A pet warranty bill recently introduced into the Hawaii Senate would allow some pet buyers to collect from pet sellers unlimited reimbursement for “reasonable veterinary fees for necessary services and treatments” for known health defects in cats and dogs, and other pet owners to seek reimbursement up to the animal’s price for defects detected up to two years after the animal’s purchase. more>>

Pet Supplies Plus of Farmington Hills, Mich., in January completed the acquisition of its largest franchisee, which operated 12 stores in northeast Pennsylvania. more>>

The National Retail Federation of Washington, D.C., reported 2011 holiday retail sales growth of 4.1 percent to $471.5 billion came in slightly higher than the NRF’s forecast of 3.8 percent, or $469.1 billion. more>>

Sloppy Kisses has moved its dog bakery and pet boutique in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to a larger, 3,000-square-foot that is more centrally located. more>>

The International Professional Pond Companies Association, based in Woodstock, Ga., began a monthly “special pricing” email program through which manufacturer and distributor IPPCA members could offer contractor and retailer IPPCA members discounts and other incentives. more>>

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, a nonprofit trade association based in Mt. Laurel, N.J., elected Tiffany Hammer-Manson and Cyndy Lippert to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2012. more>>

For the second time in two years, the Epworth, Ga.-based National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP) has canceled its scheduled annual conference and trade show. more>>

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding its sales force and partnering with distribution companies throughout the U.S. to create a network of 1,200 representatives who will call on 22,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics in the U.S. to promote “nutritional recommendations” as the fifth vital assessment in pet healthcare. more>>

Mississippi State University’s Insect Rearing Center received $100,000 from a Spanish scholar to create a building specifically for rearing black soldier flies. more>>

The Hawaii Senate is considering two separate bills that would each ban the sale of unsterilized dogs and cats and require pet sellers to microchip all dogs and cats prior to sale. more>>

The Vermont Senate is considering a bill that would allow pet owners to recover noneconomic damages for emotional stress resulting from the death of a pet. more>>

Two proposals currently in the New Jersey Assembly could result in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services reviewing and revising requirements for pet stores, kennels and other establishments that sell live animals. more>>

Sally Liddick, founder of Barkleigh Productions Inc. in Mechanicsburg, Pa., died on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at age 65. more>>

Hawaii’s House Committee on Economic Revitalization and Business has scheduled a hearing for tomorrow on House Bill 2161, legislation that would establish a statutory warranty for dogs sold by pet stores and breeding kennels that sold two or more litters of dogs to the public in the past year. more>>

Maryland is considering legislation to establish warranty requirements on retail pet stores for dog sales that would allow purchasers to seek remedy up to a year after the purchase and impose civil penalty fines on pet stores. more>>

The Rhode Island state senate is considering legislation that would ban ownership of boa constrictors, pythons, crocodiles and alligators. more>>

PetFoodDirect.com, a unit of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Pet360, launched its PFD Rewards loyalty program, based on San Francisco-based 500friends’ LoyaltyPlus marketing platform, in which it will offer customers rewards for pet product purchases and referrals. more>>

The Georgia Board of Natural Resources will hold a meeting, set for Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, to consider proposed rules, and public comments previously received regarding those rules, for regulating the export, farming and sale of native freshwater turtles. more>>

Mars Petcare plans to boost production of pet treats at its Columbia, S.C., location by $128 million during the next five years, The State newspaper of South Carolina reported. more>>

Ferret breeder Triple F Farms of Sayre, Pa., received a deferred prosecution following a joint investigation by the Bradford County District Attorney’s Office and the Bradford County Humane Society into the breeder’s facility and practices. more>>