Petropolist

Forget Chewy & forget Amazon...

What's left?

 Doobert 

Chris Roy, and I talk about his new platform that combines bringing together E-commerce and possibly Independent pet retailers to create profit while paying it forward to relieve some of the insanity for animals in shelters and for the rescue communities. 

Listen & Learn ;)

Walking into Whiskers Holistic Pet store in 1992 transformed my understanding of pet food and eventually (2005) my career trajectory. 

I had no preconceived notions of what was good or bad in pet food - there was NO internet - no NOISE from brands and bloggers and influencers.  It was me, a type 1 diabetic who understood the impact of food on EVERY aspect of my life, and my ex-husband who as a singer, claimed that everything he consumed impacted the condition of his voice so bringing home a pet from the shelter and having been handed a bag of Iams kibble seemed a bit odd to me - I didn't understand how an obligate carnivore could digest and be 'ok' eating cereal (I added chicken broth to the kibble the first week because I really thought it was meant to be moistened and made into mush - I very quickly switched to Pet Guard and Halo canned food - Remember those brands?;) 

I am grateful to Randy & Phil Klein for being innovators in the field of holistic pet nutrition and retail. 

As they continue to help thousands of pet owners/pet parents with education and guidance every single day, we, pet owners, distributors,   and brands should support Whiskers so that they continue on this amazing path. NYC and its boroughs are full of stores but very few, can compete with the knowledge and support Randy & Phil have brought to pet owners... 

*The views, information, or opinions expressed during The Petropolist podcast or youtube video series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the host or the employees of The Petropolist. The primary purpose of this show is to educate and inform. This show does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Please contact a medical professional/veterinarian for all questions regarding the health of your pet.  The Petropolist show and podcast are available for private non-commercial use only. You may not edit, modify or re-distribute this show.*

 A few updates: 1st meeting of The Indy Pet Community Advisory Group (NO THERE IS NO WEBSITE for a reason;)  is going to take place in late September. If you are going to Super Zoo and want to find out about the Indy Pet Community Advisory group (or my new line of Catazztic Cat treats) send me a note and let's connect and make sure you are subscribed to THE PETROPOLIST PODCAST because you will want to get a reminder when my next episode (#83) is out - My guest will be with Randy Klein, CEO of Whiskers holistic pet store in NYC which has been around since before some of you were even a speck in your parents' eyes.  

 We all know how talented the pet food sector is when it comes to making shit up to create the perception of being do-gooders or creating a "new & improved pet industry sustainable model" without really doing much different than they have been doing for the last 20 to 40 years. As a collective, pet food manufacturers have created layers to insulate their bad behavior, like new organizations that make it seem like they're recycling the big bad unrecyclable kibble bags or that they need to be applauded for their efforts in being sustainable through the use of peanut shells as a source of fiber or their use of dead or diseased animals that suffered and didn't quite make it off the crammed truck to their proper slaughter session...yeah a little bit of greenwashing takes those big brands a long way financially and perhaps we shouldn't forget that they science the shit out of it all. These very companies are incredibly active in pursuing, learning, and making investments in companies and products that are innovative and may one day be their competition or their goldmine. 

This episode is kinda sorta about asking ourselves the question:  How do we feed our pets without harming the environment and other animals?  Are lab-grown meats the answer or will The Big AG Bullies and Lobbies continue to work their magic and keep Americans in the Dark using their might with political and media influence? Check out Nancy F. Huehnergarth's article I linked here.

My guest today is SCIENTIST, Shannon Falconer. 

Shannon holds a Master's degree in Biochemistry, a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology, and worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at Stanford University prior to co-founding Because Animals in 2016

Will the answer to these problems be Because, Animals.? god I hope so!!!

*The views, information, or opinions expressed during The Petropolist podcast or youtube video series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the host or the employees of The Petropolist. The primary purpose of this show is to educate and inform. This show does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Please contact a medical professional/veterinarian for all questions regarding the health of your pet.  The Petropolist show and podcast are available for private non-commercial use only. You may not edit, modify or re-distribute this show.*

 I clearly love the pet industry. 

I have been quite curious about where companies go to find talent and where the talent goes to find their best options for employment in the pet sector. 

Shaylene Keiner, Founder of Dolittle Search is a leader in recruiting talent for the pet industry. Doolittle Search provides recruitment services for companies seeking highly qualified professionals in the Pet Sector. 

"If you work in the pet industry, you know there are special considerations. The industry's highly specialized nature requires an understanding of these distinct nuances, regulations, and requirements. For more than 20 years, Dolittle Search has worked with companies in every specialty on searches ranging from leadership positions to high-level executive searches."

If you are interested in learning more about Doolittle Search check them out here.

FOR The INDEPENDENT PET RETAIL BUSINESSES:

If you are an Independent pet business owner and are interested in joining The Indy Pet Community Advisory Group (NO THERE IS NO WEBSITE for a reason;) send me an email at  [email protected]  and I will answer all of your questions and get you signed up for the 1st meeting (Happening August 2022).

Requirements:

There is NO cost to you

must attend and be an active participant in 5 out of 15  meetings per year ( we will engage with  all members)

Show up & learn from your peers and be proactive (your staff and managers can & should participate)

no know it all's because we don't know it all

and there is NO COST to you (you may get some savings from the ideas thrown around)

maximum # of stores under your brand = less than 10

Pay it forward and share this episode. Love Tazz.

We recorded this episode about 3 months ago - At the time I was doing consulting for a multi-location pet business in NYC  and there was less than a handful of stores in the NY area that carried Small Batch Pet. It is incredible how disconnected many pet store owners are from the needs of their clients and how to communicate with them.  The conversation with David & Diana Vogel and my experience in the industry over the last 20 years all were inspirations for one of my current heart & soul projects...And please clear your mind of all of the stupid thoughts about 'agendas' or wherever your fear-based thinking is taking you about why I am doing this... 

If you are an Independent pet business owner and are interested in joining The Indy Pet Community Advisory Group (NO THERE IS NO WEBSITE for a reason;) send me an email at [email protected]  and I will answer all of your questions and get you signed up for the 1st meeting.  

Requirements:

There is NO cost to you

must attend and be an active participant in 5 out of 15  meetings per year ( we will engage with  all members)

Show up & learn from your peers and be proactive (your staff and managers can & should participate) 

no know it all's because we don't know it all

and there is NO COST to you (you may get some savings from the ideas thrown around)

maximum # of stores under your brand = less than 10

If you have been an ass to me in the last 20 years I may choose to reject you from being a member (I can only think of 2 people that fit this profile but send me a note anyway if you think you are one of the two...we all evolve right? ;)

Pay it forward and share this episode. Love Tazz. 

Carol Smeja - Mine Pet Platter founder speaks her mind about the struggles of manufacturing quality products. Carol earned a Ph.D. in psychology & sociology which she applied to understanding people's various eating dynamics. She worked with U.S. and global food companies in both research and marketing programs and assisted U.S. government agencies with efforts to improve health and diet. More recently, she has applied her extensive research and diagnostic training in understanding the eating behavior of our dogs & cats by studying the natural and instinctive behaviors of their ancestral roots. She has conducted comprehensive reviews and integrated information from wildlife specialists, professional research, and observational programs. 

Rob Johnson - Managing Partner/ President of sales CANOPHERA LLC  & Crystal Coast Distribution - Rob has over 20 years of expertise in the pet industry. He has dealt with his share of counterfeit products and false claims from dirty pet industry players. His experience ranges from Mars to Brilliant Salmon oil to his own distribution company.  His dedication to independent retailers and brands that create quality is admirable.  

Dr. Laura Catena, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a Pet Age 2021 Women of Influence Award Recipient, Ambassador for Animal Health & Wellness...and the founder of ArmOR Hand Glove. 

In episode #77, we find out why Dr. Catena created the ArmOR Hand glove and how that led her to become a Fear Free Certified practitioner. 

We also discuss pet owner responsibilities, what is happening with our veterinarians, and my favorite subject PET FOOD :)

Interested in purchasing the ArmOR Hand for your business?  You are in luck, you will get $10 off your purchase of each set of gloves when you use Coupon Code TAZZ10 good until June 1, 2022. 

Dr. Laura Catena is the Founder and President of The ArmOR Hand Glove®. She graduated from The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine and is a small animal veterinarian. Dr. Catena developed The ArmOR Hand Animal Handling Gloves after a potentially career-ending injury she endured while working in emergency medicine. ArmOR Hand is a compassionate glove, designed to allow for proper and safe restraint techniques, without the use of force. The glove is used to safely handle animals, reduce injuries to humans, improve animal welfare, and advance the cause of wildlife and pets. ArmOR Hand is a reusable, vegan glove, ensuring a low impact on the environment. The glove decreases infectious disease transmission, supporting the One Health Initiative as well as increasing pet owner compliance for at-home medical care and recommendations.

Dr. Catena achieved a Fear Free Preferred Product certification for ArmOR Hand. She is a recipient of the Pet Age 2021 Women of Influence Award. This award celebrates individuals who set industry benchmarks for excellence. The award acknowledges high-performance leaders who have made a notable impact on the field while inspiring a new generation of women to make an impact on the pet care community and the pets we serve. This award recognizes the accomplishments and successes of women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership to bring positive changes to the pet care community. Dr. Catena worked with The Paw Project to ban declaw surgery in the City of Pittsburgh. Dr. Catena is a contributing author to an award-winning pet advocacy site with 500M+ views and shares. She is a data-driven animal doctor known for deriving unique insights from complex information. She is a self-motivated leader translating personal experiences into relatable stories and products. Dr. Catena has been featured on veterinary podcasts and has been published in veterinary journals. Dr. Catena's interests include spirituality, self-care, fitness, The Paw Project, and human and pet nutrition.

Follow ArmOR Hand & Dr. Catena on Facebook(Meta) & Instagram

Please share this episode :)

I recently got a chance to connect with author of A Paw Partnership, Neha Taneja, MBA, MSHCM, CSM, LVT .  

It was a casual conversation about pet ownership, pet owner responsibilities when it comes to health and veterinary care and of course we spoke about her book https://www.apawpartnership.com/ which delves into the veterinary profession and what she thinks needs to happen to save it from it self. 

Buy the book here!

*The views, information, or opinions expressed during The Petropolist podcast or youtube video series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the host or the employees of The Petropolist. The primary purpose of this show is to educate and inform. This show does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Please contact a medical professional/veterinarian for all questions regarding the health of your pet.  The Petropolist show and podcast are available for private non-commercial use only. You may not edit, modify or re-distribute this show.*

Here we are again at Cat University with Feline behaviorist and retainment specialist Dr. Rachel Geller. 

What our cats clearly perceive as punishment may not be so obvious to us...Listen & Learn.   

In today's episode, we learn about how the human-cat bond can become severed by actions cat owners take for granted as being minor and even considered 'normal' when disciplining their cats. 

You will learn how the use of a popular behavior modification product on the market can in fact lead to your cat eliminating outside of the litter box which is one of the main reasons why cats are dumped/abandoned or given up for adoption. 

You will learn why your sweet ways of showing affection and love feel very different for your cat than they do for you. The cat parents' actions may be the cause of anxiety and distrust instead of love and trust...

*The views, information, or opinions expressed during The Petropolist podcast or youtube video series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the host or the employees of The Petropolist. The primary purpose of this show is to educate and inform. This show does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Please contact a medical professional/veterinarian for all questions regarding the health of your pet.  The Petropolist show and podcast are available for private non-commercial use only. You may not edit, modify or re-distribute this show.*