HOWND, the multi-award winning pet care brand, has just launched a reward-based Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its new innovative HERO Bowl and aims to raise £38k to bring the bowl to market.

It was invented to provide antimicrobial protection for dog food and water bowls and is set to be the most hygienic bowl solution on the market.

In an increasingly hygiene conscious world, the patent-pending HERO Bowl is the ideal food and water bowl for pet owners that care as much about their pets' hygiene as their own. The innovative HERO Bowl has built-in antimicrobial technology provided by BioCote®, a world leader in antimicrobial technology.

The BioCote technology is present throughout the HERO Bowl, providing premium antimicrobial protection even if scratched or chewed, protection that will last for the expected lifetime of the bowl as it does not wash off or wear away.With recommended retail prices starting from approximately £18/$22 this innovative bowl is set to disrupt the pet accessory market.

Studies have shown that 67% of dog bowls coming out of the dishwasher still have Salmonella present on their surfaces. A superior alternative to a stainless steel product, the HERO Bowl has 24 hour protection from a technology that works constantly to reduce microbes by up to 99.99% on the protected surface. Although all pet bowls should be cleaned regularly, including the HERO Bowl, the effects of cleaning are short lived and once they have worn off an unprotected bowl is subject to recontamination, leaving bacteria to thrive unchecked until the next clean.

Unlike on an unprotected bowl, the risk of microbial cross contamination from the HERO Bowl is actively reduced as the BioCote technology continues to perform against the colonisation of bacteria, perfectly complementing existing hygiene practices. BioCote has been proven to reduce up to 86% of bacteria in just 15 minutes, 99.5% in two hours and has even been proven to inactivate the H1N1 virus.

With modern day dog owners taking more interest in the health and hygiene of their pets than ever before, the HERO bowl is also ideal for multiple pet households as well as vet surgeries, grooming salons, rescue centres and kennels where bowls are often shared and hygiene is of the utmost importance.

With a contemporary ergonomic design, the HERO Bowl is made from recyclable polypropylene and will come in a range of HOWND matt brand colours with a gloss logo to suit any home decor; with a non-slip base; twin side cut outs for easy handling; a high curve interior with angular corners for easier feeding and shifting of food; and is dishwasher safe. Available in two sizes: 18cm and 23 cm.

HOWND, a rising star in the pet sector, has been setting tails a wagging in the industry since its launch in 2015. HOWND has won multiple accolades for its ground-breaking vegan and cruelty-free pet care products and its high profile Bring Your Dog To Work annual charity fundraising day. It won the coveted Petquip Product of the Year in September 2017 (accessories). All HOWND pet care products are certified Cruelty Free International. They have been awarded the prestigious Leaping Bunny Award, and are endorsed by The Ethical Company Organisation and the Nature Watch Foundation.

Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND explains: "We know from the success of our HOWND pet care range that animal lovers are prepared to go to great lengths for their pets to ensure they enjoy a happy and healthy life.

"We live in a time where people are using antibacterial hand gels and cleaning sprays as well as other hygiene solutions, and we saw a gap in the market for an antimicrobial pet bowl solution.

"Animal health and welfare is at the heart of everything we do and launching the HERO Bowl is the logical next step for us as a company whose whole ethos is about protecting and caring for our precious furry friends."

Jo Amit and Mark Hirschel, the founders of HOWND, searched long and hard to find the right material for the bowl, to ensure that any materials they used met with the company's strict ethical standards. They eventually found and partnered with BioCote® who are pioneers in antimicrobial technology.

BioCote's Head of Partner Development, Jennifer Collier says: "BioCote is thrilled to be partnering with HOWND to develop a unique range of antimicrobial pet bowls. This emerging brand's immense passion for producing ethical, quality pet products is truly inspiring, and we look forward to helping them deliver yet another fantastic product to the market."

"As a forward-thinking company, it's important for us to continually evolve and drive new innovative product development. The HERO Bowl is a perfect example of this, and we are very excited to be launching this crowdfunding campaign and creating a product which offers pet owners important health related benefits and ergonomically designed functionality," says Mark Hirschel.

You can back HOWND's HERO Bowl on Indiegogo, click here

Pet rabbit obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed, a specialist nutrition and welfare conference has been told.

The second Rabbit Nutrition and Welfare Symposium, hosted by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association in central London, also heard every rabbit should have a rabbit sized bundle of hay a day, and commercially prepared food had an important role to play in supplementing a pet’s diet.

The event brought together over 60 pet food manufacturers, retailers, welfare organisations, vets and academics to discuss the latest science on rabbit welfare topics and how the sector can work together to improve the wellbeing of the 900,000 pet rabbits in the UK.

The collaborative event was a great success with renowned rabbit experts, including Dr Nicola Rooney, Richard Saunders MRCVS and Molly Vagra MRCVS, presenting on all aspects of rabbit welfare before agreeing three key messages for rabbit owners.

1. A rabbit sized bundle of good quality hay a day 

Hay was the buzz word of the day with all delegates in agreement that every rabbit should have a rabbit sized bundle of hay a day. Rabbits need a high level of fibre in their diet, and hay is the most common source of this for them. Hay quality is important too but a clear and simple message on quantity is needed for rabbit owners as a first step. 

2. Commercial rabbit food has a role to play

The experts agreed that commercially prepared rabbit food has an important role to play in supplementing a pet rabbit’s diet but portion control is vital. How to feed is considered as relevant as what to feed.  Food provides nutrition but also creates opportunities for a rabbit to express natural behaviour through foraging (scattering feed, puzzle feeders) and bonding with owners (hand feeding), both enhance well-being.

3. Fit bunny, not fat bunny

Rabbit obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed. Education on what is a healthy body shape for rabbits, increased opportunities for exercise and following feeding guidelines on rabbit food packets are the practical steps needed. Food (taken from the daily portion) can also be used to encourage activity, for instance, digging and foraging for food, reaching for food on higher platforms and in hanging devices.

Michael Bellingham, PFMA Chief Executive explained: “This seminar has been a highlight in our year. The range of delegates from industry to vets and welfare bodies, quickly reached consensus in all areas. Without doubt it is ‘hay all the way’ and there is a need to collaborate on education. We have all been working to improve rabbit welfare and what has become very clear today is the potential for us to do this more effectively if we all have a collaborative approach. We look forward to bringing the next steps to life.”

The PFMA Rabbit Size-O-Meter is a simple chart to help owners assess whether their rabbits are a healthy size. This is free to download at: https://www.pfma.org.uk/rabbit-size-o-meter

With so many exciting plans for 2018, PATS Telford is shaping up to be another record-breaking event in September.

The two-day exhibition attracted 2,148 visitors in 2017 – the third year in a row that the 2,000 barrier had been broken – and hopes are high that even this record total will be bettered this year.

With still three months to the show more than 170 companies have already booked their stand space, so retailers and buyers can be certain the exhibition hall at The Telford International Centre will be packed with hundreds of new products.

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place on Sunday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, 2018.

More than 50 companies are exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time as they grasp the opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors.

Companies like Nylabone acknowledge the importance of exhibiting at the UK’s number one pet trade exhibition. “Following the success of our first PATS at Sandown earlier this year, we are delighted to be showcasing our products at Telford,” said commercial manager Jason Booker. “We are confident that the show will enable us to gain further exposure for our new Edible Snacks range, helping to secure the company’s position in a highly competitive market place.”

Jack Walker, of new company Scrumbles, said: “We’re makers of good food for cats and dogs. Having just launched, we are looking forward to meeting independent retailers that can join us on our adventure.”

Another new exhibitor, K9 Connectables, is looking for UK distribution partners to help bring its unique range of dog toys and treats to the UK pet market. “We are launching a brand new range of small, medium and large toy sets along with our premium functional treat range which helps to keep dogs entertained and engaged,” said James McIlvenna.

More international exhibitors are also using PATS as a platform to launch their products on to the UK market.

American company GoldPaw is looking forward to introducing its brand to the UK market. “We've shown at other international fairs but we decided to attend PATS because we wanted to focus our efforts on the UK this year. Our line of dog apparel is all about modern simplicity and dog-friendly comfort. We believe the UK audience will be receptive to our style and values,” said Rebecca Gadd.

One of PATS Telford’s most popular features is the New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, which saw an impressive number of over 300 entries last year. Early indications suggest this figure will increase in 2018, and all items will be displayed prominently in the exhibition hall.

The Showcase entries will be judged by a panel of retailers for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show, and the winners will receive their honours at the PetQuip Awards Dinner on the evening of the opening day.

To help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, visitors will receive free show entry, free parking, a free catalogue and many special offers. There will also be a full programme of free seminars and grooming demonstrations.

To register for free entry to the show and to view the full list of exhibitors visit www.patshow.co.uk

RSW International has launched a range of pet cooling products which has had an amazing reaction in garden centres around the county. The comprehensive range includes cooling mats, jackets, coats, collars, and toys.

Lee Kennerley, Head of Garden & Leisure at RSW International, said: "After joining the business two years ago we put a growth strategy in place which included the further development our pet collections to garden centres.

"Our brands of Smart Choice (Play & Pamper), Delicious (Treats & Essentials), and Sweet Dreams (Beds & Bedding) have had an incredible reaction with healthy sales increases across all areas.

"I am happy to report that although we were slightly taken back by the response we have met customer demands and delivered a healthy 90% of product on every order.

"With the recent addition of merchandise display options we have been able to grow presence within independents and also groups.

"Our buying teams have been working hard to strengthen our offering including potential licensing opportunities that we are hoping to launch at Glee."

Should you need any information on RSW's pet collections contact Lee directly 07940 567615 or lkennerley@rswint.co.uk

With a rise in demand for grain free pet foods, FourFriends has listened to consumer needs and developed its range of recipes made with aloe vera for dogs.

New to their website are two grain free recipes that include a unique core ingredient: aloe vera. You can find this botanical plant, crammed full of amino acids, in the whole FourFriends range.

Aloe Vera contains vitamins and minerals making it one of nature’s most effective cleansers. It is especially effective in the cleansing of the dog’s or cat’s intestine.

Grain free lamb is made with pure lamb which is a mild protein source suitable for adult dogs with sensitive stomachs. Grain free wild boar is made with delicious wild boar and turkey meat contributing to excellent body condition.

Both recipes are completely free of grain and gluten, making these the perfect meals for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Benefits of feeding Fourfriends grain free lamb and grain free wild boar:

• It is known that dogs can suffer with intolerances to grain and gluten so these recipes are completely free of these ingredients.
• Ideal for dogs with any sensitivity.
• Increased palatability with an excellent taste sensation.
• Improved skin and coat.
• Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties for optimum health.
• Rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and potassium, essential minerals for your dogs wellbeing.

For more information head to www.fourfriendspetfoods.co.uk or email sales@fourfriendspetfoods.co.uk

Lily’s Kitchen has made a stand for love this summer. Not only is the company an official sponsor of London Pride this year, it is also supporting Stonewall with the launch of two limited edition ‘Full of Love and Pride’ recipes in support of LGBT Pride. It’s all part of its commitment to the equal rights of the LGBT community.

Lily’s Kitchen will donate 75p from every Full of Love & Pride dog tin and 30p from every Full of Love & Pride cat tray sold to Stonewall, an international charity which campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, helping them to ensure everyone feels free to be who they are, wherever they are.

A personal supporter of diversity, Henrietta Morrison, founder and CEO of Lily’s Kitchen comments: “Pets can teach us a thing or two about love – they don’t distinguish between gender and will love unconditionally, which is something we at Lily’s Kitchen are really excited to celebrate.

“This is demonstrated through our partnership with Pride in London, which is supported by people of all sexual and gender preferences who believe, like us, that equality should be celebrated, and our decision to donate proceeds from the sale of our limited edition Full of Love & Pride recipes to LGBT charity Stonewall.”

Full of Love & Pride for Dogs (400g tin, £2.49)

Dogs will simply LOVE this super Tasty Beef Dinner recipe containing 60% freshly prepared beef and a bowlful of organic vegetables - potatoes, carrots, apples, green beans and broccoli – vitamins, minerals, botanicals and herbs.

Full of Love & Pride for Cats (85g tray, 95p)

Puss cats everywhere will ADORE this limited edition Tasty Chicken Dinner, designed for loving moggies who will enjoy its 65% freshly prepared chicken, salmon oil and chelated minerals.

Pet owners will be able to find these limited-edition recipes at www.lilyskitchen.co.uk and in independent pet shops nationwide.

The UK's largest pet food home-delivery franchise is extending its expertise to a new and exciting franchise opportunity.

Leading the Way, from OSCAR Pet Foods, is designed to support busy pet owners, who value having a pet in their family, but need extra help to manage their day-to-day pet care needs and routines.

With over 20 years of experience in a growth industry, it comes as no surprise that OSCAR Pet Foods has pin-pointed the gap in the market for supporting pet ownership.

Its brand-new sister company, Leading the Way, is shining a light on ethical pet care and delivering professional support for responsible pet owners.

A passion for animals, an appreciation of the great outdoors and a strong sense of responsibility will lead the way to this exciting business adventure and the joys of self-employment.

Leading the Way brings a distinct note of professionalism to the pet care industry. It focusses on reliable, accessible and evidence-based care to deliver the peace of mind that busy pet owners (and their pets) deserve.

Leading the Way … because pet care matters is for clients who value having a pet in their family, but need easy access to trustworthy help when managing their day-to-day pet care needs and routines.

Leading the Way knows that whatever the weather – dogs must be walked, vets must be visited, and pets need loving companionship throughout the working day. The franchise understands the pressures of busy family life and, in response, delivers the devoted attention, the safe environment and the comfort at home that all pets deserve whilst their owners are out.

High standards, including a unique CERTA accreditation in Companion Animal Health, Welfare and Disease Control set the franchise tone. Pet first aid training, unparalleled safety (with a bespoke transport system meeting both DEFRA and RSPCA standards) and a distinctive dog-matching service provide the confidence for clients to place their trust in the services.

In-depth training and strong support from an exceptional team of pet care professionals will enable you to deliver a superior level of service together with the confidence to build and maintain a prosperous and reliable business.

The franchise industry contributes an estimated £15.1 billion to the UK economy – an increase of 46% over the past ten years – and with approximately 50% of households owning family pets, there’s no shortage of clients who need your help.

OSCAR understands that it takes a wide range of skills combined with extraordinary teamwork to run a successful pet care operation and its new 'Leading the Way' franchise showcases all of those strengths.

For more Information :

www.leadingthewaypetcare.co.uk

discover@leadingthewaypetcare.co.uk

0800 027 9845

Natures Menu has refreshed its raw bones and chews range with a new look and name.

The pet food manufacturer has re-branded the range, to ‘Raw Treats,’ complete with new packaging, to help attract the consumer and boost sales for stockists and retailers.

The full range, which allows customers to provide their pets with a 100% natural healthy treat, is British sourced, and includes bone and bone-free options.

There is something to offer every dog – from tough and mighty marrowbones, to firm and succulent duck necks, soft and chewy chicken wings and bone-free beef meaty chews.

The refreshed packaging comes with handy feeding advice and guidance on the back of the pack to help stockists and retailers guide customers to select and feed the best product for their pet too.

Benefits of the Natures Menu ‘Raw Treats’ range include:

• Great for oral health: Bones and chews support clean teeth and fresher breath by helping to remove plaque and tartar as well as strengthening teeth.
• Provide mental stimulation:  Chewing bones provides mental stimulation, preventing dogs from becoming bored.
• Weight management: With rising dog obesity, natural bones and chews provide a healthy alternative to table scraps and high-sugar, processed alternatives.
• Calming effects: When dogs chew, the serotonin hormone is produced which helps to keep them calm and happy.
• Fantastic source of nutrition: Bones and chews contain glucosamine, calcium and phosphorus and many are rich in omega-3 fats too.
• Great for puppies: Meaty chews are also particularly good for puppies as they are softer than bone but offer all the satisfaction of a good chew session not to mention great for their teething gums!

To stock the Raw Treats range or any of Natures Menu’s other products or for more information visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk or speak to an expert for advice on 0800 0183770. 

Jenny Philp, managing director and practising vet at Vet’s Kitchen, gives her five top tips on keeping dogs and cats happy and healthy as temperatures continue to hit new heights:

Avoid walking your dog during the hottest periods of the day
Be sure to walk your dog either early in the morning or late at night as hot pavements can burn delicate paws. Even at cooler periods of the day, the pavement can still be warm so try to keep to the shade, wherever possible. If it’s too hot for you to hold the palm of your hand against the pavement, it will most certainly be too hot for your dog to walk on.

Identify the coolest rooms in your home

Keep your pets as comfortable as possible by encouraging them to stay in the coolest areas of your home. Rooms with tiled floors can provide a good space for them to relax away from the sun, whilst cooling mats and wet towels can help keep their body temperature down. Drawing the curtains will also prevent direct sunlight from heating up your home but your pets are still suffering from the heat, wetting their ears and paws can help to cool them down.

Protect your pets’ skin and coat.

Similar to humans, sunburn can affect animals too so it’s important to keep them protected with pet safe sun cream, by providing plenty of shade and using protective t-shirts for hairless breeds.Cool coats have become increasingly popular items for dogs to keep their body temperature down and protect against sunburn however, these only work if the coat is kept wet at all times. If allowed to dry out, it will heat up and will make your dog even warmer. A good alternative would be to drape a wet towel over them and sitting them in front of a fan!

Keep your pet hydrated

Hydration is very important, particularly in warm weather, so why not use ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to keep the water cool? This will give them a cold, refreshing treat and by providing extra bowls in different areas around the home, you can ensure they are properly hydrated in the heat.

Think creatively when it comes to treats and exercise

Freezing treats in ice cubes can be a fun reward that will keep your dog cool. Vet’s Kitchen’s Little Stars are ideal for this with their soft, breakable texture. Also, why not get your dog a paddling pool? This provides a creative alternative to walking them and playing with toys in a shade covered pool can be just as rewarding and will keep them cool whilst ensuring they are still getting enough exercise. For smaller animals, be sure to move hutches into the shade and use ice pods or frozen water bottles to keep them cool. To avoid sun stroke, it’s also important to ensure that protective rain covers are not covering the hutch and blocking air flow.

For further information on Vet’s Kitchen, visit www.vetskitchen.co.uk.

CJ Wildlife is urging gardeners to help keep wild birds keep cool in the hot weather, and has published its top five tips.

With the recent soaring temperatures our thoughts are on long summer days, barbeques and beaches. But as we sit back and relax in our gardens with an ice cold drink we should spare a thought for our garden birds who may be struggling to find essential food and water.

Although most wild birds are well adapted to hot temperatures and have several ways to regulate their body temperature the hot weather still brings with it a number of problems that can impact on their well being.

Warm weather creates a breeding ground for parasites, so cleanliness around feeding stations and water baths becomes paramount in order to minimise the spread of disease.  Ark-Klens is a veterinarian recommended cleaning product for bird feeders and tables and is completely safe for use around wildlife and domestic animals.  It is effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi. 

The dry summer months can also result in a lack of natural water sources so a supply of fresh water for drinking and bathing is fundamental.  Adding a natural sanitizing product such as Citrosan to clean water dishes and bird baths will help against the spread of disease.  It also builds immunity so is a great boost for young birds. 

Hot temperatures and a lack of water mean the ground becomes dry and hard making it more difficult for our feathered friends to access the supply of worms and insects that they can usually find in the soil. Birds will appreciate high protein foods including mealworms, earthworms and waxworms during the summer months. They also have a high moisture content so will help to keep birds hydrated during periods of prolonged dry weather.

Not surprisingly, finding a shady spot is one of the natural ways birds keep cool in the summer.  So planting our gardens with trees and shrubs offering deep shade is a great way to create a welcome cooling retreat from the mid day sun.

Our 5 Top Tips to keep your birds cool and content this summer

• Provide a regular supply of clean, fresh water
• Clean feeders regularly to help avoid the spread of pests and diseases
• Keep feeders topped up with fresh food
• Feed live foods, such as mealworms to your birds – a great source of protein when natural food sources are scarce (particularly for young birds)
• If you’re going away on holiday fill your feeders before you go or even better ask a neighbour to keep them topped up while you are away.

Enjoy the summer and take advantage of the glorious weather by getting out and about for a day of bird watching but be sure to take precautions to protect yourself from the heat too – pack your sun-cream, a hat and plenty of drinking water!

CJ Wildlife supply a range of high quality bird food, feeders and water baths as well as cleaning materials to help keep feeding areas clean and free from harmful bacteria.  For more information and advice or to request a Free Wildlife Guide visit www.birdfood.co.uk or call on Freephone 0800 731 2820.

The designs for the new Loving Pets warehouse and offices in Rye Harbour, East Sussex, have been finalised. Construction has already started and here's what it’s going to look like... 
 
Jonathon Moyce, Managing Director, comments: “The new site will allow us to continue with our rapid European growth plans and meet demand on our current product range. Loving Pets UK has seen growth of no less than 300% every year with no sign of slowing down, so this has come at a great time.
 
"Our catalogue can now expand to be more in-line with our US partners (Loving Pets Corp). We can bring in more USA made All Natural Treats along with new innovative designs on feeding bowls and accessories, including our new purpose made travel bowl “Bella Roma” which we will be launching at PATS Telford"

After a nationwide search EUKANUBA has found six incredibly special dogs to become its official Live Life Well Together Ambassadors.

Along with their owners these dogs will demonstrate the difference truly tailored nutrition can make to dogs of all life-stages in just 12 weeks.

This is about Optimal Body Condition Benefits for real dogs, living real lives in real homes.

Growing Puppy Ambassador
Recently engaged Rachael and Ivan are the proud owners of Jasper the 6-month-old Rough Collie. He absolutely loves chasing his tail, playing with children and learning new tricks.

Developing Junior Ambassador
Reuben is a 15-month-old Weimaraner, who still has a few months to go until he’s considered an adult at 18 months. Until then he’s still growing and having fun being a lap dog, playing games with his dad and enjoying long walks on the beach.

Active Adult Ambassador
Eddie is a small dog with a mighty heart and is a great companion for Lucy’s family, especially her sister Leah. Eddie is a 1-year old Dachshund who loves watching birds, thoroughly enjoys attending dog shows and spending time with his loving family.

Active Adult Ambassador
Poppy’s mum Roxy was inspired by Britain’s Got Talent winners Pudsey and Ashleigh back in 2012 and decided to start teaching 6-year-old Poppy some tricks and begin competing in agility competitions. Poppy is a Cockapoo who is happiest when agility training, running around fields in the countryside and playing with her furry best friend, Fizz.

Thriving Mature Ambassador
The cheeky 7-year-old rescue Charlie is a Jack-Russell-cross-Staffordshire-Bull Terrier. Charlie is a big fan of playing with children in the park and running up and down the stairs and has been well loved and well looked after over the last couple years, however, this has led him to put on a few extra pounds!

Caring Senior Ambassador
Molly is a friendly and loving Golden Labrador. Stephen, Molly’s dad has had so much joy throughout their 9 years together enjoying swimming, eating, playing fetch and snoozing on Stephen’s bed. Like many older dogs Molly has lost some muscle strength, but high-quality protein should help to restore this.

Commenting on the activity, Kellie Ceccarelli, EUKANUBA’s Veterinary Expert says: “No matter their age all dogs should be given the chance to achieve optimal body condition as it gives them the best opportunity to share a long, healthy life together with their owners. And, through this 12 week programme our amazing Ambassadors are going to challenge the theory with a special eating and exercise plan.

"As a nation of pet lovers, we want to do the very best for our dogs but sometimes there’s a misunderstanding between what we think they want and what they really need. We really hope we help our ambassadors learn more about their dog’s nutritional needs so that they can enjoy many more happy and healthy years together and show everyone how EUKANUBA can make a difference to real dog, living real lives in real homes."

The EUKANUBA Ambassadors are trialling the NEW & IMPROVED range which has been developed by nutritionists, recommended by vets and approved by breeders.

Combining fresh chicken1 alongside dry chicken and turkey as concentrated protein sources and other highly digestible animal protein ingredients such as fish meal and dry egg, dogs can enjoy improved taste and digestibility of each EUKANUBA recipe.

For more information about the EUKANUBA Live Life Well Together Ambassadors visit www.eukanuba.co.uk/ambassadors

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

Following the success of its recent video, ‘Draw me your family: The Beaphar Social Experiment’, Beaphar has launched a global competition, with the UK prize for one lucky family being a pet-friendly family adventure break worth £1,000.

The video, which can be viewed by clicking here, built on Beaphar’s new rebrand by putting the new strapline ‘Because pets are family too’ to the test.

Children from four families from four different European countries were asked to draw a picture of their family. Afterwards in another room, their parents were asked to name the different members of their family while their children watched on a tablet.

While all the children had included their pets, their parents forgot them, much to the children’s dismay.

Dr Sue Huggett, UK Business Manager, Beaphar UK, said: “Family is such an important part of Beaphar, and we have always believed that pets are an important member of the family. This is why family has been placed front and centre, in our rebrand, our video and now in our competition.”

Like in the video, Beaphar’s #DrawMeYourFamily competition asks children to draw a picture of their family, which parents can then upload to beaphar.com/drawmeyourfamily. The family of the winning picture will win £1,000 worth of vouchers for a pet-friendly UK-based holiday resort.

“Holidays are events which families look forward to every year, and are when we make some of our happiest memories, so we are thrilled to be able to give one lucky family the opportunity to have fun and make some precious family memories with their pet,” continued Dr Sue Huggett.

“Not only is the competition exciting for consumers, but a brilliant way for retailers to interact directly with their customers, and for Beaphar to strengthen the relationship we have with our consumers. Increasing our brand recognition will ensure repeat purchasing of Beaphar products, which will increase sales for our retailers.”

To encourage entrants, Beaphar will be running an extensive online and offline campaign. There are posters for retailers to display instore, which are available from Beaphar Sales Executives from the second week in July. Digital assets are also available to download from the Beaphar Trade Zone’s main dashboard, which can be used across different social media platforms.

Beaphar’s #DrawMeYourFamily competition closes on 6th August 2018. Drawing templates, entry instructions and the full Terms and Conditions of the competition can be found at beaphar.com/drawmeyourfamily

CSJ says its turmeric tincture product TurmerTinc! has broken all their records for a new product launch.

CSJ’s founder Ceri Rundle said: “We are delighted by the response since launching TurmerTinc! earlier this year. 

"We knew there was a huge market for a high quality turmeric product for pets as its healthy properties are increasingly well-known but we waited until we could product it in a tincture form.

"Our tincture is great because it is highly palatable and fed in small quantities (1ml per 10kg body weight) so ideal for dogs that are fussy feeders.

"Also it’s so easy to use as it’s far less messy than making your own golden paste or trying to get tablets down an unwilling throat.

"As with all of our herbs all of the ingredients in this blend are fully traceable and subject to a rigorous quality control procedure to make sure they are of excellent quality.

"So far we’ve managed to keep pace with orders but as word gets around the TurmerTinc! production line is working harder and harder every day."

For more info on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745 710470.

A new pet crematorium in Nottinghamshire has been approved by Gedling Borough Council.

The council-run service will collect pets from people’s houses and take them away to be cremated before bringing back the ashes.

The crematorium itself will be run from the Jubilee Road council depot and the council is in the process of applying for the special licenses needed.

It will also buy refrigerated vehicles in which to carry the pets.

The cremations will initially be run just for people in Gedling but if it is a success the council hopes to expand to other areas.

The new scheme is believed to be the first such service run by a local authority in the East Midlands.

The leader of the Labour-run council Councillor John Clarke said the service will be ‘dignified and respectful’.

He also called the project ‘innovative’ saying the council was finding new ways to generate income and protect front-line services.

A total of £89,000 is being spent setting the scheme up but the council has predicted it will generate £88,000 in its first full financial year.

The council aims to start the scheme on or before April 1 2019.

Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross pet charity, said: “The Westminster Hall debate on pet theft showed the strength of feeling in the House of Commons on the devastating impact the theft of a pet can have on an owner.

"Blue Cross knows just how much pets mean in our lives and they are much more than just property - which is how they are currently recognised. It was refreshing to see wide cross party support for calls to change legislation to ensure pet theft is recognised as a specific crime and those criminals who snatch beloved family members away are rightly punished.

“Blue Cross is pleased that the Minister has promised to ensure the government collects accurate data on the number of reported pet thefts across all police forces but this is an empty victory if the government refuses to change legislation to make pet theft a specific crime and protect the animals in our lives.

“Our charity takes many calls to our Pet Bereavement Support Service from people who face the turmoil of not knowing what has happened to their stolen pet and if they are safe, or even alive. It is the time for the government to recognise the value of pets as family members and change legislation to reflect this.”

Brambles Pet and Wildlife has negotiated a deal to offer wildlife rehabilitators huge savings on Royal Canin Babydog milk which many carers use for feeding baby mammals.

David Tracey, Brambles PAW sales manager, said: “This is a very busy time for wildlife hospitals who get lots of orphaned baby animals in at this time who wouldn’t survive without help from these amazing people.

"We’ve had a great response from wildlife hospitals especially the smaller ones who are self-funded and have very limited funds. They also love the fact that Brambles have negotiated this deal without making any money from it”.

Contact details:

David Tracey

Brambles Pet and Wildlife Ltd

www.bramblespaw.co.uk

hello@bramblespaw.co.uk

Catfest has teamed up with Almo Nature to bring together a thrilling and original summer festival, with cat-related products, soulful and inspiring talks from bestselling writers and animal experts, while helping cats in need. 

The event will take place on Saturday July 14 at the Oval Space in central London.

Cat enthusiasts can come in fancy dress, meet Instagram feline superstars, browse through the pop-up Kitty Lit & Art Corner with finely curated cat art and books.  

At the Mews Market out on the terrace, sample fabulous vegan street food and kitty-shaped cakes and cupcakes; meet and hang out with other cat lovers over cat-themed cocktails from the vintage airstream Pussycat Lounge to the sounds of Sixties and indie classics from the Beatles and the Stones to the Libertines and the Pixies; play cat bingo or have a tarot-card reading from Harper’s Bazaar’s go-to psychic Jacqui Cosham aka Mystic Mog. Take part in raffle and competition for the best costume for a chance to win fabulous prizes for yourself and your kitty while helping Moroccan street cats.

Self-described cat ladies and cat men won’t be able to resist the Meow Parlour. Catfest will donate £2 from every ticket to ACE Dog, Cat & Kitten Rescue (adoptions and home-checks will be facilitated by our beneficiary charities), and a charitable project of TICA. Additional funds from raffle and competition will go to Erham to help Moroccan street cats.

For every adoption, Almo Nature will give a month’s supply of free food; plus festival goers will get swag bags for their cats at home. Almo Nature, the pioneer of human-grade pet food started by animal lover Pier Giovanni Capellino, is the first-ever brand “owned by the animals”, which means that all profits generated from the sale of Almo Nature products are used to support cats and dogs in European shelters and rescue centres and wildlife projects through the Fondazione Capellino.

In this inventive, surprisingly funny, highly entertaining and practical book Engineering for Cats by Mac Delaney (Workman, £11.99), addresses the quirks of cat behaviour through the mindset of an aerospace engineer.

The book reveals 10 projects that solve the most common sources of friction affecting cats and their doting owners.

How to Build:

1. Cat Cave
2. Bunk Beds
3. Drawbridge
4. Cat Door
5. Drinking Fountains
6. Litter Box Cabinet
7. Cat Treat Slot Machine
8. Cat Wheel
9. Simple Scratcher
10. Simple Cat Shelf

Cats like furniture for claw sharpening, and prefer running water to still. Because cats don’t trust still water (in the wild, a stagnant pool can harbour disease), they’re often dehydrated and grumpy. Here’s how to build not one but two different fountains that will provide fresh, moving water.

Or another problem: Cats, diminutive in stature, can feel inferior around humans, causing them to play up negatively. The solution: Erect a cat shelf on your wall, giving your pet a prime perch and a height advantage.

And that furniture scratching problem? Construct the Cat Cave—it has angled surfaces for optimal scratching, a curved top for ergonomic lounging, a carpeted interior for perfect napping, and an escape route out back for emergency exits.

For any cat lover with a modicum of DIY skills, here’s a whole new approach to living happily ever after with your pet.

Mac Delaney is an aerospace engineer at United Technologies in San Diego. His two cats, Pepe and Nellie, were the inspiration for this book.

Squire’s Garden Centre in Washington is hosting the annual Worthing & District Koi Show on Sunday (July 8).

There’ll be 18 vats of prize-entry Koi Carp to see, and suppliers will be there to give advice and answer any questions visitors may have about keeping these stunning fish.

Customers will also be able to meet the reptiles at Squire’s, talk to a local vet who will be giving free pet advice, and children can have their faces painted for free!

Visitors to Squire’s in Washington between tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday will get 25% off all pond fish.

There’s a lot of positivity around at Vital this month as the company announces some major successes and further investment in the business.

It follows excellent results from PATS Sandown where the company signed up many new customers and had delegates queueing out the door to join them in the Vital Grandstand where there were some exclusive promotions on offer.

Transport will benefit from a significant £1.5 million investment in a new environmentally-friendly fleet with the final decision on vehicles expected to be made in the next few weeks. The delivery process will be supported by new technology, including a new Warehouse Management System which is about to go live and will streamline the day to day processes, from goods in through to dispatch, to allow thousands of products to be processed and re-ordered and improve efficiency.

A new modern office facility in Sheffield opened at the start of this month. Newly refurbished, this site will allow Vital to showcase products and services and will be the venue for all supplier visits going forwards.

The new regional service and support team structure is in place and up to a full complement of staff, under the management of Senior Customer Relationship Manager, Darren Porter and providing dedicated support for the growing numbers of independent retailers switching to Vital. Two new divisions will be going into operation to service the needs of key accounts and online retailers, which have been identified as having different needs. The dedicated teams are focused on delivering the products, promotions and service retailers need and this is a big step forwards which will ensure individuals receive a more tailored offer that really matches their requirements.

New products in the Mayfield range are in development to add to those recently revitalised with competitive pricing.

Director Sunny Sharma says there is a new energy to the business and excitement about what Vital can do for its customers, “There isn’t an area of the business where we haven’t made improvements – we have looked at everything and asked ‘can we do this better’. That’s meant big changes like a wide ranging recruitment programme to bring more great people into the business and investments in new technology, as well as small changes in the warehouse so our fastest moving lines are easiest to access. We’ve talked to hundreds of suppliers and retailers to find out what they want and need and established some really positive relationships.”

He continued, “We really haven’t been afraid to make the bold decisions that make this business not just fit for purpose but fit for the future of the pet trade.”

Suppliers to the pet trade have also been building strong relationships with the new Vital. Jonathan Collins at Burgess reports that the company has noticed improvements at every level of the business, “We’re enjoying working with some highly motivated, professional people and have benefited from new opportunities to bring our products to the attention of retailers at events like PATS as part of the Vital Grandstand showcase. Delivering strong promotions at win-win prices that work for everyone in the supply chain has been a real focus and will benefit the trade enormously.”

Lewis Copse of Nestle Purina says his experience backs this up, “We’ve been really impressed by the results delivered by the new technology that Vital has introduced – it’s really expanded their capabilities and is opening up some exciting opportunities to turn around products quickly and efficiently.”

Davie Hirst of Outward Hounds says that it’s been very happy with the support provided by Vital – the exclusive distributor for the products in the UK, “It’s been a really good decision for us and really rewarding to see retailers and consumers get excited over our novel training toys and accessories.”

The new approach extends to building strong external relations and Vital has also sponsored Beth’s Dog Show (www.bethsdogshow.co.uk) which runs events to support The Sarah Kitchener Perrow Fund (Brain Tumour Charity) and German Shepherd Rescue South. The dog shows were set up by one of Vital’s lead drivers who lost his cousin Sarah to a brain tumour in 2010 and wanted some good to come of this tragic event. The company will also run to a Family Fun day in July at North Tawton, near its national distribution depot, to say thank you to the local community for its support.

Rounding off a highly successful few months, both Directors Sunny and Ravi Sharma have also been short listed as finalists in the Institute of Directors Yorks & NE Director of the Year Awards.

To find out more about Vital visit www.vitalpetproducts.co.uk or telephone 01837 883000.

Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Ltd – owner of PetSafe Brand - is one of the top three places to work in Europe.

The company ranked third in the 2018 Great Place to Work Best Workplaces in Europe awards – beating its 2017 ranking by six places.

The accolade from the esteemed Great Place to Work group follows on from RSPEL achieving 1st place in the Best Workplaces in Ireland 2018 list in February where 100 per cent of employees voted the company a great place to work.

Specialising in innovative companion pet and sport and hunting products, RSPEL offers comprehensive pet training, health and wellness, waste management and play product solutions through its leading PetSafe® Brand, and superior training and tracking products for professional trainers and hunters via its global SportDOG Brand.

Since it first opened in Dundalk in 2012, business has flourished for RSPEL, growing by 25 per cent over the last three years and headcount has risen by 50 per cent.  In the last year, RSPEL has built on its projects to foster great working practices and inspire and motivate its team.  The company has introduced new programmes such as ‘Creative Thinking’ and ‘Office Improvement’ and established a bi-annual ‘Fantastic Five’ award initiative.  Categories include ‘Einstein Idea’ which recognises great creativity and ‘Iron Man/Woman’ which offers those with 12 months’ full attendance an extra three days of annual leave.

RSPEL has also introduced policies to help encourage better work/life balance, offering employees both flexi-time and working from home. It is also focused on employee wellness, having appointed a Wellness Champion who runs a programme that includes a plant-filled wellness room, regular talks from external motivational speakers, wellness breaks and voluntary annual employee health check-ups.

On top of more traditional perks, as a pet-centric business RSPEL also offers perks to ensure employees have great relationships with their pet. These include being allowed to bring dogs into the office, eight hours’ ‘paw-rental’ leave to help new pets settle and three days’ paid pet bereavement leave. Additionally, RSPEL helps to cover the cost of pet care, including microchipping, insurance and health check-ups.

A key part of the RSPEL culture is giving back to the local community. As well as nurturing employees’ pets, RSPEL gives back to animals in the community and has an annual budget dedicated to supporting animal-related charities, including Dundalk Dog Rescue (DDR). The business has also recently formed a partnership with the charity RehabCare to help develop disadvantaged adults who have fewer employment opportunities.

David Verdon, General Manager at RSPEL said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised as a Great Place to Work® in Europe for the second year running and to rank in third place is a great achievement, especially given entries have increased 40 per cent on last year. None of this would have been possible without our fantastic Dundalk team who continue to demonstrate daily commitment and passion for our brand – this award is theirs.  Over the coming months our focus will be to continue business growth and ensuring we continue to foster the best possible work environment for our staff and an excellent experience for our customers.”

Great Place to Work’s CEO, Michael Bush added: “The organisations on this year’s Best Workplaces in Europe list represent forward-thinking cultures that cultivate inclusion for all. They understand that employees are people first and foremost and provide them with environments where they can be themselves, build strong bonds, and thrive with their peers.”

The Best Workplaces in Europe is the largest annual survey in the region and this year 2,800 companies across Europe participated, 800 more than last year.  The unique awards recognise organisations that are dedicated to sustaining high-trust cultures for their employees and winners are decided by evaluating employee and management feedback on areas including trust, culture and policies.

Pet shop owner Kevin Shaw is being forced to close his business in Forest Gate, East London, because of regeneration work in the area.

Kevin, the owner of Smallholders Pet, Garden and Aquatic Centre in Woodgrange Road, said the closure was a result of the area being gentrified.

“A lot of the buildings are getting turned into flats,” he told the Newham Recorder.

The shop opened in 1948 and Kevin took it over 19 years ago, having worked there after school and on Saturdays since he was a teenager. When he left school at 15, he began working there full time.

He told the Recorder he has three months left before he goes for good.

Kevin announced the closure on the shop’s Facebook page and customers admitted they were sad at the news.

He said: “With rent being so expensive now, I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford another shop around here – it might have to be closer to where I live, in Essex.”

The full Newham Recorder story can be read by clicking here

A mortified dog owner claims her pooch’s jaw got STUCK in a toy – and had to be surgically removed for more than £350, reports the Stoke Sentinel.

Samantha Trofimowicz, aged 47, gave two-year-old cockapoo Moet a new £13.99 treat-dispensing toy she had purchased from Aldi.

To read the full report click here

The 5th annual Bring Your Dog To Work Day, which took place last Friday, captured the imagination of the country as thousands joined in the annual fun day out for dogs with organisations from all over the UK getting involved to raise funds for All Dog's Matter and other animal welfare charities.

The event kicked off at HOWND's local fire station where the HOWND and the All Dog's Matter team (including HOWND's hard-working office dogs Laila and Roxy) got to meet the local crew.  Throughout the day there was record breaking engagement across all sectors, with many pet care brands joining in the fun, putting on their own events and getting involved.

Bring Your Dog To Work Day achieved an incredible social reach across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, reaching an incredible combined total of 3,238,224 engagements across the three social media platforms.

The hashtag #BringYourDogToWorkDay trended once again on Twitter, with high profile household names joining in the fun, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Disney UK, ITV News, Fever-Tree Queens Tennis, Lily's Kitchen, the National Trust, BBC television and radio stations posting pictures of their dogs at work, and others including celebrities such as Ricky Gervais. 

Press coverage was incredible with over 100 TV, radio and press outlets including the BBC, ITV, Daily Mail, The Telegraph, Huffington Post and more.

There were many entries for the ‘Dog with a Job' Hall of Fame to win over £1000 worth of prizes from the official sponsors, and there are some gorgeous photos uploaded onto the site - the winner will be announced next week.

Jo Amit, co-Founder of the multi-award winning pet care brand HOWND, says: "Bring Your Dog To Work Day grows each year and this year was the biggest since we started in in 2014.  Thousands of pounds have been raised for charity between ourselves and businesses that took part. We've already started planning for next year with some exciting plans in the pipeline!"

The organisers are grateful to all the business sponsors especially in the pet industry for coming on board and supporting the campaign: Buddies - Legal & General, Pet Remedy, Arden Grange, Fish 4 Dogs, Burns Pet Nutrition, Vet in the City, Natural Instinct, Vets 4 Pets, Phytopet, Oscar & Hooch, Pet Base, Henry Schein Care, Ruff & Tumble, Flexi, Trophy Pet Foods, Nature's Menu, Tails.com, Gentle, Dog Buddy, Vitalin, Scruffs, Lintbells, Frontline, Photizo, Cotswolds Raw, Lily's Kitchen, Dog Robes, Henry Schein Animal Health, Armstrong Richardson, Bear Bones, Mikki, Hi Life, Webbox, The Officer Dog, Butternut Box, Almo Nature, Nylabone, Barking Mad, Canine Cottages, Aquarium, Doggy Cafe, Doggy Cuppa, Woof Advisor, Hubble & Hattie, Fetch, Scrumbles.