Pet Industry News
The deals, launches, and strategic moves behind the brands and operators shaping the industry.
Jane Lauder's TAW Ventures Buys Polkadog, Builds a Pet Wellness Portfolio
TAW Ventures, the pet health and wellness investment firm founded by Jane Lauder, has acquired Boston-based Polkadog from co-founders Rob Van Sickle and Deb Suchman. Terms were not disclosed. The deal is TAW's first announced acquisition and brings a founder-led, long-horizon ownership model to a premium pet category that has been shaped largely by private equity roll-ups.
Premium Pet Aviation Breaks Into U.S. Domestic Travel
Vicuna Air, a London-based private aviation operator, expanded its in-cabin pet charter service into U.S. domestic routes on April 14. The move reflects growing premium pet services demand and constraints imposed by commercial carriers.
Native Pet Bolsters Operations and R&D With Executive Hires
Native Pet, a fast-growing clean-label pet supplement brand in 13,000+ retail locations, announced three senior hires on April 13, signaling a push toward operational scaling, clinically backed products, and specialty retail expansion.
Central Pet Distribution Spins Out as Phillips-Led JV, Moving Pet Specialty Into Consolidation Sprint
Central Garden & Pet is combining its pet distribution operations with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies in a new JV, retaining a 20% minority stake while Axar Capital-led investors control 80%. The deal reflects accelerating consolidation in pet specialty distribution.
How a LinkedIn Post Landed AlchemyPet 60 Doors at Hollywood Feed
AlchemyPet is launching its liquid supplement topper line in 60 Hollywood Feed stores across the Southeast.
Woof Extends HonestChew Into Consumables With Real-Beef-Coated SKU
Woof launched HonestChew Meaty, a real-beef-coated plant-core chew, marking its push from enrichment toys into the consumables category.
Dutch Recruits Tara Lipinski as "Chief Pet Officer" to Push Access Narrative as Vet Costs Bite
Dutch named Olympic champion Tara Lipinski its Chief Pet Officer, tying the move to a Pet Care Gap Report claiming 75 million Americans skip vet care.