In This Issue
Dog toy set to take the market by storm in 2018
Revealed: Secrets of UK's Pet Retailer of the Year
The new Yak Snack is a stand out winner for Antos
Natures Menu celebrates successful launch of True Instinct
Exciting times ahead for award-winning HayPigs
Super Premium bird food Goldenfeast is a big hit
Record-breaking attendance figures at PATS Telford
Picture round-up from the pet extravaganza
HOWND clinches double-gold at PetQuip Awards
Frozzys takes fresh approach to consumer shows
Pet firm secures €5m funding to fuel European expansion
PFMA appeals for safeguarding of pet food manufacture
Get your own copy of Pet Trade Xtra
Improvements at Vital continue to offer better support for retailers
Lily's Kitchen receives outstanding ethical company score
British eco-business launches American-themed toys for dogs made from recycled plastic
Royal Seal of Approval for Fish4Dogs
New Product winners from Antos, Group 55, HayPigs!, Kong, Pedigree, Symply, The Innocent Hound and Versele-Laga at PATS
PetQuip Award winners revealed at glitzy event
Picture gallery from the PetQuip Awards
PIF Forum to reveal results into rabbit nutrition study
PetSafe Brand launches microchip cat flap
Enjoy the North Wales Sheepdog trials with CSJ
Launch of new wet dog food range with added 'vet know-how'
Burgess Pet Care launches Great British Rabbit Census
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Dog toy set to take the market by storm in 2018


One of the most talked about new products at PATS Telford this week was the PetBloon, a colourful and fun dog toy which is set to take the pet market by storm in the year ahead...



One of the most talked about new products at PATS Telford this week was the PetBloon, a colourful and fun dog toy which is set to take the pet market by storm in the year ahead.

The PetBloon is modelled on a successful children's toy – the BubaBloon – and it certainly caught the attention of pet retailers during the PATS exhibition.

Much like the old fashioned bladder that was inside a leather football, you place a latex balloon into a hole in the outer fabric and blow it up. The USP of the product is the fact that you do not require to tie a knot. You merely twist the latex about 10 times and tuck in as the pressure from the inflated balloon against the fabric keeps it from going down.  If it does get burst, you simply replace the balloon.

The level of interest was a surprise to BubaBloon's CEO, Lorna Edwards, who spoke to Pet Trade Xtra following a successful show for the company.

How did first come across the concept of the BubaBloon?
I was asked to look at the product my friend Elena had received as a gift from Australia – it was a homemade version of what we call BubaBloon. She asked me if I thought it was a product that she could commercialise.  I looked at it and did some research, wrote a business plan, found a local manufacturer and had some samples made. Then she asked if I would invest. I said yes, and put down £25k. Then two months later she got pregnant with her second child. The initial concept was to create an online business. In March 2016 I took over the majority share in the business as she didn’t have the time to return full time to work and I saw the business going in a different direction.
 
You appeared on Dragons' Den with the BubaBloon, how did you find that experience?
I got really positive feedback from Deborah Meadon. She got the product and understood I was a business woman who knew what I was doing. Peter Jones was his usual self, trying to make his point, and they showed him stamping on the product with his size 14 feet and it burst.
 
What made you think it could work in the form of a dog toy?
I have an amazing business partner, Jane Johnstone, who has an Airedale hound. Jane took a BubaBloon home one evening and the dog got hold of it. Whilst he did burst it she got on the phone to me and said she thought we could change the fabric and dogs could have fun too. The rest is history. We have spent a year developing the designs and product with the support and creativity of Jamie Sterling. PetBloon is born, the pup is here.


 
What reaction did you get at PATS?
Quite astonishing really. I wondered if attendees would understand it, but we have over 200 business cards and I know we must have had over 300 on our stand in the two days.
 
Are you please you took a stand at the show?
Absolutely. 95% of Bubabloons are supplied to our export market and I now have several contacts abroad who are likely to take the PetBloon.
 
Has the reaction at PATS given you the confidence to go ahead with the PetBloon?
For me it was never a case of not proceeding, it was how big was the first order going to be to our manufacturer.
 
Were you taking orders or just gauging interest?
It was more about getting the packaging right, ensuring that the MOQ for smaller retailers weren’t too high and that the carton sizes we have packed in China aren’t split!  We also wanted to see where the product sat with the size of the dog. We were pitching it at smaller dogs but we may tweak the wording and up the safe play for larger dogs.
 
Will you modify the product in any way following feedback from visitors to your stand?
The packaging will be changed slightly and the samples we had on the stand were working samples. We are overall very happy with the product, we just want to tighten up the stitching and use larger balloons.


 
What’s the next step regarding getting the product to market?
We intend to exhibit at PATS Sandown, I walked the show this year so meeting with importers from other countries is very important to the growth of the business. We will also be in Nuremberg if all goes to plan.
 
When can we expect to see the product in the shops?
The first orders will arrive in the UK mid January 2018.  Once Christmas is over and the January sales finished it will give retailers a great chance to introduce a brand new product to their shelves.
 
For those retailers and pet buyers who didn’t make the show, how do they make contact with you?
Via the website Petbloon.com which should be live any day now or email lorna@bloonco.com


Revealed: Secrets of UK's Pet Retailer of the Year
Paws and Claws has been transformed from ailing pet shop into a thriving business, and the change has been so dramatic that this week the store was crowned UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the PetQuip Awards. Owners Jamie and Liz Gleave reveal how independent pet retailers can achieve success in today's challenging times.



The pet shop is now housed in the Station Masters House at Frodsham Railway Station in Cheshire.



Paws and Claws has been transformed from ailing pet shop into a thriving business, and the change has been so dramatic that this week the store was crowned UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the PetQuip Awards.

Owners Jamie and Liz Gleave reveal how independent pet retailers can achieve success in today's challenging times.

When did you buy the pet shop?

We purchased the business in November 2010. It was an established but very traditional pet shop that relied heavily on the sale of mainstream brands and animals.

 

What state was it in when you took it over?

The condition of the shop was very poor. It was only 220sq feet in size and had no storage available. There had been very limited financial investment over the 30 years it had been open. We discovered that many of the products being sold were either out of date, badly damaged or were infested with insects.The business had also earned a bad reputation locally due to the cramped conditions in which animals were being housed, and the general untidiness of its presentation to customers.

 

How did you set about reversing its fortunes?

Despite the condition and reputation of the shop, we could see real potential in the business. It was clear to us that the town could benefit from a well ran shop that offered better quality products, exceptional customer service and put animal welfare above profits. We made an immediate decision to stop selling pets, in order to change the image and focus of the business. The interior and exterior were decorated, with new lighting fitted and new external signage erected to ensure anyone passing on the high street would see it had changed ownership. We also rearranged the internal layout to better present our products and allow people to move more freely inside the shop.

 

What have you changed over time?

Over a two year period we gradually removed all mainstream and supermarket brands and replaced these with high quality pet foods, treats and accessories from predominantly UK based companies. We have strong ethics and principles, and will delist products without hesitation if manufacturers or suppliers go back on their promises, deliver poor service or reduce the quality of their products.

 

Has it been a long road?

Absolutely! We spent five years in our original premises and throughout that time faced significant challenges with having no available storage, unreasonable landlords and shaking off the negative image of the business in the town. It is only since moving from the high street to Frodsham Railway Station in September 2015 that we have been able to operate our business in a way that makes us truly proud of what we have to offer.



What made you choose Frodsham Railway Station when you relocated?
We chose the station because there was simply no other alternative available. We'd been searching for six months in and around the town without success as our lease was coming to an end, and renewing this in our old premises was not an option. We even contemplated closing the business down if we couldn't find somewhere. But as soon as we viewed the vacant Stationmasters House we could see it had great potential for us to offer a completely different retail experience. What swung it was Network Rail's tenancy agreement; their terms are much more flexible than most archaic commercial leases that are written in favour of protecting the landlord's interests.

Was there a retail unit there before you moved in?
The building had been fully renovated by Network Rail only a few years ago and had been home to around three businesses before we came along.  Being new/startup businesess they struggled to make the location work for them and didn't last longer than a few months each. As an established business, for us it was a no brainer - we had a loyal customer base from our previous shop and we were confident they would follow us wherever we moved to in the town.

Is it a busy station on a main line?
Frodsham Railway Station is a local stop located on the main line between Manchester and Chester. It gets busy at the start and end of each day with commuters, but is much quieter during the daytime and at weekends.

Do you get lots of rail passengers coming into your shop?
We frequently get a few people coming in to have a look around whilst waiting for their train. Many comment positively on the layout and appearance of our premises, but we have a few that cannot help but remark on it being a strange location for a pet shop! As a lot of commuters travel from other towns to take advantage of the free parking in Frodsham, they are unaware of what we offer and how we operate. We intend to remedy this by erecting some temporary banners up on the external walls to raise awareness of our award to people passing through the station.

 

What sets you apart from the rest?

The independent pet trade is constantly evolving, and we try and stay on top of this – for example by being innovative in the products we source and the way we display them. When we moved premises we completely changed the look and feel of our shop as we wanted to create an exciting and different retail experience for our customers. Many of our ideas, designs and initiatives are now being adopted in other pet shops in the area.

 

What’s the secret of your success?

We don’t believe there are any secrets to success. A lot of it is just common sense and ensuring you maximise the potential of your business by understanding your market and customers. Not everything works in every location, and you cannot simply copy what another business does and expect it to work where you are. It’s about finding what does work well for you and developing your business around it. You have to be willing to try new things and accept that not everything you do will be successful.

 

What advice would you give someone with an ailing pet business?

We've visited lots of independent pet shops over the years and the majority that are in decline offer zero point of difference for customers. Many are still trying to survive by competing in an endless price war with discounters, who will ultimately win each and every time. If your business is struggling to stay afloat, be brave and make a step change in what you do and how you do it. Speak to other successful independents for ideas - they are not your enemy - the enemy are the large pet chains, supermarkets and online retailers, and the big corporates who are supplying them with the same products you sell but at massively discounted prices. Getting involved with community-focused events such as sponsoring local dog walks, and teaming up with other independent retailers to promote town-wide initiatives can help to indirectly promote your business and increase sales. Being open, honest and transparent in how you operate is really important as people favour businesses with strong ethics and principles and are more likely to remain loyal to them. We recommend shops ask themselves why they sell what they sell... we asked ourselves that very question years ago and have never looked back. Remember: the most dangerous words in retail are “we’ve always done it that way”.

 

What does the award mean to you?

We entered the PetQuip awards in 2016 and won “Highly Commended” which we were delighted with. We decided not to enter this year but were genuinely surprised to hear that some of our suppliers had recommended us for the award; this was a real honour for us and meant a great deal to us personally. We are incredibly proud to have won Gold in the category in 2017 against some serious competition from other long-established and innovative businesses across the UK.




The new Yak Snack is a stand out winner for Antos
Pet Trade Xtra Promotion

Antos were delighted to pick up the award for the Best New Product in the dog food and treats category at the PATS Telford show. The new Yak Snack was deemed by a broad consensus of the judges to be the stand out winner due to it being so unique...


Antos were delighted to pick up the award for the Best New Product in the dog food and treats category at the PATS Telford show.

The new Yak Snack was deemed by a broad consensus of the judges to be the stand out winner due to it being so unique.

The Yak Snack dog chews are from the Himalayas and made from yak milk although the lactose has been removed from the product. They are smoked for 28 days and are completely natural, low in fat, gluten free and rich in calcium and protein.

Antoon Murphy, managing director at Antos Limited remarks: “We are delighted to pick up such a prestigious award at PATS Telford. The Yak Snack is a great addition to our family of brands.

"We now have around 200 different dog snacks. There was an incredible amount of interest in the Yak Snack at the show and the phones have hardly stopped ringing since. We have even had quite a few buyers from abroad looking to place orders. It looks like we’ll soon be sending out orders to the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

"People love the fact that this product is long lasting, highly palatable and completely natural. They are also interested in the story of the Yak Snack. The fact that local farmers in the Himalayas get a fair price for the yak milk that is used to make these products.

"Retailers were also quite excited about the counter top display stands which make for a great display at the tills.”

Antos are based in Scotland and supply throughout the UK and Europe. With around 200 different dog snacks, there is something for everyone and the company is constantly looking to refresh and improve its product range.

Many know Antos for their vegetable based Cerea range of dog snacks made in the Netherlands by the UK’s sister company, Antos BV. Products such as their Hedgehogs,

Toothbrushes and Frogs are part of the flagship range. Antos are also one of the largest manufacturers of antler dog chews in Europe, selling between 12,000 and 15,000 pieces of antler dog chews every week.

Retailers can order many items through the wholesale channels or direct by calling 01292 318 903 or emailing info@antos.co.uk.

Antos also launched a trade website last year which allows retailers to log in and view products, ingredients, analysis and pricing all in the one place. Retailers can also order via the trade website.

 
Natures Menu celebrates successful launch of True Instinct
Pet Trade Xtra Promotion
Natures Menu, the UK’s number one and Europe’s leading expert in raw, is celebrating its most successful PATS to date following the launch of a new brand, True Instinct.



Natures Menu, the UK’s number one and Europe’s leading expert in raw, is celebrating its most successful PATS to date following the launch of a new brand, True Instinct. 

 

PATS Telford saw hundreds of visitors to the Natures Menu stand over both Sunday and Monday, and with competitive offers on stand, over 180 True Instinct orders were secured with specialist pet retailers from across the UK. In addition to this success, Natures Menu was also awarded Silver in the PetQuip Awards for Exporter of the Year and Business of the Year.

 

True Instinct specialises in a complete and balanced range of grain and gluten free, natural raw and raw-inspired products. Its brand new range will offer highly nutritional, complete & balanced frozen raw, innovative freeze-dried raw and high meat fillets for both cats and dogs. True Instinct will offer every meal across the formats in a variety of premium quality deboned meats, with vegetables, high quality botanicals and superfoods and no artificial colours flavours or preservatives.  The range will be available for Adult Dog, Small Adult Breeds, Puppy and Adult Cat across a number of variants.

 

Raw Boost is a particularly exciting development and a first for the UK pet market. Combining Natures Menu’s expertise in raw with the convenience of dry, the brand-new concept Raw Boost is the result of a partnership with dry food experts Affinity Petcare. Combining a high meat bite with a freeze dried raw meat nugget the product offers the benefits of raw meat ingredients surrounded by a wholesome blend of meat, fresh vegetables and botanicals.

 

Peter Roy, Business Development Director at Natures Menu, said: “This year’s PATS was without a doubt the most successful to date for us at Natures Menu, and even more exciting with the launch of True Instinct. We had some excellent feedback from retailers and we look forward to working closely with them on this new brand going forwards – there’ll continue to be great value deals on offer as well as free training and advice.”

 

With over 35 years’ experience in feeding raw, and endorsement from a team of professional vets, Natures Menu are proud to be pioneers and innovators of Europe’s natural, raw and raw inspired pet food category. True Instinct® pet food ranges have been designed and formulated, using high quality natural ingredients, boasting the highest nutritional value to deliver a superior, responsibly sourced, wholesome, complete and balanced diet for pets.

 

The True Instinct range will be available to purchase at specialist pet stores and online at www.naturesmenu.co.uk/trueinstinct  from December 2017.

Exciting times ahead for award-winning HayPigs
Pet Trade Xtra Promotion


Fresh from scooping the best new product award for the small animals category in the PATS Telford showcase, newcomers HayPigs!® are already looking forward to exciting times ahead...



Fresh from scooping the best new product award for the small animals category in the PATS Telford showcase, newcomers HayPigs!® are already looking forward to exciting times ahead.

"We're really chuffed to have won this award in our first year of trading," says Rik Cridland, MD and self-proclaimed Ringmaster.

"PATS Telford was a wonderful experience and we are really appreciative of the warm welcome we received from the pet trade community. It feels like we are part of one big family already! Thank you to everyone who has supported us to date, it really means a lot. It's been an exhausting experience, but so worth it! We look forward to the exciting journey ahead and can't wait to show you what else we've got planned for HayPigs!®"

HayPigs!® mix of product innovation, quirkiness and good humour, caught the judges' eye after they entered four of their six circus themed launch products into the showcase.

Their winning product, the HayPigs!® Piggy Weightlifter™, is said to be the world's first, horizontal, pet friendly, vegetable kebab maker. It provides guinea pigs and other small animals with an enriching food challenge while also entertaining their owners.

"The judges were unanimous in their choice of this winning product," said the panel "They felt a fun circus range for small animals was a great addition to the market. The winning product from the range was a novel idea and will provide hours of enjoyment."

All HayPigs!® products have been designed for and tested by their resident rescue guinea pigs known as the HayPigs!HayPigs!®. But this fabulous set is not just for guinea pigs and can be enjoyed by a variety of small animals, as indicated on their packaging and website.

While the brand has already proved popular in UK, HayPigs!® have also made sales across the globe from Germany, France and the US to Canada, Japan and Australia.



"We really have gone all out to make the HayPigs!® Guinea Pig Circus™ a luxury product range for small furries," says Rik.

"We hope owners will delight in the whole experience, from receiving and un-packaging their products to enjoying the interaction and play of using them.

"At the end of the day, it's about encouraging people to spend more time with their pets, enriching the lives of small furries and enhancing their own wellbeing, it's a win win really!"


Helen, co-founder and Chief Pig Tamer, adds: "What we think is nice about this collection, is it's very giftable, making it a perfect present for Christmas or a special occasion. We have plans to add to the range, so it gives customers the opportunity to collect a themed set that not only looks great, but it also really practical, functional and fun."

If you're looking to put on a show this Christmas and would like an eye-catching range for your shop window or display, check out www.haypigs.com and email enquiries@haypigs.com for more details. Rik and Helen would be delighted to hear from you! Wheek! Wheek! Wheek!

Super Premium bird food Goldenfeast is a big hit
Pet Trade Xtra Promotion



Versele-Laga are proud to receive the award at PATS Telford 2017 for ‘Best New Bird Product’ for their New and Exclusive Goldenfeast range of bird feeds...




Versele-Laga are proud to receive the award at PATS Telford 2017 for ‘Best New Bird Product’ for their New and Exclusive Goldenfeast range of bird feeds.

 

Versele-Laga is a family run company with over 80 years of experience, recognised internationally as experts in animal nutrition. Our passion is in producing feeds of the highest standard for ALL performance animals and pets. We supply over 75 countries worldwide with a product portfolio of over 2000 products; including feeds, snacks, treats and health supplements.

 

Versele-Laga is delighted to introduce Goldenfeast to the UK Pet Trade Market.

 

Goldenfeast is a range of Super Premium bird foods which are produced using the most exclusive and exotic ingredients of the very highest standard to offer you beloved pet bird the Ultimate in Culinary Experience

 

The Goldenfeast story

Goldenfeast bird food blends are designed to create sound nutrition through diversity. Our formulas do this by using over 250 of the highest quality, wholesome and exotic ingredients to create the perfect mix in the Goldenfeast range.

 

Being free from synthetic vitamins, colourants and additives, Goldenfeast mixes are produced using only natural ingredients which through the attractive appearance and enticing smell of these finely curated ingredients – your exotic pet bird is immediately interested in trying our blends for the first time and the palatability is exceptional.

 

Goldenfeast blends have been designed to activate the avian senses, help stimulate intellectual engagement and to contribute to an overall better quality of life for your exotic pet.

Whether it's cracking open a Macadamia nut, or discovering a cinnamon stick, grasping it with their claw as they nibble away, our blends help keep your bird engaged. Diversity in your exotic bird's diet is crucial. This is the best way not just for providing sound nutrition but because it is the source for creating a healthy, happy and mentally stimulated pet for the long life it deserves.

 

Our full range of feeds caters for all exotic birds including African Greys, Amazons, Canaries, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, Conures, Eclectus, Finches, Lories & Lorikeets, Lovebirds, Mackaws, Parakeets, and Parrotlets.

 

For further information and to receive the very informative product brochure for Goldenfeast, please contact your Versele-Laga sales representative or contact:

Garry Johnson, Area Sales Manager

Tel: 07867455954

garry.johnson@verla.be

 

Goldenfeast is available throughout the UK to the Pet Trade via Garden Feathers Ltd, – specialists in all avian products:

Garden Feathers Ltd, 10 Hutton Street, Boldon Colliery, NE35 9LW.

Tel: 0191 5277025

www.gardenfeathers.co.uk

info@gardenfeathers.co.uk

Record-breaking attendance figures at PATS Telford


PATS Telford has broken all records with the number of visitors attending the two-day show surpassing the 2,000 mark for the third time in a row. A total of 2,148 visitors came through the doors of The Telford International Centre, which was 7% higher than PATS Telford last year...



PATS Telford has broken all records with the number of visitors attending the two-day show surpassing the 2,000 mark for the third time in a row.

A total of 2,148 visitors came through the doors of The Telford International Centre, which was 7% higher than PATS Telford last year.

The successful show closed with visitors and exhibitors agreeing it had been a huge success, with the event delivering an unrivalled platform for the launch of hundreds of exciting new pet product innovations.

Organiser Gordon Thomas said many of the companies exhibiting at PATS Telford were eager to point out the quality of people visiting their stands had been of the highest standard.

“Exhibitors told us they met with the key decision makers and buyers, and that was good to hear because we put in place measures that ensured the right people attended.

“Overall the response to PATS Telford 2017 has been excellent and positive, and proves that the pet industry is firmly behind this show.”

George Bramble, co-founder of Beco Pets, said: “I was very impressed with the quality of visitor, and in particular the large contingent of international visitors this year. It seems the UK pet industry in general and PATS Telford are going from strength to strength. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

Katie Goldsmith, of Collarways, commented: "We had a fantastic show - I even lost my voice from talking to so many people. There was a very good buzz in the halls and the orders taken exceeded all our expectations. It was great to see existing customers as always and we are excited to start relationships with all the new people we met."



And for Pet Munchies, who’ve been attending PATS shows for the past seven years, it just gets better and better with every show. “This year has been phenomenal,” said managing director Suzanne Rothman.

Michelle Turnbull, owner of The Barking Bakery, said: “Having just returned from my third time as an exhibitor to PATS Telford, I must compliment the team of organisers for such a great show. The whole event, from setting up to the flurry of potential buyers, was fabulous. I have already reserved my stand for next year.”

Edgard & Cooper launched the world’s first fresh meat kibbles for dogs at PATS Telford a year ago, and the exhibition has been a key factor in the company’s success. Rebecca Owens said: “PATS provides a fantastic platform to showcase our brand to the pet trade. Visitors come to see a diverse range of products, so the event is perfect for us.”

Hay Pigs won a New Product Award for their innovative circus-themed small animal products and managing director Rik Cridland commented: “We're thrilled to have won an award in our first year of trading. PATS Telford was a wonderful experience and we are appreciative of the warm welcome we received from the pet trade community, it feels like we are part of one big family already.”

The show attracted an impressive number of international visitors, who felt the trip proved well worthwhile. Christer Wernborg, of Sweden, said: “The show was even better than I expected. I made a lot of new contacts and it’s a great way to discover new trends. I’m sure a lot of business will come out of this exhibition.”

The final word was left to award-winning pet retailer Paws and Claws, who summed up the mood of visitors. Liz Gleave said: “PATS Telford is always a great experience for anyone involved in the pet trade. This year was extra special for us as we presented a well-received seminar about our retail journey and also picked up a national award. It was also great to meet up with old friends and establish new contacts. We would highly recommend the event to others in the pet industry.”

Date for the diary
PATS Sandown 2018: March 20-21

Picture round-up from the pet extravaganza


There was so much to see and do over the two days of PATS Telford exhibition. If you weren't lucky enough to make it, here's a picture round-up from Telford...



There was so much to see and do over the two days of PATS Telford exhibition. If you weren't lucky enough to make it, here's a picture round-up from Telford.
HOWND clinches double-gold at PetQuip Awards


Ethical and natural grooming brand HOWND has won two prestigious accolades at this year’s PetQuip Awards. The Hertfordshire based company secured Gold in the ‘Pet Product Innovation of the Year’ (accessories) for its new Hemp-based Skin, Nose & Paw Balms with added Sun Protection; whilst also securing Gold in the ‘Marketing Project of the Year category for ‘Bring Your Dog To Work Day’.



Ethical and natural grooming brand HOWND has won two prestigious accolades at this year’s PetQuip Awards.

The Hertfordshire based company secured Gold in the ‘Pet Product Innovation of the Year’ (accessories) for its new Hemp-based Skin, Nose & Paw Balms with added Sun Protection; whilst also securing Gold in the ‘Marketing Project of the Year category for ‘Bring Your Dog To Work Day’.

“The support has really moved us and we feel very humbled to have received two Gold awards,” explains Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND.

“We were thrilled to have our marketing efforts recognised for Bring Your Dog to Work Day. But what came as a complete surprise was winning Gold in Product Innovation of the Year for our recently launched Hemp-based Skin, Nose & Paw Balms with added sun protection.

“Our stand was jam packed the next day, so we are extremely grateful to the judges for giving HOWND the thumbs up. We constantly strive to be innovative and disruptive in our products and packaging, while sticking to our ethos of creating vegan, ethical and cruelty free UK-made products.

“Next year, we're booking a bigger stand to showcase additional innovations that we’ll be rolling out over the next 10 months.”

Skin, Nose & Paw Balms

HOWND’s Skin Nose & Paw Balms range includes two products: Hemp By HOWND (50g) and Playful Pup (50g). They are packaged in full coloured branded shelf ready trays (6 x 50g) and are available to trade (RRP £10).

“With our balms, our first challenge was to source organic certified hemp seed oil,” adds Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND.

“We travelled to a couple of farms in Europe last year to find the grade we were looking for. However, our greatest challenge was sourcing ingredients that were both 100% vegan and cruelty free.

“This is the reason we have included Candelilla Wax in our balm formula, which is a natural alternative to Beeswax. Since Beeswax is generally obtained from commercial bee farms, we opted for this vegan and natural alternative. It looks and feels like Beeswax, but is derived from an ethical and sustainable source.”

Marketing Campaigns

HOWND was the company behind the UK’s fourth national #BringYourDogToWorkDay. On Friday 23rd June, thousands of businesses from across the UK welcomed their employees along with their dogs into the workplace. The goal was to promote the benefits of bringing dogs into safe work environments and raise money for animal welfare.

The event had extraordinary social media engagement culminating in the #BringYourDogToWorkDay hashtag trending at number #1 on Twitter.

Verified accounts such as comedian Ricky Gervais, Larry the Cat from 10 Downing Street, The Grand Tour, Coronation Street, Xbox, Shrek the Musical, Tennis TV, London Fire Brigade, as well as regional police forces, hotel chains and recruitment agencies all tweeted their support.

The day also gained significant coverage in the press, including The Telegraph, Metro, Daily Express, Evening Standard, BBC and many more.
 
Frozzys takes fresh approach to consumer shows
Frozzys aims to spread the word about its popular frozen yoghurt for dogs at consumer shows and country fairs by appointing Chris Prince as its dog show co-ordinator...


Frozzys aims to spread the word about its popular frozen yoghurt for dogs at consumer shows and country fairs by appointing Chris Prince as its dog show co-ordinator.

Former police officer Chris, who worked on the Frozzys stand at PATS Telford, will be at the Family Pets Show at Event City, Manchester, this weekend.

"My skill is to organise, plan, and follow things through to their conclusion with a positive result,  which is now in relation to the Frozzys brand," said Chris. "I will be keeping it at the forefront of the pet product business whilst still maintaining its uniqueness and prime place as a quality product.

"I will be promoting Frozzys at dog shows and championships across the United Kingdom, and raising the profile as a distributor of this product within Wales and further, by promoting it within pet friendly locations like pub chains and campsites."
Pet firm secures €5m funding to fuel European expansion


DogBuddy - Europe’s fastest growing online marketplace for dog sitting - has closed a Series A investment round of more than €5M to deliver continued European expansion...



DogBuddy - Europe’s fastest growing online marketplace for dog sitting - has closed a Series A investment round of more than €5M to deliver continued European expansion.

This fresh funding brings DogBuddy’s total investment to c. €10M, doubling the total funds raised to date, and making the business the most well funded dog sitting marketplace in Europe.

The latest round of financing demonstrates continued confidence in the business from existing private investors, as well as the addition of several prominent new investors. The group of new investors join previous backers of the expanding business, including Sweet Capital - the investment fund created and funded by the founders of King.com.

Commenting on the investment, DogBuddy Founder & CEO, Richard Setterwall notes: "Based on the strong growth we’ve seen in Sweden over the past year, and the successful launch of Norway this January, I’m excited to bring DogBuddy to even more European countries in the months to come.

"With this continued support and backing from our investors, we’ll be able to help make life easier for even more owners throughout Europe."

The Pan-European business - with offices in London, Stockholm and Barcelona, and operations in seven countries - plans to use the investment to launch additional European markets following recent entry to Sweden and Norway.

This new funding will also be used to expand the team’s technical operations, and invest further in marketing to raise awareness of home dog boarding, doggy daycare and dog walking amongst dog owners.

An estimated $154M1 was invested in the pet-tech sector last year alone globally - a more than four-fold increase in just four years. In addition to innovation from businesses like DogBuddy within the pet care industry, pet health, wellness, food and wearables have all seen increased interest and investment over the past year.

With this increased interest in pet-tech, DogBuddy board member and CEO of Sweet Capital, Christian Dörffer adds: "DogBuddy has proven how their service solves a very real problem faced by hundreds of thousands of dog owners all over Europe.

"We’re delighted to welcome new investors in the latest funding round, which will allow DogBuddy to continue to grow into new markets and explore additional opportunities in the pet-tech space”.

DogBuddy was founded in 2013 and has grown exponentially to become Europe’s leading online dog sitting community, with more than 500,000 dog lovers already registered.

With over 30,000 approved dog sitters using the service, DogBuddy matches dog owners with local and reliable dog sitters to provide Doggy Day Care, Home Dog Boarding, and Dog Walking across the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway.

For more information visit https://dogbuddy.com
PFMA appeals for safeguarding of pet food manufacture


The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has appealed to politicians to safeguard the future of UK pet food manufacture during difficult Brexit negotiations...



In an open letter to all Party leaders, the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) appeals to politicians to facilitate their task of operating successful UK pet food manufacturing businesses amid the economic and political uncertainties that are currently challenging the industry.

The nation’s 54 million pets didn’t vote for Brexit and will still expect their favourite foods available from 30 March 2019, no matter what happens during the next few weeks of negotiations. They cannot write to the political leaders to ask for their interests to be looked after, so PFMA are doing this on their behalf.

Peter Kersh, Chairman of PFMA, advises: “Our members manufacture a wide range of products for pets of all types and range from major multinationals with manufacturing sites worldwide to small companies operating only in the UK.

"Ninety percent of them are SMEs, many of which trade outside the UK, primarily within the EU single market. Our members are dedicated to providing the best quality pet foods made to high welfare standards and wish to continue to do so, no matter what the outcome of the current negotiations and future trading arrangements with the EU.”

PFMA points to the impact of uncertainty and the need for clear forward planning reminding politicians of its five priority areas laid down in the PFMA Brexit manifesto:
  • Safety standards, animal health and welfare
  • Sustainability of supplies
  • Legislation
  • Future trade
  • Workforce
PFMA goes on to remind politicians that 44% of UK households have at least one pet. Many UK nationals resident in the EU also have pets and are concerned about their pets’ future rights of movement within the EU as well as that of their human family members.

Peter Kersh concludes: “The contribution of pet food manufacture to the UK goes beyond economics and trade; pets are an integral part of many UK households and play an important role in the wellbeing of many individuals and families. We urge politicians to consider these issues as Parliament resumes and the negotiations with the EU on the UK’s future relationship with our nearest neighbours progress.”

For more information on PFMA’s Brexit priorities and the pet food industry, please contact Nicole Paley or Michael Bellingham on 020 7379 9009.
 
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Improvements at Vital continue to offer better support for retailers
The new management team at Vital Pet Products is continuing to make rapid progress. As well as confirming more key appointments, the company has announced a move to regional teams to support customers more effectively and a new express pick service for smaller orders...
The new management team at Vital Pet Products is continuing to make rapid progress. As well as confirming more key appointments, the company has announced a move to regional teams to support customers more effectively and a new express pick service for smaller orders.

The expanded team at Vital now includes Sam Hearn who takes on the role of Senior Buying Manager. He joins Vital from Poundstretcher and will be applying his experience in purchasing for the pet category to drive value and create exclusive promotions for the independent retailer. Sam is also encouraging new brands to make his buying team their first point of call to help Vital continue to deliver a diverse mix of exciting and appealing products, “Suppliers can benefit from working with us because we don’t stop at listing and distributing. We actively support the brands that work well for our customers.”

Joanne Ward (pictured), who previously worked for Regatta PLC and Harry Hall, is Senior Brand Manager for the revitalised company. Retailers can expect to see the new branding for Vital Pet Trade Solutions roll out in the coming months, which reflects how the management team want to partner with retailers to support business growth.

A new regional team structure will ensure that a total of eight areas each have people providing personal customer service who understand the local retailing dynamics. Each region will have a dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and supporting customer service representatives. An intelligent phone system will ensure that retailers are connected with the appropriate area team.

The south of England team is trialling new GPS technology which allows them to provide live information on delivery drops and estimated arrival times. Preliminary results have been so positive that the system is likely to be rolled out across the country by mid-October.

Another innovative move is the new Express Pick service which offers free next day delivery on £60 orders across thousands of qualifying products. This allows retailers to be more flexible and responsive to customer requests while still preserving profit margins.

Director Sunny Sharma says he has been pleased to see how quickly his team has been responding to business challenges and putting in place improvements, “We have some really knowledgeable, experienced people who have built up strong relationships with the trade and brought in people who bring a new perspective and ideas from other business sectors. It’s a powerful mix and it’s great to see the energy and enthusiasm it’s generating in the business.”

To find out more about Vital visit www.vitalpetproducts.co.uk or telephone 01837 883000. Vital is continuing to recruit across the business. For information about joining the Vital team contact Marie Betts, email jobs@vitalpetproducts.co.uk.
 
Lily's Kitchen receives outstanding ethical company score
Lily’s Kitchen has retained its positon as one of the UK’s top rated ethical pet food companies for the 9th year running by ethical consumer comparison company The Good Shopping Guide, the world’s bestselling ethical shopping reference book and website...
Lily’s Kitchen has retained its positon as one of the UK’s top rated ethical pet food companies for the 9th year running by ethical consumer comparison company The Good Shopping Guide, the world’s bestselling ethical shopping reference book and website.  

Lily’s Kitchen has been awarded an index score of 100, which highlights the company’s continued commitment to ethical behaviour, responsible corporate governance and employee integrity.

Henrietta Morrison (pictured), CEO and founder of Lily’s Kitchen, comments: “We are once again hugely honoured to be recognized by The Good Shopping Guide as one of the UK’s most Ethical Pet Food brands.

“At Lily’s Kitchen we embrace all that is special in the relationship between pets, people and the planet. Our Mission Statement includes a commitment to environmental stewardship: we are dedicated to providing proper food for pets, with a commitment to tread carefully on the planet and actively engage with our community.

"This accolade is a tremendous achievement and it speaks highly of the work we have always put in to doing the right thing for pets, people and the planet.”

When compiling this year's list, The Good Shopping Guide independently assessed the company’s competency in ethics and compliance; culture of ethics; leadership, innovation and reputation; corporate responsibility and governance, as well as reviewing a new CSR report from Lily’s Kitchen.

Continues Morrison: “‘Our first ever CSR report was a huge undertaking, it acts as a barometer for us so we can check our performance and acknowledge our progress on important environmental and social topics such as responsible sourcing, sustainability, charitable initiative and employee schemes.”

During the ethical audit, the research team at The Good Shopping Guide also commented: “We would like to commend Lily’s Kitchen on their first CSR Report, which shows a clear understanding of the company’s environmental impacts.  Over and above standard environmental policies/reports from companies of this size and the inclusion of environmental targets is seen as a positive step.”

Two years ago, Lily’s Kitchen became a founding member of B Corp UK - an organisation begun in the US (Etsy and Patagonia are among the founding members) as a collection of companies united in their desire to use business as a force for good.  Lily’s Kitchen is still the only pet food company to be a certified B Corp and is currently in the process of recertifying. It has been ethically minded since day one, and its status as a B Corp UK founder member goes to underline that commitment.

Individually, ‘B Corps’ as they are known, meet the highest standards of performance and are transparent and accountable in their business operations. Member companies are encouraged to use their individual and collective power to help solve social and environmental problems.   

Ensuring the business has a positive impact on society and the planet is at the heart of all Lily’s Kitchen does, and with their simple but meaningful mission - dedicated to providing naturally nutritious food for pets, and a pledge to tread carefully on the planet and actively engage with the community - Lily’s Kitchen heads towards its 10th year with a success to match its ambitions:
  • Lily’s Kitchen recipes only ever contain freshly prepared meat and offal, fruit and vegetables, with no unnecessary additives.  
  • Nearly all of Lily’s Kitchen packaging is recyclable and the dry food bags and treat boxes are compostable too.
  • Lily’s Kitchen use 100% renewable British energy in both of its office sites
  • Water or vegetable based inks are used for printing the majority of packaging and brochures, to help minimise environmental impact from waste and toxicity.
  • Lily’s Kitchen does not produce its food in foil pouches, despite many requests from retailers, as these do not breakdown and generally go straight into landfill. Instead, Lily’s Kitchen uses aluminium trays which can be recycled once the stickers are removed.
  • Lily’s Kitchen’s carbon footprint is around 40% lower than the industry average.
  • They give a huge number of nutritious meals to cats and dogs in need, to over 100 animal rescue centers as part of their ongoing Dinner’s On Us Campaign and have donated £5k to the UK’s leading vet charity PDSA who provides free pet care to the pets of people in need.  This donation will keep 3 PDSA hospitals running for a day and further financial support is planned for the future
  • 10% of its employees volunteered for the Grenfell Tower relief efforts in July 2017 and the company also donated food for displaced pets.
  • On International Good Deeds Day, members of the Lily’s team pulled together to spend lunchtimes sewing 50 dog coats for street dogs and donated them to the wonderful Street Dogs Matter charity who then distributed them to homeless dogs around London.
  • In 2016, their total products sold came with 434.26 tonnes of packaging. Through compliance with UK packaging regulations, they offset this by fees which went directly to UK recycling and environmental programmes and schemes.
  • 100% of Lily’s Kitchen’s significant suppliers (including packaging suppliers) take part in their annual sustainability survey where they gain information on their measurement of energy and water usage, emissions, waste and recycling.
 
British eco-business launches American-themed toys for dogs made from recycled plastic
Introducing Chad, Randy, Brenda and Marty. Beco’s brand new American inspired stuffing free toys made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles...


Introducing Chad, Randy, Brenda and Marty. Beco’s brand new American inspired stuffing free toys made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles.

 

George Bramble, an eco-entrepreneur and Toby Massey a qualified engineer came together in 2009 to combine creativity with innovative eco materials, making quirky and unique environmentally friendly pet products. Beco’s first soft toy range made from 100% recycled plastic bottles was developed in 2012 and have since been internationally recognised by some of the industry’s most prestigious awards.

 

The range is now available in over 60 markets across the globe, sales on Beco Toys have exceeded £1 million in last 12 months. Every character is named after a member of the team at HQ. Including Michelle the Monkey, the lead designer and Aretha the Alligator, Beco’s international account manager.

 

Now Beco Pets are spreading their wings and drawing inspiration from our friends across the pond. They will be welcoming Chad the Chipmonk, Brenda the Beaver, Randy the Racoon and Marty the Moose to the family.

 

An extension to their current soft toy range, Chad and the gang are all made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and double stitched for extra strength. They are all stuffing free, brightly coloured and come with a fun squeaker to keep our four legged friends occupied.

 

With more than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles sold in 2016, 91% are not recycled and 8,000,000 tonnes of waste plastic pours into our oceans every year. Toby tells us ‘never has it been more important to recycle in every way that we can. Our oceans, the animals which inhabit them and the global climate depend on it’. He goes on to explain ‘the non-porous plastic helps the longevity and durability of the toy, it doesn’t retain water or pick up scents as quickly as porous alternatives’. These benefits tie in with his mission for every product to be ‘better for your pet and better for the environment’.

 

George and Toby wanted to expand the themes of the Beco family as a nod to modern society. George elaborates ‘the UK is built up of so many nationalities and cultures, that is what makes our country so amazing. We want our Beco family range to represent a modern Britain.’ He goes on to say ‘we are not stopping at the US, watch this space as fun characters from across the globe start joining the Beco range’.

 

All of Beco’s quirky and fun innovations are designed and developed at the London HQ by their young and trendy team of designers. They currently offer one of the only natural and ethically sourced foods in the UK market alongside bamboo bowls, hemp rope toys and natural rubber chew toys.

 

The build-up to launch has taken 12 long moths of research, development, design and product testing by Beco’s biggest fans and office dogs, Tarka and Rupert.

The new range was launched at PATS Telford with some exciting show offers.

 
Royal Seal of Approval for Fish4Dogs
Premium pet food company Fish4Dogs had a very special visitor to its Worcestershire headquarters on Tuesday when the Queen’s county representative, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, The Hon Lady Morrison, toured the business and met employees...


Premium pet food company Fish4Dogs had a very special visitor to its Worcestershire headquarters on Tuesday when the Queen’s county representative, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, The Hon Lady Morrison, toured the business and met employees.

The visit was in honour of the company’s achievement in winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2017.

Lady Morrison, who has three dogs herself, was keen to see the workings of the operation and cast aside the formality of office by donning a hi-vis jacket to view the warehouse and packaging areas of the business at Ocean House, Rushock.

During the two-hour visit, Lady Morrison, took tea and cake on the lawn area outside the building and met Fish4Dogs staff and their dogs. There were even doggy cupcakes so that the canine companions could join in the celebration.

Lady Morrison gave a short speech during which she noted how beautiful the dogs looked and remarked on their healthy coats and teeth. She said how much she had enjoyed the visit to Fish4Dogs and that it was clear that those who worked there loved animals and their work and the company.



She presented Fish4Dogs with a commemorative blue glass vase to mark its achievement and in turn Lady Morrison was given a box of Fish4Dogs goodies for her own dogs.

Graham Smith, Fish4Dogs CEO, said that he very much enjoyed meeting Lady Morrison: “It was a great honour to have her visit us here at Fish4Dogs headquarters. She was genuinely interested in what we do and our approach to producing pet food that actively contributes to the health and wellbeing of pets.

“She is such a warm and engaging lady who on finding out that one of our members of staff was getting married this weekend, made a point of wishing her well for her big day, before she left.”

The visit is followed this evening by a gala dinner for the 2017 Queen’s Award winners, which Mr Smith is attending. The glittering event – at which HRH, the Princess Royal, will be present - is hosted by the Institute of Export and International Trade, at Royal Horse Guards, London.

 
New Product winners from Antos, Group 55, HayPigs!, Kong, Pedigree, Symply, The Innocent Hound and Versele-Laga at PATS
The eight winners of the PATS Telford 2017 New Product Awards were presented at the PetQuip Awards after the first day of the show on Sunday...



Antos, Group 55, HayPigs!, Kong, Pedigree, Symply, The Innocent Hound and Versele-Laga were the winners of the PATS Telford 2017 New Product Awards which were presented at the PetQuip Awards after the first day of a successful show.

 

The awards were chosen by a team of expert pet retail judges, who arrived at the show before 9.30am on Sunday, September 24, in order to make their choices from a record number of more than 250 new products entered.

 

Their decisions took into account a number of guideline criteria such as product innovation, design, quality, packaging and value for money.

 

The judges agreed that the New Product Showcase had produced a high calibre of entries with a tremendous amount of innovation. They were pleased to see such a wide range of products, and felt the majority of items on display showed some great innovation.

 

Here is a full list of the winners together with the judges’ comments:

 

CAT FOOD AND TREATS

Winner



Symply Pet Foods with Canagan Light Senior/Sterilised for Cat Food

 

The judges felt this product was an excellent addition to a successful range. With clear packaging and a good price point, this product encourages continuity for the cat owner to remain with the range as their pet gets older.

 

CAT ACCESSORY AND GIFT PRODUCT

Winner



KONG Company with the Cat Laser Teaser

 

The judges chose this winning product for being fun and interactive They believe they will prove popular with both the owner and the pet. It also has a great price point.

 

 

DOG FOOD AND TREATS

Winner



Antos with Yak Snack range

 

The judges felt this pet snack is different to anything that’s currently in the UK market. With a great price, good packing with strong labeling, this treat will also prove to be long lasting.

 


DOG ACCESSORY AND GIFT PRODUCT

Winner



Pedigree Wholesale with Chuckit Breathe Right Ball

 

The judges picked out a toy that will complement a very successful range. Keeping the strong branding of a well-known name, as well as its distinctive orange colour and design, this new product is set to fly off the shelves.

 


BIRD PRODUCT

Winner



Versele-Laga with Goldenfeast

 

The judges said this super premium bird food looks good enough to eat. The packaging has distinctive packaging with a grab handle, which makes handling and pouring easy. Versatile and reusable, it comes with refill packs.

 


SMALL ANIMAL PRODUCT

Winner



HayPigs! With their Piggy Weightlifter – Vegetable Kebab Maker

 

The judges were unanimous in their choice of this winning product. They felt a fun circus range for small animals was a great addition to the market. The winning product from the range was a novel idea and will provide hours of enjoyment.

 


PET CARE PRODUCT

Winner



The Innocent Hound with Vamoosh

 

The judges believe this product has fantastic market potential because it tackles a common problem. There is nothing like this currently in the market and it has an excellent price point.

 


GROOMING PRODUCT

Winner



Group 55 with Feline Fresh

 

The judges felt this product filled a gap for cat owners, adding a wipe specifically for cats. It is another great addition to a popular range. It also has a fantastic smell.

See all the winners at PATS Telford today.  The show is open until 4pm.  See you here.

www.patshow.co.uk/visiting

 
PetQuip Award winners revealed at glitzy event
Pedigree Wholesale, Pet Revolution, and HOWND were crowned winners at the PetQuip Awards in Telford on Sunday. Terry Brown (pictured), the founder of Pedigree Wholesale, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award...


Pedigree Wholesale, Pet Revolution, and HOWND were crowned winners at the PetQuip Awards in Telford last night.

The awards were presented at a glitzy party after the first day of PATS Telford.

HOWND won two awards – Marketing Project of the Year and Pet Product of the Year (Accessories), and Mark Hirschel said: "Tonight's achievements are beyond our wildest expectations. It is a tremendous feeling when all your hard work and perseverance pays off. We have been through a lot over the past few years but these awards more than make up for the tough times. I still can't believe what's happened."

Pedigree Whoelsale were voted Business of the Year before the company's founder Terry Brown was given a Lifetime Achievement Award. Son Steve said it had been a marvellous night for the Brown family, who had attended to pay tribute to Terry.

"We kept it a secret from my father," said Steve. "He had no idea he was going to receive this award but it is well deserved. He did a fabulous job in launching the company and setting the value, which I have carried forward in the business. For the company to win Business of the Year followed by my feather picking up such a prestigious award is absolutely amazing."

Terry Brown himself commented:"I had no idea I was going to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. I just thought it was great for the whole family to be together on such a fantastic occasion and see the company win Business of the Year, and then getting my own award was such a shock. I've been fortunate to enjoy every minute I've been involved in the pet industry."

Jaimie Gleave, of Paws & Claws pet shop, which was voted joint UK Pet Retailer of the Year, commented: "This honour means everything to us. For us it is recognition for seven year of hard work transforming an ailing pet shop into a thriving business."
 
Binatone won gold in the Pet Product of the Year (Health & Technical)  category  for its Scout Traks GPS system, and Joel Lucy said: "It's great to see the pet trade recognising the new technology side of the business. I'm overwhelmed to have received this award on behalf of Binatone."

The PetQuip Awards 2017

WINNERS


 

Business of the Year

 

Gold – Pedigree Wholesale

Silver – Natures Menu

Highly Commended - Forthglade

 

Exporter of the Year

 

Gold – Pet Revolution

Silver - Natures Menu

Highly Commended – Armitage Pet Care

 

Marketing Project of the Year

 

Gold – HOWND – Bring your dog to work day

Silver – Cotswold Raw

Highly Commended – The Dog Treat Company


Pet Product of the Year – 3 categories


 

Food & Treats

Gold - Verity & Voss (Oggi’s  Birthday & Christmas Gift Boxes)

Silver – Beco Pet (Free roaming wild boar with broccoli & pumpkin ethical food for dogs)

Highly Commended – Burgess (Excel long stem feeding hay)

 

Accessories

Gold – HOWND (All seasons natural skin, nose and paw balms)

Silver – Phoenox Textiles (pet mats range – new designs)

Highly Commended – Accapi (Ruffwear Front Range Harness)

 

Health & Technical

Gold – Binatone  (Scout Traks GPS system)

Silver – Pet Revolution (Natural flea & bug repellent)

 

International Pet Retailer/Distributor/Wholesaler of the Year

Gold – blue gray, s.r.o  (Petpark)

 

UK Pet Retailer of the Year

Gold – joint winners

Paws & Claws, Frodsham, Cheshire

Pet London, Wigmore Street, London

 

Silver – Pets Pantry, Warrington, Cheshire

Highly Commended – The Wandering Dog, Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear

 

Lifetime Achievement

Terry Brown

 
Picture gallery from the PetQuip Awards
The PetQuip Awards held in the Ludlow Suite of Telford International Centre on Sunday night was a great night for celebrating success, networking with colleagues and friends, and having some fun after a busy day at PATS Telford...
See our picture gallery from the evening
The PetQuip Awards held in the Ludlow Suite of Telford International Centre on Sunday night was a great night for celebrating success, networking with colleagues and friends, and having some fun after a busy day at PATS Telford. Here's our picture gallery from the evening.
 
PIF Forum to reveal results into rabbit nutrition study
The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) will announce the results of its year long research study into the differences between feeding muesli and nuggets to rabbits at the Pet Industry Forum on the Tuesday 28 November at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire...
The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) will announce the results of its year long research study into the differences between feeding muesli and nuggets to rabbits at the Pet Industry Forum on the Tuesday 28 November at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire.

The study set out to validate a previous study (Meredith et al., 2015; Prebble et al., 2014; Prebble et al., 2015) on the subject of diet presentation and its effects on weight, feed intake and dental health, which had a profound impact on the industry because of a general lack of research into pet rabbit nutrition.

PIF’s year long independent study has taken place at two separate colleges and set out to assess the impact of two diet presentations (muesli vs nuggets) on weight, body condition score and the dental health of pet rabbits.

The rabbits were not kept in laboratory conditions, but in outdoor pens to simulate how a rabbit may be kept in an outside home environment. The rabbits were allowed free access to hay and water and were provided with driftwood logs as a non-nutritional chew.

The dental health was assessed by a specialist veterinarian at the beginning, middle and at the end of the study. Dental assessments looked at malocclusion, elongation, slanting wear, ridging, fractures of incisors; direction, elongation, step/wave mouth, missing teeth and gingival health of cheek teeth, as well as facial indicators of dental health.

Nigel Baker, CEO of PIF said: “We are pleased to be looking further into rabbit nutrition and welfare. Many of our members sell rabbits as pets or sell rabbit food to pet owners, and it is important that we can convey the correct advice to them and their customers on how rabbits should be fed.

"Both muesli and nugget diets are readily available and the trade association has set out to bring clarity to this subject through academic research. Further research studies are being planned by PIF to aid knowledge into how we look after the welfare of our pets.”

Tickets for the Pet Industry Forum are available from www.petfederation.co.uk or by telephoning 01234 273933.

 
PetSafe Brand launches microchip cat flap
PetSafe Brand has launched a new cat door, the PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap...


PetSafe Brand has launched a new cat door, the PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap. 

Simple to install, the high-tech door has been designed to give cats easy access to the outside world while keeping out troublesome unwanted cats and other animals.

The latest addition to its popular pet door range, the PetSafe® Microchip Cat Flap works by reading a cat’s unique microchip ID and doesn’t require the cat to wear an additional collar or accessory.

Suitable for cats up to 8kg, it can be easily programmed for up to 40 microchipped cats, making it ideal for both single and multi-cat homes.

To view the PetSafe Brand Microchip Cat Flap video and learn more about the product visit https://youtu.be/ncIU1urCBnE

Featuring a built-in draught excluder, the PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap is extremely secure, boasting a reinforced dual auto-latch with a four-way manual lock. Furthermore, it’s suitable for almost any type of door or window, as well as brick walls.

Angela Critchley, International Marketing Director for PetSafe Brand said: “As a business we strive to build products that enhance the relationships between owners and their pets and this cat flap does just that; people can give their pets freedom while having peace of mind there won’t be any unwanted visitors. 

'We’ve spent months developing this new addition to our cat flap range and were delighted to launch it at PATS Telford.”

The PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap is available now at petsafe.com/UK and selected retailers for an RRP of £79.99.

 
Enjoy the North Wales Sheepdog trials with CSJ
CSJ’s cameraman was on the spot to capture films of the individual handlers’ entire runs at the North Wales Singles Championship 2017 Double Gather.



CSJ’s cameraman was on the spot to capture films of the individual handlers’ entire runs at the North Wales Singles Championship 2017 Double Gather.

 

Finalist Gethin Jones with Maddie has had a busy few months including being a contestant in CSJ’s ‘A Way With Dogs’ film series (his run can be seen at https://www.csjk9.com/a-way-with-dogs.asp) and being in the winning Wales Team in the recent One Man And His Dog competition with an outstanding run in Brace as featured on Countryfile.

 

Get all the links for the North Wales Championship runs on CSJ’s You Tube channel at https://www.csjk9.com/news/watch-films-of-the-individual-_p1618.html and see results and handler interviews on CSJs blo…it couldn’t be easier!

 
Launch of new wet dog food range with added 'vet know-how'
Vet’s Kitchen has launched its first range of premium quality wet food for dogs that not only tastes great but also promotes the long-term health and wellbeing of your four legged friends...


Vet’s Kitchen has launched its first range of premium quality wet food for dogs that not only tastes great but also promotes the long-term health and wellbeing of your four legged friends.

The new additions will complement Vet’s Kitchen’s already successful dry food range. The first two varieties in the range include Grain Free Lamb with Sweet Potato and Chicken with Wholegrain Rice, both complemented by delicious garden vegetables.

Both super tasty dinners have been expertly formulated by vets to offer the optimum proportions of protein, carbohydrates, fats and fibre. Each meal boasts a high meat content and uses fresh, natural ingredients carefully selected to offer a perfect balance in every meal. For those dogs with specific medical conditions or just in need of watching their waistline, the chicken meal offers a lighter option with 35% less fat.

Each recipe has been formulated by Vet’s Kitchen’s team of vets, veterinary nurses and nutritional advisors, alongside the latest research, to give owners complete peace of mind. Both meals are slow cooked to perfection for great taste – something Vet’s Kitchen’s pack hero, Welsh terrier George, can attest to as he taste-tested the food live at Crufts this year, and couldn’t get enough.

See George in action here:

https://www.pscp.tv/Vets_Kitchen/1yNxaPPOVlgJj?autoplay&t=13

Product Features:

  • Formulated by in-house pet nutritional advisors and veterinary surgeons
  • Added ‘Vet know-how’
  • Chicken and lamb varieties
  • Grain free variety – lamb
  • 60% fresh meat content
  • Chicken meal offers 35% less fat
  • Highly digestible single sources of protein
  • Nutritious vegetables packed full of vitamins, natural antioxidants and balanced fibre
  • Natural prebiotics, including chicory and brewer’s yeast, to aid digestion
  • Rapeseed and seaweed for Omega 3s
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy joints
  • Hypoallergenic, formulated without soya, wheat or dairy

The new wet food meals are available in 395g trays direct from the Vet’s Kitchen website. RRP is £2.19.

Wherever possible, all Vet’s Kitchen products are made using local, sustainable, and high quality ingredients, manufactured and packed in the UK. For further information, visit: www.vetskitchen.co.uk  

 
Burgess Pet Care launches Great British Rabbit Census
Burgess Pet Care has launched a new national online census, The Great British Rabbit Census, which was unveiled on International Rabbit Day (Saturday)...


Burgess Pet Care has launched a new national online census, The Great British Rabbit Census, which was unveiled on International Rabbit Day (Saturday).

The family-owned brand hopes the new survey will mobilise more rabbit owners in the UK than ever before, with questions focusing mainly around the five welfare needs of rabbits.

Burgess Pet Care demonstrates its commitment to the welfare of Britain’s bunnies through its annual delivery of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), which highlights important welfare issues and encourages responsible ownership year on year.

The Great Rabbit Census is running for the next eight weeks. Each entrant will receive a discount on products purchased from the Burgess website, as well as being in with the chance to win a Burgess Pet Care Rabbit Hamper and Runaround Connection Kit.

Alex Thorne of Burgess Pet Care, said: “We know from RAW every year that there are a lot of rabbit owners out there who are absolutely devoted to their pets – you can see that from Twitter alone!

"Unfortunately, rabbits remain one of the most misunderstood animals in the UK, with many rabbit owners failing to understand the correct nutritional needs of their rabbits.

“We’re looking to find out as much about rabbits and their owners in the UK as possible to address these key issues.”

The Great British Rabbit Census only takes a short time to complete but covers everything from the rabbit’s diet to behaviours to how their names were chosen.

Alex added: “This is the perfect day to launch the census, as rabbit owners all over the world will be joined in their celebration of these adorable family pets.

"We’re calling on rabbit owners all over the UK to help us throw the spotlight on Britain’s bunnies and understand them better than ever before.”

For further details on Burgess Pet Care, including guidance for pet owners, visit www.burgesspetcare.com