The Pet Industry Federation has announced Don’t Bug Me by The Holistic Hound as the winner of its Innovation of the Year Award in front of attendees gathered at its Business of Pets conference at Cranfield Management Development Centre.

Jo Arbon, who runs the Irish company, The Holistic Hound which had developed Don’t Bug Me, fought off competition from a finalist pool of nine other innovative products and services, all of whom had to deliver a presentation about their innovation to those attending the event. 

During her presentation, Jo explained that Don’t Bug Me is a natural and effective geraniol based tick and flea repellent. It was one of the few essential oils that's safe to use with dogs, cats and all other pets and had been demonstrated to have antimicrobial properties.

The announcement of the winner rounded off a fantastic two-day conference, sponsored by Worldpay, aimed at pet businesses that wanted to learn about scaling up their business, taking on coaching or mentoring, improving their pitching, discovering market statistics and picking up marketing tips. 

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, who presented the award to Jo, said: “Our finalists delivered fantastic presentations over the course of yesterday and today to persuade conference attendees that their product/service was the most innovative. It was a nerve-wracking experience delivering in front of and taking questions from their fellow delegates, and they handled it with aplomb. The final outcome proved to be a close-run result in the end, but delegates clearly felt that Don’t Bug Me carried the edge over the other finalists. 

“The presentations provided an excellent backdrop and context for the engaging talks which took place over two days and the feedback we have received so far has been excellent. We are grateful to our sponsor, Worldpay, who engaged with delegates and supported the event throughout.”

The winner beat off opposition from finalists: 

• Boil and Broth Ltd - Dehydrated pork bone broth
• Doggi – Doggi Fly & Float
• DotDotPet - Conditioning Dog Shampoos
• EasyEat Feeder
• Hemp Heros Calming dental sticks
• MorePaws - A community platform for dog owners
• Muddy Paws Express Dog Wash & Grooming Service – QuickClawz
• PAWD DRINKS
• Pawer Water
• Pettle Pets - PettBrush3 Pro
• Poorly Paws – Dog First Aid Kit
• Wonderful World of Treats
• Xparkles Collars

Pictures courtesy of Rowan from Pooch & Pineapple www.poochandpineapple.com

When Johnson’s Veterinary Products surveyed pet owners as part of its 2023 report into UK purchasing habits, it discovered that over half of respondents (57%) would speak to the vet in order to remedy a pet’s flea issue, despite the majority stating they find pet shops and stores to be ‘knowledgeable’ and with an opinion that could be trusted.

It is this startling fact that has led Johnson’s to announce the launch of the first ever National Pet Shop Day, as a way of celebrating the huge breadth of support, products, services and advice that high street retailers are able to provide direct to pet owners who have concerns about their animal’s health and wellbeing.

On Saturday 13^th July 2024, Johnson’s will be encouraging pet shops and stores across the UK to throw open their doors and invite pet owners to come in and discover more about how they can offer viable, affordable options for dealing with commonly occurring minor ailments such as fleas, ticks, worms, or other general healthcare issues.

Paul Gwynn, Managing Director at Johnson’s Veterinary Products, explained: “Pet shops are the local health and wellbeing hubs of the pet world, but we find that many people are often so rooted to their longstanding routines, that they perhaps don’t even consider that they can also get experienced advice about a whole host of frequent minor pet healthcare issues whilst picking-up their other pet essentials in store.

“Pet shops and stores have a wealth of knowledge within their teams that has been built over many years, in some cases decades. They can often help to spot the signs of and give advice about fleas, ticks, worms and other minor healthcare problems and therefore are well placed to provide practical advice and product solutions for both these, and a range of other, more general, wellbeing concerns directly in store.

“With National Pet Shop Day, we want to mark the ongoing, positive contribution that these pet shops and stores make to society, and in doing so provide animal lovers with the confidence that they can handle their pet’s conditions effectively and efficiently, without always breaking the bank. These retailers are far more than simply a point of purchase – they are the bedrock of the pet owning community and are always ready and willing to help.”

National Pet Shop Day will be backed with an extensive press and social media campaign, with Johnson’s providing a number of product samples, and procurement offers to those retailers getting involved.

A dedicated website crammed with promotional ideas, downloadable content, branded goodies, and practical marketing advice will also be available to help pet shops, stores and retailers stimulate increased footfall and celebrate the day to its fullest.

For more details, or to sign-up for updates visit nationalpetshopday.com.

Leading UK and international suppliers have booked stand space in the new and exciting Aquatics Zone at PATS 2024, which takes place over three days at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024.

The Aquatics Zone will be a dedicated area for aquatics and watergardening exhibitors and will showcase all the latest launches from big-name manufacturers.

Companies to have reserved stand space in the Zone include ALF, Aqua One, Aquadip, Aquafleur, Ciano Aquarium, Clearsill Aquariums, Cloverleaf, Colombo, Eheim, eSHa Labs, Exo Terra/Fluval, J&K Aquatics, Neil Hardy Aquatica, NT Labs, OASE/BiOrb, okpet.co.uk – Fish Systems, Peregrine Livefoods, Pettex, Pond Xpert, SuperFish, Tropical and Zoo Med Laboratories.

The Aquatics Zone will be located in Hall 1A next to the show entrance at Telford International Centre and will feature its own dedicated New Product Showcase and refreshment area.

Ben Windeatt, Sales & Marketing Director of J&K Aquatics, welcomed the opportunity for aquatics and watergardening companies to exhibit at PATS 2024.

“J&K Aquatics will be attending PATS for the first time, following the introduction of the Aquatics Zone,” said Ben. “We hope that a combined pet and aquatics exhibition will provide an opportunity to engage with a broader array of buyers, including some of the predominately companion animal pet focused retailers that may have a smaller aquatic department but wouldn’t normally visit an aquatics-only show. All the team are looking forward to the opportunity to meet with customers, old and new, to present all the new products concepts we are developing.”

The Aquatics Zone will have a true international feel with many overseas exhibitors choosing to unveil their new launches to UK buyers at the show.

Xavier Beguin, European Sales Manager of German company Eheim, explained his decision to attend: “We at Eheim are excited to exhibit at a UK national show. Having an extended three-day event provides ample time to spend with our retail partners to demonstrate our latest innovations and share our plans for the coming years.”

Cyril Dietrich, Commercial Director of Portuguese-supplier Ciano Aquarium, commented: “Ciano has been working hard with our distribution partners to build our brand in the UK for the last few years. Exhibiting at PATS will give us the opportunity to interact with many of our existing retailers as well as meet new potential customers and show off our products and new concepts.” 

Aquadip, which has been supplying UK retailers for over 25 years, was one of the first companies to book stand space in the Aquatics Zone and Commercial Director Joey Abrahams expressed excitement at the prospect of attending.

He said: “As a Dutch-based supplier of live, frozen and dried fish food, aquarium plants and water treatments to UK retail outlets, public aquaria and zoos, I am thrilled to hear that PATS has introduced a dedicated aquatics section into its trade show. The fusion of pets and aquatics under one roof promises a great three-day event.”

The organisers of PATS 2024 will be working hard over the summer to make sure that the Aquatics Zone will be a huge success for both suppliers and buyers. Research of visitors to PATS Telford in 2023 revealed that 615 retailers had an interest in aquatic products, and that was without any of the major content planned for this year’s event.

“The launch of the Aquatics Zone is really exciting, having been welcomed by the aquatics and watergardening sector,” said PATS director Gordon Thomas. “We’re confident that this new feature will create a real buzz at the show.”

Retailers and buyers can register for free entry to PATS 2024 by visiting www.patshow.co.uk, which has all the up-to-date information about the show.

Raw pet food and wellness subscription company, Bella & Duke, was established with the health and well-being of the nation’s pets at the forefront, which is why the company was proud to partner with Therapy Dogs Nationwide in 2023 and is continuing to fundraise and support the charity’s work in providing Animal Assisted Therapies throughout 2024.

The leading pet food subscription firm has continued to donate to the charity on an on-going basis as well as championing them through fundraising initiatives. The hero dog initiative, established in 2023, saw four therapy dogs supported with full Bella & Duke subscriptions, ensuring the dogs were fuelled with a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet whilst they carried out the important work they do. Bella & Duke also gifted a 20% discount for any Therapy Dogs Nationwide volunteer on all of their meals. 

Committed to offering optimum nutrition to help pets live the happy, healthy and long lives they deserve, Bella & Duke has now sponsored four new hero dogs, giving them the essential fuel to carry out their work and care for those who need it most.

A national charity where visiting volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to provide comfort, distraction and stimulation, volunteers visit schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, care centres and prisons to care for those who need it in their own way. 

Tasks the dogs help with include building children’s confidence when learning to read, with Primary, Junior, High and SEN schools’ under the charity’s ‘Paws & Read Scheme’, recognised by The Kennel Club. The roster of volunteers also creates a calming environment for autistic children and adults, as well as providing comfort and company for those in hospital and hospices. All the therapy dogs are temperament tested, with some dogs having a volunteering history of over 10 years.

The hero dogs Bella & Duke will be supporting in 2024, are: 

Misty, a seven-year-old Staffie cross, was rehomed from Battersea Dogs’ Home in November 2018. Since then, she has become a phenomenal therapy dog, initially working in a Young Offenders unit and The Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2019. Transitioning to Therapy Dogs Nationwide in 2021, Misty continued her impactful work in HMPs, becoming a beloved presence among both staff and prisoners, and expanded her reach to a Pupil Referral Unit, demonstrating an innate ability to bring calm to challenging environments. She also brings joy to residents at Abbeyfield Care Home, specialising in Dementia care, with her visits. In her spare time, Misty enjoys twice-daily walks, running around with her brother Mac, playing with her favourite toys and she has a fondness for raw carrot sticks as treats, especially during her therapy sessions.

Elin, a three year old Borzoi, has been working as a therapy dog  for 18 months, bringing comfort to residents at a care home, students at a primary school, and children aged 4-19 in a special school. With visits every fortnight to the care home and weekly trips to the schools, Elin's calm demeanour and love for attention, especially from children, make her a soothing presence for those feeling stressed or overwhelmed. When not on duty, Elin enjoys lounging on her many sofas.

Bear, a four-year-old Great Dane, joined Therapy Dogs Nationwide at 18 months old and has since become a beloved regular visitor to Highdown Prison, Charing Cross Hospital, and various London Ambulance Service locations. He adores meeting people of all backgrounds and eagerly anticipates donning his uniform for visits. When not spreading joy with Therapy Dogs Nationwide, Bear enjoys lounging on the sofa, sunbathing in the garden, and going for walks with his dog friends. He's a local celebrity, often spotted at pubs and dog-friendly cafes, and he generously donates blood every eight weeks to the Pet Blood Bank U.K.

Godfrey, an 8-year-old Border Collie, has boundless intelligence and affection for people, and excels in a diverse range of activities. From regular visits to schools catering to children with autism to supporting exam-stressed students and patients in a local mental health hospital, his schedule is packed. A highlight of his year is attending A Night to Shine prom night, where special needs youngsters and their carers are treated like royalty, and Godfrey is a beloved fixture on the red carpet, eagerly awaited by all.

James Sturrock, CEO at Bella & Duke, said: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with Therapy Dogs Nationwide and to continue to support them with our hero dogs initiative, alongside our ongoing donations to them. Here at Bella & Duke we truly believe that dogs have a positive impact in people’s lives, which is highlighted by the work of Therapy Dogs Nationwide. It’s an honour to continue our work so Therapy Dogs Nationwide can continue to provide Animal Assisted Therapies.”

Leisl de Lafontaine, a Trustee at Therapy Dogs Nationwide, said: “Here at Therapy Dogs Nationwide we believe in giving our incredible volunteers the choice on how to look after their dogs the way they want. Whether that is through how they wish to feed them or how they maintain their dog’s healthy lifestyle. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Bella & Duke, who champion the health of our nation’s pets, to help our volunteers make an educated and informed choice about their pets.

Through Bella & Duke’s donations we can help expand the presence of our therapy dogs in their local areas, where they can support those in schools, hospices, hospitals and more.”

To find out more on the partnership, or to make a donation to Therapy Dogs Nationwide, visit: https://www.bellaandduke.com/therapy-dogs-nationwide/ or tdn.org.uk

Recruitment specialist Lynda Ward believes that UK pet companies would benefit from employing more part-time staff in certain roles.

Lynda said: “Since founding Pet Trade Solutions in 2000 I have specialised in bespoke recruitment for the pet industry and have headhunted from within and outside the industry, for UK and overseas clients and roles at all levels. Until now I have never seen so many good people seeking part-time employment.

“Prior to setting up Pet Trade Solutions I was a sales manager for over 15 years with three major pet food companies so have an in-depth understanding of the requirements of the jobs and during that period part-time working wouldn’t have been countenanced.

“However, times have changed and major barriers can now be overcome. For example, field sales positions are no longer hampered by employers understandably not wanting their company cars to sit idle – many sales people now prefer to use their own cars and receive a car allowance.

“Plus, office-based roles no longer depend on employees living close to a main office – remote working, including online meetings as needed, now enables a much broader choice for both parties with part-time (or job-share) easily organised. 

“In particular, field sales part-time roles can offer great advantages in flexibility for businesses needing field sales coverage but lacking the budget for either employing their first sale  sperson or increasing their sales force. Areas needing less coverage than others can be addressed perfectly by a part-time person, so leaving more time for a full-time employee to concentrate on the areas needing more visits. 

“Likewise, our industry now has many experienced field sales personnel with great contacts who would welcome the option of working part-time in order to have a better work/life balance or, indeed, for some who have left to return to us.

“Time will tell, but it’s worth considering could part-time work…work for you?”

Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com

A Cornish Pet Shop that started life as a small shop on doggy day-care premises in St. Erth has come a long way since its early days in 2017.  Now with large warehouse facilities, its own range of quality pet food and treats, a wholesale division, countless awards and as one of the largest pet shops in Cornwall, The Pets Larder, which recently changed its name from the Natural Cornish Pet Shop, has recently won two prestigious wholesale contracts with major retailers in Cornwall.

The Pets Larder is headed by Katy Peck who was the founder of the Natural Cornish Pet Shop. Katy has been the creative side of the business developing the products and branding for the Natural Cornish Pet range of products which include Alfora pet food, fish treats, chews, peanut butter and a whole host of other best selling products which are now sold wholesale to the trade. She has also started to develop a range of new products under The Pets Larder umbrella as well and these will be launched to the trade in the coming weeks.

The Pets Larder’s new wholesale contracts are with Trevaskis Farm and Great Cornish Food.  Both are renowned in Cornwall for selling high quality produce.

Katy said: “Many of our customers discover the range when needing to look outside the box when faced with dietary and health issues for their pets. We stock an extensive range of grain free foods, chews and treats. The products we stock are chosen for their simplistic transparent ingredient lists, (containing no nasties) and, using our knowledge of what to look for when shopping for our beloved companions. Many dogs, cats and companion animals like humans suffer from intolerances and variety is definitely the spice of life. 

“We have a mixture of dog friendly cafes, farm shops, groomers and independent pet shops stocking our range of Cornish treats. It is our aim to establish a core range of basic pet care products for all companion animals and, to become the one stop shop for owners’ care needs. Our team has extensive backgrounds in animal care, and firsthand experience with a range of pet health care issues.”

The business was awarded Pet Shop of the Year in 2021 at the PetQuip Awards and the Most Sustainable Pet Products Supplier in the South West Awards.

For further information visit: www.thepetslarder.co.uk

The Kennel Club has launched ‘the dog people’s manifesto’, which calls on the incoming government to reshape laws surrounding dog welfare, encourage responsible breeding and support owners in best caring for their pet.

The wide-ranging 8-point plan highlights the key issues facing owners and their pets, and details the legislative changes and alternative measures which need to be taken to better dog welfare, advocating education and behaviour change to bring about improvements.

Read more about ‘the dog people’s manifesto’ by clicking here.

The Innocent Hound has announced the launch of its new limited-edition Game Picnic Bars, designed to be the perfect treats for dogs on their active adventures.

These hand-crafted treats, made in Yorkshire, feature 30% British venison and 30% British duck, enhanced with cranberry and rosehip. The Innocent Hound ensures that the bars are gently air-dried to retain their nutrients and flavour, providing a wholesome and delicious snack for dogs.

Each package of Game picnic bars contains two pieces, with a recommendation to feed up to one bar per day as part of a balanced diet. They are designed to either be given as a full bar high reward treat, or broken up to be enjoyed in smaller bites throughout the day. These premium treats are created from the finest ingredients, aiming to offer a delightful experience for canine companions.

Pet owners looking to celebrate their dog’s active lifestyle can find the Innocent Hound’s Game Picnic Bars available for a limited time.

Founder Chloe Heaton said: “The idea behind our limited-edition range was to develop new recipes to tie in with the seasons and weather changes. Our Game picnic bars are the perfect summer, high reward treat. The rosehip and cranberry help pack vitamins into the bars, but also make them even more enjoyable and tasty for adventurous hounds." 

Available for a limited time only, Game picnic bars are a complementary pet treat in a recyclable pack containing 2 pieces, RRP £5.30.  

For further information email orders@innocentpetcare.co.uk

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Group55, a leading private label pet care manufacturer and home of much loved pet care brand, Animology. For a quarter of a century, Group55  has evolved and adapted to meet the ever-changing market, whilst remaining true to its DNA.

Group55 was founded by Stephen Turner in 1999 with just £700, and the business began life as an ecommerce business at the very start of the popularity of the internet. Group55’s first successes in the pet industry came from selling ultrasonic bark control devices and pest control products online. Stephen Turner comments, “Our early success in the pet space made me fall in love in the industry, I knew that I wanted to continue building our business in the space, and I wanted to work on something that enhanced the joy people get from their pets”.

In 2010, Stephen and Group55 launched their first pet care brand, Animology. Taking inspiration from the human, personal care market this brand was at the forefront of the trend of humanisation in the pet care space. Stephen continues, “At the time, all the pet shampoos on shelf followed the same pattern and they all looked like each other. We launched our sleek black tubes and bottles with bold colour accents and functional products with fun names, like ‘Stink Bomb’, ‘Dogs Body’ and ‘Puppy Love’ to disrupt the category and attract pet owners in a way that resonated with how they shop for their own beauty products.”

As Animology grew in success, pet retailers and other pet brands approached Group55 to manage their own pet care ranges and Group55 started creating private label pet care products shortly after. After a number of years working with contract manufacturers, Stephen and the team were unable to find the service level they required so set on the next phase of the journey and set up their own manufacturing facility in 2017.

Today, Animology continues to go from strength to strength both in the UK and in over 50 countries internationally and Group55 manufacture some of the leading private label pet care brands around the world, as well as personal care and home care brands. Stephen continues “We’ve been on quite a journey over the past 25 years, and it is a privilege to have been working in the pet industry for a large majority of that time, and I’d like to extend my thanks to the many people and retailers in the industry that have been part of our journey so far. We have always put the wellbeing of pets at the forefront of what we do and are champions in the space for compliance with regulations, which is why we continue to be the manufacturer of choice for so many pet brands.”

“The next 25 years will, no doubt, see much more growth as Group55 continues to evolve to the demands of the market and I’m excited to see where we are when we celebrate our 50th anniversary milestone.”

The Basic Life Support course, which is being aimed at people who work with dogs in their workspace, includes a visit from the UK's leading canine first aider Rachel Bean.

In the two hour sessions, Rachel will go through the theory of CPR. Then a real time CPR Practical session will take place so the learners can feel confident that they can save a life after the session is over.

Rachel, who holds the prestigious Recover Guidelines Rescuer Certificate and is a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, said: "Whether you are a pet professional, have a dog friendly office or work in a space which welcomes dogs, this course is an amazing way to get up to speed on the basics of life saving.

"We are trialing the new course in Manchester first, and hope that Manchester businesses will be happy to be trailblazers in making their premises not only dog friendly, but dog safe too."

Rachel lives in Saddleworth and as well as working in veterinary practice, she also travels the world teaching canine first aid. 

In addition to that Rachel co-runs the Vet on Set business which operates out of Manchester's Media City, providing animal support to film and TV productions which are using four legged stars.

Rachel added: "The country is getting more dog friendly than ever and that is a wonderful thing, but it is so important that as many people as possible know what to do should the worst happen. My course will help you act calmly and quickly to save a life, and may inspire you to take your studies further too to include more life saving skills."

With the summer months around the corner, dog owners will be able to treat their canine friends to an award-winning tasty frozen treat manufactured by artisan ice cream company, Baboo Gelato based in Dorset.

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum was a Silver winner in the PetQuip Awards in 2022 and won Best New Product in the Pedigree Wholesale Awards. It is stocked by a long list of dog friendly cafes, restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions and pubs as well as leading pet shops across the UK. The frozen treat is now manufactured in-house in a new purpose-built premises at the company’s Dorset base.

Made with 100% peanut butter (with no xylitol) and bananas which dogs find hard to resist, this frozen treat uses coconut milk instead of dairy so it is kinder to dogs’ tummies. The new recipe also includes organic agave syrup (rather than refined sugars),  Keepers Mix Sensitive (0.25%) from herbal pet supplement company Dorwest and vegetable fibre.  If given as an occasional treat after a long walk in the countryside, the park or on the beach this tasty treat is perfect way to reward your dog.  Doggy Doggy contains no artificial flavourings, colours or refined sugars. The new ingredient change means that any ‘ultra processed food’ emulsifiers or stabilisers from the product have been removed something the manufacturers are extremely proud of.  

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Baboo Gelato was started by husband and wife team, Sam and Annie Hanbury after they moved to Dorset in 2012 and purchased a house with an overflowing garden and orchard. Inspired by their fruit, Annie went to Bologna to train as a professional gelatiere, before setting up a small artisanal manufacturing kitchen. They opened their first kiosk in West Bay Dorset and were overwhelmed by the wonderful response from the community. Local restaurants and pubs then wanted their product; other kiosks wanted to rebrand to carry Baboo Gelato and shops wanted them to make ice cream in tubs. They have now added kiosks in Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Swanage. The passion for the business lies in their use of quality ingredients, sourced locally where possible and not using flavourings, colours or pastes in the manufacture of their ice cream.

Sam Hanbury says: “Much of our sales come from our kiosks which help us to know exactly what customers want.  This is how Doggy Doggy Yum Yum came about.  We found that people were buying ice cream for their dogs, and we were concerned that dogs are lactose intolerant.  We experimented with different ingredients, before creating an entirely lactose-free, emulsifier-free, stabiliser-free product. 

 “We are finding limitless demand during the summer not just from obvious pet retailers and specialist dog friendly places, but from ordinary cafés, pubs, restaurants, and tourist destinations.  It just seems that most savvy people involved in Food & Drink want some of the poochie pound and we can help with a classy product, well supported with point of sale which includes, stickers, leaflets, posters and an A-frame sign which comes complete with space to put a dog bowl underneath it.”

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum won a distribution deal two years ago with one of the largest pet wholesalers in the UK, Pedigree Wholesale Ltd which is allowing them to gain national distribution to pet shops across the UK. The product is now available to buy in prestigious pets shops such Pet Pavillion in London, Just For Pets and many more.

If you are interested in becoming a distributor or stockist of Doggy Doggy Yum Yum then visit: www.doggydoggyyumyum.com  or contact Sam Hanbury at hello@doggydoggyyumyum.com. or Tel: 01308 488629 for local enquiries. Pet shops wishing to stock Doggy Doggy Yum Yum via Pedigree Wholesale Ltd visit: www.petproducts.co.uk

Xparkles, a new Lincolnshire-based designer pet accessory company, is celebrating Pride month by bringing out a new pink collar and rainbow charm.  

The company that specialises in the manufacture of high-end collars for dogs has also recently won a prestigious European Product Design Award as well as a Muse Design Award.

Made from the finest French nappa leather, customers are able to change the look and mood of their pets’ collars by incorporating interchangeable charms made from pure silver (so that they don’t rust), with others which are encrusted with rhinestones. 

This new concept in pet collars which is patented by Xparkles in the UK and USA brings a uniqueness to the pet accessory market with the collars exceeding the manufacturing standards of many produced by high-end designer fashion houses. They are fashionable, stylish but more importantly, affordable! They also give your dog that touch of glitz and glamour which every four-legged friend deserves.

There are three types of charms to choose from, thread through, push through and screw based. Each leather collar is finished with hand-waxed and double stitched edges.  The buckles are made from stainless steel and lab test shows they can sustain 72kg of pull.   This makes every collar extremely durable with the soft leather making them very comfortable to wear.

The Xparkles collars meet several quality standards already. Their designer holds a Jewellery design degree from UAL.  Their ISO9001 certified production partners also have in- house designers to help final check the products. Best of all the collars are made in Britain a country synonymous with the manufacture of high-end quality leather goods.

Xparkles are looking to stock pet boutiques that are interested in developing a long term partnership, and pet groomers who are looking for a new revenue stream.  

The collars are available in a range of sizes and widths to suit different breeds and there is a good selection of different charms and accessories to add to the collars including leather bows.

RRP Collars start from £40 upwards, Charms start from £15 each and the leather bows £17.

For further information visit www.xparkles.com

A significant majority (75%) of veterinary professionals find ‘excessive noise’ to be a challenge with stainless steel clinical housing, according to a recent survey.

CASCO Pet surveyed more than 650 veterinary professionals at leading veterinary exhibitions and conferences in the UK and USA (London Vet Show, VMX, WVC).

Respondents – all of whom work in clinics that use stainless steel kennels – reported that the noise from the housing can be detrimental to animal patient health. Three quarters said excessive noise was an issue. Of these respondents:

• Almost nine in 10 said they had witnessed patient anxiety (89.43%).
• Nearly a quarter experienced instances of animal injury (24.18%).
• Over one in five noted that excessive noise resulted in extended recovery time for patients (22.35%).

Noise has a ripple effect within a clinic with ramifications for practice staff as well as pet patients. More than half (52.84%) of those who reported excessive noise as a challenge said it resulted in staff stress, and more than a quarter (26.42%) reported facing challenging working conditions. Additionally, almost one in five (19.30%) said they had suffered an injury as a result of noise challenges.

Reducing noise levels in clinics came out as one of the top priorities for professionals using stainless steel kennels; 84.64% declared it important to them. This was only narrowly beaten by patient comfort, by 0.3%.

Ease of cleaning (80.62%) and reducing patient stress levels (77.64%) also ranked highly, while temperature issues with stainless steel kennels were declared a challenge by over half of respondents (55.68%).

CASCO Pet CEO, Matthew Bubear, says: “These findings lay bare the true scale of stainless steel kennelling’s excessive noise problem for pet patients and practice staff. Clanging, resonant and disruptive, stainless steel kennels can significantly exacerbate fear, stress and anxiety and impact recovery.

“It’s clear that stainless steel is no longer suitable for today’s animal housing. A 21st century solution is needed – one that truly puts patient wellbeing at the forefront.”

Crafted from specialist glass, CASCO Pet’s state-of-the-art WELLKennels mitigate noise for a quieter, calmer and more comfortable environment for patients and practice staff alike. The kennels are certified by the International Society of Feline Medicine and are a Fear Free Preferred Product.

Over 62% of the professionals surveyed said they believed WELLKennels would have a “significant” or “very significant” improvement on their practice – with 71% saying noise reduction was one of the most appealing features.

A separate consumer survey of cat and dog owners, conducted by CASCO Pet, reiterated the need for alternative animal housing material in clinical settings.

• A majority of pet owners (79.18%) said their pet experiences stress or anxiety when visiting the vet (514 respondents).
• When asked whether they would prefer their pet to be housed in a WELLKennel or a stainless steel cage, 70% chose WELLKennels (1,291 respondents).
• Additionally, three-quarters said they were willing to travel further to visit a veterinary clinic with WELLKennels, with 69.47% willing to pay more for this option (904 respondents).

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Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, is urging all political parties to make the revival of the independent retail sector a top priority in their manifestos. 

In a passionate plea, Bira's CEO Andrew Goodacre said that urgent action is needed from the next government to protect the UK's ailing high streets and the indies that are their lifeblood. 

Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, launched its manifesto to set out a comprehensive vision and series of demands to revitalise town centres, but said it requires genuine political commitment to be realised.

Key demands in Bira's manifesto include:

• Reduce or preferably eliminate business rates. Bira was instrumental in introducing the retail discount, and now seeks to make it a permanent 75% reduction. It would also like to see the multiplier lowered to 35p in the pound.
• Implement policies to drive economic growth and bolster consumer confidence and spending. While inflation has subsided, prices remain elevated. Bira wants sustainable plans to stimulate economic growth.
• Continued and accelerated investment in high streets nationwide, with decision-makers consulting independent retailers. Millions have already been committed but this momentum must continue to create safe, diverse, vibrant high streets accessible to all.
• Funding made readily available to help smaller retailers invest in environmental sustainability and technology.
• Reduce the soaring cost burden of operating on the high street, including flexible commercial energy contracts and increasing the employer's NI allowance to offset National Minimum Wage hikes.
• Combat the growing threat of retail crime through increased police presence and better protection for staff and owners.
• Review the Landlord and Tenant Act to provide tenants with better protection, investment certainty, and removal of upward-only rent reviews.

Mr Goodacre said he was appealing  directly to party leaders, and added: "Put independent retailers at the forefront of your agenda. The current climate poses grave challenges that threaten these businesses' very existence and the vibrancy of our high streets."

He said: "The upcoming election is a pivotal crossroads. We urge all parties to study our manifesto and commit to a new era of policy putting indie retailers first. Their survival underpins our high streets' identities as community hubs."

Bira's manifesto paints a vision of high streets as diverse spaces fostering sustainability, inclusivity and economic growth. However, it warns this cannot be achieved without major reforms to ease the burden on struggling independent retailers.

The full 'Making the High Street Better' manifesto can be downloaded here

A thankful owner is warning other cat owners of the importance of microchips after she was reunited with her missing feline friend Dragon after a long three months – all thanks to his microchip.  

The one-week countdown is officially on for cat owners in England to get their cats microchipped before the new law comes into force.  

By 10 June 2024, owners found without their cat microchipped will have just 21 days to have one implanted. After the 21 days, owners may then face a fine of up to £500. 

PDSA Vet Lynne James warned: “This is the final reminder for cat owners to get their feline friends microchipped. Not only will it soon become law, so it’s no longer down to personal preference, we have always highly recommended all cats are microchipped as soon as they are old enough. 

“Just as much as we don’t want to end up with a lost or stray cat, our much-loved pets definitely won’t want to lose us either! Having a microchip, that’s kept up to date and registered on a compliant database, is the best precautionary method all cat owners should take.” 

Dragon’s story is the purr-fect reminder of why a simple microchip can save the day! 

After three long months of being apart, PDSA vets were able to reunite Dragon with his loving owner, Elizabeth Vasilopoulou, and it was only possible because of his microchip. 

Dragon, a one-year-old cat, went missing from his home in March 2022, turning Elizabeth’s world upside down. She said: “Every night we were going out to look for him, calling him and shaking his treats! We had his favourite toy on hand and his carrier with his towel under the table with food inside. But we had no luck. It was awful."  

Until one day, Elizabeth received a phone call from the team at New Cross PDSA Pet Hospital, 20 miles away from their home! She was told that Dragon had found by a group of girls, who had been feeding him for a month in their garden. They weren't sure if he was local or not, and so they decided to take him to the vets. 

The team at PDSA had located Dragon's microchip details and called Elizabeth immediately. She quickly took his carrier and rushed to go and fetch him and they were finally reunited after exactly three months apart!  

Elizabeth said: “We have no idea what happened to him, and we will never know but we are very grateful to have him back.” 

Elizabeth explained that when Dragon returned home, he slept for three days straight and just woke up at feeding time but he is back to his original self, happy and adventurous and just celebrated his third birthday - making Elizabeth's life happier again.

Lynne adds: “This is also a good time for owners to check their chips, for all cats already with a microchip, make sure you’ve checked your details are all correct, and check the chip is successfully registered, as an unregistered chip is no use to a lost cat.”  

 The upcoming PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report revealed the top reasons owners shared why their cats were not microchipped were:  

• 21% say it’s because their cat doesn’t go outside 
• 17% say it’s because their cat is unlikely to stray 
• 16% say it’s not necessary 

For more information about cat microchipping, please visit: pdsa.org.uk/microchipping-cats  

PDSA vets, together with PDSA Pet Insurance, are reminding pet owners that furry family members can suffer from pollen allergies too and the symptoms to look out for as the weather heats up.

PDSA Vet Nurse, Gemma Renwick, comments: “Just like humans, pets can also suffer from pollen allergies, such as hay fever. As the summer months tend to bring with them a rise in the pollen count, it’s important to recognise common symptoms of hay fever or allergies in your pets. Moving from spring to summer, we see a rise in the grass pollens as well as tree pollens, so you may find your pet affected differently as the seasons go on.

“Whilst hayfever in humans often looks like a runny nose, watery eyes, or shortness of breath, these symptoms are much less common in pets. Signs your pet may have hayfever or allergies to things like pollen are more likely to include; licking or biting their paws, lots of scratching and red or sore looking skin – especially around their ears, eyes, between their pads on their feet, or on their tummy.

“Your pet may also appear tired or lethargic, or constantly shake their head and rub their ears or muzzle. If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment with your vet to rule out other health issues and get their advice about treating for allergies.  

“It can be difficult to find out exactly what is causing your pet's allergy. However, if it's worse in summer and improves in winter, pollen may be part of the problem. Here are five ways that you can help your pet if they are struggling with hayfever:

1. Clean bedding 

 “Make sure your pet’s bedding is washed and hoovered weekly as this will help remove any pollen that has built up from their trips outside during the week.

2. Flea control

“Make sure your pet’s flea control is kept up to date, as regardless of the cause of their allergies, irritating fleas will only make them itchier. Although it may be tempting to create a home remedy when your pet is in pain, never give them medication without a prescription. This can be dangerous in the wrong doses, or for certain species.

3. Check the weather

“When it comes to hayfever, prevention is often better than cure, so limit your dog’s exposure to pollen in the first place. If you’re planning to venture outside, first check the pollen forecast for the day and plan your walks before dawn or early in the evening as the pollen count may be lower at these times.

4. Keep them on a lead

“While we know dogs love to play in the grass, this can lead to their fur becoming covered in pollen, causing hours of misery later in the day. Keeping your pup on a lead near grass and wiping their fur with a damp cloth, particularly their paws and muzzle, after every walk will help remove any tiny traces of pollen. Also consider an alternative location for your daily walks, such as a beach if nearby, or a less rural environment, as these locations are more likely to have a lower pollen count.

5. Medication

“Your vet may recommend medication to help your pet feel more comfortable during the summer months. There are lots of different treatment options available, including tablets and medicated shampoos. Also consider adding an animal skin supplement or oil to your pet's food – not just during the summer months. These supplements can help strengthen the skin's barrier, soothe itchiness, and calm sensitive skin.”

For more expert PDSA advice on how to protect your pets from pollen, visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/summer-allergies-how-to-protect-your-pets-from-pollen

The charity’s insurance partner, PDSA Pet Insurance, offers a range of policies to cover cats and dogs for accidents and illness, as well as providing access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline. Every policy sold raises funds for the charity’s life-saving veterinary work.

To find out more visit pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-petinsurance

A new podcast for veterinary professionals from IVC Evidensia has launched on Spotify and Apple podcasts, promising insightful discussions and updates on the latest clinical and non-clinical topics in the profession. 

Hosted by industry experts, the podcast aims to provide a comprehensive resource for veterinary professionals seeking to stay informed and engaged in their field. 

It has initially been launched with eight episodes available on a variety of subjects, and every week there will be a new episode launched, featuring different hosts and guests, covering a wide range of topics.

Each week, Beyond the Clinic will feature engaging conversations with leading minds in the veterinary industry, covering a wide range of topics relevant to the profession. 

From clinical advancements to tips and advice, listeners can expect to gain valuable insights from experts across the UK, Europe, Canada and beyond. The first series includes episodes on all areas of veterinary care, including small animal, farm and equine. 

One episode focuses on orthopaedic health in dogs, featuring European Diplomats in Small Animal Surgery, Padraig Egan and Scott Rutherford. Group Head of Animal Welfare at IVC Evidensia, Dave Martin explores the impact of the XL bully ban on vet professionals and Antibiotic usage on farms is discussed with Group Veterinary Advisor for Farm Animal, Paul Horwood and senior farm vet Rachel Forster. 

Listeners will enjoy informative discussion, expert analysis, and practical tips.

Host Daniella Dos Santos, Director of Professional Culture at IVC Evidensia, shared her thoughts: "As one of the hosts of the new Beyond the Clinic podcast, I’m excited to be bringing the latest news and discussion topics that matter to us in the veterinary profession in an easily digestible format. 

“Made by vet professionals for vet professionals, this podcast is designed for all clinic teams, covering the clinical and non-clinical subjects that truly matter to us. 

“Our episodes range from hotly debated topics to the latest advancements in care, and in our first series, we’ll dive into important subjects like the XL Bully ban, the role of leadership within veterinary practice, antibiotic stewardship, and much more. With new episodes added weekly, make sure to check it out as we’re bringing valuable insights directly to your ears!”

To stay updated on the latest episodes, subscribe to Beyond the Clinic on your preferred podcast platform including Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Birmingham Dogs Home has launched a live ‘puppy cam’ where viewers can check in one of the home’s litters of adorable puppies – all in the name of a very important cause.

In partnership with Miraculous Meals, the Little Miracles Appeal invites people to join in on a live ‘puppy cam’ between 11.30am and 2.00pm, to raise both awareness and vital funds or Birmingham Dogs Home. The money will go towards creating more special spaces where mums can safely have their pups in a protective and calm environment, after seeing cases of pregnant dogs being abandoned continue to rise.

Via Birmingham Dogs Home’s Facebook page, and the charity’s website doggie-lovers will be able to join a live stream of some of the charity’s adorable puppies as they play and feed, some of which will shortly be available for adoption.

18 dog mums gave birth under the care of Birmingham Dogs Home in 2023, and three litters have already been born this year. The charity aims to give them the very best possible start by creating “whelping units”, away from the hustle and bustle of our main kennels and away from view.

The Little Miracles Appeal is being launched to raise funds to create more of these whelping areas – forming a “maternity wing” at Birmingham Dogs Home. This will enable the charity to offer a safe environment, specially designed to protect puppies during birth and early life.

Donations can be made via the charity’s website www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk or by telephone T. 0121 643 5211 Option 3.

One such vulnerable “mum-to-be” was Patsy. The charity didn’t know she was pregnant when she first came to them with puncture wounds to her body and neck. She started to show signs, and after a few weeks in Birmingham Dogs Home’s care, then later gave birth to her pups at the rescue centre. Patsy struggled with parenthood initially but with support from the team, which included hand-rearing the three weakest pups, she soon became a loving Mum. Her six puppies soon gained weight and are all doing well and hoping to find new homes.

Unfortunately, at Birmingham Dogs Home, there has been a dramatic increase in cases like Patsy arriving at the rescue centres over the last eighteen months

Amelia Townley, Maternity Team Leader at Birmingham Dogs Home said: “Newborn pups cannot see, hear, or regulate their body temperature. They need to be kept out of the cold and away from the dangers of being squashed or smothered. They are completely reliant on their Mum for all their needs and a place to snuggle for warmth. With our live ‘puppy cam’ and Little Miracles Appeal we’re aiming to foster an environment where pups who’ve been let down by the world can instead enter the world in a loving and caring environment.”

The charity is appealing for the help of dog lovers to raise £50,000.

• £12.50 can help Birmingham Dogs Home to keep tiny vulnerable puppies like Patsy’s warm and cosy with retractable infrared heating lamps
• £22 can help the charity to fit each whelping area with essential waterproof flooring. Lots of puppies means lots of poop! Regular cleaning helps to keep both Mums and pups healthy and infection free
• £40 can help us to keep pups safe. Sometimes, they can get squashed under Mums when they roll against the walls. By fitting special spaces inside the whelping units, there will always be safe spaces for them to have room to breathe and wriggle.

Select from NVS is extending its range of animal healthcare products with the launch of DuoTox, a broad-spectrum adsorbent for use following the ingestion of unwanted substances in dogs and cats.

Duotox is the first binder to include both Activated Charcoal and Diosmectite providing a wide spectrum absorbency against harmful substances and is available in a paste and liquid designed with palatability in mind. Duotox is now available to order through NVS for all existing or new customers. 

Accidental poisoning remains a significant threat to pets, with vets in the UK reporting over 3,000 cases involving poisoning every week and averaging 60 calls a day to the VPIS for assistance² In 2020, 7.1 million pets fell ill after eating something poisonous¹, and in 2021, the VPIS reported a 40% increase in the number of poisoning enquiries.. 

The current most commonly used product for accidental ingestion is Activated Charcoal, but this only has affinity for certain substances. Diosmectite will also only bind to select substances, including many that Activated Charcoal will not, but is not as widely used. Up until now, the two have not been used together in one product, leaving situations where the binder administered has no effect. In cases of potential ingestion, identifying the exact substance consumed, and relying on vets to know which binder to use for each substance, is a barrier to successful toxin binding. 

Malcolm Dickinson, Category Manager for Select from NVS, explains: “Activated Charcoal has affinity for substances that are, for example acidic, non-ionised or poorly water soluble, leaving a gap for substances that are alkaline, cationic, hydrophilic etc. This is where the absorbency profile of Diosmectite comes in to create one product with a much wider spectrum of adsorbency.

“This will be hugely beneficial to vets in practice” Malcolm continues, “Vets can reach for one product, knowing it will be effective.”

In addition to Activated Charcoal and Diosmectite, DuoTox contains sorbitol and glycerine to gently help gut transit time and piperine and curcumin to help aid the normal function of the liver and kidneys and support natural anti-inflammatory processes.

“Ease of use was also of high importance” Malcolm continues, “The syringe on the Duotox paste has a wide nozzle, and smaller syringe size options, meaning administration is far smoother than traditional paste syringes.”

Presented as either a liquid suspension or a ‘dial a dose’ gel syringe, the product is formulated to prevent sedimentation and enhance consistency and flow. The gel nozzle tip is extra wide to aid delivery and the liquid comes in a squeezy bottle and with an atraumatic bending tip to aid use. Furthermore, both products have been designed with palatability in mind. Combined these factors result in easy use and administration.

For more information on Duotox and the Select from NVS Healthcare range visit  https://www.nvsweb.co.uk/product-brand/select-healthcare/ or call NVS Orderline on +44 (0)1782 775555 Duotox can be ordered through NVS by new or existing accounts. 

A family-run independent pet shop has opened in Aberdeen after the business owner accessed support and signposting to funding from Business Gateway.

Based in Haudagain Retail Park, Pets & Care offers a wide variety of live animals, pet supplies and services, ranging from food and treats to toys and grooming products.

The shop also offers a range of natural food and treats, including raw products. Its team of staff are experienced pet care experts and are all on hand to help answer any questions for first-time pet owners or seasoned professionals.

The shop is owned by husband-and-wife team, Otto and Agnes Varga. Originally from Hungary, Otto and Agnes moved to Scotland over 9 years ago.

With over 20 years of experience in charge of pet stores in Hungary, and as a former employee of the UK’s leading pet care business, Otto spotted a gap in the market to open his own shop in Aberdeen and approached Business Gateway for support.

Otto and Agnes accessed a suite of Business Gateway’s start-up services, including one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on their business plan, marketing, and HR.The couple also received advice on managing financial projections and cashflow.

Business Gateway was also able to signpost the duo to funding from ABZ Works, which was essential to help purchase the necessary equipment to open their shop to the public.

Looking to the future, the couple now have plans to increase the number of live animals they have for sale and are looking to incorporate the sale of fish.

Otto (above) said: “It was always my dream to open my own pet store. We spotted a gap in the market after noticing a real lack of independently owned pet shops in Aberdeen. I wanted to give customers a one-stop-shop experience in Aberdeen where they can purchase all of their accessories, toys and food.

“Although I have lots of experience in the sector, I had never run my own business, so the support I’ve received from Business Gateway has been invaluable. I can’t thank our adviser enough.”

Keith Smith, Business Gateway adviser, said: “I met with Otto before Pets & Care opened to discuss his business plan and have kept in regular contact with him over the last six months. It’s been really rewarding for me to see his business idea become a reality.“I look forward to continuing to work together in the months ahead as the business begins providing new lines of products.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit https://bgateway.com.

Pets At Home has posted a jump in annual sales but has seen profits fall back. The pet retail group described its performance as ‘a pivotal year building our platform for future growth’.

Underlying pre-tax profits fell 3.2% to £132m, in line with internal expectations. Pets At Home said profits had been hit by short-term availability issues after it moved into its new distribution centre, as well as a weaker performance in discretionary accessories.

Lyssa McGowan, Chief Executive Officer said: “FY24 has been a pivotal year for the business, having delivered some key building blocks of our platform for long term growth. I am proud of the progress we have made in the year; we relaunched our brand, opened our new DC, built our new digital platform, made progress in our sustainability agenda, and enhanced our physical estate. The business has come together brilliantly to navigate any challenges faced this year, and we have delivered some key milestones of our strategy.

“Our medium-term strategy and financial framework is unchanged and, looking ahead, the fundamental strengths of the business position us well to deliver growth. We hold a leading position in a structurally growing market, with an unrivalled retail store network, and a unique, differentiated and integrated vet business. We know the nation’s pets better than anyone else, with over 10 years of analytical data on 10 million pets, and we now have a best-in-class digital platform, and a modern efficient DC.

“Above all else, we have the best colleagues in the industry, who use their passion and expertise to guide customers through their pet care journey every day. All of this positions us incredibly well as we continue to execute our strategy to build the world’s best pet care platform.”

Business Highlights

FY24 has been a foundational year for Pets at Home. We have delivered the key strategic elements that will form the platform for future growth. We have:

• Launched digital platform to consumers, an important milestone in the digitisation of the business, with our new app and website positioned to bring together everything owners need to care for their pet.
• Brought our new DC onstream, with all stores now being served from a single site and availability at structurally higher levels. We will complete the transition of our online business in the coming year.
• Continued progress in growing our vet footprint, with 3 new vet practices, 26 practice extensions, and 10 company-owned to JV conversions, supported by further progress on vet talent.
• Invested in our pet care centres with 5 new openings and 41 store refits.
• Grown our large, loyal customer base. We now have 7.8m active Pets Club members, up 2% YoY with strong retention and a continued normalisation in new Puppy & Kitten sign ups as expected.
• 1.7m subscriptions, now generating 10% of consumer revenue. The launch of our digital platform will offer customers an enhanced subscriptions capability with improved choice and flexibility.
• Launched our new unified Pets brand, bringing together all of our products and services under one master brand reflecting our consumer positioning as a provider of all your pet care needs.
• Accelerated range innovation, introducing new frozen ranges, launching an own brand freeze-dried range, and exclusively partnering with Butternut Box to offer freshly-cooked dog food to consumers.
• Progressed our sustainability agenda, reducing our Scope 1 & 2 emissions by a further 3.5%, raising over £9.2m for pet charities, feeding 2.7m pets for a day through our pet food bank partnership with Blue Cross, and donating over 16,000 hours to local communities.

Financial Highlights

• Consumer revenue grew 6.9%, in line with our medium-term ambition, to £1.9bn. Underlying consumer demand was resilient with structural trends underpinning sustained market growth.
• Total Group revenue growth of 5.2% to £1.5bn, with Group like-for-like# (LFL) revenue up 5.1%.
• Vet Group revenue grew 16.8%, and LFL# up 16.5%, with record sales supported by higher Average Transaction Value, mix and visits as we increased clinical capacity.
• Retail revenue grew 4.0%, and LFL# up 4.1%. Q4 LFL was in line with expectations with continued volume growth and slowing inflation in food, and softer performance within accessories.
• Underlying PBT of £132.0m is down 3.2% YoY as guided, impacted by short-term availability issues as we transitioned to our new DC and weaker performance of discretionary accessories. Returning accessories to growth is a key focus in the year ahead and we have a strong plan to do so.
• Statutory PBT was £105.7m, down 13.7% reflecting the decline in underlying PBT and non-underlying costs of £26.3m, mostly associated with our DC transition and our support office consolidation.
• Underlying basic EPS was 20.7p, down 9.0%, and statutory basic EPS was 16.6p, down 19.0%.
• Total dividend per share held at 12.8p, final dividend held at 8.3p.
• Free cash flow# down 29.7% to £69.0m reflecting YoY profit shape and the phasing of investments.
• Balance sheet remains robust with net cash# of £8.8m (before lease liabilities of £380.9m). Cash and cash equivalents were £57.1m at the end of the year.
• £25m share buyback announced for FY25, having completed £100m in buybacks over last 2 years.

Current trading and outlook   

No change to FY25 underlying PBT guidance. Whilst the external trading environment has been subdued, overall pet care spend has proven resilient, and in the year ahead, we should begin to benefit from previous investments and key productivity programs.

Over the first 6 weeks of the year, we have seen low double-digit growth in our Vet Group, with Retail at -2%, broadly in line with plan. Retail LFL currently reflects the annualization of our strongest comparative periods, and some short term disruption as we transitioned to our new digital app from the legacy web platform. We are currently projecting that these impacts will ease from Q2 onwards.

Market growth in recent quarters has been impacted by easing inflation, continued caution amongst consumers, and the timing impacts of normalised numbers of new puppies and kittens. Importantly through this period we have consistently won share in our key food category, and are currently expecting industry growth to progressively return closer to historic levels over the coming quarters.

For FY25:

• We are comfortable with current analyst consensus for underlying PBT, currently c£144m.
• We expect non-underlying costs of c£7m reflecting further transition costs for the DC (£3m) and one-off support office restructuring costs (£4m).
• Effective tax rate is expected to be 26%.
• Plan for capex of £60m.
• Planning for a further £25m share buyback, following the £100m completed over the last 2 years.

The largest-ever PATS show being held at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29^th September to Tuesday, 1^st October 2024 will be the only place this year to see all the new pet and aquatics products to be launched in the UK. 

PATS 2024 – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show is THE event where the whole industry meets under one roof with more than 300 exhibitors showcasing their products in four packed halls.

It’s the perfect opportunity for pet and aquatic retailers and garden centres to decide what products to stock over the next year with thousands of items being exhibited, many of which are new launches.

“There will be so much to see and do over the three days of the show,” said organiser Gordon Thomas. “Visitors can be sure of meeting all of the leading brands as well as many new ones. And there will be an international flavour to the show with companies from across mainland Europe and beyond choosing to book a stand and unveil their latest creations.”

Exhibitors from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Turkey, will be joining their counterparts from the UK and Ireland to make PATS 2024 a truly international show. There will also be exhibitors from as far afield as Canada, China, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Thailand.

The first-ever three-day PATS will be hosted across the entire venue in all four halls, and will see the launch of the much-anticipated Aquatics Zone, where aquatics and watergardening companies will be exhibiting their products and services in one dedicated hall.

Seeing the latest launches under one roof is one of the major attractions to PATS visitors, and this year’s show is set to unveil a record number of new products. An already impressive line-up of entries to the popular New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, is a positive sign that PATS exhibitors are excited about their latest products and can’t wait to show them to visiting retailers and buyers.

Products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent retailers on the first day of the show (Sunday, 29^th September) to decide the winners of the New Product Awards.

The New Starter Zone, supported by PetQuip with media partner PPM, has been one of the most exciting additions to the show in recent years, with start-up companies taking advantage of the dedicated area in Hall 3 to launch their product ranges, and this year’s Zone is larger than ever.

As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new products and speaking to the major suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to experience demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers.

To help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, PATS Telford offers free show entry, free parking for up to 1,300 vehicles, a free catalogue and many special deals. There will also be a wide range of food options available, with visitors receiving a complimentary tea/coffee voucher. 

Register now at www.patshow.co.uk where a full list of exhibitors can also be found.

With SUPERZOO, taking place from 14 to 16 August in Las Vegas, being billed as ‘the ultimate destination for pet retailers from around the world’, this comprehensive marketplace offers retailers the chance to discover proven bestsellers, explore business solutions and catch up with the latest US pet trends and innovations. 

The event showcases over 1,100 exhibitors, thousands of new product debuts and hosts over 10,000 buyers.

PetQuip will have a stand at the show, hosting a selection of member products and UK market information. The trade association is also promoting a package of show benefits for UK retail buyers, to help make the most of their time at the event.

The special PetQuip VIP invitation allows buyers to take advantage of the following benefits:

• Complimentary registration for the exhibition hall, with show-only discounts
• Complimentary 2-day education pass (valued at $250)
• Personalised assistance with registration and meeting setup with US exhibitors
• Access to the International Lounge and on-site amenities, including an option to reserve meeting space
• Entry to SUPERZOO’s exclusive and legendary Beach Party on Thursday 15 August, from 7-10 pm
• Use of the PetQuip stand 5010 as a base and for help and advice

“We are really excited to be working with the SUPERZOO organisers for the first time, to test the water for our members at this lively, innovative event. We also welcome UK buyers visiting the show to use our stand as a base, while enjoying the fabulous VIP benefits which the organisers are offering,” commented Susan Fairley, Trade Federation Manager for PetQuip. PetQuip will be exhibiting on stand 5010. 

To benefit from the VIP programme, buyers should register for SUPERZOO here  

For more information, contact Susan Fairley at susan@petquip.com

For details of PetQuip membership, please e-mail info@petquip.com or visit www.petquip.com

Legislation to make pet abduction a criminal offence has received Royal Assent.

Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 – which was a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord Black of Brentwood and supported by the Government – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers. 

Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests around 2,000 dog and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.

Support for the Act builds upon wider action to protect pets from theft, including making the microchipping of cats compulsory from 10 June 2024. This makes it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.