The Giant Pet Store, which went into administration on November 1, finally closed down on Friday after a buyers couldn't be found for the Norwich business.

"Regretfully, we have had to close the store because we didn't have any interest from potential buyers," said administrator Mark Upton, from Ensors chartered accountants in Cambridge.

The Giant Pet Store, which operated in 12,000 sq feet premises, had been in existence for over 20 years, and had recently been under the ownership of Rodney Tuck. It claimed to be Norfolk's largest family-owned independent pet supplies superstore.

Mark Upton, from Ensors chartered accountants in Cambridge, was appointed administrator of the company on November 1.

The store in in South Hill Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, had continued to trade as normal while a buyer was sought for the business. 

Mark told Pet Trade Xtra yesterday: "We targeted a number of parties who we felt might be interested but unfortunately that proved to be unsuccessful. We held a stock sale and then closed the store on Friday."

Mark confirmed the staff – four full-time and two part-time workers – had been made redundant.

A Lancashire pet retailer has appealed against a decision to charge his independent store twice as much as other businesses on the same street in Darwen.

Simon Street, who owns Pets Pit Stop in Market Street, currently pays £745 per month in business rates, but argues that a nearby business is paying half as much, despite having larger premises and a higher profit turnover.

Mr Street, 32, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “We are even getting business rate relief because we are a small business but the rates are so high that it just seems unsustainable. I don’t know how anyone could keep an independent business alive here.

“I’m really worried that it will put me out of business and it’s frustrating because it seems so unfair.”

Mr Street sent his appeal to the Valuation Office Agency last month but a decision has yet to be made.

He said: “I contacted them and they tried to put me off appealing. They said other people that have had a business on this row had appealed and failed, so there was no point.

“I told them I wanted to do it anyway and I was told someone would come and see me, but it wouldn’t be for three or four weeks. It feels like they’re fobbing me off.”

A Valuation Office Agency spokeswoman said: “The VOA is currently discussing Mr Street's appeal with him but we cannot comment on individual cases.

“If the matter cannot be resolved in discussion then we will support the early hearing of the appeal by the independent Valuation Tribunal."

Pictured: Simon Street in the Pets Pit Stop, Darwen. (Picture: Lancashire Telegraph)

Solus Garden & Leisure, suppliers of the Bermuda water gardening and Chapelwood wild bird food brands, has appointed former Gardman CEO Mark Pearson as its new chief executive officer. 

Mark joins Solus with immediate effect, with managing director Nick Davies resigning from the company. He is leaving in January to start up a new business. Solus founder Simon Yealland remains as chairman. 

Commenting on the changes, Solus commercial director Ross Yealland said:

“I am delighted that Mark has joined Solus. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the UK and international gardening industry, and joins us at a time when we are making a number of strategic investments to drive the business of our customers, our branded distribution partners and Solus own brands.

Simon Yealland added:

“Nick Davies has made a significant contribution to Solus in the 29 years since he joined the company, and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

London-based Ortiga Products has clinched a deal to distribute ZiwiPeak natural pet food in the UK. The New Zealand company uses locally sourced fresh venison, lamb, beef, shellfish and seafood in all its product lines.

Simone Fletcher told Pet Trade Xtra: “I am very excited, as are my team, to represent ZiwiPeak. It's a completely unique stand-alone product that reflects the extremely high levels and ethical stance of Ortiga Products.”

ZiwiPeak pet food uses fresh, natural, raw meat, and is air-dried for convenience or canned with sealed-in moisture. ZiwiPeak says its products are as close as it comes to a raw, natural, wild diet, without freezing and thawing.

“I have a commitment to bringing the very best products to the independent retailer,” said Simone (pictured left). “I am committed to all the indies and feel that unless we get paws through the doors the high streets will become a generic pet industry.

“We are excited about 2014 with all our new products, and it is great to be partnering a truly fantastic product like ZiwiPeak.

Simone travels worldwide sourcing unique products, and Ortiga has sole distribution of all the brands it represents.

“One brand – Pet Kelp – has got DEFRA approval,” said Simone. “It is the platinum level for Pet Kelp that is available on the market – it is from the cleanest waters of Nova Scotia. We have 15,000 dogs and cats on the product.

“We represent Timberwolf pet products, the only alpine climbing rope that is hand finished in Colorado.

“We jointly created the Longhsots toy range which is distributed in America, Australia and through Vital Pet Products in the UK.”

Ortiga also represents Perrito treats, which has proved to be a massive success, and has just launched 6 SKU's of Perrito food, all ethically sourced in the UK. These are available through Vital Pet Products as well.

“We have a huge line of poo bags and holders and are about to launch several in-house brands at Interzoo in 2014.

“Ortiga is known for quality of product and exceptional customer service. We go that extra mile for customers. If we can help them grow, we will,” added Simone.

More information about Ortiga and its products can be found on the website www.ortigaproducts.com

Details of ZiwiPeak can be found by visiting www.ziwipeak.com

The company behind Veggie Pooch, a new range of vegetarian dog treats made from natural ingredients, is seeking pet shops to sell its innovative product line.

"We’re looking to expand from our well received online presence into pet shops around the UK," said Matthew Barlow, of Northern Lights Animal Care.

"We'll be exhibiting at PATS Sandown next March and the exhibition is sure to provide us with an opportunity to speak to interested pet retailers. We look forward to meeting retailers there to discuss our array of wholesale options.”

While being focussed on providing care for an extensive range of dog walking and pet sitting clients, Northern Lights Care also has a small shop in Kent in which it produces Veggie Pooch treats, a line of all-natural, 100% vegetarian, whole-fruit and raw-vegetable pet treats. 

"Made from only honest, simple ingredients our Veggie Pooch range can be used as a treat or rehydrated and added to your dog's morning and evening meals - the perfect complement to your dog's balanced diet," said Matthew.



Its Classic Biscuits include Apple & Cabbage, Carrot & Honey and Cucumber & Mint, Kale & Seaweed, Pineapple & Carrob and Peanut Butter & Banana.

For more information visit www.veggiepooch.co.uk

A former rescue dog has been crowned the pet slimming champion of the year after shedding a third of her bodyweight.

Ruby the Jack Russell terrier was morbidly obese after growing to 9.1kg, making her more than 50% overweight.

After a six-month diet and fitness regime run by charity PDSA, she has lost 7in from her waist and weighs in at just over 6kg.

"When Ruby first came to us, we all felt really sorry for her as she'd had such a tough start to life," said owner Angela Martin, from Sunderland.

"So to compensate, we used to give her a little treat here and there.

"The trouble was, the whole family was giving her 'a little treat' and over time, she started to get really big."

Along with 15 other fat pets, the fit club did the trick and Ruby has been given a new lease of life.

PDSA senior veterinary surgeon Elaine Pendlebury said: "This is a fantastic slimming success story, well done Ruby. Many people fall into the trap of overindulging their pet with food as a way of expressing their love.

"Angela and her family have worked really hard and have shown that it's never too late to make a positive change."

Some of the other top slimmers included Cookie the cat, from Middlesbrough, who shed 17cm from her waistline.

The RSPCA is changing the way that reports of lost and found animals are logged. From Sunday (December 1) members of the public will be asked to go to Pets Located.com if they have lost a pet or found an uninjured stray domestic animal.

The service already exists to register reports of lost and found animals, but this is the first time that the RSPCA will be using it for all lost and found enquiries that it receives by telephone as well as online.

The service will be there for members of the public, but RSPCA branches and centres will also be able to input the details of any animals which have been found and handed into them, providing a searchable network of stray animals dealt with by the RSPCA.

RSPCA National Control Centre Process and Performance Manager Joanne Backham explains: “This new way of logging lost and found animals means that our cruelty line will be able to take more calls about sick, injured or suffering animals, helping us to reach the animals who most need our help.

“That’s why we’re pleased to be using Pets Located.com – for the first time there will be a centralised online service that members of the public, RSPCA staff and professional organisations can use.

“We hope it will mean that there will be a greater chance of people being reunited with lost pets as reports of lost and found animals will be in one place and can be easily matched up.”

Catherine Inglis, founder of Petslocated.com, says: “As a keen animal lover I have first-hand experience of losing a pet and I know how distressing it can be. The idea of Pets Located.com is to have all lost and found animals in one place. Our automated online matching service aims to reunite pets as quickly as possible with their owners.

“We are extremely proud to be working with the RSPCA and are looking forward to reuniting many more pets with their owners in the coming years.”

Pets Located.com is free for those reporting a found animal and anyone wishing to log a lost pet is asked for a fee of £10+VAT to use the service for 12 months, which includes posting details of the lost pet online and on social media and the facility to create your own ‘lost pet’ poster, as well as giving access to the database of found pets.

People should continue to check with local services such as dog wardens and vets if their pet becomes lost.

The RSPCA also recommends microchipping animals as one of the best ways of being reunited with a pet if it goes missing.

You can find out more at www.petslocated.com

A German Shepherd Dog rescue charity in South Lanarkshire that has been struggling to cope with a combination of falling interest in the breed and increasing numbers of dogs needing its help, has been awarded a £6,000 grant from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Once one of the most popular breeds in the UK, the German Shepherd Dog has seen numbers of puppies registered with the Kennel Club decline year on year, falling from almost 15,000 ten years ago, to just 8,500 last year. Despite this, German Shepherd Rescue Scotland, a Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisation, has continued to see high numbers of the breed needing its help.  

The £6,000 grant will go towards kennelling and veterinary fees at German Shepherd Rescue Scotland, funds that are desperately needed as the charity is inundated with dogs needing their help. Dogs such as long term residents Cleo and Georgie, who have been with the charity for over two and a half years between them, will benefit from the grant.

A typical German Shepherd Dog, Cleo is sweet natured and full of energy. She desperately needs a home where she can get the exercise and attention she deserves and requires. She has been looking for a home for over 20 months. Gillian Cowe from German Shepherd Rescue Scotland explains: “Cleo is a really loving girl with people and just wants affection. She has a great nose and would love to do some tracking, hill walking or even agility where she can use up her energy. One of our volunteers took Cleo for a trip to the beach - she loved playing in the sea and chasing and retrieving a plastic bottle from the water.

“Cleo is a brilliant character and simply needs an active owner who understands the importance of training and socialisation.”

Georgie has been with the charity for thirteen months, after she was found by the police tied up on one of the busiest roundabouts in the area where she had been abused by passing local yobs and drunks. Gillian says: “Georgie still suffers the signs of abuse and is nervous when people come in to her kennel, but when she feels safe she is happy for snuggles and belly rubs. She craves attention.”

The German Shepherd Dog is just one of a number of breeds that has fallen out of fashion in the UK. The Kennel Club recently announced figures that showed historically popular breeds are being pushed out in favour of foreign breeds such as the French Bulldog and Siberian Husky.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary says: “The German Shepherd is a wonderful breed, with a fantastic nature. They make great working dogs, which is why they are a popular choice for police and army dogs, but unfortunately this image has made the breed a little intimidating for some. Yet owners will tell you this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The German Shepherd is a very intelligent and energetic breed and they make loving pets.”

German Shepherd Rescue Scotland has a number of dogs that need rehoming - if you would be interested in rehoming a German Shepherd, or would like to donate to the charity, visit www.german-shepherd-rescue-scotland.org.uk/.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has donated more than £8 million to help improve the lives of dogs since it was established in 1987. The Trust awards grants to welfare organisations which make a difference to dogs’ lives, such as German Shepherd Rescue Scotland, and also provides financial support to canine scientific research and support charities.

With still four months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Sandown is promising to be one of the most successful pet trade exhibitions ever with stands filling up fast and more floor space being made available.

Following the busiest and biggest PATS shows to date this year, nearly 100 exhibitors have already snapped up 87% of the stand space for Sandown, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19 2014.

The Southern show will also be bigger with the introduction of the Sandown View Lounge, where visitors can relax and enjoy a spectacular sight of the racecourse. 

There will also be an impressive line-up of new faces with a number of companies signing up to exhibit at Sandown for the first time. Newcomers to the Southern show include Happy Pet, Ferplast, Veggie Pooch and Forthglade.

Organiser Annie Dyke said: "The high demand for stand space at Sandown proves that PATS, now in its sixth year, is more popular than ever. It's great to welcome new companies to the show as well as receiving great support from regulars to PATS."

Award-winning Natures Menu, who exhibited at PATS for the first time in 2013, will be returning with a bigger stand in the Esher Hall. The Norfolk-based company, which picked up two industry accolades this year as well as two New Product Awards at Harrogate in September, believes the timing of Sandown is perfect for the industry.

Sallie-Ann King, from Natures Menu, said: “I can’t believe the amount of visitors we had on our stand in the Esher Hall last March. RAW food is very current and is interesting to a lot of people. We secured lots of business last time and we hope to do the same in 2014."

As well as seeing new exhibitors at PATS Harrogate, visitors can expect a warm welcome from a host of top companies and regulars like Trixie, Cosipet, Collarways, Company of Animals, Red Mills, Flexi, My Pet, Gladwells, Burns, Wagg, Danish Design, Best Pets, Dorwest Herbs and Liberta.

The PATS website can be found at www.patshow.co.uk and the PATS hotline is +44 (0) 1892 862848. Companies wishing to exhibit should call Annie Dyke on the same number.

Happy Pet has booked to exhibit at PATS Sandown for the first time in March.

Greg Hendry, managing director of Happy Pet, explained his company was excited to be involved in the show.

“We want to use the event to showcase our key brands and products and take the opportunity to meet both current and new customers,” said Greg.

“The venue is ideally situated and makes a great meeting point and we will be encouraging all our UK and overseas customers to make the trip.”

A three-year-old Border Collie called Eric has passed his Show Border Collie Herding Test.

Sheltysham So Esoteric, otherwise known as Eric, owned by Diane Whiting from Shepperton, Middlesex passed the test in October following the Thanet Sheep Dog Society Open Trial in Kent. Eric is no stranger to success, having qualified for the show ring at Crufts every year since he was puppy. In addition to this, Eric’s half-sister is the pet of the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark.

The purpose of the Show Border Collie Herding Test, which is a limited version of a sheepdog trial, is to safeguard the future development of Border Collies which compete at dog shows by emphasising the importance of the breed's natural herding abilities.

Diane commented: “Eric’s father, Ghostland Copper Charm was a super show and working trials dog. However, he was afraid of sheep and his mother, Sheltysham So Real, was successful in the show ring but was never worked so I always wanted to find out if the herding instinct was still there with Eric.”

Eric was introduced to sheep at an early age to gauge his interest before starting formal lessons about 18 months ago. After months of training, Diane applied for Eric to take the Show Border Collie Herding Test. Chairman of the Midlands Border Collie Club, Robert Tunnicliff arranged for the test to be held after the conclusion of Thanet Sheep Dog Society Open Trial in Kent on October 13, when sheep, venue and judges would be available.

Diane continued: “The Kennel Club Show Border Collie Herding Test was something we wanted to aim for and the lessons were a highlight of the week for Eric as his natural instincts came alive. On the day of the test it was difficult for novices like Eric and me to adjust to working with more challenging sheep in a strange venue, but everyone was so encouraging and the real shepherds remarked how handsome Eric was, which was lovely."

Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko said: “The Show Border Collie Herding Test ties in with the Kennel Club’s ‘Fit for Function: Fit for Life’ campaign, which aims to ensure that dogs are bred to be fit for their original function and to enjoy their lives to the full.

“Congratulations to Eric and Diane on their wonderful achievement in passing the test and proving Eric’s versatility.”

Eric has now earned the right to use the SBCHT after his Kennel Club show name, alongside his working trials titles, CDex and UDex.

A man who killed two pet hamsters while ransacking the home of his former girlfriend's husband has been jailed.

Thomas Gilheaney, 39, of Birck Close, Workington broke into a house in the town in August, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He killed the pets, spray painted the house, then went on to spray three other houses, a shop and vehicles.

He admitted two charges of burglary and seven of criminal damage. He was jailed for four years and four months.

Judge Paul Batty QC, at Carlisle Crown Court, said he had never encountered such "gratuitous damage".

Actor John Barrowman has signed up to host a new Channel 4 show about ailing animals.

John Barrowman's Pet Hospital will see the Torchwood and Arrow star visiting pet patients at Glasgow University's School of Veterinary Medicine

During the course of the show, Barrowman will follow the progress of the animals as they receive their diagnosis and treatment.

He will also focus on pet behaviour, examining how to cope with unruly animals.

An air date for John Barrowman's Pet Hospital has not yet been announced, though it will form part of Channel 4's daytime schedule.

A woman who kept 140 snakes in plastic bins and sweet tubs in her home and had a further 20 in a freezer has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and welfare charges.

Pauline Wallace, 64, from Osbaldwick Lane in York, admitted she did not provide an appropriate environment for the snakes and did not protect them from pain, injury or suffering.

RSPCA inspectors discovered the animals when they went to check the house after a tip-off. They found reptiles in plastic containers and vivariums stacked floor to ceiling in her semi-detached home.

At York Magistrates Court she pleaded guilty to seven offences of failing to ensure the welfare of snakes and reptiles. She had previously admitted two charges of animal cruelty involving her pet border collie Alf, by failing to provide him with veterinary care when he fell ill.

The court also heard that inspectors found 20 snakes and a dead cat in a freezer at the house which Ms Wallace shares with her elderly mother.

The woman’s barrister David Ward said she was a pensioner waiting to see a medical specialist because of health problems, and had “some issues within the family”, according to the York Press.

Mr Ward asked for more time to prepare a medical report and other mitigation in her favour. Ms Wallace was released on unconditional bail to appear again in court on 16 January.

Just for Pets has a vacancy for a deputy manager at its Long Eaton store in Derbyshire.

For more information contact Steven Hurst on 01159 463977.