Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

You likely recognize BioPet Laboratories through PooPrints, their flagship DNA forensic service used to identify pet owners who fail to pick up pet waste in apartment communities, municipalities, dog parks, and campgrounds.

PooPrints recently earned a spotlight in the New York Times. As northern states are still experiencing winter weather, PooPrints was highlighted as a vital solution for urban environments experiencing pet waste not being picked up, which increasingly happens when temperatures drop.

However, the most pressing news for BioPet Laboratories has been happening behind the scenes. The acquisition of Know Your Pet DNA means the future of pet genetics is being shaped right here in Knoxville. We interviewed BioPet’s CEO, J Retinger, and Lab Director, Chesleigh Winfree, to get the scoop. 

The pet era

Since 2020, pet populations have skyrocketed. Today, almost 70% of U.S households own a pet. But, take the “pet” term loosely. Surveys show that modern audiences see little to no difference between their pet and a child. On average, these audiences are willing to spend about $6,000 on pet health data to better care for their animals. BioPet Laboratories exists to provide this data.

“The driver of why we’re doing it is to make pet genetic health testing more accessible, more affordable, and more timely. How can you apply the testing results? By transitioning a dog’s diet, the supplements, and the amount of exercise it gets. We provide a very actionable understanding,” said Winfree.

As the pet health sector has significantly grown over the past few years, more and more businesses are entering the space. BioPet’s primary differentiator is speed, which is critical in the world of health. Because they own and operate their own lab, they maintain complete control over the process. Other DNA testing companies rely on third-party facilities, which tends to cause delays.

“We know that we can offer the industry-leading turnaround time with dedicated quality to companion animals. Revolutionizing the turnaround time for these trait predictions helps increase preventive care,” Winfree stated.

A greener footprint

There is a direct, negative link between companion animals’ waste and the ecosystem.

“The EPA has dog waste in the same category as oil spills, as a pollutant. When we visited the EPA in Washington, DC, they said that watersheds are being shut down due to domestic dog waste. We can help get this waste cleaned up properly,” said Winfree.

This means that BioPet’s impact reaches far beyond the kennel. Whether or not you have a furry friend, their work contributes to a cleaner planet.

Keeping talent in Knoxville

BioPet has thrived in Knoxville since 2008, thanks to strong talent and a community of iconic brands.

“I always call Knoxville sneaky. Between Brunswick Boats, Bush’s Beans, PetSafe, Pilot, and Regal, there are not many roads that don’t lead back to Knoxville,” said Retinger.

Their lab currently processes 10,000 buccal swabs and 4,000 waste samples monthly. This acquisition will only multiply their output, and more workers will be needed. They expect to add around 20 new roles in the near future.

By offering competitive packages for graduates in genetics, forensics, bioinformatics, and animal science, BioPet provides a local career path. Previously, these grads were often limited to a hospital or crime lab setting, rare openings at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), or forced to leave East Tennessee for opportunities in their field.

“For me, it’s important to have a place for talented geneticists and scientists to work, whereas before, very few were offered in Knoxville. Talent from the university was leaving town, unless they were going to ORNL in some capacity. To give them a good environment that’s nurturing and creative, it’s awesome,” Winfree noted.

DNA vs. AI

While the acquisition has pushed BioPet into the world of data even more so, they are committed to being grounded in science and protecting privacy rights. AI may assist with administrative efficiency, but its core work remains human.

“Pets are recession-proof. DNA is AI-proof. Think about all the stuff DNA is influencing, but you cannot make AI replace taking two genetic samples and matching them,” joked Retinger.

Looking ahead, the goal is to use these massive datasets for more innovation. By partnering with University of Tennessee researchers and PhD students, BioPet hopes to uncover new genes and identify disease variants.

Tips for entrepreneurs

For those with “out there” ideas, Winfree’s advice is to build a viable, sustainable foundation. After all, there was a day when people called Know Your Pet DNA or PooPrints far-fetched.

“As long as there is a strong foundation behind it and a passion behind it, then you have something worth holding on to. I think viability is really important, but the most important thing is to do it in a sustainable way. This is our third facility. We started small, but did it sustainably.”

Follow BioPet Labs to stay connected to their growth and impact.

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