The PAW Report claimed that millions of pets were more aggressive, overweight and misunderstood than ever due to fundamental gaps in pet owners’ animal knowledge.

"I am not convinced that this report is not tainted and biased towards the enormous controls of the pet industry by the vets themselves," said Stan.

"I am not sure that this report hits the areas where our pets, and especially dogs, are being let down.

"It is my strong belief, backed up by research, that the very profession that was involved in the creation of this report, has been culpable in creating some of the medical problems they speak about. 

"What it fails to achieve is point the blame from some of these major problems in the right direction.

"Let's take vaccinations. The majority of our pets and especially dogs are being over-vaccinated. This fact becomes more apparent when you look at the vaccination manufacturers' guidelines. These state that vaccines should be administered every three years - not yearly as most vets are doing.

"There is a massive ground swell and knowledge base, that suggest over-vaccination is causing major health problems with our dogs' immune systems. Dogs are becoming very ill and in some cases dying as their immune system breaks down."

Stan added that neutering was another issue that needed careful consideration.

"The PAW Report is also recommending neutering, but it does not say when this should be done. Yet the authors of this report state dogs are getting behavioural problems," he said. "Is there any wonder this is happening, when vets and welfare organisations are neutering puppies as young as six weeks of age?

"Not only does early neutering cause behavioural problems it also causes physical problems because of the reduction and removal of important hormones. Do these organisations imagine that nature gave these hormones as additional extras?

"All mammals are born with various hormones. Three of the most important ones are Oestrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone. All dogs male and female have these hormones – by what degree each hormone is present determines the sex of the animal.

"These are commonly called sex hormones, and are related to reproduction. However, they also play a very important role in other aspects of the animal’s well being. They allow and create physical, social, and behavioural maturity.

"Without these hormones the dogs, if immature when the operation is carried out, may not behaviourally and physically reach full maturity. Both physiological and psychological problems may occur because of these early invasive operations.

"Obesity is a major problem. Yet it is a known fact that neutering slows down the dogs metabolism that causes obesity.

"I am not against neutering. However, I am against it at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons.

"Some of what the PDSA has said hits the mark, but they need to look closer at the reasons for some of the problems that are arising. Instead of blaming the owner all the time look a little closer at the person that's pointing the finger."

You can read more from Stan Rawlinson by visiting his website www.doglistener.co.uk

Visitors to PATS Sandown will be able to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points if they attend a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial.

The CPD points will go towards the ongoing development of Suitably Qualified People (SQP) working in the pet industry. An SQP is registered with the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), and is allowed to prescribe and/or supply certain medicines.

The Merial seminar at PATS Sandown on ‘Why understanding fleas and flea control is important for your business’ is AMTRA-accredited, and CPD points will be earned by visitors who register beforehand and then attend the talk.

The seminar is being given by Tanya Leslie, technical manager for Merial’s Frontline Spot On product, and those wishing to attend and earn CPD points need to pre-book their place. There are a limited number of places available on a first-come-first-served basis so it’s advisable to register online immediately at www.patshow.co.uk/merial/

Tanya will be giving a seminar on both days of PATS Sandown (Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20). Each talk will start at 2.20pm and is scheduled to last 40 minutes.

As well as the Merial seminar there’s an impressive list of other talks planned for Sandown, designed to give visitors valuable advice on how they can improve their business.

Justin Heaton from Burgess Petcare will be discussing ways to drive sales in the small animal category while Chris Collier from Mars Petcare will give an insight into understanding your shoppers.

With internet shopping becoming more popular, Guy Blaskey, of Pooch & Mutt, will suggest how pet stores can thrive in the internet age. And Intelligent Retail’s David Mackley will be offering advice on getting more online visitors by using the latest Google changes to their advantage.

For those pet shop owners thinking of selling reptiles for the first time, Repta’s Chris Newman will be giving an introduction into responsible reptile retailing.

Apart from the Merial seminar, visitors can simply turn up for the talks as they don’t have to be pre-booked.

As well as this free programme of seminars there will be so much more to see and talk about at PATS Sandown with over 160 exhibitors packing the Surrey and Esher Halls.

Visitors are now being urged to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk.  Other benefits include free parking, free catalogue, dog grooming demonstrations and many special offers. The PATS hotline is +44 (0)1892 862848.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association has hit back at a report from an American University which claimed that people who kept tropical fish were at risk from bacterial infections and life-threatening diseases.

The study discovered a ‘disturbing’ amount of tropical fish were already resistant to antibiotics.

This meant fish being transported from foreign countries were carrying bacterial infections that cannot be treated and can spread to humans.

OATA responded by issuing the following statement:

"Humans do run the risk of picking up diseases from all sorts of activities in everyday life and we should all be encouraged to follow good hygiene practises, such as washing our hands thoroughly, to help cut down on the risk of picking these up.

"So diseases can pass from animals to humans, known as zoonoses, but it’s rare from ornamental fish and following good hygiene practises should further minimise the risk.

"And unfortunately the resistance to antibiotics is not a new issue for the aquatic industry and the indiscriminate use of these drugs without proper veterinary supervision in other countries is of real concern.

"There are big discrepancies across the world on how easily antibiotics are available over the counter which contributes to this problem. In this country, antibiotics must only be prescribed by vets who are directly supervising the treatment of the fish.

"Keeping tropical fish is a great hobby and we hope people aren’t put off this fascinating pastime. With a little careful thought, good hygiene practises and buying from reputable retailers, such as those who are members of OATA, people can enjoy their fish without great problems."

OATA's advice when handling fish is:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after working with fish.
• Always cover open wounds with a waterproof bandage and wear rubber or plastic gloves of a suitable length.
• Do not prime water siphons by mouth.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while working on your aquarium or pond.
• Do not wash nets and equipment in sinks intended for human use.
• Immuno-suppressed persons (infected with HIV or receiving chemotherapy) should not handle potentially infected materials.
• Wash and disinfect contaminated work surfaces regularly.

Town & Country Pefoods Ltd, makers of HiLife, has launched a new ultra premium pouch dog food called Spoil Me!  

Spoil Me! is a range of natural recipes created specifically with smaller dogs in mind. There are four 100g pouches to choose from – Flaked Chicken with Beef in Jelly; Flaked Chicken with Vegetables in Jelly; Chicken with Beef, Rice, Beans, Carrots & Peas in Broth; and Chicken with Tuna, Rice, Beans, Carrots & Peas in Broth.

Peter Parkinson, Marketing Director at Town & Country Petfoods comments:  “Our new HiLife Spoil Me! range is targeted at the growing number of smaller dogs which are increasing in popularity.

"This sector is currently dominated by aluminium trays in portion sizes that are often too large for many toy dogs and smaller breeds so we are offering consumers another option and a healthier way of feeding their dog. 

"The ‘parent/child’ relationship between owners and their smaller dogs is stronger than that with larger dogs so this natural, ultra-premium range with its impactful packaging, will have high appeal for those customers who really want a special way to spoil their pooch.”

For more information visit www.hilifepet.co.uk

Hollings has added two new products to its dog treat range – Prime Chicken Fillets 100g and Prime Duck Fillets 100g... 

Packaged in a resealable bag, the products come in a shelf-ready display box of 10.

Hollings Prime Chicken & Prime Duck Fillets are low in fat and high in protein, making them an excellent treat or reward for any dog.

Healthy and 100% natural, the fillets are handcut from the finest quality meat.

For further information email info@hollings.uk.com or call 01756 798116.

To celebrate the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, Castle Gardens in Sherborne will present a new birdhouse and feeder to the bird-lover who spots and records the most varieties during the event which takes place on January 26-27.

To help with record-keeping, Birdwatch counting sheets are available from Castle Gardens, online at www.thegardeneronline.co.uk or www.rspb.org.uk

Completed forms need to be back at Castle Gardens by Sunday, February 3, when the winner will be selected after the number of bird varieties is confirmed.  

Mike Burks, from Castle Gardens, comments: “The recent cold weather has made more people aware of birds and that’s brilliant but it’s important to keep bird feeders topped up and clear of any snow so that birds can spot the food and reach it without using loads of energy.

"As gardeners already know, birds are like an unpaid army of natural pest controllers and they come every day if they feel welcome! The fact that they are a delight to watch is just an added bonus."

“We want to support the RSPB event and encourage people to take part in such an important recording of Britain’s birds,” said Mike.

Detectives are to review the unsolved murder of a 76-year-old man found dead in a pet shop basement 20 years ago.

The body of Arthur Brumhill was discovered at the pet and garden shop where he worked in Northampton on January 21 1993.

Northamptonshire police are hoping new light will be shed on existing evidence by advances in forensics testing.

Mr Brumhill's daughter Sue Blake said: "Not a day goes by when I don't think of him."

A small amount of cash and a tyre lever were taken from the pet and garden centre in Wellingborough Road at the time of the death.

Det Insp Louise Hemingway said a number of items had been sent off for testing.

"Unfortunately not every murder is immediately solvable, but our commitment to bringing the offender to justice remains as strong as it did 20 years ago," she said.

"We never forget that behind every murder there is a family who continue to live with the trauma and pain such a death brings.

"Sadly, with Arthur's case remaining unsolved, his family have not had the opportunities to find the closure that most other families have."

Mrs Blake said her father's death had been "brutal" adding: "If anybody has any information they have been withholding over the past two decades for whatever reason, please, please come forward."

Picture caption: Arthur Brumhill with daughter Sue Blake, who said she thinks of him daily.

'Bella' has been revealed as the most popular pet name...

The research, carried out by Veterinary Pet Insurance, lists 'Bella' as the most common name for both dogs as cats – a result that is in part attributed to the success of the 'Twilight' franchise, whose protagonist is Bella Swan.

Using their database of approximately 485,000 pets, the company posted what they found to be the owners' top choices.

The top 10 pet names were:

Dogs
1. Bella
2. Bailey
3. Max
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Daisy
8. Maggie
9. Charlie
10. Sophie

Cats
1. Bella
2. Max
3. Chloe
4. Oliver
5. Lucy
6. Smokey
7. Shadow
8. Tiger
9. Charlie
10. Tigger

Gardeners will soon be thinking about bringing their ponds back to life so retailers should start stocking up on products like Colombo Bactuur water treatements.

During the winter months bacteria in a pond filter will die down or become dormant. It is essential to get the bacteria population restarted in the Spring to create a healthy pond environment in which fish and other aquatic life can thrive. 

Colombo has a range of products to help get a biological filter up to speed as well as decomposing sludge and organic waste.

Bactuur Filterstart contains live nitrifying bacteria (800million bacteria per ml), essential for starting a biological filter and for use after filter cleaning and maintenance.

Bactuur Clean contains a high concentration of heterotrophic bacteria (over 200million bacteria per ml). The bacteria in Bactuur Clean will quickly and effectively decompose sludge which has accumulated in the filter and on the bottom of the pond. As well as being unsightly, sludge adversely affects bacteria growth in the filter and general pond environment.

Bactuur Activator is a vegetable catalyst which contains essential nutrients to activate and improve the performance of bacteria in Bactuur Filterstart and Bactuur Clean. The use of Bactuur Activator accelerates the start up of new filters when combined with Bactuur Filterstart.

Supplied in high quality packaging with clear instructions for use Colombo Bactuur water treatments are available in 500ml, 1,000ml and 2,500ml packs.

Colombo have been manufacturing aquarium water treatments for over 30 years and have a comprehensive range of products to deal with all water quality and fish health problems.  

For more information about Colombo Bactuur water treatments contact Pedigree Aquatic Wholesale on 0115 982 3900 or Aquadistri on 01767 677075.

Pets at Home have reported soaring sales of dog coats, scarves and booties as owners tried to protect their animals from the snow and icy conditions.

The petcare retailer, which operates more than 300 stores across the UK, said “pet fashion” sales had leapt by 131 per cent week-on-week, with coats said to have been driving trade.

Peter Pritchard, commercial director at Pets at Home, said: “We’ve seen an unprecedented demand for products designed to keep pets warm in this sudden freezing weather. Old, small or short-haired dogs can feel the cold more than others.”

A pet shop owner has spoken of her "nightmare" after four pedigree puppies worth nearly £2,000 were stolen during a late night smash and grab raid at her shop.

Thieves are believed to have used a van to smash through the door of Belvedere Pets and Flowers before grabbing the tiny puppies as they slept in their cages overnight.

Devastated shop owner Sheri Poole (pictured above) was alerted by a neighbouring business at 6.45am on January 16.

"I found the door smashed in and dogs taken, it was a nightmare - really horrible," said Sheri.

The pairs of Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers were on sale for £475 and £460 each respectively.

Mrs Poole, 55, who has run the shop for eight years, said: "You can pay anything up to £600 each for them.

"Shih Tzu’s are more in demand than Westie’s. I’ve heard about them being stolen in parks around Bexley.

"If the thieves do try to sell them and you notice the sellers are slightly suspicious, they might be returned."

Around £350 in cash was also taken from the pet shop.

Acting Detective Superintendent Gary Holmes from Bexley CID said: "With help from the public the puppies will be found and go to caring owners.

"Burglary is a top priority for Bexley and we will use all necessary methods available to us to ensure we keep burglars off our streets."

Anyone with information should call Bexley burglary and robbery squad on 020 8284 9248.

ORIJEN has reformulated its dry pet food range using a new 'Whole Prey' concept, incorporating not only fresh muscle meat but also organ meat, cartilage and marrow, to mirror the freshness and variety of meats that dogs and cats would naturally hunt in the wild. 

In the new formulation, across the full range of foods, the top 11-17 ingredients are meat or fish.

Using up to 50% fresh meat and organs dramatically reduces the need for synthetic ingredients such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and the inclusion of bone means that calcium, phosphorous, glucosamine and chondroitin are all provided naturally. 

Removing potato from the formulation has also reduced the glycemic response, promoting peak physical conditioning.

Karen Rodger, from UK distributor Bern Pet Foods, says: "Put simply, ORIJEN Whole Prey is a deeper expression of ORIJEN's Biologically Appropriate mandate, incorporating fresh meats, organs, cartilage and marrow in ratios that bring ORIJEN closer to the natural diet than ever before.

"ORIJEN Whole Prey pet food provides a diet that is almost exclusively meat-based, rich and varied in fresh meats, low carbohydrate, low glycemic and with all essential nutrients in natural balance."

ORIJEN Whole Prey dog food is available in 340g, 2.27kg, 6.8kg and 13kg bags and ORIJEN Whole Prey cat food is available in 340g, 2.27kg and 6.8kg bags.

A campaign to eradicate cats from New Zealand in a bid to preserve native birdlife has left pet lovers howling with outrage.

The controversial call to rid the country of cats is being led by Gareth Morgan, a prominent businessman, who tells owners on his newly created Cats to Go website: "The fact is that your furry friend is actually the friendly neighbourhood serial killer."

Under a picture of a kitten with red devil's horns, the website asserts "cats are the only true sadists of the animal world" and that they "torture their victims slowly and without mercy".

It goes on: "Every year, hundreds of millions of birds are murdered by cats.

"Some cats will kill over a thousand birds each year."

Although the campaign stops short of calling for cats to be euthanised, it points out that is an option.

It also calls on cat owners to keep their pet inside 24 hours a day and, when the time comes, "ensure this is the last cat you ever own".

Cats should also be neutered and have a bell hung around their necks to warn birds they are nearby, it says.

The website asks for signatures on a petition calling for cats to be registered and micro-chipped like dogs.

"Imagine a New Zealand teeming with native wildlife, penguins on the beach, kiwis roaming about in your garden," Mr Morgan says.

"Imagine hearing birdsong in our cities."

New Zealand is renowned for its unique birdlife, most of which flourished for thousands of years without predators.

So benign was the natural environment that species such as the kiwi, the national symbol, became flightless.

But Mr Morgan's campaign was bound to spark an angry backlash in a country that owns more cats per capita than any other, with nearly half of all households having at least one.

Cat lovers were quick to take to the internet and talkback radio to air their protests. Some have even set up anti-Gareth Morgan web pages.

More than 70% of visitors to the Cats to Go website expressed disapproval of the proposals, while on news websites, comments such as "Mess with my cat and I'll mess with you."