Weekly Roundup
Friday · 7/24/2026 · Issue #372
Quick Hits

🐱 This cat cracked the code: tilt the automatic feeder just enough, and free kibble comes pouring out

💰 71 million U.S. households are still prioritizing pets despite a tighter economy

🛰️ Here's how SpaceX's Starlink satellites are helping find lost dogs

🏊‍♀️ Firefighters rescued a missing dog found swimming in the San Francisco Bay

😮 Embark DNA test reveals two rescued dogs (rescued one year apart) are long - lost siblings

💵 “Owning a pet has become a luxury

⭐ Pooch & Mutt ditches perfect pets in new campaign

🌊 Missing dog found after 10 days sparks emotional reunion

😊 AI has ruined cute animal videos

🛍️ Purr & Meow unveils a bold new brand as it prepares for its next chapter

Mars Puts a Coca-Cola Veteran in Charge of North American Pet Nutrition
Christina Ruggiero takes over Mars Pet Nutrition's U.S. and Canadian business after leading Coca-Cola's $9 billion global nutrition portfolio.
Phillips Pet Food Taps Grocery Veteran to Lead Its Expanded Distribution Empire
Nick Christensen becomes CEO as Blaine Phillips moves to Executive Chairman, three months after the company's major deal with Central Garden & Pet.
Assisi Pet Care Adds Another Premium Brand With Forthglade Acquisition
The deal brings one of the UK's leading natural pet food brands into Assisi's rapidly expanding European portfolio.
Gimborn Strengthens Its Cat Litter Business With Cerberus Italy Acquisition
The acquisition expands Gimborn's Biokat's cat litter portfolio and strengthens its manufacturing footprint in the Italian market.
Cosmax Pet Invests $27 Million to Quadruple Production Capacity
The South Korean manufacturer is expanding production to meet surging demand for pet health care and companion animal supplements.
A New Vet-Owned Network Is Taking Direct Aim at Corporate Consolidation
The Village Vet+ plans to build locally branded clinics owned and operated by the veterinarians who lead them.
ButcherBox Spins Out Dash as a Standalone Dog Food Company
Formerly known as ButcherBox for Pets, the premium fresh and frozen dog food brand will now operate as an independent business.
Pet Service Holding Picks Up RHR Cat Concepts' Assets After Bankruptcy
The deal adds several cat furniture brands and an established international sales platform to the company's European pet care portfolio.
Scenthound Loads Up Its C-Suite for the Next Phase of National Growth
The dog wellness franchise added new chief commercial, development and financial officers as it prepares to accelerate nationwide expansion.
Animal Health Angels Backs an AI Biotech Bet on Cheaper Antibodies
HERlab is using AI and yeast-based manufacturing technology to reduce the cost of producing monoclonal antibodies and other biologics.
New Partnership Brings Real-Time Prescription Savings Into the Veterinary Workflow
Buzz Health and VetHubRx will show veterinarians and pet owners available discount prices while prescriptions are being written and filled.
Natural Hounds Jumps Into Raw Food With a Locally Made Line
The fresh dog food franchise is adding batch-tested raw meals formulated to meet AAFCO standards and produced inside its own kitchens.
He Survived Burnout, Built 3 Companies & Sold One to IDEXX
Watch our latest podcast with Dr. Ivan Zak on burnout, entrepreneurship, scaling veterinary businesses, and building companies that last.
Watch the Podcast →
UK Veterinary Reform Moves One Step Closer to Reality
The CMA published the draft orders that would enforce its planned veterinary market reforms and opened a month-long consultation.
FDA Offers Faster Reviews to Bring Animal Drug Manufacturing Back to America
The pilot program will prioritize certain applications when both the finished animal drug and its active ingredients are manufactured in the U.S.
ASPCA Awards Its First Scholarships to 41 Future Veterinary Professionals
The inaugural program will provide financial assistance, mentorship and professional development to veterinary and technician students pursuing animal welfare careers.
Banfield Gives Pet Owners More Ways to Customize Preventive Care
Clients can now add services such as advanced dermatology testing and anti-nausea treatments to the hospital group's wellness plans.
Spain Opens Its National Rail Network to Dogs Weighing Up to 40 Kilograms
Renfe expanded large-dog travel across its commercial and public-service trains, although capacity limits, fees and safety requirements still apply.
Animal Abuse May Be a Warning Sign of Violence at Home
Researchers explain why animal maltreatment and family violence often overlap—and why veterinarians may be positioned to recognize the warning signs.
New Marketplace Bets Cat Owners Are Ready to Upgrade Their Furniture
The Meow Picks is bringing designer cat furniture, smart pet technology and lifestyle products from independent brands to U.S. shoppers.
Polkadog — VP of Retail Sales
Loyal — Chief Operating Officer
Fera Pets — Director of Marketing
Petfolk — Veterinarian
Wellness Pet Company — Ecommerce Marketing Content Specialist
Embrace Pet Insurance — Digital Analytics & Measurement Manager
Fi — Senior Manager, Paid Search & YouTube
Rover — Senior Director of Lifecycle Strategy

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