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Deborah Meaden, who invested in innovative pet brand Billy+Margot during an episode of TV hit show Dragons’ Den, believes the company is on the road to huge success worldwide.
Billy+Margot was acquired by Australian company V.I.P Petfoods Pty Ltd, trading as Real Pet Food Company (RPFC) from the Company of Animals last month.
David Grant, CEO for RPFC, said the acquisition represented an important step in his company’s strategy to grow internationally and enter the UK market with a strong and strategically aligned brand to that of the company’s current portfolio.
Billy+Margot's founder Marie Jones is staying with the company as Country Manager.
Marie entered the Dragons’ Den in 2012 and gained investment from Deborah Meaden.
Following the acquisition by the Real Pet Food Company, Deborah said: “I was pleased that Marie accepted my offer to go into partnership on Dragons’ Den as I recognised the strength of both the Billy+Margot brand and that of Marie.
“We worked together for three years and I've always said that this was one of my favourite investments.
“She has now joined forces with one of the biggest pet food manufacturers in Australia and clearly they saw the same potential as I did.
“With this new backing and expertise I have little doubt that Marie will achieve her ambition of making Billy+Margot a global player in the premium sector of the pet food market.
“I would like to wish the her well and look forward to following the story as she writes the next chapter for Billy+Margot.”
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New dog food launched in Pets at Home stores
Step Up to Naturals is a new food brand for dogs launched exclusively in Pets at Home. The range comprises complete and nutritious wet and dry foods covering all life stages and also includes Light and Sensitive variant...
Step Up to Naturals is a new food brand for dogs launched exclusively in Pets at Home. The range comprises complete and nutritious wet and dry foods covering all life stages and also includes Light and Sensitive variant.
The food is wheat free, with meat as their number one ingredient. There are a variety of flavours such as Chicken with Turkey and Beef with Lamb, plus all Step Up to Naturals recipes include fruit and vegetables.
Pets at Home says yhe individual products are made with whole grains, whole oats, barley and brown rice for easy digestion. They are all packed with omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The company added that Step Up to Naturals had been developed to support the health and wellbeing of all dogs by providing highly palatable, healthy, balanced nutrition.
All products in the recipe come with a ‘Wagisfaction guarantee’, which means pet owners can simply get their money back if their dog is not 100% happy with their choice.
 The full list of the Step Up to Naturals range and retail prices are below (price shown are non-introductory offers):
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Puppy (2kg - £4.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Adult (2kg - £4.99)
- Step Up Beef and lamb Adult (2kg - £4.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Senior (2kg - £4.99)
- Step Up Chicken with fish sensitive (2kg - £4.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Puppy (14kg - £25.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Adult (14 kg - £25.99)
- Step Up Beef with lamb Adult (14kg - £25.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Senior (14kg - £25.99)
- Step Up Chicken with fish Sensitive (14kg - £25.99)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey puppy (395g - £0.89)
- Step Up Chicken with turkey Adult (395g - £0.89)
- Step Up with Beef with Tripe Adult (395g - £0.89)
- Step Up Chicken with Turkey Senior (395g - £0.89)
- Step Up Chicken with fish Adult (395g - £0.89)
- Step Up Chicken with Turkey / Beef with Lamb Puppy (6 x 395g - £4.79)
- Step Up Chicken with Turkey / Beef with Lamb Adult (6 x 395g - £4.79)
- Step Up Beef with Tripe Adult (6 x 395g - £4.79)
- Step Up Chicken with Turkey / Beef with Lamb Senior (6 x 395g - £4.79)
- Step Up Chicken with fish Adult (6 x 395g - £4.79)
For more information visit www.petsathome.com or to view a video of the range click here
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Innovative pet firm seeks £500,000 funding on Crowdcube
Leading pet-tech company PitPat launched its next funding round on Crowdcube earlier this week. The firm, which turned down investors in the TV hit show Dargons' Den, is seeking £500,000 to build an internet-based cloud platform around the product that could transform the pet care industry...
Leading pet-tech company PitPat launched its next funding round on Crowdcube earlier this week.
Since PitPat was founded in 2014, the company has launched its first product, an activity monitor for dogs, which set tails wagging on Dragons’ Den earlier this year.
The retail product, which won Best New Dog Accessory at PATS, is selling profitably today in over 20 countries across Europe, with thousands of users. With 9 million dogs in the UK (over half of them overweight), and 150 million dogs worldwide, this already represents a major market.
The company is now seeking investment on Crowdcube to build an internet-based cloud platform around the product that could transform the entire pet care industry — an industry that's worth around $100 billion a year, and is crying out for the big data and insights that PitPat can provide.
The Dog Care Intelligence Platform will join owners together as a community, and form the basis of an invaluable data, intelligence and communications proposition to partners across the industry. More about the platform can be found on a video – click the picture above to access it
Andrew Nowell, CEO and Founder, said “This is a really exciting time for us as we look to grow the business through the platform we are developing, and expanding into new markets. By investing in PitPat you can join us on what I think promises to be an exceptionally interesting and rewarding journey.
“As a retail product, PitPat is already connecting dogs with their owners. Soon, through commercial partnerships, the PitPat platform will offer the opportunity to redefine how the pet care industry connects with its customers.”
Crowdcube is the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform. PitPat’s launch page can be found at: www.crowdcube.com/pitpat and any questions should be emailed to the team at invest@pitpatpet.com
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The Cornish Bed Company has launched a selection of handmade vintage-style metal dog beds to ensure pets are kept happy – even when they're asleep.
The launch coincides with the festive season and dogs everywhere will be hoping 'Santa Paws' brings them one for Christmas.
But providing Fido with a fine night's sleep comes at a cost and the beds have price tags starting at £895 and costing up to £1,500.
The idea came about after the factory decided to make a miniature version of its beds to show its customers how they were constructed.
Garry Smith, from Cornish Bed Company, said: "People loved it and wanted to order them for their pets, so we developed the dog bed range as a result.
"The dog beds are made using exactly the same methods and materials as our human-sized beds.
"All are made to order, so it really is possible for us to make a brass, iron or nickel dog bed to the perfect size of your pet, whether it's for a Jack Russell or Great Dane."
Any style is available on request, including four poster and day beds. The beds include an upholstered base made from wood and coconut fibres.
Every metal dog bed is built to last and can be personalised for the pooch in your life and the joints on all beds are hand poured using traditional gravity casting, and each bed is imprinted with a unique identification number.
For more information on the Cornish Bed Company and their range visit www.cornishbeds.co.uk or email sales@cornishbeds.co.uk
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Animology has added to its multi-award winning product range by launching its first ever range of pet beds – Animology Crash Pads.
Crash Pads are the latest offering from Group55’s flagship brand. Available in medium and large, the Animology pet beds are hair, water and odour resistant with heavy duty, wipe clean, removable covers in ‘on trend’ colours.
The team at Animology chose a bean bag filling over other more common options as they believe bean bags offer superior comfort and long lasting support.
Group55’s Managing Director, Stephen Turner, commented: “The last thing the pet world needed was another pet bed supplier. However, I am thrilled that our innovative, eye catching Crash Pads have proven to be so popular, having completely sold out of our initial stock holding during PATS.
"No matter which direction we take Animology, it seems that our brand loyalty transfers to new market sectors; which is massively encouraging as we have our biggest ever NPD launch program set for 2017.”For more information, or to order visit www.animology.co.uk. Alternatively email sales@group55.co.uk. Pictured: Wilson, resident dog at Animology HQ, tests out a medium light green bed.
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It’s not every day a fledging pet food pioneer is mentioned in the same breath as such British foodie luminaries as Heston & Waitrose...but that is actually what has happened to award-wiining Cotswold RAW.
It’s no exaggeration to say that 2016 has already been a fantastic year for rural start-up, Cotswold RAW.
Sales are buoyant, new listings plentiful and this summer’s ever-expanding County Show tour provided yet further proof that the ever expanding ‘raw’ portfolio are perfectly placed to broaden yet further the appeal of artisanal pet food offerings.
Better than that, Cotswold’s debut at the prestigious PATS pet show this September provided the perfect stage to win their first national award - Pet Quip’s Best Innovation 2016 And yet, despite all these incredible ‘feather in cap’ highlights nothing quite prepared the Cotswold team for the cacophony of phone calls that engulfed Cotswold HQ the day Heston launched his latest Waitrose seasonal offer, which by a complete quirk of fate arrived in stunning packaging that married human bodies with animal heads, a look a little reminiscent of our treasured brand custodian Butcher’s Dog. According to co-founder, Mark Lewis, "Naturally we’re flattered by any coincidence that aligns our fledgling brand with food legends like Waitrose & Heston.
"Amalgamating human and animal characteristics is of course nothing new, a timeless style that harks back to Victorian times and that has been adopted by many of prestige propositions over the years (e.g. Speckled Hen’s dapper country gentleman fox).
"Great minds clearly think alike which is why if Heston ever wanted to expand his recipe repertoire expertise to rustic raw sausages for dogs we’d be proud to work alongside him."
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A pet shop owner has been prosecuted for failing to ensure he was managing and disposing of his business waste legally.
Chris Jones of Cross St, Wetherby, the former proprietor at The Wetherby Pet Store which is now closed, was fined £385 and must pay £695 costs and a £38 victim surcharge after being found guilty of 4 offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Mr Jones failed to turn up to two previous court hearings which resulted in him being arrested and bailed to attend court on 18 October 2016.
Environmental action officers received complaints in August 2015 that waste from Wetherby Pet Store was being illegally deposited in skips belonging to Wetherby Town Hall.
As the waste was clearly labelled as coming from the local pet store, environmental action officers served a legal notice Mr Jones requiring him to produce his business waste contract.
The legal notice wasn't complied with so a £300 fixed penalty notice was issued to Jones.
At the same time, Jones was served another legal notice requiring him to obtain a bin and have regular waste collections so he could dispose of his business waste legally.
Even after this notice was served, officers noted several instances where loose waste was found at the rear of the premises.
Mr Jones failed the pay the fixed penalty notice.
He also failed to comply with the second legal notice and did not have a contract in place for his business waste.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: "Businesses need to be really clear that they have a duty of care when it comes to how they dispose of their rubbish.
"Any reputable business - large or small - will ensure that the rubbish produced as they go about their daily work is disposed of properly and safely and does not create a blight for other business owners and members of public.
"Disposing of your business waste in a lazy and selfish way could ultimately end up hitting your bottom line and reputation when you end up in court."
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A crematorium owner who duped customers into thinking their pets had been cremated – when they were actually being stored in freezers – has been spared jail.
Allan McMaster, who owns Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Gnosall, Staffs, claimed to have cremated a horse when he hadn't and was this week handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting making a false representation and three animal by-product offences involving three other dead horses.The convictions come less than a year after the 52-year-old admitted duping customers into thinking their pets had been cremated, when their bodies were actually being stored in freezers at the crematorium. Cats, dogs and an iguana were found stored in chest freezers, even though their bodies had supposedly been returned to their owners. The crematorium was described as like 'something out of a horror movie' by District Judge Jack McGarva, who ordered McMaster to pay £6,345 in costs and compensation after the crematorium owner pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud and four counts of failing to comply with regulations regarding horse carcasses in November 2015. Despite his crimes last year, McMaster was allowed to carry on his business - a decision which was slammed by the The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria. Stephen Mayles, vice chairman of the association, said at the time: "For the life of me, I can’t understand why Mr McMasters has been allowed to carry on his business. The sentence was ridiculously lenient." And now, 11 months after last appearing in court, McMaster has been sentenced at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, 250 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation to deal with his behaviour and fined £2,000. County Councillor Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Issues, said: “Mr McMaster was in a position of trust, and he has let down the people he was supposed to be helping. “I think it is clear that the business being operated by McMaster has had serious issues, nevertheless, there is no excuse for betraying the trust of customers, and failing to keep accurate records. “We will also seek to prosecute people who flout the law and don’t adhere to regulations.”
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Skinner’s appoint new Managing Director
Skinner’s has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director from November 1. Current Finance Director, Lee Phillips, will take over the reins from outgoing MD Greg Panter who is stepping down after 16 years...
 Skinner’s has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director from November 1. Current Finance Director, Lee Phillips, will take over the reins from outgoing MD Greg Panter who is stepping down after 16 years.
Lee joined Skinner’s in February 2002 as their Financial Controller and became Finance Director in 2008. Throughout his time at Skinner’s he has, by his own admission, worn a number of ‘hats’ and has gained experience in IT, HR, Telecoms, Haulage, Key Accounts and looked after Customer Services. All of this he feels stands him in good stead for his new role and on his first day as MD he sees it pretty much as ‘business as usual’ but with a different title.“I am so proud to have been chosen to succeed Greg at the helm of such a friendly, inspiring company," said Lee. "Every single employee – from the outgoing MD, Greg, through to the reception team - shares the same passion for the brand and the love of their customers.“ The very first thing he plans on doing in his new role is grabbing his usual cup of coffee at the start of the day and stresses that this is a case of ‘Evolution not Revolution’.
Lee certainly doesn’t underestimate the amount of ‘evolving’ he needs to manage at Skinner’s even during his first 12 months. In fact his first significant task is likely to be to oversee the launch of Skinner’s major new range, due to hit shelves in early 2017.
This launch is a key step in helping grow the Skinner’s brand throughout the pet sector, which is a primary objective moving forward. His longer term vision for the company is to become a major, recognised pet brand – hopefully to equal the company's top spot in the working dog food sector.
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Pets at Home stores across the country are offering local Brownie groups free workshops to help members gain their Friend to Animals badge.
Young people can attend workshops, created especially for Brownies at their local Pets at Home store, where they will receive advice from trained in-store colleagues on how to care for pets responsibly. They will then receive free workbooks to help record the advice, which has been created with the Brownie badge requirements in mind.
To work towards getting their badges, Brownies will learn about the five welfare needs of animals - shelter, food and water, good health, appropriate company and the right living environment.
They will also learn how to care for small animals, fish and insects, and understand the correct types, varieties and quantities of food to feed them. They can find out about the right habitats for the animals they meet, where they sleep and how to ensure they get the appropriate level of exercise. In addition they will learn how to keep animals healthy and recognise common illnesses.
A Pets at Home spokesperson said: “Our friendly colleagues are always happy to share their extensive knowledge of pet care. The free workshops and workbooks will help local Brownies find out all the information they need to achieve some of their badge activity tasks, teaching them how to care for pets responsibly.”
To obtain a badge, Brownies must complete a number of tasks, which can include making an informative poster about their favourite pet, helping a pet charity, or creating a quiz about endangered animals.
For further information on booking a free workshop please contact the manager of your local Pets at Home store by visiting http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/store-locations
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Skinner’s Pet Foods sponsors point-to-point races
Skinner’s Pet Foods has announced a new sponsorship agreement with The Point-to-Point Authority, which involves a series of 20 races to be known as The Skinner’s Pet Foods Ladies Open Point-to-Point Series...
SkinnSkinner’s Pet Foods has announced a new sponsorship agreement with The Point-to-Point Authority, which involves a series of 20 races to be known as The Skinner’s Pet Foods Ladies Open Point-to-Point Series.
Clare Hazell, Chief Executive of The Point-to-Point Authority, was quick to welcome the new sponsor. “On behalf of The Point-to-Point Authority, I am delighted to welcome Skinner’s as a new sponsor for the coming season and thank them for their generous support.
"We can now look forward to the 20 exciting Ladies Open qualifiers to be contested nationwide, building up to the Final at Stratford in June. Sponsors are such important partners to our sport and we will be working alongside Skinner’s to get them embedded in Pointing to make this investment a great success all round.”
The name Skinner’s has always been connected with working dog food and in particular gundogs but its popularity has spread in recent years due to its high quality and increased availability throughout the retail sector. Skinner’s Field & Trial is now firmly established not only as a working dog food but also as a premium pet brand and there is a major new range due to launch early in 2017.
As a company Skinner’s will be found connected to many country and canine events throughout the year, but this is the first time they’ve sponsored anything purely equine.
“I’ve spent my life around horses in one way or another," said William Delamore, Skinner’s Sales & Marketing Director, "and now my children have their own ponies we look set to spend more time as a family around these type of events.
"It has always struck me that people who own horses often have dogs and so it was a natural progression for Skinner’s to support one of the Point-to-Point Authority’s series."
The Skinner’s Pet Foods Ladies Open Point-to-Point Series is open to any horse and begins with a fixture in Cottenham near Cambridge at the end of November and culminates in a final Hunter Chase at Stratford in June.
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