The International Herpetological Society (IHS) has accused animal rights organisations of using ‘bully tactics’ in a bid to get a reptile event called off at Woodbank Garden Centre in Yorkshire. 

The organisation claimed the groups had launched a campaign against the long-standing event despite it meeting all regulatory and welfare standards and operating within the law.

The breeders’ meeting, organised by IHS, permits members to sell surplus captive-bred reptiles and amphibians. But the event, which has been held for many years, has faced renewed criticism from animal activist groups such as the Animal Protection Agency, World Animal Protection, and Freedom for Animals.

However, according to IHS and the venue organisers, these activist groups are engaging in what they describe as ‘bully tactics’ – an ongoing strategy the organisations have used for decades in attempts to shut down legal animal-related events.

The IHS strongly defends the legality and ethics of the event. 

“The event is lawful, with recent amendments to the Animal Welfare Act clearly confirming that members are permitted to sell surplus stock at such meets,” an IHS spokesperson stated. “These events have never had any animal welfare issues, and we always ensure high welfare standards.”

Every breeders’ meet is attended by two independent veterinarians, as well as representatives from the local council, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), and other regulatory bodies. No wild-caught animals are permitted at these events — only captive-bred species may be sold. Furthermore, animals are housed in transport containers for short-term movement only, with continuous monitoring by vets to ensure welfare requirements are met at all times.

In response to recent concerns, Woodbank Garden Centre confirmed that the breeders’ event is a hired function, entirely separate from its pet shop operations. A meeting with the local council in late May resulted in no concerns over licensing or animal welfare. A few procedural recommendations were made and promptly implemented, according to the organisers.

“This latest attack is part of a broader strategy by activist groups whose ultimate goal is to end all forms of animal captivity — including regulated events, pet ownership, and responsible breeding,” said one of the event’s organisers. “These organisations generate significant revenue through emotional campaigns, often misleading the public to support their anti-captivity agenda.”

Critics argue that while such groups claim to protect animals, their long-term objective may be the complete removal of animals from private care and regulated exhibition — an approach many see as extreme and counterproductive.

Organisers say they will not be deterred by what they view as coordinated misinformation campaigns aimed at shutting down legal and responsible animal-related activities.

Responsible Reptile Keeping said: "The campaigners use propaganda and lies to harass local authorities and venues to close down these events where experienced keepers come together to share their knowledge. Who do you think knows more about reptile care? Why anyone listens to the campaigners is a mystery."

IHS added that Bradford council was currently avoiding communication with the organisation in regards to the event, and added that it may need to take the matter further.

A Yorkshire garden centre has cancelled a large-scale reptile and amphibian show after being told it could potentially lose its pet shop licence if the event took place.

Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries in Bingley had been warned by Bradford City Council that it would be in breach of its pet shop licence if it allowed the event to take place on its premises on 22 June 2025. 

Despite the prospect of being stripped of its licence and potentially facing prosecution, the garden centre initially advised the council that it would allow the event anyway.

But this week Woodbank informed customers on its Facebook page that the show was now cancelled and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Bradford City Council warned that the show, organised by the International Herpetological Society (IHS), would involve the sale of thousands of reptiles and would violate the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and the Pet Animals Act 1951.

Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries is licensed as a pet shop by Bradford City Council, and the licence limits the garden centre to the offering for sale of no more than 6 tortoises, 12 guinea pigs, and 6 hamsters alongside tropical and cold-water fish. The sale of any animals on the premises other than those for which a licence has been issued would be outside the scope of, and therefore in breach of, the licence conditions.

George Hutchinson, a former regional operations director at Pets at Home, has joined Dobbies Garden Centres as retail director.

An experienced retail operator, George was at Pets at Home for four years before moving to Dobbies, and had previously held senior positions at Wickes, B&Q and Tesco.

George said: “Over the past few months Dobbies has relaunched two stores, with more to come – to see that level of investment in both the fabric of the stores, and the store teams, is brilliant. I’m really looking forward to playing a key role in driving Dobbies forward and building on the positive developments that have taken place this year.”

George is one of two appointments aimed at strengthening Dobbies’ executive team, the other being that of Richard Herbert as restaurant director. 

Richard is an experienced F&B professional, joining Dobbies from Bourne Leisure, where he led their national food and beverage offering for over four years. Prior to that, he spent nearly 12 years at Pizza Express, latterly as central operations and programme director. 

The appointments build on a series of senior appointments that have been made over the last 18 months, bringing with them extensive retail, hospitality and commercial experience. 

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’ve been focused on building a really strong senior team and we’re proud to share the news of these recent appointments. Both George and Richard bring fantastic experience, that complements the expertise we already have in place. They’ll each have essential roles in driving forward our strategy, building on the strong start we have had this spring so far.”

These appointments come as operations director, Nick Anderson, steps down from his role after 12 years. 

David adds: “We’d like to thank Nick for his tireless hard work and commitment over the last 12 years. He’s a hugely respected figure in the team, and he’s seen Dobbies through many challenges and successes over the years. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Research from dog accessory brand TopDog predicts that owners are set to spend an average of 50% more a month on dog food and treats by 2035, if prices continue to rise at the rate they have for the last 10 years. 

Products such as dog poop bags and grooming gloves have also fallen foul to an increase in price, with some suffering badly from so-called ‘shrinkflation’ – where the product size has gone down as prices have risen. 

The historic prices of popular products from the website Zooplus were checked by TopDog on Wayback Machine, and then compared to the present day. 

Unsurprisingly, dog food has seen a big price increase over the years.

Danielle Taylor, owner of Good Dog Pet Care Services, warns of what rising dog product prices might mean: “The worry that myself and other professionals have is that this causes a dip in the overall health and well-being of our beloved pets. 

“Owners may opt for a cheaper food alternative, which may have long-term health implications, such as poor dental health. I have also seen cases of owners delaying seeking veterinary care due to fear of costs, and hoping they can resolve the issue at home. Both of these factors have an incremental impact on animal health long term, and I feel for owners as they’re only doing the best they can for their pets.”

Click here to view the report.

OATA has written to a number of MSPs to question their support for an anti-pet-keeping report recently launched in the Scottish Parliament.

The SSPCA, One Kind and Born Free Foundation have joined forces on the Don’t Pet Me report, which tries to link the idea that so-called exotic pets are all ‘wild animals’ and therefore ‘belong in the wild’, not our homes.

“This report, and its accompanying ‘fact sheet’, are yet another example of anti-animal trade organisations making hyperbolic statements that do not stand up to scrutiny,” said Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“Linking the idea of exotic pets as being ‘wild’ animals is deliberately misleading, aimed at promulgating fear. Pet fish like goldfish and guppies, reptiles like tortoises, birds like budgies, or small mammals like chinchillas are not wild animals and they do not ‘belong in the wild’.

“There is no real definition of what an ‘exotic pet’ is and this inference that all exotic pets are ‘wild’ animals, thereby making people think they are dangerous and should not share our homes, is frankly nonsense. I am surprised anyone would give this notion credence.”

The report examines people’s motivation for keeping these pets, citing reasons such as cuteness, improving health, love, companionship. “These are exactly the reason why anyone gets any pet and quite why this makes it a reason to limit someone’s ability to keep that particular pet is puzzling,” remarked Dominic.

The report does highlight the results of One Kind’s mystery shopper exercise to Scottish pet shops, where it found staff answered questions thoroughly and gave good advice.

The report stated: “There were examples of safeguards, such as shops requiring that people buy a ‘set-up’ (all the equipment needed to house and care for the species) directly from them or show proof that they had one, before being allowed to purchase an animal. This demonstrates the potential advantages of in-person rather than online purchases.”

Dominic said: “Pet shops are indeed great places to buy some pets, like pet fish. Pet shops are open to public scrutiny every day through customers, they are inspected and licensed by local authorities, they are required to invest in species-specific staff training (like OATA’s City & Guilds accredited training programmes) and must hand out care information (like OATA’s wide range of free caresheets) when they sell animals. Not something you see with online sales.

“There are undoubtedly issues with the online sale of all pets, which is why OATA is a member of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG), but it does not justify limiting access to certain pets. There are animal welfare issues with different breeds of cats and dogs, such as Scottish fold cats and pugs, but there is no call for a positive list for dogs or cats, banning access to certain breeds – presumably because these organisations know how unpopular that would be.”

In its letter to the 10 MSPs who attended the Scottish Parliamentary launch event, OATA called on them to reject the report’s call for a positive/permitted list of pets, which aims to limit access to the range of animals that can share our homes.

“Educating people to pick the right pet for their lifestyle and care for it properly is the key to happy and healthy pets, not banning them. Not all pets are for everyone and having a wide range of animals we can keep as pets makes it less likely people will have to give them up,” Dominic concluded.

He also raised concerns at the characterisation of pet owners in the report, describing it as ‘incredibly disrespectful’.

“The report seems to paint them variously as of ‘low social economic status’ (do they mean working class/poor?), misfits and neurodivergent. Our experience of fishkeepers is one of passionate people who want to do the best for their fish and become more knowledgeable about chemistry and biology (like the nitrogen cycle), geography and conservation as they study the native habitats of the fish they keep. This characterisation of certain pet owners is yet another example of why this report has no credibility.”

Read a copy of the letter sent to Colin Smyth MSP for South Scotland, who sponsored the event at the Scottish Parliament on OATA’s website. A version of the letter was also sent to the MSPs who attended the event.

Dominic urged Scottish retailers – and keepers – to add their voice. “If you are a constituent of any of these MSPs we would also urge you to contact them. Perhaps invite them to your business to show the passion there is for this hobby. A list of the MSPs who attended the event can be found on OATA’s website, along with contact details.”

The Muzzle Movement’s Size Mitzy has been named the winner of the Pet Industry Federation Innovation Award at this year’s Business of Pets conference, held from 5-6 June at the Cranfield University Management Development Centre, near Milton Keynes. 

The award recognises innovative solutions to real-world challenges in the pet sector and entries were judged by conference attendees who scored each entry on creativity; innovation; market impact; and sustainability.

Each of the 12 finalists presented a ten minute pitch to the delegates during the course of the two-day conference. Size Mitzy secured the highest average score across all categories, earning it the top spot. Second place was awarded to Petscribers, a digital prescription platform designed by veterinary surgeons to make pet medication more affordable and accessible; and in third place was AniVatio ProGut, a 3-in-1 oral gel formulated with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support canine gut health.

Founded by Clara Hewson, The Muzzle Movement is on a mission to change public perceptions of muzzled dogs. Inspired by her own experiences with her rescue dog, Tolly, Clara recognised the stigma associated with muzzles and sought to create products that are both functional and friendly in appearance. The Size Mitzy muzzle exemplifies this ethos, offering a design that allows dogs to pant, drink, and take treats comfortably, while also appearing less intimidating to the public.

Nigel Baker, Chief Executive of PIF, said: "The level of innovation this year was exceptional; but Size Mitzy truly impressed the judges with its combination of thoughtful design and functionality. It's a brilliant example of how the pet industry continues to develop brilliant, compassionate products and services that make a real difference."

The Business of Pets conference brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and pet industry professionals for two days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and inspiration. Delegates enjoyed a packed programme covering pet market data; brand-building strategies; growth opportunities; and expert insights into the future of the sector.

PIF would like to extend its sincere thanks to Worldpay, headline sponsors of the event, for their invaluable support; and to our brilliant speakers, exhibitors and attendees for making the conference such a huge success. 

For more information about PIF and future events, visit: www.petfederation.co.uk

Winning a New Product Award at the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show can have a tremendous impact on the fortunes of a PATS exhibitor. It can help turn a new launch into a bestselling item in pet stores around the country and clinch that all-important export deal.

One of the main reasons why the Award is held in such high regard is because it is decided by a panel of independent retailers, who know what it takes for a product to fly off the shelves.

The New Product Showcase at PATS 2025, which takes place from Sunday 28th September to Tuesday, 30th September, in Hall 1 of the NEC Birmingham, is always a popular feature with visitors, and this year’s three-day exhibition is set to attract a record number of entries.

Here three companies who triumphed in the New Products Awards at PATS 2024 reveal what the accolade has done for their business.

Case Study No 1

LickiMat® – Winner of Cat Accessories & Toys with LickiMat® Kitty

Heidi Luedecke, Marketing Director of LickiMat®, said: “As a brand that has often been associated with dogs, we were so pleased to win a PATS New Product Award in 2024 with our LickiMat® Kitty. We are a brand that equally loves and supports both cats and dogs and winning the award helped us demonstrate this part of our mission even more. PATS is recognised across the pet industry, and with record-breaking entries last year, we were honoured to be among the winners.”

Do you think the award has helped to elevate your winning product in terms of exposure? 

“Winning this award for our LickiMat® Kitty has most definitely elevated the exposure of this product in our range. With recently designed and launched cat-specific products, we were so delighted to know that the new LickiMat® specifically for kittens was recognised as a key new product in our range for cat owners.”

Have you used the award to promote the product? 

“We have been thrilled to use the fact that the LickiMat® Kitty was a winner with the PATS New Product Award in 2024 as a point of conversation with our customers. This has been particularly important on our social media channels where we engage primarily directly with customers worldwide, and also in conversations (online and in person) with our retailers and wholesalers.”

Will you be entering this year’s New Product Showcase?

“Yes, we have some new and exciting products coming soon and look forward to submitting them in the PATS New Product Showcase at the NEC Birmingham in 2025.”

Case Study No 2

Donald Cooke – Winner of Dog Treat Products with Pick N Mix Training Treat Pots (K9 Chew Co) and Grooming Products with Tick Twister Clip Box 3 Piece

Simon Lewis-Dale, head of business development at Donald Cooke, said: “Winning the awards at PATS for both K9 Chew Co and Tick Twister was a massive honour for both of the brands. To get the recognition for developing products that both the panel of judges and subsequently customers recognise as best in class, certainly gives the business a confidence boost.”

Do you think the award has helped to elevate your winning product in terms of exposure? 

“Both K9 Chew Co and Tick Twister have seen really strong growth since the award win and it spurred us on to develop our new trade portal to help make the ranges more available to the UK pet trade at www.donaldcooke.co.uk.”

Have you used the award to promote the product? 

“We have used the awards both here in the UK and internationally with Tick Twister to help give the buyer that little bit more confidence in trying the products out. We also have the awards in pride of place at our head office as well.”

Will you be entering this year’s New Product Showcase?

“Absolutely, yes. Straight after PATS 2024 we began working on ranges to try to excite the trade again.”

Case Study No 3

Dog & Bond – Winner of New Starter Zone Award with Make-Your-Own Dog Treats (Cheese & Super Seaweed)

Avi Nagel, founder of Dog & Bond, said: “Winning the PATS New Product Award was a huge milestone for Dog & Bond. Having expert judges from the pet industry recognise our product was a strong signal that there’s real appetite for the kind of meaningful experiences we aim to create. For some, the idea of making treats at home might sound strange, but we believe it’s a joyful, healthy way to understand what we’re feeding our dogs. It meant the world to have the judges get that – and love it too.”

Do you think the award has helped to elevate your winning product in terms of exposure? 

“Absolutely. As a young brand, having the PATS endorsement instantly boosted our credibility, especially with new stockists. We’re confident in our products, but when retailers see that we’ve been recognised at PATS, it opens doors and builds trust much faster.”

Have you used the award to promote the product? 

“Yes, it’s front and centre in our brand story. We include the PATS Award in our marketing materials, trade decks, and even on our packaging. For customers and retailers alike, it’s a clear sign that our products aren’t just fun and healthy – they’ve been tried, tested, and celebrated by real experts.

Will you be entering this year’s New Product Showcase?

Definitely! We’ve just launched a pumpkin-based gut health supplement – an all-natural, prebiotic powder that supports digestion. Like everything we do, it’s designed to be simple, effective, and shelf-ready, making it a win for pet parents and retailers alike. I’m sure it will be a hit.”

A full list of entries to the New Product Showcase at PATS 2025 can be found at www.patshow.co.uk where retailers and buyers can register for free entry to the show.

Durham Animal Feeds, one of the UK’s leading raw pet food specialists, opened its new Raw Feeding Pet Superstore in Lowestoft on Saturday (7th June).

To celebrate, the store hosted a huge launch event with free dog shows, expert advice, giveaways, party treats, and 20% off everything over the weekend.

This new store at 11 Pinbush Road, Lowestoft, NR33 7NL represents a major expansion for the brand in East Anglia. 

After opening a Lowestoft distribution centre in 2021 and running a successful click & collect service, demand for great quality, reasonably priced raw food has soared. In response, Durham Animal Feeds has moved into a new site more than double the size of the original to create the region’s first Raw Feeding Pet Superstore.

The new Superstore features:

• 46 freezers fully stocked with raw pet food
• A massive range of natural dried treats, dog toys, and accessories
• On-site raw feeding experts available to answer your questions

“Raw feeding is the natural way to feed – nothing added and nothing taken away,” said Lee Hornsby, Durham Animal Feeds’ managing director. “The demand in Lowestoft has been phenomenal, and we’re proud to now offer a full superstore experience for our loyal customers and their pets.”

Durham Animal Feeds is a third-generation family business, founded in Durham, with three distribution centres across the UK. The company supplies both the trade and public, delivering in its own fleet of freezer vans to ensure every order arrives in perfect condition.

Website:

www.durhamanimalfeeds.co.uk

Click below to see pictures from open day...

Ruby & Dexter’s, an independent pet shop and grooming salon in Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, has been announced as the winner of TropiClean’s ‘Race To Vegas’ Contest, which ran from February through to the end of May.

To qualify, participants needed to stock 15 of TropiClean’s top-selling lines to be entered for a chance to win the trip of a lifetime to Superzoo Pet Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

There were also opportunities for bonus entries by engaging in social media activity, creating impactful point of sale placement in stores, and by listing further items from the range.

Pedigree Wholesale’s Telephone Account Manager, Jory Bates, had the pleasure of sharing the exciting news with Ruby & Dexter’s. They told us: “We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful to have won the ‘Race to Las Vegas’ competition! This incredible achievement wouldn't have been possible without the hard work, determination, and support from everyone involved. We’re beyond appreciative for the opportunity and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with TropiClean going forward.”

TropiClean is available exclusively to the specialist pet trade through Pedigree Wholesale. Visit petproducts.co.uk/tropiclean/ or speak to your Pedigree Wholesale Representative or their friendly customer services team to order.

TropiClean is a recognised leader in natural health and wellness pet products. Founded in 1980, TropiClean is family-owned and operated in the USA. Pedigree Wholesale stocks a variety of TropiClean products that make bath time and teeth cleaning time easy and effective. From dental solutions to grooming essentials, Pedigree has a TropiClean product to keep your customers’ pets healthy and fresh.

Award-winning pet insurance brand ManyPets, already the top choice of hundreds of thousands of pet parents across the UK, has unveiled an entirely new range of insurance products designed to appeal to a broader range of pet parents.

The product overhaul is ManyPets’ biggest change to insurance plans since it launched pet insurance in 2017. The new plans are called Essential Care, Standard Care, Standard Care Pre-Existing and Complete Care.

The changes, which result from a recent ManyPets study of today’s market, as well as feedback from customers, highlight a number of well-loved features such as travel and theft cover, now available across the entire range, and improved dental cover as standard on the mid-range Standard Care, as well as the top Complete Care plan.

ManyPets’ flagship product, Complete Care, which was previously available with £15k of vet fee limit a year, is now also available with an impressive £20k vet fee limit, challenging the market for what premium pet insurance should look like.

ManyPets has long prided itself on offering that’s difficult to find elsewhere. That’s why it was one of the first pet insurance brands to offer cover for pets with pre-existing conditions. The new line-up still includes a dedicated product with cover for recent pre-existing conditions, in the Standard Care Pre-existing Plan. 

And, ManyPets has maintained its simpler approach to less recent pre-existing conditions in the new line-up. Conditions that ended two years or more before the policy starts are covered (with some limited exceptions).

The new range also still includes some ManyPets favourites, such as a MoneyBack optional extra that can repay 20% of the premium each year that customers don’t need to claim, a generous 15% multi-pet discount and free, unlimited video vet calls that don’t affect your premium.

ManyPets CEO, Luisa Barile, said: “Today’s customers want peace of mind and expect great value from their pet insurance. We’ve made it easier to see where ManyPets insurance plans stand out from the competition and to find a ManyPets plan to match your wallet. 

“Whether via price comparison websites or on manypets.com, we’re delighted to offer options from our affordable Essential Care all the way up to our leading Complete Care plan, which covers up to £20k in vet fees per year.

“Price and value continue to be critical for our customers. That’s why our strategy has been to help customers lower their premiums via more excess and co-pay options. Now, our latest product overhaul has fine-tuned cover features to make lower prices possible across all plan levels, as well as offering one of the market’s highest lifetime insurance cover levels, exceeding the market leader by thousands of pounds in benefit per year.”

Kennelpak has launched its new Dylan Dental Treats, designed to meet growing demand from value-conscious pet parents who prioritise their dog’s wellbeing. This new range delivers both affordability and functional health benefits without compromise.

Building on the success of the established Dylan working dog food brand, trusted by retailers and dog owners across the UK, this exciting new range marks Dylan’s expansion into the dental treat category. Each treat is crafted with quality ingredients, no added salt or sugar, and is available in fun, textured shapes to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up, with a mint flavour to help freshen breath. 

In addition to the core dental chews, the Dylan Dental Treats range includes functional dental sticks targeting key wellness areas:

• Heart Health
• Joint Care
• Skin & Coat Support
• Calming Benefits

All varieties are low in fat, gluten free, GMO-free and vegetarian without any artificial colours, appealing to today’s ingredient-aware shoppers looking to make smarter, healthier choices for their pets—without breaking the bank.

"We know dog owners are looking for treats that do more," said Ellie Hall, Senior Product & Brand Manager at Kennelpak. "The Dylan Dental Treats range offers the perfect combination of value, quality and targeted health support ideal for independent pet retailers seeking to meet demand from increasingly savvy consumers."

Dylan Dental Treats are available to order now via Kennelpak. For more information contact your account manager, email sales@kennelpak.co.uk or visit kennelpak.co.uk.

Doodlebone has unveiled its Dinky Dog Collection – a new collection designed specifically for small breeds and puppies.  

The collection was originally designed just for puppies but very quickly realised that this collection is also perfect for small breeds too

Responding to customer feedback, Doodlebone has introduced a new 0.5 size in its bestselling Snappy Harness and Collar. This new size offers a more tailored fit to even the tiniest of pups, ensuring comfort without compromise.  But this collection isn’t just for puppies, with the range going up to Doodlebone’s mid-sizes, it’s an ideal range from Chihuahuas to Daschunds, Terriers to Poodles & Frenchies to Westies.

The Dinky Dog Collection introduces three new materials: Quilt, Corduroy and Jersey. These have been carefully selected to provide a soft, cutesy feel while maintaining the durability and quality the brand is known for.

The collection features a cute update in componentry and hardware, including soft grey buckles and brushed nickel D-rings and trigger clips. This refresh offers a cute, gentle, more refined look. All components are sourced from Doodlebone’s trusted single-source supplier and as with all products in the Doodlebone range are fully strength tested. Within the Dinky Dog Collection, the branding has also had a soft-touch update with embroidered branding patches, perfectly aligned to the collection’s aesthetic.

In addition to the Collar, Lead and Snappy Harness; the Dinky Dog Collection includes a selection of new accessories perfect for your small dog or new puppy. Bow Ties, Bandanas, Treat Pouches and Drying Towels are all available in the same soft, pastel toned colour palette. Essentially, everything you need for a small dog, or puppy in one cute collection.

James Mokler, Product Marketing Manager, said “This is a launch we are very excited by. We have created the Dinky Dog Collection because we saw a real gap in the market for accessories that truly fit the tiniest of dogs. Every detail, from the soft materials to the new hardware has been chosen with both style and function in mind.”

Everything customers already love about Doodlebone applies within the Dinky Dog Collection, retailers can enjoy No Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), free delivery, lifetime guarantee and of course industry leading margins. Plus, launch offers are available for first orders within the collection.

Applications for the seventh edition of global pet care company Purina’s ‘Unleashed’ accelerator programme are now open. Driven by the Purina Accelerator Lab, Unleashed supports and propels scaling pet-tech start-ups using novel technologies, including AI, to provide innovative solutions to solve the challenges faced by pet parents.

Purina has been innovating in the pet care sector for over 130 years, driving the industry forward and leading developments in pet nutrition. Purina also supports scientific research in pet care through the Purina Institute. For the 2026 edition, Unleashed is looking to accelerate established start-ups from around the world that are looking to take the next step up in their growth journey. 

Winning applicants will join up to 10 other start-ups in the 20-week programme, tailor-made for each participant, which involves Unleashed Champions from Purina sharing insights and using their expertise to coach and mentor participants. Winners also gain access to a wide network of previous Unleashed participants like Austrian start-up Feragen. Part of the 2022 cohort, Feragen provides genetic analysis to provide pet parents with details about their pets’ ancestry and tests for up to 220 genetic disorders.

Michael Geretschläger, Founder at Feragen, said: “Working with Purina during the Unleashed Programme has been completely transformational for us as a business. The chance to get support from experts at one of the leading global pet care companies gave us a much stronger understanding of the road ahead and how to grow successfully. We’re happy to have been accepted to the Unleashed business incubator and have established an ongoing relationship with the Purina team, enabling both companies to find synergies to drive business growth.  This has been incredibly valuable as we continue to test and learn with new solutions to improve the lives of pets and their owners.”  

Unleashed has received over 1,400 entries from 50 countries across the past six years and has successfully mentored and supported over 40 start-ups from around the world. The Class of 2025, which is still in progress, includes innovative start-ups Petpaw, whose app connects pet owners with pets, products and services, and Aitem, developers of LAIKA, an AI-based chatbot designed to support vets in their daily practice. Many Unleashed participants have continued their commercial relationships with Purina beyond the programme, transitioning to more formal, long-term agreements. 

Kim Bill, Head of Purina Accelerator Lab, said: "Our industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by a commitment to improving the lives of pets and their owners. At Purina, we believe start-ups are the catalysts of this transformation—especially as technologies like AI open new opportunities.

“Each Unleashed cohort brings fresh perspectives and new energy, and the impact grows every year. As we open applications for our 2026 programme, I’m excited to welcome the next generation of changemakers into our growing community to continue shaping the future of pet care together."

Applications close on 11^th July and the winners will be announced in February 2026. 

For more information about the programme and to apply, please visit: https://www.unleashedbypurina.com/

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A North East family has secured a £175,000 funding deal to launch a new start-up business dedicated to meeting the growing demand for dignified and compassionate pet cremation services.

Renwick Animal & Pet Cremation Services, based near Morpeth in Northumberland, secured the working capital from Reward Funding to purchase vital equipment needed to launch the company, which uniquely provides cremation services to pets and animals of all sizes across the region.

The family business, located on the 22-acre Southwitton House estate, is run by Jane Jobling-Purser and George Renwick, a mother and son partnership with extensive experience in both the farming and equine sectors.

Jane has dedicated her career to animal welfare, having run two holiday lets for six years and a successful yard for over 20 years. George has previously worked with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency, and more recently worked collaboratively with Peaceful Pets in Norfolk where he gained vital insights into the pet crematorium market.

Key to the finance deal being completed was the speed of lending, with Renwick able to use the working capital from Reward to purchase the equipment ahead of deadline and avoid any revenue loss through delayed openings.

The asset-based lender, which supports the growth of ambitious entrepreneurs, property investors and businesses both across the North East and nationwide, also demonstrated a pragmatic approach to funding risk. The deal with Renwick was largely based on strong projections and a solid business plan, with Reward ensuring the company didn’t have to go through any unnecessary red tape to secure the finance needed to accelerate its business plans.

George Renwick, Director and Co-founder of Renwick, said: “Having worked with pets and livestock all our lives, we recognised across the North East that many businesses and pet owners with larger animals were increasingly forced to travel as far as Derbyshire to access cremation services. Equipped with this knowledge and our passion for animal welfare, we invested in refurbishing the former equestrian centre located on the estate and converted it into the new pet and animal crematorium.

“The missing piece of the jigsaw was securing the finance in order to acquire the vital equipment needed to launch. As a new company, this was a real challenge since we had no previous trading history to present to banks and other lenders. Therefore, we were delighted that Reward was able to support us by recognising our long-term vision and plans for the business. The whole process moved at pace, ensuring we didn’t face the financial headache of having to delay the launch and put everything on hold.”

Aaron Tinmouth, Reward Funding’s North East Business Development Manager, added: “Being able to provide alternative finance to help launch a new business like Renwick underlines our entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach to lending. Whilst this is a new venture for Jane and George, we made sure that we sat down with them to truly understand their plans, ambitions and their funding needs to ensure we could provide the right solution tailored to them.

“Many SMEs and property investors across the region are unfortunately denied finance by risk-averse traditional lenders, which stifles their business growth ambitions and negatively impacts the wider economy. It’s rewarding to help Renwick unlock this market opportunity and we are confident the business will now go from strength to strength.”

The deal between Reward and Renwick was brokered by Graeme Harrison from Newcastle-based Corporate and Commercial Business Solutions Group (CCBSG).

A leading retail trade body has welcomed key elements of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spending Review announcement, particularly increased funding for policing and new investment in deprived communities across the UK.

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) praised the government's commitment to high street safety and community regeneration following the three-year budget announcement.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "In our submission to the spending review we asked for more money to be spent on keeping high streets safe. It looks as if that has happened with more neighbourhood police officers promised and increased spending for the police.

"We also asked for continued investment in high streets around the UK. There have been no specific references to this but we are pleased to see the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been given a new local growth fund and money to invest in up to 350 deprived communities across the UK, to fund interventions including community cohesion, regeneration and improving the public realm."

The Chancellor's announcement includes a 2.3% real terms yearly funding increase for policing in England and Wales, representing more than £2bn in additional investment. This funding is intended to support government pledges on cutting crime and increasing police numbers – issues of critical importance to independent retailers who continue to face challenges with retail crime.

Bira, which champions the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain, has consistently campaigned for enhanced high street safety measures and sustained investment in local communities. The organisation represents thousands of independent retailers through its member associations.

"The details are missing but we urge the department and the Mayors to focus on high street regeneration," added Mr Goodacre. "Independent retailers are the backbone of our high streets and local communities. While we welcome this investment, it's crucial that it translates into tangible improvements for the independent retail sector."

The Spending Review outlines day-to-day budgets for government departments over the next three years, with the NHS receiving a 3% annual funding increase and additional resources allocated to defence and housing.

Newport-based The Lovely Gift Group is on track for £2m turnover this year, as the firm celebrates 10 years this week.

It's a decade since mum of  three, Helen Davies, launched her first online store selling keepsakes, which include the pet brand Oh So Precious. 

Helen’s son Zac, who is now 17 and in 6th form at South Hunsley, pressed the button to officially make The Lovely Keepsake Company live in June 2015.  Helen’s twins, Anya and Xavi, whose 10 weeks in Hull NICU as premature babies inspired the business, are now also at South Hunsley in Year 7 and all three children regularly help out at the company, now based in 4 industrial units in Newport. 

Since launch 10 years ago, the business has grown exponentially, now with in-house personalised gift production, 6 further consumer websites, 2 retail brands, a wholesale business and the recent acquisition of personalised gift business, Always Personal.  Employing 14 team members the company has come a long way from the dining table in South Newbald, with a garage stacked high with boxes of stock.

Joined by husband Jason in 2020, Helen negotiated investment from Finance Yorkshire who acquired 30% of the business for £300,000.  This injection enabled the team to purchase machinery and open up procurement from the Far East, both of which helped transform the company’s scale capabilities and the opportunity to meet increasing demands from trade customers and consumers. 

Helen said: “Ten years really has gone in a flash in both a family and business sense.  That little boy, who was so excited to press the launch button, now works for us every Monday in the warehouse outside of studying, and we have a whole team of terrific people now working with us.

“I honestly love every product we design and sale we make and I really do  have regular ‘pinch me’ moments when I literally see dreams become reality.  We still have so much more to do and so many plans yet to realise and I thank each and every one of our team members who give so much day in day out.  Being trusted with someone’s precious keepsakes really is a privilege that we all take seriously. 

She continued: “Taking one day at a time but always looking 5 years ahead had helped to steer us towards what we always knew was possible, but felt like a dream for a long time.  We have remained true to our specialized area, researched our markets thoroughly and never taken a step without considering whether it was ‘Caring, Quality, Creative’.  That mantra has served us well and I look forward to pushing ahead for another 10 years.”

British pet product manufacturers and suppliers are urging consumers to support ‘home grown’ goods.

As many members of the industry are saying, “In line with the current uncertainty caused by existing and potentially future tariffs it surely makes sense to buy British whenever possible”.

Amongst them Ceri Rundle, of CSJ, says: “As well as pricing becoming an issue, continuity of supply is a major concern. Pet and working animals will obviously always need to be fed and British farmers and manufacturers are best placed to ensure that need is met on a continuous basis.

“We’ve all seen out of stock situations on shelves over months now and whilst very many imported products have yet to be affected it is anyone’s guess about how long that will last.

“Animals’ digestive systems work best with regular feed and changes need to be introduced gradually.  A sudden change caused by lack of availability or an unaffordable rocket in price should definitely be avoided - an upset digestive system stresses both animals and owners and can result in costly vet fees to boot!”

A reliable and sustainable supply of quality products at a fair price should be a given - but as traders are warning, with today’s global turmoil on so many levels, they can’t be guaranteed … so Best to Buy British makes sense … doesn’t it?

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470.

Pet food brand Lily’s Kitchen is joining forces with LGBTQIA+ charity, Switchboard, to launch its new limited edition Love & Pride range for dogs and cats.   

As a longstanding ally to LGBTQIA+ communities, Lily’s Kitchen will be continuing its support and donating 100% of profits in the UK from its Love & Pride recipes to its charity partner Switchboard, who offer essential helpline support for the communities nationwide. 

Pets are the perfect example of unconditional love in its purest form, so what better way to show your pet you appreciate their everlasting devotion than with a recipe powered by love and pride?

The Love & Pride recipe for dogs is lovingly crafted with freshly prepared, proper chicken and natural ingredients. This recipe contains a nutritionally complete medley of wholesome vegetables and a botanical blend, including red pepper, courgettes, carrots and blueberries. Better yet, it contains everything dogs need to flourish and live a healthy life. 

The B Corp pet food brand’s Love & Pride Paté for cats is made with natural ingredients including freshly prepared proper chicken, with pork, cod and shrimp. The new grain-free recipe is nutritionally complete and balanced, and made with no added sugar – because your kitty is sweet enough as is. So those who pick up the new recipes will not only be contributing to an incredible cause; they’ll also be serving up extra special grub for an extra special pet! 

Charlotte Henderson, Head of Marketing at Lily’s Kitchen, said: Our pets don’t discriminate or judge, they lead with love, and that’s the message that we at Lily’s Kitchen want to share. Our limited edition recipes, lovingly made with natural ingredients, will see 100% of profits* donated to our charity partner, the national LGBTQIA+ support line, Switchboard*, to support the life-changing work that they do. Let’s learn from the love of our furry family and share it with the rest of the world.”

Marketing expert and host of the Marketing Made Clear Podcast, Will Green MA MBA, has published new research that uncovers the deep psychological ties between people and their dogs – and what this means for the way we buy. 

The research is titled “The Psychology of Owning a Dog: Why Our Dogs Are an Extension of Us”, exploring key behavioural theories and consumer research to explain why dog owners increasingly see their pets not just as companions, but as reflections of their own identity.

The analysis is available to the public in the form of a YouTube Video, which builds on a popular article published on MarketingMadeClear.com. It weaves together the work of key thinkers including Russell Belk, Abraham Maslow, and Thorstein Veblen, to provide a unique lens on pet ownership and its marketing implications.

The video delves into Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, citing that as many as 31% of respondents acquired their dog as a way to support personal growth or self-actualisation – not just companionship (53%). Other highlights include the mere-exposure effect in breed selection, and the rise of pet-focused subcultures shaped by social media and feeding choices.

“Our dogs don’t just live with us – they represent us,” says Will Green, who also conducted a survey of more than 2,000 dog owners as part of his MBA research at the University of Winchester.

“From the breed we choose to the food we feed them, our pets are part of our extended self. The way people shop for their dogs now mirrors how they shop for themselves. In some cases, they're even more selective when it comes to their pets’ wellbeing.”

The video brings to life Belk’s Extended Self theory, revealing how consumers project personal values onto their dogs. It also highlights modern examples of conspicuous consumption in the pet industry, such as premium food, organic diets, and luxury accessories – trends driven by emotion, identity, and online visibility.

Renowned broadcaster, canine behaviour and nutrition expert Anna Webb, who has long championed better nutritional awareness for dogs, agrees that this shift in consumer mindset is critical: “Dogs are central to our lives – emotionally, physically and socially. There’s a lot of truth in the old adage that ‘dogs are like their owners’.  So it’s no surprise that people are rejecting ultra-processed options and moving towards diets that align with their own health beliefs. This isn’t just a fad; it’s a wider movement in how we view dogs as individuals with real needs.”

One of the most telling findings is that nearly 80% of respondents demonstrated close alignment (within one point of similarity) between their own food values and what they feed their dog. This shows a high degree of behavioural consistency, reinforcing the idea of a “values-based buyer profile.” For marketers, this is a powerful opportunity to build campaigns that mirror human wellness trends - natural, organic, raw, or ethical - and use those preferences to create targeted messaging, loyalty strategies, and personalised offers.

The research also revealed emotional and safety-driven motivations in pet acquisition. 9% cited Safety Needs, highlighting the continuing relevance of the “protector pet” in a modern context – linked to the ownership of larger “status dogs”. This driver is particularly relevant to single-person households, women living alone, and elderly demographics, where dogs may offer a heightened sense of security or presence.

Interestingly, 8% of respondents said they got a dog to improve their self-esteem—a lesser-discussed but deeply important factor. This suggests that some owners see pets as confidence-boosting companions, perhaps contributing to their public identity, social image, or emotional balance. For brands, this insight offers opportunities to link pet ownership to mental wellbeing, self-expression, and confidence, aligning with wider cultural conversations around self-worth and emotional health.

With pet ownership continuing to rise and the UK pet food market now worth over £3.7 billion, this research from Marketing Made Clear offers fascinating insight for anyone who shares their life with a dog. Whether you’re a devoted dog owner, curious about human behaviour, or simply interested in how psychology shapes everyday choices, this is a must-watch.

Nova Dog Chews, a leading supplier of high-quality, natural dog treats, has announced the new recipe for its Luxury Pâté, making it now 100% grain and gluten free.

In response to valuable customer feedback and growning demand for more sensitive friendly treats, Nova has replaced the small amount of rice flour in it’s original recipe with sweet potato. The change makes the Pâté even more inclusive for dogs with food sensitivities or raw diets, without compromising on texture or taste. 

The new recipe keeps the Pâté’s signature firm yet sliceable consistency, making it just as versatile as before. It can still be sliced, cubed, grated, stuffed into enrichment, or simply a rewarding treat. Made with a single protein source and packed with natural flavour, the pâté continues to be a go-to favourite for training, enrichment or giving as a treat. 

“We’ve always taken customer feedback seriously and the move to a fully grain and gluten free recipe was a no brainer,” says Lloyd Murdoch, Joint Managing Director at Nova Dog Chews. “We want to make sure our products are not only nutritious but also accessible to dogs with sensitivities. This new and improved recipe ensures that even more dogs can enjoy our pâté.”

The Nova Dog Chews Pâté range is avalible in 11 single source protein flavours ranging from vension, duck, chicken and more. 

The full Pâté range is avalible at www.novadogchews.com. 

Mars is expanding its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS programme around the world – helping more cities become pet-friendly and making it easier for people to enjoy life with their pets.

The expanded program invests more than $1 million focused on increasing access to more green spaces and pet-friendly places, aiming to benefit 10 million people and pets around the world by 2030. This global initiative is powered by a strategic partnership with C40 Cities, one of the world’s largest networks of mayors focused on climate action. In addition, Mars is expanding its partnership with Tripadvisor to help connect people with more pet-friendly places to make travel easier.

Since 2017, BETTER CITIES FOR PETS has supported cities, focusing on key features pet parents need and want in their community. Through its expanded global focus, Mars is putting pet parents at the heart of urban life, fostering vibrant, pet-friendly cities that are not only kinder to the planet but also uplift thriving pet-friendly businesses in communities around the world.

The benefits of owning a pet are undeniable. Globally, 83% of pet parents say their pet has had a positive impact on their mental well-being1, and more than half (54%) say their pet has improved their social life—sparking conversations, connections, and even new friendships. Pets play a powerful role in strengthening community bonds and enhancing city life.

Ikdeep Singh, Global President of Mars Pet Nutrition, comments: “With the urban pet population set to rise by almost 10% by 2030, Mars is more committed than ever to improving city living for millions of pets and pet parents around the world. Giving pet parents a voice in how our cities are designed for the future won’t just benefit our pets – it will contribute to healthier communities and a better planet for all. Because a better city for pets is a better city for all.”

Together with C40 Cities, the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program has the ambition to drive a global movement toward pet-friendly, climate-resilient cities designed for future generations.

At the heart of this partnership is the launch a first-of-its-kind Urban Nature Playbook for People, Pets and the Planet. Designed to inspire and equip city leaders, the playbook offers practical guidance for greener urban spaces – from tree-lined sidewalks to parks and public squares—that support biodiversity, improve mental and physical health, and strengthen climate resilience. Mars and C40 Cities will work hand-in-hand with cities, starting in London, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Bengaluru, and Bangkok, to bring the playbook to life through local initiatives that enhance green spaces for pets, people, and the planet. 

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities, comments: “Green space in cities is vital to ensuring people's well-being. Places to walk, relax in and enjoy are critical. They're also vitally important in the face of increasing climate disasters like flooding. This partnership with Mars will accelerate support to cities to build resilience and improve access to green space for people and their pets. Our Urban Nature Playbook for People, Pets and the Planet provides tangible actions for cities to design people and pet-friendly urban environments.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy safe, green spaces – including with our pets. London is proud to be one of Europe’s most pet-friendly cities, where people and their pets can relax and enjoy a healthy, green environment. I’m happy to support this funding to keep making life better for both people and their pets here in London, and to help other cities do the same.”

11% of global urban pet parents feel owning a dog limits where they can go2, highlighting the need for more pet-friendly places in cities. After a successful pilot in the U.S., Mars is also expanding its Tripadvisor and CESAR® partnership to the UK and Italy, and with MY DOG in Australia, encouraging more pet-friendly businesses across the globe. This builds on the 5,000 new pet-friendly places identified on Tripadvisor in the past year.

A Pets at Home store was seriously damaged in a major blaze which broke out at a retail park in Northampton.

The huge fire ripped through a Dunelm building on Saturday and later spread to Pets at Home next door on the Nene Valley Retail Park.

Other connected buildings were also damaged by smoke as 11 fire crews and appliances fought the blaze.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Phil Pells said: “We do not underestimate the impact this incident has had on these businesses and the people who work there, as well as the local community.

“I want to thank Fire Control, our firefighters, crews from Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire who assisted us, and our colleagues in police for their hard work over the weekend in what was a large-scale response to this fire.

“We would ask people to continue to stay away from the scene so that our Fire Investigation officers can continue their work.

“I also want to thank those affected, the local businesses and residents of St James, for their continued patience over the last three days. Our Protection Team will be visiting local businesses in the area to offer support and advice regarding fire safety in their premises.”

A spokesperson for Pets at Home told the Northampton Chronicle: "We'd like to thank the emergency services and our colleagues at Nene Valley Retail Park who responded to fire spreading rapidly from the neighbouring Dunelm store, and took swift action to move customers and pets to safety.

"We are supporting our team through this difficult time and thank customers and clients for their support and understanding. We will also continue to help the Police with their ongoing investigation."

A number of teenage boys have been questioned in connection with the fire. Witnesses or anyone with information regarding this incident should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

3P Enterprise Ltd, the parent company behind award-winning pet brand Henry Wag, has reached a new partnership with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider based in the Netherlands. This partnership will see the warehousing, pick-pack, and dispatch of Henry Wag orders directly from within the EU, significantly streamlining logistics and strengthening the brand’s presence in European markets.

The move marks a major milestone in Henry Wag’s commitment to providing quality pet care products to its growing EU customer base. With a 3PL hub in the Netherlands, the brand will eliminate key post-Brexit trading barriers, reduce lead times, and enhance the customer experience for both retail partners and direct-to-consumer (D2C) shoppers across the continent.

Grantley Rogers, owner of 3P Enterprise and creator of Henry Wag, expressed his excitement about this next phase of the brand’s journey: “We’re seeing strong growth in demand for Henry Wag products across Europe, this partnership is a crucial step in our long-term export strategy. Having stock held within the EU enables us to better serve our retail partners, expand our reach through EU marketplaces, and build lasting relationships with dog owners across Europe.”

The collaboration supports 3P Enterprise’s wider export ambitions, enabling the company to localise fulfillment and scale up international eCommerce efforts through the internationalised henrywag.com website and key online marketplaces. To facilitate this expansion, 3P Enterprise has received valuable support from the Department for International Trade (DIT), assisting with VAT consultancy and legal representation necessary for EU trading compliance.

In addition to operational improvements, the brand is also enhancing accessibility for international customers. All Henry Wag packaging is multilingual and features QR codes linking to translated digital content, ensuring a seamless experience for pet owners no matter where they are located.

With the European fulfillment infrastructure now in place, Henry Wag is poised for sustainable growth across the EU, reaffirming its position as a trusted and innovative name in the pet care industry.

The Nutriment Company (TNC) has continued its strategic growth journey with the acquisition of Graf Barf, a well-established player in the raw pet nutrition space, from CDS Hackner GmbH.

This move reinforces TNC’s growing presence in Germany, further strengthening its position as a leader in natural, high-quality pet food products.

Graf Barf has earned recognition for its commitment to the highest quality standards in the industry. Known for its premium raw pet food – including complete meals, convenient cube portions and various innovative formats – the company has built a strong reputation among pet owners in Germany. Its IFS-certified state-of-the-art, human-grade production facility ensures the highest standards in food safety and quality, supporting the rapid growth of a business that continues to set new benchmarks in the industry.

With this acquisition, The Nutriment Company strengthens its geographic footprint – adding a strong partner in Germany to complement its existing presence with brands like Barfgold, DIBO, Nutriment and Aniforte. This move not only enhances access to high-quality raw nutrition across the country but also lays the groundwork for a more accelerated expansion into Switzerland and Austria.

In addition, TNC and CDS (the previous Graf Barf owner) have formed a strategic partnership to jointly set-up a frozen logistics hub and deliver a multi-brand one-stop-shop offering across mainland Europe.

Together, TNC and Graf Barf will further accelerate the raw feeding movement in Germany and beyond – helping even more pet owners discover nourishing their pets in a natural and healthy way.

Michael Hackner, CEO and owner of CDS Hackner GmbH, said: “When two strong partners with proven expertise and passion come together and contribute their respective strengths, something truly great emerges. We are excited to become TNC´s central logistics hub for Europe from our Crailsheim location and are ready to integrate Graf BARF into the TNC brand portfolio, passionately supporting the brand’s continued growth.”

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome the talented team at Graf Barf into the TNC family. Their commitment to quality and consistency has been evident from day one, and their decades of experience with frozen logistics and production will help elevate our operational standards to new levels.”

One year after microchipping for cats became mandatory in England, Jollyes is highlighting that up to 1 in 10 of pet cats in the UK remain unchipped, with owners risking a £500 fine in England.

According to the RSPCA not only do a third of cat lovers struggle with the cost of microchipping their pets, alongside this, one in 10 (11pc) of cat owners are still unaware that their beloved pet must be microchipped under a new English law.

And that peace of mind costs just £20 at Jollyes.

Over the last year Jollyes has remained the most affordable microchipping service on the market – helping the UK’s pet parents swerve overcharging from independent vets and major retail competitors alike.

Jollyes, The Pet People, currently operates community pet clinics across most of its 100-plus stores, with microchipping available for just £20 – in contrast with the same service costing an average of 26pc more at one nationwide vet chain.

Jollyes believes pet parents should get the same great prices wherever they live and shop, which is why shoppers will see the same £20 fee for microchipping both cats and dogs on offer across all its in-store community clinics.

By contrast, the same major competitor fluctuates prices, meaning shoppers in Edinburgh will pay £33 for microchipping – an eyewatering 65pc more expensive than the same service offered by Jollyes.

Shoppers across Warrington, Milton Keynes, Poole, Norwich and Wrexham will also be charged approximately 50pc more for microchipping at the same veterinary chain than they would at Jollyes.

Research shows that the price differential on kitten and puppy vaccinations is even more steep. Both necessary doses are a combined £55 at a Jollyes’ Community Pet Clinic but as high as £96 at one competitor.

The CMA is currently investigating concerns around lack of transparency and affordability across vet practices, as a staggering 84pc of practices provide no pricing information online. Against this backdrop, Jollyes is focused on keeping costs down for pet owners.

Keeping microchipping costs down is just one of the ways Jollyes is supporting cats and their owners. The pet’s specialist recently rolled out its ‘Big Cat Takeover’, significantly expanded its cat ranges, updating its stores to offer 48 per cent more kitty items after internal data showed feline food sales have been rising ahead of canine equivalents.

That expansion, inspired by Gen Z cat owners such as Taylor Swift, includes the UK retail’s first open market veterinary diet cat range.

“In the year since microchipping was made mandatory for all cats, we have kept the cost of complying with the new law low, so pet parents can easily avoid the risk of a big fine,” said Jollyes’ chief operating officer Adam Dury.

“And it’s high time the other UK nations followed England’s lead in making microchipping compulsory.”

Ruffingtons, part of the Fold Hill Foods family, has secured its first two national listings. The range of artisan, patisserie-style dog treats, will be stocked across the UK in multi-site specialist pet retailer, Pets Corner, and within online retailer, Very. 

The major retailer wins come just 9 months after Ruffingtons began trading, including making a debut appearance at PATS trade show in autumn 2024. 

Ruffingtons has enjoyed a strong start, having invested in a robust marketing strategy from the beginning and earning high-profile endorsements from the likes of radio DJ Scott Mills, actor Bradley Riches, and TV personality Ollie Locke. Achieving these high calibre national listings, supplemented by a number of pet stores, cafes, garden centres, and countryside pubs to name a few, means the brand is set to continue to grow. 

Fold Hill Foods and Pets Corner have been family-run businesses since their inceptions in 1959 and 1968 respectively – a clear synergy between the brands, both committed to championing prolific pet care and love.

The world’s only carbon neutral pet store, Pets Corner is a leading retailer in the space that cares for pets, owners, and the community. Pets Corner will stock Ruffingtons’ full range, which includes a total of seven SKUs, retailing from £5.50. The iconic collection features the likes of Terrier Truffles, Canine Cupcakes, and Dog Eclairs.  

• Biscuit Paws (RRP £5.50) 
• Canine Cupcakes 4 pack (RRP £5.00) 
• Canine Cupcakes 9 pack (RRP £8.00) 
• Dog Doughnuts (RRP £5.00) 
• Dog Eclairs (RRP £5.00) 
• Marbled Dog Snaps (RRP £8.00) 
• Terrier Truffles (£7.50) 

Known for stocking a range of well-loved and luxury brands, including carrying a number of designer ranges, Very is an ideal online stockist of the luxurious Ruffingtons pet treat range.

Customers will be able to purchase bespoke bundles of the artisan dog treats, retailing from £12.99. Alongside its standard boxed range, Ruffingtons also has a patisserie-style offering for its trade customers–ideal for hospitality and leisure businesses, where products can be picked by consumers and bought individually. Charmingly unique, these stands have been particularly popular since Ruffingtons’ launch in late 2024. 

Ben Mankertz, Managing Director of Fold Hill Foods said: “We’re delighted to be listed in Pets Corner stores, a brand that has such similar values to our own. It’s exciting that even more dog owners will get to experience the joy of Ruffingtons–the quintessential treat for your pet when words just aren’t enough to express your love.” 

To find out more about Ruffingtons or to enquire about stocking the range, head to the website.