BUSINESS - Prescription Pet Foods Face Class Action Lawsuit

A California class action lawsuit alleges that pet food manufacturers Nestle Purina, Mars Petcare, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, pet supply chain PetSmart, and veterinary chains Banfield Pet Hospital and BluePearl Vet conspired to falsely promote prescription pet food.

The veterinarian writes a prescription for the specialty food which is then filled at a supplier such as PetSmart.

The complaint argues here is no reason for each brand of pet food to require a prescription, as they “contain no drug or other ingredient not also common in non-prescription pet food.”

The prescription pet food sold by Mars, Purina, and Hill’s are not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and contain no drugs or other legally controlled substances, the plaintiffs state.

Therefore, according to the class action, selling the expensive pet food as requiring a prescription is unfair and deceptive under California consumer protection laws.

The suit includes veterinary clinics because they write the prescription, the manufacturers who make the food and PetSmart because they sell it.

According to the complaint, Mars owns 79 percent of Banfield Pet Hospital, and PetSmart owns the other 21 percent. Many Banfield clinics are inside PetSmart locations. In addition, Mars owns 100 percent of Blue Pearl Vet Hospital.

In the case filing, plaintiffs stated that they and others had overpaid for the prescription formulations and made purchases that they wouldn’t have if not for the prescription requirement.

“We are aware of the recent lawsuit in Northern California against Mars Petcare US, Banfield, Blue Pearl, PetSmart, Hills Pet Nutrition and Nestle Purina Petcare,” Courtney Suthoff, representing Mars Petcare’s Royal Canin for public relation agency FeishmanHillard, told Petfood Industry. “While we do not otherwise comment on pending litigation, we believe the allegations to be without merit and will defend ourselves accordingly.”

AVMA Receives $45,000 Grant to Fund "Reaching UP" New Mexico Program

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) launched a pilot grant program which will be funded by corporate, private and public foundations. The funds will benefit programs in the areas of animal welfare, economics and research.

The Banfield Foundation provided a commitment of $45,000 to fund the first beneficiary of the pilot grant program, Reaching UP, New Mexico, which will provide veterinary care to traditionally underserved Native American populations in New Mexico throughout 2016.

​“The Banfield Foundation is proud to partner with the AVMA to support the 2016 Reaching UP New Mexico program,” said Lilisa Hall, Executive Director of the Banfield Foundation. “As an organization dedicated to animal welfare, education and elevating the pet-human bond, we believe that efforts to improve access to veterinary care in underserved areas are incredibly important to pets, pet owners and local communities.”

Tribal populations have historically had minimal access to consistent veterinary care, which has led to overpopulation of companion animals, specifically dogs. This, in turn, harms animal health and welfare, public health, and the human animal bond.

AVMA member veterinarians specifically trained in high-quality/high-volume spay/neuter make multiple trips to the same area at strategic times, ensuring that a sufficient number of animals are altered to achieve population management goals while preserving a high standard of care. By talking with the pet owners about their animals’ health and the importance of preventive care, the veterinary staff also provides community education about the importance of pet wellness care, as well as the connections between animal health and human health.

In addition to the grant provided by the Banfield Foundation, Banfield Pet Hospital associates will participate in the program as volunteers alongside other AVMA veterinarians.

“The program serves as a reminder of what drives so many veterinarians to enter the profession: the opportunity to improve the health and welfare of animals and people,” said Dr. Joseph Kinnarney, AVMA president. “While volunteerism is at the heart of the program, it is only truly possible through the generous donation of the Banfield Foundation.”

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RESEARCH - Positive Impact of Pets in the Workplace

The first-of-its-kind, Banfield Pet Hospital “Pet-Friendly Workplace PAWrometer” (pets at work barometer) surveyed 1,006 employees and 200 Human Resource decision makers (HR DMs) from a mix of company sizes and industries across

the U.S. early this year.

The survey explored the prevalence, impact and perceptions of pet-friendly workplaces as it relates to employees and company culture.

Until this research, there were no comprehensive studies on the perceptions of employees and HR decision makers at both pet-friendly and non-pet-friendly workplaces on the topic of pets in the office.

Overwhelmingly, responses indicate that pet-friendly workplaces are viewed as highly positive, boosting morale, contributing to talent retention and providing employers with a competitive edge in the recruitment process.

Survey respondents even report that they believe more people would adopt pets if their companies offered pet-friendly office policies.

Responses indicate that dogs are the most common type of pet in pet-friendly

workplaces, with more than 95 percent of employees and HR decision makers saying they are allowed at work. Cats are less acceptable in pet-friendly offices, with only 46 percent of employees and 65 percent of HR decision makers saying they are allowed.

View all the results by downloading the executive summary.

Banfield's State of Pet Health Report 2014

Last month, Banfield Pet Hospital released its 2014 State of Pet Health™ Report which captured and analyzed medical data from nearly 2.3 million dogs and 470,000 cats. 

The State of Pet Health™ 2014 Report focuses on common infectious diseases affecting dogs and cats in the United States, as well as the prevalence and geographic trends of such diseases, including Lyme disease, parvovirus, Giardia and kennel cough for dogs; and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), upper respiratory infection and ear mites for cats. In Particular, the report revealed a 48% increase in the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in cats and a 21% increase in the prevalence of infection with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease in dogs. 

“The 2014 report highlights the increase in infectious disease observed at Banfield hospitals nationwide,” said Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield Pet Hospital. “It is our responsibility—as a practice and as a dedicated group of professionals who love pets—to provide the best possible preventive care, which leads to early disease diagnosis and management. This care creates a partnership between pet owners and their veterinarian to continuously identify changes in a pet’s overall health and behaviour."

Banfield operates more than 850 hospitals in 43 states as well as Puerto Rico, and more than 14,000 associates - including 2,900 licensed veterinarians - work at Banfield. The organization demonstrates commitment to quality and innovation and operates with an understanding of the health of urban animals. 

READ BANFIELD'S 2014 STATE OF PET HEALTH REPORT 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

Dr. Emily Weiss on an increasing pit-bull popularity

Dr. Emily Weiss, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviouralist with the American SPCA (ASPCA) recently spoke out about the increasing popularity of pit-bull type dogs and their fate when it comes to humane and rescue.

In an ASPCA blog post, Weiss' research indicates that while pit-bull type breeds are the third most adopted breed (according to data from over 30 American shelters), they are also relinquished and euthanized at a much higher rate than other breeds.

"Maybe we do not have an adoption program but instead we have a volume issue. One-third more pit bulls enter than the next highest intake breed type," said Weiss in her post. "Why are they coming in at such a higher volume? Given the level of popularity - number five most popular with Banfield clients - we would anticipate they would not be the number one intake type."

Weiss hypothesized that part of the problem lies with the difficulty of finding housing that will allow pit-bull type breeds. 

With these conflicting numbers, Weiss asked for feedback and experiences from the pet industry and pet owners. She expressed a desire and determination to find a solution to a problem faced by shelters across the country as well as the dogs themselves. 

READ THE STORY HERE

Who in the World is Mars PetCare

It would be hard not to notice the recent acquisitions and developing PetCare Business now owned by Mars, Incorporated. According to Forbes magazine in 2010, Mars  was ranked as the 3^rd largest privately held company in the United States. The company history reaches back through the Wrigley brand and other sales activities to the late 19^th Century. But it was early in the 20^th Century (1911), when Frank C. Mars began to make a ‘buttery’ candy in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and rode the confections horse to fame and fortune.

The fame and success of the company advanced beyond earthly bounds when M&M’s were selected as the official candy of the Shuttle program. Now Mars has parlayed this success into a new PetCare business that owns strong brands such as those pictured on this page. To understand how this all came to be, one needs to understand the ‘Essence of Mars’. These five principles have created an environment which also won Mars distinction as a Global Top 50 Employer.

So how does Mars intend to gather these brands together and create a better world for pets and people? Watching the video embedded in InfoStream will provide some of the answers.

The Mars PetCare Academy ensures that all Mars PetCare associates understand the goals and aspirations of the PetCare business. This focus seems to have propelled Mars management into acquisitions that move beyond the traditional role of nutrition and manufacturing. Servicing the health and wellness of pets is a direction that may alleviate the commoditization issues that nutrition and manufacturers are now experiencing. Brands like Banfield speak to a broader understanding of the pet client and the evolution of the pet business.

Now you have an understanding of how Mars describes the PetCare business. But of course Brands are more about what others say. Sharing your comments about Mars and the approach it is bringing to petcare are invited and may be entered in the comment section below. 

Banfield® Pet Hospital Reveals State of Pet Health

New Findings Show a Dramatic Increase in Chronic Diseases in both Cats and Dogs

Portland, Oregon's Banfield® Pet Hospital internal research team analyzed data from 2 million dogs and over 430,000 cats cared for in Banfields 800 hospitals in 2011.

The 'State of Pet Health 2012 Report' examines chronic diseases in both species including, overweight and obesity, arthritis, kidney disease, thyroid disease and heart disease.
  
According to the report, Chronic diseases in cats and dogs have significantly risen over the past five years. Research found overweight and obesity increased 37 per cent in dogs and 90 per cent in cats.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT