Virtual trade show enables Planet Dog and retailers to reduce carbon footprint

Portland, Maine – Planet Dog’s first Virtual Trade Show has come to a close and the eco-friendly and socially responsible pet industry leader has declared it a success for the company, retailers and most importantly mother earth. Planet Dog has been thinking globally and acting doggedly since day one and this latest green innovation is just another way the award-winning designer of premium dog products is not only reducing their own carbon pawprint, but enabling others to join them in doing so.

The Reduce. Reuse. Rewoof. Virtual Trade Show featured a tour of Planet Dog’s show booth led by company President Stephanie Volo and other members of the Planet Dog pack. The Virtual Trade Show which could be accessed through www.planetdogretailer.com from March 26th until April 12th, offered retailers show specials that included free shipping on orders over $350 and a free award-winning, branded merchandising spinner on orders over $1,000.

Also, every retailer that visited the Virtual Trade Show was also eligible to enter a raffle for $350 worth of free Planet Dog products. 225 retailers entered the raffle and Mary Lehman of Who’s Walking Who(m) Dog Training from South Ogden, Utah, was the lucky winner.

“We’ve been working on ways to reduce our carbon pawprint and less travel is one solution,” says Volo. “We’re making some of the industry’s most eco-friendly products and running our company with that same mentality,” adds Volo.

The response from retailers to this alternative and very green approach to the traditional tradeshow was terrific. “I love this virtual trade show! I won’t be traveling to one any time soon. The virtual one is sheer genius. In a strange way I feel included, though times are too tough to travel,” said B. Williams, of That’s Hautel of Concord, NC.

“I thought it was a great way to get new product out or even to just show new customers,” said Stephanie of Mammoth Pet Shop in Mammoth Lakes, California. “Real innovative!” she added.

“What a great idea! It showcases the products well, and gives us retailers ideas on how to merchandise your awesome products to look their best,” said Laura Holland of Playhouse 4 Paws Dog of Salem, Oregon.

According to Michael Schaffer, the author of One Nation Under Dog, the U.S. pet industry is now a $43 billion-per-year behemoth, more than double what was spent on pet products 15 years ago. Since eco-friendly pet products and services fetch only $1 billion of the transactions, Planet Dog is committed to reducing their environmental pawprint and providing better, smarter and greener ways for their retailers to do the same.

“As committed environmental stewards, we use sustainable resources and materials whenever possible,” says Volo. “And although we produce thousands of Orbee-Tuff toys each year, we create virtually no waste in the process,” adds Volo. Whether creating toys, not waste, providing financial resources or helping to educate consumers about canine-related issues, Planet Dog is proud to be a pet industry leader with proven socially responsible initiatives that bring people and dogs together for fun and mutual support.

“As a small company doing big things, our goal will always be to improve the world around us by giving back to our community, our workforce and the environment,” says Alex Fisher, Planet Dog’s Founder. “Our internal mantra is “think globally, act doggedly.” When running a business, it’s easy to get absorbed in just the dollars and cents. The mantra helps keep us focused on the higher cause for which we entered this industry,” adds Fisher.

Planet Dog’s corporate philanthropic arm is the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF). The Foundation, whose mission is to promote and celebrate programs that enable dogs to serve and support their best friends, receives a percentage of every Planet Dog purchase. In turn, it is donated back to non-profit canine service programs nationwide.

“We’re doing what no other pet product company is doing,” says Catherine Frost, Planet Dog’s Brand and Product Champion. “We offer innovative, top-quality products that dogs love, all while supporting service dog programs, encouraging pet adoption and protecting Planet Earth. Our goal is for our actions to speak louder than woofs,” adds Frost.

Since January 2006, PDF has given away more than a half a million dollars in cash and in-kind donations to several worthy organizations. For more information and a full list of programs and grantees, please visitwww.planetdogfoundation.org.