Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes has accelerated supply of wood pellet cat litter after a surge in demand from people using it as an affordable fuel to heat their homes. 

Jollyes, which has more than 80 stores across the UK, has replenished stocks and introduced a two for £18 deal on three brands after running low in the last fortnight. 

The new deal is also available via one-hour click and collect via www.jollyes.co.uk at selected stores. 

Stores with good levels of stock include Kettering, Enfield and Waterlooville in the south, Newcastle, Wakefield and Selby in the North and Enniskillen and Lisburn in Northern Ireland. (Full list in editors’ notes). 

Phil Turner-Naylor from Jollyes said: “We started seeing a lot of chatter on social media about using wood pellet cat litter as household fuel in the last few weeks around the cost of living crisis, followed by a sharp increase in demand at our stores. 

“For pet owners who simply want to keep their homes clean, we’re doing our best to make sure there’s enough for everyone and where stocks of wood pellet litter are low we can offer alternative types of cat litter.” 

Jollyes says anyone planning to burn wood pellet cat litter should check whether it is suitable for their log burner.  

Jollyes sells Pampuss, Smart Cat and CJ’s ultra-absorbent wood pellets in 30 litre bags for £10 or two for £18. 

Amazon is currently selling 30 litre bags of CJ’s wood pellets cat litter for £20.14 (price correct 20 October 2022). 

Jollyes' customers can see which stores have stocks available at https://www.jollyes.co.uk/

International pet food producer, United Petfood, has announced the takeover of Northamptonshire-based Gold Line Feeds, whose brands include Autarky, Chudleys, Gusto and Trophy Pet Foods.

The acquisition strengthens the position of United Petfood as full-service pet food producer.

United Petfood Group will take over the brands and customer base of the factory. They will house production and distribution at their current sites and move administrative functions to United Petfood UK.

Gold Line Feeds is an independent animal feed manufacturer with 80 years of experience situated in Islip near Kettering, Northamptonshire. The British factory supplies about 20.000 tonnes of dry pet food each year.

This takeover strengthens United Petfood’s position within the pet food manufacturing market and in particular within the UK. United Petfood Group operates out of 20 pet food facilities situated in eight different European countries. The takeover is in line with the strategy of United Petfood to reinforce and grow the business.

The RSPCA urgently needs more foster carers to help free up spaces in its animal centres – as shocking new statistics reveal 700 rescued animals are waiting for a space.

The charity estimates it’s spending an eye-watering £26,000 a week on private boarders for the temporary care for hundreds of rescued animals – including dogs, cats, rabbits, small furry animals, exotic pets, birds and farm animals – as its 59 rehoming centres are "full to bursting". 

In response, the RSPCA has launched an urgent new drive to recruit more fosterers to care for animals temporarily in their own homes, while supported by the RSPCA – to help ease the pressure.

The shocking new statistics come as the RSPCA's annual rehoming campaign – Adoptober – continues to shine a light on the work of the charity's animal centres, and the rescue pets looking for a second chance of happiness.  

Brian Reeves, RSPCA's head of volunteering, said: “We're struggling. Our centres are full to bursting at the moment which means we're having to use vital charity funds to pay for animals to be cared for with private boarders and have a long waiting list of animals waiting to come into our centres where they can start their search for a new home. 

“We're in the middle of an animal crisis and we can only see it getting worse over the winter months as the cost of living crisis bites. It's absolutely vital that we free up as much space in RSPCA centres now, so we've got room for animal victims of neglect and cruelty we rescued in the coming weeks and months - and more fosterers are going to be crucial in achieving that. 

“Getting pets into loving foster homes - especially ahead of the winter months - will be a lifeline to our frontline officers and the animals in danger we need to rescue.”

In total, 691 animals are currently being boarded in temporary care with private boards due to a lack of space at centres - including 120 dogs, 144 cats, 112 rabbits, eight small furry animals, 38 exotic birds, 35 birds and 102 farm animals, because there is not enough room in "jam-packed centres".

Capacity problems at RSPCA centres are being exacerbated by an increase in calls to the RSPCA post-pandemic, a slowdown in rehoming, and a surge in the number of animals coming into the charity's care - as cost of living pressures continue to bite.

The animal welfare charity has 14 national rehoming centres across England and Wales, with a further 45 centres run by RSPCA branches, which are separate charities in their own right. 

Collectively, the centres rehomed an incredible 26,945 animals last year, however:

• The number of animals rehomed is down - by 8% compared to 2020, and by a whopping 31% compared to 2019.
• As rehoming slows, the average length of stay for an animal in RSPCA care also increased; for dogs by 9.4% - from 85 days in 2020 to 93 days in 2021 - and for rabbits - from 104 in 2020 to 117 in 2021, an increase of 12.5%.
• More, people are seeking to rehome or give up their pets - the charity's Giving up a Pet article has seen page views surge by 42% already this year, compared to the whole of last year.

The RSPCA currently has 350 foster carers registered, with even more supporting the 145-strong network of RSPCA branches - but the charity urgently needs more, as these problems mount.

Hannah Hamblett-James from Treforest Veterinary clinic was the winner of an £1,000 Coolstays voucher after she completed a total of 18 hours of CPD on Webinar Vet in one month.

The competition was part of a new initiative to get vets and nurses learning online. This allowed IVC Evidensia staff the opportunity to develop their own learning pathways that they could explore at any time, rather than having to attend sessions in person.

Hannah managed the most amount of CPD out of any of the entrants across a three-month period from June 2022, meaning she qualified for this top prize.

Upon receiving her prize, Hannah commented: “I am so excited to have won the Coolstays voucher. Being a geek has paid off for once! The Webinar Vet is my top choice for relevant and informative CPD. They offer a good range of easy access courses that help keep my knowledge up to date. Thank you very much for a brilliant prize!”

IVC Evidensia are keen for all its vets and nurses to be able to access quality CPD resources whenever and wherever they want, allowing for agile learning to take place in amongst a busy working life.

The benefit of a service such as the Webinar Vet is that it not only provides a huge array of topics and courses to choose from across all species, but it also lends itself to two existing pillars set out in IVC Evidensia’s sustainability initiative the Positive Pawprint. 

More specifically, it aligns with the ‘Caring for Planet’ and ‘Caring for People’ pillars in that it minimises the environmental impact of CPD and promotes a learning platform that empowers vets and nurses to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

Alistair Cliff, who is IVC Evidensia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “Travelling to CPD in person unavoidably contributes to an individual’s greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst more sustainable travel can be encouraged, ultimately avoiding this altogether has the biggest impact. Having more choice, such as online learning platforms is a great way to help staff manage their environmental impact and also ensure a good work life balance.”

Now IVC Evidensia are looking to push this initiative further with their vets and nurses, especially as Webinar Vet are offering discounted rates for the first 500 people in the month of October who sign up. 

Those who sign up between now and December 2022 will also gain access until December 2023, meaning that IVC Evidensia vets and nurses who act fast will be able to get between 1 and 3 months for free.

Gayle Hallowell, Director of Veterinary Professional Development at IVC Evidensia, commented: "It is fantastic to be partnering with The Webinar Vet. Their huge collection of live and pre-recorded webinars allows everyone to progress in a very busy world as CPD can be undertaken whenever and wherever required. Utilising this online resource is also good for the planet and fits with IVC Evidensia (and The Webinar Vet) commitment to sustainability."

There are over 2,300 webinars available via the online service, as well as podcasts, weekly clinical webinars and CPD tracking and certification.

On the 20th of October at 8pm, there is even a free clinical webinar for all IVC Evidensia practices featuring Ian Ramsey, who is Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Glasgow University and an RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine. He will be exploring Interactive Case Studies in Small Animal Medicine.

If you would like to sign up to Webinar Vet as an IVC Evidensia vet or nurse or just find out more, head over to the sign up page here.

Specialist pet PR company Tillymint Communications scooped a cluster of wins at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards – including one for the Pet Industry Federation’s membership magazine, PIF Matters.

Tillymint Communications won: 

• Best Independent PR Practitioner of the Year (gold award)
• Best Low Budget Campaign (silver)
• Best Publication (silver).

The winners were announced during a ‘screening party’ hosted by CIPR Midlands at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

It saw PR and communication professionals from across the region come together to celebrate the achievements of the past year. The event was sponsored by Next Level Recruitment and Pitch Consultants.

PIF matters is a quarterly publication for Federation members. It was launched in May 2021 and is produced both digitally and in print (for special events and key times of the year). It has been warmly received by PIF’s members across the industry achieving a 93 per cent satisfaction rate. The next issue will be published at the beginning of December – capturing the prestigious PIF Awards Ceremony.

The development of the magazine led to the creation of a new design style for PIF which has been applied to its new website www.petfederation.co.uk.

Said Tillymint founder Alison Gallagher-Hughes: “It is such an honour to be recognised by fellow professionals within the communications industry which neatly coincides with our anniversary. It is just two years ago this month that Tillymint was established and it’s great to look back at how far we have come and what we have achieved for our clients.”

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, added: “We are delighted that PIF Matters has been recognised in the CIPR PRide Awards. Communication with our membership is vitally important which is why we brought in a specialist agency to devise a publication that would encourage engagement. It includes dynamic content and digital interfaces inviting readers to actively participate.

“We are thrilled for Alison and the Tillymint team who have helped deliver improvements to our wider communications over the past two years. There are other exciting projects in the pipeline which will bring even greater benefits for PIF members and support them in promoting their own businesses.”

For more information on PR and marketing services visit: www.tillymint.co.uk

Leicestershire-based All About Pet Health is set to provide its own label products to two new major players in the pet market following a successful PATS Telford. 

The company, which made the finals of the PetQuip Awards in the Supplier of the Year category, currently distributes the successful Naturvet (Overby Farm in the UK) range of supplements, grooming products and pet aids.

All About Pet Health targets pet food manufacturers, large pet shop chains, smaller multiple independent shops, online pet retailers and veterinary practices with its products as well as distributors and stockists overseas.

Dan Mackenzie, founder of All About Pet Health, reported heavy traffic to his stand at PATS.  He said: “We are delighted to have picked up two major accounts at PATS. Being part of a larger group, Garmon Corp USA, which is the largest manufacturer of pet health products in North America, enables us to be competitive on pricing, product range, innovation and customer service. Being part of Swedencare as well enables us to distribute the products throughout Europe.

“We are building our range all the time and our product range is very comprehensive and many items are what we call ‘problem solvers’ so are niche but very highly rated to solve problems like ‘carpet scooting’, chewing carpets, lawn burn, etc. 

“All of our products are formulated by our own veterinarians and materials/ingredients are natural and sustainably sourced. 

“Private/white labelling is currently highly popular with our growing client list. We want to become the ‘go to’ manufacturer for private label customers within the UK.  

“This is a fantastic business opportunity open to anyone looking to set up a pet business or add income to their existing business,” concludes Dan.

Download a copy of the brochure

All-About-Pet-Health-Brochure-15.pdf (allaboutpethealth.co.uk)

For further information visit: www.allaboutpethealth.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1892 821007 or email: dan@allaboutpethealth.co.uk

A major rebrand has been unveiled at Pride Veterinary Centre, the multi-disciplinary, diplomate-led small animal hospital in Derby,

Part of the IVC Evidensia referrals network, the centre has seen notable referral growth over the past decade and now goes under the Pride Veterinary Referrals brand.

The rebrand defines the vision for the future – to refocus and continue to improve the referrals offering to support the needs of referring vets, clients and their pets. 

The first opinion practice on the site has been renamed Scarsdale Vets Pride Park, paying homage to the location; Pride Park in Derby – keeping the successful first opinion and referrals services distinct.

“The launch of the Pride Veterinary Referrals brand is an exciting time for our referral hospital and team, and we are proud of the state-of-the-art service we offer,” said Managing Director Natasha Demir.  

“This is the next step in ensuring that we are delivering the best possible service to our referring vets, clients and their pets, while contributing to the continued advancement of our profession and developing the referral clinicians.”

Opened in August 2011, the state-of-the-art hospital has large wards, spacious operating theatres, extensive imaging suite and hydrotherapy and physiotherapy facilities.

It is equipped with the newest technologies to diagnose, treat, and provide the highest standard of care for patients and clients, while leading in innovative research.

The phenomenal growth in clinical services at Pride Veterinary Centre led to the appointment of Referrals Director, Mark Evans, who joined Pride Veterinary Centre in January 2022. 

Following on from the appointment, five Heads of Services were appointed in March 2022 for the following disciplines: Anaesthesia and Analgesia, led by Sayaka Okushima, Diagnostic Imaging led by Caroline Fina, Medicine led by Marc Dhumeaux, Neurology led by Annette Wessmann and Surgery led by Rosario Vallefuoco. 

In addition to the above services, Pride Veterinary Referrals offer diplomate-led support for referring vets in the following areas: Dermatology, Exotics, Feline Medicine, Oncology, Oncosurgery, and Ophthalmology.

By providing unique opportunities which are reflective of hospital and industry developments, IVC Evidensia Referrals aims to embody a culture of excellence and value and is committed to creating new prospects for staff to excel in their careers. 

Mark Evans, Referrals Director, said: “Appointing our Heads of Service and the rebrand are important steps in the delivery of our strategy for the future. 

“We are focused on maintaining a positive and inclusive culture with the wellbeing of our team at its core, and providing the high quality, stress free and caring service that our referring vets and owners expect and deserve.”

For further information please visit www.scarsdalevets.com

A dog grooming school has created a guide for people who would like to set up their own business working from home.

The Bone Idol Academy, based in Hove, hopes the guide will dispel popular myths about getting into the industry.

After the puppy boom there is a need for more qualified groomers than ever, and the guide talks would-be pet professionals how to set up their own working from home, or mobile business.

Scott Learmouth, co-director of Bone Idol, said: “We created this guide because we wanted to show people just how possible it is to work for yourself in this rewarding and flexible career.

"For many people working with dogs is a dream job, and we see lots of learners coming to the academy for whom this is a career change. We get that, and want to provide as much information as possible about the options people have before they take the plunge.

"With starting up your own business there are lots of things to consider, but our iPET Network courses, and friendly tutors guide you every step of the way.”

The Bone Idol brand began in 2016 when business owners Scott Learmouth and Jon Clark struggled to find a luxurious groom for their dogs Doris and Krystal.

The couple soon found expert groomer Ben Thorpe, who was operating a business working from home, and the trio decided to set up the shop, which has now expanded into a state-of-the-art teaching facility over two sites.

Scott added: “We know all about starting businesses from scratch, as we have done it too. It is a big deal, but with the right information, perseverance and hard work you can have a very rewarding and successful career in dog grooming and care.”

To access the guide go to https://boneidol.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-start-a-dog-grooming-business

A dedicated dog trainer is branching out, by offering qualifications for people too.

Sheilagh Goodwin began teaching people to train their dogs 30 years-ago, and along with her husband John, runs Clicktrain K9 Centre in Bonnybridge, Scotland.  There they offer dog day care, grooming as well as dog training classes for puppies, kennel club canine good citizen awards and assistance dogs.

Her work has taken her from training with John Rogerson, one of the UK’s top behaviourists to helping dogs get the skills that they need to support disabled people.

But now Sheilagh is set to excel as a teacher of people, offering Ofqual regulated iPET Network qualifications to pet owners, would-be and existing pet professionals.

“It has always been a dream of mine to extend the school to offer career training too, and now it’s finally happening.

“I did lots of research into what qualifications to offer, and I chose iPET Network because of how down to earth and welfare focussed the courses are.

“I’m really excited to start this journey, helping pet professionals of the future operate at a high standard.”

Clicktrain K9 Centre will now offer a range of iPET Network qualifications, including the Level 2 Awards in Responsible Dog Ownership, Principles of Puppy Socialisation and Canine Care, Health, and Behaviour.

The Centre will soon be offering a Level 3 Awards in Emergency Canine First Aid in the Workplace, Dog Walking and Pet Sitting for Professionals and Educators in the Canine and Feline Sector, with grooming Awards being added later in 2023 and many more courses as IPET Network releases them . This makes them the go to place for Canine career training in the Central Belt and beyond with both in person and distance learning available.

Sheilagh, who was one of the first people in the UK to run modern, motivational, clicker classes in the UK, added: “When I was nine years old I trained my own dog at a local dog club and got the bug. I have never looked back.

“There are so many more dogs now living in UK homes, and they all will need the services of pet professionals at some stage in their lives. So now is a great time for people to get their qualifications, and for Clicktrain K9 Centre to expand. It’s really exciting.”

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty, director national awarding organisation The iPET Network, said: “We are so happy that Sheilagh is joining the iPET Network family and with her high level of expertise and deep love of animals, she is the perfect person to instill in learners the importance of the work they do.” 

To find out more visit www.clicktrain.co.uk 

The Herbal Dog Co, which is based in the North East of England and provides an entirely animal-centric range of herbal lotions and potions for any size or breed of dog, has added to its Christmas offering by launching its first Advent Calendar.

A must for any dog lover, each drawer of the advent calendar, which represents the 12 Days of Christmas, contains:

• 1 x 30ml wormwood protect
• 1 x 30ml flea protect 
• 10 x 100ml shampoo
• Candy cane
• Pumpkin spice
• Gingerbread
• Baby Powder
• Coconut
• Lavender & Neroli
• Raspberry & Vanilla
• Apple & Vanilla
• Orange & Bergamot 
• Rhubarb & Rose 

These fragrance options which are available to buy as shampoos, dry shampoos and fragrance sprays, evoke all the nostalgic autumn and winter spices to make any dog smell wonderful throughout the festivities whilst Wormwood Protect and Flea Product are two of the most popular problem solvers in the range.

Each product from Herbal Dog Co has been lovingly created in the UK using natural ingredients and contains no harsh chemicals or Palm Oil.  The range is designed to cater for a variety of skin conditions and provides grooming solutions for different types of coat while the herbal powders and tonics are designed to cater for a wide range of common ailments and wellbeing issues. All the packaging is sustainable, compostable, reusable and recyclable.  

There is great variety of dry shampoos, shampoos  (available in salon size) and fragrance sprays in the range so check out the website.

Herbal Dog is a recent finalist in the PetQuip 2022 Awards being nominated across four categories including Best Grooming Product, Green and Organic, Sustainability and Supplier of the Year. They have also made the finals of the PIF Awards for Manufacturer of the Year and Online Business of the Year.

RRP £45 with £85 worth of product 

Trade price £22.50 (ex VAT) with an extra 10% off for orders of 100 calendars or more.

Trade delivery from 1 November.

For further information on Herbal Dog Co’s products visit: www.herbaldogco.com  Email:  trade@herbaldogco.com

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A new pet treat brand called Bonkers has been launched in Sainsbury’s stores across the UK, with prices starting at £1.20.

The range comes in three flavours for dogs and four for cats, and the low calory snacks include Bangin’ Beef, Paw Lickin’ Chicken, and Salmon Supreme.

Created in collaboration with leading animal nutritionists, Bonkers’ recipes are made up of high-quality proteins and are free from wheat, soy, artificial colours and flavours.

Bonkers head of marketing Anna Tompkins, said: “Millennials and Gen Z are redefining the owner-pet relationship: their pets are more humanised than ever, parented and pampered. No longer ‘just animals’, they are fur-babies, integral to the family. Pets bring so much joy to people’s lives, which is why our mantra is ‘better when it’s Bonkers’.

“We want to help pet parents celebrate the unique personalities of their pets, and we can’t wait for cats and dogs across the UK to try our delicious treats.”

Brambles Pet and Wildlife was amazed at the response to a giveaway it launched on social media.

The company offered two prizes of an incubator and hedgehog food, and the social media post brought an immediate response.

Sales director David Tracey said: “We bought two incubators to use in a giveaway, along with some of our food, and were amazed by the response on social media. 

“The post got over 5,000 nominations with engagement levels of over 130,000. 

“We continue to be amazed at the levels of commitment and hard work done by wildlife rescues, who are in desperate need of financial help and support.”

Incubators are invaluable to wildlife rescues for the rehabilitation of poorly hedgehogs.

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is urging pet owners to take action now to prepare for fireworks season..

Many of our pets’ senses are far more sensitive than ours, so loud noises and bright flashes can be overwhelming, making fireworks season a traumatic and anxious time for many of our furry friends. In fact, the 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that 41 per cent of dog owners and 30 per cent of cat owners said their pets were afraid of fireworks*.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “In 2021, in our 48 Pet Hospitals across the country we saw 1,200 animals with firework related issues such as phobias and injuries, highlighting the real impact on our furry friends. November can be an especially scary period for our pets because of this, but taking the time to prepare them for our celebrations can make a huge difference. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take now to help four-legged family members feel better when November rolls around."

Start early

“Talk to your vet if you know your pet becomes distressed with fireworks – they may be able to prescribe medication to help. Now is also the time to start desensitising pets to the sounds that come with Bonfire Night - the earlier you start, ideally at least six weeks ahead, the less likely they are to have a negative association with them. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and reward your pet with praise and a healthy treat when they remain calm. Gradually increase the noise but stop immediately if they begin to show any signs of distress – try again at a lower volume once they feel at ease. It’s important to go at your pet’s pace - remember some animals may have a lower tolerance to loud noises than others."

Use music and pheromones

“Music can be really helpful to drown out the sound of bangs, but if your pet isn’t used to the tunes, that could be a surprise in itself. Use your own playlist or try one we’ve created and play it around the house in the lead up to Bonfire Night, then when you need the music to mask the noise, your pet should be used to it. Remember that plug-in pheromone diffusers can also help to relax your pet – these need to be set up well in advance of Bonfire Night for full effect."

Keep them safe

“Make sure dogs have been to the toilet and cats are indoors well before dark – start giving them their dinner a bit earlier now so they know what time to come home. Remember, cats will need litter trays, so they can stay safely indoors. Frightened pets can go into fight or flight mode and may try to escape when they hear loud bangs, so make sure windows, doors, cat flaps or doggy doors are secure so that your pet stays safely inside. Check for any small holes or gaps in fence panels that your pet may be able to squeeze through in a panic if the worst happens and they escape from the house, and make sure your microchip details are up to date!"

Set up a retreat

“Creating a space where your pet feels safe and secure will give them somewhere to go if they feel anxious. Setting this up as soon as possible will give your four-legged friend time to get familiar with the space ahead of any fireworks. Choose a quiet room where they feel comfortable. Create a ‘den’ they can retreat into that has thick blankets, bedding and pillows which can help muffle the sound of loud bangs, cats may prefer these up on high shelves. Their favourite toys may also help take their mind off the noise."

Plan ahead

“Writing the dates and times of any local displays in your calendar or setting a reminder on your phone means you can plan to be home to provide reassurance. Knowing what’s on in advance also allows you to ensure your pet is safely indoors before fireworks begin, and gives you plenty of time to prepare their safe space.”

For more advice on how to prepare for Bonfire Night with your pets, please visit https://www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworksready

Karnlea, manufactures of bone broth for dogs and cats, has become a member of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society which in turn will present its products at the London Vet Show next month.

The allegiance is an ideal one for Karnlea – its all natural credentials and health-boosting benefits have been heralded by raw feeders since the brand launched earlier this year.

It compliments raw diets because although cooked, Karnlea Bone Broth is unprocessed and packed from fresh with high-levels of collagen and minerals. It can be served over raw ingredients in the bowl, or combined with selected fruit and vegetables as frozen treats or for portion control.

Karnlea founder Lara McCullough, said that membership of RFVS was a meeting of minds based on core principles.

“From the get go, the nutritional and health benefits of feeding Karnlea Bone Broth were picked up by exponents of raw feeding. Karnlea Bone Broth can be added to a variety of diets: raw, dry, wet or home cooked, but raw feeders are particularly mindful of the benefits of combining natural and raw products to support good pet health.”

As a Gold Affiliate member of the RFVS, Karnlea will benefit from the society’s research and independent veterinary links.

“We are keen to highlight the use of Karnlea Bone Broth as a recuperative and palliative aid for sick animals, including those recovering from surgery who require light diets or extra hydration following anaesthetic. Adding a little bone broth to water encourages cats and dogs to consume more fluid and it can also be used over lightly cooked fish and chicken to increase palatability. It would be ideal to use within surgeries or for resale to clients.”

Karnlea Bone Broth is slow cooked for up to 24 hours to extract high levels of protein, collagen and minerals.

It can be used as a supplement, treat or topper and because it’s carton packed from fresh, it maintains high-levels of essential nutrients.  No extra processing is undertaken in its manufacture and there’s no need to defrost or reconstitute to use.

The London Vet Show takes place on the 17-18 November at the ExCel Centre, at the Royal Victoria Dock, London. The RFVS stand can be found at Q12.

For more information on how to become a Karnlea stockist visit: https://karnlea.com/trade

Walsall-based Devoted Pet Foods has received a £250,000 funding package to support the creation of new job roles and develop its marketing strategy.

The pet food brand received the funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance. 

Devoted Pet Foods, which was founded in 2012, offers a healthier alternative to other well-known pet food brands and supplies products across the UK and internationally.

The company offers a range of over 30 foods and treats for cats and dogs, with its unique selling point being that its products have a high meat content and contain no grain or cereals, compared with other low-cost pet foods that limit the nutritional value for pets and increase the risk of digestive issues. 

The funding boost will support the creation of a marketing strategy to help the company reach a wider audience, build its brand presence, and attract more customers. It will also support the business in hiring new staff to facilitate its growth and expand its capabilities.

Chris Rogers, Investment Manager for Maven, said: “With pet-owners becoming increasingly conscious of the health and nutrition of their pets, Devoted Pet Foods is extremely well positioned to continue its growth by providing market-leading products that satisfy demand.”

Tom Kibble, Founder of Devoted Pet Foods, commented: “Given that there are now over 10% more dogs and cats within the UK prior to Covid, we sought investment from Maven to capitalise on the booming sector within pet food, which is premium foods and treats. This investment will allow us to expand our range and staff and we are delighted to partner with Maven who understood our business and shared our vision for expansion.”

Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, added: “The MEIF continues to support Midlands-based businesses, with nearly 800 investments made since its creation in 2017. This funding is a great example of how MEIF can be used to support the growth of companies such as Devoted Pet Foods.”

HOWND, the multi-award-winning pioneer of cruelty-free, plant-based pet care products since 2015, has been selected by a distinguished jury of experts from global corporations, industry leaders, ecosystem builders and venture capitals to compete for Food Tech Challenger Brand 2023 at the Food Tech Congress between May 31-June 1 2023.  

Food Tech Challengers provides disruptive brands leading the way in alternative proteins and food tech innovation with a unique opportunity to showcase their solutions to a distinctive panel of 30+ investors and industry experts. 

HOWND was chosen in its category from over 400 business entries from across the globe – and wowed the panel of judges that included leaders from Kelloggs, Big Idea Ventures and Danone with its complete plant powered superfood for dogs made entirely from meat alternative ingredients. 

“It already feels like a big reward to be amongst such purpose driven brands of the food future,” said Mark Hirschel, co-founder and commercial director at HOWND. “We’re looking forward to the event next year.”

Family-owned pet store chain, Just for Pets, has continued its commitment to British brands by stocking the accessories range from CocoPup.

Claire Raybould, from the Just for Pets buying team, said: “We’re always looking to offer customers something new in store. CocoPup offers quality instagramable accessories with matching designs that you won’t find everywhere else.”

Having met at school, the co-founders of CocoPup, Jess Lancaster and Charlotte Stagg, wanted to create a dog accessory brand, inspired by trend-led designs and matching human accessories. From harnesses and collars to dog walking bags and bow ties, CocoPup offers something fun for everyone. 

The dog walking bag is a best seller for CocoPu, providing an all-encompassing solution to dog walks.

Co-founder Jess designed the bag in-house after wanting to find a solution to squished dog treats and messy poop bags cluttering her pockets. The product comes with a treat pouch, in-built poop bag dispenser and interchangeable bag straps so you can match your pup.

With over 70,000 units sold worldwide in under a year, the bag is set to be a huge hit with Just for Pets fans and already has had lots of interest in the first weekend.

Jess said: “It was a dream come true to be stocked by local retailer Just for Pets. The team headed down to see the stand last week (with Ralph!) and said it was a pinch me moment to see the brand in store.”

An iPET Network course creator who campaigns for dog and puppy welfare in Oswestry has had her work recognised by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis.

Rebecca Walters runs Pupstarts Breeders, providing educational training for the dog breeding community and worked with iPET Network to create the UK’s first qualification for breeders earlier this year.

A former animal warden who saw first-hand the reality unwanted dogs suffer, she’s supported breeders to raise around 8,000 healthy and happy puppies since setting out to revolutionise the dog breeding profession in 2020.

She is also a champion of the iPET Network's Safe Pets and People campaign, which is calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals.

Rebecca shared her passion for pups with dog lover Theo, who has a Cocker Spaniel, Gladys in his weekly SBS Twitter competition, and he chose her as a winner in September.

Rebecca said: “Winning this award means our dedication to building a strong community and supporting dog breeders to breed ethically and responsibly has been recognised.

“It means more people will know how important it is that they find an ethical breeder if they want to welcome a puppy into their lives and is a step towards stamping out puppy farmers.

“Writing, developing, and gaining accreditation for the UK’s first nationally recognised educational pathway for breeders took grit but the difference we are making for dogs and puppies is so worth it.

“To have Theo crown us one of his SBS winners validates our hard work and inspires us to keep fighting for improved welfare for dogs and puppies.”

Small Business Sunday is weekly initiative set up by Theo Paphitis in 2010 and it now has more than 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 Rebecca and Pupstarts Breeders every success.”

Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re‐tweeted Rebecca Walters  message to his almost 500,000 followers and as a result, www.pupstartsbreeders.com has 500 more followers and extra orders for their educational courses for dog breeders.

They are also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

Natures Menu has launched a highly requested extension to its Real Meaty Treats range with a new bigger pack.

Perfect for multi dog households, larger furry friends, or pet owners looking to save by buying in bulk, this larger version of the already popular 60g Real Meaty Treats pouch has come to fruition after strong customer feedback.

The Real Meaty Treats range consists of classic best-selling meats including: Chicken, Beef and Lamb & Chicken. Each product is made with 95% meat and contains no grain or artificial colours or flavours, making them the perfect tasty treat for activities like obedience training. Retailing at £3.99, the new 120g pack will also allow pet owners to benefit from a 10% saving over the existing 60g pack.

The treats are super convenient to take out on a walk as they require no special storage. Coming in a handy resealable pack to maintain freshness, these treats can be easily transported from place to place. The treats can be easily broken into smaller pieces for training purposes both in the house or on the go.

Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Expert at Natures Menu, said: “The Real Meaty Treats range makes for the perfect nutritional addition to your dog’s diet. With a new, innovative, bigger pack, which make a great addition to any dog training, dog owners can ensure they are stocked up on healthy, tasty treats for their pooches. Having a yummy treat to encourage obedience makes these Real Meaty treats a must.

“Customer feedback is highly regarded at Natures Menu, and this larger pouch is a direct reaction to customers who are seeking the value of a larger pack, which to some is much more convenient and also a great method of cost saving.”

Natures Menu specialises in raw and natural dog and cat food made with quality meats and fish, blended vegetables, fruits and healthy carbohydrates - and uses British suppliers and ethical product sources wherever possible.

To access the Natures Menu trade portal, visit: https://trade.naturesmenu.co.uk/login