Tag: Pets

Radio Systems acquires Veterinary Ventures Inc.

Posted by Sarah Malak – June 7, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Every pet needs clean, fresh and healthy water. But sometimes, pets can be particular about the way they hydrate.

Drinkwell 360 Fountain

Pet industry leader Radio Systems Corporation has acquired Veterinary Ventures Inc. to make sure all those different requests can be met.

In 1994, veterinarian Dr. Mary Burns experienced frustration with the behavior of one of her cats named “Buckwheat.” “Buckwheat” would only drink water from a dripping faucet and would lie around on the kitchen counter all day waiting for her human to turn the faucet on.

So Dr. Burns invented The Drinkwell® Pet Fountain in 1994 to address this issue. “Buckwheat” could then drink fresh, healthy water from her own fountain. Eventually the company became Veterinary Ventures Inc.

“We have tremendous respect for the products that Vet Ventures Inc. has introduced to the market over the past several years, and the Drinkwell® Pet Fountain brings another category leadership to Radio Systems,” said Randy Boyd, founder and CEO of Radio Systems Corporation. “Our mission is to be the most trusted brand in the pet ownership experience, and to continually offer our consumers a broader offering with more product choices.”

“I see this as a great acquisition for Radio Systems and our customers. We recently introduced a collection of Healthy Pet Station feeders and water systems, so this is a great complement to that line. The Drinkwell® Pet Fountain is already a great product, and I’m confident that we can take it to a new level to provide pet owners with even more choice in water systems for their beloved pets,” said Tom Feiten, director of sales at Radio Systems. “Drinkwell® products are well-known, so we’re excited to be associated with the brand.”

“We at Veterinary Ventures are very excited to be a part of the Radio Systems family. Their experience and resources will mean significant new innovations in the Drinkwell® Pet Fountain line of products,” said Sean Rowe, president of Veterinary Ventures.

Radio Systems Corporation will keep the Drinkwell® product name due to its strong market recognition, but in the next few months, the brand name the fountains are sold under will transition to the PetSafe® brand.

For more information on the companies, visit www.petfountain.com or  www.PetSafe.net.

About Radio Systems
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Radio Systems Corporation (RSC) is the maker of the PetSafe®, Invisible Fence®, Innotek®, SportDOG®, Staywell®, and most recently the Premier® and Unleashed Technology® brands. The brand portfolio makes RSC an industry leader in the management of pet behavior, pet training solutions, containment systems, safety and lifestyle product solutions.

About Vet Ventures Inc.
The Drinkwell® Pet Fountain was invented in 1994 by veterinarian Dr. Mary Burns after experiencing frustration with the behavior of one of her cats named “Buckwheat.” “Buckwheat” would only drink water from a dripping faucet and would lie around on the kitchen counter all day waiting for her human to turn the faucet on. Veterinary Ventures Inc. was later founded in early 1996. The business was sold to Northstar Investors in 2002. Vet Ventures Inc.’s top customers in 2009 were PetSmart, PETCO, Amazon.com and Drs. Foster & Smith. The company is located in Reno, Nev.

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For more information:
Sarah Malak, Ackermann PR
865-584-0550
SMalak@ackermannpr.com

Show your pet love…positively

Posted by Sarah Malak – February 23, 2010

imagesKnoxville, Tenn. – Training your dog is one of the best ways to enjoy your relationship to the fullest. Luckily, there’s a pet safety company that’s just as passionate about giving your dog the best training available. Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand, is focused on giving its customers a wide variety of training methods to choose from, whether the instruction is based on correcting your pet or positive reinforcement.

That’s why Radio Systems Corporation has acquired Unleashed Technology brand, which has a unique remote trainer product line completely dedicated to positive reinforcement.  The design approach behind the system is to utilize electronic stimuli to stand in for the physical force of traditional leash pressure and establish a positive bond that will carry forward into off-leash control.

Unleashed Technology’s Wireless Leash Guidance Training System is applied by using varying levels of significantly different stimuli, including vibration, to simulate the different pulling pressures one exerts on a dog during normal walking or training exercises. In turn, the line allows owners/handlers the capability to signal a dog at a distance whenever the dog is doing the correct behavior.

“The Unleashed Technology brand is an exciting addition to Radio Systems Corporation. This product line is focused on creating a positive system that instantly signals your dog when a correct behavior is displayed or when the owner wants the dog to begin a response,” said Randy Boyd, founder and CEO of Radio Systems. “Rather than waiting for the dog to do something wrong, this line allows handlers to be the ‘coach’ by reacting to positive behavior. The outcome is really more fun for everyone involved.”

Unleashed Technology’s line includes three variations of a remote control training system. Unleashed Technology’s first type of trainer is a vibration-only model, while the second exerts vibration plus a very low stimulation and the third applies vibration plus a stronger stimulation. All three products are positioned to capture the consumer who is static-averse and only interested in very low levels of stimulation for their pet.

“PetSafe’s Strategic Business Unit and Innovations departments identified this type of product as a gap in our current product offerings,” said Boyd. “This is a great way for us to reach out to a completely new audience in giving them a static-free method of training their dog.”

For more information on Unleashed Technology, visit www.unleashedtechnology.com.

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.

For more information:
Sarah Malak, Ackermann PR
865-584-0550
SMalak@ackermannpr.com

Leading pet safety company and veterinary college partner to improve lives of pets

Posted by Sarah Malak – February 2, 2010

imagesKnoxville, Tenn. – The more we know about how domestic animals  behave, the better we can care for them. That’s one of the reasons that PetSafe, the industry leader in pet safety and behavior products, will fund one of the few veterinary school behaviorist positions in the country. The newest Chair in Veterinary Behavior will work in the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville.

The position was formed to research and gain understanding of animal behaviors that may jeopardize a pet remaining in a home environment. The ultimate goal of an animal behaviorist is to help protect the bond between a human and companion animal.

Responsibilities of the behavioral position include providing high quality instruction in domestic animal behavior to private veterinary practitioners, veterinary students and graduate students/residents and develop an outpatient companion animal behavior service and an independent, externally-funded research program. Teaching activities include a core introductory course in animal behavior for veterinary students, elective course(s) in the veterinary curriculum and assistance with a clinical rotation for senior veterinary students.

The Chair will represent the College on animal behavior issues at the local, state, national and international levels. Interaction with veterinarians and other constituents will be an integral part of the position.

Nationwide, there are fewer than 50 board-certified veterinary behaviorists, not enough to meet the need in even the country’s largest cities. Dr. Claudia Kirk, department head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the College, says the new faculty position puts the College on par with an elite group. “Very few colleges have a veterinary behaviorist on board,” says Kirk. “Since behavior issues are the number one reason why animals are surrendered to shelters, we will help fill an important gap in clinical service and in teaching veterinary students.  I look forward to the new discoveries that will help enrich the human-animal bond, improve the quality of life for pets and enhance the training of future veterinarians.”

Randy Boyd, founder and CEO of Radio Systems Corporation (makers of the PetSafe brand), recently launched an effort to make Knoxville and the surrounding area the Pet Friendliest Community in America. So, the PetSafe Chair is an opportunity to discover practical, science-based methods for responsible pet owners to be able to create and sustain a lasting bond. Boyd says, “This will be a win for UT, a win for our community and a win for animal welfare. UT will recruit a professor/researcher to lead this field of study and build clinical and research services around it.”

Boyd says there is a vacuum nationally in veterinary behavior, and the university, along with the community, will have the possibility of being the national leader in the area through this effort. “We hope to improve understanding of pets and thus improve their welfare. Some of the research initiatives will include but not be limited to: excessive vocalization in dogs; problem elimination; aggression; fears, anxieties and phobias; how behavior problems develop in pets; and investigation of the genetic basis of behavior and behavior problems.”

Funding for the PetSafe Chair is available to hire at the assistant or associate professor level. There will be additional funding for partial technical and research support. Both UT and PetSafe locations will serve as research/consultation sites. Salary for the position will depend on experience and qualifications.

Applicants should submit a letter of intent, current curriculum vitae, statement of research and teaching goals and contact information for three references (mailing and e-mail addresses and phone number) to Dr. William Thomas, Chair, Search Committee, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, 2407 River Drive, Rm. C247, Knoxville, TN 37996. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2010 and continue until the position is filled.

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: http://www.petsafe.net.

For more information:
Mike Cohen, Ackermann PR
865-584-0550
MCohen@AckermannPR.com

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

Posted by Katie Allison Granju – 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

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

Posted by Mike Cohen – 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