A pet product company in America claims to have the most dog-friendly office in the world.Kurgo is a manufacturer of dog travel supplies and accessories for active dogs, and is based in Massachusetts. The company’s dog-friendliness started right back when the offices were first designed. It managed to get hold of a massive 4,000 foot warehouse back in 2015, and quickly set to work on creating spaces that were comfortable for workers and their dogs. Workers have their own little pens with fake grass, plus a dog door, if they need some dog-free time. Meeting spaces have chairs at perfect dog-patting height, and wide, open spaces allow the dogs to roam freely. There are plenty of toys for dogs to play with, which helps with the product-testing process.
And there's even a special pet shower to wash away those muddy paws after the lunchtime office dog walk. Ninety percent of the employees have dogs, and they’re all encouraged to bring their pets into work every day. Can you better this? If so, we’d like to hear from you.
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The third national Bring Your Dog To Work Day - which is organised by the dog grooming product company HOWND - has been confirmed for early summer.
On Friday 24 June, businesses from across the UK will welcome their dog loving employees into the workplace along with their loyal (and well-behaved!) four-legged companions, all in the name of charity.
Britain’s most memorable day at the office took the national press and social media by storm in 2015. The initiative was mentioned by The Times, Daily Mirror, The Independent, Metro and Mashable - it even trended on Twitter within the UK.
Celebrities such as ITV’s Loose Women and Ricky Gervais got involved, tweeting their support using the #BringYourDogToWorkDay hashtag.
“We were overwhelmed with how successful Bring Your Dog To Work Day was last year. The reception to the idea blew us away and it was amazing to see how many posted their dogs at work across all social media platforms,” explains Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND.
“Most importantly, it was fantastic to raise money for a cause that has always been close to our hearts - the wonderful work of All Dogs Matter. We’re hopeful that this year will prove even more popular, building on the momentum of 2015.”
The day will again raise money for All Dogs Matter, a charity that rehomes hundreds of dogs every year in London and Norfolk. Businesses can donate online (minimum of £50) to take part and become a sponsor, while individuals can gift online or via text (minimum of £2 online, or £1 via text).
Bring Your Dog To Work Day also invites participants to use the initiative as a sponsored event to raise funds for charities that are close to their hearts, using the hashtag #BringYourDogToWorkDay.
“This year we wanted to open Bring Your Dog To Work Day up to businesses and organisations that want to fundraise for charities of their choice. Considering the participation rate in previous years, we think this could be a powerful way to spread the popularity of the event,” adds Jo Amit.
For further information about Bring Your Dog To Work Day visit the official website bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk or email hello@bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk
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Online retailer Ocado owns a pet shop in North London
Online retailer Ocado, which has a pet products site called Fetch, also owns a small pet shop in Stoke Newington, North London. According to the company, the Paws & Purrs store provides a valuable insight into what pet owners want...
Online retailer Ocado, which has a pet products site called Fetch, also owns a small pet shop in Stoke Newington, North London.On the face of it Paws & Purrs appears to be an independent pet store selling pet food and accessories as well as providing dog-grooming services. But, according to Ocado, the shop provides a valuable insight into what pet owners want. Ocado apparently bought the shop a year ago and its owner now works as a buyer for the company. The deal included a website, which Ocado has absorbed into Fetch. An Ocado spokesperson said the shop “provides additional avenues for us to interact with pet lovers and pets, and allows us to develop an even deeper understanding of what’s still a new market for us.”
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AQUA 2017, the market-leading showcase for the UK’s water gardening and aquatics trade, will be returning to the Telford International Centre on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October, 2017.Now firmly established as a biennial event, AQUA 2017 looks set to attract the major companies in the trade, who acknowledge the importance of exhibiting their products and services to aquatic and garden centre retailers, all under one roof. With preparations for the 2017 event already underway, organiser Annie Foord said: “I am delighted with the enthusiasm shown by exhibitors and visitors to our biennial event. “The record-breaking attendance at AQUA 2015 last October proves that the format of AQUA is continuing to deliver the audience our exhibitors have come to expect from the largest show of its kind in the UK. I look forward to welcoming everyone back to Telford in 2017.” The AQUA show has grown in size and importance over the past few years and visitor numbers at the exhibition last October were up 9% on the previous event in 2013. Added to the fact that last year’s event attracted the highest number of exhibitors (more than 80), there’s clear evidence the show was a huge success for everyone concerned. Following the event’s success, the organisers have already received enquiries from companies seeking to exhibit at the event for the first time as well as previous exhibitors looking to increase the size of their stand space. There is also growing interest from overseas companies and a team from AQUA 2017 will be attending Interzoo in May to meet potential international exhibitors and visitors. One of the most popular features at AQUA is the New Product Showcase, and in 2017 it will be given even greater prominence with a larger dedicated area, allowing visiting buyers the chance to view all the latest launches in one spot. As well as getting to see all the new products to be launched on to the market, visitors will be well looked-after during their stay, including a free deli bag lunch and more catering facilities. And retailers and buyers will also be invited to join exhibitors at an AQUA dinner on the first evening of the exhibition. Exhibitors and visitors are already thinking ahead to AQUA 2017. Simon Kilroy, CEO of KoralSea, says: “We had a great response at AQUA 2015 and have been flat out ever since. We’re already looking forward to 2017.” And Peter Carey, the Aquatic Operations Manager at Pets at Home, added: “In a time when many trade shows are in heavy decline, or being cancelled, this show goes from strength to strength. I am very much looking forward to the next show in 2017.” To find out why AQUA has become a vital date in the water gardening and aquatics trade calendar, retailers and suppliers can view comments about last October’s event in a special video on www.aquatelford.co.uk More details of the 2017 event can also be found on the website or interested parties can call the AQUA hotline +44 (0) 1892 862848. Companies wishing to exhibit should call Annie Foord on the same number.
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Beco Pets, Britain’s biggest manufacturer of eco-friendly pet products, avoided waste on special materials when they announced new staff arrivals at their growing company.
True to the spirit of staying conscious of the environment, the resources they chose to spell out the news were their own human resources, namely themselves.
The fresh recruits, all hired in the past three months, formed a human alphabet to spell the word “Beco” – proving that team members joining the award-winning firm like to have fun.
Britain’s ‘greenest’ pet product company and the UK's leading poop bag specialists, have sold more than 10 million bags to 15 countries around the world.
And a major new product range, representing Beco’s biggest project in their seven-year history, will be unveiled at the PATS Sandown’s trade show in March.
Months of secret design work, planning and a major investment have gone into the new range, which is still under wraps, waiting to be premiered at the UK’s number one pet trade event.
The London-based company’s UK and international success has brought growth and Team Beco is expanding fast as a result, with five new members.
Meet Becky Lambert, Beco’s new Nottinghamshire-based Sales and Account Manager, who covers the east of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire.
Marcia Saul, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with Psychology, is Beco’s new Sales Executive. And three new junior designers have also been taken on, Odile Stabon, Paramjit Sembhi, and Venetia Manuel.
The bright, new, talented trio, also proud members of the Beco Human Alphabet team (pictured), are the cutting edge of design at Beco, where their eco-friendly pet toys, bowls, bones and beds are all designed in Britain before being sold to 43 countries worldwide.
 Joining Beco Pets was “a perfect fit” for Becky Lambert, who owns four cats, (Becky, left, with cat Russell). Becky is passionate about the eco-lifestyle, and is a dedicated recycler at home.
Becky makes household dusters from her old clothes, turns soda bottles into garden bird-seed feeders, and is “dedicated to recycling, saving the planet and animal welfare”.
“We have got to protect Mother Earth,” says Becky. “I love Beco products and the ethos. Beco Pets is a perfect fit for me and all my friends and customers have said exactly the same thing.”
Another Beco Team newcomer, Sales Executive Marcia Saul, often visits Indonesia, where her parents hail from. Litter and air pollution are major environmental issues there that threaten to blight an otherwise beautiful country. “I have always been very environmentally conscious,” said Marcia, “that’s why working at Beco feels right.”
The duo behind the recruitment drive are Beco Pets Co-Founders, Design Director Toby Massey (pictured above, left) and George Bramble, Sales Director.
George said: “A company is only as good as its people, and at Beco we are very lucky to have a fantastic team that is full of passion for pets and the environment. With some exciting developments in the pipeline we will be looking for more Beco Family members in the coming months, so if you think Beco Pets is right for you, please get in touch!.”
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According to a new survey carried out by Dog Rocks, 85% of dog owners currently experience urine burns in their gardens and 75% use a preventative method to help solve the problem.
A spokesperson for Dog Rocks said the purpose of the survey was to gain a deeper understanding of dogs' drinking habits and the impact their urine has on gardens,
"We can demonstrate how pets and their owners will enjoy their gardens in harmony as we move into Spring, through the use of Dog Rocks.
"Generally, our dog’s toilet patterns aren’t something we pay close attention to, we simply open the back door or walk our dogs and let nature take its course.
"Despite this, the results from the survey show that we do notice the impact dog’s toilet habits have on our homes and gardens."
Overall, 237 dog owners across the UK and USA took part in the Dog Rocks survey, owning approximately 380 dogs in total.
Survey Results
- 96% of dogs have access to a garden
- 90% use the garden as one of the main areas to urinate
- 85% of dog owners currently experience urine burns in their gardens
- 75% use a preventative for urine burns on their lawn and shrubs
- Dog Rocks was most popular urine burn preventative product used by those who took the survey
- 54% pet owners feed their dog’s dry food. This is in comparison to raw, wet and a combination of wet and dry, the second most popular. Dry food often leads to dogs drinking more water.
- 40% of dogs drink more than 2 litres of water a day, leading to weeing more frequently.
- 55% of survey takers owned female dogs over male dogs. Female dog’s urine can cause more damage to our lawns, as, unlike male dogs who tend to spray in several locations, female dogs go in one area, releasing more nitrogen in one go.
Dog Rocks is the only natural prevention and cure to these unsightly urine burn marks, there is no other product that ensures your garden is kept in such good condition, all year round, naturally and conveniently.
For more information on Dog Rocks visit www.dogrocks.co.uk
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UK-based pet distributors AmPet will be unveiling a fantastic new DOOG product at PATS Sandown next month – the 3-in-1 Water bottle, bowl and drink insulator.
 This ingeniously designed water bottle and dog bowl in one means owners can carry water for themselves and share it with their pets by using the dog bowl whilst out on a walk. It keeps the water insulated and cool at the same time with the wrap around bowl.
Simply unwrap the bowl (made from insulated neoprene) from around the bottle and construct the bowl when a dog gets thirsty - pour water from the bottle into his bowl. The inside of the bowl has a waterproof lining. The bottle holds 600ml of water and the bowl 300ml. Available in blue or red. Visitors to PATS will be able to see the 3-in-1 Water bottle, along with an impressive range of other new products, on the AmPet stand A3. For more information visit www.ampetproducts.com
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Just for Pets, the specialist pet superstore chain, has set itself a fundraising target of £10,000 in 2016 for the Guide Dogs 'name a puppy' scheme...
For each £5,000 raised, Just for Pets gets the chance to name a Guide Dogs puppy and sponsor their first year until they enter one of the National Training Schools.
 All stores fundraise throughout the year by having a collection box in store as well as organising their own events. In addition the entire company gets involved in Guide Dog Week, which takes place each October.
"We are very proud of the fact that through the generosity of our customers and the fundraising efforts of our teams we have raised over £40k to date. This means that we have named a total of eight puppies so far," said operations director Kate Byrne.
Puppies 7 and 8 are going to be named Mark and Sarah in recognition of two recent long service employees.
A spokesperson for Guide Dogs said: "Naming a puppy is a fantastic way for people and organisations to make a difference to the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
"Around 180,000 rarely leave home alone and without the help of fundraising schemes such as this we would not be able to help the number of people that we do.
"A total of 810 new guide dog partnerships were created last year and we have helped more people than ever before.
"It’s only through support such as this from Just for Pets that we’re able to maintain our lifelong commitment to blind and partially sighted people in the community as the guide dog service relies purely on voluntary income. We are so grateful for the efforts that companies such as Just for Pets put in to support us."
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 Ancol Pet Products has donated a coat for Walsall Council’s ‘2016 Year of Reading’ dog mascot, Woody to wear when he’s out and about visiting schools. Woody, a three year old English setter, will be joining owner Anne Derry, English Manager at Walsall Council as they visit school children throughout the year to promote their ‘Year of Reading’. The scheme, which launched yesterday (28 January), is part of the Council’s aim to ignite a lifelong love of reading and improve literacy skills across the borough. Ancol Sales Director, Sarah Lane commented: “We’re delighted to support such a fantastic initiative by donating a waterproof dog coat from our Muddy Paws range for Woody. On behalf of everyone at Ancol, we wish Anne and her team all the success with their Year of Reading.” Anne Derry added: “We are very grateful to Ancol for donating a coat for Woody when he’s out on official business. It means a lot to the children to see Woody and it’s great to know the coat will keep him warm and comfortable as we travel around the borough.” For more information about Ancol and their huge range of products, visit www.ancol.co.uk . For the latest news, competitions and events follow Ancol on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ancolpetproducts
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Tetra, the worldwide industry leader with over 60 years of experience, has launched Facebook Tetra UK and Pinterest Tetra UK pages. It aims to make information about fishkeeping even more accessible, supporting existing fishkeepers as well as drawing new people to the hobby.
With many people increasingly engaging via technology, Tetra has taken the plunge into social media to engage fishkeepers and communicate what an easy, fun and rewarding hobby it can be.
The Facebook page will provide hints and tips for prospective fishkeepers alongside exciting competitions whilst Pinterest focuses on the design aspects of aquariums in addition to further educating new and existing fishkeepers.
Together both platforms will allow enthusiasts to network and discuss their passion by engaging with other likeminded people of all levels within the hobby.
Chanel Joseph, UK Digital Marketing Manager at Spectrum Brands Pet division explains: “The introduction of social media channels gives us the opportunity to engage and offer our expertise to a wide range of people, both new and existing to fishkeeping, as well as allowing us to have a direct relationship with our retailers.
"Our pages will also enable us to gain valuable feedback on our products and further support independent retailers by connecting with existing networks and communities to drive more people to the hobby in addition to increasing footfall in stores.”
The move to social media is a continuation of the consumer activity Tetra has been working on over the past years to drive growth against a maturing aquatics market. As Tetra aims to make fishkeeping even more accessible through digital solutions such as its Water Test App, social media is the next logical step to engage with fishkeepers and offer simple and practical solutions to help make the hobby even more enjoyable.
To learn more about Tetra’s Facebook and Pinterest page and join the conversation visit https://www.facebook.com/Tetra-UK and https://uk.pinterest.com/tetrauk/
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 New dog food brand McAdams recently launched a search in the Tunbridge Wells area to find a very special canine to be the recipient of its ‘Most Deserving Dog’ award. The local community was invited to nominate a special pooch that had gone above and beyond simply being man’s best friend.
Six year old Black Labrador, Diesel was chosen as the lucky winner of Tunbridge Wells’ Most Deserving Dog award. As a registered Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog, she visits two nursing homes each week with owner, Alan Timms, and sees patients in the day centre and wards at Hospice in the Weald at Pembury – giving love and affection to those in care.
Diesel, a busy girl, also visits the pupils at Brenchley and Matfield infants school as a reading dog – enabling children to focus on their reading and concentration in a fun way. On top of all of her weekly activities, Diesel still finds time to have fun with her owners, Julie and Alan Timms.
Diesel has won a McAdams food hamper and dog toys as well as a grooming session, courtesy of local dog parlour, Dolly Dogs Grooming Studio.
Julie Timms, owner of Diesel, commented: “I am thrilled that Diesel was chosen as Tunbridge Wells’ Most Deserving Dog. She is an absolute delight to everyone who meets her and she brightens up so many people’s days just by being her caring and affectionate self.”
Neil McAdam, creator of McAdams Pet Foods, commented: “Diesel is a very special dog whose hard work with the community has made her a worthy winner for the ‘Most Deserving Dog’ award. She has certainly gone above and beyond and we’re really happy to have the opportunity to treat her and give her the recognition she deserves.”
Natalie Lucas, owner of Dolly Dogs Grooming Studio, adds: “Diesel was an absolute star when she was having her grooming treat, very relaxed and happy. She even had a lovely play with our new rescued Lurcher! We’re really pleased to have been involved with the McAdams Deserving Dog award and treating Diesel to a special pampering session.”
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BVA strategy to help vets speak up for animal welfare
The British Veterinary Association launched its landmark animal welfare strategy at its annual London Dinner on Wednesday, highlighting the veterinary profession’s unique opportunity – and responsibility – to advocate animals’ best interests at individual, community and political levels...
The British Veterinary Association launched its landmark animal welfare strategy at its annual London Dinner on Wednesday, highlighting the veterinary profession’s unique opportunity – and responsibility – to advocate animals’ best interests at individual, community and political levels.
Just over 50 years since The Brambell Report (1965), ten years on from the Animal Welfare Acts of 2006 and following 18 months’ consultation, BVA President Sean Wensley presented ‘Vets speaking up for animal welfare’ to a roomful of key influencers, including Defra Minister George Eustice MP, other MPs and Peers, industry representatives, NGOs, journalists, retailers and animal welfare scientists.
BVA’s animal welfare strategy provides a framework to help the veterinary profession advocate good animal welfare outcomes for all animals, identifying six priority areas as building blocks for future action:
- Animal welfare assessment
- Ethics
- Legislation
- Education
- Advocacy
- International
Each priority area outlines its aim, evidence gathered through consultation and actions for BVA. Priority area ‘animal welfare assessment’ provides a consensus definition of animal welfare and ‘ethics’ emphasises veterinary professionals’ animal welfare-focus; with their principal duty being to animals, despite also having duties to their clients and the businesses that veterinary surgeons work for.
Other priority areas, such as ‘international’, highlight veterinary responsibility in ensuring animal welfare is recognised as a key objective within sustainable development and in future systems of environmentally sustainable animal agriculture.
The ultimate aim of BVA’s animal welfare strategy is for BVA, its members and specialist divisions to contribute to solutions for real-world animal welfare problems.
Launching the strategy BVA President Sean Wensley said: “Brambell’s report set in motion the now thriving field of animal welfare science – determining how animals perceive the world, and what they need and want from their perspectives - and, in light of this new scientific understanding, society is increasingly examining how we ought to use and treat animals. Protecting and promoting animal welfare is the veterinary profession’s raison d’etre: it’s a declaration that each of us makes when we become members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
“As vets, we recognise that we are part of an interdisciplinary community seeking to promote the best interests of animals and improve their treatment, wherever they are used or impacted on by people. It’s a community that includes NGOs, retailers, politicians, scientists, philosophers, economists and all the organisations represented here this evening. Vets’ opportunity to be advocates for animals may be the greatest of all those who act in the interests of animals - and we have clear social, professional and legal responsibilities to do so.”
The Vet Futures report, launched last November as part of the ongoing project jointly led by BVA and RCVS, identified veterinary leadership in animal health and welfare as one of the six key ambitions in its 2030 vision for the veterinary profession.
The President concluded his launch of ‘Vets speaking up for animal welfare’, saying: “The launch of BVA’s animal welfare strategy sends a clear signal that the veterinary profession is, and will continue to be, a considerable force for good, for animals and for an increasingly compassionate society, in the years to come.”
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 A Border Collie from Leicester has cheated death thanks to PDSA vets who battled against the odds to save her from a deadly condition.
Holly was given just a 10 per cent chance of survival when vets diagnosed her with one of the worst cases of septic peritonitis they have ever seen. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum – the thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
In Holly’s case it had developed into infected fluid filling her whole abdominal cavity, covering her vital organs.
The 18-month-old dog underwent three lifesaving operations and spent a week in intensive care at the vet charity’s pet hospital in Braunstone, Leicester.
Her owners, Alan and Jude, from Belgrave, said they were preparing themselves for the worst after PDSA vets gave them a dire prognosis.
Alan said: “Holly had been off her food and just didn’t seem herself. Initially we thought she might have worms or something but then her stomach became swollen and we began worrying it could be more serious.
“We took her to PDSA who examined her and ran some tests which confirmed that she had a very serious infection. They warned us that her chances weren’t good and we had to prepare ourselves for the worst. We were absolutely devastated.”
But following difficult operations which involved draining infected fluid from Holly’s abdomen, and treatment with intravenous antibiotics, she began to rally and showed major improvement over the next few days.
PDSA Senior Vet, Elly Hopkins, said: “Holly’s case was one of the worst cases of peritonitis we’ve ever seen at Leicester Pet Hospital.
“Miraculously, and against the odds, Holly has survived. But sadly many pets don’t survive this condition. Holly was lucky that she’s young and healthy, and it’s great that she’s gone on to make a full recovery.”
Alan said the family were hugely grateful to PDSA for the treatment Holly received: “I honestly don’t know what we would have done without PDSA, they have been amazing.
“Her treatment would have cost over £1,000, which we would never have been able to afford. We can’t thank them enough for saving Holly, it really is a miracle.”
Alan and Jude’s son Tim, was so moved by what happened he launched a fundraising challenge to give up alcohol to raise money for PDSA.
He has already raised over £200 and is being joined in the challenge by Judy and his sister Victoria. To sponsor Tim visit https://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Gray4
For more information on PDSA visit www.pdsa.org.uk
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