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Healthy Pet Announces Ted Mischaikov as Chief Executive Officer

FERNDALE, Wash. , June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthy Pet, the pet industry leader in sustainably sourced absorption substrates, has announced the appointment of Ted Mischaikov as chief executive officer (CEO) effective May 28, 2023.  The appointment of Mischaikov marks his return to the company as CEO, a position he held from 2011 to 2020. Upon Mischaikov's departure from Healthy Pet in 2020, he served as the executive chairman & CEO of the Primal Pet Group during a period of rapid growth and acquisition. "We welcome Ted back to the Healthy Pet team. Based on his extensive experience with our brands, production and his commitment to sustainability, we are confident he will drive growth and expand our industry-leading products, which enrich the lives of pets, their people and our planet," said Healthy Pet Director of Sales Kelly Rogers. A decisive leader with proven management success across multiple industries, Mischaikov will be responsible for the global growth of Healthy Pet in support of its parent company, J. Rettenmaier & Sons, a world leader in natural fiber technology for over 140 years. "JRS enjoys a strong relationship with Ted, and we are pleased he has returned to again lead Healthy Pet," said JRS Director of the Americas Nils Gersonde. Throughout his career in the pet industry, Mischaikov has demonstrated decisive leadership driving excellence in manufacturing, adoption of new technologies and the promotion of sustainability initiatives, making him a natural fit to lead Healthy Pet as it expands into new substrates, expands facilities and acquires strategic assets. "Healthy Pet is a future-focused company developing performance-based sustainable products, which consumers are demanding. The world wants 'healthier clean' products, and we have the technology and resources to deliver them. My objective is to work with our team and ownership to deepen and diversify our leadership in sustainable solutions for the global pet industry," said Mischaikov. Healthy Pet excels in manufacturing next generation, sustainably sourced products, including ökocat natural cat litter and carefresh responsibly rescued small animal bedding. ökocat creates plant-based, biodegradable litter that is cleaner and healthier for cats, families and their homes, while carefresh is the No. 1 brand of small pet bedding, made from scratch using 100% reclaimed natural fiber.
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ökocat Donates to Shelters and Rescues in Need with 2022 ökocause4paws Campaign

FERNDALE, WASH. (Sept. 1, 2022) – ökocat has announced it is now accepting nominations for the brand’s annual ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program throughout the month of September in conjunction with Happy Cat Month. The program awards deserving animal shelters and rescues around the U.S. and Canada with a donation of ökocat’s natural, plant-based litter.  The public is encouraged to nominate their favorite shelter or rescue, particularly smaller shelters that have fewer resources and a greater need. Winning rescues and shelters will receive a donation of ökocat litter, and each respective shelter’s cat adopters will receive a coupon for a free box of the brand’s eco-friendly litter when taking home their new furry friend. Each person who submits a nomination will also be entered to win a one-year supply of ökocat litter.  “Every year, we look forward to the chance to have a meaningful impact on shelters and rescues through ökocause4paws,” said ökocat’s Consumer Communications Manager Leslie Ellis. “Since its inception in 2018, the program has donated more than 24,000 pounds of ökocat natural litter to shelters and rescues around the U.S. and Canada. We are proud to make a difference in the lives of shelter cats nationwide, and we can’t wait to change the world one litter box at a time.”  This year, ökocat has announced it will also be collaborating with Mission Meow to create an even larger impact for more small shelters in need. Mission Meow is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to increase the level of charitable donations for small feline-centric nonprofits. ökocat will work with Mission Meow to amplify its impact on the feline community and increase donations to deserving organizations.   ökocat creates next generation plant-based, biodegradable litter meant to be cleaner and healthier for cats, families and their homes. The natural litter is made in the U.S. from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural fiber without harmful chemicals, fragrance, dyes or GMOs. ökocat provides outstanding odor control, easy-clean clumping and is 99% dust free.  For more information on ökocause4paws, visit Healthy-Pet.com/pages/okocause4paws. For more information on ökocat products, visit healthy-pet.com/collections/okocat                         
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ökocat Litter Launches in Pet Supplies Plus Locations Nationwide

FERNDALE, WASH. (March 1, 2022) – ökocat, the creator of next-generation natural cat litter, has announced it will now be sold at Pet Supplies Plus, the nation’s leading pet retail franchise. Every location across the country will carry ökocat’s Original Premium Clumping Wood Cat Litter when the brand officially launches in stores this month, with majority of locations also offering Less Mess Clumping Low-Tracking, Mini-Pellets Wood Cat Litter.  ökocat is a superior, natural litter that is cleaner and healthier for your cat, family and home. The litter is made entirely from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural wood fiber, and it is 99% dust free. Using no artificial fragrance, synthetic chemicals, toxic dyes or GMO’s, ökocat litter stops odors before they start. “Pet Supplies Plus has been committed to helping pet owners best serve their pets since 1988,” said ökocat’s Consumer Communications Manager Leslie Ellis. “We are proud to work with one of the leading pet retailers in the country to bring ökocat litter to more homes across the United States.”  Pet Supplies Plus offers a wide array of natural pet foods and a variety of made-in-the-USA pet consumables, in addition to everyday products like toys, grooming and health care items and accessories for dogs, cats and pocket pets. Full-service grooming, self-serve pet wash stations and a bakery case are also available in-store at many locations. The retailer is committed to ensuring pet owners have everything they need to treat their pets as beloved family members, making a partnership with ökocat a natural fit. “We take great pride in the variety of quality products we offer pet parents nationwide and knew ökocat would be a strong addition,” shared Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Supplies Plus. “We’ve seen a great shift in making healthier choices in the home, and adding ökocat’s litter to our aisles gives our neighbors a sustainable, clean and plant-based litter option.”  Visit Healthy-Pet.com/okocat for more information on ökocat products, as well as PetSuppliesPlus.com for details on the nearest Pet Supplies Plus location.   About ökocat® ökocat, a Healthy Pet® brand, is the next generation of natural cat litter. Made in the U.S. from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural wood fiber without harmful chemicals, fragrance, dyes or GMOs. ökocat® is the U.S. version of the world’s number one natural litter, CAT’S BEST, sold primarily in Europe. Due to the brilliance of European engineering, ökocat provides outstanding odor control, easy-clean clumping, and is 99% dust free to provide a cleaner, healthier litter choice for the home. For more information, please visit healthy-pet.com/okocat or connect on Facebook or Instagram.   About Healthy Pet®:Healthy Pet®, a leader in the pet category, offers Best in Home™ pet bedding and litter made from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural fiber. As an accredited member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), Healthy Pet utilizes materials such as cellulose fiber and natural wood from sustainable sources, free from harmful chemicals and other pollutants and have been doing it for over 35 years. Healthy Pet brands include the number one brand of small animal bedding, carefresh®, as well as CritterCare®, natural cat litters ökocat® and Simply Pine™ and Puppy Go Potty™ natural dog litter. For more information visit healthy-pet.com.   About Pet Supplies Plus:Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Our shelves are stocked with the right products, including a wide selection of natural and made in the USA products. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop with us in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation’s largest independent pet store with over 600 locations in 39 states and counting, we make shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.   
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ökocat® Selects Five Winning Shelters for 2020 ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program Due to Overwhelming Need

Sept. 29, 2020 – ökocat® announced they’re donating approximately 11,000 pounds of next generation plant-based cat litter to five U.S. animal rescue organizations. This year’s generous donation is almost triple the amount offered through last year’s ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program. For the third consecutive year, ökocat called on fans to nominate their favorite eco-friendly cities where the brand would select donation recipients. The results are in with locations in Washington, Nebraska, North Carolina and Illinois taking the lead. Due to an overwhelming voting response, and an increased need for litter at shelters due to COVID-19, ökocat has selected five animal shelters in the winning cities including: Whatcom Humane Society in Bellingham, WA The Cat House in Lincoln, Neb. Asheville Humane Society in Asheville, N.C. Chicago Animal Care & Control in Chicago, Ill Northwest Animal Companions in Portland, Ore. "Two paws up to the folks at Healthy Pet ökocat for their generous donation of litter for our shelter cats and kittens,” said Laura Clark, Director Whatcom Humane Society. “Their support helps us care for thousands of homeless, unwanted cats and kittens annually, and allows us to save badly needed resources to fulfill our mission and life-saving work. We are so grateful for all they do for the animals in our shelter and community."  Throughout 2021, cat adopters and fosters at the selected shelters will also receive coupons for free ökocat litter to bring home. ökocat stops odor before it starts, clumps solid for easy scooping, and has low airborne dust for a healthier home. There are six varieties to choose from, each made in the U.S. from 100 percent sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued wood and paper without artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic dyes or GMOs.   “We are thrilled to be able to provide safe, clean litter for cats across the country through our annual ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program,” said Leslie Ellis, Communications Manager at ökocat. “We strongly believe in the health and environmental benefits of our products for our pets, homes and the planet and this is one way that we look forward to giving back to communities each year. We’re proud to say that we’ve donated over 20,000 pounds of litter in the last three years.” For more information visit www.healthy-pet.com/pages/okocause4paws. 
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ökocat® Doubles Donations for Annual ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program

Animal shelter recipients to be nominated in the top 4 eco-friendly cities. FERNDALE, Wash., June 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ökocat®, the next generation plant-based litter, announced the launch of its third annual ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program. The goals of this initiative are to promote cat adoption and to save the world one litter box at a time with 100% biodegradable, all-natural litter made from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued wood and paper fiber, that's cleaner and healthier for your cat, family and home and better for our planet. From now through August 14, ökocat is calling all pet parents across the U.S. to vote for their favorite eco-friendly city on ökocat's website. Animal shelters will be selected in the four winning cities to receive a donation of 2,000 pounds of ökocat litter. As an added bonus, ökocat will provide a coupon for a free box of litter for each family who adopts from one of these participating shelters in the following 12 months. "We're excited to announce we are doubling our donation this year to provide an even greater community and environmental impact," said Leslie Ellis, Communications Manager at ökocat. "We have proudly donated more than 10,000 pounds of sustainable litter and supported more than 4,000 cat adoptions since we began the program three years ago." The 2020 program offers more ways for cat parents to win with fun photo contests and more. All voters will receive a $3 discount coupon and will be entered to win one of the following: Three lucky winners will receive gift cards to their favorite pet store for either $500, $250 or $100 1 winner will receive coupons for a free 2-month supply of ökocat litter 1 winner will have the opportunity to have their cat's portrait created by artist, Dino Nemec The 2019 ökocause4paws Litter Donation Program recipients included:  Gifford Cat Shelter in Boston, Mass. The Oregon Humane Society in Portland, Ore. Philly PAWS in Philadelphia, Pa. The Rescue House in San Diego, Calif. For more information about ökocat by Healthy Pet, and its unwavering commitment to cat health and care and corporate excellence through sustainability, please visit www.healthy-pet.com/okocat. Follow ökocat on Facebook or Instagram.
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ökocat® Natural Litter Introduces New 100% Recyclable Packaging

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Bringing home your new small pet: best care tips for hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits & more

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