Pet Product News - Invaluable for Your Business!

This review is based on the content of the most recent 3 issues July, August, September, 2002, however I have been receiving this publication for almost 2 years and I highly recommend it.


Pet Product News - What is it?
This is an industry-focused publication serving those who supply pet supplies (and may also sell pets) to the public.
Average size of publication is 84 (includes cover pages)to 116 pages. A large publication (14 1/2 inches by 11 inches), it is packed with invaluable marketing information for retailers of any size business. Whether or not your business is a pet store, mega pet store, or an online specialty pet products boutique, there is useful information in Pet Product News for you.

Subscription Cost
Possibly free! You may apply for a free subscription by answering a few questions including the name of your business, its location, your job title, a description of the business. If you fall within the demographics they are looking for, you will receive your subscription for free. If not, this monthly publication will cost you $42/year if you reside in the US, add $28 if you reside in Canada and add $63 if yours is a foreign subscription requiring air mail. To slightly soften the blow if you do not receive a free subscription, is the twice a year over 300 page Buying Guide containing the Product Directories(name of company and phone number), Pet Product Distributors Directory, Pet Publishers and much more.

Pet Product News - Content


Some categories are constant, and these are listed below.
Viewpoint,News, People,Calendar,Global Perspectives, Notable,Government Watch, The Buzz, Grooming,Pet Health News,The Pet Dealer News, Books& Novelty Products, Dog Marketplace, Dog Products, Bird Marketplace, Cat Marketplace, Fish Marketplace, Small Mammal Marketplace, Outdoor Marketplace, Herp Marketplace, New Product Gallery, Classified Advertising, Ad Index.

Varying sections not present in each issue but frequently are:
Product Spotlight
Cat/Fish/Bird Products
Canadian News

Special sections in one of each of these three issues I used for this review were:
Holiday Hits, Store Mascots, Business Builders,Special Product Focus: Specialty Pet Foods to name a few.

In the 3 issues I am referring to, there were an average of 20-27 full page ads (including back cover) and multiple half and quarter page ads. This is one time when I feel numerous ads as a component of a magazine is very beneficial. Seeing new product ads gives the small business or e-business owner information on new products they may not yet have been aware of. In some cases, it may introduce them to new product lines and new companies. Given that some ads contain a special deal or introductory price, it can help also be a savings as it extends those purchasing dollars.

The main thrust of the magazine is to keep those in the business of supplying the public with pet supplies, abreast of pending legislation that may impact business,
trends (i.e. the move to organic, and all natural treats and pet foods), and new directions (such as Hasbro, with Multipet doing the distribution,bringing to the market toys that deal with children's toy themes such as "Tonka for Dogs"). It gives updates on promotions within major companies as well as mergers, stock market performance and company earnings reports. Each issue has content that is packaged around specific groups - small mammal, birds, fish, herps, cats and dogs, including breed profiles. Care and housing issues are also discussed as the magazine focus includes those issues faced by full size stores that sell live animals.

It would be impossible to condense an entire issue in this review because of the breadth of content contained in any single issue, but I'd like to highlight some of the content of the most current issue. The September 2002 issue contains a front page report on the discussion of proposed legislation in L.A. to change "pet owner" to "guardian" in the city codes, along with a full page commentary concerning this issue by a member of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
The Pet Health News in this issue discusses results of a new study which shares that cats exposed to second-hand smoke are 2.4 times more likely to develop feline lymphoma. "Stocking Stuffers Delight People and Their Pets" is filled with suggestions on what to stock for those filling a stocking for their ferret,dog,cat,bird,fish or iguana or those with a friend who has pets. Other articles run a full gamut including - highlighting colorful holiday collars and leashes, discussing how to set up a successful dog bakery, how to RX an ill fish, profiles on the Pug, the Pekin robin, the Exotic Shorthair, tips on caring for your hedgehog. This issue, as all others, is packed with compact tips, reviews, articles and the ever tempting ads.


Bottom Line
I see no cons for this magazine other than cost if your application for a free subscription is not successful. I highly recommend Pet Product News as a business tool.


Contact Information
Pet Product News, P.O. Box 16509, North Hollywood, CA 91615.


This is an entry in the Home & Garden Magazine Writeoff hosted by Ladysmom, pogomom and gracef. Please enjoy these reviews of magazines related to things you can do in, to, or with your home or garden (and in my case, concerning the Pets category!).
Participants are:


emeleel, ifif1938, jdhauer, marytara, mind-full,mummummum,patriciak, Prepoia, psychovant, and quasar. Thanks for reading, please check out the contributions by the other participants!