CHEWY INC

Chewy, Inc. operates as a major online retailer of pet food, supplies, and medications. In December 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Chewy for introducing misbranded and unapproved antimicrobial animal drugs into interstate commerce, a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA’s action targeted nine companies distributing these drugs, which are intended for use in food-producing animals like poultry and cattle, raising concerns about contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

The company’s business model is built on the commercial pet industry, a sector linked to the large-scale breeding of animals. While not a breeder itself, Chewy is a primary retailer for products supporting this ecosystem. Its former parent company, PetSmart, has faced longstanding criticism from animal welfare groups for sourcing animals from commercial breeding facilities, including some with documented animal welfare violations.