The winners of the PATS Telford 2023 New Product Awards, sponsored by pbwnews, were chosen by a team of expert pet retailers, who arrived at the show before 9.30am on Sunday, October 1st, in order to make their choices from a record number of nearly 400 new products entered. 

Their decisions took into account a number of guideline criteria such as product innovation, design, quality, packaging, value for money and sustainability.

The judges agreed that the New Product Showcase had produced a high calibre of entries with a tremendous amount of innovation. They were also pleased to see such a wide range of products and great choice for the consumer.

The Awards were presented to the winners at 1pm on Sunday by David Rees, editor of pbwnews, and show organiser Gordon Thomas.

Here is a full list of the winners together with the judges’ comments:

PATS Telford 2023

New Product Award Winners (sponsored by pbwnews)

Cat Food and Products

BAM! Catnip Display Stand

James & Steel (stand D64)

Judges said: This display stand showcases brilliant toys for cats at a good price. It is packed full of catnip products and is an all-in-one stand that’s easy to display.

Dog Food Products

Naturaw Forage: Free Range Pork (lower carbon)

Naturaw (stand F32)

Judges said: This product has lovely packaging, which draws the eye, and ingredients that don’t disappoint.

Dog Treat Products

Gourmet Advent Calendar

Pet Treats Wholesale (stand K21)

Judges said: This is an innovative product full of festive fun that is also good value for money.

Dog Accessories and Toys

Fill or Freeze Tray

KONG (stand H20)

Judges said: This product is easy to use at a good price, and is a great treat occupier for dogs.

Dog Harnesses, Leads and Dog Wear

Amphibian Classic Collar

Rogz (stand K20)

Judges said: Featuring lovely colours and a soft touch, this is a great value-for-money, practical and waterproof product.

Small Animal and Bird Products

Little One Christmas Tree (Christmas treat toy)

Mealberry GmbH (stand E22)

Judges said: This is a great Christmas gift with appealing packaging, ingredients and design. It’s nice to see small pets included in the festive season.

Pet Care Products

Aloe Vera Gel

Bugalugs (stand B12)

Judges said: Designed to soothe, nourish and moisturise irritated skin, this product comes at a good price, smells nice and has eye-catching packaging.

Grooming Products

Silicone Massage Brush

Fetched Ltd (stand L32)

Judges said: This soft, hygienic and multi-use massage brush is a very simple, useful and affordable product.

The opening day of PATS Telford was buzzing with excitement as visitors flocked to see the record number of trade stands and pet industry innovations on show.

Exhibitors were delighted by the number of enquiries and orders generated on Sunday, with many rushed off their feet for the entire day.

The two-day event is the biggest in PATS history, with all three halls of Telford International Centre being used for the first time.

A record number of 260 companies and brands are showcasing their products, with many start-up businesses taking advantage of the New Starter Zone in Hall 3. 

Bryan Sharples of Sharples Pet summed up the mood of exhibitors, saying: “As soon as the doors opened there was a real buzz in the exhibition halls – it has been a brilliant start to the show. We had eight staff on our stand and we were swamped with visitors. I love this show, it’s absolutely fabulous.”

One of the highlights of the show is the New Product Showcase where a record number of over 400 items are being displayed in Halls 2 and 3. 

James & Steel were one of eight companies celebrating success in the New Product Awards, judged on the first morning of the show. After picking up the Cat Products Award with the BAM! Catnip Display Stand, John James commented: “So much hard work and effort has gone into this product and its packaging, so to receive such a prestigious award is brilliant. Day one has been really busy on our stand.”

First-time exhibitor Kayleigh Bowles, MD of Fetched, admitted to being ‘overwhelmed’ to have won a New Product Award at the first time of entering the Showcase. She said: “We are a new business that only launched in June. Bringing my ideas to life and now having them recognised and appreciated within the industry is the icing on the cake really. We’re having such a great show and it’s only day one.”

Another first-time exhibitor was also a winner, this time in the Dog Treat Products category. Family business Pet Treats Wholesale took top spot with Director Louis Jolivet saying: “It’s our first time here so we didn’t know quite what to expect, but we’re just over the moon to have won in such a highly contested category. PATS is a really relevant place for us to be right now as everyone seems to be looking for new suppliers and we’ve already made some great connections.”

The New Starter Zone, an area in Hall 3 dedicated to start-up companies, was also a hive of activity on day one.

Marleybones was making its first appearance at a trade show and co-founders Mikala Skov and Josephine Bager were amazed at the response to the brand’s range of natural dog food, gourmet treats and toppers. “Having a stand at PATS has enabled us to meet so many independent pet retailers and groomers. We’re so please we took a stand,” said Josephine.

And Xavier Warburton, of Tangle, a company that recycles discarded fishing nets into pet products, was also pleased with the opening day of the show. “We have had so much interest in the story behind our products and made an impressive number of contacts.”

The first day of the show also got the thumbs-up from visitors. 

Amanda Tallis and Emily Lister run an online retail company, Harrys Pets, alongside a dog-walking business, and were particularly interested in natural treats. “The amount of new products on display is amazing,” said Amanda. “A visit to PATS Telford is more than worthwhile – it’s essential if you’re a serious retailer.”

Lissa Wood, owner of the Windmill Boarding Kennels in Newtown, Wales, said: “It’s been great. We’ve found just what we were looking for. We’ve also got lots of ideas for extras – there’s so much variety and choice here. With the free entry and refreshment vouchers it’s really great value for visitors.”

The second day of the show – Monday, October 2 – will open at 9.30am.

A new pet store, which puts sustainability at the forefront of its business, has launched a ‘pet food amnesty’ with customers in a bid to help local food banks.

Chester & Ralphie’s, which opened in Norwich earlier this year, is asking customers and the wider local community to donate any unwanted, opened or unopened pet food so that it can be redistributed to the food banks.

Owners Amy Beevers and Jonny Bingham said: “We hope our initiative will ensure that unwanted pet food doesn’t go to waste, and that those in need of it most get the help they and their furry companions deserve.

“We all have pets that can suddenly decide to be fussy and turn their noses up at their food, we just don’t want that food going to waste.”

Chester & Ralphie’s launched the ‘pet food amnesty’ on its Instagram page with the message: “Got any extra pet food that your furry friend simply won’t touch? We’ve got a heart-warming solution.”

Owners can take their donations to the pet store or can have it collected.

Amy and Jonny worked in the hospitality sector before opening the new store in the Golden Triangle of Norwich.

“We had been planning the store for the last couple of years,” said Jonny. “We just wanted to wait for the right location to come available. Unthank Road is the perfect area for the business – the local community really seem to share our ethos around all things pet related.”

Amy and Jonny, who named the store after their two Cocker Spaniels, have been pleased with the response from customers so far. “It has been great, really positive.”

CLICK HERE to view the 'pet food amnesty' on Instagram

John discussing product ranges with son Saul.

After 50 years working in the pet industry John James still loves to be involved and has been looking forward to seeing people at PATS Telford this weekend.

John has taken a step back from his company James and Steel in recent years after suffering a stroke but he still likes to feel part of the international pet world.

“I’m part time now as I get Saturdays off,” said John. “It hasn’t been easy letting go but my children are good at what they do and have the same work ethic as me. They are the future.”

The business of James and Steel is a family-run affair involving wife Judy, sons Jason and Saul, daughter Emma, son-in-law Martin and daughter-in-law Miranda. In fact, the Steel part of the company name comes from Emma’s married name.

Despite his stroke John still gets about and enjoys visiting customers. He loves the industry and particularly the people. He doesn’t drive anymore, travelling everywhere by train and bus, taking his trusty suitcase with him. He is often asked ‘Going somewhere nice?’ He will always carry spare ‘Bam’ cat products with him and gives away samples to anyone with a cat carrier.

So how did it all begin?

John's first job, after being expelled from school for being a disruptive influence, was in the office of the Co-op in Slough. But his first business venture was at the ripe old age of 9 when he collected used newspapers on a Saturday morning on his trolley. After tying them in nice tidy bundles he sold them to local shops. This was at a time when everything you bought – from fish and chips to ironmongery – came wrapped in newspaper. John describes it as being a very early recycling business.

At the age of 19 he became the youngest salesman to work for Continental Tyres.  He went for an interview even though he had failed his driving test and was not re-taking it for another two weeks. The interviewer appreciated his bottle, applying as a sales rep for the South-West area when he hadn't got a licence, so he was employed on the proviso that he passed.

In 1973 he moved to Osmond and Osmond, a family wholesaler who sold pet products, as a sales agent. In the early 80s he left to start his own business, James Marketing. He and wife Judy have always had an abiding love of dogs and he had a belief that he could do a better job than other people that were selling in the industry.  So, with £3k savings and the help and support of Judy, they started selling collars and leads, which John would sell and Judy would pick, pack and ship from their garden shed, handwriting the invoices as she went, in addition to making their own range of knitted dog jumpers. This was no mean feat as they were also bringing up four young children.

They then started using a larger shed in son Jason’s garden, which also brought him into the business. Five months later they moved to their first industrial unit. Incidentally, Jason sold the shed but John says he’s never seen the money for it!

They started trading fat balls in their first warehouse but couldn't afford a pump truck, let alone a forklift so another of his sons, Saul, had to handball everything from the delivery trucks. This was after walking miles to the warehouse as he didn't have a car at the time.

John received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 PetQuip Awards.

The first James & Steel product was the Universal car lead, made in Taiwan and sourced by John and Judy when visiting the factory at the very start. The Taiwanese staff kept running up and down to the factory floor, adapting the product to John and Judy's specifications and their best-selling product was born.  It is still a major selling product today.

Their business took off straight away and John will say to anyone, it is testament to the strength and support of Judy plus everyone in the family working with him that makes their business the success it is today. They now have hundreds of bestselling lines and one of the most successful Christmas ranges for pets, available exclusively to the pet specialist sector.

His mantra would be: always try to be honest in everything you do. John can walk into any exhibition in the world and he has the respect of the local pet trade. He has no regrets, always looks forward, and doesn’t dwell on mistakes. He may wish they had done some things differently but that's life.

If he had any advice to any budding entrepreneurs it would be: “Keep your feet on the floor, remember where you’ve come from, don’t talk big and make sure you are thinking of the customer first. That way you will prosper.”

The final words are for Judy, the strength behind the partnership.  

“Without her I wouldn’t be where I am today, brilliant as I am,” said John. “My success has always been as a result of the love and support I’ve received from my wife and family.”

Visit the James & Steel stand (D64) at PATS Telford and congratulate John on his 50 years in the business.

Oh So Precious is showcasing its range of innovative keepsake ideas and gifts for pet owners at PATS Telford for the first time. 

The brand is produced by the Lovely Gift Group, which has announced the products are now available through Pedigree Wholesale.

Helen Davies, Managing Director of the Lovely Gift Group said: “Showcasing Oh So Precious at PATS Telford 23 was the easiest decision of the year so far. Having walked the aisles during PATS 2022, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to have our own stand this year.

“I learned very quickly that PATS really is the heartbeat of the pet industry with both supplier, buyers or store owners relying on the event to drive their businesses forward, introduce or discover new products and best of all, to make fabulous contacts.” 

Oh So Precious launched its initial range of pet keepsakes earlier this year and will be unveiling new products at PATS. 

“We chose PATS as a focal point because visitors are looking to find something new and the show buzzes with excitement as brands, large and small, showcase their new ideas,” said Helen. “We have extended and enhanced the range, particular with keepsakes that make great gifts, so we are looking forward to showing them off for the first time. 

“Oh So Precious isn’t just a new range of products, it’s also going to be a new category for many retailers in that they are products for the owners of the pets and their pet owning friends.  The prospect of achieving supplementary revenue from existing customers with this emotively driven purchase is a huge opportunity for all pet care businesses.  Being able to explain that idea in person, and let them see, touch and experience the quality of each item, is the best way for them to really grasp the opportunity. 

“We have supported the launch to pet retailers with both trade and consumer marketing, featuring articles, competitions, adverts and e-shots but in such a congested digital market, I personally don’t think you can beat walking the floor of a trade fair to really notice new ways to improve your business.  

“PATS is fully booked with exhibitors this year and promises to be the biggest yet - that is until next year’s three day event which is exciting - so I’d definitely advise any retailer or pet care business to make the effort to attend. 

“We can’t wait to have our own stand at PATS Telford and hope it proves to be the launchpad we believe it to be for Oh So Precious into the market place and getting our products in the hands of passionate pet owners.”

Helen admitted she was thrilled with the Pedigree Wholesale agreement. “We have long admired the Pedigree reputation and sales reach across the UK market with some of the best known brands, so we are over the moon to now work with their team.”

Melanie Malin, Head of Buying at Pedigree Wholesale, said: “We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Oh So Precious. Their range of unique and innovative keepsakes fills a gap in the market within Specialist Pet, and we believe it offers our customers the opportunity to offer something different.”

You can find Oh So Precious on stand G46 at PATS Telford.

As it urges pet retailers to ‘think big when it comes to small animals’, award-winning brand HayPigs! is giving away £200 of stock to one lucky shopkeeper at PATS Telford.

All visitors need to do is to pop over to the HayPigs! stand (A16) and enter this unqiue competition.

HayPigs! owner Rik Cridland said: “We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone at PATS this year for what will be our 9th show.

“We’re asking our friends in the pet trade to think big when it comes to small animals. With a record-breaking rise in small furries over the last couple of years, it really is their time to shine.

“HayPigs! has campaigned long and hard to raise the profile of small furries and their welfare and enrichment needs and we’re beginning to see a sea change in attitudes. Small animals are no longer just a pet for children (as they were once viewed). Over the last seven years we’ve witnessed more and more adults becoming small furry pet parents – and boy do they love to spoil their little ones.

“Not only do small furries make wonderful companions, they are also brilliant for us humans too, improving our wellbeing and enriching our lives. That’s why our range of high-quality enrichment toys, treats and accessories are just the ticket – if you’re not already, please do consider giving HayPigs! a go in your store.

“This week is Guinea Pig Awareness Week, something that is very close to our hearts. It’s more important than ever that we come together as a community to continue to raise the profile of these incredible little creatures. 

“One of the negative impacts of such a rise in small animal pet population is that we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of pets ending up in rescues. We have always worked closely with the rescue community and will continue to do so with the help of our sister business, Guinea Pig Magazine. 

“We implore all our friends in the pet trade to continue to encourage responsible pet ownership and champion adoption wherever possible, there are so many piggies out there looking for a new forever home – let’s make their piggy dreams come true.”

Whitebridge Pet Brands has announced a long-term partnership for Pedigree Wholesale to be the exclusive UK distributor for the Schesir brand.

Since 1999, Schesir has been a pioneer in launching the first 100% natural and minimally processed wet cat food with flaked or shredded fresh pieces of fish or chicken in Italy at first, then across Europe. Today, Schesir is distributed in over 50 countries worldwide. For the past 25 years, Schesir has been focusing on developing and providing nutrition for cats and dogs, with a selection of the best ingredients, as well as the most palatable recipes, free of artificial colourants and preservatives, and contributing to the well-being of pets.

Schesir believes that natural ingredients are the most nutritious, and minimal processing is the best way to protect the integrity and the nutritional value of these ingredients. The products actually stand out today as “natural quality you can see and smell,” which pets crave.

At Schesir, we are committed to putting cats and their needs first. In 2023, Schesir is introducing a new complete and balanced nutritional programme for cats, in line with their natural and physiological needs that uses high-quality, natural, and minimally processed ingredients. This means targeted nutrition, formulations for life stages and special dietary requirements, a variety of new textures and flavours and a refreshed identity to make it easier to find the ideal option for every cat.

Tatiana Suarez Parra, Vice President Sales Europe, Whitebridge Pet Brands, said, “Pedigree Wholesale has a fantastic reputation within the UK trade, with numerous trade awards to back up that reputation. We can’t wait to start this exciting journey with Pedigree and already have a growing list of retailers waiting for it to begin, starting with the launch of our complete and balanced single-serve wet cat range at PATS Telford. We have a lot of innovation in the pipeline for both cat and dog categories, and feel Pedigree is the best partner to support us telling our story and introduce our minimally processed nutritional philosophy to UK retailers and consumers.”

Pedigree Wholesale will initially launch the 100% complete and balanced Schesir wet cat food range at PATS Telford. These are prey-inspired recipes high in protein that perfectly simulate the prey cats would hunt in the wild as they are made with Organ Meat. With minimally processed natural ingredients, these recipes are rich in moisture and provide all the hydration that cats need.

There are also further plans to introduce more of the Schesir range to Pedigree Wholesale later this year and in early 2024. Launching in the next few months is the Schesir for Dogs ‘Taste the World’ range, which focuses on humanised meals for dogs. These will be available in a range of Mediterranean and Asian recipes, including dishes such as Chicken with Carbonara and Thai Coconut Chicken, giving the Pet Trade something very different to offer their customers whilst appealing to the increasing humanisation trend in pet food.

Melanie Malin, Head of Buying, Pedigree Wholesale, said, “Schesir will be an asset to our cat food portfolio. By expanding our offering, we are helping to give our customers access to a true, high-quality cat food range, filling a gap in the market. We look forward to launching the range at PATS and our future with Whitebridge Pet Brands.”

Schesir is launching to the UK at PATS Telford, where you can meet the Whitebridge team at stand P18-P20, or speak to your Pedigree Wholesale representative at stand D10 for the exclusive new stockist promotions.

About Whitebridge Pet Brands
Whitebridge Pet Brands (USA) merged with Schesir, an Italian brand based in Genoa, part of Agras Delic S.p.A in April 2022. Since 1999, Schesir has been a pioneer in launching the first 100% natural and minimally processed wet cat food with flaked or shredded fresh pieces of fish or chicken in Italy at first, then across Europe. Today, Schesir is distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.

COYA, the brand taking the raw food category by storm, is experiencing another successful event at the PATS Telford show this weekend. 

It has been a whirlwind few months for the brand which, after launching at PATS Sandown, has enjoyed huge success in the independent pet sector with rave reviews from retailers and pet owners alike. The brand is now listed in over 750 stores across the UK.

COYA founder Peter Roy said: said “We’re a small team, all long-term supporters of the pet specialist market, who believe that raw feeding is best for dogs. We don’t make any other products other than freeze-dried raw pet food – if you believe in raw feeding as we do, there is simply no point. We’re very proud to have a product and a brand that we wholeheartedly believe in.”

When discussing the different format that is freeze-dried raw, Peter explained his approach to flexibility of feeding and how COYA can become a part of a pet owner’s raw feeding journey.

“We don’t expect consumers to switch completely to COYA Freeze-Dried Raw, of course it would be fantastic if they do. But the range has been created to bring raw feeding to a wide variety of consumers and so we hope it plays a part in their raw feeding lives, however that may be,” said Peter. 

“Clearly COYA  Freeze-Dried Raw can bring lapsed frozen raw feeders back in to the raw feeding – so many pet owners fall out of love with raw feeding because it isn’t the most convenient. But we are also hoping this amazing new format encourages those that didn’t want to deal with frozen raw to feed COYA Freeze-Dried Raw and bring the best nutrition and taste to their dog’s meal times.

COYA is available to stock direct or through Pedigree Wholesale.

Ypu can visit the COYA stand (C32) at PATS Telford, where you’ll find exclusive offers.

Tillymint Communications – specialists in pet trade marketing and public relations - is tempting PATS visitors to a ‘choc swap’ when they visit stand (P12) at PATS Telford this weekend.

The company is looking to be on everyone’s lips by giving out free milk mint chocolate truffles in exchange for scanning the passes of its visitors.

It’s the second year that Tillymint - which has the strapline: ‘refreshing marketing and PR, full of minty goodness’ - has exhibited at PATS Telford. Last year, it gave out mint brownies to those who visited its stand.

Said Tillymint’s founder Alison Gallagher-Hughes: “We love working within the pet industry and exhibiting at PATS allows us to demonstrate how well we understand the sector and its various markets. It also gives us a base where we can meet up with our existing clients and have some ‘sweet’ conversations with those who are looking for bespoke services to help take their businesses to the next level.”

For more information on Tillymint service visit: www.tillymint.co.uk or email: info@tillymint.co.uk

Multiple Surrey-based pet shop owner and distributor of Woolf Snacks UK, Artur Broszko is exhibiting at PATS Telford (stand F70) with the launch of a new product range, Soft Cubes.

Artur believes that the success of the Woolf range is not only the extensive product range and varieties but also the fact that the snacks and treats are natural with a high meat content of 90-100% per 100g. The Woolf range does not compromise on weight as other brands often do. The Woolf snack, once cooked, is packed without any chemical additives, preservatives or colourings. To ensure the conservation, an oxygen absorber is placed within the bag. Artur only supplies independent pet shops as well on an exclusive basis.

At PATS Telford the Woolf Snacks UK stand will feature their full range of Woolf, Woolfies, Nohide products and their new Soft Cube range which come in 11 tasty meat and fish varieties.  There will be a PATS offer to the trade on these, buy 3 and get 1 free.  The new Soft Cubes are produced in Spain from fresh local ingredients, They are grain-free and gluten-free and slow-cooked (processed at low temperatures) to give them a semi moist structure. They are 100% monoprotein with a 90-100% meat or fish content.

For further information please visit: www.woolfsnacks.co.uk

Pawer Water, a ground-breaking canine wellness supplement, is making its official trade launch at PATS Telford (stand N15). The brand aims to optimise overall well-being for dogs by transforming the way they hydrate.

Water plays a critical role in maintaining a dog's health, but sometimes our furry companions don't drink enough to stay properly hydrated. Dehydration can lead to a range of issues, including lethargy, decreased organ function, and other serious health complications. Pawer Water addresses this concern by providing a premium supplement designed to enhance the hydration process and promote optimal wellness.

Pawer Water's formula is carefully crafted with a range of “pawerful” ingredients, specifically chosen to support canine hydration and wellness needs. This innovative blend includes electrolytes (potassium & sodium) to replenish essential minerals lost during exercise or hot weather, collagen & hyaluronic acid to support bones, joints and skin, as well as vitamins C & E and antioxidants (grapeseed extract) to support the immune system and promote overall vitality. Each ingredient is meticulously selected to ensure maximum efficacy and safety.

"Our mission at Pawer Water is to provide dog owners with a reliable solution to optimize hydration and improve the well-being of their furry companions," said Nathalie Ohana, Founder of Pawer Water. "We understand the importance of proper hydration for a dog's overall health, and we're excited to introduce a supplement that not only addresses this need but also enhances their daily lives. It’s not just about drinking, it’s about drinking well."

Pawer Water is easy to incorporate into a dog's routine. Simply add the supplement to their regular drinking water. Its delicious natural chicken broth flavour is specially crafted to appeal to dogs' palates, encouraging them to drink more water. With Pawer Water, pet owners can have peace of mind knowing their furry friends are boosting the hydration they need to thrive.

Key features and benefits of Pawer Water:

1. Optimal Hydration: Pawer Water is designed to enhance hydration and encourage dogs to drink more water, keeping them properly hydrated and promoting overall health.
2. Electrolyte Replenishment: Our supplement contains essential electrolytes that support hydration by replacing minerals lost during physical activity or warm weather.
3. Bones & Skin Support: Our hero ingredient, collagen aims to support healthy skin, bone development, healthy joints for increased mobility and beautiful glossy fur!
4. Immune Support: Our formula includes vitamins and antioxidants to help dogs stay on top of their game.
5. Easy Integration: The supplement can be easily added to a dog's regular water bowl, making it simple to incorporate into their daily routine.
6. Pawlicious Flavour: Pawer Water features a mouth-watering natural chicken broth taste that appeals to dogs, encouraging them to drink more water!
7. Recyclable packaging: We work hard to be as sustainable as we can. We manufacturer locally in the UK, our sticks are recyclable and so is our outer packaging.

Pawer Water has already been recognised by the pet industry having made the finals of both the PetQuip and PIF Awards for new product innovation. 

Pawer Water is now available for purchase on their official website at www.amazon.co.uk/pawerwater and premium retailers around the UK. You can also visit their website: www.pawerwater.com. For more information about Pawer Water contact Nathalie Ohana by emailing hello@pawerwater.com

More than £75,000 of veterinary treatments have already been provided to owners in need thanks to an innovative partnership between the RSPCA and petcare company Purina.

The charity's frontline inspectorate and Purina have teamed up to help struggling owners through the cost-of-living crisis.

The 'Better Together Fund' - which formally launched in October last year - enables RSPCA officers to issue pet care vouchers to members of the public for specific urgent veterinary and pet care treatments, thanks to generous funding from Purina. 

Those in receipt of vouchers are identified by RSPCA officers as they respond to welfare concerns and complaints.

The cost of living crisis is one of the single biggest challenges for animal welfare right now - but the RSPCA believes their work with Purina is "helping to keep family pets in loving homes". 

Vouchers are provided directly to pet owners by RSPCA officers, helping them to pay for urgent vet and other treatments, which they otherwise couldn’t afford or which, in some cases, might lead to the pet eventually having to be rehomed.

Purina’s continued support for pet owners most in need comes as the RSPCA’s new Animal Kindness Index reveals widespread concern among pet owners amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

The Index found that 81% of pet owners say it has become more expensive to look after their pets, while almost one third (30%) of owners are worried about being able to care for their pets properly amid a high cost of living.

The vouchers funded by the Better Together Fund have been offered out by the charity’s inspectorate groups to pet owners right across England and Wales - with those in South Wales, Devon and Cornwall, and West Mercia in receipt of the most funding and support so far.

Top ten regions in receipt of most voucher funding from the scheme:

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA Inspectorate Commissioner, said: "We want to keep as many pets in loving homes as possible.

"But the cost of living crisis is one of the single biggest challenges for pet owners right now - as proven by our landmark Animal Kindness Index.

"That's why our partnership with Purina has been so invaluable for keeping pets with their owners, and has offered a lifeline for hundreds of pet owners during this awful cost of living crisis.

“Our officers can offer struggling owners vital support with vet and pet care costs on the doorstep thanks to this partnership with Purina. So often, the work of our rescue teams is all about offering advice, education and support - and the Better Together Fund has become an integral part of that; making a real difference in communities all across England and Wales."

Support from Purina is set to continue - with the pet food company committing almost £150,000 to the scheme in total so far, meaning hundreds more pets are set to benefit.

Funding provided by Purina has already helped 868 pets - including 562 dogs and 306 cats. 

Treatments delivered to pets using the vouchers have included emergency procedures, work for ongoing conditions and support for acute and chronic health conditions.

Calum Macrae, Managing Director for Purina in the UK, added: “We are delighted to be able to continue our support for the RSPCA by taking the Better Together Fund into its second year.

“We know how precious the pet human bond can be and want to help keep as many pets as possible happy, healthy and with their loving owners, even during these incredibly tough times.

“It's heart-warming to hear how the vouchers are helping RSPCA officers to make such an immediate and tangible difference for households up and down the country."

Pets helped by the scheme include a heavily matted dog with long claws seen by RSPCA inspector Hannah Nixon in Hampshire.

The dog's owners were elderly and vulnerable and were struggling financially. They knew their pet would need to be sedated to be groomed, which was not something they were able to afford - meaning they were “burying their heads in the sand” and the dog’s welfare risked paying the price.

Fortunately, with the help of the Purina-funded vouchers, the dog was sedated by a local vet and was clipped the same afternoon and returned to his owners.

RSPCA Inspector Hannah Nixon said: “We know times are tough right now - and we’re seeing on the frontline the impact this is having on many beloved family pets.

“Sometimes - as problems escalate - owners feel powerless to take action, especially when they know the price of treatment will be beyond their reach.

“I could see the owners had got into difficulty with this poor dog. Things had rapidly escalated, and they were worried about the spiralling financial costs of helping their pet. They ended up burying their heads in the sand.

“Thanks to these vouchers, we could get the dog the treatment he so badly needed and get the owners back on an even keel. It was a real relief for everyone, and it’s all thanks to Purina’s kind support that dogs like this can be kept in loving homes.”

The partnership with the RSPCA is one of a number of measures Purina has in place to help owners who might be struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. In addition to the Better Together Fund, this support includes regular monthly donations of at least two pallets of pet food to foodbanks and community support hubs through Fareshare. Pet owners can also visit a dedicated Owners Support Hub on our website for expert advice on many topics from behaviour and nutrition, through to how to minimise unexpected vet bills, as well as every day hints and tips to keep pets as healthy and happy as possible.  

Struggling owners are also urged to visit the RSPCA's dedicated cost of living web pages to find out what help and support is available in their area.

Premium pet food brand Edgard and Cooper has partnered with plant-based platform, Deliciously Ella, to introduce more fruit and veg into dogs’ diets with its first plant-based products.  

Ella Mills, founder of Deliciously Ella, is known for her flavourful, nourishing plant-based recipes and loves to incorporate these into her dog Austin’s life too. Just like humans, dogs love variety which is why Edgard & Cooper are on a mission to bring owners even more choice with their new plant-based kibbles and dental sticks. Trusted experts in their respective fields, these two brands are coming together to invite conscious pet owners to consider their dog’s diet just as much as their own.  

Like many dog owners, Ella likes to offer a varied diet to her pet including plant-based recipes as they deliver quality and nutritious blends of fresh ingredients with a healthy mix of fruits and nutritious pulses. A plant-based option in a dog’s diet can offer a range of vitamins, minerals and beneficial compounds, providing the complete nutrition these omnivores require to thrive.  

Louis Chalabi, founder of Edgard & Cooper, said: ”While humans often spend a lot of time looking into their own diets to make them healthier and more sustainable, their pets can sometimes be overlooked. We’re thrilled to be working with Deliciously Ella to raise awareness about the amazing benefits a flexitarian approach to your dog’s diets can have.” 

“As well as the dietary benefits, adding plant-based food into dogs’ diets lowers their environmental impact, emitting 43 per cent fewer carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e) compared to meat-based recipes, making them a sustainable choice for both dogs and the planet.” 

Ella Mills adds: “Edgard & Cooper is Austin’s absolute favourite for plant-based goodness, giving him the complete nutrients he needs while lowering his carbon footprint along the way.” 

The plant-based range is available at www.edgardandcooper.com now, including: 

• Beetroot & Pumpkin Dry Kibble, RRP £9.99 - £53.49 
• Carrot & Courgette Dry Kibble, RRP £9.99 - £53.49 
• Doggy Dental Mint and Strawberry, RRP £3.39 - £4.99 
• Doggy Dental Apple and Eucalyptus, RRP £3.39 - £4.99

Dog harness and accessory specialist, Topdog, has been supporting charities across the UK through sales of its dog harnesses since 2019.

Based in Norfolk, Topdog sells a range of unique matching accessories for dogs and their owners, from poo bag holders to harnesses and ID tags. And, for every harness sold, Topdog will donate £1 to a chosen charity, with each style cleverly designed to support a different organisation.

For instance, sales of Topdog’s Pretty in Pink harness support The Pink Ribbon Foundation for Breast Cancer, whilst the Bee Happy design supports The British Bee Charity. A lot of donations have already been made in 2023, with Topdog reporting that harnesses have made up nearly one-third (31%) of the brand’s total sales this year.

Each harness features an original, hand-drawn design, with reversible, adjustable, and nylon-strap options available. Topdog designed their harnesses with dogs and owners in mind - ensuring they are quick-drying, durable and allow ID tags to be attached. Most importantly, they are made to be adjustable and grow with your pup.

“We’ve experienced a lot of love for our harnesses," said Vanessa Applin, Director of Topdog. “Which is fantastic, as being able to support charity will always be central to what we do. We really want Topdog to be able to help promote charities and raise awareness of important issues and organisations. Hopefully, as our business grows, we will be able to increase our donations and help even more good causes." 

One organisation that has benefited from Topdog’s support is Norwich-based charity, The Feed which aims to tackle poverty, hunger and homelessness by providing food, training, and support services to vulnerable individuals and empowering people to overcome significant barriers to employment. As well as sponsoring The Feed’s successful dog show earlier this year, Topdog’s latest “Dog Save the King” range supports the charity, through its harness design and t-shirt - meaning owners can match their pups!

Speaking of the collaboration, Vanessa aadded: “It has been wonderful to be able to support The Feed as part of our ongoing charity partnerships at Topdog. As a local organisation, it is one we value personally and have really enjoyed being able to get a bit more involved, such as with the dog show, which was fantastic to collaborate on and see the support this received.

"Having worked with The Feed for a while now, we have seen how passionate the whole team are, and it’s clear just how important the work they are doing is for the local community - their ‘Social Supermarket’ alone supports upward of 2,000 households, which is just one of many initiatives carried out by the organisation.”

The team at Topdog plan to continue using their harnesses to support charities, and are looking forward to collaborating with new charities as new styles are launched. Readers can explore Topdog's full range of harnesses here.

Pet Hamper, the Preston-based business which specialises in luxury toys and treats, has been recognised as the hotel industry’s favourite supplier at the Hoteliers Choice Awards.

The category attracted hundreds of nominations, with a panel of expert judges selecting the shortlist and the public voting for their overall winners.

Pet Hamper was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic when co-founder Mark Jackson was unable to find suitably special gifts for his friends and their pets – so he set up his own online shop.

The business immediately proved popular with customers and soon secured a number of agreements with corporations - including a string of hotels which now offer Pet Hamper gifts to their guests.

Pet Hamper works with venues including the Prince Akatoki London, The Elms Hotel & Spa, The Corner London and the Everything Retreat as well as PetsPyjamas, the booking platform which helps owners find and book pet-friendly holidays.

With more than half of UK households now owning pets and more than a third saying they’d rather stay home than holiday without their pets, a growing number of hotels are becoming pet-friendly destinations.

By supplying a range of gifts, from individual fun toys and healthy treats to hand-picked hampers wrapped in beautiful packaging with bespoke branding and colourways, Pet Hamper is helping these hotels deliver a level of luxury for their animal guests previously reserved only for humans.

The idea has been such a game-changer for the hospitality sector that Pet Hamper has now won the Hoteliers Choice Award as the industry’s favourite supplier. The prize includes a £5,000 stand and marketing package at the Independent Hotel Show London, taking place on October 16-17 at Olympia London.

The judges of the award included editors from Boutique Hotelier magazine, Condé Nast and the chief executive of Pride of Britain.

Among those championing the case for Pet Hamper was Petra Clayton, chief executive of hospitality marketing experts Custard, who said: “Everyone loves animals, so I was instantly drawn in and loved the personalised touch using their dog Barney. 

“Pet Hamper is a proper British business, doing something very simple but relevant, especially now.”

Peter Hancock, the host of the awards, agreed, saying: “Hoteliers know that the way to pet-lovers hearts is to delight their pets!”

Mark Jackson said: “It’s been a whirlwind journey from launching the business just a few years ago, to starting to work with all these incredible hotels, to now winning this national award against some fierce competition.

“Our goal is to make pets and their owners happy and that’s really resonated with the UK public - especially the hotel sector. We’re thrilled and proud to have won, and we can’t wait to take up our place at the Independent Hotel Show London which is a great opportunity for us to meet many more hotels and grow our business even further.”

Pet Hamper products are available to buy online at pethamper.co.uk or at the company’s first-ever store, opened this summer, on Lytham Road in Preston.

Award-winning herbal pet care firm Dorwest Herbs has announced a partnership with TV personality Faye Winter and her Golden Retriever Bonnie for its annual calming campaign to support fireworks anxiety.

The ex-Love Islander approached Dorwest at Crufts 2022 after using Dorwest’s Elderberry & Nettle Extract for her Golden Retriever Bonnie’s nose pigmentation and seeing great results. 

After Valerian Compound supported Bonnie during her first season in the summer heat, it was a natural partnership for Faye and Bonnie to partner with Dorwest for their annual calming campaign for fireworks; showcasing Bonnie as a real-life example for settling anxiety with herbal support and trialing Scullcap & Valerian Tablets in preparation for loud noises of fireworks.

It was Faye’s work within the charity sector that really caught Dorwest’s attention, as Faye has been regularly volunteering for Guide Dogs since 2017; helping train a total of six dogs who have gone on to help people with visual impairment and blindness.

Faye states: “Working with Dorwest is really special. I’m a huge fan of herbal supplements as gentler on the system, and the fact I stumbled upon Elderberry & Nettle Extract and now have a full of cupboard of Dorwest, just speaks volumes. The products work wonders and I love the brand’s ethos and values.”

Managing Director at Dorwest Jo Boughton-White states: “We’re excited to work with Faye, as it felt like a natural partnership after she was already a Dorwest fan and life-long dog lover!’’

Pet lovers have rallied to support a local pet shop faced with the prospect of closure because of spiralling energy costs.

D&A Sanders Pet Care Specialists in the village of Yaxley near Peterborough saw its bills spiral, and owner David Sanders, known as ‘The Dogfather’, feared he would have to close his established shop.

As a result his granddaughter Shannon Sanders launched an online fundraising appeal and to date a total of £3,790 has been raised.

On her GoFundMe appeal, Shannon said: “My grandfather has been supporting the local village of Yaxley for nearly 50 years as a well-established shop owner.

“However, the recent rise in prices, electric bills (the shop’s electric bill used to be £3,500 a year and it's now estimated at £10,619) has basically left the shop struggling to make ends meet.

“My grandfather has been a friend, if not family, to many people in the village and is too proud to ask for help. However, I am not.

“This man loves this village and loves his little pet shop, and many customers do. This family run business has had three generations serving the people of Yaxley and we are asking for your help, if you can give.

“As many people have noticed, the shop simply isn't stocking the items it used to, due to the crippling price increases. 

“My aim is to help raise this money to help get our foot back in the door and return to the once great shop we were.”

“So please, if you can, help us save D&A Sanders Pet Care Specialists.”

CLICK HERE to view the fundraising page.

Pets & Friends, the retail arm of pet specialists Kennelpak, is showcasing its Repeat & Save Subscription service this autumn with a Video on Demand (VOD) campaign. 

Pets & Friends are ensuring pet parents never pay full price again for over 2000 pet essentials, whilst saving them precious time and effort with scheduled deliveries, allowing for more quality moments with their pets.

When customers sign up for a Repeat & Save Subscription, they'll enjoy 25% off their first order. Plus, free delivery on orders over £35, making it easier than ever to pamper their pets without breaking the bank.

"Pet parents all over the UK are looking for unique subscription services," said Claire Clough, Customer Director at Pets & Friends. "Our Repeat & Save Subscription is available nationwide, and interestingly, 70% of our current subscribers are located outside of the Pets & Friends store areas. This shows the widespread demand and appreciation for our commitment to making pet care more convenient and cost-effective for everyone."

Pets & Friends has consistently been a trusted name in the pet care industry, with a Trust Pilot score of 4.5. With almost 50 years of experience in the pet industry through Kennelpak, Pets & Friends are committed to providing the UK with an offer that simplifies pet parenting while keeping pets happy and healthy,

The Repeat & Save Subscription advert will run across VOD channels in selected areas starting 27th September. 

For more information about the Repeat & Save Subscription service visit petsandfriends.co.uk/wetotallygetyourpet

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The Pet Industry Federation has announced the attendance of two high profile guests of honour at its forthcoming Awards Dinner – James Middleton and Yuriy Tokarski. 

James (pictured above) is founder of James & Ella, a happiness and wellbeing company for dogs. James is a fierce advocate of the wonderful emotional and social benefits that dogs bring to our lives and has established a company around his philosophy in order help keep dogs in optimal health and condition. James will join Nigel in presenting the Awards to the winners on the night. 

Yuriy (right) is from the U-Hearts Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping the living conditions of abandoned pets in Ukraine, where thousands of pets have been left without homes and proper care. Yuriy will talk about the work of U-Hearts and the impact of the donations from UK pet companies on the pets left behind, before presenting those companies with a certificate of thanks for their generosity. 

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, said: ‘We are really pleased to welcome both James and Yuriy to the PIF Awards dinner. The Awards bring together all the great and good from the pet industry to celebrate the achievements and successes across a range of pet service and supplier companies. It is really fitting that James and Yuriy, both great ambassadors for the positive impact that pets have on our lives and peoples’ willingness to give something back to them, will join us to celebrate the successes of companies who share those values.  

Generously supported by platinum sponsor Jollyes and headline sponsors, Cliverton, Collar, Lopay and Su-Bridge, the 2023 PIF Awards Dinner takes place on Thursday 9 November at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Tickets to the black-tie event include a complementary drinks reception, three course meal with wine and live entertainment. Individual tickets can be purchased at www.petfederation.co.uk with savings for tables of ten and a discount code available for accommodation at Chesford Grange.

Details of this year’s finalists can be found at www.petfederation.co.uk

New data reveals that retailers have capitalised on the growing pet food category by launching more private label products. They increased their share of the €10.8 billion category by 18% (€3.6 billion) during 2022 across Europe’s six largest markets (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, and Netherlands).

The figures were revealed by Circana, a leading advisor on consumer complexity.

In the last quarter of 2022, growth in private labels accelerated to 25% as pet owners continued to trade down from their favourite brands.

Private labels now have 34% value share of the pet food category across Europe. It is especially high in Germany and Spain, where a wider range is available in discounter channels. Across total FMCG, private labels now make up 38% of value sales in Europe (€229 billion).

Value sales of pet food have grown across Europe by 5.4% over the last four years to reach €10.8 billion in value sales. During 2022 that growth rate almost doubled to 12% (compared to 5.9% annual growth in 2021) driven by inflation and an explosion of pet ownership.

Innovation in pet food rose by a tail wagging 39% in 2022 compared to 2021 as more people took ownership of pets. 

Ananda Roy, Global SVP, Strategic Growth Insights, Circana said: “Led by manufacturers and retailers in the UK and Italy, there has been a lot of innovation around breed and age-based nutrition. This health and wellness focus taps into the boom in new pet ownership that started during the pandemic and allows manufacturers to follow the life of these pets as they grow. Other innovations include the use of human food ingredients such as vegetables and pulses as a source of high protein, low fat and balanced nutrients especially where traditional ingredients may cause allergies or sensitivities.

“As a result of the innovation boost, new product launches in pet food accounted for 9% of total pet food sales (for private labels and national brands). New product launches contributed a substantially higher percentage of sales in Germany (28%) and the Netherlands (11%) than the other European countries.”

Intense inflationary price increases (of around 12%) did not lead to the same declines in volume sales seen in across total FMCG (-1.1% for total FMCG in 2022) or other categories such as food, where consumers were forced to cut back on consumption as the cost of living crisis became embedded. Unit sales of frozen food for example declined by -4.1% and chilled -4.1%. Instead, pet food experienced a small uplift in unit sales of +0.4% (and 1.6 percentage points for private labels), suggesting that this category is resilient to inflationary turbulence.

Households continued to buy their favourite pet food brands at the beginning of the cost of living crisis, even while they were switching to private labels. Eventually the availability of as good quality private labels and intense cost pressures have seen a growing number of shoppers switching from their favourite national brands.

“Pet food has traditionally been dominated by trusted national brands, so the strides retailers have made developing as good as quality alternatives that appeal to consumers’ very real need to lower the cost of their shopping basket are remarkable,” added Roy. 

“It highlights, once again, the growing regard for private labels; more consumers perceive them as being innovative and as good or better than many of the national brands that they compete with. The quality of private label pet food in particular, with specialised nutrition or the inclusion of high quality human food ingredients, differentiates private label significantly.”

Other highlights of the analysis were: 

• UK and Germany led value sales growth. Value sales of pet food grew by +12.7%) in the UK and +11.3% in Germany, which in addition to other markets added €1.1 billion to the category.
• Price inflation was highest in the UK and Spain – With an average price inflation of 12% across the EU6, the highest in the UK and Spain (c15% over 2021 prices).
• Pet treats and toys grew by +13.1% in 2022, compared to the previous year, adding €50 million to the total €0.4 billion value sales as families looked for ways to show their love to their furry friends.
• Pet facts:
• During the last decade, the number of European households owning one or more pets has increased by approximately 20 million to 91 million households according to the European Pet Food Organisation.

Garden and pet product buyers from Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands have confirmed that they will be travelling to the UK to meet with UK suppliers at the next ‘Meet the Buyers’ event being staged by the Gardenex and PetQuip associations.  

The event will be held on Wednesday 18 October 2023 at the Federation’s offices in Brasted, Kent (just off junction 6 of the M25). 

It is the latest in a series of highly successful ‘Meet the Buyers’ initiatives organised by the two associations; during the COVID travel restrictions, the associations operated successful ‘virtual’ meet the buyer events but this will be a welcome return to an in-person event with face-to-face discussions between the buyers and potential suppliers. 

This latest initiative from Gardenex and PetQuip is a very cost-effective way for suppliers to meet with key buyers from leading overseas markets.   

The international buyers travelling to the UK to meet with British suppliers are:

GARDEN BUYER:

A manufacturer of greenhouses that is also one of the leading German mail-order companiesspecialising in garden products.  The company’s main focus is on greenhouses, greenhouse accessories, cold frames and quality practical gardening equipment from tools and pest deterrents to composters and water butts, but it also offers a small range of garden decoration, outdoor leisure and wild-bird/wild-life items.  The company is a family business and in 2023 is celebrating its 50^thanniversary.  It issues every year in January around 1 million printed catalogues (the 2023 edition is 126 pages) and also sells all products via its online store. Its manufacturing base, administration offices and warehousing extend over more than 16,000m² and it employs around 70 staff.  The company already imports from a number of Gardenex members.

The buyer is looking for new quality garden products to expand the range.

GARDEN & PET BUYERS:

The company is part of a privately-owned Swiss online retail group, which had sales of CHF1.17 billion in 2022, 1.2 million private and business customers and over 1,250 staff.  It has a 75,000m² state-of-the-art e-commerce logistics centre.  The company buys and holds at the logistics centre a range of 250,000 items from 4,700 manufacturers and ships 3.9 million packages a year.  The logistics centre alone employs over 630 staff and uses 400 robots.  

The firm is the largest independent B2C online shop in Switzerland and supplies customers in its home market and Liechtenstein.  It offers a broad spectrum of products: IT & multimedia, home & living, supermarket & drugstore, family & baby, DIY & hobby as well as sport & leisure.  The garden range includes practical accessories, tools and irrigation, decoration & lighting, furniture & barbecues.  The pet range covers food, care, toys and accessories for dogs, cats, rodents, fish and reptiles – along with accessories for wild-birds and other garden creatures. It also operates a number of other online stores including one for professionals, one for IT, telecoms, security, themed specials, home & living and healthcare.

The garden and pet buyers are both taking part in our event.  They are looking for new, complementary items to add to its B2C range.  The garden buyer is open to all kinds of items suitable for online sale.  The pet buyer is interested in food, equipment and accessories for all types of pet. 

PET BUYERS:

A Dutch chain of 15 wholly-owned garden and pet centres, all but one of which includes a veterinary clinic, grooming parlour and dog-wash. There is also an online shop.  While most of the stores are large format (the biggest being 14,500m²), it has recently started developing a smaller 1,500m² city store concept too.  The total sales area is 165,000m². The company has recently acquired another garden centre which is currently being remodeled and modernised and will open as the firm’s 16^th centre in March 2024.  

The chain has a much greater emphasis on pet than is the case in most UK garden centres; pet sales contribute around 50% of its overall turnover.  Its pet sections stock a broad range of up to 8,000 items, including food, pet care and accessories for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.  The focus is on offering both a broad and an in-depth range to differentiate it from its competitors.    

Two pet buyers are taking part.  They are looking for new, innovative items for all kinds of pets, along with wild bird products.  They are particularly interested in expanding their rodent, aquatics and caged bird sections. For rodents, they are looking for food, accessories and bedding – and also any Christmas present type items.  They are also interested in suppliers of dog and/or cat food that are prepared to give them exclusivity for the Dutch market.  Other specific requests include everyday purchases for horses (ie not saddles), and accessories to prevent boredom in chickens.  Sustainability and durability are important – brands should have a story behind them.  The buyers are purchasing for the firm’s vet clinics as well as for the stores.

‘Meet the Buyers’ events held by the two associations over many years have all resulted in export business for attending delegates.  To ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for 25 minute one-to-one meetings with any of the buyers on 18 October, please contact eleanor@gardenex.com , eleanor@petquip.com as soon as possible.

A recent survey of retailers across the UK delivers a clear message - cash remains a crucial payment method that keeps tills ringing for independent shops and small businesses. 

The British Independent Retailers Association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, ran the survey which will be unveiled at the UK Finance's Cash Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 26, which demonstrates cash is far from obsolete.

The survey was carried out throughout August 2023 and included input from organisations including the Federation of Independent Retailers, Digital Entertainment & Retail Association, Association of Cycle Traders and other members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC).

The survey, which was completed by over 650 independent retailers nationwide found the vast majority continue accepting coins and banknotes, despite the rise of cards and digital payments. Cash still accounts for over 20% of sales revenue for 65% of merchants polled.

When setting prices, 37% factor in the need to avoid copper coins, showing retailers still cater to cash-preferring customers. However, securing change is an issue, with 87% needing to acquire coins/notes from bank branches - branches that continue to close at an alarming rate.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "While new payment technologies are growing, this survey highlights that the majority of independents still rely on cash to serve their customers. As bank branches and ATMs close, safeguarding access to cash is vitally important. We need the financial industry to commit to making access to cash readily available, and not to rely on retailers offering cash back as the alternative.

"It's important that cash accessibility and payment choice is protected for all. Not every customer is ready or able to pay by card - retailers serve entire communities, not just those embracing digital," he added.

The survey shows that 38% of retailers said they would only stop accepting cash if there was a closing down of a bank branch or Post Office in their area. This signals most do not plan to go cashless in the near future, despite the challenges accepting cash presents.

Dedicated to creating thoughtfully designed toys that challenge a dog’s problem soliving abilities whilst stimulating their senses, PetLove has launched Pawty Time.  A fun range of interactive, enrichment toys that make the perfect pet birthday, Christmas, and ‘gotcha day’ gifts for dogs.

Designed to encourage thinking, exploration, and learning, whilst helping to build confidence, the toys are based around the senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch, and sight.  Made from super safe non-toxic materials in a primary colour palatte that emphasises blue and yellow, the two easiest colours for dogs to see the range includes six different toys:

Pawty Time Bunting  - this ragger style toy is great for tug of war games whilst featuring three lettered flag pockets (HBD – Happy Birthday) that can be filled with tasty treats to encourage foraging

Pawty Time Snuffle Gift Box – this clever toy has four velcro fastening crinkle sound sides so it can be used as box to hide a toy or treat gift inside or be undone to make use of its textured snuffle treat pockets. 

Pawty Time Hide N Treat Pinata – based on a traditional pony pinata design, this vibrant toy contains a hidden treat pocket, bio-degradable squeaker, and a rope tail. 

Pawty Time Snuffle Hat – undo this party hat design via its velcro fastenings to reveal a snuffle mat that encourages foraging skills.

Pawty Time Snuffle Card – the fun ‘Who’s A Good Dog?’ card opens up to reveal a textured heart shaped treat pocket and two heart bio-degradable squeakers. 

Pawty Time Cup Cake – with a cherry squeaker on it’s top, the crinkle sounding cup cake pulls apart via its velcro fastening to reveal a special hidden treat pocket.

The Pawty Time range  is available to order now via Interpet’s trade website https://trade.interpet.co.uk/

Agria Pet Insurance has revealed the 2023 puppy names that have taken the UK by storm.

Luna reigned supreme as the top name amongst the majority of dog breeds, closely followed by Teddy and Poppy.

Here’s the Agria Pet Insurance list of the 2023 top pet names among the most popular breeds:

• Cocker Spaniel – Willow
• Crossbreed – Teddy
• Labrador Retriever – Luna
• Jack Russel – Poppy
• Border Collie – Luna
• Cockapoo – Luna
• Dachshund – Daisy
• Shih Tzu – Teddy
• Golden Retriever – Luna
• Border Terrier – Bertie
• Miniature Schnauzer – Poppy

Following the launch of its Positive Pawprint sustainability strategy two years ago, IVC Evidensia has now unveiled its Positive Hoofprint toolkits to support farm and equine practices to make positive changes in their communities.

The launch of the toolkits means that every one of IVC Evidensia’s practices across the UK now has a sustainability framework available to them to action locally that benefits patients, people and the planet. 

Similar toolkits have been available to small animal practices since 2022, and likewise, the Positive Hoofprint toolkits have been developed with colleagues in farm and equine practices to take into account the ways in which they work and the needs of the communities they serve.

For example, the farm toolkit recognises the position veterinary teams have as advisors to the farming community and the role they play in sustainable food production. 

It encourages training in farm animal-specific first aid, provides guidance on supporting the agricultural community with mental health concerns, ensures training in stress-free handling and focuses on providing help to farmers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their herds and practising responsible antimicrobial stewardship. 

Meanwhile, the equine toolkit asks teams to look at how they engage with animal welfare charities and pony clubs, and the guidance they offer on the use of anthelmintics.

Practices that sign up to take part will each receive a grant of up to £300 to implement sustainability measures. Those that meet the core standards of the Positive Hoofprint toolkit will become Positive Hoofprint Partners.

Sarah Heath, Group Director of Sustainability at IVC Evidensia, said: “The Positive Hoofprint toolkits have been our ambition ever since we launched our sustainability strategy. They focus on the different ways our farm and equine practice teams can support real change both in terms of the company’s wider goals but also more locally in their communities.

“The toolkits have been developed in partnership with farm and equine colleagues and focus on the biggest challenges that face clinicians, farmers and owners. We’re thrilled to be able to launch them in the UK and bring our first practices onboard.”

More information about IVC Evidensia’s sustainability strategy can be found in its Positive Pawprint annual report here.

Top sheepdog competitors were kept busy in September with two major trials in one week.

Ceri Rundle, founder of CSJ and a world-renowned top handler said, “So many Champion dogs in so many dog sports are fed on our products that it would be easy to be blasé about their successes, but we never take them for granted because we know first-hand how skilled and fit dogs and handlers need to be to win amongst such stiff competition!”

In September, in Ceri’s own canine sport, the International Supreme Championships came first on 9-10, then the World Sheepdog Trials on 13-16 at Dromore, Northern Ireland.  

CSJ-sponsored handlers were on form as ever with Dewi Jenkins (the 2022 Champion) and his dog Jock becoming Reserve Champions at the Supreme Championships 2023.

Kevin Evans also had an excellent trial by winning the Supreme Brace Championship with his dogs Hendre Gwen and Knockmaa Be.

Then Kevin then went on with his dog Preseli Ci to become Reserve Champions at the World Trials. 

Ahead of the World trials Kelvin Broad had posted on social media, “World Trial Welsh Team kit... Absolutely stunning. Thank you so much to Ceri and Phil at CSJ for such generous sponsorship.”

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

Happy Hounds (Wales Ltd) was found to have put unsafe meat on the market and of having unhygienic premises. (Pictures: Neath Port Talbot Trading Standards & Animal Health)

The director of a raw pet food manufacturing business has been prosecuted for supplying unsafe pet food and operating in unhygienic conditions.

Happy Hounds (Wales) Limited, based in South West Wales, had been monitored by Neath Port Talbot Trading Standards & Animal Health over a number of years.

The business bought waste meat and offal from a number of sources, such as slaughter houses, cutting plants and meat packers to reprocess and sell as raw dog food. However, it failed to ensure that its products were safe in respect of bacteria and feed/food borne disease, which could be transmitted to both pets and their owners.

A series of pet feed samples that were taken from the business’s products were found to carry salmonella and other bacterium in excess of permitted levels, rendering them unsafe in the opinion of the public analyst.

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, Derrick Lewis, 67, of Dan Y Deri, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Director of Happy Hounds (Wales) Limited, pleaded guilty to five charges of placing unsafe feed on the market and two of unhygienic premises. The company has entered liquidation.

District Judge Layton said that over a period of time Mr Lewis had breached regulations, putting unsafe feed on the market and neglected his processing facilities.  Judge Layton added that Mr Lewis had received by-products of no value and converted them to feed, and corners were cut. 

Mr Lewis was sentenced to 18 weeks custody which was suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently on all counts; to pay £15,000 as a contribution towards the council’s costs; and to pay a victim surcharge of £128.

Councillor Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Well-being, said: “Neath Port Talbot takes public safety very seriously. Repeated attempts at advising the company to comply with regulations to protect public health. Trading Standards & Animal Health therefore had no option but to prosecute the business.

“Businesses should be aware that Trading Standards & Animal Health would prefer to work with them, but if they fail to comply with regulations designed to protect the public then they will take firm action.”

An established family-run pet shop in Norfolk will be closing its doors for the final time after more than 30 years of trading.

The owners of Animal Magic in Downham Market have said that rising costs and poor health have prompted the decision to close the store.

Owner Pauline Bigwood and her husband have run the shop for 34 years, firstly in Downham Market High Street before moving to current premises in Bridge Street seven years ago.

Pauline told the Lynn News: “There are several reasons for closing, rising costs being one.

“The town of late has also been very quiet. Both my husband and I have been unwell so now feels like the right time to go.”

News of Animal Magic’s closure prompted many customers to express their sadness on the shop’s Facebook page.

One regular wrote: “Aww, really sad, used to love it when it was where the deli is now. Used to like going to look at the hamsters up the stairs,” while another said: “Sad but a well-deserved retirement.”

Further comments included: “Another standalone business closing, such a shame. Wishing you a long and happy retirement, but also wishing the shop could continue.”

Retail chain Jollyes is offering to ‘marry’ an owner and their pet in a full-works wedding ceremony at the opening of its new store in Widnes, Cheshire.

With an organist, red carpet, flowers, and the exchange of rubber rings, a Widnes owner and their beloved pet can bound or walk down the aisle to the sound of ‘here barks the bride’.

And the winner will be going on a ‘Doggie-moon’ courtesy of Jollyes – a holiday with their pet to celebrate their puppy love for each other.

In fact, recent research for Jollyes showed that pet parents would much prefer to buy presents for their pet than their partner and holiday companies this summer have reported an increase in people holidaying alone with their pets.

The store will open at Widnes Shopping Park on Saturday 30 September at 10.00am, following the opening of another new Jollyes store in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Friday 29 September.

Pet entrepreneur Lyndsey Fearns will be the manager of Jollyes’ new Widnes store. (Professional Images/@ProfImages)

At the Harrogate store, located at Unit 2C, Hookstone Park, pets and their owners will be invited to take part in Britain’s first ‘doggy dash’ to take away a £100 jolly trolley full of goodies in a 60-second race round the aisles.

Both new stores will have special Jollyes goody-bags for the first 100 customers, with a mix of cat and dog items. And customers will be able to spin the iconic Jollyes Wheel of Fur-tune to win free items from both stores’ ranges.

The stores will feature a Jolly Groomer offering straightforward pricing for a quality groom that doesn’t cost a paw and a leg.

Customers can choose precisely what grooming service they need, so they don’t pay for ones they don’t. Prices for a bath and brush will start at just £15.00.

At Widnes there’ll also be a community pet clinic, powered by the expert advice from its colleagues, part of a plan between now and the summer of 2024, to double the number of stores that offer vet-run clinics. 

Vet-supervised dog and cat vaccinations in the clinic will start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Both stores will also provide pet parents access to Jollyes’ raw frozen food – increasingly popular with pet owners because of its nutrition and convenience - alongside high quality private label pet food such as its own Lifestage, K9 and Rileys brands which offer a premium experience without a big brand price tag.

In both Harrogate and Widnes there’ll be teams of 12 led by experienced Jollyes’ colleagues.

Kerry Midgley, Jollyes regional manager is looking forward to opening the pet superstore’s 94th store in Harrogate (Professional Images/@ProfImages)

In Harrogate Dawn Jenkins will transfer from Jollyes’ Selby store after four years working for the retailer. 

Dawn, who’s the proud owner of a horse called Crystal has worked her way up to her first manager role having started with the company as a part-time sales assistant. 

Widnes will be managed by Lyndsey Fearns who is moving to the new store from across the Mersey in Runcorn.

Not only is Lyndsey a Jollyes store manager of the year, she’s also a pet entrepreneur, She’s developed a soothing paw balm for dogs on her kitchen table with childhood friend Becky Dutton-Geraghty that’s now sold in its stores nationwide.

Both teams at Widnes and Harrogate will also benefit from Jollyes’ innovative package of colleague benefits.  The package includes, birthday leave, a ‘pet-eternity’ day for colleagues getting a new pet in the family, a week off on full pay for all colleagues on when they get married, enhanced maternity and paternity leave and an enhanced 20 per cent discount off all Jollyes services.

Harrogate and Widnes stores will become Jollyes’ 94th and 95th UK stores respectively - part of Jollyes’ ambitious expansion plans which has seen it exceed £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ over 1,000 colleagues and put it well on the way to having 100 stores within the next 12 months.

Barnsley-based Walker & Drake, a pet food company that only began trading after the first lockdown in 2020, has seen such massive growth in sales of its cold pressed dog food and range of natural treats that in 2023, they opened a new £900,000 production facility in the town.

They will be exhibiting at PATS Telford (stand N14) for the first time and will be launching a new wet food to add to their product range.

Walker & Drake wet food is a complete nutrition food for adult dogs with a high 65% meat content. It is easily digestible, grain and gluten free and great for fussy eaters. It is UK made and contains all natural ingredients.  You can use it as a complete food or added to Walker & Drake’s Cold Pressed Food as a tasty topper.

The flavours are Chicken with Broccoli, and Turkey with Duck and Carrot. It comes in 390 gram Tetra Pak cartons. Each flavour is packed in cases of 12 cartons, plus there is a mixed case as well which includes six of each flavour.

Walker & Drake in a short space of time has received industry recognition.  It was voted in 2020 by Yorkshire Insider Magazine as one of the top 50 companies to watch. They were also a finalist in 2021 in both the PetQuip and Pet Industry Federation Awards receiving Highly Commended for the Best New Pet Product (Food) at the PetQuip Awards and this year, they are finalists in four categories in the PetQuip Awards and two categories in the PIF Awards. 

Walker & Drake are delighted and excited to be exhibiting at PATS Telford. Tim Matthews, Director and co-founder of Walker & Drake with fellow Directors, Richard Grant and David Taylor said: “As relative newcomers to the industry we feel that it is important for us to attend industry events and get our faces and our brand out there. We felt that PATS should be one of the main events we would invest in. The opportunities to network with buyers and other trade contracts from across the country shouldn’t be underestimated.  Without a show like PATS it would be difficult for industry peers to get together. It’s the best opportunity to get our brand in front of the trade.”

Pop along to their stand to view their cold pressed dry food range available in life stages, their natural treats and new wet food.

For further information visit: www.walkeranddrake.com

In last week’s edition of Pet Trade Xtra we put the spotlight on a new product called The Leadon, which is set to take the pet industry by storm as it aims revolutionise pet safety and security. This week, James Dunne, the man behind the product, answers some commonly-asked questions.

The Leadon is a new type of animal leash which allows pet owners to connect their animals within gardens without having to stand and hold the leash.

What happens if my animal jumps over the fence?

It’s happened to me with my cat Summer. I noticed Summer was no longer in the garden and The Leadon cable was over the fence so I ran out and looked over and there she was. I managed with ease to pull her back in and lifted her back over the fence all because she had The Leadon and was safely in her harness.

Why can’t I just use my current retractable lead and tie to a post?

You can, but it’s not designed for that purpose. My first attempt at the Leadon was using a popular retractable animal leash but after a short period it broke, and on cold days the cord froze solid. 

It looks like a washing line!

Yes, but that’s where the similarity stops. It has an upgraded cable and also support pillar inside the unit to give it strength, it also can be threaded onto a line which allows more freedom for your pet.

Can I use The Leadon for my rabbit?

Yes, you can. Please see the pictures of Fattie the rabbit on The Leadon. Please note Fattie is 3kgs, which is the minimum weight needed.

Will my dog bite through the cable?

No, the cable is a reinforced wire with a nylon cover to stop this from happening.

Can I use a collar?

NO! The Leadon is only to be used with a harness. Never use a collar. Collars are a chocking hazard.

I have an indoor cat that has never been outside, am I ok using The Leadon for her?

Yes, The Leadon was originally designed for cats, I have a rescued Maine Coon Cat that had never seen the outside world and that’s the reason I made the product. Summer uses the Leadon every day.

What other uses are the for The Leadon?

Camping, my friend takes his Leadon when he goes camping, as it’s great for when he’s on the camp sites and it can also be used as a super strong washing line.

What's included in the package?

The Leadon package includes the retractable dog lead, the plastic dog face casing, and installation instructions.

Can I leave my pet unattended with Leadon?

While The Leadon offers a secure way for your pet to enjoy outdoor time, we recommend supervising them while they're using it. Ideally you should to keep an eye on any animal attached to any leash.

Is installation complicated?

No, installation is straightforward. The Leadon comes with easy-to-follow instructions, and you won't need any complex tools to set it up.

How durable is The Leadon?

Leadon is crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring durability even in outdoor conditions. It's built to withstand weather elements and provide long-lasting performance.

For more information visit www.theleadon.com.