An animal lover fulfilled a long-held dream of owning a pet store when he opened the doors to Gary’s Pro Pets last week.

Gary Reekie welcomed customers to the store in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and already it is proving to be a big hit.

After the first day, Gary said on the store’s Facebook page: “What an absolutely amazing opening! We sold loads. It was so great to meet you all and have your support.”

And Gary, who runs the store with wife llana, told Pet Trade Xtra he was pleased with the response from the local community and that the first week’s trade had been “very good”.

Kirkcaldy-born Gary admitted it was great to offer a vital service to his local community. He has given up a career as an IT analyst in the finance industry to fulfil his ambition but believes he’s done the right thing. 

Customers praised Gary on social media with comments like:

• “Thankyou for all our goodies. Dog is loving all her new chews and demolished the cupcake. See you again next week.”
• “Congrats on getting your first successful day done! Sure it’ll go from strength to strength from here!”
• “Well done both of you! Russell enjoyed his yummy treats.”
• “Great seeing you both today and thanks for all the advice. I'll let you know how Bruno gets on with his new food.”

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes is investing £1m over the next 18 months to supercharge the provision of vet clinics, grooming parlours and other pet services in its UK stores.

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes will double the number of stores that offer community pet clinics, double opening hours for those clinics and double the number of dog grooming locations.

To facilitate that growth, Jollyes will:

• Appoint its first ever ‘Head of Services’.  Colin Neave, who takes up the role moving from his existing regional manager position to focus on the expansion of Jollyes’ pet services.
• Partner with Leeds-based Eville & Jones to provide in-store veterinary services from fully trained and Royal Veterinary College-accredited vets.
• Appoint Dr Adrian Ward MRCVS to the Jollyes board, bringing veterinary experience to the leadership team.
• Rebrand its existing and growing number of pet spas as “the Jolly Groomer”.

The expansion gets underway immediately and compliments Jollyes’ growth plans which will see it hit £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ 1,000 colleagues this year and have 100 stores within 18 months.

From 13 March, Jollyes will introduce vet clinics across eight of its Northern Ireland stores – Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Banbridge, Newry, Newtownabbey, Belfast and Bangor.

Existing clinics in 45 Jollyes stores will see opening hours expand across the week enabling greater access and convenience for shoppers.

And the first Jolly Groomer will open at Jollyes’ new Scunthorpe store in North Lincolnshire at the Gallagher Retail Park on 25 March.

What’s more Jollyes’ service expansion will reflect its commitment to extraordinary value.

Vet prescribed and administered dog and cat vaccinations in its clinics will start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Microchipping, already compulsory for dogs and expected to be extended to cats start at just £13, offering significant savings against average prices charged by formal vet practices.

All Jollyes’ existing Spas will relaunch in 2023 as Jolly Groomers, committed to simple 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.  At the first two Jolly Groomer locations in Scunthorpe and Edinburgh Hermiston Gate , prices for a bath and brush will start at just £15.00. 

Scunthorpe will also be the home of one of its first ‘Wash & Go’ dog-wash booths which for just £5.00 can provide a full clean-up for mucky pups without the hassle of messing up a home bathroom.

“We’re moving at pace at Jollyes as we support our extraordinary colleagues as they support pet parents in their communities with much needed ways to lower the cost of looking after their four-legged family members.

“Our commitment to widen the provision of vet clinics and grooming services will help us build on our extraordinary growth as more customers discover the value and expert support our people provide.”

Eville & Jones has worked with Jollyes since 2013 to provide in-store vaccination clinics and its chief executive officer Charles Hartwell was delighted at the expansion of the relationship. 

"Jollyes' investment in more community pet clinics in their UK stores is fantastic news,” he said. 

“It's an exciting time, and with eight new vet clinics set to open in Northern Ireland, I look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Jollyes and their customers."

In 2023 Jollyes has already opened new stores at Port Glasgow and Peterborough and in addition to its new location in Scunthorpe, plans further openings in the coming months in Warrington, Christchurch, Swindon and Merthyr Tydfil.

The Pet Industry Federation is reminding all pet businesses that entries for the inaugural Innovation of the Year Award close in one month’s time (April 7).

This new award is open to all businesses in the pet sector, including product, service or tech and a judging panel will select ten finalists to present their innovation at the Business of Pets conference, giving them unprecedented access to potential investors. The winner will be chosen on the final day of the conference (June 8).

Nigel Baker, CEO of PIF commented: “We’ve had fantastic feedback for the Business of Pets two day conference which we launched recently and the Innovation of the Year award will be an integral part of that new event. I would encourage all pet innovators to enter for the Innovation of the Year Award; all ten finalists will get a fantastic opportunity to pitch their innovation during the conference.”

For details of entry criteria and how to enter, click here. Entries close on April 7^th.

Tickets to The Business of Pets conference will go on sale from March 20^th. For full details, please visit Conference – PIF (petfederation.co.uk)

To join PIF and take advantage of all the great business benefits that are available to PIF members, including a legal helpline, fuel card, payment processing rates from Lopay, IT discounts from Dell and local authority help and advice, please visit https://petfederation.co.uk/

Fish4Pets Ltd has announced that CEO Graham Smith, who has been with the organisation for 13 years, will be retiring in December. His successor is Sarah Fowler, who took over as CEO on March 1.

Sarah has had a very successful career in the pet industry, having previously worked as Commercial Director with Vital Pet Products, and joined Fish4Pets five years ago as Sales Director.

Since Graham's appointment as CEO in 2010, Fish4Pets has experienced impressive year-on-year growth, and now exports to over 30 countries.

Thanks to major investments from new investors, DSD, and existing shareholder FKRA in Norway, the UK-based organisation opened a state-of-art warehouse and office facility in 2022 and has made 23 new hires in various strategic roles support the company’s impressive future growth plans.

Simon Nagle also joins the organisation as Chief Commercial Officer and Global VP of Sales to replace Sarah and support continued worldwide sales development.

Graham will remain in the company supporting Sarah, managing specific regions, and maintaining his position as a statutory director in the company’s supervisory board until his retirement.

PARK LiFE Pet is gearing up for its biggest exhibition since the company established in 2019, with a bigger exhibition stand than previous shows at PATS Sandown. Not only is the stand investment larger, it will be strategically located next to wholesale partners Pedigree Wholesale to make ordering easier for independent retailers.

In 2022 PARK LiFE became a product in demand and this saw the Irish manufacturer agree a partnership with Pedigree to exclusively service the independent pet market on their behalf. Pedigree wholesale are one of the leading wholesalers in the independent pet retail sector across the UK, a pawfect partner to help expand PARK LiFE’s reach to independent pet retailers. 

Dog Treats with that ‘Happy Belly Promise’

All PARK LiFE biscuits are made using a few simple ingredients such as Sunflower Seeds, Peas, Potatoes and Coconut Oil. Using these ingredients means the range is 100% natural, grain free and human quality! With a ‘Happy Belly Promise’ it is dogs that truly love PARK LiFE oven baked dog biscuits with delicious flavours and playful shapes.

Fris-Bix is an award winning ‘frisbee’ shaped dog biscuit and toy in one product, suitable for all aged dogs. With Fris-Bix, users can have a unique experience with their fury friends enabling throwing, catching, and guaranteed playful snacking.

In late 2022 the Fris-Bix range expanded to include two tasty new flavours. This meant doggies could play, catch and munch on original Super Seeds, as well as Chicken & Veg, and Peanut Butter flavours. These new flavours have been well received by customers, also passing the doggy taste test across the UK. Fris-Bix dog biscuits are available in impactful 300g recyclable packs, retailing at £5.99 each.

Whilst Fris-Bix dual functionality draws attention there are also further enriching treats in the range also retailing at £5.99; the flavoursome Love-Bix biscuits, which are heart shaped red berry cookies and Chill-Bix - star shaped honey and chamomile calming biscuits. 

Not to forget Milk Bone, long lasting dental chews (RRP from £3.99), which are a softer and safer  alternative to yak chews. The Milk Bone range are also calcium rich, lactose free and offer up to 1 hour chew time! These are available in three flavours – Chicken, Salmon, and Lamb. Not only are Milk Bone chews safer, they are so tasty that 9 out of 10 dogs prefer them!

Visit for treats and insights

PARK LiFE will be in the Surrey Hall, stand G3 at PATS Sandown (26-27 March 2023), where new customers and friends of the brand will be able to take away free samples and even taste the human-quality dog treats for themselves. As well as this, the team will be on hand to discuss future NPD insights and assist in how prospects can open an account and place orders. You can view the full range for independent pet retailers on the Pedigree website by clicking here.

Get in touch today @ info@parklife.dog to discuss a brand that is all about happier, healthier dogs. Visit https://parklife.dog/ to browse the PARK LiFE website.

For the month of March, doggy dental will be at the forefront of the agenda, in a drive to inform pet owners that simple and affordable changes to their pet’s routine could save thousands of pounds in vets bills.

The initiative is spearheaded by supplements brand Pawable, leading raw food manufacturers Paleo Ridge and healthy cleaning and pet care products provider Ingenious Probiotics.

The companies have combined forces to offer practical dental care tips for your dog, which can help you save money, as well as ensure that their teeth are kept in tip top condition.

Dog Dental Month was recently featured on BBC Radio Four's You and Yours programme, and presenter Winifred Robison spoke to Dr Karolina Enlund, who led a Swedish study into dog dental health, sent out to over 200,000 dog owners.

The research found that the vast majority of pet owners do not brush their dog's teeth at all, and Dog Dental Month is about providing easy and cost effective methods to clean your dog's teeth at home.

These methods include feeding raw meat, introducing an easy to administer probiotic tooth cleaning spray, and giving your dog a collagen supplement, which improves teeth and gums.

Dr Carolina said: "There were no widespread surveys about dental home care in dogs, and how common it is for dog owners to brush their dog's teeth, which is the gold standard in veterinary dental care.

"We saw that less than 4% of dog owners brush their dog's teeth daily, and daily is the recommendation because plaque on the teeth builds up immediately after brushing."

She added: "Dog owners are aware that dental disease is really common, especially in small breeds, lots of dog owners want to brush but there are lots of problems because their dogs are not cooperative."

Anna Webb, host of the award-nominated A Dog’s Life podcast and canine nutritionist, is happy to lend her support to the initiative.

A special edition of the podcast will focus on Dog Dental Month, and shine a light on the inexpensive things we can all do better to care for our pets.

She said: “It’s a month to celebrate your dog’s teeth! Shockingly 80% of dogs at only two years of age show some signs of dental disease. Many factors can contribute to a dog’s oral health including, diet, cleaning, and appropriate chews.

“Some breeds are more prone like Toy breeds and Flat Faced breeds. As the No:1 cause of trips to the vets, working preventatively is not only prudent, might not be as difficult as you think, and will save costly vet bills that are often not covered by insurance.  

“The good news is in most cases periodontal disease is reversible. Just as in humans’ dental disease is serious and can, in extreme cases, cause severe inflammation in the body, which can affect the vital organs and compromise the immune system.

“Working preventatively beginning with a healthy species appropriate diet, (like Paleo Ridge) and appropriate supplementation through a dog’s life-stages.

“Combining an awareness of environmental stressors that can compromise the immune system, including diet, cleaning products in the home, air pollution, the water our dogs drink. Adding appropriate enrichment lifestyle support like raw bones, probiotic dental care and natural chews, that help clean the teeth but also help dogs relax and settle.”

Dale Nash, of Pawable, which offers the UK’s first collagen supplement for dogs, said: “We are so excited about teaming up with Ingenious Probiotics and Paleo Ridge for Dog Dental Month.

“Everything that our three brands do is about natural care for your pet, and healthy teeth is at the heart of that.”

Esther Logue, of raw feeding food brand Paleo Ridge, said: “This Dog Dental Month is the perfect time to learn some really exciting things about your dog.

“Your dog is amazing and we are looking forward to sharing all sorts of fun tips, advice and stories on our social media pages throughout.”

Joe Flanagan, of Ingenious Probiotics, added: “Simple changes to your dog’s routine really do make all the difference, and at a time when everyone is tightening their belts, could save you a lot of money too.

“There are plenty of things we can all do at home cheaply and effectively to ensure that our dogs’ teeth stay healthy, and avoid costly visits to the vet.” 

Paleo Ridge is holding exclusive 'live mincing' demonstrations at Crufts, to show potential customers exactly what goes into popular products, such as Paleo Plus Totally Duck and Classic Lamb Breast and Heart.

Dogs competing at the event can attend the demonstrations and sample the food for themselves. Raw feeding experts will be on hand to explain more about the healthy and sustainable products.

Esther Logue, Content and Communications Manager at Paleo Ridge, said: “We are so excited for Crufts and can’t wait to show people how our food is made.”

“It may seem unusual to showcase live mincing demonstrations at a dog show, but what better way to show just how clean and healthy Paleo Ridge raw dog food is. Food doesn’t get more fresh than this, so we expect to see a lot of wagging tails on the stand."

The Paleo Ridge stand is number 48 in the NEC's Hall 4, and the firm will also be selling frozen raw dog food on the stand and a chance to pre-order for existing and new customers.

Anyone who would like to order food to collect at the show can order via: crufts@paleoridge.co.uk

Paleo Ridge is the UK’s industry leader in the manufacture of raw dog food, recently launching four brand new treats. Ideal for dogs aged over 12 weeks old, the new naturally dried treats are ethically and sustainably sourced in line with the company's strong and recognised ethos on environmental sustainability.

The new treats will be available to try at Crufts and to purchase at an exclusive price. Dogs will certainly want to sniff around the stand as soon as they reach Hall 4.

Will Green, Director of Sales and Marketing at Paleo Ridge, said: "Our Classic Treats range is a popular and healthy way to treat your dog, and we are thrilled to offer four new products. We are very excited to showcase these at Crufts and encourage all dog owners to stop by the stand to find out more about how delicious and sustainable our products are.”


To find out more about Paleo Ridge see www.paleoridge.co.uk 

Nylabone has launched Gourmet Style, an exciting new range of chew toys that features visibly tasty morsels of flavour for a distinct chewing experience.  

Created using Nylabone’s iconic strong nylon material the new range combines delicious flavours which are roasted throughout for long-lasting chewing satisfaction.

Gourmet Style is available in both adult and puppy chewing categories and features three of Nylabone’s most popular distinctive flavours; chicken, bacon, and peanut butter. The adult chew toys have been created in the brand’s classic ergonomically designed wishbone shape that offers three different chewing ends, and their universally loved stick shape that realistically mimics the real thing but is both safer and cleaner. These are available in small and large sizes.   

The puppy Gourmet Style chew toys come in three shapes; wishbone, stick and femur, each of which is infused with delicious flavour throughout. As with other Nylabone puppy chew toys these new additions are a great way to help develop positive chewing habits whilst aiding with teething and canine enrichment. They are available in small and medium sizes.   

Nylabone Gourmet Style chew toys are manufactured in the United States where they were recently awarded the accolade of ‘Chew Toy Product Of The Year’ in the 2022 Pet Independent Innovation Awards. 

The Gourmet Style range is available to order now from Interpet’s trade website https://trade.interpet.co.uk/

Mr Bug, the maker of bug-based treats for dogs, is enhancing its sustainable credentials with an initiative to encourage beneficial pollinators into gardens.

The innovative brand is offering to give any pet owner buying Bug Bites a free pouch of British-grown lavender seeds.

Besides looking lush and smelling serene, lavender is known for keeping unhelpful bugs at bay (ticks, fleas and mosquitoes) while acting as a floral magnet for beneficial pollinators (bees and butterflies).

Mr Bug is making its name with anb ethical stance on entovegan nutrition (the UK’s first homegrown mealworm farm in UK), backing the rural economy, and using fully recyclable packaging.

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An independent pet shop has moved into a bigger store on the high street after ‘outgrowing’ its present premises.

Newcastle Pet Supplies opened its new store – twice the size of its previous shop – on Newcastle-under-Lyme high street in Staffordshire on Monday this week.

“The move will mean we can expand our range of pet products with some exciting new lines to come including RAW food for both dogs and cats,” the store said on its Facebook page.

Unsworth Customs Brokers and EU tax specialist RM Boulanger are presenting a webinar and Q&A session on exporting into the EU on Wednesday 15 March at 11.00 am.  

The webinar is tailored specifically to Gardenex & PetQuip members and all UK based exporters in the garden and pet sectors. It will cover some of the problems currently being experienced by exporters to the EU. 

This is your opportunity to highlight any ongoing difficulties you are experiencing in sending your goods into the EU and to find potential solutions. There will be an opportunity to submit questions in advance as well as at the end of the webinar.  

Unsworth’s expertise lies in customs and international freight forwarding, while RM Boulanger deliver robust EU VAT and fiscal representation solutions. Together they present a transformational solution for creating frictionless export to the EU and improved market penetration in Europe. 

So if you continue to have issues with EU customers wanting DDP quotations, with getting regulated products through border posts or with sending groupage shipments and other challenges, please let the Federation team know and we’ll pass your queries on to Unsworth, who are able to provide tailored solutions through their multiple freight contacts. 

Send your questions as soon as possible (by 10th March) to eleanor@gardenex.comor charlie@petquip.com so that they can be covered in the Q&A session after the webinar presentations.

To sign up for the webinar and Q&A session on Wednesday 15 March at 11.00 am, please click on the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6872042661106309471

Water hyacinth will be returning to GB ponds after significant campaigning by OATA, but not in time for this pond season.

The good news comes as a result of a recent review from the Invasive Non-Native Species team in Defra which has published its list of flora and fauna which will be ‘de-listed’ as a species of ‘special concern’, making them eventually available to sell again.

However, the plants remain illegal until an official change in the statute books, which might not come for some time.

“This is very good news about water hyacinth because we have long campaigned to get this plant removed from the list of special concern,” said OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“We have demonstrated it is not an invasive risk within the UK because it cannot survive our winters and it’s good to see that Defra has listened to the evidence we put forward during the review process.

“Nevertheless, we remind the industry water hyacinth remains illegal to sell until the law has been changed so it’s unlikely this plant will return to garden ponds anytime soon.

“And of course pond season is always an excellent time to talk to customers about the Be Plant Wise campaign which aims to educate gardeners and pond owners about how to stop the spread of garden and aquatic plants beyond the garden boundary.”

The review has also identified a number of species which have been highlighted as potentially invasive. They are currently undergoing a risk assessment process and this could lead to them becoming illegal to sell. The species include the Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis), Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and the Chinese pond mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana).

“We will now look at all the other species being proposed for listing as invasive and would encourage feedback from members on whether they sell these species. It is very welcome that Defra has a proper risk assessment process in place to examine the evidence. This is a detailed process and it looks like it could take as long as two years.”

Also delisted is the striped eel catfish (Plotosus lineatus) although it also remains illegal until the change in the law.

Find more about what’s planned here https://www.nonnativespecies.org/legislation/species-of-special-concern/#delisting

Ornamental Fish International has announced that its Annual General Meeting will be held at Nusatic (Nusantara Aquatic) 2023, Indonesia, on July 14. 

Nusatic is the world’s largest international ornamental fish exhibition and aquatic show. 

OFI President Shane Willis said: “Nusatic 2023 is an excellent venue for the OFI AGM. It is currently the largest aquatic ornamental show in Asia and with Indonesia being in the top three largest exporters of aquarium fish in terms of export value, provides lots of opportunities for our members to meet suppliers and find new suppliers as well.”

OFI invites all current members to attend the AGM. At the conclusion of the AGM, members will be invited to stay on for a social gathering to make new connections, discuss industry matters and of course have some fun.

OFI Sec. General Mr Jonathan Poh added: “While the AGM is only open to OFI members, we would strongly encourage anyone working in or with an interest in the aquarium industry to attend Nusatic 2023, it will be a great opportunity to see some amazing fish and learn more about our industry, we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

For more details visit the Nusatic site at https://www.nusatic.id/

The British Independent Retailers Association has promised it will continue to fight for clarity and support from the government on energy rate support for businesses.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has said they will be continuing to engage with OFGEM to provide value insight into the industry on the non-domestic gas and electricity market.

OFGEM has requested submissions from stakeholders, such as BIRA, to give their views on the state of the non-domestic retail energy market as a whole, helping them to understand whether and where these are temporary or isolated to specific suppliers, or if they are systemic, potentially requiring changes in regulation.
 
CEO Andrew Goodacre said: "BIRA is engaging with OFGEM to ensure that the energy suppliers are genuinely supporting commercial businesses and making the best rates available.

"The current government support scheme will end at the end of March and replaced by one that only offers 94% less support. I also urge all businesses to speak to their energy suppliers on a regular basis to ensure that the service levels and rates charged are as they should be."

A former Director at the UK’s leading pet care business, Pets at Home, is now using her vast experience to help other pet companies grow their business.

Claire Gavin, who spent 12 years in senior roles leading the strategic development of Private Brands and Innovation at Pets at Home, has set up her own consultancy business, Claire Gavin Innovations Ltd.

“I understand the deep emotions that underpin the relationship between pet owners and their pets,” said Claire. “I believe that my proven track record with Pets at Home makes me a valuable and insightful pet retail consultant and advisor.”

During her time at Pets at Home Claire gained extensive buying, sourcing, marketing, NPD and brand development experience.

“I can provide insight and innovation on strategic growth opportunities realised by unlocking customer centric category management and private brand creation,” added Claire.

“I have an energetic and visionary entrepreneurial style, an innate curiosity, an extensive global network and a true passion for pets, pet products, pet parents and all retail outlets.

“The aim of my new company is to support and advise global retailers, SMEs and start-up businesses to develop and deliver market leading products and services for sustained profitable success.

“I can offer strategic thinking to unlock business opportunities and incremental revenue streams. I will give a customer-centric and colleague-centric approach to private brand development, as well as bringing a new market-leading vision to global goods and value added services.”

A pet accessories company has been told to remove marketing material claiming that its beds reduced stress or anxiety. The ruling against Bella&Toby was made by the Advertising Standards Authority, the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media.

The ASA looked into three separate instances – a paid-for Facebook ad, a Facebook page, and a website ad – after receiving a complaint. The complainant, who understood that separation anxiety could not be addressed by the use of a comfortable bed, challenged the efficacy claims for the product.

In response to the complaint, A&T International Ltd, the parent company of Bella & Tony, said that the round shape of their bed helped the dog sleep in a ‘donut position’ and that this is comforting for dogs. They provided a link to a website for a third-party mattress manufacturer. The website cited a clinician in veterinary medicine who explained that dogs sleep in this position in order to protect their internal organs.

Bella&Toby also said that if a blanket is placed over the bed, then this can make the dog sleep in ‘the burrower’ position. The same website cited a veterinary consultant who said that burrowing could be a way for a dog to take a relaxing break from keeping watch.

Bella&Toby understood that the thick layer of fur on the bed could remind the dog of sleeping next to their mother. They said that the soft padding gave the dog the feeling of sleeping on a cloud.

They provided a testimonial from a customer which stated that the bed was very good quality and attested that their dog goes straight to the bed when there are fireworks.

The ASA considered that consumers would understand from the ads that the dog bed reduced or eliminated separation anxiety.

In its ruling the ASA stated: “The CAP Code required marketers to hold documentary evidence to prove claims that consumers are likely to regard as objective and that are capable of objective substantiation.

“We assessed the evidence provided by Bella&Toby. The links provided were for a third-party mattress manufacturer, and a general interest website about dogs. The information explained the opinions of a veterinary clinician and consultant on the effect on dogs of sleeping in various positions. 

“However, although it provided general context, the evidence was not focused on the use of Bella&Toby’s dog bed. It was therefore insufficient to support the claims under investigation. We also considered the customer review was the subjective view of an individual. While representative of their experience, it was not the type of robust evidence required to support objective, scientific claims.

“Because we had not seen evidence that the dog bed shown could reduce or eliminate anxiety in dogs, we concluded that the efficacy claims for the product had not been substantiated and were likely to mislead.”

The ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 (Misleading advertising) and 3.7 (Substantiation), and 12.1 (Medicines, medical devices, health-related products and beauty products).

The ads must not appear again in their current form. The ASA told A&T International Ltd t/a Bella&Toby not to claim that their beds reduced stress or anxiety unless they held adequate substantiation.

The full ASA ruling can be views at https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/a-t-international-ltd-a22-1169887-at-international-ltd.html

Wagit has launched a premium package for hospitality businesses which are keen to promote and enhance their dog-friendly credentials. 

The innovative site, which appeared on Dragons' Den, is a comprehensive database of dog friendly venues and services around the UK. 

Wagit Premium, which launched this week, is a way for hospitality businesses to enjoy increased benefits of being part of the Wagit community, as well as a bespoke training course from the Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation iPET Network. 

The Dogs in Hospitality course is a way for businesses to train their employees in welcoming dogs on site, understanding the advantages of becoming dog friendly, the preparation required to ensure the environment is safe, canine care and welfare and the challenges businesses may face.

The course involves, health and safety, legislation, biosecurity, environmental considerations and best practices with useful downloads to use to support the business.

As well as the benefits of Wagit membership and training, the Wagit premium package includes a PR boost from The Animal News Agency, the world's only animals-only news and PR service. 

Nadia Leguel, founder of Wagit, said: "We are so excited to be bringing this kind of offer to hospitality businesses, giving them the support that they need in not only becoming dog friendly, but really thriving as a business. 

"The Dogs in Hospitality course is tailored specifically for the needs of Wagit members, and is a great way for staff and business owners to become fully competent and confident in welcoming dogs. 

"We are proud to be working with iPET Network, who are Ofqual regulated, and this course is of a very high standard. 

"The Animal News Agency will then step in to give Wagit premium businesses a boost, by promoting their dog friendly credentials in the media, it is the perfect way to boost your dog-friendly brand." 

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty, co-founders of iPET Network, said: "These kinds of collaborations are what iPET Network is all about. A business like Wagit is all about opening up to dogs in a confident, safe and responsible way, and offering the bespoke Dogs in Hospitality course is the perfect way to have an industry which can do this with ease." 

Hayley O'Keeffe, director and founder of The Animal News Agency, added: "We are so excited to talk to businesses owners who are welcoming dogs, and finding out their unique and inspiring stories. 

"This collaboration on Wagit premium is going to be such a positive boost for Wagit members, and how wonderful that it is female owned and run businesses that are doing it." 

To find out more about Wagit and Wagit Premium go to www.wagit.uk

Pup Talk, an innovative dog training business from West London, is celebrating after winning an award from TV star and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. 

Founder, Niki French helps stressed dog parents with fun and effective dog training, in-person locally and online. 

She won Dragon’s Den star Theo’s Small Business Sunday award in late November and was presented with her certificate at the ICC in Birmingham on Friday. 

Niki, 54, wrote the best-selling book STOP Walking Your Dog, created #dontwalkyourdogday (2nd April) and hosts Pup Talk The Podcast. She also provided 1-2-1 training and an online membership community so that stressed pet parents can learn how to effectively train their dog.

In the last 18 months, over 2,600 copies of STOP Walking Your Dog have been sold and Pup Talk The Podcast has nearly 12,000 downloads. #dontwalkyourdogday went viral last April 2nd hitting 2 million mentions.

She said: “Many dog parents are struggling with good quality, affordable training help after going through lockdown with new or existing dogs. It’s really important people are able to get the help that they need so that they can have dog that is calm and happy. 

“Through my membership, book and free podcast I am helping thousands of dog lovers. People can play effective training games at home with their dog to grow the skills they are lacking. It’s amazing to have my hard work recognised by Theo.” 

“Dog training isn’t something to tick off a list as done. Dogs’ needs change throughout their lives and having access to training at any time and a friendly community can be a lifesaver. But working 1-2-1 with a dog trainer isn’t something everyone can afford or have time for; my membership means people are supported whenever they need help with their dog’s behaviour.

During the pandemic, the dog population went from 9.5 million to 12.5 million and in March 2020 face-to-face training and classes had to cease. Millions of dog parents needed help with the new lockdown dogs.

Existing dogs also had to cope with changes like their humans suddenly being home a lot more but unavailable due to working online. And then the house was suddenly empty again as people came out of lockdown and back into offices. Dogs are having to adapt all the time. 

Small Business Sunday is weekly initiative set up by Theo Paphitis in 2010 and it now has over 3,000 winners within its supportive community. 

Theo said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. 

“My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. 

“The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Niki and Pup Talk every success.” 

Find out more about Niki on her website: http://www.puptalk.co.uk

Monkton Elm Garden Centre in Taunton, Somerset, has become the first garden centre in the UK to stock Percuro Insect Protein pet food.

Natalie Gray, Monkton Elm’s pet centre manager said: “As a pet shop in a garden centre our two main priorities are pets and sustainability. It can sometimes be difficult to find something that’s really good quality for your pet as well as helping to reduce your carbon footprint and Percuro hits both of these requirements.

“With regards to the food it’s full of hypoallergenic pre-biotics and vitamins and all ingredients are 100% traceable.

“I think insect protein is a great conversation starter. We share our planet with 500 million companion cats and dogs, who consume an Earth-shattering 20% of the world's meat and fish! 

“To put this into perspective producing 1kg of insect protein from a popular edible insect requires 92% less space, 99% less water and creates 99% less carbon than making the same amount of beef protein. 

“We are the first garden centre to stock it and the only stockist in the south region. What makes this even better our main pet charity we support – Rushton Dog Rescue – has also partnered with Percuro. 

“We are getting loyalty cards where customers will get their 8^th bag free and they also offer a satisfaction guarantee, which is great for those pet parents with fussy dogs.

“The packaging is completely recyclable which I think the majority of customers are conscious about. 

“We are also getting a screen which shows a two-minute clip of everything in cartoon form so customers can see for themselves what Percuro offer. 

“This food is also cruelty-free which appeals to customers who are vegetarian or vegan.”

Over 24,000 – dogs expected at Crufts across the four days of the show, from 9-12 March

222 – different breeds of dogs can compete for the prestigious Best in Show title

1 –  breed will be making history at Crufts 2023, the Bavarian Mountain Hound will have its own classes for the first time

200 – Around 200 breeds will be represented in the Discover Dogs area of the show, where visitors can meet and greet their favourite breeds and find out which ones might be a good match for their lifestyle

1891 – The year Crufts began

3,457 – The number of dogs from overseas entered into the show this year

Over 5,000 – The number of people volunteering at Crufts 2023 from stewards to breed experts in the Discover Dogs area

Hundreds of crossbreeds take part in Crufts, through agility, flyball, obedience, heelwork to music, Scruffts and The Hero Dog Award competitions.

84 – The number of years the Best in Show prize has been awarded.

7 – The number of times a Cocker Spaniel has won Best in Show – more than any other breed. This is followed by the Irish Setter, Standard Poodle and Welsh Terrier which have won on four occasions each

25 – The number of acres of the NEC in Birmingham that Crufts covers. This includes five halls, and the Crufts Best in Show Arena

4 – The number of venues in which Crufts has been held over the years

9 years 7 months – the oldest dog to win Best in Show, which was a Flat Coated Retriever in 2011

1 year 3 months – the youngest dog to win Best in Show, which was a Bulldog in 1952

48 – The total number of countries with dogs entered into Crufts this year

1 – The number of dogs that have pooped live on TV in the main arena at Crufts during Best in Show!

CRUFTS FACTS AND STATS

Crufts welcomes over 130,000 visitors joining in the annual celebration of man’s best friend.

Over 24,000 dogs will be at Crufts, including 3,457 dogs from overseas.

Leading the way with more entries than any other overseas country is France with 398 dogs, just ahead of last year’s frontrunner Italy (387), followed by the Republic of Ireland (333), Germany (332) and the Netherlands (307).

Dog lovers can look forward to a record-breaking 16 hours and 30 minutes of television coverage when Crufts returns to Channel 4 and More4 as follows:

THURSDAY 9 MARCH

15.00-16.00 – Channel 4

18.30-20.00 – More4

20.00-21.00 – Channel 4

FRIDAY 10 MARCH

15.00-16.00 – Channel 4

18.30-19.30 – More4

19.30-21.00 – Channel 4

SATURDAY 11 MARCH

15.00-18.00 – Channel 4

19.00-21.00 – Channel 4

SUNDAY 12 MARCH

15.00-17.30 – Channel 4

19.00-21.00 – Channel 4 Crufts 2023: Best In Show Live

This is the 18^th year that Clare Balding has presented Crufts. Clare will host daily highlights of the world's most famous dog event live from the NEC and will be joined by a team of reporters and canine experts who will be reporting from the show. 

The exciting climax of Crufts – Best in Show – will be judged at 8.30pm on Sunday 12 March and will be shown live on Channel 4.

One breed will be making history at Crufts 2023 as the Bavarian Mountain Hound will have its own classes for the first time. 

Scruffts will be returning to Crufts on Saturday 11 March. At 9am, 23 dogs and their owners will compete in the semi-finals after qualifying at local heats across the country. Each semi-finalist will compete in one of the four classes taking place in the Resorts World Arena: Most Handsome Dog Crossbreed, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Goldie Oldie Crossbreed and Good Citizen Dog Scheme, before four lucky crossbreeds will go through to the final in the evening. 

The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award (formerly the Friends for Life competition) takes place on Sunday March 12 at 5.40pm. The Award celebrates heart-warming stories of friendship in adversity, where dogs have changed the lives of their owners through bravery, support or companionship. The five dogs which made the 2023 final were selected by a panel of Kennel Club judges. Watch the heart-warming videos and vote for your favourite story by visiting crufts.org.uk/herodogaward

All of the arena action from the show will also be shown on the Crufts YouTube channel which can be found at youtube.com/crufts. 

Visitors and exhibitors alike are excitedly preparing for the UK’s Spring pet industry exhibition, which opens its doors in just over two weeks’ time.

PATS Sandown takes place on Sunday 26th March and Monday 27th March, with leading companies eager to showcase their new products and services. 

Bookings for the showpiece at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, have been impressive as more than 150 brands, including big names like Beco, Flexi, Su-Bridge, James & Steel, ACANA and Orijin, will be exhibiting at the event.

Companies like 3P Enterprise see PATS as the perfect platform to launch award-winning brands like Henry Wag onto the British market, and this year is no exception as it unveils an exciting Jolly Pets range from America.

Grant Rogers, owner of 3P Enterprise, can’t wait to showcase the US brand of innovative and creatively designed dog toys, including the bestselling Jolly Soccer ball.

“The Jolly Pet ethos is to make quality dog toys to enrich a dog’s life,” said Grant, whose company has recently taken over the UK distribution of Jolly Pet. “A strong focus has been placed on quality and durability of all the products, which should sell well to UK pet owners.”

Dog treat supplier PARK LiFE exhibited at PATS for the first time in 2022, and following successful shows at both Sandown and Telford, the brand is taking a larger stand this year.

“We are gearing up for what will be our biggest exhibition presence since establishing the business,” said owner Richard Marles. “Not only is the stand larger than last year, it’s strategically located next to our wholesale partner Pedigree Wholesale to make ordering easier for independent retailers.”

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces.

Pet accessories company Reg&Bob is making its first appearance at PATS Sandown where it will be exhibiting a range of stylish yet practical collars, leads and dog walking bags. Founder Sarah Blythman believes the exhibition will give pet retailers a chance to touch and feel her products. She’s also offering a show discount of 5% on orders taken at the event.

Another newcomer to PATS, Little Genie will be showcasing the Litter Locker, a convenient cat waste disposal system, on stand B4. Philippe Ulysse-Lai, director of marketing, said: “PATS Sandown provides us with a great opportunity to introduce this innovative product to the UK market.” 

PATS Sandown will be packed with top features, including the pbwnews-sponsored New Product Showcase, which is designed to help visiting retailers and buyers find the latest products to hit the industry. Products in nine categories will be judged by a panel of industry experts on the first morning of the show to determine the winners of the New Product Awards.

Another popular feature of PATS Sandown is the grooming programme, in association with Peanut & Pickle, where demonstrations from leading professional groomers offer a great opportunity to discover some useful trade secrets.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to register for free entry, how to reach the venue and regularly updated with show news.

As well as free parking and a free show guide, visitors will receive a complimentary lunch voucher (available to those people arriving before 10am on both days) in addition to the regular complimentary tea or coffee voucher.

Opening times

Sunday 26th March 2023: 9.30am-5.00pm

Monday 27th March 2023: 9.30am-4.00pm

Four regular visitors reveal why PATS Sandown has become a must-visit event for pet retailers and buyers.

CASE STUDY No 1

Claire Gavin is a retail consultant and former Director of Private Brands, Creative Development and Innovation at Pets at Home

What inspires you to visit a major pet industry exhibition like PATS?

I’m always looking for innovation to surprise and delight customers across the world, as well as meet new start-ups and entrepreneurial SMEs who bring new solutions to challenges that face every pet parent. And seeing all the British manufactured products makes me really proud too. 

How important is it to see all the new launches under one roof?

It’s actually pretty impossible for me to resist visiting PATS where I can see all the products and meet so many brilliant and inspiring suppliers under one roof. If you’re in the pet industry, whether that’s as a retailer, distributor, supplier or manufacturer, it’s a must attend event!

Is it better to touch and feel new products rather than seeing a picture of them online?

There’s really no substitute for seeing, feeling, smelling and occasionally even tasting products in reality. It’s far easier to understand construction, quality and size in real life and that also means money can be saved and spent more wisely on sampling.

Are your buying decisions for the year ahead based on a visit to PATS?

Often, yes they are.  

Is it an easy show to find your way around?

The floorplan is brilliant and makes it really easy to navigate the show – and helps to ensure I don’t miss anything or anyone!

Do you enjoy meeting your suppliers face-to-face and do you welcome the other networking opportunities?

Absolutely. We work in a wonderful industry with many wonderful people so catching up with friendly faces and building relationships with new ones is absolutely key.

Would you recommend visiting the show to other retailers and buyers?

100% – PATS is our biggest UK pet speciality show and I’d recommend it as vital for anyone in the UK pet industry. Increasingly as the show grows in scale, I am sure we will see more global visitors too who are interesting in sourcing some of the fantastic British-made products that are on offer.

CASE STUDY No 2

Darren Porter owns Urmston Pet Shop, Manchester. 

What inspires you to visit a major pet industry exhibition like PATS?

I bought Urmston Pet Shop two-and-a-half-years ago and in that time I have seen first-hand how market trends and buying habits have changed, from fashion-led designs to pet feeding habits. During the pandemic we have seen a huge increase in pet ownership with households seeing their pet as a devoted new member of the family. For this reason, I think it is important for independent retailers like myself to attend the PATS exhibition to keep up to date with new products, but more importantly to get a true understanding of the products themselves from the suppliers.

How important is it to see all the new launches under one roof?

Running a busy pet shop means time is precious, so it is important to have a trade event with all suppliers under one roof at the same time. I’m able to do all my new business in a shorter time period, instead of having to plan separate meetings over a period of weeks or months with business development managers coming to my store.

Is it better to touch and feel new products rather than seeing a picture of them online?

The advantage is huge. You get to see the full range that the brand has to offer but more importantly you get to feel the quality of the products. You don’t get that from a website, and business development managers don’t always have all the samples with them when they visit.

Are your buying decisions for the year ahead based on a visit to PATS?

About 75% of what I would buy at PATS is for the year ahead, and the remaining 25% will be based on what business development mangers bring to store for me to look at.

Is it an easy show to find your way around?

Yes, the show has an easy flow to it, right from the entrance to walking the halls. The show guide is always handy to refer back to if you can’t find a particular supplier.

Do you enjoy meeting your suppliers face-to-face and do you welcome the other networking opportunities?

I find it easier at a show to meet each supplier because it’s more of a relaxed atmosphere. When a company rep comes to the store it can be a stop-start process as I need to deal with customers at the same time. I also enjoy meeting up with other retailers to get not only their view on the trade but their recommendations for any products that they stock.

Would you recommend visiting the show to other retailers and buyers?

It’s a must for any retailer to visit PATS for all the reasons I’ve given. The pet trade has seen a lot of changes in the past 20 years, none more so than during the past three years, so attending PATS is a good way to help you to better understand current market trends.

CASE STUDY No 3

Rob James, of Petwork Marketing, sources UK-manufactured products for a network of 50 stores across Spain, and regularly attends PATS exhibitions with partner Mireah Sabate De Val, who owns Princeps Der Casa pet store in central Barcelona.

What inspires you to visit a major pet industry exhibition like PATS?

There is no substitute for visiting a trade show. Having the opportunity to look at, touch and feel products is vital. Meeting with suppliers, shaking hands and getting a feel for the company is really important for us because we need to build a relationship, and this is much easier if we have met.

How important is it to see all the new launches under one roof?

Coming from Spain and having the ability to see everything in one place is very, very useful. Not only is it cost effective in terms of our investment for the trip, but it is time-effective too. The alternative would be to research companies with products of interest and then organise meetings with them, which would entail a ‘Round Britain’ tour. It’s much better to have all the new products in one place where we can come together and talk business.

Is it better to touch and feel new products rather than seeing a picture of them online?

There is no comparison. Within seconds we can see if it is the type of product that would work in our market. We can also immediately assess shipping costs, storage space, etc. It saves a lot of time talking about products we would instantly dismiss.

Are your buying decisions for the year ahead based on a visit to PATS?

Yes, we have been to the past few shows, both in Telford and Sandown.  Following these events, we have signed distribution deals with a number of suppliers. We are introducing these products into the Spanish market successfully and will be back to look for the next tranche of products. We like to have products available to our members, products in the pipeline and products we have an eye on – all of this can be achieved at a PATS show.

Is it an easy show to find your way around?

Yes, the show is well laid out and easy to navigate.

Do you enjoy meeting your suppliers face-to-face and do you welcome the other networking opportunities?

Absolutely, it is the main reason for attending. What’s business if it is not about communication?

Would you recommend visiting the show to other retailers and buyers?

Yes, and I have done. I would like to look at the possibility of organising a group visit to PATS Telford with those Petwork Marketing members that would be interested in coming to the show. We can then organise the importation of the products they want to sell to the Spanish pet-owning public.

CASE STUDY No 4

Sammie Hunt owns award-winning Redpaw Pet Supplies, voted UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the 2018 PIF Awards.

What inspires you to visit a major pet industry exhibition like PATS?

It offers retailers the chance to network with other businesses and an opportunity to discover new products and ideas from suppliers.

How important is it to see all the new launches under one roof?

It’s very important as it gives us a chance to see what’s new to the market, enabling us to bring fresh, new ideas to our customers.

Is it better to touch and feel new products rather than seeing a picture of them online?

Yes definitely. It allows us to feel the quality and see the durability of the products.

Are your buying decisions for the year ahead based on a visit to PATS?

They can be influenced by the trends presented to us at the show.

Is it an easy show to find your way around?

Yes, it's always well laid out.

Do you enjoy meeting your suppliers face-to-face and do you welcome the other networking opportunities?

Absolutely, it’s so much better speaking face to face to build good working relationships.

Would you recommend visiting the show to other retailers and buyers?

Yes, and we frequently do. We believe PATS helps us keep our businesses fresh and on trend.