Global organisation invests in leading pet product company
Velcro Companies, the technology-driven global organisation providing fastening solutions, has acquired a minority stake in Petface Ltd, an innovative pet products company based in Hertfordshire. Established in 2011, Petface has over 3,000 products across the dog, cat, small pet and wild bird categories...
Velcro Companies, the technology-driven global organisation providing fastening solutions, has acquired a minority stake in Petface Ltd, an innovative pet products company based in Hertfordshire.
Established in 2011, Petface has over 3,000 products across the dog, cat, small pet and wild bird categories.
Mark Sater, Vice President of Strategic Execution for Velcro Companies, said: “This new shared venture with Petface represents another strategic step in building our presence in growth markets, and we are enthusiastic about the significant further potential for Petface to develop and deliver innovative products and expand globally.
"This agreement reflects our commitment to create a powerful global consumer business by developing new products and leveraging the strong consumer awareness of the VELCRO® brand.
"With a heritage of innovation and a passion for great product design, Petface is an ideal partner to help us realize this goal.”
 
Peter Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Petface, said: “The investment by Velcro Companies represents a resounding endorsement of our success to date and acceptance of our commitment and enthusiasm towards pets and pet owners.
"We are looking forward to working with their development teams, and both businesses are dedicated to the details that make products functional, durable and easy to use.
"This significant investment aligns the business and gives Petface the perfect platform to grow internationally.”The existing Petface management team will remain in place. Other financial terms were not disclosed.
Petface was established in 2011 and is a leading UK-based designer and distributor of pet-related products. The company has over 3,000 products in the Petface range, within 17 brands covering collars and leads, feeding, bedding and toys across dog, cat, small pet and wild bird categories. Petface specialises in selling to large retailers, independent pet specialists, and garden centers. Velcro Companies has a heritage of innovation spanning more than 50 years and owns over 400 active patents and numerous trademarks, including the VELCRO® trademark, which is registered throughout the world.
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 When it comes to keeping fish, maintaining a well-balanced and healthy diet is vital to good health and wellbeing. That’s why Tetra has now added the myFeeder, a new automatic feeder, to its range of products.
The myFeeder uses unique technology to maintain food quality by protecting it against light, air and moisture, ensuring that food stays fresh and retains nutrients and consistency for several weeks. This means the myFeeder is also the ideal product for fish keepers who sometimes work away, or are planning a holiday.
Complete with a 100ml food compartment and transparent window, you can easily check the food levels to make sure that it’s not running low. This also makes refilling quick and easy, making sure that fish have sufficient food levels if they’re being left for a few days.
Using the digital display, you can set the feeder to feed your fish up to three times a day. Manual feeding is also an option, and for those wanting to offer a varied diet, TetraMin Flakes, Crisps and Granules can be added alone or mixed together.
 The new automatic feeder can be fitted onto any aquarium, either directly on the glass using the flexible clamp mounting or on the top of the aquarium lid using the four rubber, individually adjustable support feet that also keep the feeder secured on uneven surfaces. The Tetra myFeeder, which comes with two high-quality Varta batteries, has an RRP of £39.99*.
For more information about any products in the Tetra range please visit www.tetra.net or join the conversation on Facebook with Tetra UK.
Key features: - Unique technology maintains food quality protecting it against light, air, and moisture for long lasting freshness
- 100ml food compartment and transparent window for quick and easy refilling
- Digital display for simple scheduling
- Rubber feet and flexible clamp for easy fitting
*Any reference to pricing is purely indicative; retail pricing is entirely at the retailer’s discretion
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Natures Menu strengthens team as new factory gets closer
Natures Menu has strengthened its senior team with a number of appointments. James Langan takes up the role as Commercial Director, Dawn Spiby has been apppinted Marketing Director and Richard Franklin becomes Production Manager...
Craig Taylor, Managing Director of Natures Menu, said: "The newly enhanced team will complement the existing skills in the business and help us fill the new facility at Snetterton.”
Natures Menu has strengthened its senior team with a number of appointments. James Langan takes up the role as Commercial Director, Dawn Spiby has been apppinted Marketing Director and Richard Franklin becomes Production Manager.
James has an extensive career within FMCG at board level and is a strategically focused director with a track record of driving sales and profit growth for leading branded manufacturers, having managed several turnarounds. He joins from Tangerine Confectionery where he was acting Deputy CEO.
Dawn is an experienced marketer and innovator, who has worked in several major companies in the food sector, driving consumer footfall, engagement and brand awareness.
Richard Franklin joins Natures Menu to head up the production management of the brand new £16 million processing facility in Norfolk which is due to open in September. Richard joined from an experienced role running a large meat processing organisation and is excited about the investment in technologies and innovation at the company.
These appointments represent growing investment by Natures Menu in expertise to assist with the rapid growth in demand for raw and raw inspired foods. It follows the appointment of Tina Bryne as UK Sales Trade Manager last month, and in early March, Tad Antoniak, joined the business from Mars as Business Development Manager, with extensive experience in the pet specialist sector.
Craig Taylor (pictured above), Managing Director of Natures Menu, said: “I am delighted to be adding to the expertise we have in the business, to continue to help drive and manage the rapid growth within the RAW sector.
"The interest in our Number One brand and range of products from breeders, vets, independent and national pet specialists has increased, culminating in a very successful year at Crufts with consumers and at PATS with our trade partners. The newly enhanced team will complement the existing skills in the business and help us fill the new facility at Snetterton.”
Natures Menu has seen a rapid uptake in sales and stockists of its raw and raw-inspired meals within the trade and veterinary sectors and has appointed a number of senior managers to its business over recent months.
It will open a new multi million site at Snetterton in autumn 2017 to create further capacity for its existing portfolio as well as the operational capability to deliver new and innovative products into the market.
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“This show always delivers…it’s a brilliant event…a great place for networking…there is so much to see.” These are just some of the many fantastic comments received from visitors to last month’s PATS Sandown.
The two-day pet exhibition at Sandown Park in Surrey was hailed as a great success after hundreds of new products were launched during the show.
A total of 1,917 retailers and buyers visited the event, representing an increase of 3% on the number who attended PATS Sandown 2016.
Now the attention has turned to PATS Telford, which takes place on Sunday and Monday, September 24-25 2017.
So what makes the two PATS shows so special? Visitors to the Sandown exhibition gave their verdicts.
“We left PATS Sandown with lots of new products and new supplier relationships. This show always delivers,” said Emma Reid, of Destination Pet, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire.
Claire Best, of Waggles Pet Emporium, Kent, added: “The show was very successful. It's always good to catch up with our regular suppliers, meet new ones and take advantage of some great show offers and deals.”
Angel Moore, from the award-winning Betty & Butch store in Manchester admitted it was worth travelling down to Surrey to see all the new launches. “This is a brilliant show, it’s just massive. I came here looking for certain items and will leave with a whole lot more.”
According to Richard Perfitt, of Harleston and Bungay Pet Stores, Norfolk, if you have an interest in the pet trade, then you have to visit PATS. “I have been working in the pet industry for 20 years and the exhibition is a great place for networking.”
And Gemma Moore, form Longacres Garden Centre, Bagshot, Surrey, said: “PATS is a must-visit event for our team. It’s an opportunity to see all the new launches under one roof and talk to important people in the industry.”
International visitors also see PATS as the perfect place to source new pet products. “The atmosphere and people are fantastic. My aim was to find some serious new contacts and I’ve achieved my goal,” said Stanley van Loggem, who travelled from Holland.
With still over five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Telford is set to be another ‘sell out’ event. It will be the third time the show has taken place at Telford International Centre, and an impressive number of companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting.
A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.
See our picture gallery from PATS Sandown below...
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More reaction from PATS Sandown can be found on a new video produced at the show.
This short video sums up what people thought of PATS Sandown and includes great feedback from both visitors and exhibitors.
The short film can be viewed on www.patshow.co.uk or by visiting https://player.vimeo.com/video/210475920.
Men drive increase in cat owning numbers, says PFMA
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has released its new Pet Data Report confirming a 500,000 rise in the cat population, which now stands at 8 million[i], and increase driven by more men owning cats...
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has released its new Pet Data Report confirming a 500,000 rise in the cat population, which now stands at 8 million[i].
This increase is largely driven by a rise of over 25% in the number of men owning cats (approx. 1m more men)[ii].
This year, PFMA publishes the data results following interviews with over 8000 UK households[iii] in its exciting new Pet Data Report[iv].
Key findings include:
- 12 million households (44% of UK households) have a pet.
- There are 54 million pets in the UK (33 million fish and 21 million non-aquatic).
- The cat population has increased by around half a million.
- Over a third of households with children said they would consider a small mammal as a pet[v].
The cat-owning household figure has risen from 17.1% (4.8m) in 2016 to 18.3% (5.1m) in 2017.
Interestingly, more men now own cats, up from 13% in 2016 to 17% in 2017. More young people own cats with those aged 16-34 up 3% plus those aged 35-44 up 2%.
Cats Protection’s Social Media Manager, Gemma Croker, said: “Cats have always been on social media but we have definitely noticed more men openly expressing their love for their feline friends.
"We now see more male celebrities talking about their cats such as our supporter The Vamps’ James McVey (cat Mickey), Ed Sheeran (Graham) and Russell Brand (Morrissey)[vi]. It is possible that this trend may have triggered an increase in popularity for cats among the general male population, which is great news for rehoming cats.”
Michael Bellingham PFMA Chief Executive “Pet ownership is a rewarding experience for everyone. It’s wonderful to see that men are realising the huge benefits of pets with an increase in cat ownership in this sector. Our research also showed 38% of families with children were considering a small mammal so its good news for all pets!
We have now been conducting our research with TNS since 2008 and have seen many changes in the pet population. We are delighted that in spite of the challenges presented to pet ownership, our population is stable with a 4% increase to 12 million households owning a pet.”
PFMA’s top ten pets for 2017 are:
- 15-20 million fish kept in tanks
- 15-20 million fish kept in ponds
- 8.5 million dogs
- 8 million cats
- 900,000 rabbits
- 700,000 pet birds
- 700,000 reptiles
- 600,000 domestic fowl
- 500,000 guinea Pigs
- 300,000 hamsters
This year the Top Ten Pets is published as part of a detailed ‘Pet Data Report’, which includes regional data, pets per household, first pets, pet nutrition research, UK market data and much more. The report can be viewed online: www.pfma.org.uk/statistics.
[i] Exact cat population 2016/17 8 million, 2015/2016 7.4m giving an increase of ca 500,000
[ii] Male cat ownership has grown from 13% (4.2m men) in 2016 to and 17% (5.5m men) in 2017. The difference is around 1.33m. Solus Consulting confirm this growth can be quoted as 1m / 25% growth. This estimate is based on ONS published UK population data 2014/2015, 2011 census and PFMA pet surveys 2016/17.
[iii] Each year a representative sample of UK adults are interviewed by TNS / Solus Consulting, in face-to-face interviews, regarding their pet ownership. Since 2014, a sample of over 4,000 people have been interviewed. In order to further reduce statistical uncertainty, survey results are averaged over 2 years, giving an effective sample of over 8,000 people.
[iv] PFMA’s new Pet Data Report 2017 can be viewed in full at pfma.org.uk
[v] Small mammals include rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters – all small mammals
[vi] Famous cats and male owners include: Larry the Downing Street cat and ex prime minister David Cameron, Russell Brand and Morrissey, Ricky Gervais and Ollie, David Bowie, George Clooney, John Travolta, Nicholas Cage, Ewan McGregor…
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Pet shops asked for help over licensing response
Three pet trade associations are asking for help on where pet shops source their animals from, as they look at how to respond to proposed changes to licensing in England. REPTA’s Chris Newman (pictured) said: “We want to build a picture of how many animals sold in pet shops mainly come from non-commercial breeders."
Three pet trade associations are asking for help on where pet shops source their animals from, as they look at how to respond to proposed changes to licensing in England.
Pet Industry Federation, the Reptile & Exotic Pet Trade Association and the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association want pet shops to fill in a quick anonymous survey on whether or not they buy any of the animals they sell from private/hobby breeders (as opposed to commercial suppliers/wholesalers etc).
The three trade associations will use the information to inform the work they are doing to respond to Government proposals on how it will deal with animal establishment licensing (including pet shops) in England in the future.
“We want to build a picture of how many animals sold in pet shops mainly come from non-commercial breeders. It’s likely that different parts of the trade have different experiences so we’d like as many pet shops, reptile and aquatic shops to fill in this anonymous survey – even if it’s only to tell us they don’t get the species they sell from private sources,” explained REPTA’s Chris Newman.
The survey – which is only four quick questions and is anonymous – can be found here. Please complete it even if you do not source stock from hobby breeders. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hobbybreeders
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Natures Menu has record month at exhibitions
Natures Menu unveiled a new look last month, resulting in unprecedented levels of interest from breeders, vets, groomers, trade and consumers, with the team barely pausing for breath between selling and dealing with enquiries...
The Natures Menu stand at PATS Sandown was a hive of activity throughout the show.
Natures Menu unveiled a new look last month, resulting in unprecedented levels of interest from breeders, vets, groomers, trade and consumers, with the team barely pausing for breath between selling and dealing with enquiries.
Dawn Spiby, Marketing Director at Natures Menu, said: “We were delighted with the new look, positioning and way the show went. The footfall was huge, the number of new enquiries very high, reflecting the growing interest in the raw and raw inspired category.
"As market leader, we expected to see more interest, but saw far more people than we imagined. A record number of breeders signed up to our schemes and the orders following the show have also been high.”
The business, who is market leader in raw pet foods, showcased all their ranges from the Home prepared category of meat and mixers to the complete and balanced Natures Menu and Country Hunter ranges.
The bones and chews proved popular as treats for dogs waiting to be shown and the meaty treats and Country Hunter, complete and balanced freeze dried snacks were being taken home in the bag load!
Only a week later and the team were back on the road at PATS, with a fabulous freezer deal and showing their new mixer biscuit. A record number of trade visitors called by the stand, stimulated by a digital campaign.
Joanne Ford, digital manager, advised: “It’s great to hear that our teaser and CRM systems had such a positive effect on driving interest to our stand at PATS. We try hard to keep our pet partners informed and send communications on topical matters, innovations and offers each month.”
These communications helped support a record number of freezers, way in excess of 100, being placed in both existing and new accounts, and multiple pre-orders being taken for the mixer biscuit, which went on sale on April 3rd.
Pictured: The Natures Menu stand at PATS Sandown was a hive of activity throughout the show.
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Ruffwear, the performance dog gear brand, has launched a range of products designed to keep dogs safe and active during the summer months.
The cooling range has been expanded for SS17 and now includes three products which all feature three-layer construction for maximum performance. A wicking outer layer facilitates evaporative cooling, an absorbent mid layer stores water for evaporation and a comfortable inner layer transfers the cooling effect to the dog.
New to the range for SS17 is the Jet Stream™ cooling vest (above). Designed with the active dog and owner in mind, it is cut for fast and light athletic activities making it ideal for trail running and mountain biking.
The Swamp Cooler™ vest has been refreshed with a more streamlined design but is still packed with features and offers full coverage for maximum shade. It now includes a leash portal which means it can be worn with the Ruffwear® Front Range™ or Web Master™ Harnesses and has side release buckles making it easier to take on and off.
The Core Cooler™ is a new addition to the range which can be attached to Ruffwear Web Master™ Harnesses and Web Master™ based packs. It features hook and loop sleeves making it easy to put on and take off and is ideal for anything from backpacking to hill walking.
Hydration
To keep dogs hydrated while on the move the range includes the Quencher™ collapsible food and water bowl, Ruffwear’s first product to market in 1994, which comes in three sizes and a range of colours. A cinch-top version is also available for transporting food. The Bivy Bowl™, an ultra-lightweight, collapsible bowl with a no-slip bottom now comes in a new colourway, Blue Spring.
Water Safety
The ultimate partner for canine floatation and water safety, the Float Coat™ (above) is cut specifically to replicate a dog’s natural swimming position with strategically-placed closed cell foam panels. It has easy-to-clip sheltered buckles to keep straps firmly in place over time and features water-compatible webbing which remains stable in wet environments. The strong, low-profile handle is positioned to help dogs out of water and a telescoping neck closure adjusts to fit a range of dog sizes.
The evaporative cooling system explained:
What is evaporative cooling?
When you first step out of the shower or a swimming pool, you may notice a cool feeling when your skin hits the air. This is evaporative cooling. In fact, every human being performs the function of evaporative cooling each day, through perspiration. When sweat evaporates, we cool down. If we move around, the air flow cools us down even quicker.
How does Ruffwear’s cooling system work?
Ruffwear’s three-layer cooling products operate like an “on-dog” cooler. By soaking the product in cool water, wringing it out and placing it on your dog, you are helping your dog to “sweat”…allowing evaporative cooling to take place as the cool water is exposed to moving air. The water heats up, vaporizes, and the surrounding air is chilled…noticeably cooling your dog.
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Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2017 – winners announced
 
The winners of the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2017 have been announced in a glittering ceremony at the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, following the most successful awards’ nominations’ process to date, which has seen record nominations of the highest calibre.
The winners of the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2017 have been announced in a glittering ceremony at the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, following the most successful awards’ nominations’ process to date, which has seen record nominations of the highest calibre.
The awards recognise the achievements of remarkable people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries, who go beyond the call of duty to better the lives of animals around the world including veterinary and charity professionals, researchers and volunteers.
The awards’ ceremony on 5 April in the run up to BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) Congress saw praise bestowed on all the shortlisted nominees and winners were announced across seven categories.
Once again, an esteemed panel of industry professionals chaired by Chris Laurence MBE MRCVS were challenged with selecting the worthy shortlisted individuals and groups and the ultimate winners.
Speaking at the ceremony, chair of the judging panel, Chris Laurence, said: “Judging the huge number of nominations gets more difficult year on year as the numbers increase. It is stunning to see how many people give their lives to the welfare of animals and it makes us feel very humble to see the lengths to which many people go. The fact that we have found winners amongst so many deserving people and organisations was really hard work.”
Winners of the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2017 by category, are:
Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award in association with Veterinary Times
Jenny Stavisky from the University of Nottingham
Jenny is a senior lecturer in shelter medicine at the University of Nottingham. In addition to her teaching and research, Jenny founded the charity Vets in the Community (ViC) in 2012 to provide free veterinary care to the pets of the homeless and vulnerably housed people in Nottingham. The charity is based in the Big Issue office in Nottingham City Centre and has helped improve the lives of hundreds of pets owned by those of no fixed abode, who are often vulnerable.
Welfare Nurse of the Year Award in association with VN Times
Samantha Shand from Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford
Samantha works at Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Every year Samantha comes up with exciting ideas to raise funds for charity. These include producing a calendar comprising of photographs and stories of memorable practice patients in order to raise funds for Hounds for Heroes and co-ordinating a children’s book entitled ‘Nine Tails of Quarrington’ whereby local primary school children illustrated stories about pets that had visited the practice with funds going to Cats Protection and NSPCC.
Farm Animal Welfare Award in association with R.A.B.I and N.A.D.I.S
Katrine Bazeley, a retired veterinary surgeon from Dorset, and Graham Duncanson, a retired veterinary surgeon from Norfolk (joint winners)
Katrine is a retired veterinary surgeon from Blackdown in Dorset. She is well-respected within the industry and held a variety of roles in both veterinary practice and academia before she retired; she still continues to be involved in young stock research and maintains a clinical involvement with Synergy Farm Health. She was also a committee member of the Goat Veterinary Society for many years, of which she is now an Honorary Life Member. Her legacy includes significant welfare work in both cattle and small ruminants and she has written several books.
Graham Duncanson is a retired veterinary surgeon from Crostwick near Norwich. Graham worked at Westover Veterinary Centre in Norfolk for 40 years. He has just returned from a marathon two year, 8,000km cycling challenge from Norfolk to Cape Town in South Africa to raise funds for the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) of which he is a trustee. With the aim of raising more than £10,000, Graham’s route took him through Western Europe and into Greece before flying to Ethiopia and cycling through Kenya, where Graham spent eight years as a Government veterinary officer in his early career. He then followed the Indian Ocean down the African continent’s east coast to Cape Town.
Charity Professional of the Year in association with PDSA
Lesley Winton, founder of the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears and Fostering Compassion
Lesley Winton from Tranent, East Lothian is founder of The Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears and Fostering Compassion. She runs both charities, while also working as a driving instructor.
Charity Team of the Year in association with Your Cat Magazine and Your Dog Magazine
Dogstar Foundation, Sri Lanka
Dogstar Foundation is at the forefront of improving dog and cat health and welfare in Sri Lanka. Founded in 2006, the charity provides high standard veterinary care for free roaming dogs and cats in the Nagombo region of Sri Lanka. Dogstar focuses not just on neutering large numbers of dogs, but also on individual patient welfare. All dogs receive a standard of care equivalent to, if not exceeding, a UK veterinary clinic, something which is highly unusual in a dog population programme focused on largescale neutering. The Dogstar team understands its role in safeguarding humans from zoonotic diseases such as rabies, alongside educating local people in concepts of responsible pet ownership, as well as being completely committed to the welfare of the dogs and cats they vaccinate, spay and neuter.
Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award in association with Blue Cross
Dean Bland from Well Equine in Yorkshire
Dean Bland is a farrier from Silkstone Common in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He has worked tirelessly to volunteer and support equine welfare organisations and he has volunteered at all nine of the British Horse Society’s castration clinics to educate horse owners who have had no previous experience with a professional farrier on the importance of hoof care. Dean was also chosen as one of the farriers to support the Olympians at the Rio Olympics 2016.
International Cat Care Welfare Award in association with Agria Pet Insurance
Pei Su from ActAsia
Pei Su founded ActAsia in 2006. ActAsia is a registered non-profit organisation with staff and volunteers working from offices in China and other parts of the world. Many of its staff, advisors and volunteers have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of animal welfare and humane education, and benefit from training by leading international animal advocacy organisations.
This year also saw an additional award for GSPCA (Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), in special recognition of the charity’s hard work in helping to raise animal welfare standards in Guernsey.
The winners were presented with their coveted awards on stage by the judges, alongside a representative from each of the category sponsors, which this year included: Blue Cross, PDSA, International Cat Care with Agria Pet Insurance, N.A.D.I.S and R.A.B.I, and media titles, Veterinary Times, VN Times and Your Dog and Your Cat magazines.
For further information on the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards visit www.cevawelfareawards.com.
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Pets at Home makes 32% energy savings
Pets at Home has recorded energy savings of 32% across its stores after a "game-changing" LED lighting project was embraced across the entire business, the firm's energy manager has revealed...
Pets at Home has recorded energy savings of 32% across its stores after a "game-changing" LED lighting project was embraced across the entire business, the firm's energy manager has revealed.
The company last year spent £8m on installing energy-efficient LED lighting and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) across its 427 vet practices and referral centres.
The investment represents the largest capital expenditure project ever undertaken by the firm, with a payback of under two and a half years.
Speaking ahead of his appearance at the edie Live exhibition next month, James Kokiet explained that the project’s first phase - carried out between September and December last year - recorded an energy-saving triumph barely conceivable when he joined the company two years ago.
“It’s been a huge success,” Kokiet said. “It’s been a game-changer for Pets at Home really. Through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) process, it came out that the scale of opportunity was much higher than we imagined and it was a no brainer.
“We’ve seen savings between 30-32% across the stores, and sometimes a lot more, so it is pretty significant. It’s quite a staggering progress when you think we had done virtually nothing by September last year, with only a few pilots. We’ve really hit it pretty hard and by the end of June, everything will be LED.”
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ROGZ, the Cape Town based lifestyle pet accessories brand, has announced the appointment of Akudim A/S as its new exclusive distribution partner for the Danish and Icelandic pet markets.
Akudim is a well-known, established Danish distributor specialising in supplying accessories in the dog, cat, reptile, bird, small animal and aquatic pet markets.
From its warehouse in Esbjerg on the Danish west coast, Akudim distributes to pet stores and veterinary clinics in Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland.
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 A charity vet from Sheffield is gearing up for the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 23 April.
Robert Haselgrove (37) is taking on the 26.2-mile challenge in aid of leading PDSA, which provides veterinary care for 470,000 pets every year. Robert has worked for the charity, treating pets in need, for seven years.
With a gruelling training programme in place to help ensure he crosses the finish line within a target time of 3 hours 45 minutes, Robert is hoping that Sheffield and South Yorkshire’s animal lovers will support his marathon challenge.
Robert said: “Every day I see the impact PDSA has on the lives of some of the area’s most vulnerable pets. It is a real privilege to be able to help support the pet owners of South Yorkshire.
"For many of the owners we help, their pets are their only companion. Being able to help those in difficult circumstances who can’t afford the vet care their pets need makes such a difference to people’s lives.
"I wanted to do my part in helping raise vital and much-needed funds for the charity as well as raising awareness for this often overlooked charity.”
Robert first ran the Virgin London Marathon back in 2013, and said: “Enough time has passed for me to forget the pain of long, daily runs in the cold, so I thought I would do it again! Apart from being a bit nervous, I’m really looking forward to it!”
“Before I knew I’d got a place in the marathon, I regularly went for 5 mile runs with my dog, Puddle. I’ve gradually increased these and do at least 16 mile runs as part of my training programme now.
Robert added: “I’ve been Senior Vet at Sheffield PDSA Pet Hospital for the past two years, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for five years before that.
"It really is a fantastic job and a great organisation to work for. We treat over 140 pets each day and I see a large variety of cases as many of our clients cannot afford private vet fees.
"It is a real privilege to be able to help the pet owners of South Yorkshire and I’m looking forward to running the marathon to raise much needed funds.”
Rosie Gibbons, PDSA Community Events Fundraiser, said: “Rob’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital veterinary treatment they need and we’re enormously grateful to have his support. We’ll be cheering Rob and the rest of Team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support him too.”
To support Robert’s marathon mission to raise £1,500 for PDSA and Prostate Cancer UK: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobertHaselgrove.
For more information about fundraising for PDSA call 0800 508 8323.
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There are around 54 million pets in the UK, according to new figures released by the PFMA.
The pet population varies between regions and below is the regional data based on research 2015-2017 - showing the percentage of the population with each pet type.
The pet population estimates were made over two years, with total sample of over 8,000.
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 It was a dream come true for Christine Biddlecombe when her Siberian Husky, CH Lincoln White at Tsaritsa took the prestigious Best of Breed award at Crufts.
Christine from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, has owned Siberian Husky’s since she was nine-year’s-old and says she ‘still can’t believe’ her lifetime passion and support for the breed has led to such a special win at the world’s largest dog show.
Lincoln as he is known at home, is now 10 and as well as showing also competes in two dog-sled races, a sport that is fast and furious and which he thoroughly enjoys.
His condition is fit and athletic with his glossy coat catching the judge’s eye with the help of his diet of Alpha High Performance dog food.
Says Christine: “It has been a lifelong ambition to win Best of Breed at Cruft’s and to do it with Lincoln is just fantastic.
“He is such a showman and just loves competing and being in the ring. He is such an all-round dog able to compete in dog-sled races one week and go into the show ring the next.
“He is the ideal breed specimen, is very typical of the standard and just enjoys showing so much and always has a smile on his face, he was born to show.
“Thanks to Alpha High Performance I know he will always look his best, the food is just fantastic and has been specially developed to enhance stamina for dogs that require sustained energy.
“Siberian Husky’s first came into my life when I was nine-years-old and we now have 18 of them at home – winning at Crufts really is amazing and I still can’t believe it now.
“Lincoln was 10-weeks-old when we got him, he is just a star, everyone loves him and he really does deserve his success at Crufts.”
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3P rebrands and repositions core products
3P, the manufacturer and distributor of branded accessories for dogs and cats, has finalised the rebranding of the company and repositioning of its core products...
3P, the manufacturer and distributor of branded accessories for dogs and cats, has finalised the rebranding of the company and repositioning of its core products.
The new 3P brand focuses on supplying accessories to improve the health and wellbeing of pets and simplify pet ownership.
As part of the rebranding process 3P has revisited its product range and deselected products which do not fit with this core value.
The business has been in operation since 2002 and has gone through many changes over the past 15 years from internet retailer, to distributor, to the manufacture of its own Henry Wag® brand.
The purpose of rebranding has been to bring a focus to the business operations and to give clear identity to what 3P has to offer and put forward a stronger message to reinforce the reasons why retailers would want to include 3P as a source for innovative pet accessories.
A spokesman commented: “As part of our growth strategy we wanted to reinforce our position as a leading supplier of specialist pet accessories. The rebranding of the company simply highlights the passion we have at 3P for products which improve the pet's health and well-being and simplify pet care for the pet parent.”
Results from research carried out with a focus group of existing customers concluded that the reason they currently source from 3P is the unique range of innovative and practical products which, through their use, enhance the health and well-being of pets and make pet ownership simpler, aligning with the strategic position 3P are now taking.
Under the new branding, having products which match these core values allows 3P to drive best practice in pet care by offering products which educate and inform owners. In addition, products which change owner’s behaviour will lead to improved levels of pet care with the result of bringing about a closer relationship between the pet and parent.
3P are adding to their range over the coming months with new products being launched under their own Henry Wag® brand plus additional items being selected from the leading American manufacturer, Doskocil, under the Petmate, Wetnoz and Aspen Pet brands.
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With spring truly springing, there's the unfortunate downside to those lovely light evenings and walks amid the blossoms - flea season is getting underway! Thankfully, WildWash is here to help, with two exciting new products to send fleas fleeing, and safely protect our pets from the onslaught.
WildWash's new flea-repellent range has only just been launched at this year's Crufts, but is already being recognised for its innovation in the sector and great eco credentials. The WildWash Pro Flea and Bug Repellent was a New Product Showcase Award winner at PATS Sandown, deemed the very best in the Pet Care Product category.
The judges at PATS were impressed with the thought and development that went into creating the spray; the range represents a year of work for WildWash, sourcing natural and ethical ingredients from around the world, selected as the most effective insect repelling botanicals in their country of origin. The results are brilliant.
The WildWash Pro Flea and Bug Repellent uses a blend of essential oils hailed for their flea repellent properties, which also deter flies, ticks, mosquitos and other pesky parasites.
The careful, caring combination of Horsetail, Eucalyptus and Nettle can be applied freely and liberally and is suitable for use on both dogs and horses. It even helps to condition and brighten the coat for a glossy shine - bonus!
The paired product in the range is the WildWash Pro Anti Flea Shampoo, which combines a beautiful new blend of plants and herbs. Inside can be found delicious-smelling Eucalyptus, crisp Peppermint and heavenly Lemongrass.
Whereas its gentle on pets and nice to our noses, it provides natural protection from bugs, limiting the risk of itchy, irritating bites and even dangerous diseases.
Together the shampoo and spray are a powerful combination - giving pet owners the choice to not use harsh chemicals.
Jane Cooper, co-founder of WildWash, says: "Two years ago there was a lot of controversy about the chemical pet flea shampoos on the market, with some even being taken off the shelves as they were deemed to be dangerous. This led us to start our research into effective natural ingredients that could be used for flea and bug control with pets.
"Last year was one of the worst years we have had in the grooming industry for flea and ticks; all the products we develop are to satisfy a genuine need in the market. When we launched the WildWash Pro Flea and Bug Repellent at Crufts, we had queues of people for four solid days! We brought boxes and boxes of stock, yet went home with none - we knew immediately that we had a success on our hands. PATS confirmed this - we were overjoyed to have won an award.
"We have lots more ideas in the pipeline and want to really carry on with our research and pioneer more natural effective remedies for pets and us!"
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Since its launch, the Pawbo+ Interactive Pet Camera has been busy connecting pets and owners when life gets in the way.
Whether from the office, out at lunch with friends, or from faraway holiday locations, pet owners have never before been able to keep their pets so firmly in the palm of their hand.
Offering retailers a significant profit opportunity, here the experts at PAWBO share some top tips for maximising sales, and encouraging long-term customer loyalty.
TOP TIP 1: Live demonstrations Pawbo+ is a true winner due to its simplicity. From its sleek packaging, to the super quick set-up, getting started with the Pawbo+ couldn’t be easier, which is why having a live demonstration running in-store at the point of sale could convert interested parties into direct sales. Consider setting up a Pawbo+ instore, and encourage customers to download the Pawbo Life app, which will connect them to the unit on display (each Pawbo+ unit can have up to eight concurrent users at one time – just remind them to disconnect after trialling the unit instore). Experiencing the product firsthand will alleviate any concerns at the point of purchase, an advantage that very few products can boast. TOP TIP 2: Link with animal section for exciting live feed Any store with live animals has an added advantage, in that they can use the Pawbo+ to generate some fantastic social media content. With the capability to download 15 minutes of video footage to DropBox, social media savvy stores can utilise this content for their website, as well as fun, interactive content on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Why not also consider setting up a live feed to the Pawbo+, focusing on some of the little critters on offer instore that are looking for their forever home. This is a great way of generating far reaching audiences, as well as a format for competitions that will encourage high engagement rates. What’s more it is a really unique way to find new owners for those animals looking for homes – think of it as an interactive adoption drive, as well as a dual purpose operation as sales will increase across both the live animal and pet tech sections of the store. TOP TIP 3: Stack ‘em high! Thanks to the compact packaging of the Pawbo+, retailers have the opportunity to secure high value sales, without having to dedicate large amounts of floorspace to the product. A simple stacked display will deliver a significant return on investment, compared to other traditional pet products. Why not also consider building high-impact product displays that bridge both the pet and technology sections of your store. Thinking outside of the box, and positioning the Pawbo+ in dual locations increases the possibility of sales. TOP TIP 4: Customer engagement Encourage customers to engage with your store, and open up ongoing lines of communication, by encouraging them to share their Pawbo footage via your store's social media channels. Again, this is a great way to build your customer database, provide your business with a voice, drive sales and encourage repeat business. Consider launching supporting competition for the best image/caption to encourage repeat sales etc etc. At a glance: Pawbo+ - Treat dispensing camera designed for small dogs and cats
- 720P HD live video and 130° wide-angle Lens, supported by high-quality sound
- Allows up to eight users to chat with your pet through Pawbo+ at one time, with all users able to operate the interactive functions simultaneously
- Six built-in ringtones to attract your pet’s attention
- Built-in games for interacting with your pet, with the capability of extending functions via wireless connection
- Push-to-Talk function allows your pet to hear your voice at the touch of a button
- Via the Pawbo Life app users are able to to control multiple Pawbo+ devices and operate multiple Pawbo+ accessories
- The Pawbo Life app is also compatible with social media platforms, enabling users to instantly upload images of their pets
- Supports video storage via Dropbox, allowing a maximum 15 minutes of video recording.
- Don’t let the fun stop with the PAWBO Theme Park: a selection of exciting new accessories designed to enhance the level of interaction possible with the Pawbo+. The Theme Park currently includes the PAWBO Catch – ideal for keeping feline friends entertained for hours.
Find out more To find out more about Pawbo please visit www.pawbo.com
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American giant Petco has announced the acquisition of PetCoach, a digital services company that allows pet parents to directly source personalised answers from veterinary professionals. No financial details of the deal were disclosed.
Brock Weatherup, PetCoach co-founder and CEO, will joint Petco has Executive VP of Strategic Innovation & Digital Experience. In this new role, Weatherup will be responsible for driving Petco’s growth through innovation and enterprise-wide, consumer-focused digital initiatives.
In recent years, Weatherup has been engaged in the Philadelphia startup community as an angel investor, mentor, and community leader, including serving as volunteer President of Philly Startup Leaders.
Previously, he was Senior VP and Chief Digital Offer at Petsmart after their purchase of Pet360, where he was Co-Founder/CEO for five years.
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