Category: Radio Systems

New Web Site Hopes to Bring Peace to Neighborhood Barking Disputes

Posted by Ryan Willis – October 6, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – A bark from a dog can provide home security or servebarkingdog  as a friendly hello and invitation to play. It can also be the first step to sleep deprivation, frequent visits from animal control officers, and silent long-term grudges between formerly cordial neighbors. PetSafe, the industry leader in pet safety and behavior products, has launched a new web site to help restore the peace and make every neighborhood a better place for dogs and neighbors alike. 

The new site, www.stopmyneighborsdog.com, allows neighbors to subtly spotlight nuisance barking to pet parents through anonymous, but polite, e-mails and personal notes. The messages are sent directly to the canine’s keepers without bringing in outside authorities. 

“One of the most frequent sources of calls to local animal control departments is excessive barking from dogs,” says Randy Boyd, PetSafe President and CEO. “We hope the web site will help ease friction between neighbors and also keep otherwise good dogs from being taken to the pound.” 

The free web site allows neighbors to move beyond simply investing in ear plugs or sending angry glares at neighbors across the driveway. A neighbor concerned about excessive and disruptive barking can choose to send an anonymous e-mail or postcard pre-written in a friendly, humorous, or serious tone to the beloved barker’s people. Along with the note, senders can opt to include professionally-written tips on controlling nuisance barking and a coupon for a product from PetSafe’s line of bark solution training products. 

“The education tips are an important feature,” says Boyd. “Most of the time a pet owner simply feels like they can’t control their dog’s barking. People don’t usually bring a dog into their household with the intent of causing bad feelings in their neighborhood. We want everyone, owners and neighbors alike, to enjoy the company of a good dog in the neighborhood.” 

About PetSafe®
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, PetSafe® is the industry leader in the management of pet behavior, offering pet training, containment, safety and lifestyle product solutions. PetSafe® introduced the first do-it-yourself electronic fence to the pet market in 1991 and the first wireless fence in 1998. PetSafe’s product line up includes: kennels and electronic underground fences; bark control systems; a selection of remote training products; pet doors; pet identification collars; heated wellness products; pet feeders and a growing line of lifestyle products. For more information about PetSafe®, visit: www.petsafe.net.
 

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
865-584-0550
MCohen@AckermannPR.com

Effort Launched to make Knoxville, Knox County “Pet Friendliest Community in America”

Posted by admin – July 22, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn.—A new effort is being launched to make Knoxville and Knox County the most pet friendly community in America. This impressive partnership brings together the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Young Williams Animal Center, the University of Tennessee, PetSafe, the Knoxville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation. The coalition has already set up a website, www.PetFriendliestCommunity.com, where people can get information and follow the effort.

“Ultimately being the most pet friendly community in America can offer great benefits to our citizens and it can also have a significant positive impact on local tourism,” said Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

Phoebe“We deal with pet owners all across America every day,” said Randy Boyd, President of Knoxville-based Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand. “We understand pets truly are part of the family. In fact, more than 30 percent of Americans travel with their pets and seek pet friendly activities and accommodations when planning vacations.”

This Pet Friendliest effort seeks to foster a culture of pet friendliness taken to the next level throughout our community by focusing specifically on the following: major expansion of pet activities and events, pet-focused tourism, and more pet-friendly park acres and businesses. Boyd said, “We are staking our claim that we are the most pet friendly community in America. I know others will challenge our claim, but we will have to defend it. To do so, we have to ask ourselves what someone in the most pet friendly community in America would do and then do it.”

Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam said, “People love their pets and we are very supportive of this initiative that increases the number of pet friendly activities and locations in our community.”

Successful efforts of the Pet Friendly Community Committee have included the February Mardi Growl Parade hosted by the City of Knoxville and Young Williams Animal Center; the establishment of two community dog parks and planning for at least five more; and the identification of almost 3,000 pet-friendly hotel rooms in the community.

The potential impact is huge. Studies show that more than 63% of American households, more than 71-million in all, own a pet. It can make a difference for tourism.

“We’re a family oriented destination,” said KTSC President Gloria Ray. “There’s no question that making our community more pet-friendly can help us appeal to more people.”

But the effort is about more than just making sure people and their pets are welcome. It’s also about controlling the pet population. Young-Williams Animal Center recently celebrated the 10,000th spay/neuter surgery on the Spay Shuttle, but realizes the needs to do even more. In fact an additional spay/neuter facility as well as a pet adoption center is being set up on Kingston Pike in the Bearden area. Construction is underway now.

“The efforts of this committee have given us a great opportunity to showcase what is good about this community and all that it does to help animals and pets. We are thrilled to be a part of the movement,” said Tim Adams from Young Williams Animal Center.

The business community is also stepping up and beginning to embrace the idea of being pet friendly. In fact, the website will feature an index of businesses who welcome pets and such businesses will be offered stickers to identify themselves. The Mast General Store downtown is a prime example. “Helping with small breed rescue, working with the Humane Society, and fundraising for the downtown dog park, Mast General loves to help out in these areas in any and every way we can,” said General Manager Mike Johnson. “We fully support the pet friendly initiative and are proud to be a part of it.”

“A great quality of life is an important factor in attracting and keeping businesses and skilled employees,” said Rhonda Rice, Executive Vice President of the Knoxville Chamber. “Certainly, a pet-friendly community adds to the accolades and quality of life that makes Knoxville attractive.”

”Well over half of the households in the U.S. have at least one pet. They bring us comfort, entertainment, laughter, and unconditional acceptance and love in an unsure world” says Dr. John New, Professor, UT College of Veterinary Medicine. “The Pet Friendliest effort is encouraging these benefits to be expanded to public spaces and the workplace, as well as private households.”

At PetSafe, employees are welcome to bring their pets to work. “It makes for a great work environment and I would encourage others to consider it as well,” said Boyd. “Our company may be focused on pet products, but I believe a policy like this can work for virtually any business.”

Media Contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584- 0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Invisible Fence Brand expands product line to accommodate smaller pets

Posted by admin – July 17, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn – Invisible Fence® Brand announces the launch of the new MicroLite™ Computer Collar® in an effort to keep more pets, no matter how small they may be, safe at home.

For more than 35 years, Invisible Fence Brand has provided pet owners trusted technology and proven training procedures.

“It’s all about peace of mind,” says Willie Wallace, IFB’s Vice President of Product Development. “And the MicroLite Computer Collar is going to give that gift to owners of dogs of any size as well as cats.”

Microlite_Collar_4a539460b27e3_175x175

The MicroLite collar is 30% smaller and lighter than traditional containment collars, weighing in at only one ounce. “It breaks the mold. No more bulky, drab looking training collars,” says Wallace. The MicroLite Computer Collar will also appeal to your pet’s individual style with a variety of sleek, colorful MicroSkinz™ and collar designs perfect for even the most sophisticated pet.

Invisible Fence Brand collars, including the MicroLite, alert pets with a warning tone when he or she approaches the edge of the safe area. Invisible Fence Brand pairs the technology with pet training; the protocols that help the pet obey this signal and stay in the yard.

According to the American Kennel Club, the popularity of small dogs and cats has steadily risen over the past decade. “That’s just one of the trends we’re seeing when it comes to pet ownership,” says Wallace. “We also know that pets are truly members of the family now and their parents want to keep them safe, healthy and happy.”

Not all pets are the same, nor is the property they call home. “That’s why we offer the various collars and take great care to customize each solution to meet the specific needs of each pet and their family,” says Wallace.

Unlike traditional fencing, Invisible Fence Brand systems can also section off a pool, garden or other landscaping while maintaining the beauty and integrity of your property. An Invisible Fence boundary goes practically anywhere – through hilly rocky terrain, wooded areas or even under water – all at a fraction of the cost of traditional fencing.

The systems are not just for outside. Invisible Fence Brand In-Home® Solutions are popular for pets and the MicroLite Computer Collar is compatible with that system as well.

“Our indoor units make certain rooms or areas off limits to their pets,” says Wallace. “Many people like to make sure their pet won’t come into the dining room while entertaining…or they may have another room they want pet-free. Our systems can easily make that possible, says Wallace.”

Research and development of new, innovative, and better products remains one of Invisible Fence Brand’s key focuses and core competencies. The MicroLite Computer Collar is now available for purchase. Find a local Invisible Fence® Brand dealer, by visiting the company’s website at www.InvisibleFence.com, or by calling 1-800-578-DOGS (3647).

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About Invisible Fence

Invisible Fence® Brand is the original electronic fence containment system sold nationwide by professional dealers who offer custom installation and certified Perfect Start™ Pet Training to create an environment of safety and freedom for pets. For more information, visit www.InvisibleFence.com

Media Contact

Mike Cohen

mcohen@ackermannpr.com

865.584-0550

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Radio Systems’ Randy Boyd named CEO of the Year by Business Tennessee Magazine

Posted by Ryan Willis – July 16, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn – The founder and President/CEO of Radio Systems has been named Business Tennessee Magazine’s CEO of the Year.

Radio Systems produces and markets a wide variety of pet products, including the PetSafe family of brands and Invisible Fence.  Sport Dog is also a Radio System product.

Boyd founded the company mostly on a dream and quickly built it into a successful business. It went from a $10 million dollar a year company to a $100 million dollar a year company in ten years. Boyd hopes to use the same math and have a $1 billion dollar company within another ten years.

According to the article, analysts seem optimistic and note that pet products are one of the few retail growth areas. But Boyd acknowledges it won’t be easy. Quoting from the Business Tennessee article: “We’ve got a path to get there, but it’s going to be a challenge—there are a lot of things on our road map, and there’s a probability that some of them won’t happen,” he says. “But we also believe that the biggest idea we’ve ever had, we haven’t thought of yet.”

Technology will continue to play a role, with new products planned that include GPS capabilities and “smart” technology that will make it even easier for people to build better relationships with their pets.

Boyd is also deeply involved in the Knoxville community and is helping create “dog parks” across the county.

For more information about the Radio Systems brands, visit www.PetSafe.net or call 865-218-1568.

Media Contact

Mike Cohen

865-584-0550

mcohen@ackermannpr.com