How are mergers and acquisitions reshaping the pet care industry? In this episode, we welcome back Carmen Rustenbeck of IBPSA to discuss the rise of corporate buyouts, the impact on small pet businesses, and the challenges of maintaining a personal touch in an evolving market. They explore industry regulations, including Ollie’s Law in Massachusetts and the new Veterinary Professional Associate role in Colorado, and what they mean for pet professionals. Carmen also highlights the growing influence of Gen Z pet owners and their unique preferences, from pet insurance to reptile

Main topics:

• Mergers and acquisitions in pet care – How big corporations are buying out independent businesses.

• Impact of industry regulations – Discussing Ollie’s Law and the Veterinary Professional Associate role.

• Trends among Gen Z pet owners – Increased interest in pet insurance, fresh food, and exotic pets.

• Collaboration between pet businesses – Why pet sitters, boarding facilities, and veterinarians should work together.

• Technology advancements in pet care – AI, software, and new pet care innovations shaping the industry.

Main Takeaway: “If we want to stay small business and keep the personal touch, we need to be proactive in collaborating and defining best practices before regulations force our hand.” – Carmen Rustenbeck

Mergers and acquisitions are reshaping pet sitting, dog walking, and boarding facilities as big corporations enter the space. What does this mean for small business owners? How can pet sitters stay competitive while maintaining a personal touch?

📢 Don’t wait for regulations to dictate your business—define best practices now! Listen today and future-proof your pet care company. 🎧🐾

About our guest:

Carmen Rustenbeck has been involved in non-profit work for over 20 years and active in the pet care industry since 2004. By creating and implementing a development plan that details how the organization gains members to create a powerful voice for the industry, and identifying areas of service never before provided to our industry, as Founder & Executive Director of IBPSA Carmen is committed to building a member-centered organization that promotes the best practices and strategies for helping our industry reach its full potential.

Links:

Previously on: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/089-carmen-rustenbeck-with-ibpsa

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Full show notes and transcript

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