in and likely prevented a tragedy.
Pet Food Recalled Over Metal and Plastic Concerns
Another pet food recall is reminding owners why it pays to stay on top of safety alerts before filling the food bowl.
Police K-9 Sergeant Accused After Dogs Die in Hot Car
Authorities allege two police dogs were left in a hot vehicle for hours, leading to criminal charges and widespread outrage.
PetSmart Charities Awards $600K Vet Access Grant
The largest grant in AWLA's 80-year history will expand affordable veterinary care for pets in underserved communities.
Mission Rabies Targets 5,000 Dogs in Malawi
Volunteers from VetPartners and MSD Animal Health are helping vaccinate thousands of dogs to protect both animals and people.
Pet Gut Health Moves From Science to Shelf
The microbiome is quickly becoming one of the biggest opportunities in premium nutrition as science turns into new products.
Pet-Friendly Housing Push Gains Momentum
More communities are embracing pet-friendly housing as renters increasingly expect landlords to welcome four-legged family members.
Virbac Surpasses $500,000 in Animal Charity Donations
The global animal health company has now contributed more than half a million dollars to shelters and animal welfare organizations.
Why Do Cats and Dogs Get the Zoomies?
Veterinary experts explain the science behind those sudden bursts of energy that leave both dogs and cats racing around the house.
Dutch — Chief Revenue Officer
Loyal — Chief Operating Officer
Fera Pets — Director of Marketing
Petfolk — Veterinarian
Wellness Pet Company — Ecommerce Marketing Content Specialist
Hill's Pet Nutrition — SEO/GEO Specialist
Embrace Pet Insurance — Digital Analytics & Measurement Manager
Fi — Senior Manager, Paid Search & YouTube
The Farmer’s Dog — Strategic Initiatives & Platform Growth Lead
Rover — Senior Director of Lifecycle Strategy

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