Calgary, CA (PRWEB) April 19, 2012
Pet Planet has focused strictly on the total health, wellness and welfare of pets. We have vocally and successfully advocated for change in the area of pet acquisition, we have provided information and education material that has helped thousands of families make better health decisions for their pets, and we have become a trusted resource that helps to clarify the confusion associated with a hot industry full of unscrupulous marketing strategies and misinformation.
Laura Leah English, CEO & Co-Founder of Pet Planet
Pet Industry Overview:
Even in times of economic instability, the pet business has held very strong. Why? People today embrace animals as individuals and important members of the family which continues to positively affect the animal health and welfare movement.
Given the growth of the entire pet industry and the subsequent interest it has garnered, increased and intense competition has ensued. Competition has come from the mass markets, multinational (food) companies, specialty (product) manufacturers as well as (small and large) retailers. The result has been significant pressures on the specialized pet sector.
As with any industry that experiences the kind of rapid growth that the entire pet industry has experienced over the past decade, many competitors jump in to get a piece of it. Often times, when this happens, it creates confusion for the consumer. In an unregulated environment, marketing strategies can be misleading and misdirected, causing many pet loving Guardians to question what truly is right and healthy for their pets.
Pet Planets Mission:
Pet Planet is an innovative pet supply health store chain with a mission to change an industry and to just do better. As a fast-growing but purposeful company that owns corporate stores and offers franchise rights to passionate and like-minded entrepreneurs, Pet Planet is indeed impacting change. Its adopted Guardianship Movement has garnered much attention in Canada and is now influential in the Arizona market where they have recently initiated their US expansion strategy. Observing and understanding the need for a more ethical retail store that encourages their 12 points of Guardianship and offers only healthy and trusted products, Pet Planets goals include expansion into many key North American markets to continue to impact change, make a difference in the communities it serves and positively impact how society views and treats its pets.
Meet H.A.N.K. (Health and Nutrition Kiosk) – Passion Creates Innovation:
Pet Planets core philosophies are the fuel behind their differentiation. Innovation comes from having an uncompromising vision, a commitment to ethics and the application of technology. In an industry where technology is under-utilized as a strategic point of differentiation Pet Planet is truly unique.
Laura Leahs passion to provide the very best for beloved pets has led to new innovation, with the introduction of H.A.N.K. – Pet Planets Health and Nutrition Kiosk – launched in all Pet Planet stores across North America in March 2012. This brand new custom webbased program, developed by Pet Planet, is truly one-of-a-kind in the pet industry. H.A.N.K. is designed to be easy to use, consistent, educational and most importantly accurate with its recommendations for customers and their pets.
Customers are prompted to answer a few simple questions to build a permanent and always-accessible health file for their pet. Once complete, H.A.N.K. will provide appropriate recommendations on food, supplements, treats, toys and, of course, offer access to the new Pet Planet Nutrition & Health Education Center. The results and additional education material will be sent to the customers email so they can learn more about the recommendations and continue their own research to make the very best decisions on products that would be a perfect fit for their pets health.
A pets health file is always accessible. Any time Pet Planet customers return to the store they have the ability to review, update or modify their pets information to gain even more valuable education on products and services that may benefit their pets health. As a resource for all things pet health-related, H.A.N.K. is truly revolutionary in its approach to providing accurate information, clarifying the confusion and assisting families make the best decisions they can for the health and longevity of their pets.
So many families are concerned about the health and wellbeing of their beloved pets. Historically, there are have been tragic instances with sad outcomes when pets have, unknowingly, been given tainted pet food or unsafe pet products. Trusting foods, treats, toys and other products designed for our pets has become a difficult and confusing process. There are an abundance of retailers who suggest that they only sell healthy, natural products – but, there are unfortunately very few who actually do. From dangerous rawhide to cat litter with toxic ingredients to poor quality pet food, it is no wonder that so many people are confused. Pet Planets innovation in core programs, product research, product selection and business operating systems, has positioned them as truly a leader in trust. Pet Planets innovation has positioned them to clarify the confusion.
The Story of Pet Planet:
Nearly 15 years ago, Laura Leah English and her mother Joan Bauer, opened the doors to their first Pet Planet store with a vision to be more than just a store, but with a dream:
To encourage a global society where all pets are loved, respected, protected and kept in good health; a society without pet overpopulation, homelessness or abuse.
Through passion and innovation, Laura Leah English and Joan Bauer have grown Pet Planet to 41 locations in North America, including 32 that are franchise-operated and with 9 more store openings in the near future. Pet Planet has entered the U.S. market with its first stores in Arizona, educating Guardians about the health and well-being of animal companions.
Laura Leah understands the need for a healthy pet and has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for her four legged companions. Her inspiration for Pet Planet was Reuben. A Cocker Spaniel who stole her familys hearts, Reuben was an example of everything that can go wrong when choosing a pet companion. From the beginning, Reuben was not a healthy dog. He was purchase from a backyard breeder with less than desirable genetics and had serious temperament issues. From nutrition to training, it seemed impossible to find the correct information to improve his quality of life. Even when asked, pet industry workers seemed unable to offer information on the differences in pet foods.
Facing hurdles in finding good nutrition, Laura Leah relied on high budget television advertising campaigns for what seemed the most believable in grocery quality pet food health and nutrition. Consequently, Reuben was fed a poor quality grocery store brand devoid of nutrients. Striving for a healthy, happy pet with an abundance of flawed and inaccurate information was impossible and ultimately led to a very painful end. Reuben died of cancer at 7 years of age.
Reuben’s story is not an unusual one. Problems associated with poor quality commercial diets are seen every day at veterinary offices. Cancer, behavioral issues, and degenerative illnesses can all stem from poor nutrition. Surrenders to Humane Societies and other agencies are abundant for a variety of reasons from “we weren’t prepared for what it takes” to “he has behavior problems”. Pet Planet was created to help change these discouraging facts.
Through efforts such as Englishs, healthy and safe nutritional products are evolving to meet the changing customer demands. Healthy pets can now enjoy a longer life. Guardians want to provide the very best for their