The Mayhew Animal Home in London has been strongly criticised for launching a controversial 'sex card' campaign to highlight the problem of pet overpopulation in the UK.

The postcards in question are based on prostitute calling cards which can be found inside phone booths in the capital. The set of six cards each feature an animal image and a racy strap line to grab people’s attention to take a closer read.

One of the cards – in a lurid pink – says ‘Wild Thing!!’ and ‘Who knows where I’ve been’ with the image of a fluffy young lapdog on the front.

Another one, in lime green, uses a photograph of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier with the headline ‘Pre op sexy beast – looking for no-strings attached sex, happy to share partners, likes it ruff’.

The charity in North-West London has chosen this attention-grabbing tactic to raise awareness about what happens to pets when left unneutered and they highlight the thousands of litters that die as a result of overpopulation.

But the campaign has drawn complaints from organisations like the Mothers’ Union, which described The Mayhew's action as ‘disappointing’.

Mothers’ Union spokesperson Fiona Thomas said: “It is extremely disappointing and we would urge any parents who see this in the public domain to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority

“Children are very important members of the public and have a right to be protected from sexualisation.

“The Mayhew has used sex to sell without any consideration of the age of the public they are targeting. Children are likely to see it and it is disappointing they think because other people use sex to sell, they can.”

Each card features a number on the front which goes through to a neutering hotline at The Mayhew and the reverse of the cards provides information about the serious side of the campaign.

Animal charities always notice a rise in welfare concerns during an economic crisis as pet expenses can no longer be afforded.

The Mayhew’s CEO, Caroline Yates, admitted the campaign was provocative but the charity was justified in taking such a bold stance.

“We are very frustrated at seeing countless unwanted and abandoned animals arrive at our rescue centre as a result of the chronic pet overpopulation crisis in this country,” she said.

“Charity campaigns about neutering awareness are simply not infiltrating into the population’s psyche and we are seeing rising numbers of stray animals every month. That is why we have taken a bold stance with a provocative campaign in order to make people really pay attention to one of the gravest animal welfare issues in this country.”

She added: “Hundreds of litters of kittens die all year round after unneutered domestic and stray cats breed and the young animals cannot survive the elements.

“We understand the recession is affecting everyone, but it is essential people consider whether they can afford a pet and not just purchase on impulse.

“The Mayhew offers free and low cost neutering appointments at our onsite clinic but our one charity can only do so much. We hope that this campaign will finally make pet owners and decision makers give this issue the serious attention it deserves.”

The six controversial cards are pictured below...

Britain’s dogs are becoming more talented thanks to the ‘Pudsey effect’, according to a survey by the Kennel Club.

Almost one-third of dog owners (32%) said the success of the Britain’s Got Talent winner had encouraged them to develop their own pet’s abilities.

Over half (54%) said they spent up to five hours a week training their dogs skills such as tackling obstacles, dancing to music and even riding a surfboard or skateboard.

The survey, which was commissioned by the Kennel Club to launch its annual Crufts Factor competition, revealed that the most popular skills taught to pets were basic obedience (81%), fetching items such as newspapers and slippers around the house (34%) and tackling obstacles and agility (15%).

Following Ashleigh and Pudsey’s triumph on the ITV1 talent show, a third of owners admitted to wanting their dog to pursue a showbiz career if it was talented enough.

Now the Kennel Club’s Crufts Factor competition is looking for the next generation of talented dogs to perform in front of a live audience at Crufts 2013 on Sunday, March 10. It will be judged by Mark Foster, Olympic swimmer and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, and Lucy Heath, winner of ITV’s show 'That Dog Can Dance'.

Whether it is singing, dancing, skateboarding or agility tricks, the public is being asked to upload a short video of their dog’s special talent via the Crufts Facebook page www.facebook.com/crufts.

Members of the public can then vote on their favourite entry. Two dog acts will be chosen from the 10 videos with the most votes to perform in the Crufts Factor final during Crufts 2013. One wild card finalist will also be picked from all entries.

The three finalists will perform alongside previous heat winner Rachael Grylls and her dogs, Jacob and Jessica, in front of a celebrity judging panel and a global TV audience.

Last year Rachael was talent-scouted by Simon Cowell for his 'That Dog Can Dance' Christmas special and performed on ITV1 in front of celebrity judges Ashleigh Butler, Sharon Osbourne and Bill Bailey.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The Crufts Factor is all about celebrating the extraordinary talents of ordinary dogs, and what better place to do that than on the world’s most famous dog stage.

"It is great to see the so-called ‘Pudsey effect’ motivating people to teach their dogs tricks and take part in dog sports and leisure activities. It is a perfect way for dog and owner to bond and have fun in the process.”

The research also revealed that the dance routine that the UK public would most like to see Ashleigh and Pudsey recreate is 'Singing in the Rain' (33%), followed by Dirty Dancing’s 'I’ve Had The Time Of My Life' (23%), and the dance scene from 'Pulp Fiction' (17%).

Also in the survey, Paul O’Grady’s Cairn Terrier, Olga was named as the UK’s favourite celebrity dog, with Pudsey second and Blue Peter’s Barney third.

PATS Sandown has secured a strong line-up of speakers for two days of seminars designed to give pet retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new approaches and new profit potential.

The talks, produced in association with Pedigree Wholesale, will take place in the Seminar Theatre in Esher Hall of Sandown Park on both days of the show – Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20.

The free-to-attend series of seminars will cover topics including driving sales in the small animal category, senior cats and their nutritional needs, how pet stores can thrive in the internet age, getting more online visitors, an introduction to responsible reptile retailing, and understanding your shoppers.

There will also be a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for those people attending a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial. The CPD points will go towards the ongoing development of Suitably Qualified People (SQP) working in the pet industry. Places for this seminar, delivered by Tanya Leslie, technical manager for Merial’s Frontline Spot On product, need to be booked in advance at www.patshow.co.uk/merial/ and are on a first-come-first-served basis, while visitors can simply turn up for all the other talks.



Pictured above, from left to right: Tanya Leslie, David Mackley, Fiona Marjoram and Iain Grant.

On both days of PATS Sandown, the seminar programme will be opened with a talk from Hill’s Pet Nutrition on senior cats and their nutritional needs. Hill’s Education Specialist Fiona Marjoram will start proceedings at 10.05am on day one, while her colleague Iain Grant, Staff Clinician at Hill's, will deliver the talk at the start of the day two seminars.

For those retailers interested in specifically developing their store’s opportunities in reptiles and associated products, there will be an enlightening presentation by Chris Newman of REPTA, who has himself kept more than 250 species of reptiles and amphibians.

With 1.7million rabbits now owned across the UK, the small animal category represents a great opportunity to drive incremental sales across a range of products. Justin Heaton (above), from Burgess Petcare, will reveal retailers can lead the market with their small animal offering.

Understanding your shoppers is becoming increasingly important in today’s complex marketplace, and it’s a subject that will be tackled during the seminar programme on both days by Chris Collier, of Mars Petcare UK.

And for those retailers interested in developing their online presence there will be two talks of interest. Pooch & Mutt’s Guy Blaskey will be debating how pet stores can thrive in the internet age, while David Mackley, of Intelligent Retail, will be discussing ways to get more online visitors by using the latest Google changes to your advantage.

As well as this free programme of seminars there will be so much more to see and talk about at PATS Sandown with over 160 exhibitors packing the Surrey and Esher Halls. Visitors are now being urged to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk. Other benefits include free parking, free catalogue, dog grooming demonstrations and many special offers. The PATS hotline is +44 (0)1892 862848.

PATS Sandown seminar programme
In association with Pedigree Wholesale

Tuesday, March 19

10.05-10.35 Senior cats and their nutritional needs

Speaker: Fiona Marjoram, Education Specialist at Hill's Pet Nutrition

10.40 -11.10 An introduction to responsible reptile retailing

Speaker: Chris Newman, REPTA

11.20-11.50 eCommerce: Get more online visitors. How to use the latest Google changes to your advantage

Speaker: David Mackley, Intelligent Retail

12.00-12.30 Driving sales in the small animal category

Speaker: Justin Heaton, Burgess Petcare

13.00-13.30 How pet stores can thrive in the internet age

Speaker: Guy Blaskey, Pooch & Mutt

13.40-14.10 Understanding your shoppers

Speaker: Chris Collier, Mars Petcare UK

14.20 -15.10 Why understanding fleas and flea control is important to your business

Speaker: Tanya Leslie, Merial

Wednesday, March 20

10.05-10.35 Senior cats and their nutritional needs

Speaker: Iain Grant, Staff Clinician at Hill's Pet Nutrition

10.40 -11.10 Driving sales in the small animal category

Speaker: Justin Heaton, Burgess Petcare

11.20-11.50 Understanding your shoppers

Speaker: Chris Collier, Mars Petcare UK

12.00-12.30 eCommerce: Get more online visitors. How to use the latest Google changes to your advantage

Speaker: David Mackley, Intelligent Retail

13.00-13.30 An introduction to responsible reptile retailing

Speaker: Chris Newman, REPTA

13.40-14.10 How pet stores can thrive in the internet age

Speaker: Guy Blaskey, Pooch & Mutt

14.20 -15.10 Why understanding fleas and flea control is important to your business

Speaker: Tanya Leslie, Merial

Welfare organisation 'Make Mine Chocolate!' is calling on pet shops throughout the UK to support the Easter Rabbit Sale Amnesty in order to stop the impulse buying of rabbits.

The Easter Rabbit Sale Amnesty, being held from March 24 to April 6, prevents people from buying a rabbit on impulse at Easter just because the rabbit looks cute, cuddly and fluffy.

By asking pet shops around the country to suspend the sale of rabbits during the two-week Easter period, potential new owners have some ‘cooling off’ time to allow them to think about the long term commitments they are about to make – before it is too late.

The Amnesty also works to raise awareness of rabbit welfare issues.

Retailers can obtain free Rabbit Information sheets from Make Mine Chocolate! to give out to potential new owners, and to existing rabbit owners too.

In the weeks and months after Easter, already overcrowded rescue centres are inundated with calls from owners wishing to give up their rabbit because they are no longer wanted and the reality of cleaning, feeding and expensive vet trips is too much.

Those that don’t make it to rescue are doomed to a life of solitary confinement in a small hutch at the end of the garden, or even dumped and left to fend for themselves – usually ending in tragedy.

A UK-wide rescue survey carried out by Make Mine Chocolate! confirms that a large number of owners do not consider the long term commitment before getting their rabbit. In the region of 60% of rabbits entering rescue do so within the first year of ownership – of these, 40% have been owned for less than 6 months.

These statistics show that buying on impulse without long term consideration for what is required for the rabbits' welfare is a major problem. It is currently estimated there are around 67,000 rabbits in rescue annually.

If you run a pet shop and would like to find out more, visit the Make Mine Chocolate! website at www.makeminechocolate.org.uk or email info@makeminechocolate.org.uk.

Make Mine Chocolate! has been running in the UK since 2008 and exists for the purpose of raising awareness of rabbit welfare needs in the UK, with specific focus around the Easter rabbit impulse purchase issue.

The trophies are polished, the collars are on, popular TV presenter Clare Balding is warming up. It can mean only one thing - the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, is almost upon us.

Crufts 2013 is bursting at the seams with events and competitions that celebrate the talents of man’s best friend. The  Crufts Factor competition is back, the tear-jerking Friends for Life competition returns, while agility, flyball and heelwork to music will all be captivating worldwide audiences.

Making its debut at Crufts 2013 will be the crossbreed only competition, Scruffts, although the highlight of the event will still be the crowing of Best in Show on Sunday, March 10.

More than 145,000 people are expected to travel through the doors of the NEC from March 7-10 to meet the 27,000 dogs that will be at Crufts over the four days. Visitors will be able to watch the live events each day and speak to experts about different breeds and the future of dog health.

Olympic medallist Mark Foster is diving into the role of judge for the return of the Crufts Factor competition, which promises a final of the finest canine talent following headline success in its premier year at Crufts 2012. ITV’s ‘That Dog Can Dance’ winner Lucy Heath will be joining Mark on the Sunday as they decide which act will triumph.

Samantha Brick, journalist and previous Celebrity Big Brother contestant will be making a special guest appearance in the Arena on Friday as she will be making the difficult decision of choosing the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year. The competition, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, will see class winners Becky, Rascal, Alfie and Barley go head to head in the first ever Scruffts final to be held at Crufts.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “Crufts really is a fantastic event. Each year it continues to grow and we are delighted to see the Crufts Factor return and the first ever Scruffts final to be held at the show.

“One of my favourite competitions is Friends for Life - each year we hear amazing stories of how dogs have helped people pull through illnesses, given those with disabilities a new lease of life or worked with search teams to rescue those in need. I doubt there will be a dry eye in the arena when these fantastic dogs enter.

“There are so many dogs for the public to meet, greet and fall in love with throughout the show. We have around 200 different breeds visitors can find out all about and each day we will have special rescue dogs make an appearance on the Kennel Club Breed Rescue and Kennel Club Charitable Trust stand.”

For the first time ever, there will be a KCAI Career Zone hosted by the Kennel Club Accredited Instructors scheme in collaboration with Purina PRO PLAN. Aimed at professionals in the dog world, the KCAI Career Zone will see industry experts offer seminars, workshops and career guidance relevant to those who work with dogs across a range of disciplines, from dog trainers and behaviourists to dog wardens and re-homing volunteers. KCAI members and professionals working with dogs, who book into the Career Zone in advance, will be offered free entry to Crufts.

Clare Balding will again be engaging TV viewers, guiding them through the canine extravaganza on More 4 from Thursday to Sunday and then culminating on Channel 4 for the Best in Show finale on Sunday evening. Viewers throughout the UK will be enthralled by all things canine as they are introduced to the hundreds of different pedigree breeds, the wonderful canine sports and the famous Best in Show competition. Those outside the UK can watch all the key action live on the Crufts YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/officialcrufts.

For more information visit www.crufts.org.uk

Pictured: Crufts 2012 Winner, Lhasa Apso Elizabeth, owned by Margaret Anderson.

Five young groomers have won scholarships to develop their careers courtesy of clipper manufacturer Aesculap.

Aesculap said it was difficult chossing the final five and the company needed help from Groom Team England in their decisioon making.

The winners were: Lois Dalton, Birchdale Boarding and Grooming Ltd, Cheshire; Joanna Hart, Give a Dog a Comb Mobile Grooming, Hertfordshire; Karen Lofthouse, Ulti-Mutt Dog Grooming, Wiltshire; Leandro Peres, Pets at Number 1, Buckinghamshire; and Verity Watts, Shampooches, Yorkshire.




Pictured: Clockwise from top left: Lois Dalton, Karen Lofthouse, Leandro Peres, and Joanna Hart. Verity Watts is pictured at the top of the page.

"It has been very difficult choosing the final five but with the help of Groom Team England we have made our selection," said sales manager clippers, Erich Jedersberger.

"As the standard was so high, we are also awarding clippers to Anita Dolby and Sharon Lofthouse, and are making a special award to Sian Beddoe, who at nine years old was our youngest applicant.

"We shall look forward to presenting the winners with their prizes at Crufts and following their careers as they progress. Aesculap is proud to be the instigator of a scheme which will help further the careers of some very talented groomers."
Joanne Angus, of Groom Team England added: "The standard of entry was impressive and shows the commitment of groomers to strive to do their best.

"Groom Team England looks forward to welcoming the winners to their training schools and watching how their careers develop.’ The Aesculap scholarship scheme is supported by: Animology, Christies Direct, English Groomers Group, Groomers Ltd, Mutneys, ProGroomer, Redcape and Simpsons.

Leading pet food company Burns Pet Nutrition will be launching their new vibrant packaging for their dry food ranges at Crufts and PATS Sandown...

The packaging features the familiar Celtic Knot which has become synonymous with the brand but in a new blue and white format on the Original Range, gold and white on the Choice Range and grey and white on the Active range for active and working dogs. The Alert range, also for working dogs, is in red and white and their Organic range is in green and white.

These new bags complement the company’s Penlan moist food range.

Burns offers retailers and consumers a full range of wet and dry premium complete foods for cats and dogs which are hypo-allergenic. The foods were created by the company’s founder, veterinary surgeon John Burns.

Each food contains a balanced set of ingredients which include complex high quality carbohydrates such as brown rice or maize together with the right level of protein so that pets grow at the right rate avoiding putting untold stress and pressure on bones and joints.

Foods are suitable for all cats and dogs but also specially formulated for those that may suffer from food allergies and intolerances. There are no artificial colourings, additives or preservatives in the recipes and avoid ingredients that are known to cause intolerances in pets. Other key ingredients include seaweed, fish oil, sunflower oil and essential vitamins and minerals to support a pet’s skin, coat, joints, bone development and immune system.

For further information visit the Burn’s website www.burnspet.co.uk

For the 10th consecutive year, the All Japan Grand Champion has been raised on a Saki Hikari koi diet.

The champion was a splendid 9 year old, 98cm Kohaku owned by Mr Hartono Sukwanto and bred by the Sakai Fish Farm. It's the same fish that was crowned 2011 Grand Champion, but with a different owner.

The Grand Champion Kohaku was fed and grown using Saki Hikari as its primary diet. 

Developed on the back of decades of first hand breeding experience and feeding trials, Saki-Hikari diets provide complete and balanced, superior nutrition, bringing out the koi’s true potential. 

Saki-Hikari are the only fish foods to contain Hikari-Germ, a strain of Bacillus bacteria which aids digestion, helps optimise nutrient utilisation resulting in less waste and excellent water quality as well as supporting the koi’s own good bacteria, making the fish’s immune system stronger.  

Four different diets make up the Saki-Hikari range - Balance, Colour, Growth and Multi-Season. 

Saki-Hikari diets are available in small, medium and large pellet sizes and pack sizes of 2kg and 5kg. A

For more information about Saki-Hikari koi diets call 0115 982 3900 or email info@petproducts.co.uk

Lily’s Kitchen claims its new 'Breakfast Crunch' is the perfect way foer dogs to start the day.

Breakfast Crunch is a mixture of fresh chicken and turkey, whole oats, bananas and apples as well as yoghurt, slowly oven cooked until golden and crunchy. 

Unlike any other pet food on the market it contains traditional breakfast ingredients that can usually be found on any pet owner's breakfast table. 

Henrietta Morrison, the founder of Lily’s Kitchen, is at the forefront of innovation within the pet food category as her brand continues to grow from strength to strength. 

Commenting on the new launch, she said: “This is a really exciting year for Lily’s Kitchen product development and the Breakfast Crunch is just the start. Our independent stockists are delighted with this new product as it is a real talking point.”

The Lily’s Kitchen Breakfast Crunch will launch on February 25 with an RSP of £7.49 for an 800g box. 

To mark the launch of a new range of Simon's Cat pet products from Sharples & Grant, visitors to PATS Sandown will be able to meet the creator of the amazing internet phenomena Simon Tofield.

The British animator will be appearing live on the Sharples & Grant stand (number H9) between 11am and 2pm on the second day of PATS (Wednesday, March 20).

Visitors will be able to see the new range of Simon's Cats pet products, which Sharples & Grant are producing under licence from Zodiak Rights, and receive a signed poster or placemat.

Retailers who place an order for eight different Simon's Cat items to the minimum value of £100 will be given one each of the three Simon's Cat dog toys absolutely free!

Those pet shops which cannot visit PATS can still take advantage of this special offer by calling 01704 550044 to. Offer ends 12 noon on Friday, March 22, and terms and conditions apply.

Simon's Cat is an animated cartoon series featuring a hungry house cat who uses increasingly heavy-handed tactics to get its owner to feed it.

Drug addict Charley, 31, was jailed for 66 weeks for a string of offences. Headmitted burglary of the Ark Pet Store in Transit Way, Plymouth, on January 5.

He also pleaded guilty to the burglary of a home in Redruth Close, Ernesettle, on September 10 last year. A computer and camera equipment of unknown value was taken.

Charley finally admitted to taking a Jaguar XK8 without consent, driving it without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence on January 13.

He asked for eight other dishonesty offences to be taken into consideration.

David Gittins, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Chapman arrived at work at 8am to see Charley forcing up a metal shutter and taking pet products.

He added: "He gave chase and grappled him to the floor and called for assistance from others."

Stolen property worth £288 was recovered from his rucksack.

After the court hearing, Pete Chapman said: "The reward is very generous. I think it's unbelievable really.

"It wasn't a conscious decision. I just saw him there at the shutter and he bolted. I think most people would've done the same thing.

"I've opened the shop several times in the morning so I knew where things should be. I looked and saw him down on the floor and he saw me and he just accelerated. Instantly I was after him. I can't remember much as it all was so fast.

"I managed to grapple him to the floor. It was a good few minutes there. I had to move about to free my mobile phone and call the police.

"Then a woman came up to the double doors and saw us there. She seemed to snigger and she must've thought we were play-fighting or something. I had to try and gesture to her to go and get help."

Controversial Tory MP Nadine Dorries has come up with a novel excuse for being the centre of an embarrassing expenses probe – it’s all her dog’s fault.

The expenses watchdog IPSA has launched an inquiry over claims Miss Dorries does not use her taxpayer-funded London flat on a routine basis.

Writing on her blog on Monday, the MP said the reason she did not often use the flat was that she had to go back to her Bedfordshire constituency to look after her dog. 

Miss Dorries added: ‘I am quite sure the IPSA solution to my being a single mum and lone carer of a family and a dog would be to have the dog put down and my child adopted, but I’d rather not.’

The MP, who lost her party’s whip for appearing on 'I’m A Celebrity...Get me Out of Here', says she is the subject of a ‘stitch-up’ because of her high profile.

As well as areas dedicated to dogs and cats, there will be sections on birds and fish, small furries and exotics.

Each zone will offer its own variety of entertainment with agility demonstrations, grooming techniques, retail outlets, educational talks and animal clinics. 

The Kennel Club has confirmed it will showcase more than 20 breeds of dogs and host a regional heat of the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts.

"The main objectives of the event are to offer fun and engaging content to a family audience, creating a weekend to remember for all," said the show’s director Carrie Mosley. "Our ethos is to offer extensive information and education on animal care and welfare to all pet owners, seasoned and novice alike."

Event supplier Joe Manby has been appointed to provide the shell schemes, electrics, furniture and graphics.

For more information visit www.manchesterpetshow.com

Karen Goodall, a veterinary nurse from Wakefield, lost four stone to fulfill her lifelong dream to compete at Crufts.

She will now appear at the world's biggest dog show next month at the NEC, Birmingham, with her Cocker Spaniel, Breeze.

Karen, aged 43, has had a difficult few years and found herself comfort eating after the loss of her sister to cancer and the death of her father. With her mother suffering from Alzheimers, she was struggling to come to terms with all that had happened to her.

Karen started competing in dog agility to lose the weight she had gained after the loss of her sister and father.

Karen commented: “Since l lost my sister and dad l put on a lot of weight, but by competing in agility and taking part in the training l have lost four stone and feel great. It helped me get out and meet friends; it really has given me something to look forward to each day.

"I'm enjoying life again and it's down to my dogs, agility and dog showing, alongside my wonderfully supportive husband Andrew, that I've been able to pick myself back up.”

Breeze was welcomed into the family after they had lost one of their dogs, Smokey, a nine year old Cocker Spaniel after a three year battle with meningitis.

Karen began competing in agility with her other dog Inca in 2009 before starting to train and show Breeze last year.

She added: “Breeze is my first ever show dog and competes as Samsonli Sapphire Girl. I didn't even think of showing her until someone I work with mentioned it to me. We started her off competing in agility and still hope to continue with the agility training as well as showing her. I didn't have any experience of showing and didn't know where to start, but my friend Tammy helped me learn how to groom her and gave me lots of advice on how to show Breeze.”

Karen will be showing 11 month old Breeze in the special puppy class at Crufts.