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ökocat® Natural Litter Introduces New 100% Recyclable Packaging

FERNDALE, WASH. (August 8, 2023) – ökocat has announced its sustainable, wood-based litter will receive a packaging refresh to a fully recyclable paper bag, furthering the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Starting in October of 2023 the current box packaging will transition to new double wall paper bags with a recyclable handle to directly answer the requests of their consumer.  Healthy Pet decided to make the switch to a recyclable paper bag after consumer research revealed the natural litter and ökocat consumer has a strong desire for 100% recyclable packaging to align with their desire for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable litter choice. “Interestingly, very few natural brands are meeting natural litter consumers’ wants on packaging, with many still being in heavy non-recyclable, non-biodegradable plastic bags or poly pouches,” notes Jane Wasley, Head of Marketing for Healthy Pet.  “We are delighted to provide our customers with the same high quality, sustainable litter they love in new 100% recyclable packaging,” said Healthy Pet’s Consumer Communications Manager Leslie Ellis. “This refresh allows us to remain focused on providing the same industry-leading product but with more environmentally friendly packaging”. ökocat creates next generation plant-based, biodegradable litter made in the U.S. from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural fiber without harmful chemicals, artificial fragrance, toxic dyes, strip-mined clay or silica.  For more information about ökocat, to purchase online or to find retail locations near you, visit healthy-pet.com/okocat.  
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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® Litter Now Available Nationwide at Select Whole Foods Market Stores

FERNDALE, Wash., March 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ökocat has announced that its plant-based litter is now available at select Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. The brand's Super Soft clumping wood cat litter will be featured on shelves in a majority of locations across the U.S. "With our standard of excellence and commitment to selling high quality products, collaborating with Whole Foods Market was a natural choice for the ökocat brand, which is why our litter has been available in Northern California Whole Foods Market locations for several years," said Healthy Pet's Consumer Communications Manager Leslie Ellis. "Our dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability allowed us to expand into this collaboration, bringing our plant-based litter to pet parents nationwide and helping cats and cat parents across the U.S." "We are so excited to expand ökocat into Whole Foods Market stores nationwide, especially at a time when customers continue to prioritize products that support both their pets and our planet - an ongoing trend shared in our 2023 trends prediction report. We love introducing brands like ökocat to help our customers find that balance and joy," said Jennifer Mandanici, Global Category Merchant for Whole Foods Market. ökocat is the next generation plant-based litter for cats, families and their homes. The litter is made from rescued natural wood fiber without added harmful chemicals, added fragrance, or toxic dyes and is 99% dust free. It provides outstanding odor control and easy-clean clumping for a longer lasting litter. The brand's Super Soft clumping wood cat litter offers an ultra-soft texture, mimicking the feel of clay, which allows for a smooth transition for new users when switching brands. The super soft feel is also beneficial for senior pets or cats with sensitive paws or even kittens. For more information about ökocat, to purchase online or to find a Whole Foods Market location that offers ökocat near you, visit healthy-pet.com/okocat. 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 fiber without harmful chemicals, added fragrance, or toxic dyes. 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. 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®, ökocat® natural cat litter and Puppy Go Potty™ natural dog litter. For more information, please visit healthy-pet.com.
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ökocat® and carefresh® Products Now Available at Canadian Tire

FERNDALE, Wash., Feb. 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- Healthy Pet has announced variations of its ökocat natural, plant-based litter and carefresh biodegradable, sustainable small pet bedding at select Canadian Tire locations throughout Canada and online at CanadianTire.ca. Consumers can check in-store availability by visiting the Canadian Tire website. ökocat's lightweight, clumping Featherweight variation and the brand's clumping, Low Tracking mini-pellets variation will both be featured online and on shelves in approximately 350 locations nationwide, along with carefresh's Natural and Confetti variations of small pet paper bedding. ökocat and carefresh products can be found at participating Canadian Tire select locations that include a Petco section as part of a partnership between the two retailers to offer a wide selection of Petco pet products at Canadian Tire stores.   "It is a privilege to work with one of Canada's top retailers to provide pet parents with natural, sustainable pet products to help families across the country live cleaner," said Healthy Pet's Consumer Communications Manager, Leslie Ellis. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make ökocat and carefresh products available to Canadian Tire customers and pet parents throughout Canada." Consumers purchasing the ökocat products in-store will find an instant redeemable coupon on each package for $3 off their respective purchases at Canadian Tire locations, aligning with both Healthy Pet and Canadian Tire's missions to provide affordable, quality products. ökocat is the next generation plant-based litter that is 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 and easy-clean clumping for a litter that lasts longer and is 99% dust free for a cleaner, healthier home.    carefresh is the #1 brand of small pet bedding, and unlike other pet bedding, carefresh is made from scratch specifically for small pets using sustainable natural fiber The bedding is pillowy soft, ultra-absorbent and both biodegradable and compostable. It has long lasting clean and comfort with less stress on the pet and less clean-up for the pet parent. To find Canadian Tire locations offering ökocat and carefresh products, visit CanadianTire.ca. For more information on ökocat and carefresh products, visit Healthy-Pet.com.
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Healthy Pet once again welcomes several new hires to support continued growth in the pet industry

Our most recent hire is Robert Burrell as our new Production Planner, replacing Paul Doty who has been promoted to the newly created position of Demand Planner.  Robert comes to us with several years of planning experience, having spent the last seven years working in the Planning Department at Safran, a manufacturer of aircraft and space vehicle supplies and parts. He held several positions there including IPT Planning Lead, Master Scheduler, and most recently Planner 3.  He have a 15 year old cat and helps foster mother-to-be cats and their kittens. His hobbies include snowboarding, fishing, and camping.  Jenn Baird has joined as our newest CX Associate to help with processing sales orders, supporting the sales team and communicating with consumers about Healthy Pet products. Jenn recently relocated to Washington from New Mexico.  She shares her busy home with three dogs—Simon, Zoey, Todd, and two cats named Samantha and Fitz.  Jenn loves reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time outside hiking or exploring the beach.  Jenn has even had some of her poetry published in academic journals! Finally, Isadora Samson is our new Sales Coordinator, supporting sales and business intelligence while also assisting CX as needed. Isadora is originally from Maryland but has spent the last decade on the West Coast and moved the Pacific Northwest in May 2021. In her spare time she enjoys working out, cooking, baking, crafting, and spending time with her boyfriend and 14 year old American Bulldog mix named Jingles.  These valued new and previous employees are an essential part of Healthy Pet's rapid company growth as we strive to meet the growing demand for sustainable pet products that meet today's discerning pet parent needs.
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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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