Companion News for April 23

KindredBio unveils website for worried cat owners

Kindred Biosciences Inc. is helping to take the guesswork out of deciding whether a cat needs urgent veterinary care, according to Today’s Veterinary Business. The biopharmaceutical company has launched the website PickyOrSick.com, which invites cat owners to answer five questions related to changes in the animal’s eating and drinking behavior. If the condition is deemed worthy of a veterinary visit, owners are urged to contact their practitioner or search for one through an American Association of Feline Practitioners webpage, CatFriendly.com.

The free service is designed to steer cat owners away from Dr. Google.

Forbes names Zoetis one of America’s best employers for fourth consecutive year

Zoetis Inc. announced that it has been named one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes Magazine for the fourth year in a row, ranking among the top 150 companies. “At Zoetis, we know our people shape our reputation as a great place to work and drive our success,” said Roxanne Lagano, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Communications. “We are proud of the culture we have at our company, and we are excited that our colleagues and others recommend Zoetis as one of America’s Best Employers.”

Nestlé Purina PetCare enters vet services space in Europe

Nestlé Purina PetCare EMENA has announced a partnership with European-based Independent Vetcare Group International (IVC Group). In parallel, Nestlé will acquire a minority shareholding in IVC Group. IVC Group is Europe’s largest veterinary services group with a network of more than 1,100 vet clinics and hospitals across ten countries, according to a release. More than two million pet owners rely on its practices.

Medical Illumination acquires Vidashield product line

Medical Illumination announced the completion of its purchase of the Vidashield product line from American Green Technology, formerly based in South Bend, Indiana. Medical Illumination previously partnered with AGT to provide its landmark UV24 overhead air purification system (also known as VidashieldTM in selected markets). Medical Illumination will now be the owner and exclusive manufacturer of the patented technology that continuously provides, in occupied or unoccupied spaces, UV-treated air, shown to reduce up to 99.9% of airborne pathogens affecting humans and animals.

Petco to offer same-day shipping from some locations

Pet Product News reported that nearly 1,300 Petco stores across the country will begin offering same-day delivery through Shipt, a membership-based online grocery marketplace. The service is expected to begin April 18. To celebrate the partnership, new Shipt members who sign up before April 18 will receive an annual membership for $49 (regularly $99). Shipt members can determine if delivery is available in their area by visiting shipt.com/petco. The annual membership grants access to free, unlimited delivery on orders of more than $35.

Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital opens new $2.7 million emergency room

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) recently celebrated the opening of Ryan Hospital’s Richard Lichter Emergency Room. The project was generously funded by Richard Lichter, a member of Penn Vet’s Board of Overseers, and co-chair of The Power of Penn Vet Campaign. The Richard Lichter Emergency Room at Ryan Hospital more than doubles the amount of clinical space than the former emergency room, which opened in the early 1980s. The 2,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art expansion includes designated areas for canine and feline patients, including species-specific oxygen cages. The previous number of patient care areas now doubles, increasing from 13 to 27. The facility also includes four additional large dog runs that provide comfort and security to patients who are being treated for the most complex cases.

Nebraska legislature mulls tax on vet services

According to Nebraska-based KLKN-TV, there are a lot of ideas on the table as to coming up with money to balance the Nebraska budget, including a proposed tax increase on both pet and livestock healthcare. Governor Pete Ricketts says he will be urging the legislature not to go through with this. Ricketts gave an example of how much of an increase it would be if the tax was in place. If you pay over $440 a year for pet care, you would be looking at paying an extra $35.