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Category: Products

Companion Raises $8M Seed Round to Transform Dog Training Using Machine Learning and Computer Vision

March 19, 2021 Admin

Companion which develops technology and services to train dogs using machine learning and computer vision recently ANNOUNCED it has raised…

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Posted in: Products, Startups

In the Spotlight: Popular Flea Collar Allegedly Linked to Nearly 1,700 Pet Deaths, Report Says

March 12, 2021 Admin

UPDATED: MARCH 21, 2021 A Congressional subcommittee is calling for a temporary recall of Seresto flea and tick collars (RELATED…

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Posted in: Products

Sure Petcare Launches Activity and Behavior Monitor for Dogs

December 13, 2018 Admin

Sure Petcare, a leading pet technology company recently announced the launch of ANIMO, an activity and behavior monitor which learns…

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Posted in: Products

PetSmart To Acquire Leading Online Pet Retailer Chewy.com

April 21, 2017 Admin

PetSmart recently announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chewy.com (Chewy Inc), the leading online pet retailer…

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Posted in: Pet Food, PetSmart, Products

Smart Dog Collar Reveals Pets’ Emotions

October 19, 2016 Admin

A new dog collar that is capable of detecting the emotions of a dog and communicates them to humans has…

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Posted in: Products

Petco Launches WholeHearted Natural Dog Food Line

September 11, 2016 Admin

Petco recently launched a new Natural Dog Food Line called WholeHearted which features quality ingredients with Omega-3s, antioxidants and canine…

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Posted in: petco, Products

New Study Raise Concerns About Safety of Pet Crates and Carriers

August 1, 2015 Admin

A recently released study shows that not all pet crates and carriers advertised as being safe for use in vehicles…

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Posted in: Products

FINDING ROVER: Mobile App Finds Lost Pets Using Real-Time Face Recognition

March 23, 2015 Admin

Miami-Dade County Animal Services becomes the first shelter in the state of Florida to partner with Finding Rover, a free…

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Posted in: Products

KICKSTARTER – Escape Alert Proposes GPS Pet Tracking with Implantable Microchip

September 20, 2014 Admin

Escape Alert LLC is proposing to develop an implantable microchip for pets with GPS tracking which will enable pet owners…

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Posted in: Products

Study Says Electronic Shock Collars May Distress Your Dog

September 15, 2014 Admin

A new study recently published by researchers at the University of Lincoln in England found that dogs trained with electronic…

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Posted in: Products

RECENT POSTS

  • Chewy Expands Offerings with Launch of new Pet Health Insurance August 6, 2022
  • PetSmart to offer In-Store Practice Franchise to ‘Independent’ Veterinarians July 28, 2022

THE CORPORATIZATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

The acquisition of private-owned animal hospitals by corporate entities such as veterinary consolidators has accelerated over the last few years and is largely invisible to most pet owners because consolidators view the corporatization of a practice as a marketing liability. This has potentially serious implications for competition, pet healthcare costs and may worsen the labor shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Are Consolidators Helping or Hurting Veterinary Medicine?

MANY CORPORATE PRACTICES LED BY NON-VETERINARIANS
Study conducted by CARE for Pets™ reveals that the majority of veterinary consolidators are led by non-veterinarians. These corporate entities employ a large infrastructure of managers and support teams and require significantly greater revenue to be profitable. Today, approximately 1 out of every 4 (based on recent trends, may reach more than 70% within the next 10 years) general veterinary practices in the U.S. are owned by corporate consolidators.
CEOs of Veterinary Consolidators and Hospital Groups

 

RECENT LABOR UNION ACTIVITY IN VETERINARY HEALTHCARE
First Veterinary Practice on East Coast to Unionize
According to union leadership, “today’s victory put the veterinary industry and private equity investors on notice about making sure their business model is based on equity and respect. We can’t afford to let this industry go the path of so many other industries destroyed by private equity investors. Now the hard work begins.”

 

IS QUALITY OF CARE IMPACTED BY COMMISSION-BASED PAY?
Today, approximately 2 out of 3 full-time associate veterinarians are paid on "production" (commission). Compensation models for veterinarians consist either of a fixed salary, salary plus commission, or 100% commission. This has potentially serious implications on the quality of veterinary medicine and on pet healthcare costs. A new hospital group startup is bucking the trend on commission pay and will compensate doctors "without the pressure of production-based salary."

 

CASE STUDY: Lack of Ownership Transparency in Veterinary Practices

Study conducted by CARE for Pets™ reveals many veterinary consolidators communicate misleading statements about ownership information on their individual practice websites which is most likely to create a false impression to pet owners that the practice is independently owned and locally operated.
Is Your 'Local' Animal Hospital Corporate-Owned?

IVPA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: WHY LOCAL MATTERS
CARE for Pets™ interviews the President of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA) about the importance, benefits, and value of independently owned & locally operated veterinary practices to pet owners and their companion animals, and to the local community.
Interview with Dr. Bonnie Bragdon of the IVPA

WILL PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS TAKEOVER PET INDUSTRY?
Today, private equity (PE) firms control thousands of veterinary practices, major pet retailers, pet insurance companies and pet product manufacturers. Other pet care startups are founded and led by former employees of private equity firms and it is not disclosed in a transparent manner.
Private Equity Investments in Pet Care Industry

HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY OF PRIVATE EQUITY M&A DEALS
Today, approximately 3 out of 4 specialty and emergency clinics in the U.S. are owned by corporate consolidators. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says "private equity firms increasingly engage in roll up strategies that allow them to accrue market power off the commission’s radar."
FTC Intervenes PE Acquisition Citing Antitrust Concerns

 

ROLL-UPS MAY EXACERBATE VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE
Corporate entities such as private equity (PE) firms engage in roll-ups (buys several companies in the same market and merges them together) to enhance value and drive higher earnings. Veterinary consolidation leads to fewer and larger firms (less choices for workers). Its prioritization on short-term profits may pressure veterinarians to see high numbers of patients and adhere to appointment time restrictions. These working conditions may exacerbate the labor shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

 

ACCELERATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN PET CARE INDUSTRY
As "the internet's most trusted consumer advocate for the pet care industry,"™ CARE for Pets™ "seeks to empower pet owners to effect positive change in the pet care industry in order to provide the best care for your pet."
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