"I think we don't have enough veterinary professionals. I don't really care what the AVMA is saying that there is not a shortage. I have, three practices right now that we're trying to staff. We have approximately 17, 18 veterinarians. We could use 25... ...people are leaving the industry and there are a lot of reasons for that... we are losing veterinary professionals. And I think one of the reasons we are losing them is they are becoming disenchanted and disenfranchised by private equity and corporate America. If we could give them a shelter to practice under where they're not asked to sell ..read more

Should Pet Retailers shoulder some responsibility for ensuring product safety and quality with the brands they stock and recommend? Food safety is critical. Those pet retailers who claim to be in the know and those who give direction and guidance to the pet owners are in fact the gate keepers of that critical space. Do these retailers take their roles seriously enough to look back at the history of a brand, it's owners, it's safety protocols, it problems, it's complaints....? Are you that retailer that talks big but is ok with a little bit of that 'white lie' for the sake of the sales? or are ..read more

Tazz: What would you change within this industry that pertains only to indies? Sam: I'm going to go back to saying that independent pet has to come together to move the needle to support independent pet... The power is getting together and having a voice. Home Town Pet Shoppe --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tazz-thepetropolist/message ..read more

1.15.2024 ....The Purina Affair Phyllis Entis: I've been a food safety advocate for more years than I care to remember. I have been involved in food safety for half a century. Ever since I got out of school, I've been, one way or another, involved in food safety. Either on the corporate side, or the industry side, or as an advocate and it never seems to get any better.  Which is sad. Tazz Latifi: Has it gotten worse? Phyllis Entis: To some extent, I think it has because the industry has continued to grow and the regulatory bodies have continued to shrink.  And so, how do you enforce ..read more

You take your pet to doggy daycare or the groomer, or you've hired a dog walker or a pet sitter...are the staff at these facilities equipped to handle any of these potential emergencies? Are you? Bites and Scratches: Dogs may engage in play that involves nipping, biting, or scratching, leading to minor injuries. While most of these are part of normal play behavior, they can sometimes escalate. Sprains and Strains, Falls: Running, jumping, and rough play can lead to strains or sprains in dogs, particularly if they are older or have pre-existing conditions. Overexertion: Dogs, especially those w ..read more

"I knew that I wanted to do something in the pet industry but I also wanted to be a testimony to what a black woman with no college degree could achieve. I want to not only help pet owners give their pets a better life I want to inspire and give back to all the other people like me. People who look like me and people trapped in jobs and careers that they don’t love or enjoy.     Once the decision was made in my mind that I would be opening Brick City Pets, the pieces began to fall into place..." Louvenia Spencer --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taz ..read more

Elizabeth A. Schuette, President and CEO of The ARK at JFK oversees all day-to-day operations of JFK International Airport’s animal health, reception, and quarantine center. The ARK provides safe and humane animal reception, accommodation, handling, and transport services to airlines and their ground handling agents as well as shippers, forwarders, and individuals. Elizabeth works closely with senior TSA, CBP, USDA, and CDC officers, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials, IATA representatives, as well as airline executives, public health officials, and veterinary medical experts ..read more

Here are 2 quick and tame excerpts from this eye-opening conversation with JP Goodwin, Senior Director of HSUS Stop Puppy Mill Campaign, and Liz Menegon, Founder of Hands2Paws. John: ... one year ago, there was a major push by some people in the pet industry to say that there was a dog shortage. Do you remember that?" Tazz: Ohhh I saw those articles. I was livid. John: They wanted to drive people towards more of the commercial breeding side of the industry for acquiring dogs and cats...it's kind of funny. I spoke with one of the people who was a big driver of that messaging for that pet shorta ..read more

What is the reason behind pet food manufacturers being able to evade accountability in many instances where their products have caused harm and even fatalities? Is there adequate oversight provided by regulatory bodies designed to monitor the food system or are they facing limitations that hinder them from effectively carrying out their responsibilities? If you are in the pet industry or a pet owner, you owe it to yourself, your pets, and your customers to read this book. With the 2023 release of TOXIC. From Factory to Food Bowl, Pet Food Is a Risky Business, Phyllis Entis has attained he ..read more

Joanna Bronowicka, owner of Well Bred, The Healthy Pet Marketplace, is a passionate and knowledgeable pet retailer with six locations in New Jersey. Originally from Poland, Joanna came to the United States to pursue an MBA at the University of Michigan. During her studies, Joanna developed a proposal for a pet boutique that focused on premium products and pet adoptions. After completing her degree at UOM, she worked in the corporate sector and as time passed she found herself drawn back to her college project. While searching for options to enter into the pet industry a friend informed Joanna ..read more