Pet Industry marketing expert Peter Johnson has joined Smart Garden Products to head up its newly created Pet Division that will launch at Glee under the “Zöon” brand. Pronounced ‘Zow-On’, it is the Greek word for ‘Pet’.

 “When the company offered me this role, I was delighted to accept,” said Peter.  “I am really looking forward to working with Paris Natar, Jonathan Stobart and their amazing team to bring this exciting new project to market, kicking off at Glee in September.

"Smart is the natural choice to launch such an innovative and much-needed new pet brand, with its industry leading service, stock levels and total commitment to customer care.”

Paris commented: “We are thrilled to have Peter on board given his extensive Retail, Product and Pet Industry expertise.

"Pet care as a sector has proved to be uniquely resilient and complements our core gardening businesses perfectly. There is a clear market opportunity within the pet market for Smart and we sincerely hope that our retail partners will like what they see when we unveil it all to them at Glee.”

Smart Garden Products is a leading supplier of garden products to the trade. The company has built up an enviable reputation for design and innovation in solar powered consumer products under the brands Smart Solar and Super Bright.

Additional product groups include Hanging Gardening and Plant Support under the Smart Garden brand; Clocks, Lanterns and Doormats under Outside In designs; Garden Décor under Flamboya; Wild Bird care under ChapelWood; Christmas products under Three Kings. 

 
Smart has a diverse international customer base encompassing the UK and continental Europe. Its head office and showroom is in Abingdon, Oxfordshire with a warehouse hub in Peterborough. 

Dog owners in the UK are frequently trying to treat their furry friends like a true member of the family. As part of this, many are making a conscious effort to feed their dogs healthy and nutritious food. However, with so many food options available for various dog breeds, shapes and sizes it is hard to know what is best to provide your pooch with.

New research from Paws.com shows that millions of Brits are becoming increasingly confused by food labels and are unsure as to what is in the food they are feeding their dogs.

The key stats:

• 44% of Brits say that dog food labels are difficult and at times impossible to read
• 30% of Brits say that dog food labels make it harder to maintain a healthy diet for their dog
• 28% of Brits say that the complicated food labels are the primary reason they find dog food shopping difficult
• 39% of Brits don’t feel that they know enough about the ingredients in the food they feed their dogs
• 44% of Brits wish there was a solution that would make figuring out dog food ingredients easier

Feeding your four legged friend is an important task that many Brits want so succeed in performing to the best of their availability by giving their pups the most nutritious meal possible. However, with so many varieties of food and an increasing amount of confusing jargon, it is hard to know exactly what is in your dog's meal.

Stephanie Wenban, vet at Paws.com and dog health expert, offers the following commentary: "The vast majority of pet owners want to provide nutrient rich foods for their animals. Many different dog breeds have different nutritional needs and may require different food to others, however it is becoming increasingly hard to decipher confusing labels that come with dog food packages. There needs to be a simpler solution to finding your loved pet the best food for them."

Paws.com has an innovative traffic light labelling system for all of the food that it provides so pet owners can know exactly what is going into their dog's meal. The website also offers food subscriptions that are specifically tailored to a pet's needs based on their breed and any other requirements they may have.

Fish4Dogs has been announced as a finalist in the PetQuip Exporter of the Year Award 2019. The premium pet food company, based in Worcestershire, now exports to 36 companies around the globe – a staggering 73% of its overall sales.

Its success in international markets has led to significant company growth. Its overseas sales grew 267% over six years, resulting in Fish4Dogs being awarded Queen’s award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2017.

Since then, the company has continued to gain presence in new markets, grounded in the partnerships it creates with its customers on the emotive journey of dog ownership.

In the past year alone, it has developed sales distribution in five countries within the Middle East, and a new wholesale partnership in Greece.

Fish4Dogs export success stems from its approach in including new partners as part of the ‘Fish4Dogs family’.  Substantial time, effort and energy goes into selecting the right long-term partners allowing it to work on an exclusivity basis within each country, allowing a relationship of trust to develop.

Its focus on customer relationships was acknowledged earlier this year won Fish4Dogs won the GlobalPets Award.

Fish4Dogs CEO Graham Smith said: “It is really important we work with those partners who are also willing to invest in the F4D brand to ensure its longevity within its market. We favour a multi-channel approach that has allowed us to become so successful in the UK and our most successful markets are those which share our best practice and market insights.

“Whether it is a one-to-one relationship with one of our international distributors, a pet shop implementing the Fish4Dogs loyalty scheme or a new puppy owner getting their first puppy pack from one of the ambassador breeders, Fish4Dogs is a genuinely trusted part of each journey. These relationships are the reason Fish4Dogs continues to succeed. Ultimately, Fish4Dogs attempts to make every relationship personal – recognising the needs of individual customers and delivering what they need in a dynamic way.”

The company plans to continue its growth by developing its existing international accounts and exploring others. It has recently employed bi-lingual customer service advisors to assist operational activity.

The PetQuip Awards 2019 take place in association with PATS Telford in the Ludlow Suite, International Centre, Telford on Sunday 22nd September at 7.30pm.

For trade enquiries visit: www.fish4dogstrade.co.uk

Pictured: Panagiotis Moutzouris, of Mediterranean distributor Ikaros Accessories & Nutrition, with Samantha Randle, International Sales Manager for Fish4Dogs.

The Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) is being resurrected after a successful meeting held last week in the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Sandy Trees, supported by the Government’s Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and assisted by OATA and REPTA.

The meeting brought together a wide range of organisations interested in animal welfare which overwhelmingly supported the need for the group.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the pet trade, the keeping community, welfare charities, vets, regulators and the education sector who all expressed their support to re-establish the group, which will provide a voice in government for organisations interested in the welfare of companion animals (other than dogs, cats and horses which have their own groups).

OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee said: “The reinvigoration of this group provides a unique opportunity to provide advice and support to Government and Parliamentarians on matters relating to the health and welfare of companion animals. Sector Councils are important independent sounding boards which can give expert, specialist advice and opinion to help inform Government policy and law.”

Representatives at the meeting unanimously supported the appointment of Mr Michael Stanford as Chair, a well-known figure in the veterinary community, Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and a recent past President of the British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS).

Mike said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of this important group and would encourage all those organisations with an interest in the health and welfare of companion animals to consider how they might contribute to its success.”

Mike will be supported by Dave Perry, Trustee of The Pet Charity and long-time animal keeper, who was appointed as Deputy Chair.

A major stakeholder event will be held later in the year bringing together interested groups to explore areas of common interest and how the group will work in the future.

Pictured:: Chris Newman (REPTA), Ruth MacDonald (Tropical Fishkeeping Group), Paul Eversfield (British Herpetological Society), Andy Patel (British Killifish Association) and Dominic Whitmee at the inaugural meeting of CASC.

Pawfect Foods launches at PATS Telford this September with an eclectic portfolio of nutritious, clean-deck treats that includes its flagship yak’s cheese snacks. 

As with Pawfect Foods dried fruit, veg and herb offerings, this is yet another nutritionally well-rounded treat (omega 3 & calcium rich) that celebrates our canines’ historically overlooked flexitarian tendencies.

Made to a traditional Himalayan recipe at an altitude of 15,000+ feet, this is a range of tasty, unrushed treats made by seasoned churpi makers courtesy of happy hormone-free herds (yaks and cows) raised in pristine, chemical-free pastures.

Dog-friendly dairy treats might sound a little avant-garde however the sheer volume of work required to produce a treat that is sun-dried for 35 days before being meticulously smoked to perfection (not to mention adverse weather, archaic transportation, ancient dialects), means that this wasn’t a ‘healthier living’ initiative that was taken on without significant soul-searching.

 The resulting, at ‘one with nature’ chew & puffs bars all come with sufficient crunch or chew to appease dogs of every imaginable size, age or lifestyle, from industrious working dogs to pampered urban pooches, tying in with Prash Patwardhan’s (founder) personal mission to pair nutritional worth and best-in-class ingredients with flavoursome products and processes from around the globe.

According to Prash, "There’s no question that there’s now a health-conscious revolution taking place within the premium tier pet food scene, an all-natural/guilt-free mindset that we’d now like to see adopted by a growing selection of best-in-class dog treats."

Pawfectfoods.co.uk

Exmoor National Park, one of the UK’s 15 National Parks, and leading Somerset-based pet accessory company, Oscar & Hooch have joined forces to launch a national campaign to promote responsible dog walking in the countryside.

The campaign, which will run for the duration of the summer school holidays, will encourage dog owning families and other dog walkers to go out and enjoy the spectacle of the Exmoor National Park and other UK beauty spots whilst at the same time, reminding them to keep their dogs under control at all times so that wildlife, livestock and other visitors are not disturbed.

Dog walkers will also be encouraged to clean up any dog mess and dispose of it properly to keep the park and other destinations clean and tidy for other walkers to enjoy and to prevent any harm or disease to other animals and wildlife.

According to statistics provided by The Kennel Club, since 2010, dog ownership is up 10% and is now at 8.5 million dogs. 26% of homes have a dog and astonishingly over half of all outdoor visits include a dog.

There are many benefits to welcoming dogs in the countryside such as encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting local visitor economies. Owning a dog not only provides owners with the opportunity to go out and enjoy the great outdoors but also has many health benefits providing regular exercise for many people. Owning a dog is good for mental health providing interaction with other dog walkers and companionship.

However, there are also some concerning issues associated with irresponsible dog ownership. According to NFU Mutual, the cost of livestock worrying has risen 67% over the past two years in the UK. The rural insurer said not all livestock farmers insure against sheep worrying, but it estimates the annual cost to the industry is now £1.6m, while the average cost of a claim has risen by more than 50% to £1,300.

All the UK National Parks have a policy of encouraging responsible dog walkers and Exmoor, like the other National Parks has a set of guidelines for dog owners to follow. Keeping a dog under close control, particularly around livestock and areas of ground nesting birds is a key issue, as is regular worming and clearing up dog mess responsibly.

Dan Barnett, Access and Recreation Manager, Exmoor National Park Authority said: “Generally, your dog should be under close control at all times and there are specific areas and times of the year that they need to be kept on a lead. There are around 620 miles (1000 kilometres) of public rights of way (e.g. footpaths and bridleways) on Exmoor for you and your dog to enjoy.

"On public rights of way there is no legal requirement to keep your dog on a lead but, unless you are very confident about your dog’s obedience, we strongly recommend that you do as they must be under close control.

"There are all sorts of scents and smells that may prove too tempting to resist and result in your dog disappearing into the distance. You will inevitably meet livestock, other people, dogs, cyclists and horse riders at some point and there is potential for confrontation if your dog is out of control.

There are over 18,000 hectares of open access land for you to explore where the public have a right of access on foot with a dog, however your dog must be kept on a lead of less than two metres during the bird nesting season (1st March to 31st July) and at all times near livestock.”

“Making sure that your dog has a well-fitted collar and strong lead is important to ensure your dog does not escape its lead and run away from you,” says Elaine Steckler, co-founder of Oscar & Hooch, manufacturers of British handmade dog accessories.

It is also important to take a plentiful supply of poo bags with you on your walks and to make sure that these are disposed of properly in bins or taken home with you for appropriate disposal.” continues Elaine.

The six-week national awareness campaign will consist of an online quiz which entrants can enter to win an Oscar & Hooch collar and lead each week. This will be integrated with a social networking campaign on both the Exmoor National Park and Oscar & Hooch social media platforms together with a press campaign across all national and regional media.

Oscar & Hooch will also be donating 10% of sales through their website over the six week period when customers use the code EXMOOR at checkout

With summer finally here and temperatures on the rise, we’ll all be wanting to make the most of the sunshine and head outdoors – our pets included! Whilst it is great fun to embrace the sunshine, it is important to remember that the heat and sun can not only be a danger to ourselves, but to our furry friends too.

Here, Natures Menu’s veterinary team share some top tips on how to keep pets from getting too hot under the collar in the heatwave and how to spot whether an animal is suffering in the sun.

• Cars: We all know leaving an animal in a car is a ‘no no’ yet many owners are still offenders. No matter how quickly you are nipping into the shop, this is something that should not be done, regardless of whether a window is left open or not. Equally, conservatories or green houses can have the same effect when the temperatures soar, with an animal having no way of escaping or cooling down. To avoid this, take your dog out of the car with you, or leave them at home in a cool room. If you close your greenhouse up, always ensure there are no snoozing cats hiding behind pots that could become trapped inside in soaring temperatures.
• Keep water bowls topped up: On a hot day, we humans consume more litres of water than usual - and the same goes for our pets. With their thick coats, cats and dogs find it more difficult to regulate their temperature and are therefore more likely to become dehydrated. Ensure their water bowl is constantly topped up or leave multiple bowls out for them if you plan on being away for a longer period of time. Cats prefer to have a bowl of water accessible in several points throughout their territory so in hot weather, ensure to place fresh bowls of water down in each room and several in shady areas outside. 
• Avoid the midday sun: As well as being the hottest part of the day, midday is often when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Avoid going for walks at this time, particularly with dogs that are white or with closely shorn fur as they can be prone to sunburn. Cats with thin coats are also at risk from sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer, particularly on their ears and noses. Speak to your vet to get advice on pet friendly sun cream and try to keep them out of the sun’s direct rays as much as possible.
• Pavement check: Pavements can become very hot and burn pet paws so only go for walks at the coolest times of the day. You can check the ground isn’t too hot by simply pressing your hand to the pavement for at least five seconds.
• Watch what they eat: Remember food and drink found at summer BBQs, such as grilled onions, chocolate and alcoholic beverages, can often be poisonous to pets. Corn on the cob and kebab skewers can also cause blockages and be choking hazards for four-legged friends, so keep out of your pet’s reach.
• Those most at risk: Some pets are at a greater risk of heat stroke than others. Take extra care if they are overweight, have short or flat noses or thick/long fur. Also keep a closer eye on the very young and old, as well as unwell pets who may struggle more in high temperatures.
• Spot the symptoms: As well as taking precautionary measures to help your pet in the hot weather, it’s important to be able to spot the symptoms that they might be unwell. Excessive panting, anxious pacing or - in severe cases - collapse or convulsions are all signs that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke and thus requires immediate medical attention. Never dunk your pet into freezing water if you suspect heatstroke as this can induce shock.

Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager for Natures Menu (pictured above), said: “It’s important to look after our pets in hot and sunny weather. With their thick coats, cats and dogs find it harder to regulate their own body temperature and are unable to tell us if they are suffering in the heat and feeling unwell.

“As pet parents we all want the best for our cats and dogs, so keep their wellbeing top priority in the hot weather and don’t be tempted to give them human treats at parties or BBQs. Instead, throughout the summer, always have some appropriate treats to hand that your four-legged friends are sure to love.”

Retailers wanting to find out more information about Natures Menu and their range can email trade@naturesmenu.co.uk, phone 0800 0183770 or visitwww.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade-landing.

Denzel’s are launching three new revolutionary recipes of their on-the-go snacks for dogs. After receiving international acclaim for their healthy chews, ‘Brunch’, ‘Tropical’ and ‘Pure Paleo’ versions are set to hit the shelves and give your pooch a taste sensation.

In 2018 owners James and Nathan, in tow with their cheeky chocolate cocker spaniel Denzel, developed the UK’s first range of hand-baked chews to be made from 100% natural ingredients and nothing artificial. Their three variants; High Protein, Superfood and Nut Butter dog chews reached global success with international listings spanning over five countries and prestigious listings such as Ocado and Cotswold Fayre. Their premium snacks are available through supermarket chains Spinneys and Waitrose in the UAE and Maxi Zoo in Ireland.

Revolutionising pet snacking with their healthy on the go chews, Denzel’s three wholesome new flavours pack a whole lotta punch. Their brunch recipe features natural ingredients such as Avocado, Honey & Salmon, a meal to make every pet parent jealous! Made using locally sourced honey which works wonders for dogs with sensitive tums.

These delicious chews reflect the boom in popularity of human health snacks such as protein bars, superfoods and natural spreads. Parents are becoming increasingly concerned with high sugar and calorie snacks are now looking to low calorie alternatives for the whole family. Denzel’s offers a low sugar, grain-free snack for dogs which are under 50 cals per chew. Now available in the following flavours...

Pure Paleo - Orange, Almond & Duck

We add linseed, sunflower chips and almonds to make the ultimate paleo chew for your dog. The Paleo diet is based on foods eaten in Palaeolithic times. Consisting of unprocessed, whole foods with no refined sugar, your dog will get a steady release of energy from dawn to dusk.

Tropical - Coconut, Mango & White Fish

We blend mango, coconut and ginger to pack this chew full of vitamins and minerals, providing a perfect snack with a tasty tropical twist. Seaweed is rich in iron, zinc and fatty acids which are is great for your dogs health and wellbeing.

Brunch - Avocado, Honey & Salmon

We use avocado, eggs & salmon to pack this chew with healthy fats which keep your pooch full until dinner. Did you know that honey (especially locally sourced) is a wonder for dogs with sensitive tummies, making it the perfect mid-morning snack.

Denzel’s pack of 3 chews (RRP: £2.50), are available in a number of independent pet and health stores with further exciting launches to be announced.

For further information about becoming a stockist, Nathan (nathan@denzels.co.uk) and James (james@denzels.co.uk) would love to hear from you.

A vet at Wombourne & Gornal Veterinary Centres has been helping raise the public’s awareness of Lungworm, following a recent case that nearly proved fatal for a family’s much loved pet dog, Bear.

BBC’s regional news programme, Midlands Today, interviewed vet Kal Kyuranov MRCVS to help highlight how nasty lungworm is but how simple it is to protect your pets from it.

When Kal examined Bear, it was clear that he was very poorly and his stomach was full of fluid and blood. He needed an emergency operation to drain it. During the emergency operation, Kal realised that Bear had a very serious lungworm infestation.

Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm that can be carried by dogs and foxes. Despite its name, the lungworm parasite resides in the heart and blood vessels of an infected animal where it lays eggs that get carried to the lungs. If a dog becomes infected, it can make them very ill and, quite often, proves to be fatal.

It was touch and go for Bear, but the Wombourne team worked, with his owners, to fight the lungworm and nurse Bear back to health.

Kal said,

“I am very grateful that Bear survived and that I have been able to help raise awareness of Lungworm risks in our area I will continue to promote the prevention of this horrible disease.”

The next Regional Referral CPD event will take place on Wednesday 11 September from 9:30am-4:30pm. The event is titled When to refer – Supporting Clinical Decisions.  It aims to help vets identify conditions that require referral, including routine, complex and urgent cases.

The event is free for all vets in the area so, if you’re a vet living or practising in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex or beyond, this invitation is for you! And did we mention that it’s free?

Guest speakers include specialists and referral vets from Abington Park Referrals, Byre Referrals, Mill House, Taverham and the Specialist Dental Vet.

Their areas of expertise include orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, endoscopy, cardiology, ophthalmology, and dentistry.

The event will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon, where the atmosphere will be relaxed, informal and above all, insightful, informative and fun.

The last Free CPD Referral event was attended by over 90 vets and was received very well. Here’s what some of them had to say about it:

“Great variety and excellent speakers.”

“It’s free and nice to meet clinicians we talk to.”

“Think it is way the best CPD I’ve attended.”

“Good concise sessions with excellent practical points.”

“Good variety of topics relevant to first opinion practice.”

The event is free of charge and includes lunch, and refreshments.

If you’re interested, you can sign up online.

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Bird lovers have criticised Pets at Home after a dead gull was found in netting above one of their stores, according to newspaper reports.

Janine Fleming of Bardsea Bird Sanctuary voiced her concerns after a gull was found dead in the netting above Pets At Home in Barrow-in-Furness.

She told the NW Mail newspaper: "Pets at Home don't care about wildlife. They used to let local wildlife charities go in to raise awareness and much needed funds but no longer allow them. They sell wildlife food though so are very happy to make money from wildlife. Shame on them."

A spokesperson from Pets At Home said: "We’re really sorry that some customers have found it distressing to see deceased gulls on our roof, our colleagues are upset by it too. The netting we use is wildlife friendly but until we can get up there to take a look, we can’t for sure say what’s happened.”

Read the full report here

The Pet Industry Federation has announced the appointment of Gemma Martin as its new Membership Manager.

Gemma comes from a strong customer service background, gained from roles within the leisure industry and brings with her a degree in zoology. Her role will be to engage with PIF’s 2,000 members, developing new and improved membership benefits, and operating its new membership platform which will allow the organisation to increase social and community collaboration with its members.

Gemma said of her appointment: "I am focused on creating positive relationships with PIF’s unique membership base. Our membership covers all sectors and this diversity is undoubtedly our strength, allowing us to create fantastic commercial and networking opportunities between our members and representing their interests at all levels. 

"Our members are the core of our business, at the heart of everything we do; and I am looking forward to meeting and speaking to members; learning about them and their business at events, in meetings, over email or on the telephone."

Gemma’s first event will be on the PIF stand at Premier Groom on 11 August at Stoneleigh Park.

The Buckinghamshire-based business has also appointed a new Accounts Assistant, Paul Guyan, whose role is to support the membership work at PIF on the accounting side and to assist its Chief Finance Officer.

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, said: "I am delighted by the recent appointments to strengthen the PIF team and bolster our membership provision.

"As a result, PIF is delighted to have welcomed companies such as Pawsquad, Purely Fish and Vale Dog Food into membership; as well as Emma Taylor of Fur Friendly, who has also just joined our prestigious Guild of Master Groomers.

"This investment in our membership work is supported by our new Petindex trade show, our education courses and qualifications; and the development of commercial opportunities, which in turn, will feed back into membership. This year continues to be a hive of activity for the Pet Industry Federation."

Details about how PIF membership benefits its members can be found at www.petfederation.co.uk; info@petfederation.co.uk or by telephoning 01234 273933. Gemma can be contacted at gemma.martin@petfederation.co.uk

Ornamental Fish International has announced the formal collaboration to work together in promoting the ornamental fish industry in China.

Following a meeting between OFI President Shane Willis and Qin Quan Yang, President of the Guangdong Aquarium Association (GAA) the 2 organisations have agreed to collaborate on issues of mutual interest to help promote the Chinese industry. T

he meeting took place at the Bai Yi Cheng fish market in Guangzhou which is operated by the GAA and also serves as their office.

The Bai Yi Cheng market will soon replace the Fa de Wah fish market which is set to be re-developed next year. The GAA has over 300 members in Guangdong province including farmers, exporters and retailers.

Their focus is on promoting the industry in this region famous for fish farming and accessory manufacturing, and they are heavily involved with Aquarama and other fish competitions held in the region.

It is hoped that the collaboration can help promote the trade in China and help OFI members to access this lucrative and fast growing market.

Shane Willis said: “China is obviously a major market for our industry that is growing rapidly. We hope this collaboration can help to open the Chinese market for more OFI members and help the Chinese industry grow in a sustainable way.”

Stand design-and-build specialist Henson Franklyn is sponsoring BETA International ‘s exhibitor bags for the fourth year in a row. These brightly branded trade show essentials are handed out to all exhibitors as they arrive.

“Working ‘with’ our clients and not ‘for’ them is our key philosophy,” said the company’s managing director, Tim Henson. “As we approach our 30th year, we understand that the relationship between client and supplier is paramount, and reliability and trustworthiness rise above simple finance. Our knowledge and expertise allow us consistently to deliver in unusual spaces – indoor and outdoor. BETA International is a loyal and long-standing customer, and supporting the trade show – where many of our clients exhibit as well – makes perfect sense.”

BETA International organiser Claire Thomas added: “We are extremely pleased that Tim has agreed to continue the sponsorship for another year and would like to thank him and his team for their support. Putting on the show is a huge undertaking and sponsorship such as this is greatly appreciated.”

Henson Franklyn joins the trade fair’s fellow supporters, official media partner and Innovation Awards sponsor Equestrian Trade News, New Product Gallery sponsor Shires Equestrian, Champagne Bar sponsor NAF, model horse supplier Stubbs England, official clothing supplier Toggi, Coffee Shop sponsor VetSpec and main sponsor Neue Schule.

BETA International 2020 runs from 19 to 21 January at the NEC, Birmingham, and caters for the equestrian, country and pet markets. For further information about exhibiting at the show, please contact Darren Mottershead, email darrenm@beta-int.com or telephone +44 (0)1937 582111.

With temperatures soaring across the UK, the RSPB is asking people to give birds a helping hand in the hot conditions by leaving out a supply of fresh water in their gardens or outdoor space.

Birds need water for two reasons; drinking and bathing. Unlike mammals, birds don’t have sweat glands, but they still lose a lot of water through respiration and in their droppings in the extreme heat. So it’s crucial they have access to fresh water to rehydrate.  

In addition to drinking water, water to bathe in is just as important for birds. Bathing is essential to their daily routine, helping them to keep their feathers in good condition so they remain warm and waterproof.

The sizzling conditions could leave the countryside depleted of its natural water sources, meaning birds will be left desperately searching for alternatives. By leaving out a supply of fresh, clean water, gardens can offer birds with the vital resource they need to survive the arduous conditions.

Charlotte Ambrose, RSPB Wildlife Advisor, said: “While we sit back and relax in the outside with an ice-cold drink, generally revelling in unusually sunny weather, our garden birds might not be having such a good time. The hot weather could be causing natural water sources to dry up, meaning our favourite garden birds like robins, blue tits and blackbirds could be left without anything to drink.

“Turning your outside space into a home for nature by doing simple things like topping up your birdbath, creating a make-shift pond from a washing-up bowl or putting down a saucer filled with water could offer a vital lifeline to some of our much-loved garden birds that are already fighting against declines.”

The RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home website gives everyone access to expert advice about helping nature in their outdoor space – whether it’s a huge garden or a small planting tub on a balcony. To find out more about how you can help birds and other wildlife in your outdoor space, visit www.rspb.org.uk/homes

It’s certainly no mean feat being recognised by one of the UK’s leading ‘healthier eating’ institutions, especially when you cater for the four (not two)-legged consumer.

For as long as it’s been going, The Dog Treat Company has made it its priority to highlight the many unhealthy currently pitfalls facing a vibrant UK pet food scene, poor choices that often emanate from poor health priorities initially made within human food:  convenience over ingredient integrity, a flagrant disregard for salt and/or sugar, a blind eye to pointless, ‘nutritionally vacant’ fillers and an unhealthy indifference to nutritionally well-rounded ingredients.

Devon’s most discerning dog treat provider has long been admired for its pro-active appreciation of beneficial superfoods, meticulously balanced recipes and its gritty commitment to never skimp either in terms of taste or nutritional depth.  As a result the pioneering creation of a clean-deck/ plant-based treat made with human-grade ingredients made perfect sense.

According to The Dog Treat co-founder, Joe Halliwell: "Historical attempts to enter our treats into human-food orientated awards have been met with an unsettling combination of wide eyes and blank expressions, with too many event organisers failing to appreciate the simple reality that people who care about what they put in their bodies are more likely to demand the same exacting standards for their dog’s daily diet.   

"Dogs unlike their owners have little say in what they eat so it’s imperative that pet owners are kept well informed, both in terms of ingredient deck integrity and transparency.  Irrespective of whether we win or lose in September we heartily applaud Nourish for adding pet treats to their healthier living agenda."

The aforementioned Coconut, Chia & Turmeric dog treat represents a positive commitment to those hounds who’ve historically suffered from delicate tummies or meat/protein-based allergies. 

Each wheat/gluten-free treat offers a generous dose of lauric acids (anti-bacterial/anti-viral benefits) and beneficial ‘fatty acids’ which bolster K9 immunity PLUS AID brain/eye development, whilst superfood turmeric is widely admired for its far-reaching, anti-inflammatory properties.

Later this Summer The Dog Treat Co will extend its vegan treat offer (home & export markets) with three more Coconut + propositions being launched at Super Zoo (Las Vegas).

Thedogtreatcompany.co.uk

The owners of an award-winning pet store set to close in a fortnight have told Pet Trade Xtra this week they hope to return to the pet industry in the future. Husband-and-wife team Jamie and Liz Gleave are being forced to shut down Paws and Claws at Frodsham Railway Station, Cheshire, due to problems with their new landlord.

“We will be permanently closing our shop in a fortnight,” said Jamie.  “We had planned to sell the business to ensure it remained part of Frodsham's independent retail offering. However the new landlord did not want to proactively work with us to facilitate the sale after we had secured a willing buyer.”

Paws and Claws was voted UK Retailer of the Year in 2017 at the PetQuip Awards, as Jamie and Liz were rewarded for all their efforts in transforming an ailing business they bought in 2010.

The Arch Company, which claims to be largest provider of properties for small and medium sized business in England and Wales, took over as landlord after buying Network Rail’s portfolio of commercial properties.

“Sadly like many commercial landlords they do not appear to appreciate the challenges that small independent businesses currently face in the retail environment, or the contribution they make towards the vibrancy and diversity of towns,” said Jamie.

“In our case it seems they are content for an established business to just close and leave their property empty, rather than work with them to secure its long term occupancy and future rental income.”

Jamie continued: “We're also facing repair bills and may potentially have to pay a worrying large sum of money for a water leak that was not our fault. The uncertainty over this is likely to continue for at least a month after we close our doors.

“The actions and attitude of our landlord are, quite frankly, unfathomable and the whole experience has made Liz quite unwell in recent weeks.

“We're very sad to be leaving the pet trade but our landlord has put us in an untenable position.  We have looked into whether we could move the business into another property in the town, but nothing suitable is available and if I am honest our preference would be to buy something outright rather than ever rent again.

“In terms of the future, we are looking to relocate to Shropshire in a couple of years once our son has finished school and our house renovations are completed.  It's likely Liz will open another shop once we're settled, but she is also interested in other possible businesses such as dog daycare or kennels. At the moment the options are open, but I expect we will be back at some point.”

The Arch Company have said they have tried to find a solution to the concerns raised by Jamie and Liz.

Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager, said: “It’s sad to see Jamie and Liz having to close their award-winning business under such difficult circumstances. It’s a fantastic and unique pet store that deservedly won the PetQuip Retailer of the Year Award in 2017, and such a shame it will no longer be in operation. I wish Jamie and Liz all the best for the future and hope that one day they return to the pet trade.”

More than 70 of the pet industry’s high achievers have been shortlisted for the 2019 PetQuip Awards and will be waiting in anticipation at the PetQuip dinner at PATS Telford in September to see who has scooped the top prizes this year.

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Now in its seventh year, the awards have attracted an unprecedented level of interest this year with several hundreds of entries from a very diverse range of companies both large and small.   For the first time a number of overseas entries were received for the various product categories, reflecting the growing international importance of the PATS Telford trade show and recognition of the benefits of winning a PetQuip Award.

According to Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager: “Ticket sales for the awards’ dinner  started much earlier than usual, as more and more applicants are requesting to be seated with friends or customers from the industry at this entertaining, networking event.  As part of the evening’s attraction, the casino tables will be there by popular demand again and the appearance of a table magician will be one of the extra fun elements to be introduced this year.

“Competition for the awards in all eight categories promises to be fierce, which will make for a very exciting evening while providing a true reflection of the UK’s vibrant pet industry.”  

The finalists for the 2019 PetQuip Awards are:

Merchandising Expertise

ChickenGuard

Fold Hill Foods

Henry & Co

Lucky & Prince

Natures Menu

Paw Naturel

Exporter of the Year

ChickenGuard

Fish4Dogs

Hero Pet Brands

Little Big Paw

Natures Menu

Nutriment

Paw Naturel

Peak Pet Products

Symply Pet Foods

Marketing Project of the Year

Beaphar

Burgess

Fold Hill Foods

Forthglade

Henry & Co

Henry Wag

Highfields Health

Hownd

Paw Naturel

Wild Wash

Pet Product of the Year (Three categories)

Food/Treats/Health

Dogs

Benyfit Natural

Billy + Margot

Fold Hill Foods

GWF Nutrition

Henry & Co

Innocent Pet Care

JR Pet Products

Lucky & Prince

Natures Menu

Nutriment

Pawfect Foods

Pedigree Wholesale

Pet Munchies

PetCo

Only an Ocean

Rocketo

R&R Products

Symply Pet Foods

Wilsons Pet Food

Cats

Blink Cat Food

Burgess

Little Big Paw

PetCo

Accessories/Technical

All about Pets

Beaphar

Beco Pets

Collarways

Danish Designs

GHS Direct

Henry Wag

Hot Dog Pet Products

Hownd

Peak Pet Products

Pedigree Wholesale

Pets & Pods

Only an Ocean

Sure Petcare

Tigga Towers

Trespaws

Tropiclean

Small Animals:

ChickenGuard

HayPigs

UK Pet Retailer of the Year

Henry & Co Dog Boutique, Arbroath

Cat Tree UK – online retailer

Just for Pets, pet store chain, nationwide

Mutt & Co Pet Boutique, Hartlepool

Redpaw Pet Supplies, Plympton

In addition, awards for International Pet Retailer/Distributor of the Year and Lifetime Achievement will be presented at the PetQuip Awards dinner.

The finalists will now be judged on August 8^th by an independent panel of pet retailers and marketing analysts.

The PetQuip Awards event 2019 takes place in association with PATS Telford in the Ludlow Suite, International Centre,Telford on Sunday 22rd September at 7.30pm.  The PATS Telford New Product Awards will also be presented at the PetQuip Awards dinner.  The event promises a fun evening of networking with customers and peers in the pet trade.  Included in the entertainment are a pre-dinner drinks reception and a three course meal with wine plus networking, plus a table magician during the evening and the popular casino tables following the awards presentations.  Tickets cost £75 plus VAT to PetQuip member companies (or £85 plus VAT to those who haven’t yet joined the association).  Tables can be reserved (cost on application).

Booking forms can be downloaded from www.petquip.com or simply call 01959 565995 to make an immediate booking by credit card.

The awards are produced in association with PATS and supported by APPA/Global Pet Expo, Canagan, Hownd, Natures Menu, PBW News, Pet Trade TV and James & Steel.

PATS, the UK’s number one pet industry exhibition, is pleased that once again the PetQuip Awards will be presented at a gala dinner and party on the first evening of PATS Telford (Sunday, September 22) and are happy to be major sponsors of the event.

The PetQuip Awards, now in their seventh year, have consistently delivered a professional, enjoyable and successful networking evening event for the whole industry where suppliers and retailers can mix, have fun and celebrate the industry’s many successes.

“Over the past few years we have worked closely with PetQuip to deliver a strong international presence at our shows,” said organiser Gordon Thomas, “and have been working even harder this year to make sure PATS Telford and the PetQuip Awards are the BEST in the business.

“We are extremely pleased that the Awards will again be taking place after the first day of PATS Telford and proud to back such a prestigious event.

“There are some exciting new categories in the PetQuip Awards, which can only add more prestige to this fabulous event.”

The PATS Telford New Product Awards, sponsored by pbwnews, will also be presented during the PetQuip gala awards dinner

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of PetQuip, said: “We applaud the PATS organisers for putting on a professional, successful exhibition at Telford. So it’s great for the PetQuip team to work together with the PATS team to support this vibrant industry.”

And Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s Trade Association Manager added: “The PetQuip Awards have grown to such a degree that companies can’t wait to enter – each year we receive calls before officially launching the Awards at PATS Sandown.

“It’s an event where retailers from both the UK and internationally, groomers and suppliers all come together to network, see the latest innovative pet products, and celebrate the innovations on the first evening of the show at the PetQuip Awards dinner and party. We appreciate the huge support that PATS gives us.”

PetQuip has introduced two additional categories to the Awards for 2019.  A category for small animals has been added to the Products section and there is also a new Merchandising category, which is open to suppliers, retailers or collaborations between suppliers and retailers.

Entries for the PetQuip Awards 2019 have been pouring in so the pet industry can expect another hotly contested awards evening. The finalists will be announced next week and judging will take place on 8^th August.

With PATS Telford set to be another ‘sell out’ event – more than 200 international and UK companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting – and the PetQuip Awards bigger than ever before, the UK’s national pet industry exhibition is THE place to be this Autumn. Put 22^nd-23^rd September in your diary now.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news. The website also contains a PetQuip Awards ticket form.

Recruitment expert Lynda Ward advises people working in the pet industry to take their time when deciding on a career move.

Lynda, founder of the award-winning recruitment specialists Pet Trade Solutions, says: “When it comes to career advice, I always advise people to take a long hard look at their current situation and prospects before making a move…as it can sometimes be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.

"I receive many calls from people asking advice on whether or not they should accept a job offer, or seek a new role and perhaps surprisingly this can sometimes result in advising them to remain where they are when I feel it is in their best interests.

"A confidential chat can potentially reveal things which could easily be resolved if the person spoke to their existing employer and suggested ways to make changes … without them taking the drastic action of leaving an otherwise satisfactory position.

She goes on: “My business is to find and fit the best people to the best role with the best company to the benefit of both employee and employer and my recommendation to everyone is always, look before you leap."

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

Pets at Home has taken a stake in the dog-walking and pet-sitting service Tailster.com, aiming to grab a slice of a market estimated to be worth £1bn.

Tailster uses a network of 26,000 self-employed pet carers across the UK, which it connects with customers via an app that offers GPS tracking of dog walks, real time photos and free insurance.

The UK’s biggest pets retailer will offer Tailster’s services to its 4.4 million loyalty scheme members.

Peter Pritchard, Pets at Home CEO, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce this exciting new partnership with Tailster. It is a win-win deal, good for both businesses but especially good for owners searching for someone they can trust to look after their much-loved pet.

“This announcement also represents an important step towards delivering our ambition to generate 50% of our revenue from services, a strategy that is serving us and our customers well. I’m sure our 4.4 million active VIP members will love this easy access to convenient walking and boarding services.”

Indy Sangha, Tailster CEO, added: “We are incredibly excited to be able to work with the team at Pets at Home. We’ve spent the past few years consolidating a previously fragmented market worth over £1bn per year, and we’re delighted to be able to now offer this to Pets at Home customers.

“Not only do the team at Pets at Home share our vision about how we can bring our services to UK pet owners and drive the growth of our business, but they also share many of our values of putting pets first, and the customer at the heart of what we do. This was really important to the Tailster team and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to partner with a business that is a great fit for us, what we do and our ambitions for the future.”