We at Pet Care Trust want to thank Lew Sutton for his 9 years of service as our President.  We also want to welcome Brent Weinmann to the position!  Please read the press release below for more details.

Pet Care Trust Names New President

Brent Weinmann, CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc. has been selected to take over as President of The Pet Care Trust after Lew Sutton steps down after 9 years of service.

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce that Brent Weinmann, President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., has been appointed as President of the Pet Care Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes public understanding regarding the value of and right to enjoy companion animals, enhances knowledge about companion animals through research and education, and promotes professionalism among members of the companion animal community.

Weinmann’ expertise in the pet industry and philanthropic work will be an asset to his leadership role. In addition to being President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., a manufacturer of pet food and treats, Weinmann is on the board of American Pet Products Association, and has held seats on the boards of Wood Lane industries and Wood County Workforce Policy Board.  He has been on the board of the Pet Care Trust since 2002.

“Brent Weinmann has a long track record of service to the Pet Care Trust as a member of the Board of Trustees,” said Steven King, Executive Director of the Pet Care Trust. “His leadership skills, creativity and devotion to the Trust’s mission will be in evidence even more during his term as president.”

Weinmann will be taking the place of Lew Sutton who has served as the President of the Pet Care Trust for the past 9 years.   “Lew Sutton has helped transform the Pet Care Trust into a vital contributor to a better understanding of the importance of pets in our daily lives,” said Steven King. “Under his leadership, the Trust first created the Fish in the Classroom program, then Pets in the Classroom, which is having a profound impact on school age children throughout the country.”

Sutton’s leadership has left a lasting impact at the Pet Care Trust, an impact that Brent Weinmann plans to expand on in his own presidency.

“I am looking forward to continuing in the strong direction that Lew Sutton provided for 9 years as the President of the Pet Care Trust,” said Weinmann. “I plan to focus on our signature program, Pets in the Classroom. Working with teachers to help give them an opportunity to make pets part of the learning process is exciting.  The Trust has received hundreds of thank you letters, pictures and stories of how student engagement and stimulation increases when animals are part of the curriculum.  Since the beginning of the program the PCT has authorized over  6000 grants to teachers across the country.  This has the potential of enriching the education and lives of nearly 180,000 students.”

For more information on the Pet Care Trust, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org/about.

 Are you thinking of applying for a Pets in the Classroom grant to set up a classroom aquarium?  Not sure where to start?  Here are some things to consider when choosing fish for your first aquarium.

One of the most important components of your aquarium is the water.  You will want to select fish that will stay healthy in your type of tap water.  When you go to purchase your equipment, you can take a sample of tap water with you to be tested.  Based on the pH and hardness or softness of the water, your aquarium professional will be able to recommend the correct water conditioners and fish that will tend to do well in your water.

You’ll want to choose fish that do well on prepared fish foods that are available from your pet supplier.  You can always supplement fish food with foods like freeze-dried brine shrimp or bloodworms as recommended, but for the most part you want fish that don’t need specialized feeding.

Choose hardy fish for your aquarium.  Some fish are better than others at adapting to conditions that might vary from day to day – possible over or under feeding, imperfect water changes, temperature fluctuations.  As you become more experienced and the students perfect the aquarium care routine, hardy fish will be able to handle the possible effects on their living conditions.

There are a wide variety of commercially raised fish available from pet and aquarium supply retailers that will do well in a beginner’s aquarium.  Get advice on which fish can live peacefully together and share similar environmental conditions, as well as which fish can best adapt to your classroom with success.

Now do you feel a little more prepared to bring fish into your classroom?  Apply for the Pets in the Classroom Grant today!