Pet brand Trespaws, the dog accessory arm of international sportswear company Trespass, hopes to see its impressive growth continue with the help of dog influencers.

The Glasgow–based brand was launched two years ago when founder Marihah Khushi decided to combine her passion for animals and the outdoors and create a superior dog accessory range.

The products have become an instant hit and the company decided to share news of its success with more than 100 dog influencers, and their owners, at a special party in Glasgow.

The event was held at Glasgow’s unique courtyard venue Barras Art and Design and included a ‘dogwalk’ fashion show, dog assault course, dog themed canapes and mocktails, a pop-up shop and goody bags for all the VIP guests.

Marihah said “Trespaws has come such a long way in the two years since we launched and we were very excited to be hosting our first dog influencer party in our hometown of Glasgow. As far as we are aware, this dog influencer party was the first event of this type in the UK and it certainly was a party to remember.”

Success has allowed the brand to expand the range to include a wider selection, and Trespaws will be hoping that dog influencers share details of future new products with their social media fans.

For further information on Trespaws visit: www.trespass.com/trespaws

True Instinct has officially introduced ‘High Meat’ products for cats and kittens to its premium range of dry and complete food.

Made up in the ratio of 75% high meat recipe and 25% natural fruit, vegetables and botanicals, the nutritious dry biscuits have fantastic palatability and provide complete and balanced nutrition that helps to fuel a cat’s active life. The range is grain, gluten and cereal free with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives; all complete, balanced and veterinary approved.

Inspired by cats’ ancestral diet, the range includes Free-Range Chicken, Turkey with Duck, Salmon and Tuna, which has now replaced True Instinct’s Raw Boost range for adult cats. 

Perfectly shaped for young cats, the new kitten product offers a Free-Range Chicken variant that offers delicious high meat biscuits with no added sugar. Benefits of the nutritious products include muscle mass maintenance, support for cats’ immune system, brain and vision development and is completely grain and gluten free.

The ‘High Meat’ cat range comes in 300g and 1.5kg bags at an RRP of £2.99 and £17.99. To celebrate the launch of the new cat and kitten products, True Instinct is offering discounts to be passed on to the consumer.

Craig Taylor, Managing Director of True Instinct, said “As advocates for natural and nutritious feeding, we’re immensely proud to bring this new and advanced product to market. The super-premium ‘High Meat’ products use only the highest-grade ingredients to help cat and kittens thrive and come in a format that we know they love too.”

For more information about True Instinct High Meat cat range visit https://www.trueinstinct.co.uk.

Having access to good quality hay or grass is key for guinea pigs' digestive and dental health. Access to hay and grass also encourages natural foraging and grazing behaviour which is important in their overall health and welfare.

This new poster from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) highlights what guinea pigs need in their diet to stay fit and healthy.

The poster can be downloaded in up to A3 size for your pet shop, veterinary consult room, classroom or home as a vibrant reminder of what a healthy diet for guinea pigs looks like.

https://www.pfma.org.uk/the-importance-of-hay-poster-guinea-pigs

For more information on Guinea pigs' nutritional requirements please visit

https://www.pfma.org.uk/guinea-pigs 

Two award-winning brands have teamed up to create a social media marketing campaign with the objective of growing consumer awareness of their brands and products.

Burgess Pet Care and Henry Wag, both winners at the recent PetQuip Awards, launched the competition on their Facebook pages, giving followers the opportunity to win £100 worth of prizes.

The representatives of the two brands shared a table at the annual PetQuip dinner collecting three awards between them. 

The goodie bundle on offer includes the gold award-winning Henry Wag Noodle Glove Towel (as seen on TV), two sacks of Burgess Sensitive Turkey & Rice, a Henry Wag food storage box and a selection of other Henry Wag items, perfect for cleaning and drying dogs through the wet autumn and winter seasons.

The non-competing brands who appeal to the same target market have combed resources to reach each others audience with the objective of extending their brand appeal to a larger customer base.

The competition went live yesterday (13th November) on the Burgess Pet Care and Henry Wag Facebook pages and will run for one week until the 20th November.  Click here to view

Going for long walks, happily playing with toys and eating all of their own food are among the signs of a happy pet, according to new research.

It was also revealed socialising with both people and other animals and having a shiny coat are indications of a content cat or dog.

Expert Kellie Ceccarelli revealed that strong teeth and a healthy digestive system also mean your pet is happy and healthy.

A study of 2,000 pet owners also found more than two thirds believe pets are living healthier and longer lives, with as many as nine in 10 claiming their cat or dog is full of life.

Kellie Ceccarelli, speaking on behalf of IAMS, which commissioned the research, said: “Most of us are familiar with vital signs: temperature, pulse and respiration, but it would help our pets if we were also familiar with the ‘vitality signs'.

“Keeping a close eye on these will help us keep our pets in tip top condition, healthy and happy.

“Pet owners have a unique bond with their pets, understanding their moods and funny little ways.

“But even though the bonds are very close, even the most caring owner can miss important ‘clues’ about the health and happiness of their pet if they don’t keep a watchful eye on their vitality signs.

“Thankfully we have lots of tools at our disposal for ensuring our pets are healthy."

The research also found 56 per cent believe their furry friend ‘smiles’ when they are happy.

More than half think the most important contribution to their pet’s happiness and wellbeing is a fit heart, while one in five also think a strong immune system helps.

In order to support this, 63 per cent of owners feed them a complete and balanced diet, more than a third buy new toys and almost half ensures they get regular health check-ups at the vet.

A further one in five also think a healthy digestion contributes to their pet’s overall vitality and more than half believe nutrition has a large impact on level of happiness.

Nine in 10 believe this will help their pet live longer - up to three years more on average.

This would mean that the well-known rule of seven human years to every dog year is no longer the case. Instead it would be closer to five human years.

The findings reinforced that we’re a nation of animal lovers with 69 per cent claiming the most important thing in taking care of a pet is showing them ‘love’, suggesting why almost half prioritise regular tummy tickles.

However, many owners admitted they could be doing more to support their health and vitality as less than half said their pet goes for long walks, socialises with other animals and has fresh breath, all signs that they could use a little bit of TLC.

A further 15 per cent also find their cat or dog is ‘anxious’ around people and fellow furry friends meaning there could be behaviour problems.

When it comes to food, two in five admitted their animal eats human food and more than a quarter have ‘lots’ of treats, both of which in excess can have a negative impact on your pet’s health and vitality.

And while a confident seven in 10 believe their furry friend is generally ‘very happy’, a third think they could be happier.

A quarter of respondents admitted they struggle to tell why their pet is unhappy but four in five believe they can see physically if their cat or dog is full of vitality.

Almost half - 47 per cent - of those polled via OnePoll admitted if their pet is unhappy, they are unhappy too.

Do you think your pet is full of vitality? Take the quiz at https://www.qzzr.com/c/quiz/473569/49e42932-7e60-4e18-a363-1425767784fd for dogs and https://www.qzzr.com/c/quiz/473451/is-your-pet-full-of-vitality for cats.

The vitality signs for your pet’s health:
1. Healthy heart
2. Healthy skin and shiny coat
3. Strong immune system
4. Healthy digestion
5. Strong muscles
6. Strong, healthy teeth
7. Strong bones (for dogs)
8. Healthy urinary tract (for cats)  

Award-winning Supa Ltd has launched two new carriers ideal for transporting pets in an easy and stress-free way.

The Pet Carriers come in two sizes – Medium and Large – to cater for different sizes of animals, and are constructed out of cardboard, making them both lightweight and sturdy.

A built-in carry handle is incorporated into the design to provide a comfortable and secure way of carrying pets. They are also designed to provide occupants with plenty of ventilation.

Both sizes of carriers come flat-packed to save space and can be stored flat when not in use, plus they’re easy to assemble without the need for tools. There is also a space provided for the pet’s name and the owner’s contact details.

The internal dimensions for the Medium Pet Carrier are 20cm (H) x 20cm (D) x 33cm (W) compared to the Large Pet Carrier of 25.5cm (H) x 25cm (D) x 38.1cm (W). RRP are £2.75 (Medium) and £3.49 (Large).

Chris Goodlad, Managing Director of Supa Ltd, said: “We believe these new pet carriers are a great addition to the market, and would soon become popular in retail outlets.”

Supa Ltd is renowned for producing innovative products, having picked up New Product Awards at PATS trade shows in recent years.

As well as being one of the best-known names in fish keeping circles, the company’s portfolio also includes an extensive range of wild bird feeders, treats and accessories and a fast expanding range of small animal and cage bird products.

Supa has developed from humble beginnings in 1949 to a multi-million pound turnover business by a simple philosophy of listening carefully to its customers, developing products with flair and innovation and providing quality products that always offer real value for money. 

The company is proud of the fact that the majority of the products it produces are manufactured at its extensive factory in Sheffield from the finest quality raw materials. This fact has enabled Supa to rigorously maintain the highest standards of quality.

For more information visit www.supa-aquatics.co.uk or email sales@supa-aquatics.co.uk

A hero Police Dog is being honoured by leading vet charity PDSA, after he sustained life-threatening injuries tackling an armed criminal whilst on duty with Derbyshire Police.

PD Axle, a seven-year-old German Shepherd, attended a presentation in his honour today (Friday 8 November) at Derbyshire Police Headquarters in Ripley with his handler, Police Constable (PC) Dean Allen. 

The charity’s Area Veterinary Manager, Robert Haselgrove, presented PD Axle with his PDSA Commendation for his devotion to duty and bravery during the incident, which occurred last year.

PD Axle and PC Allen were called to help apprehend a man who was armed with a hammer and knife.

Matthew Stretch had smashed the windows of a police vehicle and tried to assault the officer inside.

Stretch then ran from the area while still in possession of the knife, triggering a search that involved firearms officers and the police helicopter.

He was eventually cornered in woodland by PD Axle. During the incident, Stretch stabbed Axle three times, before he was quickly confronted by armed police. After threatening another officer with the knife, he was subdued with a taser and arrested.

PC Allen said: “It was only we had detained the suspect that we were actually able to see Axel’s stab wounds.

“The biggest concern was the position of the stab wounds, you don’t know how deep they are, and they were very close to the spine. With the blood vessels running down the spine in German Shepherds it can be life threatening.”

PD Axle was rushed to a local vet where he received emergency treatment for wounds to his neck and body. He returned home following an operation and after a well-earned spell of recuperation, re-joined PC Allen at work.

PDSA Area Veterinary Manager Robert Haselgrove said: “The PDSA Commendation recognises the outstanding devotion that animals display and celebrates the amazing ways they enrich our lives. PD Axle showed remarkable bravery in tackling an armed criminal that night.

“His story really highlights the vital role that Police Dog teams play and demonstrates the perils they can face. I’m honoured to present him with his PDSA Commendation, which celebrates his vital contribution to Derbyshire Police.”

Discussing PD Axel’s award, PC Allen said: “I couldn’t be prouder of Axle. He is an exceptional Police Dog who has displayed great courage and skill throughout his six years’ of service with Derbyshire Police. I was worried he wouldn’t make it after that night, so to see him not only make a full recovery, but return to duty as well shows how special he is. It is a real honour to see him receive this award.”

In June 2019, new legislation was passed giving protection to service dogs such as PD Axle. "Finn's Law" is named Police Dog Finn, who was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2018 after he was stabbed whilst pursuing a suspect with his handler PC David Wardell.. 

The PDSA Commendation is part of PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme, which also includes the PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the PDSA Gold Medal, known as the animal’s George Cross and the PDSA Order of Merit, the animal’s OBE. 

The PDSA Animal Awards Programme was instituted in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin. She believed that, if animals were recognised for their heroic actions, it would help to raise their status in society, ensuring they are better treated. For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk/Medals.

The Pet Industry Federation has announced that its joint animal establishments inspector training course, run in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, will result in formal City & Guilds Level 3 qualification from July 2020.

Since 1 October 2018, the new Licensing of Activities Involving Animals regulations (AAL) require those carrying out inspections to be appropriately trained. The highly successful ‘Professional Programme in Inspecting Licensable Activities Involving Animals’, a Level 3 equivalent course issued by City & Guilds, has been running to full capacity since it launched at the end of last year and was specifically developed by animal health inspectors and education experts to address this new legal requirement.

The course provides inspectors with appropriate training to ensure the legislation, its guidance and animal welfare requirements are understood and implemented.

Vicky Skinner, PIF Education Manager explained: "Whilst the inspector training course had already been approved by City & Guilds as a ‘Level 3 equivalent’ and therefore unequivocally met the requirements in the legislation, we’re delighted that our collaboration with City & Guilds and our colleagues at the City of London Corporation has enabled this course to become a regulated Level 3 qualification from July next year.

"It means that inspectors who achieve it from that date will be able to add a qualification to their name. Furthermore, inspectors who complete the original course prior to July 2020 will also be able to convert to the qualification by undertaking an additional assessment to meet the qualification requirement.’

Since the licensing training began, the first inspector to have fully completed every element of the course and achieved the certificate has been announced.

Emma Matthews from East Northamptonshire council undertook the training at Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre in March 2019 and has worked hard since then on the coursework element of the training before submitting her work for assessment. On passing her course, Emma commented: "I have loved every minute of this training – the five days at Heathrow Animal Reception Centre gave me a wealth of knowledge, and I have learnt so much through my own personal development, and considered things in my animal licensing work that I never would have considered before.

"The more licensing officers who achieve the certificate can only be positive as it directly benefits the standardisation of the regulations across the country, thereby instilling more confidence in licensed businesses."

Rob Quest, Assistant Director at the City of London Corporation added: "The City of London Corporation has been really pleased with the success of the animal establishments inspector training course, both in the way it robustly prepares inspectors like Emma for the licensing regime we now work under in England; and now that it will become a formal Level 3 qualification.

"Becoming a qualification is testament to the quality of the original course formation, particularly in terms of teaching and assessment, and in doing so, it strengthens the provision of this mandatory training in order to enable licensing officers to sufficiently discharge their duties under the new legislation.’

Further details about the Professional Programme in Inspecting Licensable Activities Involving Animals course and qualification, including course dates and registration, can be found in the Education section of the Pet Industry Federation website: www.petfederation.co.uk; by calling 01234 273933, or emailing education@petfederation.co.uk

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

A Matlock pet shop owner says he was close to losing his business after severe flooding.

Adam Robb, 51, who owns Peak Paws and Claws near the River Derwent, said he was walking his dog on Friday morning when he noticed the floods and rushed to his shop.

Mr Robb started the business, which sells pet amenities such as food and accessories, more than four years ago.

To read the full Derby Telegraph story click here

An act of vandalism at a Lancashire pet store has result in the death of Fischer lovebird.

Now there are fears that its mating pair will die from separation following the attack which saw the window of Nelson Pet Shop smashed in.

A male allegedly booted in the window as he walked past the store at 4 Market Square at 3am on Tuesday (November 12).

The force has resulted in the glass shattering and has left her innocent pets in a state of shock.

Owner, Emma Foster, told LancsLive on Wednesday: "What I can see on the CCTV, a young male, possibly around his 20s with work boots on, has spun around and booted the window down with force.”

To read the full story click here

Ahead of National Grief Awareness Week 2019 (December 2 to 8), a survey by pet website Wamiz.co.uk has revealed nearly nine in ten Brits (89%) feel the death of a cat or dog is just as difficult to handle as the passing of a loved one, when it comes to grieving and sense of loss.

This, and other statistics from Wamiz's pet loss survey, suggest that we need to find ways to encourage pet owners to talk about their grief, to assist mental wellbeing and tackle possible depression following the loss of a pet. Here’s why.

44% of the pet owners surveyed by Wamiz said they still find it extremely difficult to talk about a former pet’s death, whilst another 32% still find it a little difficult.  This is despite the fact that 65% of those surveyed lost their dog or cat more than a year ago.

70% of those who have suffered a loss of a pet also say they find it more difficult to talk about their sense of loss with non-pet owners.

Half of pet owners (50%) feel employers should allow them time off work to grieve, following the loss of a pet.

A desire to not let go and have a beloved former pet near at hand also shone through Wamiz’s survey.  84% of owners keep a pet’s ashes at home, whilst 62% have buried their pet in their garden.

More than eight-in-ten (85%) owners also keep a tangible keepsake of their former pet at home, be that a photo, piece of fur, collar, bowl or toy.

And 88% of owners stayed with their pet to the very end of their life, whilst nearly 9% could not do that, as it would have been too upsetting and emotional.  Over a third of pet owners (38%) say they would have liked a funeral or ceremony for their lost pet.

Wamiz’s UK Country Manager, Emilie Heyl, says: “Brits clearly bring their dogs and cats into the family fold and have as deep an emotional attachment to them, as they have to other members of the family or to friends.  Whilst, in the past, the sense of loss following the passing of a pet may have gone unappreciated or ignored, at a time when mental health campaigners are urging us to talk through our emotions or listen to others who are suffering mental health issues, it is vital that grieving pet owners can express their feelings.

“Other studies have shown that 62% of owners say having a pet makes them feel happier and that 68% of older people feel better both mentally and physically when they live with a dog or cat.  If the companions that support happiness and wellbeing are suddenly no longer around, the negative impacts of loss could be significant.

The coping mechanism of almost half of pet owners (49%) is to get another dog or cat within six months of a pet’s passing.  Another reaction of 42% of pet owners is to share their grief in a written tribute to their pet on social media or in a blog.

More information about Wamiz – the British sister site to Europe’s No. 1 pet website – can be found at www.wamiz.co.uk

Leading Yorkshire-based pet accessory company, Collared Creatures has introduced a selection of new colours to add to their range of fashionable Harris Tweed collars for dogs. The collars are available to stock now and ready for St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.

Collared Creatures has been creating exquisitely designed handmade dog collars for over 6 years. They have spent many years sourcing the finest fabrics and fastenings to ensure that all their handmade dog collars are comfortable, durable and pleasing on the eye.

All of the handmade dog collars use 100% wool fabric that is hand-woven on the Isle of Harris in the outer Hebrides. The dog collars are available with an alumax clip, buckle or martingale style. All collars are lined inside with Kona Cotton fabric and have a strong webbing core inner for strength and durability and are fitted with a welded stainless steel D ring.   

The last three years have seen Harris Tweed remain "on-trend" and a regular feature in both High Street stores and on catwalks in couture collections and the increase in popularity has led to the training of a new generation of weavers to meet production demands.   

Harris Tweed is used by many well-known clothing and footwear brands and is used to make hand bags, purses and other fashion items. New markets are emerging within the BRIC nations and more traditional markets are reviving in the USA and Europe as well as East Asian countries including South Korea.

Sales forecasts are optimistic for the cloth. The Collared Creatures Harris Tweed dog collars are therefore the perfect pet accessory to complement the currents trends in fashion and should be an attractive option for pet and gift retailers to stock. They are available in an attractive range of colours and designs to fit any size of dog.

Collars can be gently machine washed, its advisable to place in a washbag or pillow case and tie up, to stop the metal hardware banging on the drum, stretch out to shape and dry naturally.

The collars are available to buy in 28 designs and come with their own point of sale packaging for easy display in-store.

For further information please visit: www.collaredcreatures.com

Fiery colours sweeping through parks and woodlands, complete with leaves crunching underfoot, mean autumn is here. But the colder nights and bitter winds mean garden birds will struggle for food and shelter - and the RSPB is appealing to people to help our garden birds survive the winter.

Nature looks beautiful in autumn as summer leaves fade to a sunset palette of gold, red and orange. But as we start digging out our cosy scarves and gloves the countryside is being stripped of the food sources birds rely upon. At the same time, birds need more energy to stay warm and have less daylight time to find food.

Wildlife charity RSPB wants people to become stewards of their gardens this autumn and help protect their feathered guests. The RSPB says the key things birds will need this winter are food, water and shelter.

RSPB Wildlife Advisor, Charlotte Ambrose said: “Up until now birds have been able to feed on insects and seeds, but the cold weather means they move into our gardens to find refuge. You can make a real difference and improve their chances of survival, as well as being rewarded by great views of wildlife in your garden or outside space.”

Take it easy- kitchen scraps like mild grated cheese, bruised fruit (not mouldy), cooked rice, unsalted bits of hard fat, roast potatoes and dry porridge go down a treat with garden birds. You can provide an excellent full-fat winter food by making your own bird cakes or fat balls. The RSPB also suggests calorie-rich foods like mixed seed, sunflower seed, nyjer seed and good quality peanuts.

No thank you! There are some foods you should avoid as they can be dangerous for birds. Cooking fat from the roast mixes with meat juices during cooking to make a runny, greasy mixture. This sticks to feathers and stop them from being waterproof. Other foods to avoid are dried coconut, cooked porridge oats, milk, and mouldy or salted food.

Keep it fresh: Another essential is fresh water for drinking and bathing. Finding sources of water can be hard with freezing temperatures, but a simple trick will help keep a patch of water ice-free. Float a small ball, such as a ping-pong ball, on the surface of the water and even a light breeze will stop it from freezing over.

Plan your planting: Providing shelter from the harsh weather is extremely important. Plant dense hedges such as privet or hawthorn, or let ivy or holly to grow and you’ll be providing a great place to roost in and shelter from the elements.

Warm and cozy: Nestboxes are not just used over the summer egg-laying season – many birds will use them on a cold winter’s night. These boxes are frequently communal with many residents packing in together for extra warmth. The record number of birds found in one box is 63 wrens!

Ensuring your garden is filled with food now will improve your chances of having a successful Big Garden Birdwatch. The RSPB’s annual event runs from Saturday 25 to Monday 27 January 2020. To take part, all you need to do is spend one hour at any time over that weekend noting the number of feathered visitors to your garden or local green space.

You can sign up for this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch from December 12 rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

To buy high-quality bird food, feeders and other treats from the RSPB visit rspbshop.co.uk/birdfoodgifts and save nature while you shop.

A dog owner was left "crying her eyes out" after being told her pet dog might have to be put to sleep, after eating a bone she bought him from a bargain store.

Emma Porcu, 30, told the Liverpool Echo she bought her dog, Toro, the bone as a treat but claims the three-year-old's health dramatically deteriorated hours after he ate it.

She claims after taking him to the vets  for x-rays she was told splinters from the bone had became stuck in his intestine and it would be too dangerous to operate on.

To read the full story click here

The Armitage Good Boy and Good Girl Advent Calendars are once again proving to be a bestseller this Christmas, according to a nationwide survey...

Weekly analysis of EPOS data from garden centres by our sister publication Garden Trade News has shown that the Armitage Good Boy Dog Advent Calendar has been the bestselling Advent calendar in garden centres throughout October appearing as high as No 13 in the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Christmas Products Chart. 

And last week the Armitage Good Girl Cat Advent Calendar also re-enterd the GTN Top 50 at No 25.

The chart below of the Top 10 bestselling Christmas Pet Products in Garden Centres last week reveals another Armitage Dog Advent Calendar, the Snowman chicken flavoured treat calendar, as the third biggest selling Christmas Pet product currently.

More information about Garden Centre Bestsellers can be found in the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter at: www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Top 10 best selling Christmas Pet Products in the GTN Bestsellers EPOS data for week ending 27th October 2019.

Global pet product expert, PetSafe Brand has announced it is introducing three new dog and cat toys to its popular Play & Challenge range in time for pet Christmas gifting season. 

The additions highlight the business’ continued focus on both the category and pet tech and include the first electronic dog toy since the Automatic Ball Launcher, the new Ricochet Electronic Dog Toys.

Every Play & Challenge toy is designed to redirect bad behaviours like chewing and jumping into positive play, keeping pets busy while also challenging them mentally to keep them actively engaged and alert. The toys are suitable for all pet ages and come in a range of sizes.  

The following new additions are available to consumers this month from the PetSafe Brand website and other selected retailers:

For dogs:

Ricochet Electronic Dog Toys, RRP £34.99 – an innovative addition to the range, these two electronically paired, Bluetooth enabled toys offer an irresistible squeaking sound. As the dog plays with the first toy, the second toy squeaks, with the sound alternating between each toy. The game stimulates dogs’ hunting instinct and continues as long as they play, automatically shutting off after 30 minutes.

Ribinator Treat-holding Toy, RRP from £6.99 – this treat-holding toy is tough enough to hold up to even the most determined chewers. Each of the toy’s rounded rubber tubes features a Treat Meter™ that can be filled with treats pet owners already have at home such as sticks, dry treats, moist treats and kibble. Treats such as peanut butter and soft cheese can also be spread to the exterior of the toy or owners can decide not to add any treats at all, although they do make the toy even more enjoyable. Available in three sizes, this toy is guaranteed to give dogs hours of fun.

For cats:

From late November 2019: PetSafe™ Peek-a-Bird™ Electronic Cat Toy, RRP, £29.99 – this automated, motion-activated cat toy features an irresistible feather teaser that peeks out and shakes and then disappears. The toy has a Play All Day mode where its motion sensor will awaken the toy if a cat walks by and the toy automatically wakes up every two hours for unexpected fun.

Rob Steele, Marketing Manager, PetSafe® Brand, said: “Play & Challenge continues to be a central focus for our business and we’re constantly looking for ways to innovate to help engage and stimulate pets in new and exciting ways. We’re so pleased to be launching these three new products and are looking forward to hearing the feedback they receive from pet owners.”

Grant Rogers, the Managing Director of 3P Enterprise and founder of the Henry Wag pet accessories lifestyle brand has been awarded Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year at the South West regional Great British Entrepreneur Awards ceremony held in Exeter. The Gloucestershire based business owner will now go forward to the national finals being held in London on 21st November.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are sponsored by NatWest and celebrate entrepreneurship in Great Britain through a portfolio of products, events and initiatives designed to support entrepreneurs and their ventures. GBEA's mission is to support connect and encourage entrepreneurial minds in Great Britain. Now in its seventh year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs, rather than the business’ balance sheet. It is the first time the Awards have held a dedicated regional final in the South West. The finalists at the South West event, held on 24th October, were selected from an initial entry of over 3000 businesses. The award entries were judged by a panel of successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople from across a wide spectrum of British business including Cath Kidston MBE, Justine Roberts CBE of Mumsnet and Jon Wright co-founder of Innocent Drinks. 

Grant Rogers started his business in 2002, building wooden dog kennels in his garage and a website to sell them from. To grow the business, Grant sourced and imported pet products from US manufacturers and, in 2007, secured the UK distribution rights for the Petmate brand which he began selling to other retailers. In 2013 Grant began developing his own Henry Wag range of pet accessories to develop products to meet the needs he experienced as a dog owner living in a rural location. Grant designed the Henry Wag product range to remove the barriers to a more active outdoor life by offering cleaning and drying solutions for active dogs and their owners and consists of a selection of highly absorbent microfiber towels, drying gloves and absorbent dog coats, car protection and pet travel products.

The award from GBEA adds to an amazing year for the business. The Henry Wag brand won Pet Product of the year at the Petquip trade association awards in September for the Drying range of products, adding to the new products showcase award at PATS Sandown 2019 for the Dog Drying coat. In addition, the brand featured on the BBC's show The Customer is Always Right where the Henry Wag Noodle Glove Towel won over a panel of consumer testers to receive first place and the coveted winner’s trophy.  

'

After collection the award, Grant commented, "Winning the trophy was a real surprise for me, especially given the strength of the other finalists. It's great to be recognised by some amazing people on the judging panel, but much of the credit must go to our team, our customers and our suppliers which have made this journey possible. I made it an objective at the start of this year to put our products and business forward for some awards with the aim of raising the profile of the business and achieving some recognition of what we are doing here at 3P Enterprise and in particular with the Henry Wag brand," continued Grant. "If we were to lift the trophy at the national event in London next month it would be an amazing achievement for us all."