Ceva Animal Health (Ceva), the company behind huge selling brands Feliway and Adaptil, has acquired Scout Bio, a pioneer in biotechnology focused on cutting-edge therapies for pets. 

The move represents a significant leap in innovation for Ceva, unlocking access to key advancements, including a pipeline of monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy developments to address chronic diseases in pets.

While maintaining strong positions and continuing to develop biological and preventive medicine for all species, with this strategic acquisition Ceva aims to boost its global biotechnology activities, drawing on Scout Bio's heritage but more importantly, fostering a future characterised by the acceleration of biotherapeutic innovation.

Scout Bio, renowned for its commitment to innovation, has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking biotherapeutic products. This acquisition underscores Ceva's recognition of Scout Bio's quick and responsive approach, as well as its excellence in clinical study execution in the biotherapeutics space.

Mark Heffernan, former CEO of Scout Bio, who has joined Ceva as Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics and CEO of Ceva Biotechnology Campus (Philadelphia) expressed his enthusiasm by declaring:  “With this acquisition, Ceva is ready to write a new chapter. The strength of the Group, which is one of the leaders in animal health, will propel our existing and future initiatives to new heights. Ceva has not only recognised our team’s delivery on innovation, but also our commitment to execution of quality clinical studies. With the power of Ceva, we will be able to accelerate biotherapeutic innovation for the well-being of pets and the happiness of their owners.”

In a commitment to continuity, Ceva will maintain a strong relationship with the world-renowned Gene Therapy Program (GTP) at the University of Pennsylvania, from where Scout Bio originated as a spin-out from Dr. James M. Wilson's laboratory.  Dr. Wilson is director of the Gene Therapy Program, the Rose H. Weiss Professor and director at the Orphan Disease Center, a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy. 

Together, Scout Bio and Penn’s Gene Therapy Program have jointly developed multiple programmes in this emerging field, and Ceva aims to build further upon this success. The collaboration will progress existing programmes and explore new product development opportunities where these types of disruptive technologies can be applied for the advancement of animal health.

"The recent acquisition of Scout Bio by Ceva marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of pet therapeutics. This integration of expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to innovation opens new horizons for Ceva. Indeed, with the growing trend of 'pet humanisation', owners aspire to extend the lives and well-being of their four-legged companions. This strategic alliance offers us the opportunity to develop products and solutions that cater to these expectations. Together, we are poised to lead in shaping the future of biotherapeutic solutions for the well-being of pets worldwide,” said Dr. Marc Prikazsky, Chairman and CEO of Ceva.

Group55 has announced the appointment of Kieran Prince as a Non-Executive Director of its leading pet care brand, Animology.

Kieran brings a breadth of experience and expertise within the Pet industry and will provide valuable contribution to the strategic direction and commercial growth of the Animology brand.

Rob Banks, Managing Director at Group55 comments, “We’re excited to bring Kieran on board to accelerate the growth of Animology. Keiran’s level of strategic experience and knowledge of the pet care sector will be extremely valuable to Animology and our goals for 2024.”

Kieran Prince adds “I’m delighted by the opportunity to work with Animology. With their longstanding history, positive reputation and values around quality & compliance they are the perfect brand to be associated with. I look forward to enhancing Animology’s sales strategy, growth plans and global reach.”

Kieran operates Koem Business Solutions, a consultancy firm, and has a background as the Sales Director at Bugalugs Pet Care.

AQUAH, the new aquatics and reptile show, will now take place at NAEC Stoneleigh on 21st-22nd September 2024. The decision to amend the event dates, originally scheduled for April 2024, has been taken as the organisers aim to maximise the number of attendees and exhibitors.

Inspired by similar shows in Europe and the US, AQUAH was created to cater to the ever-growing UK aquatics and reptile communities, offering an unparalleled platform to engage with a vast array of exotic reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, freshwater plants, and a variety of fish, including Koi and marine species.

It will also feature an impressive selection of both domestically-grown and internationally-sourced corals, fostering a unique environment for networking and socialising among peers who share a deep-rooted passion for these hobbies.

Complementing networking and product demonstrations, AQUAH will host various activities and attractions such as live speakers, awards for the best and most creative stands, and an aquascape-off and raffle among other competitions. Further details on these features will be announced in due course.

www.aquah.co.uk

A new pet shop is set to be built at Pugh’s Garden Village in Wenvoe after receiving planning permission from the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Pets Corner will add Pugh’s Wenvoe to its list of over 150 locations that it operates in the UK. 

Situated in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, Pugh's Garden Village Wenvoe opened its doors in 2001. The garden centre has seen a number of recent additions and investments having opened The Orange Tree Express Café last year and a brand-new Food Hall. Construction works for the pet shop are expected to commence in the next few months with the store opening anticipated for Spring 2024.

Co-owner of Pugh’s, Graham Pugh said: “We are continuing to invest in the garden centre in Wenvoe to meet the needs of our local community. With Pets Corner’s success at our Pugh’s Branch in Radyr, established seven years ago, we see this an exciting development of the continual growth of the Pugh’s garden village brand. Our plans for the car park include an emphasis on pollination which will create an attraction for birds and bees and will become an innovative haven for insect pollination. This is an important consideration for our sustainable and ethical values, and we believe a first for the Vale in car park ‘thinking’. We are delighted to be able to continue improving the garden centre, welcome Pets Corner and further broaden our offer and have no doubt this will provide our customers with an enhanced shopping experience”.

The proposals for the car park include its reconfiguration, extension and improvement with formalised parking spaces and control of vehicle movements in and out of the site. A particular feature of the new car park’s remodelling and expansion is additional and supplemental planting in the bays. These are to be undertaken to include plants that are particularly good pollinators. The car park enhancement, whilst providing an additional number of spaces, would also deliver E.V chargers, providing a service for the local community along with covered cycle parking.

Joe Ayoubkhani, a director at planning consultancy, Highlight Planning, said: “We are pleased to have played a part in Pugh’s improvement plans and bringing Pets Corner to Wenvoe having worked positively with the planners in the Vale to secure the planning permissions. I look forward to popping in with my dog when Pets Corner opens later this year.”

A Southampton pet food and accessory retailer has launched a parking charge reimbursement scheme in a bid to support its customers. 

Healthy Pet Store in Salisbury Road, Totton, has introduced the scheme which allows customers to claim back one hour of their parking fee with a minimum spend in store - the cost of which is covered entirely by Healthy Pet Store. 

The store is serviced by Westfield Road car park and customers regularly leave the store with heavy loads of raw pet food supplies.

The managing director of Healthy Pet Store Deborah Burrows said customers rely on being able to conveniently park close to the store due to heavy loads.

She added that high streets up and down the country are in dire straits, so it is vital that shopping with independent retailers is convenient and cost-effective.

Following the introduction of parking charges by the New Forest District Council in 2021, Healthy Pet Store regularly received negative feedback from customers about the charges.

Deborah said: “While I appreciate the pressures councils face and that at-machine rates have not increased for three years, New Forest District Council could choose to support businesses on its high streets by introducing a short period of free parking. 

“We’re a cornerstone of the local community and see many customers come from surrounding areas in Hampshire, even from the Isle of Wight. Our customers should be able to do their weekly or monthly shopping easily - and now they can. 

Healthy Pet Store is an independent pet food and accessory retailer, selling a wide range of raw pet food, toys and training supplies, with its store and support offices based in Totton.

To find out more about Healthy Pet Store, visit healthypetstore.co.uk.

CASCO Pet has announced the promotion of Kevin DeWalt from vice president of sales to the role of president in its US business, with immediate effect. The news comes as the company looks to expand its market presence across the pet retail and veterinary sectors.

The promotion means DeWalt becomes the most senior authority in the US business, based in Chino, California.

With nearly a decade of experience at CASCO Pet, DeWalt has been instrumental in driving sales growth, expanding the company’s customer base and developing and managing high performing teams. He will leverage this operational and strategic experience in his new role, to oversee the company’s daily operations and drive its strategic direction, performance, and development.

Commenting on his appointment, DeWalt said: “It’s a great honour to have been promoted to president at CASCO Pet and I am very excited about the new opportunities this promotion will present.

“As a sales-driven leader, I look forward to working alongside our team in this new capacity, on innovative and thought-leading products that are revolutionizing pet wellness globally and delivering real value to our customers.”

Matthew Bubear, CEO of CASCO Pet, commented: “Kevin has been instrumental in growing our US operations over the past decade, and delivered impressive sales growth as our vice president of sales. This promotion is a recognition of his considerable contribution and expertise. With his passion for innovation and dedication to our customers, I am confident the business will go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

DeWalt will be representing CASCO Pet at the WVC Annual Conference taking place in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, from 18th to 21st February 2024.

With the news of his promotion, CASCO Pet is recruiting for a new US head of sales who will report to DeWalt and be responsible for creating and executing sales strategies and building strong relationships with customers and partners. For more information visit the website: www.cascopet.com/us/the-world-of-casco-pet/careers/us-head-of-sales/

Bella & Duke has  announced the appointment of James Sturrock as Chief Executive. The news comes as former CEO and co-founder Mark Scott moves to a non-executive director role.

Following a record-breaking year as the UK’s leading subscription raw pet food company, delivering over 15 million of its meals across the UK in 2023, Sturrock will lead the company as it moves to its next chapter of growth and development. Looking to 2024 and beyond, Bella & Duke will continue on its mission to bring healthier eating to the UK’s pets by educating on the benefits of a raw diet, and further growing its customer base.

Sturrock joins Bella & Duke with a wealth of experience overseeing periods of growth in revenue and profitability with disruptor brands Moonpig and Eve sleep, and most recently overseeing the digital transformation and significant growth as Group CEO at flooring retailer Tapi Carpets & Floors. Sturrock joins Bella & Duke to support the company in achieving its ambitious goals in the industry.

Mark Scott, who Founded Bella & Duke with Tony Ottley in 2016, has seen the business expand from just two people at Blairgowrie to 133 employees and was named among the Most Ambitious Business Leaders in the UK, as one of just five businesses in Scotland named in the 2023 LDC Top 50 list. The LDC Top 50 list celebrates the entrepreneurs reshaping the way business is done, to address the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Bella & Duke were also named Manufacturer of the Year 2023 at the recent Pet Industry Federation Awards 2023, having brought manufacturing in house only 2 years ago. The industry awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the pet industry, showcasing the remarkable individuals and businesses who uphold the highest standards of quality that drive the industry forward. 

James Sturrock commented: “Joining Bella & Duke and taking on the role of Chief Executive is a privilege and incredibly exciting. It has been fantastic to witness the growth of the company in the past seven years, since Mark and Tony founded it in 2016, and my role will focus on building on this momentum. Having started my Spaniel on Bella & Duke and seeing the health improvements first hand, I’m excited to get the message out to other pet owners about the benefits of raw nutrition, attracting new customers to the category, and building on our incredible loyal community. I’ve always been an advocate of finding improved solutions to consumer problems, so joining Bella & Duke to educate pet owners on the benefits of raw feeding and changing perceptions felt like a perfect fit.”

Mark Scott, Founder at Bella & Duke, said; “Since starting Bella & Duke with Tony back in 2016 it has been a long but incredibly rewarding experience seeing our vision grow year on year, and I will still be heavily involved in the business. As a business that is purpose-led, with an incredible team and loyal community, it was really important to us to protect that, which is why James was the perfect choice with his excellent experience and customer centric approach. This is an incredibly exciting time for the business, and I’m delighted to be welcoming James to Bella & Duke as we embark on our next chapter.”  

For more information on Bella & Duke, visit: https://www.bellaandduke.com/join-our-team/ 

Leading pet supplement manufacturer, Lintbells, has been granted coveted B Corp status, the certification which verifies a company has met the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Known for its leading pet supplement brand YuMOVE Joint Care, Lintbells is one of only 11 companies globally within the pet care sector to be awarded B Corp certification and one of around 2,300 businesses overall in the UK.

B Corp certification is awarded by the nonprofit international organisation, B Lab, which advocates a different economic vision whereby businesses move from a traditional financially-focused shareholder model to one that delivers benefits for all stakeholders: employees, suppliers, customers and the community. By balancing profit with purpose, B Corp businesses can take collective action to address society’s most critical challenges.

B Corp certification is hard to achieve, but is verification of a company’s commitment to do good. Each B Corp business will have met high standards across 5 key impact areas including governance, workers, community, the environment and customers – and is legally bound to maintain those standards if they are to retain their certification.

“From its inception, Lintbells was established on principles that reflected its founders’ core social and environmental values. Since then, those values have informed our approach to the environmental, social, and governance factors that are at the forefront of our decision-making, driving sustainable growth and ethical business practices”, said Kerry Doble, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lintbells. “Our B Corp certification is testament to our commitment to continuously carry these values forward and deliver not only a profitable business, but ensure we meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.”  

Lintbells, which is proudly led by its female CEO Fiona Hope, has demonstrated robust ESG governance by integrating sustainability as a cornerstone of its business strategy. This was recently reinforced by the appointment of Kerry Doble, Chief Sustainability Officer, to the Executive Leadership Team, specifically to progress ESG initiatives.

The company is also working towards a Net Zero pathway centred on science-based targets and has not only completed mapping of their own direct carbon emissions (Scope 1), but also those for Scope 2 and 3 across their supply chain.

In relation to the sourcing of all new ingredients, Lintbells will shortly be operating within stringent 'red lines', adhering to deforestation-free, GM-free, and palm oil-free specifications – and is currently undergoing a review of any latent ingredients not adhering to those requirements. Following standards set by the Rainforest Alliance, Proterra and others, Lintbells has already successfully verified approximately 50% of their ingredients as sustainably sourced and aim to be 100% sustainable by 2027.

The company’s YuMOVE brand is also at the forefront of sustainable packaging, with notable achievements including recyclable pouches, lightweight secondary packaging, reduction of raw materials used for packaging and 85% recycled labels. Additionally, Lintbells is planning the rollout of their rePurpose Scheme – which aims to recover as much plastic as they distribute, making them plastic-neutral. They are exploring other innovative solutions such as fully recyclable blister packs, with a goal to achieve 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.

Lintbells is deeply committed to social impact – both within the organisation and the community. As an accredited living wage employer, it offers employees a comprehensive support programme including workplace and external life coaching, health and wellness benefits, assistance for neurodiverse employees, and financial wellbeing through programmes such as Bippit. The company also encourages and facilitates employee volunteering within the wider community as well as contributing to charitable causes, with donations totalling £150k in 2023.

A new criminal offence for pet abduction has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.

Under the Pet Abduction Bill – a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

By supporting the Pet Abduction Bill, the government is delivering on pledges made in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. This recognised that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers. 

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

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “As a dog owner myself, I appreciate deeply what treasured members of the family dogs and cats are. It is a deeply traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet when they are stolen.

“This vital Bill will recognise the severity of this shocking crime and should act as a deterrent to anyone considering stealing a dog or cat. We will do all we can to support its swift passage through Parliament.”

Anna Firth MP said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Pet Abduction Bill has passed its second reading, and will move on to Committee stage. As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that the abduction of a pet can have, and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this.

“Pets are not merely property like a smartphone or watch – they are part of the family. It is not right that the law does not distinguish this and I am delighted that my bill will redress this wrong.”

Today’s announcement builds upon wider work to protect pets from theft, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats and dogs in, making it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

This builds on the Government’s efforts to enhance our world-leading standards of animal welfare. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index.  Our flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare committed us to going even further to protect animals.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill – which is only possible now we have left the European Union – was introduced to Parliament last month and will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys.

Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have also brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; extended the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; introduced legislation to ban the keeping of primates as pets and supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.

Global and UK market leading product range Tick Twister is now available to the UK pet trade exclusively through a new partnership with Sheffield-based Donald Cooke Ltd.  

H3D showcased the product range at PATS Telford in September 2023 with Donald Cooke Ltd. The new team are hugely excited by the prospect of getting the range back in the forefront of retailers minds and back on shelf across the country.

Head Of Business Development for Donald Cooke Ltd, Simon Lewis-Dale, said: “We had a conversation with the H3D team last Summer about the opportunity to help get Tick Twister back on shelf in the UK pet Ttade and we jumped at the chance. Donald Cooke have also partnered with Trust Pet Products to make the range more easily accessible to their current customers. Following a hugely successful PATS show, we are really excited to work with such a prestigious and trusted brand in Tick Twister and help our customers get ready for the season and to be showcasing the range of Tick Twister again at PATS later this year in September.”

The tick season usually starts in late February as the temperature warms up, but with global warming the season is extending, meaning greater demand for these invaluable tools.  Effectively removing ticks from the skin, whether for dogs, cat, horses or humans is essential to reduce the potential for Lyme Disease, which is transmitted through bites from infected ticks. Twisting the tick out of the skin with Tick Twister is the safest and most effective way to remove the whole tick.

Donald Cooke Ltd offer delivery nationwide to all of the pet trade alongside their other premium ranges K9 Chew Co and EMP with a low MOQ and quick delivery. For any enquiries about ordering or becoming a stockist, email info@donaldcooke.co.uk or call 0114 2693901.

Tick Twister

Invented in 1995 by Dr. Denis Heitz, French veterinarian, Tick Twister is the 'ORIGINAL' instrument for removing ticks completely and safely. For 25 years, the company has been the leader in instruments designed to remove ticks on humans and animals. Its mission is to provide quality products of real use to helping prevent tick-borne disease. Tick Twister is designed, manufactured and packaged in France. 

Burgess Pet Care has announced two key appointments to its team based in Pollington, Yorkshire, as the company continues to strengthen its brand and market presence.

Annabel Coleman has joined Burgess as Excel brand manager. She will be responsible for ensuring the Burgess Excel brand continues to be the leading choice for small animal lovers, whilst helping to educate and support the welfare of all small animals.

Annabel has several years’ experience in FMCG brand management and marketing for household brands, including Aunt Bessie’s and Piper’s Crisps,

Tom Mottram has also joined Burgess Pet Care as national account manager. Bringing several years’ experience of operational and commercial finance, along with account management experience gained with Marks & Spencer and Ocado, Tom will focus on growing and strengthening customer relationships and the distribution of products among a wide range of buyers.

Head of marketing Peter Lancaster said: “We warmly welcome Annabel and Tom to Burgess Pet Care. They have already proven their skills, ability and commitment to their new roles, whilst sharing our passion not only for delivering best in class products but also for responsible pet ownership and pets’ health and wellbeing.

“This is an exciting time for Burgess Pet Care, as we have recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Burgess Excel range. This was developed following concerns raised around the negative impact that selective feeding could have on rabbit health, which led to the launch of Burgess Excel rabbit nuggets, the UK’s first single component extruded rabbit food.”

Applications have opened for a new Pet Rescue Grant to help dogs, cats and rabbits impacted by illegal breeding and selling in the UK.

The new grant of £5,000, which is being made available by Naturewatch Foundation, is open to UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) to help support the rescue and rehabilitation of animals who have been affected by the illegal pet trade.

More than half of UK households own a pet, and it’s thought as many as 50% of puppies are supplied by illegal sources. Low-welfare breeding has a devastating impact on animal welfare and owners, and the illicit pet trade has increasingly attracted the involvement of organised criminals.

Naturewatch Foundation campaigns for better pet welfare protections and investigates tip-offs from the public about the illegal pet trade. The charity is launching the grant at a time when the animal rescue sector is facing mounting challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis and rising abandonments.

Natalie Harney from the charity said: “As an animal-loving nation, it’s a tragedy that so many of our beloved pets are the product of the illicit pet trade. We’ve been campaigning and investigating to end illegal breeding for years, but we know that without the rescue sector, many abused and exploited pets simply wouldn’t get the loving care and specialist support they deserve. The Pet Rescue Grant is our small way of helping those selfless organisations that pick up the pieces.”

Rescue organisations that are interested in applying can visit naturewatch.org/petrescuegrant or email petrescuegrant@naturewatch.org to find out more. Applications close on 21st February 2024.

Award-winning garden centre Bents Garden & Home, near Warrington, is holding an Afternoon Tea Paw-ty for dogs in its Pet Café on Sunday.

The VIP event is part of the centre’s plans to celebrate the launch of its 5k Scavenger Hunt for dogs and their owners around Windy Bank Woods.

The centre said on its website: “Imagine a cosy afternoon at our Pet Place Café, complete with tiered stands filled to the brim with homemade doggy delights. From Dognuts to Pupcakes, your pup will be treated to up to six lip-smacking goodies, fit for a king or queen.”

Pedigree Wholesale has launched the Hyper Pet dog toy range, available exclusively to the specialist pet trade. Hyper Pet’s innovative, interactive, and entertaining line of pet speciality products are designed with both pets and pet owners in mind. 

They focus on strengthening the unique bond pet owners share with their pets to keep them healthy, active, engaged and enriched for life because Hyper Pets are Happy Pets. 

The range features innovative and original play solutions for modern pets and pet parents, whilst the intelligent designs influence and encourage pet participation to entertain pets all day. The range features 13 products with RRPs between £3.99 and £24.99 and features a variety of flying, plush and rubber toys to help keep dogs active indoors and outdoors. 

A highlight of the range, the K-9 Kannon, boosts dogs’ playtime into an exciting game of fetch; it launches tennis balls so pet owners don’t have to strain their arms, allowing for extended playtime. The Kannon features multiple ball storage, an adjustable launching range, and a comfortable grip and comes with a tennis ball. To accompany the K-9 Kannon, Hyper Pet offers a range of tennis balls made of grade-A rubber that does not contain any harmful coatings or gasses. In addition, the Hyper Pet Squeaks Tennis Balls are just as safe but have a squeaker inside to keep dogs engaged and wanting to play even more. 

The Hyper Pet range also features flying toys. The Flying Duck is a thumb-releasing sling shot toy with a squeaker, made with durable ballistic material and a bungy neck that launches the toy up to 100ft, plus it floats! 

The Critter Skinz range from Hyper Pet looks to be another firm favourite amongst pets; these toys are stuffless animal toys with squeakers, and to accompany these toys are the Tough Plush toys, which have double layer construction, edge binding for durability, extra dense stuffing and include squeakers. 

The Hyper Pet range also features toys from the Durasqueaks, Hyper Squawkers, Tennis Chewz and Hide-N-Squeaks ranges, meaning there is plenty of choice for all types of dogs at multiple life stages. Plus, there are plans to extend the range further during 2024.

Offering above-average retailer margins, Hyper Pet dog toys are available exclusively through Pedigree Wholesale and are ready to order now.

Award-winning pet food manufacturer Walker & Drake is seeing an increase in sales of its products as small breeds of dog continue to be the most popular in the UK. 

The Barnsley-based company took away the top prize for Best New Food Product at the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Awards with its Cold Pressed Puppy and Small Breed foods.

In the top 10 breeds registered with the Kennel Club are Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Border Terrier, Pug, Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund and French Bulldog. 

Walker & Drake was formed with the clear intention of producing a British made, complete nutritional dog food made using the ‘minimal processing’ cold pressed technique. The cold pressed process produces a product that breaks down easily in the stomach, aids digestion and maintains a higher protein content. 

Walker & Drake’s Cold Pressed Puppy Food is made by taking great ingredients (individually cooked at low temperatures for optimum nutrient retention), mixing them, and pressing under low temperatures to get a naturally softer, denser, complete nutrition puppy food. Ideal for any young pup!

The kibble size is smaller (7mm diameter) which is perfect for those smaller puppy mouths. The protein content is slightly higher to match the activity level of growing pups and the finely tuned blend of quality ingredients with vitamins and minerals will support growing dogs of all breeds. Feed it dry or soak in water to make a porridge consistency for very young and weaning pups.

The Walker & Drake Small Breed Food is a complete nutrition cold pressed dog food with a smaller kibble size for those smaller mouths. It is made with rice, a great source of carbohydrates for instant energy, vitamin D, fibre and iron.  The cold pressed method keeps natural enzymes and vitamins locked in as well as retaining fibre and molecular structures, and most important, dogs love the taste! Available in three varieties, Lamb and Rice, Ocean Fish and Turkey and Rice the food is wheat and gluten free, highly digestible and gentle on tummies. It contains added vegetables and botanicals providing all the vitamins and minerals your dog’s needs.

Walker & Drake source ingredients within the UK where possible and the food is packed in PE/PE 100% recyclable bags.

For further information visit: www.walkeranddrake.com

With canine enrichment at the heart of its ethos Nylabone has expanded its product offering with three new playful products for Spring. 

Made from tough durable nylon, the first addition is the Sneaky Snacker Treat Toy. This clever toy has a flexible middle section that opens so that treats or spreads can be added, whilst its two textured ends satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew. The Sneaky Snacker features Nylabone’s bacon flavour for life and is currently available in a medium size.

Designed to create a more playful chewing experience the fun new Rolley Chew is shaped so that is spins and rolls when played with. Available in a large size, it features a tasty bacon flavouring and two easy-grip bone shaped ends that ensure it’s comfortable for paws to hold.     

The final Spring addition is an Extreme Gator Tail Chew. With a shape that offers the texture of real animal parts but in a safer, longer lasting, and odour-free way, the Gator Tail is made from Nylabone’s classic durable nylon that is designed to withstand even the strongest of chewers. It is currently available in a large size and features the brand’s popular chicken flavouring. 

The new products are available to order now from Interpet’s trade website https://trade.interpet.co.uk/

Furr Boost, the healthy hydration smoothie drink that scooped the Best Product Innovation Awards at both PetQuip and the PIF Awards in 2022, is launching new varieties of its smoothie drink at Crufts on 7-10 March at Birmingham’s NEC (Hall 1, stand 127).

The smoothie drinks were created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal  after her Beagle, Phoebe at the age of 18 months became unwell with bladder problems which after investigations with her vet, were linked to the dog’s food. 

Using her technical background, Louise then started experimenting with protein shakes to help flush out Phoebe’s system and to provide her with the hydration that she needed when she was refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. This led to the creation of the Furr Boost range of smoothies.

The new varieties include: Venison, Butternut Squash and Cranberry. Venison meat contains a high amount of B vitamins, giving any dog the energy they need. Dog food with venison also provides the perfect amount of zinc and iron to support a healthy immune system and organ function. Cranberries are considered a superfood and contain a chemical compound that can help prevent urinary tract infections whilst butternut squash contains plenty of fibre to aid digestion, but it is also rich in beta-carotene, which is believed to boost immune function and protect against disease.

Salmon, Sweet Potato and Blueberry is the second new variety. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the immune system, may decrease inflammation, and can keep a dog's coat looking shiny and healthy. Along with some other types of fish, salmon is also a good protein source. Sweet potato is a great source of vitamin C and blueberries contain antioxidants, fibre and vitamins C and K. These nutrients support the immune system and contribute to overall health.

The third variety is Vegan Plant Based which can be used to add further vegetables to a dog’s diet and as well as including nutritious vegetables and fruit such as sweet potato, apple, broccoli and butternut squash, it also contains supplements for the coat, skin and joints such a flaxseed oil and TumericAid. TurmerAid contains a unique blend of three key ingredients – turmeric, linseed and black pepper to ensure maximum absorption and optimum results with added ingredients to aid digestion and improve intestinal health.

Furr Boost is a sustainable product using packaging materials which are recyclable avoiding single use plastic as each smoothie is available in a 400 ml Tetra Pak Carton.

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com

For trade enquiries contact Louise Toal on Tel: 01746 785 410 email: customerservices@furrboost.com or visit the wholesale page: www.furrboost.com/wholesale

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Police have issued CCTV of a woman they would like to speak to following a pet shop theft in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

It happened at Pets at Home in the Princes Gate Shopping Park in Catterick Garrison at approximately 10.51am on Tuesday 31 October 2023 and involved a woman entering the store and taking dog toys, treats and fish accessories without making an attempt to pay for them.  

Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the image as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to email Jamie.Kennerley@NorthYorkshire.Police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jamie Kennerley.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12230207028 when passing on information.

WildWash has won a prestigious Pet Care Ethical Excellence award, securing the top position among the top 200 ethical businesses recognised by The Good Shopping Guide.

This recognition highlights WildWash's commitment to driving positive transformation for the environment, animals, and people. It firmly establishes the brand as a leader in ethical practices, establishing a benchmark for excellence within the pet care industry.

“The conscious choices made by our fantastic customers to embrace a sustainable lifestyle through WildWash products have contributed significantly to this achievement,” said founder Jane Cooper. “Beyond mere transactions, it's a collective effort to be part of a movement for positive change.

“As WildWash celebrates this remarkable accomplishment, the brand invites everyone to explore its extensive range of products. These not only pamper pets but also contribute to creating a more sustainable and ethical world. Join us in celebrating this triumph and making a conscious choice for the well-being of our furry friends and the planet we all share.”

To discover the complete list of top 200 ethical businesses, visit The Good Shopping Guide and witness the collective impact of ethical choices.

Paleo Ridge has been included in The Good Shopping Guide's prestigious list of Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands. This recognition highlights Paleo Ridge's unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and sustainability, placing the company among the most conscientious businesses globally.

The Good Shopping Guide, renowned for its comprehensive evaluation of businesses across various sectors, has acknowledged Paleo Ridge for its exemplary ethical standards. The Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands list encompasses diverse industries, recognising organisations that prioritise ethical considerations in their operations.

Paleo Ridge's commitment to ethical policies and practices is integral to its mission of providing high-quality raw dog food. The company's inclusion in this esteemed list affirms its ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on the environment.

The Good Shopping Guide conducts rigorous assessments to ensure the credibility of the companies included in its Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands. 

Will Green, Director of Sales and Marketing, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by The Good Shopping Guide as one of the Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands. This accolade reflects our continued dedication to ethical principles and sustainability at every level of our business ensuring we provide nothing but the best for your dog."

As part of the inclusion, Paleo Ridge undergoes independent certification through Ethical Accreditation by The Good Shopping Guide, reinforcing the company's commitment to transparency and authenticity in its ethical initiatives.

Pets at Home has announced the appointment of Angelique Augereau as its new independent Non-Executive Director.

Until recently, Angelique served as the Chief Analytics Officer at Capital One Financial Corporation, where she led a team to execute Capital One's first artificial intelligence and machine learning strategy and innovation agenda for the card business. Prior to this, Angelique held positions as the Chief Data & Analytics Officer for Apax Partners and as a Managing Director in J.P. Morgan's Global Payment Business, where she built and scaled a data-driven innovation unit.

On her appointment to the Board, Angelique has also become a member of the Pets’ Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as the ESG Committee.

Pets at Home Chairman, Ian Burke, commented: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Angelique Augereau to Pets at Home Group plc. The directors and I look forward to working with Angelique and strengthening the Board’s experience in AI and machine learning.”

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found the most common conditions diagnosed in Shih Tzu dogs in the UK are periodontal disease (inflammation of the gums and tissue around the teeth), anal sac impaction and ear disorders. While the findings suggest that the breed is predisposed to a number of conditions, the overall disorder profile of the Shih Tzu is surprisingly different and better than many other common flat-faced breeds.

The Shih Tzu is the seventh most common dog breed in the UK, with an estimated UK population of more than 300,000 that accounts for 3% of all UK dogs1. Shih Tzu are a flat-faced breed, also known as a brachycephalic breed, with this extreme body shape linked to number of serious eye and breathing health issues because the short muzzle causes excessive facial skin folds and shallow eye sockets. However, until now, there has been limited information available on the most common health issues in the Shih Tzu breed.

The new study was led by the RVC’s VetCompass Research Programme and investigated anonymised clinical information on 11,082 (3.29%) Shih Tzus from an overall study population of 336,865 dogs under veterinary care during 2016.

Dental (periodontal) disease was the most recorded disorder in Shih Tzu, with 9.5% of dogs diagnosed with the condition each year. Periodontal disease was more common in older dogs, emphasising to owners that extra veterinary and home care is needed to protect the dental health of their Shih Tzu ages.

The other common disorders found in Shih Tzu were anal sac impaction (7.4%), ear disorders (5.5%), otitis externa (4.7%; inflamed ear canal), vomiting (4.4%) and umbilical hernias (3.9%; when internal tissues push out through weakened muscle tissues).

However, despite the Shih Tzu being a flat-faced breed, their overall health profile of common disorders was quite similar to the health profiles of non-flat-faced dogs previously reported 2. This suggests the Shih Tzu is much less severely affected by its flat-faced conformation than other common brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs. For example, the reported frequency of otitis externa in French Bulldogs was 14%, almost three times the level reported for Shih Tzus (4.7%)3, while the frequency of corneal (eye surface) disorders in Pugs was 8.7%, more than double that reported in Shih Tzus (3.5%).

Other key findings include:

• The frequency of anal sac impaction, umbilical hernias and eyes problems were substantially higher in Shih Tzu dogs than previously identified in dogs overall2
• Female Shih Tzu dogs had a higher probability of umbilical hernia, while males had a higher probability of aggression, heart murmur, skin lesions and haircoat disorders
• The average adult bodyweight for Shih Tzu overall was 7.9kg. The average bodyweight of males (8.5kg) was heavier than for females (7.3kg)
• The most common causes of death were bowel diseases (diarrhoea, vomiting etc.) (9.6%), heart disease (9.6%) and poor quality of life (9.6%)
• The overall average age at death of Shih Tzu was 12.7 years. This is longer than the average of 11.2 years reported for dogs overall in the UK4

This information on common disorders can help vets, breeders and owners prioritise prevention and management of these disorders in Shih Tzu. Although some disorder predispositions were identified in Shih Tzu such as eye and anal sac problems, the overall longevity and disorder patterns were not that dissimilar to dogs overall2 suggesting that Shih Tzu can be considered as a more typical dog in terms of common health issues compared to other popular flat-faced breeds.

Dr Fiona Dale, VetCompass Epidemiologist at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “Shih Tzu are small, popular dogs in the UK. While we found that the top disorders in the breed were similar to those commonly reported in dogs overall, Shih Tzu appear to be predisposed to a number of conditions including eye conditions. In order to effectively prioritise the welfare of their dogs, owners of Shih Tzu should be vigilant for eye problems to allow earlier diagnosis and treatment.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said: “Flat faces in dogs have been linked to several serious health problems, but this new study highlights that the health profile of each flat-faced breed can be quite unique. The 12.7 year longevity of Shih Tzu suggests the overall health of the breed is much less severely compromised than other flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs that live less than eight years on average.”

Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeding Services Executive at The Kennel Club, which helped to fund the research, added: “This research enables better understanding of breed-specific health concerns, and these findings will feed into the Shih Tzu breed health and conservation plan, managed by The Kennel Club to identify and monitor any concerns, and continue to improve health.

“We’re pleased this study indicates that most disorders faced by Shih Tzu are fairly common for all dogs, and that there don’t seem to be any prevalent extreme health conditions, including those which can be associated with other brachycephalic breeds. It remains crucial, however, that all puppy buyers do thorough research regarding health and go to a responsible breeder; this plays an important part in improving the health and welfare of all breeds, now and in generations to come.”

Pets are part of the family – they give unconditional love and are always there for us, through the ups and downs. That’s why the vet charity for pets in need, PDSA, is reminding pet owners the importance of pet insurance should the worst happen.

“It’s our responsibility to take care of our furry family members,” explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. “And unless you are fortunate enough to have large savings to fall back on, insurance that covers vet fees is an absolute necessity and even a life saver should your pet get into an accident or become unwell.

“While we strongly advise that you insure your pet, it can be hard to understand exactly how pet insurance works – especially with all the unfamiliar terminology. There are a wide range of policies out there to suit your pet's individual healthcare needs and your budget, so we’ve pulled together an ultimate guide to give you all the information you need.”

Lifetime cover

• Lifetime policies cover your pet for the cost of treatment for any injuries or illnesses throughout their life, that weren’t present before you started the policy.
• The big advantage of these policies is that they reset every year at renewal. You can continue to claim up to the yearly policy limit year after year for the same condition, as long as you renew with no break in cover.
• Lifetime cover is generally the most complete type of cover that you can get. It will cover your pet for chronic conditions meaning you’ll be protected from the cost of ongoing vet treatment – unlike with accident-only or time-limited cover.
• With lifetime cover, you’ll also be covered for any short or long term treatment your pet may need. Meaning they will be covered for a road traffic accident right through to treating chronic conditions like arthritis.
• Ultimately, this is the best way to keep your beloved companion covered.

Time limited cover

• Also known as annual cover, time limited cover provides your pet with insurance coverage for accidents and illnesses for a set time period (usually a year) from when the symptoms start as long as the policy continues with the same insurer.
• It’s worth mentioning that the time period starts from when the condition is first seen, not when first claimed.
• When 12 months have passed or the policy financial limit is reached, you’ll no longer be covered for vet fees for that specific accident or illness.
• Time limited cover tends to be lower-priced. However if your pet develops a longer term condition such as arthritis, or has recurrent problems with for example skin irritation, after 12 months you will no longer be able to claim for this or any related problems.
• Therefore, this type of cover is most useful for short-term illnesses, such as unexpected injuries like a car accident or surgery to treat an infected wound.

Accident only cover

• Your pet might need urgent treatment for hospitalisation, x-rays or extensive surgery after an accident – which can all add up to a large amount of cost in one go. This is where accident only cover can be of use.
• Accident only cover only covers accidental injuries (such as road traffic accidents) not illnesses. It can be helpful if you’re finding paying for the more expensive cover difficult, but try to upgrade as soon as you can.
• As pets get older they are more likely to develop illnesses that wouldn’t be covered by accident only policies. However, it could be the right cover if you’re on a tight budget, have a young and healthy pet and would struggle to afford the cost if your pet was badly injured.

Maximum benefit cover

• Alternatively, there is maximum benefit cover, also known as ‘condition capped’ or ‘money limited’. This cover provides a fixed amount to treat each illness or injury for as long as the policy remains in force.
• Unfortunately, if your pet is still unwell after the maximum amount is reached, you’ll have to pay for further treatment yourself.
• It’s also worth mentioning that you could reach the limit quickly if your pet needs expensive treatment, such as a major operation.
• Again, this cover is ideal if you are on a tight budget and have a younger pet.

“Now you know about the different types of pet insurance, you should have a better idea of what the right policy is for you,” adds Nina.

“The most important part of pet insurance is making sure that it fits your individual pet’s needs. There’s nothing worse than taking out pet insurance, only to realise that it doesn’t provide the right coverage for your furry friend at a time when you really need it.

“Speak to your vet about the policy that is best for you and your pet if you are still unsure.”

Nina’s answered some of PDSA’s most frequently asked insurance questions:

What’s an excess?

• The excess is the amount of money you will have to pay for your pets’ treatment at the vets, when they have been unwell. If the cost of your pet’s treatment has gone above the excess amount, the insurance company should pay the remaining balance up to the maximum agreed amount in your policy.
• Not all vet practices are able to make direct claims to the insurance company, so you should be prepared to pay your vet practice the full amount of money that is owed to them and then you will need to claim it back afterwards from the insurance company.  You will not be refunded the excess amount.
• The excess will be an amount that you agreed with your insurance company when taking out your policy.
• Paying a higher excess can reduce the cost of your pet insurance – but make sure that it’s still an affordable amount for you.

Does pet insurance cover long-term illness?

“Just like us, our pets can develop long-term illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis. Sadly, not all pet insurance policies will cover the cost of your pet’s treatment if this happens. This is why it’s important to have the right insurance to make sure your furry friend is covered.

"Lifetime cover is the best pet insurance for this, as it will protect your companion for the rest of their life, as long as you renew your policy. However, there are some limits on cover either per condition or per year. Therefore, make sure to read your policy documents carefully to see what the limits are."

Does pet insurance cover dentistry?

“Most pet insurance for dogs and cats do not include dental work as standard. You’ll normally have to pay extra to include this. Even if dentistry is included, your pet insurance is unlikely to cover routine dental treatments like a scale and polish. Dentistry will typically cover accidents, such as your pet breaking a tooth, and the care of infected teeth and abscesses."

What’s a pre-existing condition?

“A pre-existing condition is a one-off or long-term illness, injury or symptom your pet is suffering or has suffered from before taking out your new policy. This even includes if your pet didn’t receive treatment, or you were told it was nothing serious. Even if you didn’t claim for the condition on a previous insurance policy, it still counts as a pre-existing condition. Pet insurance companies need to know about all pre-existing conditions as this could affect a future claim. Whenever you make a claim, your pet insurance provider will review your pet’s medical records to see if there are any pre-existing conditions that they cannot cover."

What vet fees does my pet insurance cover?

“When you have chosen the pet insurance policy that’s right for you, you’ll be covered for the vet treatments included in your policy. This is usually accidents, injuries, unexpected illnesses, including emergency and out of hours care. Unfortunately, routine pet health care is not covered. In addition, if your pet is unwell but treatment costs fall within your excess, there will not be the option to claim from your insurer at that time.

“Pet insurance can cover vet fees for MRI and CT scans, physiotherapy and even overseas veterinary treatment as long as these treatment costs fall within the policy limit. Some policies may even cover complimentary treatments such as hydrotherapy or behavioural treatment. Be sure to read your policy documents to find out exactly what is covered.

Is there an age limit?

“There isn't an official age limit for insuring your pet – but it’s worth noting that many pet insurance companies do have age limits in place for taking out new policies. Pet insurance often covers kittens and puppies from eight weeks of age.

“For new policies, cats can be insured when older, although there may be less insurance companies willing to provide cover. For those cats being insured for the first time in their senior years, excesses may be higher and policies on offer may be restricted dependent on their breed and health. With ageing dogs, there are providers willing to insure them, however as with cats, excesses may be higher and breed or health conditions may cause restrictions to the policy. Ultimately, this is why we recommend finding a reputable pet insurance provider, like PDSA Pet Insurance, and staying with them throughout your beloved companion’s life.

“We strongly advise taking out insurance for your pet while they are young. Before they have the chance to develop any illnesses that could be classed as pre-existing conditions – as few companies will cover these. This type of insurance is most likely going to be more expensive than standard pet insurance, too.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

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

To find out more visit www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-insurance-pdsa

In a partnership designed to provide innovative insurance solutions for an enriched life with horses, the FEI has announced that Swedish-owned Agria is now the Official FEI Insurance Partner. 

Founded in 1890, Agria has provided equine insurance and digital veterinary advice to equine owners in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom, and Germany. The company also has long-standing collaborations with national equestrian federations. Through their partnership with the FEI, which will run from 2024 through to 2028, Agria now aims to take these services to more countries in Europe. 

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Agria, whose commitment to providing top notch insurance services, is a part of their overall mission to ensure equine welfare and preventative healthcare for animals,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.  

“The FEI’s partnership with Agria is not just about connecting the FEI’s stakeholders with people who have years of expertise in insurance. This venture is also about communicating the opportunities for prevention, as preventing injuries is an important aspect in sustaining horse welfare around the world.   

“Agria brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their own in-house equine veterinary experts as well as from their long-standing collaboration with equine organisations, scientists and breeders.” 

The FEI’s partnership with Agria follows a successful digital collaboration between the two organisations on the ‘What makes a champion?’ series which aired in 2022. Five equestrian athletes were interviewed for their views on the importance of mindset, team support, and passion to make an equestrian sporting dream a reality. The digital campaign had over 300,000 video views and 1 million impressions and has laid the foundation for a successful collaboration.   

"Through our collaboration with the FEI, Agria has the possibility to connect with more equestrian stakeholders than ever before and we’re excited about the opportunity to explore new markets and work for equine wellbeing and improved equine health on a pan-European level,” CEO of Agria Agnes Fabricius said.  

“The FEI's education and awareness campaigns and research projects in combination with the Agria Research Foundation which has one of the world’s largest equine injury databases, gives us a unique platform to spread injury prevention knowledge within the equestrian community and influence ethical standards among all types of horse owners.”  

About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org 

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm. The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Para Driving, Para Dressage, Endurance and Vaulting. 

About Agria 

Agria is a leading animal insurance provider, founded as the first animal insurer in 1890 in Sweden. With a mission to provide peace of mind for animal owners and with a strong commitment to animal welfare, Agria has established itself as a market leader in animal insurance and digital veterinary care, providing services in multiple European countries. 

Three of Scotland’s leading specialist referral centres have come together to offer a comprehensive CPD event for veterinary professionals, spanning dermatology, orthopaedics and dentistry. 

The full day session, held on 12 February 2024 at DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort in Cumbernauld, is being hosted by Dermatology Referral Service, East Neuk Veterinary Clinic and DentalVets, all of which are part of the IVC Evidensia Referral network. 

The CPD event will include sessions on each of the centres’ specialisms, as well as an opportunity for attendees to discuss their own cases with the specialists and will build on attendees’ skills and knowledge as well as counting towards annual CPD requirements.

Kicking off the day, clinical director and small animal surgery specialist Pádraig Egan from East Neuk Veterinary Clinic will lead with a masterclass on elbow dysplasia, which will be followed by an opportunity to discuss specific orthopaedics cases submitted by attendees.

Christian Ortalda, dermatology specialist at Glasgow’s Dermatology Referral Service, will host a discussion on cytology, focusing on how to take and read samples accurately.

DentalVets’ Ingrid Tundo, a specialist in veterinary dentistry, will focus on common maxillofacial surgeries, before her colleague Susan Thorne, clinical director at the practice, closes the day with a session on malocclusion. 

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the speakers and to hear from animal health company Zoetis on the day. 

Tickets are £80 and are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/orthopaedicdentistrydermatology-collaboration-tickets-793158286787?

Laurie Adams, Practice Director at Dermatology Referral Service, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for vets to expand their knowledge of multiple specialities and learn from some of the country’s best practitioners in one go. 

“We’re lucky to have an excellent calibre of clinicians across Scotland and are delighted to be working with our colleagues at DentalVets and East Neuk to host this educational session.”

A full list of CPD events across the IVC Evidensia Referral network is available here: https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/events-and-cpd.

Renowned trials competitor and breeder Will Clulee of Poolgreen Gundogs had, in the words of his wife Sue, “Another great season.”

Will has been involved with working spaniels English Springer, Cockers and Labradors, competing in field trials and shooting over his dogs for many years and trains and breeds quality gundogs.  He has made up 35 Cocker Spaniel Champions and 9 Springer Spaniel Champions.

Sue thanked CSJ for their support and told them: “I have sent a picture of Will and all the winners this season.  From left to right are details of the dogs and their win…”

• FTOW Poolgreen Lollipop - Fizz - won 1 Novice 1 Open and qualified for Springer Championship
• FTW Derrycullen Gaugin - Hemi -won 1 Novice (1st time out).
• FTCH Woolpitts Shin of Poolgreen - Alfie - won 1 Open to qualify and run in Cocker Championship, gaining Diploma of Merit.
• FTCH Sky of Wellbank - Ellie - won 1 Open to re-qualify and run in the Cocker Championship.
• FTCH Drimlago Drifter of Poolgreen - Tex - won 1 Novice and 2 Open making him up to FTCH and qualified and ran in Springer Championship
• FTCH Uplands Bluebell of Badgerford - Belle - won 1 Open to qualify and run in Cocker Championship gaining a Diploma of Merit
• (Not in picture - FTOW Donnachaidh Spynie - Ross - won Novice and 1 Open to qualify for Cocker Championship).

CSJ is proud to feed Champions in all sports – from Gundogs to Heelwork to Music competitors and, with such diversity, their feed, treats and supplements ranges have developed ‘naturally’ over 20+ years to cater to their individual needs.

See more about Will and for all contact details visit  www.willcluleegundogs.co.uk

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

The Pet Industry Federation was saddened to learn of the recent death of esteemed pet nutritionist, John Murray, of Woodbridge, Suffolk. 

John worked in the field of animal nutrition for most of his career and was at one time head of nutrition for a major feed supplement company. In addition, he was involved with food processing technology and raw material development in both the animal and human food world. 

He spent time spent in Kenya with the World Food Programme making food for refugees and in other countries around the world. Towards the end of this career, he concentrated on horse and small animal nutrition, particularly dogs, developing new treats and complete foods for pet food companies. 

PIF had worked with John on many nutrition projects and recommended his expertise on nutritional matters to many members. He also advised PIF on nutritional issues to support its policy work and training courses. 

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, had known and worked with John for nearly three decades and attended John’s funeral on 16 January. He said: “John was one of the nicest and kindest people you could meet. He was ‘one of a kind’ when it came to pet and animal nutrition. He knew how to formulate recipes in an exceptional way. John will be very sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”

A pet shop in Cumbria has revealed it rehomes more than 100 abandoned animals in 2023.

Little Beaties, in Ulveston, took in 109 pets last year and managed to find them homes.

Owner Mandy Christopher said on the shop’s Facebook page: “I usually start the New Year with a post about the rescue and rehoming work we do. During 2023 we took in and rehomed 109 animals! 

“These range from rabbits, guinea pigs and small rodents to reptiles, birds and tarantulas.

“We cover all the costs by raising money selling used pet items that get donated to us, from the adoption fee when someone rehomes from us, from helping people out and them donating in return and by donations made in our box on the shop counter. 

“We couldn't provide this service if it wasn't for all the lovely people who donate items, adopt from us, share our posts, pop change in the box and spread the word about the work we do so a massive THANK YOU! to you all.”

Visit the shop’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/littlebeasties.ulverston to find out more.

HOWND has been named one of the most ethical businesses in the world by The Good Shopping Guide. The Good Shopping Guide rated HOWND from head to tail, and they emerged top dog in categories such as environmental impact, animal welfare, and public record. 

The prestigious list of the Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands recognised HOWND's commitment to positive ethical practices as they were independently certified through Ethical Accreditation by The Good Shopping Guide.

"We're over the moon about this recognition from The Good Shopping Guide," says Jo Amit, Co-Founder at HOWND. "Being named one of the Top 200 Ethical Companies with a rating of 98 out of 100 is a reflection of the heart and soul we pour into being ethical in our choices every day. Being ethical isn't a destination for us; it's our journey.” 

“This recognition isn't the finish line; it's our fuel to keep pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in ethical business practices. So, what's next for HOWND? More of the good stuff, more innovation, and more reasons for you to feel great about supporting a company that's not just in business for business's sake but for the greater good.”

HOWND  has a single mission: to improve the health and wellbeing of dogs without unnecessary harm to other animals and the planet. Its core ethos and values has never wavered. Since 2015, HOWND has evolved into a multi award-winning ethical lifestyle brand for dogs in the UK and overseas.

News that PATS – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – will be a THREE-DAY exhibition in 2024 has been warmly welcomed by both exhibitors and visitors alike.

PATS 2024, to be staged from Sunday 29th September to Tuesday 1st October 2024 at Telford International Centre, will become one all-encompassing show as the two PATS exhibitions – previously held in Telford and Sandown Park, merge into one.

Many key exhibitors have already reserved their space at the show, which will take over the entire Telford International Centre, giving the organisers the ability to accommodate more than 350 exhibitors, compared with this year’s record number of 256.

The new show format will also enhance its appeal to international visitors. PATS organisers will be working closely with PetQuip to encourage an increasing number of international buyers to the show, making PATS 2024 a truly international event.

The new three-day show will retain all its popular features including the New Product Showcase and Awards, the New Starter Zone, grooming workshops and show-only deals and discounts, and this year will also include a separate Aquatics Zone.

There will also be free entry for visitors, a free show catalogue, free parking for up to 1,300 cars and a complimentary tea/coffee voucher. 

For all the latest information visit www.patshow.co.uk or call the organisers’ offices on 01892 862848