“FURminator is an ideal fit with our stated strategy to seek synergistic, bolt-on acquisitions that expand our product line with strong, complementary brands in growing categories, increase and extend our market penetration, and provide for manufacturing and distribution synergies”

“FURminator is an outstanding addition to UPG and its broad companion animal product portfolio, giving us the global leadership position in the large and growing $200 million dog and cat grooming category,” said Dave Lumley, Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Brands Holdings. “This accretive acquisition, which will enhance our margins, offers major revenue growth opportunities as well as manufacturing, supply chain and distribution synergies which we expect to quickly realize over the next 12 to 18 months.”

Founded in 2002 and with annual revenues of nearly $40 million, FURminator markets professional quality dog and cat products for the worldwide grooming tools and accessories category using two brands: FURminator® in the North American pet channel and internationally and FurGOpet® in the North American mass merchandise channel.

“FURminator is an ideal fit with our stated strategy to seek synergistic, bolt-on acquisitions that expand our product line with strong, complementary brands in growing categories, increase and extend our market penetration, and provide for manufacturing and distribution synergies,” Mr. Lumley said.

“FURminator will help advance our dual strategy,” he continued, “of accretive, bolt-on acquisitions and a resulting faster rate of debt reduction and deleveraging in fiscal 2012 and 2013 from the growth these acquisitions provide.”

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio and with fiscal 2011 net sales of $579 million, United Pet Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., and is the leading manufacturer of consumer products for the pet supply markets globally. United Pet Group provides its customers with innovative products of outstanding quality for pet owners, including dogs, cat, birds, small animals, fish and reptiles. Its brands –Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature’s Miracle®, Dingo® — are well recognized by consumers for delivering exceptional value and trusted results. United Pet Group’s passion and longstanding commitment to quality and value has earned the confidence of its global retail partners, who count on United Pet Group to deliver innovative and highly profitable products, customized solutions and merchandising excellence.

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The number of pet shops is increasing rapidly and driving growth of pet products in India. Veterinary clinics are also growing in number and more vets are becoming involved in retailing. Many grooming products have become available over the review period and are expected to do well, according to trade sources.

Typically imported, some examples of these include Isle of Dogs, Furminator, Karlie and Plush Puppy.

Indian pet owning consumers are also starting to become aware of pet dietary supplements.

India, often referred to as one of the leading global growth opportunities – part of the 'BRIC' group of countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) has a rapidly emerging pet consumer society.

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According to the agreement, Butler Schein is allowed to purchase the OncoPet Sample Collection Kit from OncoPet Diagnostics to resell to their vast network of veterinary professionals in the United States. The Company has sent Webster Veterinary notice of termination of its previous distribution agreement.

"We are extremely satisfied to have completed a definitive distribution agreement for sales of the OncoPet Sample Collection Kit with Butler Schein," stated Dr. Paul D. Slowey, President of BioCurex. "With the largest animal health distribution company in the U.S. now under agreement with OncoPet, we are confident that our products and services will be comprehensively represented to animal health professionals throughout the largest veterinary market in the world.

Dr. Ricardo Moro, OncoPet's President and BioCurex's CEO added, "It is important to stress the significance of this agreement because the largest distributor of veterinary products in the U.S. knows what sells well and how to make money with the products they carry. Their confidence in the OncoPet RECAF test is a huge endorsement and a clear indication of its commercial potential. The sales force of this company is in the hundreds and our facilities are ready to process any orders resulting from their efforts.

In a suit filed in May, Bayer objected to a letter Elanco sent to veterinarians regarding the flea and tick marketplace. This is a non-monetary resolution, and Elanco maintains its ability to communicate and advertise concerning the availability of flea and tick products outside the veterinary channel. In addition, Elanco can continue to communicate and advertise regarding the availability of Bayer's Advantage II and Advantix II products through retail channels and over-the-counter merchants.

Today's resolution also allows Elanco to continue promoting its Track and Trace product tracking system and its strict sales policy. Using unique identification numbers and bar coding on boxes and cartons, Elanco helps ensure product integrity and guard against theft, while helping to keep its products sold within the veterinary channel. If Elanco products are discovered outside that relationship, Elanco endeavors to identify the point of sale and cut off the offending diverter. Elanco's strict sales policy and Track and Trace technology is designed to help keep the sale of its parasiticide products within the scope of the veterinary-client-patient relationship. Since the implementation of the sales policy and the product tracking system, Elanco has revoked the ability of more than 300 veterinarians to purchase products because they failed to abide by Elanco's corporate sales policy.

"We believe our innovative product introductions and efforts to keep our products within the veterinary channel illustrate our support and commitment to veterinarians and their practices," Graves said. "This resolution allows us to continue to discuss issues that our valued veterinary partners find important. Our success is completely tied to their success," Graves said. "We have absolutely no second thoughts about that."

K9 Magazine is currently available to read on the iPad, the new tablet edition will also be compatible with Android and other digital reading devices.

Following the recent announcement that Adobe is phasing out its Flash support, K9 Magazine is investing in a HTML5 version of the magazine which will be available to all subscribers in 2012 and is currently in Beta testing mode.

K9 Magazine editor and publisher, Ryan O'Meara:

"Since we made our award-winning move to digital we've seen tremendous, unprecedented growth in terms of subscribers and commercial revenues. By going digital we have been able to take the magazine from a quarterly title to a monthly schedule and by combining the magazine product with an online membership model we've been able to serve our readers much better by way of personalising content and ensuring that readers get exactly what they want from their subscription to K9 Magazine."

O'Meara adds:

"We believe in the future of digital media. It's more agile and it's more personal. We have been delighted with the growth and scale we've been able to achieve since we made, what was at the time, a brave move to invest in a totally digital approach to publishing. Our view was and is informed by the simple fact that dog lovers are easier to reach via digital platforms than they are on the high street. We are excited by our new tablet edition, which looks amazing in the Beta tests."

About K9 Magazine

K9 Magazine was launched in 2001 and has featured an impressive list of celebrity dog owners who've been interviewed by the magazine over the past decade.

News item distributed by petbuzz :: social media for pet brands

"To maintain and continue such strong sales is an impressive feat in our tough economy and truly speaks to owners' commitment to their pets and manufacturers' ability to develop products that resonate with pet owners," notes Fiona O'Donnell, senior analyst at Mintel. "We are noticing that innovations in the pet industry are mirroring innovations in human markets and since many owners consider pets as family members, this is not surprising."

Functional foods that have a great taste and also provide health benefits have hit a chord with Americans in the past several years, so it only makes sense that owners would want the same fare for their pets. According to the Mintel Global New Product Database (GNPD), pet food that offers a "functional" claim has increased by 130% from 2006 to 2010.

Innovations in the pet industry go beyond the food aisle into lifestyle products that reflect the owner's personality and interests. Martha Stewart has developed an exclusive line of pet accessories for PetSmart that are said to be developed with "both the pets and owners in mind."  In addition to supplies and toys, the product line includes apparel, which may appeal to the 9% of Mintel respondents who say they occasionally dress up their dog or cat. Pet-friendly vehicle features also appeal to the 28% of dog owners who claim to take their pets on vacations with them, if they are driving.

"I don't expect pet innovation to slow down any time soon," adds Fiona O'Donnell. "Despite the difficult economy, 50% of pet owners make unplanned toy and treat purchases for their pets and another 16% say they have cut back on extra household expenses in order to afford pet-related care…showing the true commitment of pet-parents."

So, who's got a better life, canines or kitties? According to Mintel, 55% of dog owners buy unplanned treats compared to only 37% of cat owners. Meanwhile, 42% of dog owners take lots of pictures of their pet versus 33% of cat-parents. And, nearly one-quarter of dog families have stayed home from work or school with a sick pet as opposed to 14% for their feline counterpart.

The Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo, Texas, is a welcome stop for many pet owners where your dog and you will have a fantastic vacation. This hotel understands that family comes in all shapes and sizes. Pets are important family members and Ambassador hotel welcomes them during your stay. Don’t forget to pick up your welcome goodie bag for your pet at check-in!