Latest news with #SHEBA
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Salil Murthy on how Mars Petcare is shaping the future of pet care in India with quality, innovation, and purpose
As the number of pet parents in India increases, so does the demand for high-quality pet nutrition. In this insightful conversation, Salil Murthy, Managing Director of Mars Petcare, shares his insights on the evolving pet care landscape, the growing significance of India as a key market, and how the brand's premium offering, SHEBA, is redefining standards in pet nutrition. From global trends to local opportunities, he sheds light on what's next for the pet care industry and how Mars Petcare plans to stay ahead of the curve. 1. Pet ownership in India is evolving rapidly. What are the key shifts you are seeing? India's pet care landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, led by urban lifestyles and a new generation of pet parents. According to the Mars Pet Parent Survey 2024, 70% of pet parents in India are first-time owners—well above the global average of 47%. This growth is driven by Gen Z and Millennials, who are embracing pet parenting for emotional well-being, companionship, and a deeper connection in nuclear households. While dogs remain the most common choice, cat ownership is rising, especially in urban homes. Cats are appreciated for their independence, low-maintenance needs, and calming presence. In fact, 66% of young Indian pet parents say their pets are the most important part of their lives, compared to 47% globally. There's also a strong preference for early-stage bonding—70% of kittens are adopted before they reach three months of age. However, only 4% of these adoptions come from shelters, pointing to an urgent need for greater awareness and advocacy around responsible adoption. Urban challenges—such as limited green spaces and pet-friendly housing—persist, but they are also triggering innovation in pet services, infrastructure, and products. With growing demand, India is seeing strong expansion across pet nutrition, grooming, vet care, insurance, and digital-first offerings. 2. How has greater awareness around pet nutrition shaped consumer preferences? Today's pet parents are more informed, discerning, and deeply invested in their pets' health. There is a clear shift from home-cooked or improvised meals to complete, balanced, and science-based nutrition that supports long-term well-being. As awareness grows, quality is becoming a non-negotiable expectation. At Mars Petcare, quality has always been our hallmark—across ingredients, manufacturing standards, and product innovation. We bring global nutritional science to local relevance, ensuring that every product reflects our commitment to safety, efficacy, and trust. This shift reflects a broader cultural change—pets are no longer on the periphery of the home; they are at the center. And with that comes a stronger responsibility to provide nutrition that's not just adequate, but optimal. 3. How important is India to Mars Petcare globally? India is a high-priority market for Mars Petcare. With the premium pet food segment valued at $551 million and penetration still under 10%, the opportunity is vast. As more pet parents seek quality and consistency, the demand for regulated, trusted nutrition continues to grow. Mars was the first pet food company to enter India, and we've helped create the category from the ground up. We built India's first pet food manufacturing facility, expanded it in 2021, and are now planning to double our capacity to meet accelerating demand. We're investing in local innovation to address the unique needs of Indian pets, and have scaled our distribution across pet shops, general trade, e-commerce, quick commerce, pharmacies, and new emerging platforms like MyGate. We're also engaging directly with pet parents through digital-first storytelling, including our recent SHEBA® campaign with actor Sharvari, which showcased the emotional side of pet parenting in new-age Indian households. 4. What makes SHEBA® stand out in India's premium pet food segment? SHEBA® is crafted for pet parents who refuse to compromise on taste, quality, or the experience they share with their cats. It offers recipes made with real meat, fish, or poultry, free from artificial flavours. With gourmet variants and formats such as Rich Premium Wet Food, Kitten Meals, and GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Entrées, SHEBA® turns every meal into a moment of indulgent bonding. What makes SHEBA® unique is how it blends culinary excellence with emotional storytelling—delivering not just nutrition, but meaningful shared experiences between pet and parent. 5. What is Mars Petcare's current market position in India? Mars Petcare holds a 50% share of India's pet food market, with strong performance across dry food, gravies, and treats. We lead especially in the fast-growing cat segment, driving both penetration and premiumisation. What truly distinguishes us is our unwavering focus on quality, investment, and purpose. Our products are backed by rigorous science and global standards. We've expanded manufacturing, enhanced digital distribution, and invested in pet parent education. We are also going beyond nutrition. Through our Better Cities for Pets initiative, we are working with public and private partners to make urban spaces more inclusive and welcoming for pets across homes, neighbourhoods, and public areas. At Mars Petcare, we're not just serving demand—we're shaping the future of pet care in India, grounded in quality, purpose, and the belief that pets make the world better.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sharvari never lets her pet dog alone: ‘Even when I go for long outdoor schedule'
When the cameras stop rolling, Sharvari's life is filled with a different kind of spotlight – the loving gaze of her pet dog. The actor admits that having a pet came with unparalleled joy and responsibility, adding that she never leaves her pet alone, even when she goes for an outdoor shoot schedule. Also read: Sharvari on entering YRF Spy Universe: 'Alpha is going to break a lot of glass ceilings' "I'm obsessed with my pet," Sharvari confesses with a laugh, adding, 'I think every pet parent feels the same way'. But what sets Sharvari apart is the valuable life lessons she's learned from her pet. The actor adds, "Unconditional love and empathy are two things that are rare to find, but pets give it to you so easily," she reflects. 'One thing that I truly learned is unconditional love and empathy. Because it is something that is very rare to find. Pets just give it to you so easily. What I learnt is just unconditional love, empathy and the importance of simpler things in life,' reflects the actor, who has become the face of premium cat food brand SHEBA. Her pet brings a smile to her face every day, reminding her to appreciate the simpler things in life. Becoming a pet parent has undoubtedly changed Sharvari's perspective. "There's a certain responsibility and commitment that comes with it. The most important thing is always their well-being, their nutrition and to keep them happy,' acknowledges the actor, who confesses that her love for animals and their well-being got her excited about her collaboration with the pet food brand. However, balancing her acting career with pet parenthood can be challenging. With long schedules and frequent travel, Sharvari ensures her pet is never alone. 'My pet is never alone, even if I am not there. I live with my family, so we have a family of five. So, my pet is never alone. Even when I am not there, I am always aware of her health and well-being. I'm always making sure that she is okay, even if it is through WhatsApp or a video call or a photo, or just asking my mom if she's doing okay,' adds the actor, who will soon be seen in spy film Alpha alongside Alia Bhatt.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Heirs of Egyptian Pharaohs' Cats Are Living Among Us: Is Your Cat Descended From Royalty?
Archaeologists and historians have known for decades that ancient Egyptians worshipped cats, but recent research has proven that the Pharaohs had an even more significant impact on the species than previously thought. In fact, the descendants of the Pharaohs' cats are likely living among us today, making the Egyptians the world's first cat breeders. To celebrate its new line of premium SHEBA SELECTIONS Filets, the SHEBA cat food brand is looking for a premium cat to worship like the ancient Egyptians. On April 3, the University of Missouri's Feline Genetics & Comparative Medicine Lab and feline researcher Dr. Leslie Lyons officially began the search for the next royal cat. Famous cat dad Nathan the Cat Lady hosts the search for the Egyptian cats' descendants, but cat parents can also use SHEBA's new 'Pharaoh Cat Finder tool' to explore their pets' similarities to the ancients. Best of all, your cat can get their paws on a free sample from SHEBA, too! Could your cat be a descendant of the Pharaoh's cats? This is going to be a fascinating endeavor, but for Dr. Leslie Lyons, this is only the next step in her already extensive research. Dr. Lyons and her team were the first scientists to sample DNA from mummified cats, and they did so with three main goals in mind: Successfully extracting DNA from a mummified cat Discovering whether ancient cats and contemporary cats shared any DNA sequences in common Learning where in the world cats with 'Pharaoh's blood' are located For this research, Dr. Lyons and her team studied two bones from the Brooklyn Museum and a jawbone from the Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley. In a sterile laboratory, they used a process called Polymerase Chain Reaction to separate and identify specific regions of the DNA called mitotypes."In genetics," explains Dr. Lyons, "'mitotypes' represent a group of mitochondrial DNA variations that are inherited together from only the mother." In other words, any royal cats found through this campaign will all be related to the Pharaohs' cats through their mother's genes, not their father's. Once Dr. Lyons' team extracted the DNA sequence they were looking for, they began the painstaking task of comparing it to the DNA sequence of modern-day cats. "The mitotype of Pharaoh cats is very rare and easy to distinguish from the mitotypes of other modern-day cats that are descendants from other historical populations," Dr. Lyons said, "so once we were able to identify the DNA sequences, we were then able to compare with samples of cats living amongst us today and find matches." What they found is that the DNA sequence shared by Pharaoh's cats is still around today! While the DNA sequence, or mitotype, isn't found only in a specific cat breed, it has been found in two specific locations around the world: Egypt and the United States. That means that your average feral cat could actually be a Pharaoh cat! Meanwhile, Nathan's search for the royal descendant continued! After comparing ancient cat DNA and modern cat DNA, Dr. Lyons is teaming up with SHEBA and Nathan the Cat Dad to help find the next royal cat. Nathan will be meeting cats from across the country to find the feline with the highest DNA match to the Pharaoh cats. If one is found, and perhaps even crowned, they'll receive a lifetime supply of SHEBA cat food so that they can eat like royalty for the rest of their days. Although cat parents can't submit their fur babies to be a part of the video series, they can use the AI-powered Pharaoh Cat Finder tool to see how much their cats have in common with the ancient Egyptian felines. Remember, this fun tool is based on physical features, not DNA, so it's just an estimation! To meet a few of the cats who may be contenders for the royal title, take a peek at part 3 of the video series. By submitting your cat's photo to the campaign, you can receive a free sample of SHEBA SELECTIONS Filets regardless of your kitty's results. But if your cat has a high percentage in common with the Pharaoh's cats, it may be time to start treating them like the royalty they are! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Auli'i Cravalho Reflects on Making SXSW Documentary ‘Reef Builders' and How ‘I Feel Like I'm Inheriting a World That Is On Fire'
'Moana' star Auli'i Cravalho recognizes how her status as an actor and Broadway singer has created the opportunity to truly make a difference. And with the documentary 'Reef Builders,' which recently premiered during SXSW, she shines a light on coral reef restoration efforts. 'Truthfully, not everyone is able to make an impact. That's a fact,' Cravalho told Variety's Clayton Davis at the Variety Watch Party of 'Reef Builders' presented by Sheba. 'The fact that I am in this position and get to combine my joy for filmmaking with my passion of advocacy, specifically for my home country and my home state, it was a no-brainer for this project.' More from Variety Tim Burton Docuseries Shares First Look, WME Handling Worldwide Sales (EXCLUSIVE) 'The Shadow Scholars' Sheds Light on Multibillion-Dollar 'Fake Essay' Industry Built on the Work and Wits of Kenyan Writers CPH:DOX, European Film Promotion Invite U.S. Buyers to Europe! On-Demand, Doc Filmmakers Share Their Visions 'Reef Builders,' which premiered during SXSW, tells the true stories of people involved in the Sheba Hope Grows program, leading major restorations to save the world's coral reefs in the face of climate change. The documentary is brought to audiences by the SHEBA brand, with Cravalho attached as an associate producer. During the event, Dr. Daniel DeMartini from the Kuleana Coral Restoration recognized how technology created by the SHEBA brand and Mars Sustainable Solutions has made coral restoration a possibility to the rest of the world. 'We're working in this high wave energy environment where we have complicated and complex governmental structure and just all those setbacks that we felt,' DeMartini said. 'I do really appreciate the film showing that reality — not just for Hawaii, but for Kenya and everywhere else. The tool is powerful.' Director and producer Stephen Shearman was originally daunted by the project and telling the story of coral reef preservation. But his whole perspective changed when he went to Bontosua for the first time — a tight-knit island of just 400 people. 'When you look someone in the face, you can read their story,' Shearman said. '[Sam] just kind of casually said, 'Yeah, there were two more houses down there. They've gone.' The impact of coral reef then just smacked me between the eyes. Losing coral reefs to these people is everything, and that's what opened the film up.' Professor David Smith, senior director of Mars Sustainable Solutions, took the opportunity to directly address the audience to think about the importance of coral reefs in their lives. 'Your life, the air that you breathe depends on the ocean, and that ocean depends on coral reefs … It's your responsibility to do something as well.' Cravalho went on to say how: 'As a young person, I feel like I'm inheriting a world that is on fire. And it is, it really is. But what I love about this documentary is that it shows that there still is hope … It would be for naught, actually, if not for community and local indigenous people.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
