Gardman has returned to the petcare market in a big way with a range of natural dog food, treats, toys, collars and leads, and bedding, and already the company has received a fantastic response to the products.

The company recruited the former Pets at Home head of buying Tim Goff to develop The Ernest Charles Co. range and make an instant impact in a challenging and competitive market place.

The range was launched at Glee last month and caused an amazing amount of interest from garden centre buyers but also caught the attention of independent pet stores.

Tim Goff, who joined Gardman as director of category management and purchasing in March, spoke to Pet Trade Xtra this week about how The Ernest Charles Co. range was conceived.

“Gardman had entered the pet care market two-and-a-half years ago but for a number of reasons it didn’t work out as well as the company had hoped. Thankfully, it didn’t deter the senior management from returning to the sector, as long as we returned with a better proposition,” said Tim.

With his experience at Pets at Home, where he worked for seven years, Tim was the ideal person to lead Gardman’s drive towards producing a range of pet food and accessories that would make an impact.

“One area of the petcare market that has grown over the past few years is the demand for natural products, so this seemed the best place to position our new range, especially when your core customers are garden centres.

“With natural feeds and treats combined with high quality toys and accessories, The Ernest Charles Co. petcare range represents a compelling proposition that satisfies consumer preferences. The high quality range of natural foods and treats gives consumers tempting options that their dogs will love.”

In keeping with the quality and UK heritage of The Ernest Charles Co. brand, the new natural dog food range has been developed with nutritional experts, each product in the range being free from wheat, dairy products and artificial colours and flavours.

The hypoallergenic feed has been carefully designed to be gentle on a dog’s digestion and suitable for each life stage – puppy, adult and senior. A range of naturally wholesome dog treats includes a selection of pig’s ears, tripe sticks, stuffed bones and pork rolls and complements the range.

“The success of The Ernest Charles Co. range of wild bird food has certainly helped the launch of the new petcare products,” admitted Tim. “It was an easy decision to incorporate them under this strong brand.

“As well as the natural aspect of the products, quality is also a key factor. We are so confident of the quality of our hypoallergenic food we are offering a satisfaction guarantee – if they’re not satisfied we’ll refund their money.” 

Another key attraction to garden centre retailers is that they can buy products in smaller quantities but still have confidence that Gardman will replenish stocks if they quickly run out.

“We make 950 deliveries to garden centres every week and this enables us to service our customers quickly and efficiently. We understand that stores are nervous about committing to large capital expenditure so we are happy to take smaller orders of pet products on the back of their core gardening orders.”

Tim said the response to the launch at Glee was very positive and that The Ernest Charles Co. range of pet products had got off to a good start. Garden centres would remain the core customer for the brand but the company would be looking at ways to expand into independent retailers and would consider exhibiting at specialist trade shows in 2015.

“These products will not be appearing in Pets at Home though,” said Tim. “We want to be able to offer garden centres and independent pet stores a range that’s exclusive to them.”

The Ernest Charles Co. dog feeds range includes:

• Turkey and Rice available for puppy, adult and senior dogs in 2kg and 12kg bags
• Salmon and Potato Adult in 2kg and 12kg bags

The Ernest Charles Co. range of accessories includes a range of collars and leads, all designed for maximum comfort and durability; stylish beds and bedding with non-slip bases and natural feel toys.

Lancashire-based pet food manufacturer and distributor Pets Choice has announced that it will take over the sales and distribution of Vitakraft products in the UK from January 1 2015.

The UK Vitakraft operation will now be fully integrated into Pets Choice, whose brands include Webbox, Goodwyns, Oceanic and Davies. 

Headquartered in Germany, Vitakraft is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of pet food and non-food products across Europe, delivering to more than 35 countries and with offices in 19. The current UK distributor, Vitakraft Burton Dene, is based in Huddersfield. 

Pets Choice CEO Tony Raeburn said: "We're looking to make this an incredibly seamless transition, which will have no knock-on effects for both Pets Choice and Vitakraft customers. In fact, customers will have the benefit and convenience of ordering products from both companies together. 

"Some Vitakraft employees opted to take voluntary redundancy when the news was confirmed; and we're delighted to announce that a number of others have chosen to join us at our new state-of-the-art warehouse and office facility in Blackburn." 

The Vitakraft employees will be integrated into the Pets Choice team over the coming months. 

Heinz Gardewin, corporate chief executive officer at Vitakraft, said: "The merger with Pets Choice is the ideal platform to widen distribution of the Vitakraft product range within the UK and to create new opportunities within the pet care market." 

Not Just Pets in Bath, voted PetQuip UK Retailer of the Year in 2013, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on October 25 with a week-long series events including open days, charity raffles and competitions. It will also be revealing three new rooms at the Bath city centre store, and details are being kept under wraps until the day.

The celebrations start this Sunday when Not Just Pets will host a Reptile Day with Jason from Eurorep. The party continues throughout the week with guests and competitions in store, and will end the following Saturday with a huge Charity Open Day featuring the International Dog Listener, Tony Knight.

Customers will also be able to test their throwing skills with Andy from Rolf C Hagen in a Nerf Dog Toy Challenge.

All fundraising monies raised on the day will be donated to the Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE).

Janine Tozer, owner of Not Just Pets, said: "We are very excited to be celebrating 10 years in Bath for Not Just Pets and also to have such distinguished guests such as Tony Knight take part in our anniversary party - and also to have the Nerf Challenge by the Abbey!

"We are very grateful to all our loyal customers in Bath for their continued support of our pet shops and there will be lots of freebies and special offers throughout the week to thank them.

"The raffle prizes from the Bath businesses are amazing so we hope to raise lots of cash for Greyhound Rescue on the day. Saturday, October 25, will be a fun family day, and we are really looking forward to that - and to reveal our three new rooms."

These events will take place at the Bath store, 8-9 Saint James's Parade, and Kingston Parade between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

For more information call 01225461461/461478 or email bathpets@aol.com officemaistone@aol.com

Concerns have been raised over the impact on neighbours and local businesses of a new Pets at Home store opening in Ludlow, Shropshire.

The newly-built Pets at Home store on the town’s Foldgate Lane is expected to open at the end of the month, and store bosses say it will bring a boost to the local economy.

But not everyone is happy about the new store, which will employ 10 people from the Ludlow area.

Vivienne Parry, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow south, said she had received a rash of complaints about floodlights that had been put up around the store in the run up to the opening on October 31.

She said: “They have floodlights outside that shine in the windows of the old people’s home (Hagley Place) on Foldgate Lane, and the bungalows and houses down there.

“They leave them on all night as part of the security on the site.

“The old people’s home is lit up like a Belisha beacon and it’s not very good for the residents there.

“I’ve had a lot of complaints that it is affecting people’s sleep, and I’d like them to do something about it.”

She said she was also concerned about the impact on businesses in the town.

“I don’t see why we need it, we already have a good pet shop in the town and we also have pet food sold in the market,” she said.

A staff member at CWA Pet Supplies on Upper Galdeford, Ludlow said they were not happy about the new store either, but were powerless to stop the national chain moving in.

However, Pets at Home bosses say the new 6,000 square foot premises on Foldgate Lane will be good for the local economy, especially as it had recruited staff from the area surrounding the town.

Area manager, Adam Wilcock, said: “There was a strong demand from Ludlow pet owners for Pets at Home to come to town, and we’re very pleased to have been able to grant them their wish.”

Plans for the store were approved this time last year, after original proposals for an accompanying fast food restaurant and takeaway at the site were dropped and developers agreed to overhaul traffic access on the road.

The shop will sell dedicated pet products, catering for dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles, birds and fish as well as wildlife.

However, there will not be a veterinarian in-store to help customers and their animals as there is in some of larger Pets at Home branches elsewhere.

The designers of the innovative Canny Magloc, which allows dog owners to attach a lead using only one hand, are now working on other applications for the product within the aerospace, automotive and marine markets. A version for horses is also expected on the market in 2015.

The Canny Company was delighted to receive a PetQuip silver award for the Canny Magloc in the category of ‘Product Innovation of the Year 2014’.

The device, which has a quick and simple ‘point-and-click’ action clearly impressed the PetQuip judges with its simplicity, ingenuity and strength.

Sean McElherron, Canny Company Managing Director, said: “The Canny Magloc is an ingenious bit of kit and the reaction to it has been mainly one of amazement that something so small and light could be so strong.

"We’ve had great feedback from dog owners, rescue centres and charities such as Canine Partners, telling us how invaluable it is for dog owners of limited dexterity.

"Despite its weight, the Canny Magloc mechanism is made from a new type of polymer which is 30% glass-reinforced, meaning the device will withstand up to 65kg of pressure.”

 The Canny Magloc retails for £9.95. For more information visit www.cannyco.com, call 01630 620462 or email info@cannyco.com.

Mars Petcare is to put more marketing spend behind its smaller brands like Dreamies, Sheba and Cesar in an attempt to reach more customers. 

The petfood manufacturer is set to bring greater balance to its marketing by giving its smaller brands a more prominent role in its annual calendar of activity.

Mars’ flagship Whiskas and Pedigree bands have enjoyed global campaigns in recent years in order to bolster the company’s share of the petcare market. 

But with consumers transferring their health-conscious, fragmented diets over to their pets, the time is right to use the full scope of its portfolio to open up new occasions, says Mars Petcare's new UK marketing director Tom Lindley.

Lindley told Marketing Week:“We’re hugely proud of our Pedigree and Whiskas brands but we have other brands in the portfolio. If you look at Cesar it has distinctive assets and has built a distinctive position for dog lovers, while Dreamies has been growing the care and treats category for us in recent years.

“We have to make sure that we’re delivering against all the many different consumer types out there but also the different needs that they have.”

The plan will not have a detrimental effect on Mars’ bigger brands, pledges Lindley. Support will continue for Pedigree’s 50th anniversary in the coming weeks, while upcoming plans for 2015 are being prepped.

Innovation will form another pillar of the strategy through updates to packaging and product that attempt to exploit demand for healthier, smaller-sized portions. Social media will also play a bigger role in the marketing mix, particularly when activating the brand’s tie-up with animal charity WWF.

Lindley replaced Miranda Sambles last month and says the overarching strategy will lead iterative rather than wholesale changes to its brands so as to not disrupt the momentum behind Mars’ Petcare. Mars Petcare makes up more than 30% of revenue for Mars. 

“The vast majority of Mars petcare brands are gaining share and growing fast in the market and the challenge is maintaining that performance”, he adds.

Arden Grange, Danish Design, Marriages, Natures Menu, Pet Brands, and SureFlap have been shortlisted in the Manufacturer of the Year category for the sixth annual Pet Industry Awards, with the winner being announced next Thursday, October 23.

This year’s finalists are:

Grooming Business of the Year – sponsored by Jelf

Dogs Delight, Chiswick, London
Grooming at Tiffany’s, Beccles, Suffolk
KD Grooming Studio, Wincanton Somerset
Ulti-Mutt Dog Grooming, Calne, Wiltshire

Kennel or Cattery of the Year

3Cs Cattery, Camberley, Surrey
Chequer Trees Cattery, Heathfield, East Sussex
Fairmile Cattery, Fairmile, Devon
Lea Wood Cattery, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Pets Country Manor, Tarbock Green, Liverpool

Manufacturer of the Year - sponsored by PATS

Arden Grange
Danish Design
Marriages
Natures Menu
Pet Brands
SureFlap

Pet Service Business of the Year

Barking Mad, Northumberland
Chase Pet Services, Cannock, Staffordshire
Positive Animal Solutions
The Pet Butler, Portsmouth
Wagging Tails, Swindon

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Food4Paws, Blackburn, Lancashire
Poole Farm Feed Centre, Great Yeldham, Essex
Pets Corner, Cheltenham
Williton Pet Centre, Taunton, Somerset
WuffitMix

Wholesaler of the Year – sponsored by PATS/JK Aquatics
Pedigree
Scruffs
Sky Pet Products
Trixie

The Awards winners will be announced on Thursday 23 October at a glittering and memorable Monte Carlo themed dinner to be held at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, Towcester, Northants and the awards will be presented by boxing legend, Frank Bruno MBE. 

Additionally, guests will also discover the recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by PIF Telecom, and will find out which pet products pet owners simply can’t live without, as voted for by the dedicated readers of Your Dog/Cat magazines. A very special auction will take place later in the evening, along with a raffle, both to raise funds for The Pet Charity.

The Pet Industry Federation Forum begins on Wednesday 22 October with a selection of ice-breaking events, including rally driving and a charity golf tournament and an evening buffet, before talks covering merchandising, the UK economy, consumer trends and Google take place from Thursday 23 October, alongside plenty of opportunities for networking.  Lead sponsors of the Forum are: Crown Petfoods, Nestle Purina, Mars Petcare and Hills Pet Nutrition.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Assocation (OATA) is urging pet and aquatic stores to take a responsible attitude towards the sale of turtles following the launch of the new Ninja Turtle film in cinemas tomorrow (Friday).

There is little doubt that in the 1980s and 1990s the film and cartoon show sparked an upsurge in turtle sales which ended with many of those animals released into the wild after owners no longer felt able to keep them.

According to the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association (REPTA), the majority of turtles are sold in aquatic shops.

OATA believes this is an opportunity for responsible retailers to show their commitment to helping to tackle the issue of non-native species (sometimes called ‘invasives’) being released deliberately or escaping into the UK countryside.

The organisation says: "If the industry acts irresponsibly and jumps on a short-term financial bandwagon, by selling large amounts of turtles in inappropriate sales, the long term effects to our industry will be huge. This is our opportunity to learn lessons from the past and prove that we are part of the solution, not just the problem.

"So if you sell turtles in your shop we would urge you to:

• Read REPTA’s position on the sale of turtles during October and beyond which outlines its moratorium position on turtle sales and has some useful advice on the types of turtles to avoid and why.
• Remain vigilant for impulse buying or parents that seem to be succumbing to their children’s ‘pester power’ for a turtle pet following the film. Any purchase should be well-informed, well-researched and thoroughly planned.
• Make sure all staff are fully trained and are aware of information sources to give to customers. In particular, you should make sure customers know about the size that turtles can grow to, the age they can reach and the characteristics of the turtle being sold so that they have a full picture of the commitment they’re taking on. This should be second nature to any good pet shop but it’s particularly important at this time. If appropriate, it might be worth planning a special staff training session before the film launch.
• If you choose to make a sale, always make sure you give customers good quality follow-up care information to take away. You can find an information sheet here on terrapins (turtles) and there are also useful information here.
• Be aware that this is exactly the kind of issue that attracts interest from animal welfare and animal rights groups. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that they will use mystery shopping techniques to catch out irresponsible retailers. If your staff are knowledgeable, informed and issue-aware then you should have nothing to fear but it’s always best to be prepared.

"And if you do sell turtles in your shop, REPTA’s presentation contains some useful advice on the types of turtles that make more suitable pets, rather than the usual red-eared sliders and cooters which look likely to be banned from import, sale and possession in the forthcoming EU Alien Invasive Regulation. It also has some interesting information on Team Turtle, an initiative to build more turtle sanctuaries for unwanted pets that you might like to support."

Over 100 people attended the Best Friends Veterinary Group’s fourth annual awards event at Cambridge Golf and Conference Centre, celebrating the dedication and excellence of staff across its 34 small animal practices...

Ten awards were handed out on the night, with four shortlisted nominees in each, all of whom had been nominated by their peers.

The award categories included the likes of Dedicated Care, Vet, Nurse, Receptionist and Practices of the Year, as well as  Unsung Hero, ensuring that all staff both in practice and the groups support staff had their chance at the limelight.

Following the awards ceremony itself, staff were treated to a three-course meal, prior to dancing the night away.

Next year's event,will see the independent veterinary group celebrating it’s 25th birthday, and with more new practices in the pipeline, it sounds like competition for those awards will be fiercer than ever.

Pictured above: Best Friends Vets Romford team accepting Practice of the Year Award.

Delegates at this year’s Pet Industry Forum will learn the secrets of retail success from a fascinating workshop delivered by top US retail expert, Bob Phibbs.

The talk entitled ‘Visual Merchandising for Sales’ will take place on Thursday, October 23, as part of the Pet Industry Federation’s Forum and Awards event at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Bob Phibbs - The Retail Doctor - is an expert retail speaker, award winning author, and in-demand motivational speaker who has been transforming businesses big and small into thriving operations since 1994.

Great visual merchandising skills are the foundation of a healthy business and Bob’s workshop will be hands-on and interactive and will show delegates how, even in a challenging economic environment, businesses can make merchandise fly out the door with the mechanisms of effective display.

It will also give delegates the confidence to create show-stopping displays by identifying which products to display in the first place and understand how traffic patterns can make or break a bestseller.

In addition to Bob, delegates will have the chance to listen to Tim Wass MBE of Animal Kind, a former RSPCA Chief Inspector, who will explain why it’s crucial to ensure that animal welfare is at the heart of any pet business; and Steve Charman of Pets Corner will offer delegates his unique take on the pet industry.

There will also be the opportunity for delegates to take part in smaller breakout sessions on a wide range of business-related topics that will offer direct and relevant advice to each business attending, as well as a range of social and networking activities to ensure that delegates are able to take full advantage of their time at the Pet Industry Forum.

The Forum begins on Wednesday, October 22, with a selection of ice-breaking events, including rally driving and a charity golf tournament and an evening buffet. The 2014 Pet Industry Awards will then be announced during the evening of Thursday, October 23, presented by boxing legend, Frank Bruno MBE. 

Lead sponsors of the Forum are: Crown Petfoods, Nestle Purina, Mars Petcare and Hills Pet Nutrition.

 A range of ticket options is currently available, and delegates are advised to book now to avoid disappointment. Further details about the event can be found at www.piffa.co.uk. You can also telephone 01234 273933. 

A dog breeder has been banned from keeping pets for life after 15 animals were discovered in appalling conditions at her Coventry home.

RSPCA investigators visited Carole Brooks home in March where they found the dogs kept in under-sized kennels - some of which were filthy and had no water, ventilation or bedding.

Four dogs were even stuffed in a child’s wendy house.

Some had respiratory infections and one dog, named Kakarot, had collapsed and was suffering from ulcers on his lips and pressure sores on his leg.

The dogs were removed from Brooks’s home in St Nicholas Street, Radford but she was allowed two supervised visits to see them again.

The RSPCA said that during the second visit in May she launched a violent assault on RSPCA Insp Louise Labram, assaulting her before throwing dog faeces in her face.

Brooks then grabbed her pony tail and kicked Insp Labram in the stomach.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to four offences of failing to meet the welfare needs of dogs in her care and one of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide appropriate veterinary care.

Brooks was also found guilty of assaulting Insp Labram and was given a suspended 26-week prison sentence and a two year supervision order.

She was disqualified from keeping animals for life and ordered to pay £1,500 costs, an £80 victim surcharge and £200 compensation to Insp Labram.

Speaking after the case Insp Labram said: “The conditions these dogs were kept in were appalling and it took RSPCA a very long time to groom and unmat the poor dogs’ coats as they were covered in urine and faeces.

“I had tried to help the defendant in the past - but she never made improvements to the conditions these poor dogs were kept in.

“The assault was horrid. As an inspector we are only trying to do what is best for the animals - it is not something we should expect to happen, but sadly it seems to happen more frequently.”

The court heard that Brooks had suffered from mental health issues.

Four dogs have already been rehomed while 10 others are also looking for new homes.

One dog, which had neurological issues, was put to sleep.

Pictured: One of the dogs kept in squalor at Carole Brooks' Radford home.

Manchester Dogs' Home has collected £2 million in donations since suffering an arson attack, meaning it will be rebuilt "better than before".

The home has been flooded with contributions from over 100,000 members of the public since 53 animals died in the fire on September 11. Within 24 hours, an online appeal had raised more than £1m.

Manager Lisa Graham said the "worldwide support" from well-wishers is going to enable them the chance to build an even better facility.

She said: "The scale of the work we have to do is enormous, but there is a lot of hope.

"Because of the donations we've seen, Manchester Dogs' Home will have a chance at rebuilding a kennel area that we never could have achieved under other circumstances."

Celebrities and dog-lovers across Britain created a frenzy on social media after fire, from which fire-fighters were able to rescue 150 dogs.

Music impresario Simon Cowell, star of X Factor, donated £25,000 to the home and also pledged £10,000 to pay for a holiday for three heroes who saved 20 dogs from the blaze.

Liverpool FC footballer Mario Balotelli is also believed to be the anonymous benefactor behind a five-figure donation.

The pair regularly post updates about the rebuilding process on their Facebook page, Manchester Dogs' Home Rebuild.

A 15-year-old boy, held on suspicion of arson on September 11, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Cat owners have raised fears for their pets' lives after more than 100 went missing in one town - and some returned with possible signs of abuse.

The animals have all vanished from Ipswich, Suffolk, where their worried owners have informed police and animal protection groups.

Their fears were heightened this week after Rupert, a four-month-old tabby kitten, returned a night after going missing with burnt whiskers, bruises and missing chunks of fur.

Rupert's owner Louise Catchpole, 30, said he and another kitten called Nigella went missing from her home on Sunday night.

"When he came back he was limping, covered in faeces and absolutely terrified," she said. "His whiskers had been burned, there was a large chunk of fur that seemed to have been ripped out.

"When I took him to the vets they said it looked like he had been kicked around like a football."

Nigella was found unharmed yesterday, but Ms Catchpole said she feared that she was also taken but managed to escape unharmed.

"I think this needs to be taken very seriously,' she added. 'I am so relieved to have the cats back but they are both very nervous now. I am not letting them out of my sight at the moment." 

The worried owner is one of almost 400 who have joined the community group Ipswich Missing Cats on Facebook. 

The group has so far counted 108 cats missing since the start of the year, most of which have been in the last few months.

Only a handful are thought to have returned, including Rupert and Nigella, and it is thought at least three were injured.

The pet owners said one animal, whose owner asked not to be named, had to be put down after coming back injured.

Another, one-year-old Jenessa who belongs to Sarah Mindham, 44, limped back in through her owner's catflap after a week with a broken pelvis.

"I think that she could have been taken because she had no other injuries," her owner said.

The Pet Charity will be auctioning two of its trustees at this year’s Pet Industry Federation Forum & Awards to be put to work in the winners’ businesses.

Renowned within the pet industry, The Pet Charity’s Chairman Paul Miley and Trustee Tim Wass, will bravely put themselves up for auction at the Pet Industry Federation Forum & Awards. The auction aims to help raise money for The Pet Charity to continue its research programmes and campaigns. Anyone attending the awards dinner, on the evening of Thursday 23^rd October at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, Northamptonshire, will have the opportunity to join in the bidding.

Paul is offering a day of his consulting time to the highest bidder. Although well-known in running pet food companies, Paul is now partner in his own consultancy company M-Squared, and can assist in a broad range of areas, such as purchasing, manufacturing and communications. He is able to assess and review a business, identify areas that need attention and propose changes for improvement.

Tim is offering a day of his time to visit and conduct an independent animal welfare compliance audit. Previously a Chief Officer for the RSPCA, Tim is now the Director of Animal Welfare for Animal Kind ltd. Tim’s audit will be a business-in-confidence procedure, which measures the company’s operation against UK and European animal welfare law and best practice, and he will also conduct an Animal Kind ethical test. The audit can be applied to any business which works with, supplies or manufactures products for animals. 

Paul Miley, Chairman for The Pet Charity, says: “It is a real privilege to be chosen as the supported charity for the Pet Industry Federation Forum & Awards, which is one of the most anticipated events in the pet industry calendar. It is going to be a great few days of fundraising for The Pet Charity, with a golf afternoon, an auction and a raffle. Both Tim and I can’t wait to get the bidding underway and I’m sure those attending will be very generous when bidding to put us to work.”

As well as the Trustee auction, The Pet Charity will also be holding an ice-breaker charity golf afternoon on Wednesday 22^nd October, which includes a buffet dinner and a quiz in the evening. There will also be raffle to help raise further funds with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. Raffle tickets will be available throughout the event and the winners will be drawn after the awards dinner. Some of the prizes include an Amazon Kindle, Motorola’s new Wi-Fi pet video camera, Darlington Crystal vase, Whittlebury Hall Spa day for two, Venture Photography voucher, Pet Angel brushes and display, a luxurious Christy towel bundle and much more. 

For more information about The Pet Charity visit the website at www.thepetcharity.org.uk, call 01234 224506 or email info@thepetcharity.org.uk

An Australian family have just sold their house, with pet cat Tiffany included, for £76,000 more than they were originally offered.

Fran Perceval and her family were trying to sell their home in Melbourne, Australia.

They had already had one bid of £1.1million when their estate agent told them a higher offer had been made. The Percevals would get an extra £76,000 – but their beloved cat had to be part of the deal.

Apparently, a child of one of the bidders had fallen in love with Tiffany when they were viewing the house.

Ms Perceval said: "Tiffany decided she would sit on the couch. People would come through, and she’d observe them and be patted. She loved all the attention — she does look a bit ornamental."

She had jokingly suggested to Mr Coutinho that Tiffany could be included in the sale, because after all "she believes the house is her property."

Estate agent Glen Coutinho said: "I’ve had plenty of people say they’d throw in their partners, but not pets, no. It’s the first time."

The family agreed to the terms and parted with both house and cat.

But Sam Perceval, 19, who bought Tiffany from a pet shop, wasn’t happy about his cat being sold and, according to his mum the family are "still negotiating with him" about it.

Things don’t always go smoothly for the experts and you’ll see great ‘runs’ and some mishaps too in CSJ’s free-to-view video of the North Wales Open Sheepdog Championships 2014.

The trials were held in August and CSJ’s camera crew was on hand to capture the action. The video gives an exciting overview of the event with extracts from the Singles Qualifying Rounds through to the Championship Final and presentations.

During the 16-minute video you’ll also see interviews with overall Champion Aled Owen, who won the Singles with his dog Cap, and Kevin Evans who won the Doubles with his dogs Greg and Kim.

Both Aled and Kevin are ‘heavyweight’ competitors with numerous National and International titles between them – photos and more can be seen about them and other handlers in all sports on CSJ’s website http://www.csjk9.com/profiles/she_c16.html

Here’s what Aled Owen says about CSJ feeds: “With CSJ food the dogs clear their plates really well and they’re fit, have plenty of energy and a good shine on their coats.”

To see the video, settle down, follow the link and enjoy…http://www.csjk9.com/news/north-wales-sheepdog-champions_p1342.html