Weekly Companion Animal News: August 19, 2024

Akston Biosciences and Purdue to partner for dog cancer drug development

Akston Biosciences Corporation and Purdue University have announced a partnership to co-develop an anti-cPD-L1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy to treat cancer in dogs. The underlying technology was developed at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR).

HABRI honors innovation award winners

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute honored the winners of its annual Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, which recognize companies and organizations with innovative products and programs designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. PetSmart Charities was the presenting sponsor.

QSM Diagnostics available on Vetsource

FetchDx mail-in testing kits from QSM Diagnostics are now available on Vetsource’s practice-branded online pharmacy stores. Kits include tests for ear cytology with culture, fecal, skin with cytology, wound with culture and sensitivity, and canine/feline-specific kits for urinalysis w/UPC and urinalysis with culture and sensitivity. In July QSM Diagnostics announced its FetchDx and Otter products were made available through Covetrus.

Dog food at the supermarket

Dog owners have continued to purchase dog food at supermarkets and pet superstores at higher levels since the pandemic (29% and 23%, respectively), despite dog food purchases online increasing from 20% in 2020 to 24% in 2024, reports the American Pet Products Association. Cat owners, however, predominantly purchase cat food from supermarkets (41%), followed by discount store/mass merchandisers (29%) and online purchases (27%).

PetHub and Kinship launch post-adoption support pilot

PetHub, Inc. and Kinship have launched a post-adoption support pilot program at multiple animal shelters across the United States, offering 24/7 access to vet support, digital pet loss prevention services and tools, and expert resources. Participating shelters include Good Shepherd Humane Society in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; KC Pet Project in Kansas City, Missouri; Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, Montana; and Humane Society of Western Montana in Missoula.

A new generation of veterinary students is demanding different and better working conditions. The Student AVMA (SAVMA) recently approved revisions to its Duty Hour Guidelines that calls for students’ duty hours be limited to 60 hours per week, inclusive of all on-call activities, mandatory class time and clinical duties performed at home.

Celerant enhances IndiePet Open Catalog 

Retail software provider Celerant Technology is expanding its point-of-sale functionality by offering a new software integration to IndiePet members. The integration grants access to product data with updates from manufacturers directly into the IndiePet Open Catalog, including up-to-date product information and accurate MSRP and MAP pricing.

Brightkins and Hunger for Words partner with Animal Supply Company

Brightkins and Hunger for Words are partnering with Animal Supply Company, featuring a product assortment exclusive to independent pet retailers that includes Brightkins treat dispensers, treat puzzles and training clickers, as well as Hunger for Words Talking Pet Buttons.