Merck Appoints Richard R. DeLuca Jr. as President, Merck Animal Health

Former Becton Dickinson and Wyeth Executive Joins Merck


WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. – August 23, 2011 – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the appointment of Richard R. DeLuca Jr. as executive vice president and president, Merck Animal Health, effective September 15, 2011.

DeLuca, 48, will report to Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck’s president and chief executive officer, and will serve on the company’s Executive Committee. He will succeed Raul Kohan, who has decided to retire from the company. Kohan will remain with the company until the end of the year, reporting to Frazier, to ensure a smooth transition.

HomeAgain(tm) is a trademarked recovery service in the US controlled by Merck Animal Health.

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Calgary to make it easier for owners to claim dead pets

When losing a pet many owners never find out what happens, they just know that "Fido" or "Fifi" never came home. The City of Calgary is looking to help put closure to the unfortunate circumstance of losing a pet by setting up a system to help pet owners identify their animals after they've been killed on city streets.

Watch the video news story

TheStar - Businesses brace for tough new spam law

Business are combing through their email lists as the date draws nearer for Canada’s tough new anti-spam legislation to come into effect, forever banishing Nigerian princes and Viagra peddlers from consumers’ inboxes.

The law, passed last December and expected to come into force in late 2011 or early 2012, will restrict spam by requiring businesses to have explicit permission to send commercial electronic communication, including through email, text messages and social media. There is room in the law for implied consent, but recipients must have the option of opting out.

Read the article in The Star

The Jet Set: Pet version

Further to our previous post on the new CMA's vote to ban pets from the cabins. Pet airways offers travel alternatives for pet parents.

Travelling with a pet can be a traumatic experience for both the pet and their parents. With the recent CMA vote to ban pets from aircraft cabins it looks like they will be forced to travel with the cargo and exposed to the cold, lowered oxygen levels and general discomfort.

For pet parents, subjecting a member of their family to these conditions will not be easy choice to make. But, alternatives are available, with the airline Pet Airways pets are not considered an additional cargo item. Not only do pets travel in the cabin, they are not forced to share the cabin with pesky humans. It is an expensive option, but given the popularity of luxury pet goods and services, it appeals to a growing consumer class.

According to the website:

You see, on Pet Airways, your pets aren't packages, they're “Pawsengers.” And every step of the journey, we'll take care of them as if they were our own.

These “pawsengers” are looked after by an in-flight Pet Attendant at all times and travel in a large enclosure within a cabin-controlled cabin with fresh, cool air.

About The PAWS Pet Company

The PAWS Pet Company, Inc. provides innovative pet services. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Pet Airways, is the only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets. Pet Airways' Pawsengers™ travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes - where pets are continuously monitored by an In-Flight Pet Attendant and the climate is controlled for maximum pet comfort. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their pets will be treated with tender, loving care by pet professionals throughout the journey. The airline launched flight operations in 2009 and currently serves coast-to-coast destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. The Company has also announced its upcoming expansion to Orlando, Dallas, Austin, Houston and St. Louis.

For more information on Pet Airways, go to www.petairways.com.

CMA Votes to ban pets from plane cabins

The Canadian Medical Association voted in favour Tuesday of supporting a ban on all pets, except for certified service animals such as guide dogs, traveling inside aircraft cabins on all Canadian passenger planes.

Read more:

• Vancouver Sun article
• Windsor Star article
• Toronto Star Article
• CBC Post
• Calgary Herald Blog
• CVMA statement

Study Quesions if pets make owners healthier

Are those who promote the healthy benefits of pet ownership considering all the evidence. 
Howard Herzog, a professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, says studies conducted in the past to determine whether having a pet improves health and longevity have “produced a mishmash of conflicting results.” 

Moreover, Herzog says pets — which can be found in two-thirds of US households — bring with them a “cornucopia” of health problems that can be transmitted to humans such as giardia, salmonella poisoning, skin mites and worms.

Read the entire Calgary Herald article

FidoPharm Merial Patent Battle Continues

FidoPharm says the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has ruled that PetArmor Plus can remain on retailer shelves while retailer supplies last.

The rulling comes in the ongoing patent battle over the availability of FidoPharm's PetArmor Plus (fipronil/S-methoprene) product, a generic version of Frontline(R) Plus.  The sale and availability of FidoPharm's PetArmor (fipronil) product remains unaffected by this litigation.

FidoPharm says both PetArmor and PetArmor Plus are equally effective at killing adult fleas and ticks because both contain fipronil, the No. 1 vet-recommended active ingredient for flea and tick protection. PetArmor, which contains the same active ingredient in the same concentration as Frontline Top Spot(R), is available at Walmart, Target, Walgreen's, H-E-B, Walmart.com, PetCareRx.com, Target.com, Walgreens.com and select farm-and-garden supply stores. FidoPharm says pet owners can rest assured that any previously-purchased PetArmor Plus can be used safely on their pets as these legal issues are unrelated to product safety or performance.

The Georgia court's order marks another chapter in Merial Limited's and Merial SAS's continued fight to block competitors from entering into the fipronil-based, flea-and-tick treatment market. The validity of Merial's patent has not been fully considered by any court, and Velcera and FidoPharm maintain that they do not infringe any valid claim of the Merial patent in question. FidoPharm will continue its vigorous defense against Merial, so it can provide pets and pet owners even more options for effective, affordable and convenient flea and tick treatment.

"Merial has aggressively litigated its fipronil-related patents to stop perceived competitors from bringing to market, or even attempting to develop, products that could potentially compete with Frontline and Frontline Plus," said Alex M. Kaufman, president and chief executive officer, FidoPharm, Inc. "We believe greater consumer access to top quality, affordable animal health products is fundamental to good pet health, and we will continue to develop best-in-class pet health products that contain the same active ingredients and effectiveness as branded products but at a significantly lower price to pet owners."

About FidoPharm:
FidoPharm is a leading pet health products company committed to providing consumers with best-in-class pet health products that contain the same active ingredients as branded products but at a significantly lower cost. FidoPharm products are available at major retailers nationwide, offering consumers the benefits of convenience and cost savings to ensure the highest quality care for their pets.

Learn more

SOURCE PetArmor

Anti-canine side is getting a leg up in Vancouver

Battle between Vancouver’s dog-owners and non-owners heating up.

The city says it will move this year to a zero-tolerance policy for rule-breakers, and the park board considers major restrictions on dog-friendly areas – with the issue emerging just ahead of the November civic elections.

Check out this Globe article

Pet Check automatically updates Pet Families

New Mobile App Provides GPS Tracking and More for Dog Walks


Dog walking customers in California can now find out exactly what time and where their dog was walked. Pet Check Technology is the first and only software and mobile application solution for the dog walking industry to provide both dog walking companies and dog walking customers with 100% transparency of when and where their dogs are walked.

With Pet Check Technology dog walkers simply scan a barcode when they arrive and depart their client's home using their mobile device. Customers receive an email alert each time the barcode is scanned, and can track the walks online using GPS mapping at any time during or after the walk. The technology is available to dog walking companies to offer their clients.

According to the 2009/2010 American Pet Products Association's National Pet Owners Survey, there are 78 million dogs in the U.S., and many of their owners work long hours and must rely on dog walking services.

"As a long-time owner of a successful dog walking company, I saw first-hand how much my clients love their dogs, so I wanted to ensure that they could be fully-confident in the dog walking that they were paying for," said Pet Check Technology founder Doug Simon. "Pet Check Technology is thrilled to launch in the dog-devoted state of California, and we look forward to providing all dog walking customers with the peace of mind of knowing that their pets are truly receiving the care they deserve."

Sarah Hoffmann has recently started using this new service. "I work long hours, and knowing exactly what time my dog was walked is both reassuring and helpful in planning when I have to come home from work," said Sarah. "When my dog walker started using Pet Check Technology, going to work became a little easier because I had more control of my dog's well-being, and it gave me peace of mind to know that my dog walker was spending the full amount of time that I paid for with my dog and that she wasn't just walked to the corner and back."

Pet Check Technology is the first and only business management solution combining mobile barcode technology, email alerts, GPS tracking, online scheduling and automated billing options for the dog walking business owner.

Pet Check Technology will soon be available nationwide. For more information
SOURCE Pet Check Technology

CRTC says Wireless Subscribers Expected to Rise to 30 million by 2014

The CRTC has released "Navigating Convergence II: Charting Canadian Communications Change and Regulatory Implications", a compilation of independent research and views obtained from CRTC stakeholders, including consumers, public-interest advocates and members of the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors. The first edition of the report was published in February 2010.

According to the report:

• Canadians are increasingly adopting mobile devices that can connect to the Internet and deliver content, information and social media services.
• Between 2010 and 2014, the number of wireless subscribers is expected to rise from 25.8 million to nearly 30 million, with half of them owning a smartphone.
• At the same time, mobile Internet subscriptions in Canada are predicted to increase significantly from 5.5 million in 2011 to 14 million in 2015.

Click here for the full report
Consider the implications for desktop applications in view of this huge shift in the way the internet will be accessed.

Bell Media Shows Strong Link Between Mobile Media Use & Brand Awareness

Bell Media has announced preliminary findings from its fourth annual Canadian Mobile Media Snapshot.  The 2011 research illustrates the strong link between mobile media use and brand awareness, favourability and purchase intent. Among the key findings:

• 82% of mobile media users agree that mobile media is a good way to learn about new products and brands;
• 80% agree that mobile media can influence them to investigate a product or service;
• 71% agree that mobile media can change the way they think about a product or service; and,
• 65% agree that mobile media can influence them to buy a product or service.

Of those surveyed, over half had purchased their phone in the last year leading to a smartphone penetration percentage within the survey sample of 56%.

Full Release

International Summit Agenda Announced

We are pleased to present the Agenda for the 2011 Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.

This sixth annual gathering of Industry leaders is being held in eastern Canada for the first time. As we are learning, Animal Health and Wellness is directly related to human health in our communities. For this reason the 2011 agenda may facilitate the most strategic conversation to be brought forward to a Summit. In addition, we will recognize Vet 2011 an important historical benchmark for Veterinary medicine. Veterinary science has played an important role in our lives for more than 250 years and we will celebrate this achievement with Veterinary colleagues from across our industry.

At the 2011 Summit we expect the largest showing of thought leaders from the Veterinary community in our history. However, thought leaders from the other three sectors of the industry will also be present. All of these voices will contribute to OpenSpace and new conversations about Animal Health and Wellness in our industry. We invite each of you to become involved in developing:

• A new collaborative model that creates a healthy community for pets and people
• A new understanding of the urban eco-system and the relationship between animal and human health
• New ideas about detecting threats to human health through surveillance of the animal population
• New approaches to assist those who are challenged to provide care for the animals around them
• A big IDEA or INITIATIVE that provides the industry with a solution for our most pressing Animal Health and Wellness issues
  

On Thursday, our mission is to embrace a fact and evidence base for Animal Health and Wellness that will guide our conversations during the Summit OpenSpace on Friday. The outcomes we produce may be:

• Recommendations for the National Organizations that govern our industry;
• Tools for the agencies that support pet families in our municipalities; and/or,
• A consensus for the priorities we will support together as an industry.
  

In addition to enjoying fellowship, conversation and the wisdom of your peers, you will also have the opportunity to receive reports from the collaborations and initiatives of 2010/2011 at the Collaborators Dinner on Thursday evening and to recognize the achievements of your colleagues Summit Gala on Friday evening.

Registration deadline September 6th. www.tsuas.com

Should you have questions or require assistance with local arrangements please contact Judi Cannon 705.930.7387 or event@tsuas.com

According to CWTA Canadians sent 18 Billion text messages in Q1 2011

Total person-to-person text messages sent by Canadians in the first three months of the year numbered 18 billion, a 10% increase over the Q4/10 total of 16.4 billion messages. In March 2011 alone, 6.2 billion text messages were sent, representing an average of 199 million messages per day.

Canadians also sent and received a total of 697 million Common Short Code text messages in the first quarter, an 11% increase over the Q4/10 total of 626 million messages.

More updated text messaging statistics are available

If your Social Communication strategy is focused on email blasts you may want to re-examine your approach.

HP to ‘Reinvent’ Company With Return to Roots

By spinning off Hewlett-Packard Co.’s personal-computer business, Chief Executive Officer Leo Apotheker is shedding a unit the founders never liked anyway.

From Hewlett-Packard’s beginnings in 1939, the company’s founders set out to invent one-of-a-kind products and tools for engineers, they never intended to become the biggest provider of a commodity product. Now that PC profits are waning amid competition from Asian rivals, Apotheker is poised to return to the original philosophy.

Hewlett-Packard’s move mirrors a broader shift among U.S. technology companies, with fewer of them designing and selling PCs -- a trend that began when International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) offloaded its PC unit to China’s Lenovo Group Ltd. in 2005. Dell Inc. (DELL), the second-largest PC maker, also is focusing more on services, though PCs still make up about half its sales.

Read more at http://bloom.bg/qtyR23

PetSmart Reports Increased Earnings

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) today reported earnings of $0.54 per share, up 32% compared to $0.41 per share in the second quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $61 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $48 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Total sales for the second quarter of 2011 increased 7.0% to $1.5
billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $6 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations. Comparable store sales, or sales in stores open at least a year, grew 5.0%, benefiting from comparable transactions growth of 2.0%. Services sales, which are included in total sales, grew 7.6% to $178 million.

During the second quarter, the company generated $109 million in
operating cash flow, spent $20 million in capital expenditures, distributed $14 million in dividends, and repurchased $63 million of PetSmart stock. The Company ended the quarter with $321 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and zero borrowings on its credit facility.

"The strength of our brand was evident with another quarter of solid performance," said Bob Moran, Chief Executive Officer and President, "and validates the work that we are doing on our journey to becoming a
best-in-class specialty retailer."

"For all of 2011, we expect comparable store sales growth in the low- to
mid-single digit range, and total sales growth in the mid-single digit range. We are raising our earnings per share guidance from a previous range of $2.32 to $2.42 to our current expectations of $2.40 to $2.48," said Chip Molloy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  "For the third quarter of 2011, we are expecting comparable store sales growth in the 3-4% range, and earnings per share between $0.41 and $0.45."

A phone replay of the teleconference and full report will be available through September 17, 2011, 11:59 p.m. EDT, at 888-266-2081 in the United States and Canada, or at 703-925-2533 for international callers, enter code 1543612.

About PetSmart:

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of
services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 48,000 associates and operates more than 1,197 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, over 185 in-store PetSmart(R)
PetsHotel(R) dog and cat boarding facilities and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information ().

PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart
Doggie Day CampSM day care services and pet adoption services. Since 1994,

PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare
organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North
America, has provided more than $134 million in grants and programs
benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities(R), PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 4.5 million pets.

Contact PetSmart
 

PJ’s Pets ends puppy sales

PJ’s Pets stores announced Tuesday that it will stop selling puppies on Sept. 1.
It’s part of company plan to promote adoption from animal shelters or humane societies.

“There is a great need for pets to be adopted,” said Stacey Halliday, director of marketing. “But it’s a conflict of interest because you can’t sell and adopt out at the same time. It’s a new era for PJ’s. It’s been part of our business for 40 years”

Read the article by Vanessa Lu, posted in the Toronto Star.

Is collecting money for pet licenses a money-losing proposition for municipalities?

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford ran on a platform of “respect for the taxpayers” and vowed to cut the “gravy train” if elected. Most media reports indicate that he found less gravy than he anticipated. Nevertheless, he persevered and brought on KPMG to provide advice on what services to cut. Amongst the suggestions were a few that seemed counter-intuitive to many observers, such as cutting revenue-generating programs like pet licensing.

According to an article in the Toronto Star:

Councillor Cesar Palacio, the right-leaning chair of council’s licensing and standards committee, applauded the report for raising opportunities for cutting aggravating and costly “red tape.” But he said he had not yet decided which types of licenses are unnecessary.

“We’re going to have a meeting to deal with this on the 25th. Hopefully by then I will go over this report line-by-line. I would not like to make speculations now,” Palacio said. Palacio was supportive of several of the report’s other suggestions. Among them:
• Eliminating pet licensing. Licensing officials were already reviewing the program, and the consultants said its value is “not evident” because only 30 per cent of owned dogs and 10 per cent of owned cats are licensed. Palacio said the city does not need “pet detectives peeking through people’s windows.”

Not surprisingly, the article stirred up a lot of debate in the comments section; here are some of the highlights (gently edited for spelling):

Why not?

Enforce the law regarding licenses for pets as if it is not enforced why would irresponsible people bother getting a license?

Responsible owners?

So owners that realize they don't want their pet can bring it to the pound? Why do that when they can just open their door and let that unwanted animal run out. Maybe run into traffic and die, damage a car while they are at it. It’s not like feral cats and stray dogs are becoming a problem within the city. Yes, stop the pick-up of unwanted animals because I'm sure the responsible people of Toronto are willing to bring in their unwanted pets.

You can add your thoughts in the comments section.

Canine Breed Identification Market Loses Providers

In December 2010, Mars filed patent infringement suits against BioPet and PetSafe, and against MMI Genomics, Inc.


Today Mars, Inc., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Argus Genetics, LLC announced they have entered into confidential settlement agreements with BioPet Vet Lab, Inc. and Radio Systems Corporation ("PetSafe"), regarding U.S. Patent No. 7,729,863.  This settlement concludes the litigation.

While the terms of the agreement are confidential, BioPet will be permitted to process dog DNA samples for a limited period of time for individuals who purchased a BioPet-branded "DNA Breed Identification" kit on or before 15 June 2011.

Mars will process dog DNA samples through 15 December 2011 for individuals who purchased a PetSafe-branded "DNA Breed Identification" kit on or before 15 June 2011. Thus, consumers who purchased mixed-breed DNA tests from BioPet or PetSafe before this date will be able to receive results.

Both BioPet and PetSafe have exited the canine DNA breed identification market.  Mars, Inc, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Argus Genetics, LLC stated they will continue to enforce their patent rights in this market segment.

About Mars Veterinary:
Mars Veterinary is a division of MARS(R) Incorporated, a company known for innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the world. Its mission is to facilitate responsible pet care by enlightening pet owners and communities with valuable insights into their pets as individuals through innovative, science-based discoveries. For nearly a decade, Mars Veterinary has researched and developed state-of-the-art genetic tests for mixed-breed dogs, revolutionizing personalized pet care. By discovering a mixed-breed dog's ancestry, pet owners and veterinarians can work together to tailor wellness programs that fit the one-of-a-kind needs of a mixed-breed dog.

About Mars, Incorporated:
In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY(R) bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders. 

This vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 associates worldwide are putting Mars Principles into action every day to make a difference for people and for the planet through there performance.

Click here for more information


SOURCE Mars, Incorporated
Michael J. Price, +1-301-444-7900
Mike.Price@mss.effem.com for Mars Veterinary

Canada’s Pet Wellness Report

The subject of pet wellness is of significant importance to Canadians. It is estimated that there are approximately 7.9 million cats and 5.9 million dogs in Canada. Approximately 35% of Canadian households have a dog, while 38% have a cat (source: Ipsos Reid).

Canada’s Pet Wellness Report developed by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, makers of Science Diet® brand pet food, provides a complete view of the current state of pet health in Canada. The report explores areas of overall cat and dog wellness and nutrition.

This report is based on findings from market research surveys of Canadian pet owners and veterinarians conducted for the CVMA and Hill’s by Ipsos Reid.

Click here to download the report.

Latest Amazon Move Fuels Industry Discussion

What do Amazon, Diapers, Soap and Wag have in Common?

In 2005, best friends Marc Lore and Vinit Bharara started Quidsi, Inc. and a first portal Diapers.com with a simple goal – to make life easier for new parents. Since then, more than a million customers have shopped the site for its wide selection of diapers, formula, car seats, strollers, clothing, cribs, toys and more.

Serving moms and dads was one thing, but making life easier for the rest of the family was the next big step. So in the summer of 2010, Marc and Vinit announced the launch of Soap.com. With 25,000 products, Soap.com set out to deliver one-stop shopping for everyday essentials, including a great selection of health, beauty and household products.

The success they achieved brought them to the attention of Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) who in November of 2010 reached an agreement to acquire Quidsi, Inc.  The three executives involved in the transaction enthused about the deal as follows:

"I'm not sure which is more unpleasant-changing diapers, paying too much for them, or running out of them," said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "This acquisition brings together two companies who are committed to providing great prices and fast delivery to parents, making one of the chores of being a parent a little easier and less expensive."

"Amazon shares our commitment to the customer," said Marc Lore, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Quidsi. "We are excited to be part of a company that will help us to serve an even larger audience, and we will continue delivering unexpectedly great service that makes life a little easier - that is our mission."


"Amazon is a pioneer," said Vinit Bharara, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Quidsi. "Amazon is built on a culture of innovation and long-term vision. Quidsi is driven by these same core values, and we look forward to joining forces."

Under the terms of the agreement, which was approved by Quidsi's stockholders, Amazon acquired all of the outstanding shares of Quidsi for approximately $500 million in cash and assumed approximately $45 million in debt and similar obligations.

That's how Amazon, Diapers and Soap became associated.  Since then Quidsi launched BeautyBar.com, a prestige beauty boutique and in July they launched pet specialty site Wag.com. From food and treats to toys and pampering must-haves, Wag.com delivers everything you need for your pet, with the same speed and service our customers have come to expect.

See an analyst's comments

Amazon, Diapers, Soap and Wag, together leverage the huge logistics capability of Amazon to offer something for every member of the family with prepaid delivery and the best prices online.

PetHealth Announces Q2 Results

Pethealth Inc. ("Pethealth" or "the Company") (TSX:PTZ) today announced its financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011.

According to the company financial highlights for Q2 include:

• Total revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was $8.2 million, up 4% from Q2 2010
• Net income, before taxes, was $705,000, up 239% from the prior year
• Net income, after taxes, for the quarter was $552,000 ($0.017 per share) compared to prior year's after tax net income of $708,000 ($0.022 per share), including a tax recovery of $500,000 in the prior year
• EBITDA for the quarter was $1.15 million compared to EBITDA of $659,000 for the same period in the prior year, up 75%
• Adjusted EBITDA was $1.15 million for Q2 2011 vs. $785,000 for the same period in the prior year, up 47%
• Foreign exchange had a significant impact on year over year quarterly results particularly the 6% appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar

According to the company financial highlights for the six months ended 30June2011 include:

• Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $16.1 million, down 1% from 2010
• Net income, before taxes, was $1.45 million, up 70% from the prior year
• Net income, after taxes, for the six months ended was $1.16 million ($0.017 per share after giving effect to the $585,000 dividend payment made in the first quarter of 2011) compared to prior year's after tax net income of $1.27 million ($0.020) per share after giving effect to the $585,000 dividend payment made in the first quarter of 2010 and which included a $500,000 tax recovery in the second quarter of 2010
• EBITDA for the six months was $2.36 million compared to EBITDA of $1.76 million for the same period in the prior year, up 34%
• Adjusted EBITDA was $2.38 million for the six months vs. $1.8 million for the same period in the prior year, up 32%
• Foreign exchange had a significant impact on year over year six month results particularly the 6% appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

The full report is available here.

Study Shows Pet Owners Have More Self-esteem

A study published recently in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that pet owners have greater self-esteem than those without pets. They are more physically fit, less lonely, more conscientious, more socially outgoing and have healthier relationship styles.

"We know that singles take their relationships with their pets just as seriously as they do with their lovers," explains Kim Hughes, Singles and Dating Expert for Lavalife.com. "Now we are digging deeper to find out what our pets say about our personalities and how that can influence our relationships with two-legged creatures."

Lavalife.com recently polled singles about their furry friends and the results were eye-opening:

• 47% would ditch a lover if they didn't get along with their pet
• 10% would consider shared custody of a pet after a relationship ended
• 60% of single men polled wouldn't kick Fido out of the bedroom even when getting intimate with a lover.

"We can tell a lot about a person not only from the type of pet they have but also where they acquired their pet," Hughes continues. "Here are some clues that singles can use to help decode potential paramours."

Store-bought, breeder bought or rescued:

• People who purchase pets from a pet store tend to be more impulsive
• People who buy from a breeder are more analytical
• People who rescue pets from shelters are known to be comfortable with risk and especially compassionate

Size matters:

• Large dogs need lots of exercise, so owners of large breeds tend to be more active, outgoing and assertive
• Small dog owners tend to be more detail-oriented and some may even be neat freaks

Dog vs. Cat:

• Cat lovers tend to be more independent and scholarly
• Dog owners have been found to be more conscientious, agreeable and extroverted

"Having a pet requires a person be responsible

Q2 Report shows Telus ahead of Bell at adding Subscribers

Q2 Bell:

• added 37,507 new net wireless subscribers
• total wireless subscriber base is now 7,283,847, an increase of 4.2% over the past 12 months
• total subscriber base was 78.5% postpaid and 21.5% prepaid
• smartphones represented 56% of postpaid gross activations in the quarter

Q2 TELUS:

• reported 94,000 new net wireless subscribers
• total wireless subscriber base is now 7,097,000, representing growth of 5.9% over the same time last year
• total subscriber base is was 82.4% postpaid and 17.6% prepaid
• smartphones represented 61% of postpaid gross additions in the quarter
• total postpaid smartphone subscribers are now 2,456,580.

CRTC Report Supports Wireless Strategy for your Organization

The CRTC has issued its annual Communications Monitoring Report, providing an overview of the Canadian telecommunications and broadcasting industries. Highlights of the report and a link to the full report are provided here.

The report reveals that by the end of 2010:

• the number of Canadians subscribing to wireless services grew by 8.5% to 25.8 million
• the number of Canadians who watched a video on their cellphone nearly doubled to 9% of anglophones and 4% of francophones
• wireless services made up 43% of all telecommunications revenues
• revenues increased 6.6% from $16.9 billion in 2009 to $18 billion in 2010
• wireless networks now reach approximately 99% of Canadians
• advanced wireless networks, which support smartphones and other devices that connect to the Internet, were available to 97% of the population

Click here for the full report

State Adopts Legislation to Control Imports to Connecticut

The Litchfield County Times [By DANIELA FORTE] is reporting new state legislation - here are the highlights [excerpts of the report follow]:

• Animal Welfare organizations will be regulated under similar rules to petshops
• State vets must examine all pets imported within 48hrs
• Certificates of health signed by a State vet must be profided to adopters
• Legislation intended to eliminate surprises for new pet families

The evolution of the animal-adoption business has created horror stories about high fees and sick dogs passed on to new owners.  From that problem, and a groundswell of concern among area veterinarians and state officials, a new law has emerged.

The legislation that will regulate people and entities that import dogs and other animals to Connecticut for adoption was recently signed by Gov. Dannell Malloy. It will become law Oct. 1.  House Bill 5368, “An Act Extending Certain Pet Shop Licensee Requirements to Persons and Organizations That Import Animals for Adoption,” will make several changes affecting animal importers.

“The law now requires organizations involved in dog importation to register prior to bringing the dog into Connecticut, and have a Connecticut-licensed veterinarian

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Price Waterhouse Cooper [PwC] has produced a White Paper – on Digital Mobility that everyone in business should read.


"Digital mobility drives you – You drive digital mobility", a new white paper written by Dr. David Jacobson, Director – Emerging Technologies in PwC's Technology Consulting practice, discusses some of the leading trends in digital mobility and its importance to the future of your company or organization.

The full report is available

VCA Antech Reports Revenue Increase of 6.3%

VCA Antech, Inc. (NASDAQ NM SYMBOL: WOOF), a leading animal
healthcare company in the United States, today reported financial
results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 as follows:

• revenue increased 6.3% to a second quarter record of $376.1 million
• gross profit increased 3.6% to $96.8 million
• adjusted operating income increased 4.7% to $70.1 million
• adjusted net income increased 3.5% to $39.6 million
• adjusted diluted earnings per common share increased 2.3% to $0.45

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 diluted earnings per share were $0.45 and $0.34 and $0.78 and $0.70, respectively. The second quarter of 2010 included a non-cash charge of $14.5 million, or $8.9 million after tax for future estimated executive compensation. Excluding this charge, adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 were $0.44 and $0.81, respectively.

 

Bob Antin, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We had a very active quarter with
the acquisition of BrightHeart Veterinary Centers which operates nine animal hospitals with annual revenues of approximately $53.0 million, eight of which focus on the delivery of specialty and emergency medicine and a general practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have enjoyed a long relationship with the management of BrightHeart and believe they will be an excellent addition to our strategic focus of providing the highest level of service in the communities we serve.

 

As previously announced, VCA Antech entered into an agreement to purchase MediMedia Animal Health, LLC, which operates under the name VetStreet. VetStreet is the nation's largest provider of online communications, professional education and marketing solutions to the veterinary community. VetStreet is a rapidly growing company that has relationships with aproximately 5,000 animal hospitals which facilitates the veterinarians' ability to communicate to more than 20 million pet owners. We believe that VetStreet will enhance VCA Antech's ability to serve the community of veterinary professionals and provide them a more effective channel to educate and communicate with their clients."

 

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