Petland, Inc. Forms Legislative and Public Affairs Department

Petland has appointed Elizabeth Kunzelman to Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs.

“I am proud to announce that Petland, an Ohio-based company connecting pets and families for more than 50 years, formed a Legislative and Public Affairs department,” said Joe Watson, President and CEO. “This newly created Department will solely focus on promoting the truth about the Petland brand and our commitment to animal welfare to legislative, regulatory and governmental audiences. I am pleased to announce that Elizabeth Kunzelman has been named Petland’s Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs.”

In her new role, Kunzelman will lead marketing, legislative affairs, national brand management and tactical communications. During her 14 years at Petland, Kunzelman served in various public relations and communications roles within the company. She championed legislation to ensure the highest animal welfare standards and protected Americans’ rights to own pets. Prior to her recent appointment, Kunzelman was Director of Public Affairs for Petland and currently serves on the board of directors for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) board in Washington, D.C., as a board member on the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Chillicothe.

Kunzelman’ s father, Ed Kunzelman, founded Petland in 1967 with the belief that local pet stores provided a gateway into the companion animal world. Veterinarians, professional breeders, zookeepers and other animal professionals found their love for the animal world by first spending time in their local pet store.

“There are well-funded extremists out there who do not believe animals and people belong together,” said Kunzelman. “We do not see it that way. My father believes pets make life better for both animals and their human families. I’m honored to champion that cause with him.”

Kunzelman resides in Petland’s hometown of 54 years, Chillicothe, OH, with her husband and she has a degree in journalism from Ohio University.