Podcasts about American Pet Products Association

Sales data released from the American Pet Products Association, Americans are putting their pets first and not cutting back much at all. Big pet supply and pet food giants like Chewy and others had huge years in sales growth in 2024, and the new forecast suggests that the industry should expect continued growth with a 3.2% increase in spending w/ sales expected to rise to $157 billion in total sales in 2025, up from 152 billion in 2024. In spite of economic and financial concerns that are curtailing consumer spending 77% of respondents in the survey say the economy has not and will not affect their commitment to owning and caring for their pets.

Gone Hollywood Second-generation Hollywood dog trainer Teresa Ann Miller has trained the dogs and other animals you see in movies and TV. She was brought up on-the-set while her dad worked on such notables as The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. She shares her captivating stories about the animal stars of the stage and screen. Listen Now Teaching Police How To Deal With Dogs Utah's police department is the latest to add a program to its police academy to teach cadets how to deal with pet dogs. The program was championed by Sean Kendall, whose Weimaraner Geist was shot and killed by a police officer after coming into the dog's backyard looking for a lost child. Listen Now Secret Menus For Pooches It turns out that many well-known restaurants have secret menus that cater to your pooch. You do need to make sure that your pet can handle some human-ish food before you order. For example, Starbucks will serve up a Puppuccinno. It's a small cup filled with whipped cream. Dairy Queen's Pup Cup is a little bit of vanilla soft serve, topped with a dog treat. If you're on the West Coast, there's In-N-Out where you can order a Pup Patty. Listen Now New Pet Product Special Week 2 Animal Radio's New Pet Product Special is underway. We're featuring the latest in cutting-edge technology for your pets. We have giveaways for you! Dr. Roger Mugford is back to claim our number-two pick for this year, the Green Interactive Feeder. This gadget will slow your dog down during dinnertime, preventing upset and bloat. Listen Now Pet Sector Exceeds 60 Billion Top Dog at the American Pet Products Association, Bob Vetere is back to explain why the pet industry is exploding and how we spent $60 Billion. It should come as no surprise that pet-food comprises one-third. Listen Now Read more about this week's show.

"I think we don't have enough veterinary professionals. I don't really care what the AVMA is saying that there is not a shortage. I have, three practices right now that we're trying to staff. We have approximately 17, 18 veterinarians. We could use 25... ...people are leaving the industry and there are a lot of reasons for that... we are losing veterinary professionals. And I think one of the reasons we are losing them is they are becoming disenchanted and disenfranchised by private equity and corporate America. If we could give them a shelter to practice under where they're not asked to sell wellness plans. Don't get me started...Wellness plans were not designed by veterinary professionals, not anybody practicing or not anyone significantly connected and wanting to support the human-animal bond. That's not how you do it! The human animal bond is in the crosshairs of these folks. It is a target to make money period, the end... We all need to make money. We are, as veterinarians, severely burdened with student loan debt. We should all make a livable wage. We should be able to pay our loans and buy a house but no one is looking to be a millionaire or get rich when they go into veterinary medicine. Not most of us... I'm an entrepreneur so I'm a little outside of the box, but for the majority of veterinary professionals, we just want to practice our trade and our gift and be a part of supporting a healthy human animal bond and that, in my opinion, if we were allowed to do that, we'd have probably a longer career lifespan than we currently do..." Dr. Cherri Trusheim, DVM What happens to the pet patients, their owners, and the veterinarians in charge of their care when private equity is managing pet care? With 66 percent of households owning at least one pet and with $136.8 billion of household income being spent on these pets (source 2023-2024 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association), the pet boom has not gone unnoticed by private equity firms. Mars is the biggest pet care consolidator, best known for making candy.   Urban Animal founder Dr. Cherri Trusheim, DVM has observed it is negatively impacting all involved. This trend often detracts from employee culture. Corporatization also diminishes the standard of care by upselling and tying veterinary professionals' compensation to the amount of products and services they sell. As a solution, Trusheim is introducing the first large-scale worker cooperative model as a solution to give power back to their team of more than 100 employees. and accessible, option-based care.  Worker cooperatives are gaining popularity as a means to establish equitable and sustainable employment, partly fueled by recent legislation in Washington and a growing interest in the model. The Cooperative Way, a consultancy group specializing in worker cooperative establishment, has collaborated with Urban Animal to inaugurate a cooperative venture. Dr. Cherri Trusheim's contribution of 5% of the company's value has served as the initial seed funding to propel the cooperative's launch. Adam Schwartz, Founder, The Cooperative Way has noted that “workplace democracy and worker cooperatives are becoming an increasingly attractive option that addresses a variety of the nation's most common workplace challenges, including labor shortages, corporate culture, pay equity, and succession planning. The model is often formed to lift people out of generational poverty, as lower-income, people of color, and immigrants have founded the majority of worker co-ops in the US.”   Share this episode - If you are a veterinarian or you know a veterinary professional looking to have a better way of treating their patients while having a quality of life and well-being please have them listen to this episode and reach to Dr. Trusheim and Adam Schwartz. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tazz-thepetropolist/message

Candace just recently returned from a (not-so-sunny but still beautiful) week in San Diego, California for the Pet Industry Leadership Summit!  This is *the* premier event where top-level executives from every segment of the pet industry community convene to network and discuss the future of the pet industry, and Candace loved EVERY minute of it… and of course, came back with some powerful takeaways to share with you! Couldn't make it to the Pet Industry Leadership Summit this year? No worries! In this episode, you'll get a recap including: ✅ The epic teamwork of the American Pet Products Association. Pet Advocacy Network, the Pet Industry Distributors Association, and the World Pet Association to bring together the A-listers in the industry to have important conversations that will propel us forward together. ✅ Mixing a little bit of fun into your business-related trips, and how to step away from your business to assess how it runs without you there.  ✅ The top takeaways from each incredible keynote speaker, and where you can find more information (and inspiration!) from each.  ✅ Learning more about non-profit initiatives from organizations like HABRI, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, and Pets In The Classroom. ✅ Why it's so important to visit conferences related to you and your business, and what you'll get out of prioritizing it. ✅ And so much more!  Ready to feel like you were at the Pet Industry Leadership Summit right alongside Candace? Just hit “play”!  View Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

Cocktails for Pets Taryn Nahm wants you to kick back a few cocktails with your pet. She says you can bond with your pet while you relax with a beverage. Taryn created pet cocktails that look just like the human adult versions, except without alcohol. Listen Now Fear Free Tips You Can Use Do you have trouble getting your pet to the vet? You're not alone. Certified Trainer Mikkel Becker has some great ideas for making a vet visits easy and enjoyable. Check out our Fear Free Expert Series. Listen Now Antibiotic Resistant Virus Outbreak There has been a Campylobacter outbreak associated with puppies sold at Petland stores and it's the humans that have handled these puppies that are getting sick. So far, more than 55 people in 12 states have now been diagnosed in this outbreak, which is so serious that at least a fourth of the patients have been hospitalized. Listen Now Millenials Choosing Pets Instead Millennials, or Generation Y, are those born between 1982 and 2004 and they are quickly changing the world of pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, Millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners. They found Millennials invest more time in their pets, evaluating their needs more thoroughly and spending more money. Listen Now If Your Pet Is Unwell - You Might Be Unwell Too New research shows that if your pet is unwell, it can make you unwell, leading to depression, anxiety and a poorer quality of life. It's the same problem that was previously found in the human world. Listen Now Read more about this week's show.

When it comes to renting a home, landlords may see many more applicants with pets than they do parents with children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of households with pets is almost double the number of households with children. That's a trend that impacts the rental market as well as the home buying market, as pet owners look for housing and neighborhoods that will accommodate the needs of their children, and their pets.   Hi, I'm Kathy Fettke and this is Real Estate News for Investors. Please remember to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.   Census data shows that the number of families with kids under the age of 18 has been declining over the past 20 years. Last year, in 2022, just 40% of households had children. That's down from 48% in 2002. A RisMedia article suggests two reasons for the decline: One, because birth rates have been shrinking over the last few decades, except for an increase in just the last year; And two, because baby boomers still comprise a large share of U.S. households, but at this point, with no kids.   Pet Households Rise and Kid Households Decline   As households with children have dwindled, those with pets have been rising. The American Pet Products Association says that, back in 1988, 56% of households had a pet which was most likely a dog or a cat. Today, about 70% of U.S. households have pets. Although the number has been steadily rising over the years, many people adopted pets during the pandemic and continue to lavish time and money on their pet companions.    The BLS American Time Survey shows that the share of Americans who spend daily time with their pets grew from about 13% in 2003 to almost 20% in 2021, with women spending more time on pets than the men. Americans are also spending more money on their pets. The American Pet Products Association says the expenditure has grown from about $53 billion in 2012 to $123 billion in 2021.   The Importance of Pets in Real Estate Decisions   With that kind of time and money being lavished on our pet companions, it's not that surprising to think that pet owners will place great importance on the well-being of their pets in their home buying process or their rental decisions. According to the National Association of Realtors, almost one-third of unmarried homebuyers will consider their pet when they decide on a neighborhood. About 14% of married couples will factor that in.   When it comes to gender, 25% of single women want a pet-friendly neighborhood compared to 16% of men. Pet friendly neighborhoods are ones with a high walkability score, access to parks and recreation areas, and homes with bigger yards.   Renting to Tenants with Pets   As a landlord, it has become more important to accommodate pets, but you should also have clear, comprehensive rules written into the lease agreement. The California Apartment Association offers a Pet Addendum that can help landlords and property managers protect their property and the safety and cleanliness of their rental community in general.   Among the key components of the addendum is a requirement that renters get a landlord's written consent before they bring a pet onto the premises. The addendum also requires detailed information about the pet including type, breed, name, sex, age, size, and a description or photograph. This can help with record-keeping. If there are local pet ordinances, the tenant should agree to comply with those. There should also be guidelines for the disposal of any pet waste on the rental property and the maintenance of litter boxes.   We'll have a link to the addendum, and the data on households with children and pets in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. I also ask that listeners become RealWealth members to find out more about the creation of rental property income. It's free to join at our website. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast!   Thanks for listening! Kathy Fettke   Links:   1 - https://www.rismedia.com/2023/05/08/stunning-stat-more-pets-than-kids-home/ 2 - https://caanet.org/allowing-a-pet-be-sure-to-use-caas-pet-addendum/

Dirty Diapers Reveal How Germy Babies' Microbiomes Are In a new study, researchers picked through the dirty diapers of more than 600 infants. Those stinky diapers were a gold mine of info—they contained more than 10,000 virus species. And though it may sound terrifying, those viruses play a key role in babies' microbiomes. Guest host and SciFri producer Kathleen Davis talks with Katherine J. Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic about this story and other science news of the week. They chat about climate change's influence on the twilight zone, what critters can be found on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a surprising twist in the story of Mars' moon Deimos, the impressive sleeping habits of elephant seals, and why insects seem to flock to the light when it's dark out.   From Backyards To Barn Yards, The Surprising Science Of Chickens Raising backyard chickens continues to grow in popularity. The number of households in the United States with a backyard flock jumped from 8% in 2018 to 13% in 2020, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association. But our fondness for chickens is hardly new. The relationship between humans and chickens goes back thousands of years, to when humans began domesticating the red junglefowl native to Southeast Asia. Guest host Sophie Bushwick has a compre(hen)sive conversation with Tove Danovich, freelance journalist and author of the new book Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them, about how she was charmed by her own backyard chickens, the history of their domestication, and the surprising science of chicken intelligence.   Why Climate Activists Are Turning To Drastic Measures For Earth Day this year, people all over the world took to the streets to demand climate action. But as large and loud as these protests can be, they are often met with inaction. So activists are ramping up their efforts. Just within the last year, we've seen people chain themselves to banks, throw mashed potatoes at a Monet painting, shut down highways, and even glue themselves to museum walls, all in the name of climate justice. Those actions went viral and really seemed to strike a nerve. How did we end up here? Guest host Kathleen Davis talks with Dr. Dana Fisher, professor of sociology at the University of Maryland College Park, about the state of climate activism and the tactics at play.   Recasting The Climate Movement In ‘How To Blow Up A Pipeline' Climate activism is getting the big screen treatment this spring, with the new film “How to Blow Up a Pipeline.” This action-packed heist film follows a group of young climate activists, disillusioned by the slow pace of climate action, who decide to take drastic action in the name of the climate. What follows is a tense ‘will they-won't they' story set in Texas oil country. The name of this movie comes from a 2021 nonfiction book by Andreas Malm. That book is a manifesto that argues that property damage and sabotage is the only way forward for climate activism. The movie features characters who struggle with this question, and whether there's a different way to accomplish their climate goals. Guest host Kathleen Davis speaks with Ariela Barer, who co-wrote, produced, and acted in the film. They chat about bringing this complicated topic to the big screen, and creating characters reflective of the real-life climate movement.   Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.  

Pete Scott, the president and CEO of American Pet Products Association. He discusses a number of important issues, including: 1) How can we best balance safeguarding confidences and disclosure of information? 2) How fast should we move on AI?

Did you know that according to the American Pet Products Association, millennials and Gen Zs combined makeup 46% of the pet parent population? That's almost HALF, and that number is just going to keep growing…  So the big question is– how are you marketing to reach every generation of pet parents?! This podcast episode is going to shine a spotlight on your marketing efforts. Do you bring your A-game? Are you consistent? Are you marketing across various platforms?  If not, you're missing out on generational audiences, and there's a chance that in a few years– you'll lose your relevance!  But we're not going to let that happen. In this episode, you'll learn: 

Seventy percent of Americans own a pet, according to the most recent survey from the American Pet Products Association. Not surprisingly, close to one in five households acquired a dog or a cat since the beginning of the pandemic.We think of our pets as family members, but they may be the only members of the family without health insurance. Jason Tellus joins our host Juli Wians for this episode on a topic near and dear to pet owners' hearts: Insuring Your Pet.

Our guest today, Dr. Danielle Bernal, is a veterinarian at Wellness Natural Pet Food. She recommends switching to plant-based foods and is here to discuss the health benefits and animal health issues to track when adopting more plant-based foods for your dog. The American Pet Products Association reports that about 90 million dogs lived in U.S. homes in 2019, and ownership jumped during the pandemic. According to UCLA research, pets consume about a quarter of the meat produced annually in the United States. And meat accounts for the largest share of our food supply's environmental impact. For every pound of beef in dog food replaced by plant-based alternatives, we can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 26.5 lbs.Danielle explains how to transition dogs to a new diet, plant-based foods and supplements, and the produce your dog should avoid. Wellness Natural Pet Food recently introduced its first no-meat product, Wellness CORE Digestive Health Plant-Based, a probiotic-coated kibble made with egg protein. The company offers a free packaging recyclng program for its products, which is available through Terracycle. You can learn more about Wellness Natural Pet Food at https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/

We're so excited to announce our GRATITUDE GIVEAWAY!! Longtime listener, Kenny Fitzgerald, and his company TEKsystems are giving YOU a chance to win a FREE YEAR-LONG SUBSCRIPTION to CALM!  Thank you, Kenny, for sponsoring this give-away!  All you have to do to win is leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by the end of the month. Or, if you've already kindly left us a review in the past, get a friend to leave a review and DM us a screenshot of it. You have until March 31st, to be entered to win! We'll announce the winner on our April 7th episode. Happy reviewing! So take a minute to follow, rate & review SFOW on Apple podcasts or wherever you're listening today, so you never miss a week of wellness goodness! We love getting feedback & suggestions, so please write a review, send a quick email, or DM us on Instagram. On to today's episode... We, here at SFOW are dog lovers! And can safely assume that if you're listening to today's episode, you likely fall into that same camp and are lucky enough to call yourself a pet “Paw-rent”. For most of us, our pets are more than just our companions, they are family. And who wouldn't want their family members to be as healthy & happy as possible? Thanks for joining us for another week of wellness goodness. As you may have guessed, this week is particularly special as we are taking the focus off our own personal wellness journeys, to focus on nurturing and giving back to those we love so dearly… our dogs. Studies show that when we focus on helping and giving back others, it can have positive effects on our own wellness! To ensure that your pet remains healthy throughout the year, consider these 7 tips from the American Pet Products Association and the American Kennel Club.   Learn more on our website. https://www.soulfullofwellness.com Email questions & suggestions to SFOWpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @soul_full_of_wellness Follow us on Twitter @SFOWpod Follow Kaelynn on Instagram @coaching_with_kae Follow Kit on Instagram @breathe.relax.trust Thank you to Nick Serena, from Astro Inn, for our theme music!

American Pet Products estimates that in the United States alone last year, homeowners spent more than $72 billion within the pet industry. This includes money spent on pet food, pet supplies, over-the-counter medications for pets, veterinarian care, the purchase of live animals for use as pets and a category dubbed “other” by the American Pet Products Association that takes in just about anything else you might need to spend in order to own and adequately support a pet. While this seems like an unfathomable amount, it's become more evident in the past decade that people are treating their pets like—well, more like people. The statistics don't lie.Types of Pets Americans OwnSeveral kinds of pets lead the pack when it comes to the pet industry. These are the most popular types when it comes to spending money in the categories above. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 85 million households within the U.S. own at least one pet. Of those, more than 60 million own a dog, 47.1 million have a cat, 12.5 million have freshwater fish, 7.9 million have a bird, 6.7 million have a small animal (categorized as a gerbil, hamster, etc.) 4.7 million own a reptile, 2.6 million have one or more horses and 2.5 million have saltwater fish. When you add in the costs of pet food, supplies, medications, veterinarian care and more to the cost of purchasing each of these pets, the price can certainly add up. Try multiplying that by approximately 85 million households.Culture Helps Pet Industry SoarWhile some might expect social media and online shopping to make it easier to own a pet, Forbes reports a different component is at play. While you can buy your pet food, pet meds, dog beds, cat toys and gerbil cages online and have them delivered directly to your doorstep, it seems cultural changes are determining what pet owners want now—as opposed to a couple of decades ago—for their pets. Those changes are broken down into the following eight categories:Pet food: Traditional pet foods are a thing of the past. Gone are the days when pet owners run to the grocery store for a bag of dog food or a few cans of the same cat food they've seen advertised since childhood. These days consumers want to know what's in their pet's food and they want to feed them healthier options. Healthier meals means consumers are also paying more for now.Pet treats: In the same manner as the pet food, consumers also want healthier treats for their pets.Private brands: Some online retailers are now marketing their private brands of pet food and treats. Add that to their delivery straight to the pet owner's door and that spells a win-win not only for their pets, but for consumers and the pet industry.Technology: Who would have thought just 20 years ago that you could tap an app or text a business via your smartphone and someone would show up to walk your dog, feed your cat, clean the litter box, swab out your lizard's aquarium or scoop the dog poop from your yard? You can do all the above—and more—and pet owners love it.New and extra services: While poop scooping is something many people don't even know exists, there are a number of other pet services. These days, someone can pick up your pet and bring him or her to a veterinarian appointment, the groomer or a playgroup. Yes, there are pet playgroups, too, as well as pet hotels and places akin to car washes where you bring your dogs and wash them yourself.End-of-life services: There's been a massive increase in the number of services marketed to pet owners at the end of their pet's lives. Much the same as with terminally ill humans, there are palliative care services available now for terminally ill pets. There are pet cemeteries, cremation services, colored boxes and urns for containing pet remains and believe it or not, there's even grief counseling available in some areas of the U.S. All of these services are costly and they're becoming increasingly popular.Easy accessibility: Premium (read: even more expensive, although healthier) pet food is now available at far more places than in prior decades. Consumers used to have to visit specialty pet shops to purchase it. Now they need to only visit mass merchants, grocery stores or in some places, dollar stores.Direct-to-consumer trend: The direct-to-consumer direction leaves out the middle man, meaning more money for the seller and a bit of saving for consumers. The pet food market is soaring via this sales method. Without a multi-brand retailer raking in their percentage, this is a win-win for both parties and it lends itself perfectly to the ever-increasing size of the pet industry.What's New for the Pet Industry?While some folks expect this considerable increase in the overall pet industry to inevitably wane, there aren't any statistics that support that theory. In fact it's just the opposite. A new summit called Pets & Money had its inaugural US event in Austin, Texas back in December of 2018. At this summit, several services were set to hit the pet industry markets in the coming months and are expected to do quite well. In 2019, Pets & Money will be held in London, UK – connecting people in the industry from all over the world. One such business is DOGTV (yes, this is what it sounds like—TV programming for dogs who are left alone when their “parents” work). Another company is Pet Plate, a service that sells human-grade food for pets, and Toletta, a kitty litter box that checks your cat's health by monitoring weight, the volume of urine put out and the number of times the cat uses the litter box. These companies are a small handful of the services unveiled at the summit.Future Projections for the Pet IndustryA few trends in the pet industry are projected to become big sellers, which could help boost the pet industry further. Those trends include all natural pet products like foods, kitty litter, grooming products and toys made from natural fibers. Additional pet services are expected to trend, including pet photography, pet spa services and pet behavioral counseling. Also, as pet parents are becoming more likely to travel with their pets, pet-friendly travel apps are expected to grow incredibly popular as they'll provide options for pet-friendly transportation, lodging and even eateries that allow pets.It's abundantly plain to see that consumers are sending the figures in the pet industry soaring through the roof. There's no doubt consumers love their pets and that they're perfectly willing to shell out hard-earned cash to provide them with the best lives possible. As a pet owner, you know that happy, healthy pets make for content owners. Pet owners feel charitable about their love and care for their dogs and that makes for a rewarded pet owner. It looks like this trend, is here to stay.If you are looking to be a part of a growing industry, become a POOP 911 franchisee. Contact us today to learn more about how you can be a part of something big.

I love critters - all creatures great and small. Always have. Always will. My family of choice includes cats and dogs. I'm not alone in my love of critters. According to American Pet Products Association, over 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. Our love and connection with other creatures is more than a mere physical connection. The human-animal bond is known to be therapeutic in a myriad of ways. So, let's take a few minutes to chat about the many life-enriching blessings we enjoy - compliments of our animal companions. 

Special education teacher Angie Gallus made dog treats in class with her students as a way to teach job skills. They would bake, package, and sell to friends and family. When Angie reunited with a couple of former students who hadn’t been able to find jobs after graduation, she and her husband Kyle, also a special ed teacher, decided to fire up the oven again. The combination of producing treats dogs love and creating jobs for individuals with disabilities made the Galluses realize: “There’s something bigger here.” On the spot, a company was born. They named it Finely’s after their own pocket shepherd. Brand motto: “Treat with kindness.” That was 2016. For the first two years, they worked nights and weekends side by side with their former students, and sold the treats at farmer’s markets, breweries, and online. Then came their viral accelerator. Ashton Kutcher heard about Finley’s commitment to being an inclusive employer. His A Plus news site published a story, which the actor/entrepreneur shared on his own social media and the orders poured in. It prompted the Galluses to professionalize their packaging and step up manufacturing, paving the way for partnerships with regional grocers and pet specialty stores. Toward the end of 2019, after three years of bootstrapping the brand, they raised a $650,000 seed round through friends and angels—many of whom the Galluses say have children with disabilities and deeply appreciated the brand’s mission. They were poised to begin 2020 with a launch in the Pacific Northwest. But before the product could reach shelves, stores shut down due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Seattle. Flush with product, Finley’s pivoted to online, launching on Chewy.com and then Target.com. They also sell through Amazon. The pandemic turned out to be a great time to scale a dog treat brand. U.S. pet industry sales exceeded $100 billion for the first time ever in 2020 with pet food and treat sales leading the pack at $42 billion, according to the American Pet Products Association. That wasn’t Finely’s only lucky break. With the capital they raised months before the pandemic, Finley’s had launched a line of trainer bites, just 3 calories each. “We had no idea all of these dogs were going to get adopted, and then spend time with you on Zoom,” Kyle says. “The No. 1 thing people wanted was the dog off their laps and something to keep them happy.” Finley’s trainer bites outperformed the original biscuits last year in what Kyle describes as an “inferno of opportunity.” Having proven itself online, Finley’s is prepping for major store growth in 2021 including select Target and Safeway/Albertsons. The grocer is supporting Finley's mission of inclusivity by waiving slotting fees that most brands pay to get on shelves. In addition to hiring people with special needs, Finley’s added profit sharing to support the organizations that support its employees. “You can employ people with disabilities, but there are so many other barriers: transportation, job coaching. We want to give back to that as well.” Angie’s advice to other employers that strive to be more inclusive: “Make sure you’re actually asking employees what they need.” Often, what they need is the opportunity. “Sometimes you can’t see potential until you give someone a chance.” The Finley’s story made Associate Professor John McVea think about the value of work. In Back to the Classroom with University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, McVea points out that there’s much to learn about work from a group that is often excluded from doing it. “There’s this old idea that we work to earn and leisure is an escape from the drudgery.” A more modern take, says McVea, is careers of conviction: “We work for purpose and leisure is time to reflect. For people who are excluded, they don’t have the opportunity to continuously learn. Work is not just busy stuff, not just about making money. The actual act, the process of work transforms us.”

Do you love Clinician's Brief: The Podcast? Well, you're in luck! Clinician's Brief Partner Podcast is here! Join host Katie Berlin, DVM, as she dives into conversations with industry leaders on clinical and business topics. Enjoy this sneak peek series with Dr. Berlin, brought to you by CareCredit and Pets Best.In the final episode of this 5-part series on proactive lifelong care, host Katie Berlin, DVM, and digital marketing expert, Eric Garcia, dive into client communication. Eric offers effective ways to get ahead of client concerns and the roadblocks (like curbside care!) that can so easily derail attempts at active listening and education. Plus, get insights on how to minimize the influence of Dr. Google and how your practice’s social media can build satisfaction and retention all year.Resource:https://www.carecredit.com/providercenter/veterinaryReferences:Diggo, Trone Research + Consulting. Pet owners views during social distancing. Diggo website. https://www.diggovet.com/blog/pet-owner-views-during-social-distancing. Accessed March 8, 2021.Today’s Veterinary Business. Pets remain in high demand during COVID. Today’s Veterinary Business website. https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/pets-appa-survey-covid. Published October 2020. Accessed March 5, 2021.LifeLearn Animal Health. ClientEd: improved client compliance. LifeLearn website. https://www.lifelearn.com/products/client-education-resource. Accessed March 5, 2021.Robinson NJ, Dean RS, Cobb M, Brennan ML. Consultation length in first opinion small animal practice. Vet Rec. 2014;175(19):486.Personal communication. Rick DeBowes, Washington State University.American Pet Products Association. The APPA COVID-19 Pulse Study: Pet Ownership During The Pandemic, volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4. APPA website. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/pubs_covidpulsestudy.asp. Accessed March 8, 2021.DVM360. Today’s veterinary clients just aren’t the same and they want it all. DVM360 website. https://www.dvm360.com/view/today-s-veterinary-clients-just-aren-t-same-and-they-want-it-all. Published February 4, 2016. Accessed March 5, 2021.Belshaw Z, Robinson NJ, Dean RS, Brennan ML. “I always feel like I have to rush…” Pet owner and small animal veterinary surgeons’ reflections on time during preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom. Vet Sci. 2018;5(1):20.Santi S. Vet2Pet and Colorado State University release Pet Owner’s Perceptions and Use of Veterinary Mobile Applications study. Vet2Pet website. https://vet2pet.com/2017/02/vet2pet-and-colorado-state-university-release-pet-owners-perceptions-and-use-of-veterinary-mobile-applications-study. Accessed March 5, 2021.Riegel DG. Want to increase your presence? Start by telling one of these stories. INC website. https://www.inc.com/deborah-grayson-riegel/want-to-be-an-unforgettable-leader-practice-this-1-skill.html. Published December 18, 2017. Accessed March 5, 2021.Contact us:Podcast@briefmedia.comWhere to find us:Cliniciansbrief.com/podcastsFacebook.com/clinciansbriefTwitter: @cliniciansbriefInstagram: @clinicians.briefThe Team:Katie Berlin, DVM - HostAlexis Ussery - Producer & Digital Content CoordinatorRandall Stupka - Podcast Production & Sound Editing

In the final episode of this 5-part series on proactive lifelong care, host Katie Berlin, DVM, and digital marketing expert, Eric Garcia, dive into client communication. Eric offers effective ways to get ahead of client concerns and the roadblocks (like curbside care!) that can so easily derail attempts at active listening and education. Plus, get insights on how to minimize the influence of Dr. Google and how your practice's social media can build satisfaction and retention all year.Resource:https://www.carecredit.com/providercenter/veterinaryReferences:Diggo, Trone Research + Consulting. Pet owners views during social distancing. Diggo website. https://www.diggovet.com/blog/pet-owner-views-during-social-distancing. Accessed March 8, 2021.Today's Veterinary Business. Pets remain in high demand during COVID. Today's Veterinary Business website. https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/pets-appa-survey-covid. Published October 2020. Accessed March 5, 2021.LifeLearn Animal Health. ClientEd: improved client compliance. LifeLearn website. https://www.lifelearn.com/products/client-education-resource. Accessed March 5, 2021.Robinson NJ, Dean RS, Cobb M, Brennan ML. Consultation length in first opinion small animal practice. Vet Rec. 2014;175(19):486.Personal communication. Rick DeBowes, Washington State University.American Pet Products Association. The APPA COVID-19 Pulse Study: Pet Ownership During The Pandemic, volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4. APPA website. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/pubs_covidpulsestudy.asp. Accessed March 8, 2021.DVM360. Today's veterinary clients just aren't the same and they want it all. DVM360 website. https://www.dvm360.com/view/today-s-veterinary-clients-just-aren-t-same-and-they-want-it-all. Published February 4, 2016. Accessed March 5, 2021.Belshaw Z, Robinson NJ, Dean RS, Brennan ML. “I always feel like I have to rush…” Pet owner and small animal veterinary surgeons' reflections on time during preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom. Vet Sci. 2018;5(1):20.Santi S. Vet2Pet and Colorado State University release Pet Owner's Perceptions and Use of Veterinary Mobile Applications study. Vet2Pet website. https://vet2pet.com/2017/02/vet2pet-and-colorado-state-university-release-pet-owners-perceptions-and-use-of-veterinary-mobile-applications-study. Accessed March 5, 2021.Riegel DG. Want to increase your presence? Start by telling one of these stories. INC website. https://www.inc.com/deborah-grayson-riegel/want-to-be-an-unforgettable-leader-practice-this-1-skill.html. Published December 18, 2017. Accessed March 5, 2021.Contact us:Podcast@briefmedia.comWhere to find us:Cliniciansbrief.com/podcastsFacebook.com/clinciansbriefTwitter: @cliniciansbriefInstagram: @clinicians.briefThe Team:Katie Berlin, DVM - HostAlexis Ussery - Producer & Digital Content CoordinatorRandall Stupka - Podcast Production & Sound Editing

National Pet Owners Survey conducted by American Pet Products Association indicated that 84.9 Million households have pets. That says to us that Pet's Matter. We want to discuss cannabis in the pet industry. It has been difficult for most people obtain information from a vet regarding hemp and cbd when it comes to their pet care. The laws are inconsistent and in some cases foolish. In fact, in some states, a veternarian can lose their license for talking about hemp, while in other states, the veternarian cannot initaiate the converation. Today we will explore the world of cannabis from personal stories, the development of a pet brand: Kanna Valley and more. Learn how the cannabis plant can benefit everything around you. Featured: Klemencia Gregory, founder of Kanna Valley www.kannavalley.com What does “Arisha” mean? Arisha is a new brand created by pairing parts of the name Ariel and Sadie-Sha together. Arisha is a term traditionally associated with cooperative partnering, royalty, and greatness in folklore. In modern terms, Arisha represents cooperative interaction among strong, competent, socially aware women who inspire greatness. And in the larger world Arisha provides positivity, love, and leadership among all socially aware lives. Hemp it Yourself with our Hemp Sisters (Gina and Lois) A weekly CBD DIY tip for you to try at home. Arisha CBD: www.arisha.life Arisha Delta 8 Pre-Rolls are available in our shop at: www.deltakingpens.com/collections/all Super shouts to The King Zilla for the fire show Introduction and also, enjoy our newest song by Manic Sound Expulsion, titled Chance, released on 1/5/21. Hear it included in Episode 2. www.manicsoundexpulsion.com www.arishaland.com Season 1: Episode 3 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/arishaland/message

This week on The Pet Buzz, Petrendologist Charlotte Reed and Michael Fleck, DVM, talk with Annie Daniel, the Founder of the National Association for Black Veterinarians and Louisiana State University and A & M College Associate Professor of Veterinary Medical Education, about the steps being taken to diversify the veterinary industry; with Steve King, President of the American Pet Products Association, about pet ownership statistics as well as diversity in the pet products industry; with Dr. Carlee Beth Hawkins of Southern Illinois University about her study focusing on if dogs can be racist; and with dog trainer and dog expert, Blake Rashid, of the Top Dog K9 Foundation about the diversity of the dog training profession.

That's a good question...and there aren't a lot of really good answers but we could draw the conclusion from the research that the only answer is, YES! In this episode, we’re talking about pet food….specifically dog food. If you’re like me, you like animals, and whether you're a dog person, cat person, bird person, fish person and horse person...we love our pets. We love them so much so, that according to a survey done by the American Pet Products Association, we spent $29 billion on pet food in 2017 alone. Despite how much we are spending on them, both cats and dogs are dying from diseases that are associated with being human. Kidney failure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In fact, dogs are dying from cancer at an alarming rate. The question is....WHY? Is there something in the food? Are dog and cat food brands being held accountable? Are the treats we're rewarding them with laced with cancer causing chemicals? Full Warning : The information might make you feel queasy... Listen to the full episode and let's dig into the research, the costs and the impacts these pet foods are having on our beloved pets.

This week on The Pet Buzz, Petrendologist Charlotte Reed and Michael Fleck, DVM, talk with Steve King, President of the American Pet Products Association in Part 2 of the series on consumer trends and buying patterns among pet owners during the pandemic and with BasePaws Founder and CEO, Anna Skaya, about the first DNA Kit for cats and their curious owners. Reed talks about how your kids going back to school can affect your pet.

Andy Darmohraj, Executive Vice President & COO of the American Pet Products Association talks with Regina McGee about his career and business as well as how he and his team pulled off the 2020 show in February in the shadow of the coming Coronavirus pandemic.

From the Simplr studios in San Francisco, this is your daily briefing.  IntroductionWith your Retail E-Commerce Briefing for today, Thursday, December 12th, I'm Vincent Phamvan.Walmart has partnered with robotics company, Nuro, to test driverless grocery delivery in Houston. Autonomous grocery delivery is still in its early stages, but as big players like Walmart pilot the new technology, it could see a wider rollout in the coming years.First, here are some retail headlines.  Chewy Q3 Sales Up 40%Online pet retailer, Chewy, reported that third quarter sales grew 40 percent to $1.23 billion dollars from $875.6 million dollars last year. The numbers beat analysts’ estimates, causing shares to rise over 3 percent in after-market trading. Chewy, which was acquired by PetSmart in 2017, grew its active customer base 33 percent in the most recent quarter to over 12 million. Pet owners are projected to spend over $75 billion dollars on their animals this year alone according to the American Pet Products Association. Chewy’s CEO said, “We believe that there is significant market opportunity ahead of us.”Stitch Fix Reports GrowthStitch Fix also reported good numbers for the latest quarters. The company reported net revenue of $445 million dollars, reflecting 21 percent year-over-year growth according to a press release. The styling service also reported that its active client base hit 3.4 million, increasing 17 percent year-over-year. The increase comes after the company rolled out new tech features, including direct-buy options like “Shop Your Looks”, which is “hyper-curated and algorithmically personalized to every client,” and “Shop New Colors”, which lets customers buy previously purchased items in new colors, prints, and sizes.Amazon Reconsidering NYCLess than a year after its plans for a second headquarters in New York fell through, retail giant Amazon is reconsidering. According to CNBC, Amazon plans to lease 335,000 thousand square feet of office space in Manhattan. A state representative said the decision was a victory since the expansion didn’t yield the $3 billion dollar performance-based incentives leaders promised Amazon in exchange for 25,000 thousand jobs. The new space will bring a fraction of the jobs Amazon had promised for its second headquarters, housing more than 1,500 employees according to the Wall Street Journal. An Amazon spokesperson said the new office space will open in 2021.  Walmart Partners With Nuro To Test Autonomous Grocery DeliveryAccording to a press release, Walmart has partnered with robotics company Nuro to debut autonomous grocery delivery in Houston. Over the next few months, Nuro delivery will be made available to Walmart customers who have opted into the service in the Houston area. The program will expand to the general public later in 2020. In a statement from the retailer, they believe that the pilot will give them valuable insight and enable them to develop and refine their service.  Autonomous grocery delivery is still in its early stages, but as big players like Walmart and Kroger test the new technology, it should see a wider rollout in the coming years. Nuro recently got $940 million dollars in financing and plans to expand to new cities, form new partnerships, and scale its fleet. Kroger launched a driverless test with Nuro earlier this year and Domino’s followed suit.  Though big players seem on board with the driverless technology, consumers are still unsure, expressing concerns over safety. States and cities are also still working through regulations as the tech becomes more common.    ClosingThanks for listening to this latest episode of the Retail E-Commerce Briefing. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. See you tomorrow.

Today we are talking about an industry that is booming: the pet industry. According to the American Pet Products Association, consumers in the U.S. spend $70 billion on our pets. There are many pet professionals that are tapping into this boom by providing services such as training, grooming, boarding, and walking. In this episode we focus on dog trainers as independent service professionals:- How do people become dog trainers? What is the typical career path for dog trainers?- What’s the scope of services that dog trainers provide?- How much do dog trainers typically charge?- Do you need to be licensed or certified?- How does the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) help dog trainers?- Is there a consensus in the industry about the right and wrong way to train a dog?- Are there any major changes happening in the industry that anyone considering a career in dog training should be aware of?Our guest is Nick Hof who has been a dog trainer for over ten years and holds several nationally recognized certifications from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the Karen Pryor Academy, and more. He is also the Chair for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the largest trade organization for dog training. He owns Paws Look Listen, LLC in Cincinnati, OH which offers private dog training services to busy families.

Finding Stolen and Lost Pets Kelly Matthews has granted her first interview to Animal Radio to talk about breaking-up dog theft rings. Her business, CritterCops.net locates stolen and lost pets. Up until now, she's feared going public because of retribution from thieves she's exposed. She'll tell us what it's like tracking down stolen dogs. Listen Now Vitamin D Toxicity Hill's brand pet foods expands their recall after the FDA encouraged further testing of additional lots of food. The irony is that high levels of Vitamin D produce symptoms similar to those the prescription foods are indicated for. In other words, Hill's K/D Kidney Diet is supposed to help dogs experiencing kidney failure - which is also what happens with too much Vitamin D. Dr. Debbie expresses grief that Hill's did not alert veterinarians of the first recall. This is an incredible FAIL for Hill's. Listen Now Marketing Pet Food To Vegan Pet Owners As the pet food segment continues to grow at break-neck pace, it's no wonder that manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to market your pets food to you with little relevance to the pet's health. Now, on the heels of the Vegan trend, pet food makers are offering Vegan alternatives for both cats and dogs. Cats are obligate carnivores and must eat meat to absorb necessary amino acids. Listen Now Lifelike Robotic Puppy The Tombot Puppy is the latest therapy robot pet to offer the kind of unconditional love that dogs are known for. The golden Labrador retriever robot pup barks, wags, and responds to touch, providing emotional support to seniors, people with dementia and anyone who can't have a live pet. Tombot's creators wanted the robot to look and behave as close to a real dog as possible, so they enlisted the help of Muppet's creator Jim Henson's Creature Shop for the design. Listen Now Pet Spending is UP Again When it comes to providing food, health care and other necessities for our pets, we apparently are not skimping. A new analysis shows we spent $3 billion more on our pets last year than we did the year before. The American Pet Products Association annual report shows pet lovers in the United States spent $72.5 billion on their pets in 2018, which is a 4% increase. Listen Now Read more about this week's show.

Cocktails for Pets Taryn Nahm wants you to kick back a few cocktails with your pet. She says you can bond with your pet while you relax with a beverage. Taryn created pet cocktails that look just like the human adult versions, except without alcohol. Fear Free Tips You Can Use Do you have trouble getting your pet to the vet? You're not alone. Certified Trainer Mikkel Becker has some great ideas for making a vet visits easy and enjoyable. Check out our Fear Free Expert Series. Antibiotic Resistant Virus Outbreak There has been a Campylobacter outbreak associated with puppies sold at Petland stores and it's the humans that have handled these puppies that are getting sick. So far, more than 55 people in 12 states have now been diagnosed in this outbreak, which is so serious that at least a fourth of the patients have been hospitalized. If Your Pet Is Unwell - You Might Be Unwell Too New research shows that if your pet is unwell, it can make you unwell, leading to depression, anxiety and a poorer quality of life. It's the same problem that was previously found in the human world. Millenials Choosing Pets Instead Millennials, or Generation Y, are those born between 1982 and 2004 and they are quickly changing the world of pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, Millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners. They found Millennials invest more time in their pets, evaluating their needs more thoroughly and spending more money. Read more about this week's show.

Are you allergic to pets? I know how you feel. I was the cleaning lady allergic to dogs and would get a headache. But you still have to clean even if you're allergic to pets. We Ask a House Cleaner about maids and pet allergies, airborne allergens and what to do if your nose itches. Or is it watery eyes and a hypersensitivity to pet dander? House cleaning is no fun when you're allergic to pets. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru shares tips on apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. End that sneeze, wheeze, cough and flu-like symptoms. Your air filters, (lungs) and immune system will thank you. Today's sponsors are Savvy Cleaner Training (for house cleaners and maids.) My Cleaning Connection (a hub for really cool cleaning stuff.) And HouseCleaning360.com (a hub where you can list your house cleaning business and customers can find you.   *** COMPLETE SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE *** https://askahousecleaner.com/allergic-to-pets/   *** MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS *** Stretch Bands for Tendinitis, Bursitis and Joint Pain - https://youtu.be/ySJv92p1-_4 Health or Wealth - https://youtu.be/fAsd3veuEl0 Allergic to Pets - House Cleaners Secrets to Survival - https://youtu.be/y2EE9GirRJ0 Exercise - Easy Strength Building Tips for House Cleaners and Maids - https://youtu.be/2X1kt3RbVuY Mom Syndrome - https://youtu.be/HAwvNDiriOY Parasites – House Cleaners at Risk - https://youtu.be/guG9ZK0OWvc #1 Survival Tool for House Cleaners - https://youtu.be/c-2WKkkyquw House Cleaning as a Sport - http://askahousecleaner.com/house-cleaning-as-a-sport/ How Biorhythms Affect House Cleaners - http://askahousecleaner.com/biorhythms/ *** RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE *** How to Start Your Own Cleaning Business - http://startyourownhousecleaningcompany.com American Pet Products Association – http://www.americanpetproducts.org/ Solid Citrus Air Fresheners - http://amzn.to/1ZQUi13 Apple Cider Vinegar – http://amzn.to/1Ss8aJJ Real Lemon Juice – http://amzn.to/1RRsolz *** OTHER WAYS TO ENJOY THIS SHOW *** ITUNES - http://apple.co/2xhxnoj STITCHER - http://bit.ly/2fcm5JM SOUNDCLOUD - http://bit.ly/2xpRgLH GOOGLE PLAY - http://bit.ly/2fdkQd7 YOUTUBE - https://goo.gl/UCs92v *** GOT A QUESTION FOR A SHOW? *** Email it to Angela[at]AskaHouseCleaner.com Voice Mail: Click on the blue button at https://askahousecleaner.com *** HOUSE CLEANING TIPS VAULT *** (DELIVERED VIA EMAIL) - https://savvycleaner.com/tips *** FREE EBOOK – HOW TO START YOUR OWN HOUSE CLEANING COMPANY *** http://amzn.to/2xUAF3Z *** PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANERS PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalHouseCleaners/ *** FOLLOW ANGELA BROWN ON SOCIAL MEDIA *** https://Facebook.com/SavvyCleaner https://Twitter.com/SavvyCleaner https://Instagram.com/SavvyCleaner https://Pinterest.com/SavvyCleaner https://Linkedin.com/in/SavvyCleaner *** WHAT IS ASK A HOUSE CLEANER? *** Ask a House Cleaner is a daily show where you get to ask your house cleaning questions and we provide answers. Learn how to clean. How to start a cleaning business. Marketing and Advertising tips for your cleaning service. How to find top quality house cleaners, housekeepers, and maids. Employee motivation tactics. Strategies to boost your cleaning clientele. Cleaning company expansion help. Time-saving Hacks for DIY cleaners and more. Hosted by Angela Brown, 25-year house cleaning expert and founder of Savvy Cleaner Training for House Cleaners and Maids. *** DISCLAIMER *** During the shows we recommend services, sites, and products to help you improve your cleaning and grow your cleaning business. We have partnerships or sponsorships with these companies to provide you with discounts, and savings. By clicking on and buying from these links we may receive a commission which helps pay for the production costs of the show. Support the show so we can continue to bring you free tips and strategies to improve your cleaning and help you grow your cleaning business. THANK YOU! *** SPONSORSHIPS & BRANDS *** We do work with sponsors and brands. If you are interested in working with us and you have a product or service that is cohesive to the cleaning industry reach out to our promotional department info[at]AskaHouseCleaner.com *** THIS SHOW WAS SPONSORED BY *** SAVVY CLEANER - House Cleaner Training and Certification – https://savvycleaner.com MY CLEANING CONNECTION – Your hub for all things cleaning – https://mycleaningconnection.com HOUSECLEANING360.COM – Connecting House Cleaners with Homeowners – https://housecleaning360.com

Frank talks with Bob Vetere, President and CEO of American Pet Products Association.

Frank talks with Bob Vetere, President and CEO of American Pet Products Association

How would you like to DOUBLE YOUR LISTING VIEWS by including a certain “best friend” in your property pictures? You’ll never believe what one Australian real estate agent is doing to promote her listings and sell faster than ever. I’m Carole Ellis, and I’ll tell you all about this CRAZY tactic today, in Episode 17.----We’ve all heard the stories about crazy listing photo shoots and over-the-top models, parties, and staging that ultra-high-end agents use regularly to attract attention to their properties. According to the National Association of Realtors, (the NAR), however, one Australian agent is actually get far better results simply by putting her best friend in her listing pictures. We’ll get to exactly who this listing star is in just a minute, but before we do, I want to mention something that if you have high school aged kids, will make YOU a star for them. Wait for it…how about a FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE? A good friend of mine who teaches real estate investors how to fund their deals recently told me that most of the investors who work with him actually use his information to fund their kids’ college tuition in addition to their deals. You can see a GREAT EXAMPLE of how a Georgia guy named Glenn sent his son to his dream college on a FULL RIDE by visiting www.rei.today/fullride as soon as possible. I’ve got an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old myself, and you better believe I’m hot on the heels of what Glenn did before those girls hit graduation!Now that I’ve shared that priceless tidbit with you, however, let’s get back to doubling those listing views. Here’s the story:A real estate agent named Tracey who lives in Queensland, Australia, recently started including her “best friend” in her listing photos. This best friend, by the way, is actually a certain individual that most conventional wisdom says you should NEVER, EVER, let anywhere near your listing photos! This lady’s BFF is her shih tzu, Tiffany, and Tracey started including her in photos of pet-friendly listings several years ago in order to indicate that homes were pet-friendly or had special pet amenities. She realized in short order that those listings were raking in the views, and buyers and sellers alike are now requesting Tiffany to appear at showings and in their listing photos.Tracey, not one to delay when she spots a good thing, immediately created a Facebook page for Tiffany and started marketing her as “The Pink Property Pooch.” Tiffany appears in images sitting happily near a pet-bathing sink – a BIG DRAW in homes these days – frolicking in lush backyards, reclining on balconies, and even snatching a burger off a countertop. Interestingly enough, the pink property pooch is not pink.Tiffany and Tracey are an interesting team because conventional wisdom and LOTS of marketing experts tell us that we should NOT include pets in listing photos because they can scare off potential buyers who might not want to deal with left-behind allergens from a former four-legged inhabitant. However, these real-world results seem to indicate that this particular maxim may be a bit outdated.According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent nearly $61 billion on their pets in 2015, and that number has been climbing for more than a decade. Builders report (via the National Association of Home Builders or NAHB) that more and more buyers are adding on pet-friendly options all the time, with a particular favorite in new homes being the “Pet Suite,” which actually is a sort of “mud room” with a bathing area, play area, and sleeping accommodations for your furry friend. A lot of these suites are equipped with feeding stations and cameras for canine or feline viewing while the owner is on vacation.Such “suites” just demonstrate how much we’re willing to spend on our furry friends these days. Not only do they add several hundred square feet to a new home in some cases, but they can add as much as $10,000 (or more, if Fluffy is high-maintenance) to the price tag.Tracey is likely benefitting from the global version of this American trend, and there are plenty of other experts out there who support the concept behind what she’s doing. For example, award-winning architect Daniel Swift recently addressed the NAHB’s International Builder’s Show on the topic, noting that any indication to buyers, however small, that you understand “how they live” and are running your business with their preferences and lifestyles in mind can help sell homes. Real estate professionals can leverage this not just by putting “man’s best friend” in their listings, but also by, Swift said, considering pet-friendly upgrades to existing properties, such as doggie doors or off-bedroom nooks staged to accommodate pet lovers with a fluffy pet bed and soft lighting.If you want more hard numbers on this intriguing furry friend trend, then head on over the REI Today Vault to check out our exclusive report on how a dog, cat, or even a goldfish could help (or hurt) your property listings. Not yet a member? Get access now by texting REITODAY no spaces, no periods, to 33444, and I’ll provide fast, free access to that information as well as a lot more seriously insightful stuff that will make your real estate investing safer, faster, and more profitable. So just text the word REITODAY with no spaces or periods to 33444 or visit REI.Today/vault to get access now…When you do that, you’ll also be able to GROW YOUR NETWORK by interacting with me and your fellow listeners to REI Today… so stop by to ask questions, make comments and network with other investors across the country!  Just text the word REITODAY with no spaces or periods to 33444 or visit REI.today/vault right now for your free membership.REI Nation, if you’re thinking about real estate then the odds are good that you’re also thinking about FUNDING for that real estate. In the next episode, we’re going to talk about some specific words that you can say to some SPECIFIC GOVERNMENT ENTITIES that are basically a government-speak version of “open sesame” when it comes to funding your deals and never having to pay back that money. As is always the case when we bring in our government funding experts to teach us how to make the system support our deals in an interest-free, debt-free way, you literally can’t afford to miss this. Until then,REI Nation, thanks for listening in, and always remember this:Your best investment is your OWN education. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pet Sector Nears 60 Billion Top Dog at the American Pet Products Association, Bob Vetere is back to explain why the pet industry is exploding and how we spent $58 Billion. It should come as no surprise that pet-food comprises one-third. New Pet Product Special Week 2 Animal Radio's New Pet Product Special is underway. We're featuring the latest in cutting-edge technology for your pets. We have giveaways for you! Dr. Roger Mugford is back to claim our number-two pick for 2015, the Green Interactive Feeder. This gadget will slow your dog down when it's dinnertime, preventing upset and bloat. Gone Hollywood Second-generation Hollywood dog trainer Teresa Ann Miller has trained the dogs and other animals you see in movies and TV. She was brought up on-the-set while her dad worked on such notables as The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. Teaching Police How To Deal With Dogs Utah's police department is the latest to add a program to its police academy to teach cadets how to deal with pet dogs. The program was championed by Sean Kendall, whose Weimaraner Geist was shot and killed by a police officer last year after coming into the dog's backyard looking for a lost child. Secret Menus For Pooches It turns out that many well-known restaurants have secret menus that cater to your pooch. You do need to make sure that your pet can handle some human-ish food before you order. For example, Starbucks will serve up a Puppuccinno. It's a small cup filled with whipped cream. Dairy Queen's Pup Cup is a little bit of vanilla soft serve, topped with a dog treat. If you're on the West Coast, there's In-N-Out where you can order a Pup Patty. More this week

CEO and President of the American Pet Products Association, Bob Vetere, shares his bird's eye view of the pet industry, an insightful prediction of trends, and more info on the profoundly deep dog/human bond we dog lovers experience. Can dogs help us in our careers? Can The Global Pet Expo fill 16 football fields with pet products? We'll find out now, and coming up soon Smiley and I will join Bob's adventure live at the Global Pet Expo in Florida! Questions or Comments? Send them to: megan@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Global Pet Expo, Pet Trends and 'From Wags to Riches' with Bob Vetere on Pet Life Radio

Over the last month, Franchise Interviews has focused on the pet industry.  Here's why: According to the June 3, 2011 issue of USA TODAY, “There are now more households with dogs (43 million) than children.” The American Pet Products Association's 2013-2014 National Pet Owners Survey reveals:     68% of U.S. households own a pet, equaling to 82.5 million households.     56.7 million households own a dog. Largest number of households, in the pet category, with the next closest being over 11 million less.     83.5 million is the total number of dogs owned in the U.S.     Total U.S. pet industry expenditures have continued to grow since 1994 and are expected to reach $55.53 billion in 2013.     47% of owners consider their pets full-fledged family members.     Basic dog boarding/kenneling annual expenses are $327, on average         $4.54 billion is expected to be spent on pet grooming/boarding this year, up $380 million from last year The pet care industry continues to grow due to Americans love for their dogs, and always demanding top care for their loved one. Pet franchising, specifically, is strengthening and developing as more consumers are choosing to have a pet in their household. Consumers choose to spend more on their furry best friends and the trend is only continuing to mature. We are meeting with Taffy Miltz, Co-Founder and President of the FlipFlop Dogs franchise opportunity.  

Are you a border collie or a Husky? Do you bring a sense of play to work or lead with a dominant style? Bob Vetere, who has counseled Fortune 500 companies, breaks it all down by using the best role models in the world - Dogs of course! Smiley gives Bob's book, From Wags to Riches, a Woof and 4 Paws Up! Questions or Comments? Send them to: megan@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - From Wags to Riches with Bob Vetere, President of the American Pet Products Association on Pet Life Radio

Dancing With Nascar Animal Radio's Season of the Stars continues with Dancing With The Stars Judge Carrie Ann Inaba and NASCAR's Cory Joyce. Both have a special relationship with their pets and spend a lot of time helping animal organizations. Plastic Surgery For Your Pet What lengths will pet owners go to help their pets? How about plastic surgery. Our own Dr. Debbie just finished performing a vaginal tuck on a dog. As strange as this may sound, it has provided the pup with a disease-free life. Another couple in England paid $16,000 for a tummy-tuck and face-lift. 50.96 Billion Spent on Pets in 2011 For the first time in history, more than $50 Billion has gone to the dogs, cats, canaries, guppies and the like according to the American Pet Products Association. The pet industry is a major attraction for entrepreneurs and investors looking for creative and innovative products. Freeze Dry Your Pet When our pets die, it is often a painful loss. Now, that emotional connection between owner and pet has many animal lovers turning to a growing trend, but not without controversy, of freeze drying them. More this week

Rachael Ray received the "Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award" for her efforts on March 26 by the American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association. The event was sponsored by Nestlé Purina (who also made a generous donation in Ray's honor to North Shore Animal League America). More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Events, Expos & Tradeshows