Pooch & Mutt, one of the UK’s fastest growing pet food companies, has been acquired by Vafo Group in a multi-million pound deal. 

Vafo is Pooch & Mutt’s long-term production partner. It took a minority share in Pooch & Mutt in 2020, upped this to 40% in 2022 and has now acquired the final 60%.

With Vafo’s financial and production backing, Pooch & Mutt has grown over 400% in the past few years and is on track to turnover £18m in 2023.

Pooch & Mutt’s founder, Guy Blaskey (pictured right) will stay on at Pooch & Mutt as a CVO (Chief Visionary Officer) as well as continuing his role on the Vafo Group’s management team. Day to day running of Pooch & Mutt will be handled by MD Paul Dennison, who has been fulfilling that role for the past 12 months, along with Pooch & Mutt’s management team.

Guy Blaskey commented: “We have been part of the Vafo Family for a few years now, and it genuinely does feel like a family. We are all aligned on making great quality products, to help pets lead their best lives.

“Unlike many corporate takeovers, this is not an exercise in efficiencies and cost cutting. Vafo has supported our growth over the last few years, during which time we have trebled out staff, quadruped our turnover and developed a whole host of amazing new products.

“The success is not just about the Pooch & Mutt brand. As part of the Vafo family we are the UK representatives for all of their manufacturing capabilities, which are the best and broadest in the European pet food market. We are working with them to supply some of the largest retailers in the country. Later in the year we have a 2nd brand launching, “Planet Pet Society” which has been a ‘pet project’ of mine to develop the world’s most sustainable pet food, based on ‘Second Chance Ingredients. Additionally, we are using our significant online capabilities to grow the group’s digital business across Europe. This is a really exciting for me, for the team and Pooch & Mutt and for the whole group.

“It’s great to see my baby grow up and go to a new home, and even better that I can stay involved and help it achieve the potential I have always known that is has.”

Petr Kriz, Vafo board member responsible for M&A and strategy, commented, “Pooch & Mutt’s growth since our first investment has been incredible. A lot of companies promise big things in investment pitches, but few deliver. Pooch & Mutt promised very big things and delivered far beyond them. The team have done an outstanding job and they will be a huge asset to the group”.

Vafo is a 400m+ eur company, with 8 factories in The Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia and beyond. They are the owner of multiple category-leading brands as well as being private label manufacturers for most of the largest pet retailers in Europe. 

Find out more about Pooch & Mutt at www.poochandmutt.com

An online fundraising appeal has been made to help a much-loved pet store to continue delivering food to customers despite it having to close down.

Poppy’s Paws in Exmouth, Devon, announced it was being forced to close its premises due to reasons ‘beyond its control’.

Now, a friend of the owners has launched a fundraising appeal on the Just Giving platform so that the pet store can continue to supply its specially formulated and popular pet food.

Lance Vernon, who opened Poppy’s Paws six years ago with his mother Shirley, announced the store’s closure on Facebook last week.

He wrote: “It is with huge upset that we write this post but sadly for reasons beyond our control myself, my mum and sister have been forced to close Poppy’s Paws. This really has come as a shock to us all and we are all so sad about this. 

“We would like to thank all our customers and partners who have shopped and supported us over the last six years – you have all been amazing. It’s has really been the best six years, so thank you all. 

‘I can’t believe I’ve had to write this post, it’s heartbreaking.” 

The announcement, which shocked the local pet owning community, led to a family friend launching an appeal to raise £8,000.

Frankie Perry wrote on Facebook: “Lance’s shop is a beloved part of the Exmouth community, so I have set up a fundraising page, so he can continue to supply his specially formulated and incredibly popular pet food. He has been inundated with requests since the announcement of the shop closure.

“The money donated will help purchase a van, so Lance can create a new Poppy’s Food mobile pop-up shop.”

Click here to visit the fundraising page. At the timing of going to press 41 people had donated a total of £850 of the £8,000 target.

Picture courtesy of the Just Giving page.

A number of animals were rescued from a Pets at Home store in Oxford after a fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon.

Three fire engines were called to multiple reports of a fire in the John Allen centre, Temple Cowley, Oxford.

Fire crews were faced with a developing fire at the rear of the Pets at Home store. Two Ffrefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire using hose reel jets.

With the fire extinguished, crews faced a large amount of smoke, which posed a danger to the animals trapped inside the store.

With additional crews arriving, positive pressure fans were used to clear the smoke and provide vital air to the animals while multiple breathing apparatus wearers were sent in, transferring the animals into potable cages, before bringing them to the staff outside.

Incident Commander Henri Ind, said: “The staff had done an excellent job evacuating the store and rescuing as many animals as they could safely. This allowed us to focus on extinguishing the fire and stopping it from spreading to neighbouring properties. 

“We evacuated the surrounding retail units as a precaution as the smoke travel between these were extensive.”

Crew Manager Ind continued: “We're also pleased to say that all the animals were safely rescued and, after a stressful few hours, are now back in their homes, being cared for by the staff.”

Picture courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Pawable has renewed its commitment to supporting small businesses by pledging to always prioritise independent retailers as the brand grows.

The supplements brand, which was the first in the UK to introduce a highly popular Collar-Gen product for dogs, sells only in independent pets stores and via the Pawable online store.

And in an announcement this week, Dale Nash, Product Development Manager of Pawable renewed the brand's commitment to the independent sector and the army of small stores who have sold the £29.99 product since its launch.

He said: "We are so grateful to all the independent retailers who stock Pawable's Collar-Gen and Calming products, and going forward independent is always going to be our focus.

"We believe that our product sits best in locations where staff are passionate and knowledgeable about natural pet care, and really value the relationships that we have with our stockists."

Pawable launched in 2022 and the Collar-Gen product has been a trailblazer in the UK, the first product of its kind, with hundreds of dog owners reporting a huge difference in the mobility and health of their pets.

The brand has also received regular national and local media attention, with pet owners sharing their dog's heartwarming story of taking and benefitting from the product.

Earlier this year the brand added to its roster with Calming, which uses natural ingredients including thyme to enhance breathing and promote a calm and settled state.

Canine expert  Anna Webb said on the launch of Calming: "We’ve all had an onslaught of stress through the pandemic reflected in anxiety in our pooches at a record high. Adding to this, the ‘cost of living’ crisis and an uncertain economic forecast is fuelling stress at an expensive time of year.

"Minimising responses to stressors can be achieved over time with careful training, desensitisation, socialisation and diet.

"The aim for a calm, trained and well socialised dog that can cope with everyday events, travelling, being home alone, trips to hotels. A dog that relishes life and the fun adventures to experience with their owners.

"If you are what you eat, investing in your dog’s diet is a cost saving! Just as I take certain supplements like collagen to help replace what depletes naturally with age, I’m keen to boost my dogs Prudence and Mr Binks biologically, mentally and physically."

Dale, pictured above, added: "Pawable as a company is going from strength to strength, and we don't want to be a company that forgets about all the wonderful people who helped us on the way up.

"As we develop our brand we will be looking for even more independent stockists, who can become part of this lovely community that has shot up around Pawable."

Calming by Pawable and Collar-Gen by Pawable are available from www.pawable.co.uk and are priced at £29.99 for 225g, which can last for between 30 and 90 days depending on the size of the dog.

Pets at Home has unveiled its Bristol Emersons Green pet care centre after an extensive refurbishment, following the launch of the company’s new brand identity. 

It forms part of an ambition to cement Pets at Home as the one-stop destination for all pet care needs, from grooming to veterinary services, dedicated to making life better for pets and the people who love them.

The centre is home to specialist pet care advisors who are on hand to support pet owners with free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, weight checks and nutritional consultations, as well as a coat and harness fitting service for dogs.  

Under the same roof, customers will be able to access Pets Grooming, a salon which offers a wide range of services for dogs, including full grooms, spa treatments, puppy grooming, bath, brush and blow-dry, and nail clipping. 

The extension to the Vets for Pets practice, also within the centre, has provided the practice with an additional theatre, new state-of-the-art equipment and two further consultation rooms, allowing the team to accommodate more appointments to meet rising demand.

Store manager Scott Brewer commented: “We’re thrilled to be one of the first Pets at Home stores in the UK to receive the new branding, and we can’t wait to welcome customers and their pets from the local community into our new pet care centre.”

Mark & Chappell will be unveiling a new range of calming treats for cats this Autumn.

The company will be using PATS Telford on 1-2 October to launch VETIQ Healthy Bites Serene Calming Treats.

Cat anxiety or stress is quite common in the feline world and can cause a pet’s behaviour to change.

Situations which can affect a cat’s behaviour include fireworks, loud noises, moving to a new home, separation anxiety or travel.

VETIQ Healthy Bites Serene Calming Treats have been developed with natural ingredients, including Chamomile, Lemon Balm and Ginger Oil to naturally calm and soothe cats and kittens.

Here are some of the benefits of the new treats:

• With Chamomile, Lemon Balm and Ginger Oil to support relaxation
• Helps reduce anxiety during stressful situations
• Naturally calms and soothes
• No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
• High in protein
• Strong new look & branding, extending across the total VETIQ range.

Visit the Mark & Chappell stand (G24) at PATS Telford to see the new VETIQ look.

A Southampton pet superstore has called for dog caregivers across the region to limit the number of flea, tick and wormer preventatives given to their pets to protect wildlife within the New Forest.   

Deborah Burrows of Healthy Pet Store has echoed concerns from The Wildlife Trusts that using traditional insecticides to treat pets may be affecting habitats and biodiversity in nature reserves. 

The New Forest Dog Owners’ Group reported there has been mass death of dung beetles and although no cause has been identified, it is thought it may be a result of certain worming treatments found in dog waste. 

Dung beetles play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the New Forest.

Deborah said dog caregivers in Hampshire are very lucky to have the New Forest on their doorstep and it's important all visitors play a part in protecting the New Forest and its habitats. 

The Wildlife Trusts issued a plea urging people to prevent their dogs from entering ponds on nature reserves due to the potential harm posed by flea and tick treatments on larvae and other pondlife.

Deborah continued: “Even though the most damaging Ivermectin-based wormers aren’t as common now, it is worth considering the long term impact of any wormer or flea and tick treatment on insect populations within the New Forest and other nature reserves. 

“An alternative when it comes to worming is to withdraw from ‘just-in-case’ treatments and replace them with faecal egg counts to detect worm eggs. Then you can treat your dog when needed. For protection from fleas and ticks, there are several alternatives worth exploring.”

As an ambassador for the New Forest Dog Owners’ Group, Healthy Pet Store is passionate about promoting responsible dog guardianship within the New Forest.

For more information about Healthy Pet Store visit healthypetstore.co.uk

Pictured: Healthy Pet Store is an ambassador for The New Forest Dog Owners' Group.

Nine veterinary professionals in IVC Evidensia Referral hospitals across Europe have recently been awarded diplomas in their individual specialisms, bolstering the group’s already strong specialist offering. 

With certifications across veterinary diagnostic imaging, zoological medicine, surgery and sports medicine and rehabilitation, the diplomate accreditation marks years of hard work and training throughout residencies, coursework and final exams. 

The nine newly awarded diplomates are: 

• Annika Haagsman at Nieuwegein Animal Hospital, The Netherlands, who has gained a European Diploma in Surgery 
• Chloe Touzet at Frégis Hospital in Paris, France, who has gained a European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Claudio Motta at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire, UK, who has gained a European Diploma in Surgery
• Diogo Miraldo at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire, UK, who has gained a European Diploma in Surgery
• Eymeric Gomes at Frégis Hospital in Paris, France, who has gained a European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Frederica Canatore at Pool House Equine Hospital in Lichfield, UK, who has gained an American Diploma in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation 
• Maria Manou at Frank. Pet Surgeons in Leeds, UK, who has gained a European Diploma in Surgery
• Simon Vermeire at Strömsholm Small Animal Hospital in Strömsholm, Sweden, who has gained a European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Vassilis Chantziaras at Pride Veterinary Referrals in Derby, UK, who has gained a European Diploma in Surgery

Amanda Boag, Chief Medical Officer at IVC Evidensia said: “We are very proud of all our diplomates of 2023 and the incredibly hard work they’ve all put in to achieve this certification. 

“Becoming a diplomate is a highly regarded accomplishment in the veterinary profession and we recognise that the addition of these specialists strengthens our entire referral network across the UK and Europe, allowing us to provide even better care for our patients.” 

You can read more about IVC Evidensia Referrals here.

Pictured, clockwise from top left: Diogo Miraldo, Eymeric Gomes, Chloe Touzet (centre), Simone Vermeire, Annika Haagsman, Frederica Cantatore, Claudio Motta, Vasillis Chantziaras, Maria Manou.

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A popular independent pet store has a new owner, a new look and a new name.

Pets Pantry in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, has been taken over by qualified pet groomer Suzanne Jones, from Keswick.

“I had planned to open a grooming parlour in Keswick. However, when that didn’t work out and I heard the Appleby pet shop was on the market I decided this was the ideal opportunity for me,” Suzanne told the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald.

Suzanne is renaming the store Appleby Pet Shop and plans to redesign the interior of the premises, with an area for fitting and measuring harnesses, providing new ranges of pet food, raised pet and bird feeders.

To read the full story click here

The British Independent Retailers Association has said June's Retail Sales Monitor (RSM) shows that consumer demand remains 'fragile' but the good weather is helping.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said the report shows an interesting snapshot into the current retail landscape.

The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for June 2023, revealed:

• UK Total retail sales increased by 4.9% in June, against a decline of 1.0% in June 2022. This is above the 3-month average growth of 4.6% and the 12-month average growth of 4.0%.
• UK Like-for-like retail sales increased by 4.2% in June, against a decline of 1.3% in June 2022. This was below the 3-month average growth of 4.3% and above the 12-month average growth of 3.6%.
• Food sales increased 9.8% on a Total basis and 10.1% on a Like-for-like basis over the three months to June. This is above the 12-month Total average growth of 7.7%. For the month of June, Food was in growth year-on-year.
• Non-Food sales increased 0.3% on a Total basis and decreased 0.5% on a like-for-like basis over the three-months to June. This is below the 12-month Total average growth of 0.8%. For the month of June, Non-Food was in growth year-on-year.
• Over the three months to June, In-store Non-Food sales increased 2.0% on a Total basis and 0.6% on a Like-for-like basis since June 2022. This is below the Total 12-month average growth of 3.7%. 
• Online Non-Food sales decreased by 1.0% in June, against a decline of 9.1% in June 2022. This is shallower than the 3-month average decline of 2.4% and the 12-month decline of 3.2%.
• The proportion of Non-Food items bought online (penetration rate) decreased to 35.3% in June from 35.9% in June 2022. 

Bira Commercial Director Jeff Moody, said: "The latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for June 2023 provides an interesting snapshot of the current retail landscape. While the headline rate of retail sales shows a positive increase of 4.9% compared to last year, it's important to note that non-food sales only saw a modest increase of 0.6% on a like-for-like basis over the last three months.

"This data suggests that consumer demand remains fragile, with online sales continuing to decline year on year. However, the good weather has enticed consumers back to the high street, resulting in an overall boost in retail sales.

"As we look ahead, it is crucial for the government to exercise caution in introducing further tax reforms, such as changes to the packaging levy. Additionally, the upcoming April Rates review should bring positive news for the retail sector if we want to sustain and build upon the recent increases in retail sales.

"It's essential that we nurture and support the retail industry to foster growth and resilience. By creating an environment that encourages consumer confidence and providing favourable conditions for retailers, we can pave the way for continued success in the months to come," he said.

The four top dogs at the Shabden Park Continental Open Sheepdog trials 'ShabFest' 2023 Double Gather Championship were all fuelled by CSJ.

A total of120 competitors vied over the four days of top-class trialling.

Amongst tough competition from UK and across Europe, Dewi Jenkins and Kevin Evans gained Champion and Reserve Champion spots respectively with very worthy 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings.

Final results were …

1. Dewi Jenkins JOCK 617
2. Kevin Evans KEMI JACK 584
3. Dewi Jenkins CLWYD BOB 567
4. Tom O Sullivan CLAIRE 561
5. Hendrik Kienker TODD 549
6. Dylan Davies SALLY 543
7. Jed Watson ED 522
8. Nigel Watkins JAZZ 509
9. Nigel Watkins THOR 448
10. Aled Owen BUD 442
11. Nicolas Annaloro RAYA 431
12. Lilas Annaloro LIZZY 375
13. Adriano Miclaucich CRIS 344
14. Jed Watson WREN 331

Young Handler Award - Lilas Annaloro

Mark Banham, who organises the prestigious trial, said he was grateful for the support from CSJ dog food who have been the principal sponsor of Shabfest since the start.

CSJ owner and founder Ceri Rundle commented: “Phil and I thoroughly enjoyed the trial and are extremely proud that the four top dogs are fuelled by CSJ."

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

An independent family-run pet store, which launched during the pandemic lockdown and opened a second outlet soon afterwards, has created its own dog treats.

Swansea-based Dewkes Pet Store has developed a range of snacks of dogs, which have been developed for the hospitality industry.

Managing Director James Bygate said: “After opening our second shop in Swansea last year we have created Dewkes Snacks for Dogs. These snacks have gained popularity and are now stocked in over 200 venues across the UK. 

“Our main focus is on ensuring ‘Happy Dog, Happy Customer’ experiences. These all-natural and long-lasting snacks not only keep dogs content, but also have the potential to increase customer satisfaction and extend their stay, leading to an additional pint, glass of wine, coffee etc. 

“As we expand, our products are now being listed with several wholesalers throughout the UK, as well as numerous dog-friendly coffee shops, bars, and holiday venues, including caravan sites, holiday parks, and ferry companies.

“The product is proving to be a huge success and we couldn’t be more pleased after only opening our doors less than three years ago.”

Dewkes has produced special merchandising boxes for new range with each box containing 10 Fish Bites, 10 Beefy Sticks, 10 Chicken Jerky, 10 Pork Scratchings and 10 rolls of 15 poo bags.

For more information visit www.dewkes.co.uk

Jollyes, the fast-growing nationwide pet superstore group, has unveiled an array of new benefits for staff as it aims to attract new talent to the business.

The firm, which is now trading from 90 stores across the UK and employs over 1,000 people, is constantly thinking of new ways to make working at Jollyes even more rewarding.

New perks include a ‘top dog’ scheme, which will run across the business. Every colleague will be provided nomination cards which they write and hand out to colleagues who deserve a little recognition.

What’s more winners will get a ‘Cat Nap Day’ for them to enjoy a day off on Jollyes along with a badge and a certificate.

Other Jollyes benefits that have been introduced include:

• Birthday leave – a day off on a colleague’s special day
• A ‘pet-eternity’ day for colleagues getting a new pet in the family 
• Wedding / civil partnership – a week off for all colleagues on full pay when they get married 
• Enhanced paternity leave – two weeks of full pay for new parents 
• Enhanced maternity leave – Jollyes parents can now get full pay for six weeks for maternity leave
• A gift when colleagues have a baby, including through fostering or adoption 
• An enhanced 20 per cent discount off all Jollyes services
• A discount for a partner or friend - after three months working at Jollyes, colleagues can nominate a second person to get an in-store discount
• Lifetime discount – after 20 years’ service a colleague will qualify for a discount for life 
• New long service award badges for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years’ service – Jollyes has some of the most loyal colleagues in retail with a dozen colleagues on the payroll for over 25 years

These are all in addition to all of the package of benefits staff currently enjoy with big discounts at a number of partner retailers.

Jollyes’ chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “Our colleagues are at the heart of our business – our customers rely on them for their knowledge and experience and love how they support the pets in their family. 

“We’re building a package of support that reflects the importance of their work and commitment to our business – part of our aspiration to have some of the best benefits in retail.

“Our colleagues go the extra mile to make Jollyes a special place for customers – and that’s why we’re doing more to help colleagues celebrate the major milestones in their lives from celebrating weddings to civil partnerships, becoming a mum or dad – and of course, getting a new pet!

“Following a great year for the business, it’s another way for us to thank our colleagues’ hard work and help us recruit the best people for dream jobs working with animals as we look to open even more stores in 2023.”

In June, Jollyes confirmed that it has completed a record-breaking financial year and now intends to accelerate growth as it brings its offer to more communities across the UK.

Sales in the current financial year broke through the £100 million threshold, rising 33 per cent from £87 million in the 2022 financial year to £115.5 million in the year to 29 May 2023. Like-for-like sales also grew by 17 per cent over the full year, over double the market which grew at eight per cent.

The increase in turnover continues through a mix of higher sales at existing stores, new openings and acquisitions, and rising digital demand for home delivery and click and collect services.

Jollyes is now trading from 90 stores across the UK, opening 13 new locations in the current financial year. It will open new stores in Swindon, Wiltshire and Belfast Northern Ireland at the end of this month.

The UK’s first beachside food van offering doggie takes on typical British seaside meals has been unveiled on Brighton Beach. 

Fetch of The Day, launched  by tailor-made dog food service tails.com,  provides healthy snacks for dogs as new research reveals almost half (49%) of owners regularly catch their dog trying to eat their favourite meals when out and about during summertime activities. 

A survey of 2,000 British dog owners found that 55% admit their dog is more likely to end up eating human food at an informal gathering, such as at a barbeque or the beach, which means less control over the nutritional intake of their pets. A further 42% claim this problem increases during the summer due to more casual outdoor eating, with many Brits admitting their dog steals from their plate up to three times a week. 

With over half (56 per cent) of British dog owners admitting to feeling worried about the impact of this on their dog’s health and nutrition, tails.com is on a mission to offer a healthier alternative as more canine companions descend on UK beaches.

Fetch of The Day allows Brits to feed their dog a variety of delicious treats, that keep their tummies satisfied, whilst contributing to their nutritional needs. The rich-in-protein Barking Burgers are served with a sweet potato bun, high in fibre and packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, whilst the Seaside Salmon Cones will help keep your dog’s coat and teeth in top condition. To finish, dogs can enjoy the refreshing and frozen Watermelon Bites - perfect for a hot, sunny day. 

Dr Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, said: “We’re all guilty sometimes of slipping our pups a morsel from our dinner plate, or treating them to something delicious just for being good, but too much human food can be really harmful. First, it’s often laden with fat and sugar, meaning calories galore and from our studies we’ve found that weight gain in dogs will reduce their lifespan.

“A little snack to us might be the same as half a small dog’s daily allowance - it all adds up. Some foods can cause serious harm, inflaming the pancreas or causing toxicity. So lay off the snacks if you want a healthy hound.”

At the seaside alone, a fifth (20%) of dog owners reveal they have had their sausage roll eaten by a dog, while 17% have lost out on some fish and chips.

This new experience also comes complete with Step, Treat, Eat, Repeat steps so dogs of all sizes or height can get their paws on one of these limited edition items. And it’s not just the treats that the dogs can enjoy - pups who visit Fetch of The Day can cool down on a reclining deck chair whilst they tuck into their cones, or re-hydrate in the cooling water bowl corner.

Dr. McCormack added: “At tails.com we know every dog is different, which is why we're proud to offer food and treats designed to cater to a whole range of different doggie needs. 

“Fetch of the Day provided us with the perfect opportunity to share with people on how to manage their pet’s diet moving forward, making sure they go through life happy and healthy.”

To learn more about tails.com and how to whip up some easy, nutritious summer meals for your dog visit https://tails.com/blog/2023/07/04/fetch-of-the-day/

Pedigree Wholesale hosted its annual supplier conference at Leicester Marriot Hotel with more than 150 guests from multiple suppliers attending for an afternoon of networking, lunch and presentations. 

The company took guests through key updates and plans of its 'Raising the Bar' strategy, which is focused on productivity, quality and impact in 2023.

Steve Driver, Managing Director of Pet Trade Innovations, said: "The supplier conference is a great opportunity to see Pedigree's exciting plans for the future and ensure, as a supplier, we are working in line with their goals. It also gives us a chance to ensure we are making the most of the marketing opportunities and reviewing the best places to invest for growth.”

Some of Pedigree Wholesale's key partners were in attendance, with presentations from Paul Lewis (Managing Director of Just for Pets), Gordon Thomas (Director of Impact Exhibitions who host PATS), and guest speakers and representatives from charity partner Medical Detection Dogs.

George Bramble, Co-Founder of Beco Pet, said: "The Pedigree Wholesale conference was an excellent event. It was fantastic to get together and celebrate pet speciality retailers and suppliers, but also to gain valuable insights on industry performance and how Pedigree Wholesale and their partners can work better together to bring the best pet products to market. It's clear that Pedigree Wholesale care deeply about both their customers and brands. Sign me up for next year!"

The conference was followed by an evening of food and entertainment with a charity dinner to support Medical Detection Dogs, where the Pedigree Wholesale teams and suppliers were joined by customers who all gave generously to the charity raffle, raising over £3,000. Suppliers were also involved in donating raffle prizes with a weekend away donated by Twiggy Tags, pet-friendly weekend away donated by Woof & Brew, a dinner voucher donated by James Marketing, and many more generous donations from multiple suppliers. 

David Bennison, Director of Speciality and Export Sales, said "As ever, the Pedigree Wholesale Conference provided a great opportunity to connect with industry colleagues, but most importantly, it gave a real insight into Pedigree's plans for the future. The information shared by Pedigree really helps IPN to align with Pedigree's strategies ensuring a continued strong, mutually beneficial relationship. It was also fascinating to learn more about Medical Detection Dogs."

Pedigree Wholesale also hosted its annual supplier awards with winners for Large and Small Supplier of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, New Product of the Year and Account Manager of the Year.

Gerard O’Mahony, Managing Director of Pedigree Wholesale, said: “It was great to see so many of our supplier partners attend. The opportunity to share our performance, strategy and specific plans ensures we’re aligned and focusing together on delivering for our customers in the specialist pet community. Congratulations again to the award winners in the evening, and of course, thanks to everyone who made a donation to our charity partner, Medical Detection Dogs, we were delighted with the result.”

Carina Evans, CEO of Podium Pet Products, was welcomed by King Charles at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the company’s achievement of being honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise.

The Berkshire-based company, whose popular brands include Dog Rocks and Be:Loved, has been recognised for its excellence in international trade.

Podium Pet Products is one of 148 organisations to receive a first-ever King’s Award for Enterprise. However, it is the second time a prestigious award of this kind has been bestowed on the company after Dog Rocks won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2016.

During the reception at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty met a diverse group of winners from across the United Kingdom, many of whom lead in their fields of innovation, international trade, and sustainable development.

Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, The King's Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious business awards in the United Kingdom, with recipients recognised as being among the best of British businesses.

This is the 57th year of the Awards and the first-year recipients will receive a King’s Awards for Enterprise, following the programme’s recent name change (formerly The Queen’s Award for Enterprise).

Carina Evans said: “It was a marvellous day at Buckingham Palace, and to meet King Charles was a great honour. Being recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise is recognition of the hard work, innovation and inspiration of our talented team.”

Carina and her team have worked hard at the exporting side of the business, which now makes up more than half of the company’s sales.

She started the company in 2006 when a family friend mentioned a fantastic product called Dog Rocks that was selling well in Australia. She was working as an operations manager for a company that owned racecourses at the time but decided to start importing Dock Rocks. The product took off immediately in the UK and Carina managed to combine her two jobs for a couple of years before deciding to concentrate solely on the Dog Rocks business.

The Be:Loved range took off after Carina found an old animal husbandry book, which contained a treasure trove of recipes to create treatments and balms to calm and soothe human and animal alike. These recipes were reimagined for the Be:Loved brand.

“Being honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2023 will help us grow the business in all our markets, and it is an accolade to be treasured.”

Carina was also presented to The Duchess of Edinburgh, who attended the Buckingham Palace reception, along with The Duke Edinburgh, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

For more information about Podium Pet Products visit www.podiumpetproducts.com