A total of 1,837 visitors attended this year’s PATS Sandown, representing an increase of 2.5% on the number (1,794) who attended the exhibition in 2022. Retailers and buyers turned out in force to discover hundreds of new products being launched at the show.

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

The New Product Showcase was a busy area throughout the event, and retailers admitted they were spoiled for choice as they decided on which items to stock in their stores for the year ahead.

Exhibitors agreed the quality of visitors to their stands was exceptional this year and felt there was a great degree of confidence being shown within the UK pet industry.

New business COYA Pet used PATS Sandown to launch its freeze-dried raw pet food and treats, and founder Peter Roy said he was very pleased with the response from visitors. “The level of interest in our products has been extremely high, and it has come from the people that matter – the decision makers. The show gave us an ideal opportunity for face-to-face chats, and explain the benefits of our food and treats.”

The high quality of visitors came from independent pet retailers, major pet chains, garden centres, groomers, kennels, vet practices and farm shops.

“PATS Sandown has proved to be a huge success in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors attending this year’s show plus so many new products being showcased. We were also pleased with the high quality of visitors,” said event director Gordon Thomas. “The reaction to the exhibition is a clear sign that the UK pet market is buoyant and active with so many companies, both established and new, launching hundreds of new products.”

Gordon’s comments were backed up by visitor Lynda Ward, owner of recruitment specialists Pet Trade Solutions, who said: “With 40 first-time exhibitors and so many new and exciting products on display, the whole event felt fresh and positive.”

PATS is now looking forward to its September showpiece at Telford International Centre, Shropshire, and already many companies have booked their stands. All the latest news and the exhibitor list can be found on a new-look website www.patshow.co.uk

Date for the diary

PATS Telford takes place on 1-2 October 2023

Pedigree Wholesale has invested £1.1m in a new fleet of delivery trucks in order to refresh its current assortment of vehicles with the overall aim of providing better service to customers.

Depending on availability, the company plans on replacing the entire fleet of vehicles over the next three to four years, working to continuously improve its process and strategy in operations. This continued investment plan is part of a commitment to becoming the ‘wholesaler of choice for customers and partners’.

Gerard O’Mahony, Pedigree Wholesale’s managing director, said: “Our customers are at the heart of our business, and finding ways to improve and serve them better is key. This year, our main priority is ‘raising the bar’ across the business, and updating our fleet of delivery trucks helps us do just this from an operational perspective.”

Pedigree Wholesale is one of the leading distributors of pet and aquatic products into the UK independent retail sector. Since being founded over 50 years ago, the family business has grown and developed into one of the key players within the pet industry, offering a vast range of products and servicing pet, aquatic and garden centre retailers across the UK.

COYA Pet, a new company that launched its range of freeze-dried raw pet food and treats at PATS Sandown, has signed an ‘exciting’ agreement with Pedigree Wholesale.

The deal means that Pedigree Wholesale will be COYA Pet’s exclusive wholesale partner.

COYA Pet founder Peter Roy: “This is very exciting agreement for us. To partner with such an established and respected company as Pedigree Wholesale is a big boost for the business.”

Peter shook hands on the deal with Pedigree’s head of buying Melanie Malin and head of customer Chris Kirton at PATS Sandown.

Melanie said: “COYA Pet is an exciting new business and its free-dried products are truly innovative. We’re very pleased to be their exclusive wholesale partner.”

Woodgreen, home of Channel Four’s hit series ‘The Dog House', is to benefit from a donation worth £5,000 thanks to the success of FibreCycle. 

The eco-friendly firm, which produces Breeder Celect cat litter from upcycled newspaper, recently showcased its products at the UK’s national pet industry exhibition PATS Sandown. 

FibreCycle’s unique stand, created entirely from paper, including all the furniture and flowers, also demonstrated its eco credentials and attracted more than 200 visitors.  They were invited to take part in a game to win prizes which included trees planted in their name and a donation of litter to their charity partner, Woodgreen.

In addition, the company pledged that the cash saved by the paper stand, which would otherwise have been spent on building, transporting and storing a conventional display, would be donated as free litter to the animal shelter. 

Everything on the stand was upcycled as paper litter and bedding and, as a result of the trade show, six pallets of goods worth £5,000 are going to Woodgreen in Cambridgeshire. 

Matt Brand, FibreCycle’s UK National Business Manager, Pet Speciality & Independents, says: “What we really wanted to do with the paper stand was to capture people’s imagination and show, in a unique way, the good we are doing by taking this potential waste out of circulation and returning it in a more eco-friendly way. 

“We also wanted to give people the chance to do something for the planet and help others. So, we’re delighted to be able to hand over this large quantity of litter and pleased to say that 1,325 trees are also being planted in Fibre Cycle's Ecologi forest as a result of the success of the stand and people’s interest in our product.” 

FibreCycle, producers of the UK’s Number One paper cat litter, pride themselves on giving life to a material that was otherwise going to waste and in making a probiotic, compostable and biodegradable product.  Their litter eats odour from the tray, keeping homes clean and smell-free. 

The company, which operates from Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, featured in the New Product Showcase at PATS Sandown with its products Breeder Celect PLUS Probiotic 10L and Breeder Celect PLUS Kitten 10L.

Pets Choice has announced the purchase of various brands and trademarks for the UK and EU from the Martin Family, including Bob Martin, Felight, Kitzyme, and Vetzyme.

Tony Raeburn, Pets Choice CEO (pictured above), said: “In Late November 2019 we purchased the Bob Martin Healthcare and Cat Litter factories after Bob Martin (UK) Ltd entered into administration and at the time agreed a license with the Martin family to sell their brands. 

“In the last three years, we have considerably grown the Bob Martin & Felight brands and now the purchase of the ownership of these helps secure their long-term future and allows Pets Choice to invest further.’’

The Martin family commented: "We have worked closely with Tony Raeburn over the past few years and are delighted that Pets Choice have purchased various brands that we own for the UK and EU. We will continue to market the Bob Martin brand outside these areas and work with Pets Choice on various supply agreements.’’

Rabbits will not be on sale at UK pet retailer Jollyes from today (Thursday) until Tuesday (11 April), removing the temptation of an impulsive purchase over Easter.

Preventing the risk of unwanted bunnies being abandoned after Easter, the bunny ban applies to all Jollyes’ 87 stores across the UK.

Phil Turner-Naylor from Jollyes said: “Rabbits are intelligent animals and lots of fun, but they can live for up to 15 years - and that’s a huge commitment.

“We’re called the Pet People because we’re passionate about animals and believe that lifelong responsibility should be considered, researched, and prepared for.”

While rabbits won’t be available for sale during the Easter period, customers can still hop to Jollyes as it will be offering plenty of pet-friendly Easter treats and toys.

Of course, as all responsible dog owners know, it will also be reminding pooch parents of the dangers of theobromine in regular chocolate, which is toxic for dogs.

Jollyes offers dog-friendly alternative easter eggs from just £2.00 including an Easter Choc Egg, and a yummy alternative for cats for just £2.99.

For more information, visit https://www.jollyes.co.uk/

The Pet Industry Federation has announced an impressive line-up of confirmed companies that will be involved in its Business of Pets conference. 

The Business of Pets is a new event designed to help pet businesses take that vital step to the next level. It will take place over two days on Wednesday 7 June and Thursday 8 June at the purpose-built Cranfield Management Development Centre near Milton Keynes and will have a full itinerary of inspirational and insightful speakers. An Evening Social BBQ will take place after the first day to allow for relaxed networking.

Companies confirmed to take part in the conference include Kantar, Serjeants, Innovate UK Edge, Natwest Accelerator, British Business Bank, SFC Capital, Piper, Cliverton, Sprintlaw and Watersheds. Delegates in attendance will gain advice and guidance from professionals who are experts in their area to help them ensure their best chance of success when growing. Attendees will also hear from pet businesses who have successfully taken the leap to the next step and who will be sharing their experiences.

A key element of this new conference is the Innovation of the Year Award, which will see the ten finalists presenting their innovation at the event, giving them unprecedented access to potential investors. The winner will be chosen on the final day of the event.

Nigel Baker, CEO of PIF, commented: “We are delighted with the calibre of companies we have secured for our inaugural Business of Pets conference. The event has been created for pet businesses who want to take their business to the next level but don’t have either the time, finance or support structure to enable them to do so. These two days of learning and networking will prove invaluable for the business owners, directors and decision makers who attend.”

Tickets to The Business of Pets conference are currently on sale and are strictly limited to ensure that delegates can make the most of their attendance. To purchase tickets, and for more information, please visit www.petfederation.co.uk

credit © Bernard Rose Photography

Maria Whalley and her husband Jim (pictured above) marked 10 years of running a pet store with a special day of events last weekend. The store has been trading for over 100 years.

To keep a 10-theme running throughout the anniversary day Neston Pet Supplies & Dog Grooming on the Wirral, Cheshire, Maria and Jim held a raffle with 10 prizes with all the proceeds going to local charities.

There was also a cake sale to raise even more funds for the charities.

Maria and Jim with their team of groomers and pet shop staff. credit © Bernard Rose Photography

Multi-award-winning small animal brand HayPigs! caused an April Fools’ stir on social media with news of the launch of a revolutionary new enrichment toy for cavies. 

The company announced it was switching attention from the guinea pig to its big cousin, the capybara! 

The capybara is world’s largest rodent and can reach sizes of 134cm long and 62cm tall, weighing in at an impressive 66kg. 

Chief Designer and co-founder Rik Cridland explains: “We’ve always fancied scaling things up a bit and when the opportunity arose to “think big”, we jumped at the chance! We thought it would be fun to scale up our top selling Cavy Cannonball™ for larger cavies – we didn’t want them missing out!”

The Capy Cannonball, featuring a 6ft long carbon fibre tilting tube, encourages inquisitive capybaras to climb inside the tube and slide out the other end. It can be positioned at the side of a pool or pond and used as a launch platform for swimming.

Rik continues: “Obviously, the frame is no longer plastic (like our original design), this just wasn’t practical given a capybara’s size and weight, so we had a steel frame fabricated instead. From what we’ve seen so far, the capybaras absolutely love the new play tunnel and use it every day! Enrichment is so important for small furries and indeed, bigger ones. Capybaras are intelligent and sociable creatures and are very playful by nature, so we had a feeling it would be a hit!”

The HayPigs! Capy Cannonball retails at £2,999.99 and will be available from June 2023. 

For more information, head over to haypigs.com. Interested stockists can contact HayPigs! via sales@haypigs.com

The social media post did come a disclaimer, revealing it was in fact a hoax.

At Petpals, the nation’s longest-running multi-service pet care franchise, its network of franchisees prides itself on supporting the areas it serves, and this does not stop at providing quality pet services to its community of furry friends. 

A growing number of franchisees are placing importance on supporting their communities through charitable initiatives that raise money and awareness for the causes they and their communities care about most.

Most recently, Maxine Neal (left) at Petpals Cardiff, Robbie Brown at Petpals Christchurch and Franchise Support Manager Tracey Dawber have all gone above and beyond through various fundraising activities that support those in the community, including the four-legged kind.

“I’m always looking for ways to get involved in charitable activities and bring awareness to causes that show that we’re not just dog walkers, we’re people that care about people too,” says Maxine. “I’ve taken part in fitness challenges such as skipping, walking and planking and even completed a 5k dog run with one of my client’s four-legged friends, Fudge! 

"I recently raised money for Cancer Research, a cause close to Petpals Cardiff's heart, as one of our clients is currently undergoing treatment. I've also supported animal charities such as Blue Cross and Dog’s Trust. As a franchisee, I take pride in not only running a successful business but also in supporting charitable initiatives that benefit those around us.”

Robbie Brown firmly believes in using his business's success for good after only launching in December and already seeing fantastic results.

"As a Petpals business owner, I see first-hand the impact that my business has on the local community,” says Robbie. “That's why it's important for me to not only provide excellent service to our customers but also give back through other means. I recently donated to FurBuddies Animal Rehoming Centre, a fantastic charity that works to rehome dogs in my local area. 

“Like myself, FurBuddies is passionate about animals and clearly love the dogs they look after. Every dog deserves a loving home and proper care, and I feel that it's my duty as an animal lover and Petpals franchisee to support organisations that work tirelessly to make that a reality. For me, it isn’t just about writing a cheque, it's about making a difference in animals’ lives and showing my community I care."

It is not only franchisees going the extra mile. Members of head office are also making a concerted effort to raise money and awareness for causes close to their heart. Franchise Support Manager Tracey is currently training for this year’s London Marathon to raise money for Dog’s Trust.

"Preparing for the London Marathon has been both a physical and mental challenge, but it's all worth it when I think about the impact I can make on my community through raising money and awareness for charity,” says Tracey. "I am proud to be a part of a franchise that cares deeply about the welfare of pets and the wider community as a whole, and I hope my participation in this year’s marathon raises important funds for such a worthwhile charity and inspires more charitable activities within our network.”

As a community-focused franchise, for Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, it is important that the network dedicates time to giving back to the communities it serves.

“While much work is needed to become a successful franchisee, the importance of spending time to give back to your local community shouldn’t be overlooked,” explains Kevin. “Whether you donate an hour of your time or 15 hours, when you give back, you gain a deeper connection and a stronger relationship with your customers.

“At Petpals, we recruit our franchisees because they exhibit a real passion for helping their community. Owning a franchise comes with a certain amount of responsibility to the community you serve, whether that’s on your own doorstep or a particular cross-section of an industry or sector. Our franchisees do a fantastic job of supporting their local communities, and they really do practise what they preach.”

To support Tracey’s run in this year’s London Marathon in aid of Dog’s Trust, visit https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/tracey-dawber

For more information on franchise investment opportunities with Petpals, visit

www.petpals.com/purchase-a-new-franchise/

The tailored, healthy dog food company, Pure Pet Food, has added two new tasty recipes to their range that aim to help dogs with renal issues and kidney disease.

Hundreds of thousands of dogs suffer from kidney disease and renal issues across the UK; these recipes are formulated by an in-house nutritionist and are designed to give these dogs a meal to look forward to.

Mathew Cockroft, co-founder of Pure, commented: “We wanted to provide a range of great tasting, natural recipes that provide all of the essential nutrients to keep kidney disease at bay. To do this was no easy feat, as these recipes require a much more stringent level of nutritional testing. It's a testament to our technical team that we can provide a best in class range that’s loved by vets."

Dr Andrew Miller MRCVS added: "Renal diets, like this Pure offering, aim to keep low protein, low sodium and low phosphorus levels appropriate for dogs with kidney disease."

Pure was started by co-founders Dan Eha and Mat Cockroft back in 2012. The pair started with a small personal overdraft and relied on positive word of mouth to grow. Getting their big break in 2014 when they turned down the dragons on Dragons’ Den. 

The business now employs over 50 people and has supplied over 17 million meals to dogs in the UK from its 14,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in West Yorkshire, with thousands of positive customer reviews to boot.

Dan Eha, co-founder of Pure, said: "At Pure we put the health and happiness of dogs at the heart of everything we do, and our new renal range really builds on this, allowing us to help even more of the 13 million dogs that currently live in the UK.”

To try the renal range simply go to the Pure Pet Food website and fill out Pure’s online questionnaire where they will ask for your dog’s ailments, level of fussiness and more to create the perfect plan to suit their needs.

To find out more go to - https://www.purepetfood.com/renal-dog-food

Zoomark International continues to be a popular show for British suppliers of a wide range of pet products. The UK PetQuip trade association will be organising the British Pavilion at this exhibition for the ninth time in Bologna, Italy, on 15-17 May 2023.

New product innovations will be displayed across most areas of the pet sector.  Pet foods and treats take high priority in the list of exhibits with new veterinary formulated varieties, tinned, freeze dried and wet foods including a new wholesome turkey range for sensitive and fussy dogs, natural dog foods perfectly balanced with fruit and veg, insect protein dog treats, and grain-free food for holistic vitality.  

Innovative products include a new tear stain remover for removing dirt around the eyes and an ergonomically designed new ball catcher.  

Included in other pet product sectors are the latest toys, micro-chipping devices, bedding, travel products, de-stress calming sprays and gentle ear wipes, shampoos, balms and other cat and dog hygiene products plus the latest aquarium products.

For the benefit of visiting buyers, PetQuip is also organising and manning a British pet product industry information stand (Hall 26, Stand B35) and will be on hand to answer queries on importing UK products, cross border issues and specific product solutions offered by innovative UK suppliers. 

For details of PetQuip membership:

Please email info@petquip.com or visit www.petquip.com

The US exhibition SuperZoo on 16-18 August 2023 in Las Vegas is the largest North American trade show for the pet care sector and draws international buyers of pet supplies from the USA, Canada and around the world.  

It attracts the key industry players and all who visit are ‘10,000 of the most qualified pet industry retailers, buyers and decision-makers’ – from retailers, the large pet shop chains and pet superstores, supermarkets and mass merchandisers, speciality buyers and e-tailers and key distributors and wholesalers.  

During the pandemic SuperZoo organisers utilised the time to vet and re-qualify all past attendees resulting in the most up-to-date qualified attendees for 2022 and future editions.

SuperZoo 2022 welcomed more than 16,000 pet professionals, representing over 25 countries and all 50 States, to engage in new product introductions, expert-led education sessions and peer-to-peer networking events. The 331,500 square foot show floor featured more than 1,000 exhibitors from every pet product category and 900+ products made their debut in SuperZoo’s sold-out New Product Showcase.  

SuperZoo continues to be the industry’s go-to trade show for the pet retail community, making it THE event to showcase your products to the US $123.6 billion industry! According to the 2021/2022 National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of US households own a pet; equating to just under 90.5 million homes with pets.

Every UK exhibitor will be supported with a schedule of press releases before, during and after the show, to publicise the goods and services of the British group participants. The PetQuip team will be sending out a preview to named buyers in advance of the show to generate advance publicity for the group, plus providing other marketing tools to promote your presence.

Every exhibitor will also benefit from help with freight, travel & accommodation and other logistics from PetQuip’s dedicated event organisers; plus advice and information about how to prepare for and how to maximise your presence at the show. 

During the exhibition, the PetQuip team will be on hand on the association’s industry information stand, promoting the group and directing visiting buyers to your stands. 

PetQuip’s British-branded and themed exhibitor pavilion area will be located by the New Product Showcase area of the show floor. The comprehensive stand package for each 10’ x 10’ booth will include:

• Booth carpeting
• 8ft stretch custom printed graphic panel back wall (partial low walls of 3ft high drape between booths for a more open feel)
• One 90cm wide x 90cm high podium with stretch custom printed logo and Britain branding covering and one stool
• Daily booth cleaning
• Company identification sign
• The PetQuip team will assist with ordering any additional items you might require

To find out more about this exciting new opportunity to showcase your products in the US and to book your booth at SuperZoo 2023, contact Emma Brazier on 01959 565 995 or email emma@petquip.com.

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The proprietor of a pet store in Edinburgh has announced with a ‘heavy heart’ he is closing his business later this month.

Darren Donaldson has run the House of Hound for nine years but will close the doors for the final time on April 15.

In a post on social media, Darren said: “I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to every one of you that has visited the store over the past nine years, and made it what it was. I had wanted a shop of my own from a very young age, and I was able to do it through your support and kindness. 

“I want to thank the team that held my hand and laughed and cried with me, through thick and thin, marriages, births, Christmas parties and some great times, and through the sudden loss of my lovely mum and grandmother in 2019, the loss of my beautiful Louis and Stella, through two years of Covid and the last year of roadworks. I love you all. Bryony, Hannah, Kat, Angel, Elena, Ollie, Niamh, and Rachel. You're crying, I'm crying, we are all crying! I cannot thank you enough. 

“Of course, because the dogs mean so much to us,  we couldn't leave them hanging. We have been working steadily to ensure there is a succession plan and your dogs will still have a doggy emporium to visit on Roseburn Terrace.  The lovely team @ Bonefide & Hordeum Botanical Studio/Disposition coffee are working hard to take on the lease and keep the doggy dream alive! 

“Finally, and importantly, I am starting a new chapter in April. I have a shop full and everything must go, so get down here and get shopping.  Please give us your support through the last few weeks and help House of Hound end with the same bang as when we opened. It's been a blast!”

Picture courtesy of House of Hound’s Facebook page.

The Kennel Club has been granted a Royal Prefix to mark the 150th anniversary of its existence. Henceforth, the organisation is named The Royal Kennel Club.  

Chairman of The Kennel Club, Tony Allcock OBE, said: “We are honoured that as of the 4 April 2023, the date the club celebrates its 150thanniversary, The Kennel Club will be known as The Royal Kennel Club.

“The world has changed significantly over the last 150 years – as has The Kennel Club – and we remain committed to protecting and promoting the health and welfare of all dogs. I am very proud to be part of an organisation that is making a positive difference for dogs and their owners.”

The Kennel Club was established in 1873 and since its inception has held royal patronage. The club began for the purpose of bringing order and regulations to dog shows and field trials which were taking place at the time. Since then, the club has evolved into a multi-faceted organisation encompassing the UK pedigree and working dog registry, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, Crufts dog show, the Young Kennel Club, the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme and the members’ club itself, which has over 1500 members.

The Kennel Club is the only UK organisation of its kind and underlying all of the above functions is a strong ethos to safeguard and promote canine health and welfare. This work applies equally to all dogs, whether they are in the show ring, working in the field, taking part in activities such as agility and obedience, or pets and companions.

The organising team at PATS presented a special bottle of champagne to Pat Flynn, who is retiring from her role as Trade Association Manager of PetQuip at the end of May.

Event director Gordon Thomas said: “We have worked closely with Pat over the years, and we wanted to mark her final PATS show at Sandown with a special gift. And to say ‘thank you’ for her support, of course.

“In her role with PetQuip, Pat has helped immensely in encouraging international buyers to attend our two shows at Sandown and Telford. She has also organised the prestigious PetQuip industry awards to coincide with PATS Telford. We wish her well in her well-deserved retirement.”

Pat said: “This kind gesture was deeply appreciated. I have loved working with the PATS team and it was always so easy to do so.”

Mars, Incorporated, and Heska Corporation announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Mars will acquire Heska, a global provider of advanced veterinary diagnostic and specialty products for $120.00 per share. 

The agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Upon transaction close, Heska will join Mars Petcare, a purpose-driven global business serving pets and pet owners through products and services within veterinary health and diagnostics, nutrition, innovation, and technology. 

This acquisition will enable the Science & Diagnostics division of Mars Petcare to expand its diagnostic offerings and broadly promote point-of-care veterinary diagnostics to the global pet healthcare community. 

Nefertiti Greene, President, Mars Petcare, Science & Diagnostics, said: “We look forward to welcoming Heska to Science & Diagnostics as we share the belief that diagnostic innovation is a critical enabler to providing transformative veterinary care.” Greene added: “This transaction will bring together highly complementary businesses with a strong strategic and cultural fit that furthers our purpose to create A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™. This comprehensive diagnostic offering will mean broader coverage across diagnostic products, services, and technology, and will accelerate R&D for novel solutions.” 

Kevin Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & President, Heska, commented: “Today’s announcement is a great testament to the quality of our Heska family - we are small, but our people and their creativity, execution, expertise, and value-creation have made us exceptional. We are thrilled to join Mars Petcare on its quest to build A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™. Working together, Heska’s innovations will more quickly reach more veterinarians to help more pet families live better, healthier, longer lives. That’s been our mission for over a decade and today is an incredible milestone towards realizing it.” 

Science & Diagnostics includes Antech Diagnostics (“Antech”), a global veterinary diagnostics business. Antech has brought innovative technologies and solutions backed by scientific rigor and data-driven insights to veterinary professionals for more than 35 years. Antech’s range of businesses includes reference laboratories, veterinary imaging and education and telemedicine with board-certified specialist support services through Antech Imaging Services (AIS). 

Founded in 1988, Heska sells, manufactures, markets, and supports diagnostic and specialty solutions for veterinary practitioners. Since its inception, Heska has been committed to bettering the lives of its veterinarian customers, their pet patients, and pet owners around the world through its point-of-care diagnostics and informatics platform. With a focus on investing in technology, research and development, and strategic partnerships with world-class leaders in diagnostics and treatments, Heska seeks to provide the benefits of breakthrough innovations to pet healthcare providers across North America and internationally, including Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Australia, and Malaysia. 

The transaction includes customary closing conditions, including Heska shareholders’ and regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to close in the second half of 2023.

New research has uncovered that eight in 10 people (81%) agree that the expense of owning a pet has increased over the past 12 months. In fact, a quarter (28%) say that costs have increased significantly.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen, three in five (63%) Brits admit that they will need to go without to ensure that they are able to care for their four-legged friends.

Agria Pet Insurance commissioned research to examine the effect the cost-of-living crisis is having on the ability to afford a pet insurance policy that is fit-for-purpose and will pay for any unexpected or long-term vet bills.

Over half (53%) of pet owners admit that rising costs have made them reconsider protecting their pet with insurance in a bid to reduce their outgoings. In fact, one in ten (13%) confess that they do not have a pet insurance policy due to the rise in the cost-of-living.

Vicki Wentworth, Managing Director at Agria Pet Insurance, says: “What is incredibly worrying about the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on pet owners - and the resulting repercussions on pet insurance choices - is what happens when an unexpected illness or condition arises. The sad fact is that our animal rescue partners are reporting an increase in pets being handed over to them, simply because their owner cannot afford their vet bills.

“Willow, a 10-year-old retriever, protected by us since she was a puppy, is a typical example of this. She developed epilepsy out of the blue when she was just 2-years-old, and since then, her owner has claimed over £13,000 for treatment that enables her to live a full and happy life. Every day we see owners faced with unexpected one-off bills for hundreds of pounds – amounts of money that most people just can’t find at a moment’s notice.”

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average pet insurance claim increased by £31 to £848 in 2021, yet the new data from Agria reveals that the rising cost-of-living has encouraged three in five (61%) pet owners to ‘shop around’ when their pet insurance is due for renewal - with almost half (44%) admitting they are unaware of the benefits of lifetime cover.

Ian Atkin, Manager at Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, one of Agria’s many rescue partners, comments: “We often see animals, particularly dogs, come in to us in their senior years because they haven't had the veterinary care they’ve needed during their lives. Like people, conditions often worsen with age so something left untreated due to lack of insurance when they were younger can often become a bigger issue in old age. It’s devastating for an owner to discover that they can no longer afford to give their dog the care they need, leaving them with the only choice to take them to a rescue like ours.”

Vicki, continues: “Unlike other types of insurance, unless your pet has never been ill, we would not recommend ‘shopping around’. Switching to a new policy or provider will often result in your pet no longer being covered by insurance for anything that happened prior to the new policy starting – so always be very mindful of that when considering your options.

“Our pets really are like members of the family, that’s why Agria is built on truly safeguarding the bond we share with our four-legged friends throughout their lifetimes. We’re committed to helping pet owners through tough times with the certainty that we’ll be there for them and their pet when they need us most.”

To learn more about lifetime pet insurance from Agria, visit: www.agriapet.co.uk.

As Easter approaches PDSA, the UK’s largest vet charity, issues chocolate warning for all pet owners, after a one-year-old Crossbreed dog ate a whopping 1kg of mini eggs.

At the beginning of March Labrador cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Charlie, was discovered by her shocked owners with a chewed empty packet, which originally contained mini eggs. Charlie had managed to jump the stair gate and get her paws on the chocolate.

Once her family found her with the empty packet and appearing very subdued, they knew something was seriously wrong and immediately called PDSA.

Before they made it to Bournemouth PDSA Pet Hospital, Charlie had vomited five times at home, and continued to be sick during the short car journey, leaving her owners incredibly worried about her.

PDSA Vet, Clare Sparks, said: “We were suspicious that there could be even more chocolate left in Charlie’s stomach, so we gave her an injection to make her sick to empty her stomach completely, and she brought up lots more chocolate vomit.

“Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is perfectly safe for humans, but toxic for dogs, cats and rabbits.

“The seriousness of chocolate poisoning depends on how much chocolate your pet has eaten, how big they are, and the cocoa content of the chocolate – the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is for your pet.”

Thankfully for Charlie, it wasn’t long after the injection that she started to perk up again & she was able to head home to fully recover.

Clare adds: “Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within two to four hours but can take up to 12 hours. In severe cases, toxicity can cause:

• Fast breathing or panting
• Shaking, trembling and tremors
• High temperature (fever)
• Seizures
• A fast heart rate
• High blood pressure

“The most severe cases of chocolate poisoning in pets can lead to heart failure, coma and even death. Although this is rare this is why it’s really important to keep chocolate safely away from prying paws. Especially during festivities like Easter when there’s likely more chocolate than usual in the house - with over 80 million Easter eggs sold in the UK each year.

“At our Pet Hospitals, Apomorphine, a treatment used for chocolate and raisin toxicity sees an average increase in use of 23% around Easter. It can cost as much as £300.40 to treat a dog for chocolate poisoning. On average it costs £40.00 to treat a small size dog, such as a miniature dachshund, and £200 for a medium sized dog for chocolate poisoning.”

If you are concerned your pet may be suffering from chocolate poisoning, keep the packaging and call your vet immediately.

Ditching the daily walks improves the bond between pets and owners and helps owners feel more confident of a happy life together. 

The research was carried out by dog trainer Niki French to mark Don’t Walk Your Dog Day which took place on April 2nd. 

Niki found 69% of people who reduced or stopped walking their dog noticed positive changes in their dog and 71% of people that are walking their dog less report their quality of life has improved. 

A third said their dog is noticeably more relaxed in day-to-day life, one in five said they were calmer when they did go for walks and 16 per cent noted an improvement in behaviour. 

Niki said: "I started Don't Walk Your Dog Day because I wanted to start conversations about dogs that really struggle on traditional walks. 

"And to raise awareness that walking a dog isn’t the only way to give them the stimulation and enrichment that they need. 

"There is a lot you can do that doesn't involve dragging them to a park or around the block and causing them stress.” 

Reasons for cutting back on walks include reactivity (85%), a medical condition, surgery or injury (10%) and other people's dogs being out of control (3%). The remaining 2% of dogs suffered from noise sensitivity. 

People are most likely to replace walks with training and brain games at home, enrichment activities such as using lick mats, snuffle mats, food puzzles, hide and seek games and swimming in rivers or the sea. 

When asked how people feel about walking their dog less 76%, felt generally less stressed or anxious. 53% felt relief. 44% felt guilty and 23% felt they needed to justify themselves to friends and family. 

Niki added: “The message is that you don't have to walk your dog every day if you dog doesn’t enjoy it. And by turning your back on the advice that we've had drummed into us for decades, it can have real benefits for you and your pet.”

Lily and Cassy in their new shop, taken by Scott Merrylees.

A couple of animal lovers and friends opened the doors to their new pet shop last weekend and already it has proved to be a big hit with customers. 

Lily-Rose Barnes and Cassy Hill launched Feathers & Tails in Wakefield and have been more than pleased with the response so far.

Lily said: “Both Cassy and myself have had a passion for reptiles and birds. We keep a variety at home, including snakes, tarantulas and birds.

“We have both worked with animals for a combined 15-plus years in both the veterinary industry and pet trade, and pride ourselves on staying up-to-date on scientific research, the community and reports produced. 

“We want to set a new standard for selling reptiles and birds to make sure that the correct information, advice and husbandry is given to ensure the best quality of life for any animal, no matter its size or species. 

“We are community oriented and have plans to support other local businesses in our shop. We are for the animals first and foremost, they will always be our first priority but we strive to create a friendly atmosphere, and will offer advice without judgement. 

“We are also catering for general pets, especially dogs and cats, and we hold a large stock and reptiles and birds as well.”

Lily added that it was so great to see so many people supporting their small business on the official opening day.

Danish Design Pet Products Ltd has become part of Petcare Group, based in Sweden, as founding directors Stuart and Susanne Newsome plan to retire from the business. 

The new arrangement will enable Danish Design to enhance product offerings, strengthen supply chains, and improve overall customer experiences. 

Stuart and Susanne Newsome will have a phased exit of the business as they plan their retirement. Stuart said of the acquisition: "We are extremely proud that Danish Design is a leading manufacturer of pet beds and accessories. Our daughter Annelise has successfully led the company for over 12 years and we are confident that with the support of Petcare Group, Danish Design will continue to deliver high-quality products and services." 

Petcare Group's members feature a handful of Scandinavian companies, all in the pet industry, with Danish Design becoming the first member from the UK. 

Sebastian Sandholm, co-owner of Petcare Group, said: “We are pleased to welcome Danish Design to the Petcare Group family. The addition of Danish Design to our group further enhances our product portfolio, with Danish Design becoming our sole brand of pet bedding. We are already well on our way with mapping out our growth strategy for the future.”

Danish Design's MD Annelise Lockley commented: “I am thrilled to become a member of this dynamic group and I am excited about the opportunities that this partnership presents. 

“I look forward to working closely with Petcare Group to deliver even more value to our customers.”

Danish Design will continue to operate as an independent business unit within Petcare Group, and the company’s customers and suppliers can expect the same level of quality, reliability, and service that they have come to expect from Danish Design. 

The acquisition by Petcare Group Sweden is expected to bring significant benefits to both companies, including improved supply chain efficiencies, access to new markets, and enhanced product offerings.

A national accounts manager for a pet food supplier is now turning to a career in retailing with the opening of his own pet store.

James Kinge will open the doors to Mutt and Co in Norwich for the first time on Saturday (April 1). And to celebrate, the first 100 people through the door will receive a goodie bag and the first person to spend £100 will get a bottle of champagne. He will also be offering 10% off all treats during the day.

Having worked for Natures Menu, James is a firm believer in raw pet food so his new store will be well stocked with natural products.

The ribbon ceremony will take place at 9.15am.

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes opened its flagship Scunthorpe store with hundreds of customers visiting the store over its launch weekend.

Store manager Steve Marshall proudly cut the ribbon, assisted by North Lincolnshire Deputy Mayor Cllr Janet Longcake, representatives from Jerry Green Dog Rescue and Scunthorpe United mascots Scunny Bunny and Scunny Hunny Bunny.

Also taking part in the opening were stilt walkers and face painters helping Jerry Green Dog Rescue fundraise for their work across the region.

Scunthorpe is the first Jollyes to get a new-look Jolly Groomer as part of a £1million investment in the roll out of vet clinics, grooming parlours and other pet services such as the new ‘Wash & Go’ dog wash booth which offers a full clean-up for mucky pups without the hassle of messing up a home bathroom hay.

The new store also offers a selection of small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs as well as birds, fish and reptiles.

Manager Steve Marshall said “We couldn’t have had a better reaction from customers this weekend – we’re looking forward to serving pets and their parents right across North Lincolnshire in the years ahead.”

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes plans will double the number of stores that offer community pet clinics, double opening hours for those clinics double the number of dog grooming locations at stores like Scunthorpe.

Vet-supervised dog and cat vaccinations in the clinic start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Microchipping, already compulsory for dogs and now in new government plans extended to be compulsory for cats, start at just £13, offering significant savings against average prices charged by formal vet practices.

The Jolly Groomer at Scunthorpe offers straightforward pricing for a quality groom that doesn’t cost a paw and a leg.

Customers can choose precisely what grooming service they need, so they don’t pay for ones they don’t. Prices for a bath and brush will start at just £15.00. 

Jollyes new Scunthorpe store also provides pet parents in North Lincolnshire and nearby South Yorkshire access to Jollyes’ raw food frozen ‘shop-in-shop’ alongside high quality private label pet food such as its own Lifestage, K9 and Rileys brands which offer a premium experience without the big brand price tag.

See the gallery of pictures from opening day below...