The winners of the PATS Sandown 2023 New Product Awards, sponsored by pbwnews, were chosen by a team of independent pet retailers, who arrived at the show before 9.30am today (Sunday), in order to make their choices from more than 200 new products entered. 

Their decisions took into account a number of guideline criteria such as product innovation, design, quality, packaging, value for money and sustainability.

The judges agreed that the New Product Showcase had produced a high calibre of entries with a tremendous amount of innovation. They were pleased to see such a wide range of products in the eight categories

The Awards were presented to the winners at 1pm on Sunday by David Rees, editor of pbwnews, and show organiser Gordon Thomas.

Here is a full list of the winners together with the judges’ comments:

PATS Sandown 2023

New Product Award Winners (sponsored by pbwnews)

Cat Food and Products

Carnilove True Fresh Cat Foods 

Carnilove (stand J7)

Judges said: “This product contains good ingredients and is super nutritional. As well as being sustainable, it comes in appealing packaging.”

Dog Food Products

Vets Menu Tasty Gravy Toppers

Macahl Animal Health (stand K14)

Judges said: “Containing natural ingredients, this product promotes good dog health. Great for fussy dogs, it has a good price point and has eye-catching packaging.”

Dog Treat Products

Doodle’s Deli Natural Treats

Pedigree Wholesale (stand H3)

Judges said: “With sustainability high on consumers’ needs, this product is very eco-friendly. It is 100% natural and is very well priced. Dog owners will love these treats.”

Dog Accessories and Toys

Henry Wag Easy Roll Travel Bed

3P Enterprise (stand M5)

Judges said: “We’ve not seen a product like it. It’s perfect on days out for owners and their pets. Compact and well-priced.”

Dog Harnesses, Leads and Clothing

Comfort Rope Lead with New Screw Lock

Long Paws (stand A3)

Judges said: “This product has a great safety feature, making it extra safe for walking. It’s also comfortable when in use. Dog owners will also love the fact it has a great price point.” 

Small Animal and Bird Products

Little One Range of Tasty Maze Tunnels

Mealberry GmbH (stand G3a)

Judges said: “A great idea that hasn’t been seen before. It also offers good value for money. Another attraction is the choice of flavours and sizes.”

Pet Care Products

Pet first aid kits personalised to pet businesses

ProTrainings Europe Ltd (stand S2)

Judges said: “Every pet home should have one. This product is a great idea, offering businesses the chance to personalise it.”

Grooming Products

Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

Buddycare (stand L10)

Judges said: “An amazing fragrance, vegan and cruelty-free, eye-catching branding, and great value – there could only be one winner of the grooming category.”

Peter Roy, a well-respected figure in the UK and European pet food industry, is launching an exciting new business called COYA Pet. Retailers and buyers will get first glimpse of the brand at PATS Sandown, which opens on Sunday.

Peter, the MD of COYA Pet, spoke about his new venture on the eve of the UK’s Spring Pet Industry Exhibition, and explained why he believes the brand will take the market by storm. 

“COYA is a new-to-market Freeze-Dried Raw pet food,” said Peter. “Anyone who knows me knows I love the raw petfood market – I spent 10 years driving the raw frozen market in UK and Europe and loved every minute. When I left the business a couple of years ago I spent a lot of time over in the US and was really amazed at how they had taken raw to another level. 

“In the US now, the raw market has evolved to both raw frozen and raw Freeze-Dried – and in eight years the raw Freeze-Dried market now outsells the raw frozen market – because it’s convenient. 

“At COYA our aim is to make raw feeding more accessible and convenient for pet owners and retailers. We’ve taken our inspiration from the US market and developed a product range, made in the UK, that puts both pet health and pet owner convenience first through Freeze-Drying technology – giving them convenient raw.”

Why is Freeze-Dried pet food so important to the market?  

Raw feeding is quite rightly at the forefront of many owners’ minds when choosing what to feed their pet – I still believe raw is best. However, it can often be inconvenient and in my experience it caused people to move away from it completely or never entered in the first place. The raw feeding market is today worth about £250m but by making it more convenient COYA will make a huge difference in growing the market in another step change. By bringing convenience to the sector it will open up to a much wider consumer audience.

Why’s it so good for retailers as well as pet owners?

There’s a huge margin impact for retailers when stocking raw frozen pet food, and a massive erosion on margin for them. The cost of running freezers as well as specialised delivery means that this type of food can become margin reductive – a double door upright for instance can cost £2,500 per year in energy costs alone, so you need to sell £7,500 at 33% margin just to break even. So for retailers, Freeze-Dried Raw food is a way of offering the nutritional benefits of raw without the costs of stocking specialised food, maintain all the margin from the supplier.

From a pet owner’s point of view, we know that many people ‘want to feed raw but…’  There’s lack of time, it’s inconvenient and storage can be a problem. So COYA’s Freeze-Dried Raw range of products offers them raw without the chore.

How do you see the future of pet nutrition? 

All the indicators suggest that premium brands which have a clear point of difference, and strong understandable consumer message will continue to grow well. Similarly, those economy brands, often multi-channel will continue to grow. I believe it’s the mid-range brands that are losing ground; often with consumers more comfortable to move away from a mid-range brand to an economy brand…but were not seeing this at the high meat, or premium brand market. 

Treats continue to grow nicely too – if people are trading down for food they are spending more on treats. Natural feeding will continue to soar. I believe raw is best and so do many retailers and consumers, but it can be inconvenient to buy, inconvenient to store and inconvenient to serve. So with COYA’s positioning as convenient raw, we are so excited to be at the forefront of both a retailer and pet owner solution...keep feeding raw, but Freeze-Dried Raw – if not a complete swap a partial swap, when you are away from home, or just a bit short on time or preparation, for example.

What can we expect from COYA in the future?

COYA is a small team of really dedicated individuals, all from pet speciality – you’ll know them all. We’re here to help retailers understand the potential  and listen to your thoughts. With our state-of-the-art Freeze-Dried technology and our decades of experience in the pet food industry, we have only just got started. Our aim is to transform the raw category but pet food as a whole. Watch this space!

COYA Pet is on stand L12 in the Surrey Hall at PATS Sandown.

The opening day of PATS Sandown has been hailed a huge success as an amazing array of new products were unveiled by more than 150 companies and brands.

Retailers and buyers braved the rainy conditions so they could be the first people to see all the latest launches to hit the pet market.

Company director Chris Le Saint flew over from Jersey where he owns two pet stores. “Nothing would put me off from being here,” he said. “PATS gives me the chance to see and touch the products in person, and that’s so important to our business. I can’t gauge the true value of a product from a picture in a catalogue. The exhibition also gives me the chance to meet suppliers face to face.”

Simone Massey, of Happy Chaps pet store, didn’t have so far to travel from her base in Broadstairs, Kent, but she says PATS Sandown still delivers an important service to her. “Being able to see all the new products being launched is vital for any retailer wanting to stay competitive. It keeps us relevant and up-to-date, and there’s so much to see. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The first day of the show also got the thumbs-up from exhibitors excited to showcase their products in front of a captive audience.

Colin Rodger, managing director of Bern Pet Foods, said: “We’ve been over-run on our stand today. PATS gives us the chance to showcase our many popular brands, so it’s always an important event for us.”

And Richard Marles, of PARK LiFE, commented: “Last year’s PATS Sandown was our first-ever trade exhibition, and it proved to be the launchpad of our business. We’ve taken a much larger stand this year and it has paid off big time. The response so far has been incredible.”

Buddycare was exhibiting at PATS for the first time and it couldn’t have worked out better. After winning a New Product Award for its Oatmeal Dog Shampoo, managing director Lewis Ames said: “I didn’t know what to expect but it has been fantastic so far. To win an award is such a surprise – it has put the icing on the cake.”

Another New Product Award winner, Macahl Animal Health, was also delighted to pick up an accolade for its Vets Menu Tasty Gravy Toppers. Managing director Anthony Mackle commented: “I couldn’t wish for a more successful first day. I’m delighted with the response so far, and it’s great to see all our hard work pay off with an award.”

Lots of interest was shown in FibreCycle’s exhibition stand at PATS Sandown, made entirely of paper. After the show the stand will be recycled into cat litter, which will then be donated to Woodgreen Animal Shelter. Matt Brand, FibreCycle’s UK National Business Manager, Pet Speciality & Independents, said: “I’m really pleased with how people seem to be engaging with our story. It has certainly got people talking. A show like this helps us to get the message out to a wide audience.”

The second day of the show opens at 9.30am tomorrow (Monday, March 27th).

According to the UK Pet Food’s annual pet population data, 57% of British households (16.2m) now house 38m pets. Although the number of pets is up from 35m last year (a rise of 9%), there has been a fall in the proportion of households owning a pet, from 17.4m (62%) in 2022. 

The most popular pets list has also evolved with a 50% rise in the number of smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters and this population is now at 5m – 1.7m more than the previous year.   

Alongside a decrease of 6% in the dog and cat populations, which now stand at 12m and 11m, 13% (3.7m households) admit to having relinquished a pet in 2022 with this figure rising to 28% among young owners (16-24 years old). Looking at which pets were relinquished, 47% gave up a dog, 36% a cat, 12% an indoor bird, 8% a rabbit, 6% a Guinea pig and 7% another pet.  Following the pandemic pet-acquisition boom, especially among millennials and Gen Z, 30% of these young owners now admit that the cost-of-living crisis has made them rethink pet ownership.  

Nicole Paley of UK Pet Food comments: “World events have had a massive impact on lifestyles over the last few years. Throughout the pandemic, we saw an increase in people adding a pet to their family as they sought the amazing companionship a pet can bring. Today, owners are clearly impacted by the cost of living and sadly relinquishment figures are high. The small pet population is on the up suggesting that people believe they are more manageable and less expensive to keep. Although pets bring huge joy to a household, they also come with a huge responsibility and it is so important to understand the care and cost implications – whatever the size of your pet.”   

Nicole continues: “Startlingly, we discovered that only 29% of people considered the cost when they got a pet.  Almost one fifth (18%) admitted that a pet was more expensive than they had considered. This figure rises to 23% among the youngest owners (16-24) and families are also impacted with 15% of those with children finding it tough.”   

Dr Samantha Gaines, from the RSPCA’s companion animals department, says: “Sadly, these really valuable and important statistics demonstrate what RSPCA frontline officers and animal centre staff are already seeing day-in, day-out.  As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, more people are abandoning animals, more animals are coming into our care, and rehoming is slowing as financial pressures bite.  It's particularly worrying to see 13% needing to give up a pet, including really high numbers of younger owners.”  

Natalie Powdrill-Wells, Research Officer at Woodgreen Pets Charity, adds: “We are now experiencing a deluge of demand on our services, with long lists of pets waiting to come into our care as owners can sadly no longer look after them. As a charity, we’re definitely feeling the impact of an increased small pet population in the UK – with a 250% increase in relinquishment requests for rabbits over the past two years. Although they’re smaller in size, it doesn’t mean they’re smaller in cost or responsibility, so we encourage careful consideration before taking on a pet of any species.”  

The vast majority of pet owners will do anything for their pet.  Giving up a pet – or making changes to their pet care routine is often a very last resort. However, UK Pet Food’s research does confirm that around 20% of owners have had to make cuts on pet insurance, vet visits and pet food.  This rises to over one quarter among the younger demographic (5).    

Natalie Powdrill-Wells adds: “There are also more people coming to Woodgreen seeking help when they aren’t able to afford urgent veterinary care. In many cases, pet owners aren’t seeking early treatment for minor conditions, and are cancelling insurance policies due to financial worries, which can sadly lead to worsening health problems and unmanageable vet bills down the line. If anyone is struggling with a pet, help is available from charities like Woodgreen – it's often much easier to treat or resolve a problem, whether it’s behavioural or medical, if it’s addressed quickly. Please don’t let it get to the point where you feel like giving up your pet is the only option.”  

Dr Samantha Gaines also confirms: “Sadly, we have heard of people going without food themselves to feed their pets but we want people to know that there is help available, from pet food banks, vouchers to help with vital vet care and cost cutting tips.  In this tough financial climate, the RSPCA is doing everything we can to keep pets in loving homes. We’ve committed £1.5million of extra funding to crisis measures; launched a new Cost of Living Hub and a dedicated telephone helpline, while our pet food partnerships continue to go from strength to strength.  

"What these statistics also show is that pets continue to be really important to people in the UK, with pet ownership on the rise, and that the companionship these animals offer is so invaluable. We're proud to work with so many of these owners every year, sharing our pet care advice and welfare tips, and building a world that's an even kinder and more compassionate place for animals."  

In times of crisis, the companionship of a pet can be even more important and valuable. From a mental wellness perspective, it has been shown that companion animals support owners who are feeling stressed or depressed. Over 50% of owners feel that pets support their mental wellbeing and this rises to over 60% among older people with a wide range of additional benefits such as fewer visits to the doctor.   

Nicole adds: “There is a need to raise awareness amongst potential owners on the financial responsibilities of pet ownership – whilst supporting all the amazing owners who are struggling.  In times of crisis, many pet owners do not have a choice.   This year, UK Pet Food wanted to support our colleagues in the welfare sector by analysing relinquishment and we are working closely with the CFSG (Canine & Feline Sector Group) to identify what the pet care sector can do to help. Plus, we have a guide for pet owners looking for pet food on a budget (insert link to factsheet when finalized).”  

UK Pet Food is also working with Fareshare - the charitable food redistribution network - and a coalition of animal welfare organisations to coordinate donations of pet food from our members.  This is part of our work to ensure that the pet food industry provides more immediate support to the most vulnerable owners and keeps pets and their families together during these challenging times. 

An exhibition stand at PATS Sandown, made entirely of paper, is to be recycled into cat litter, which will then be donated to Woodgreen Animal Shelter.

FibreCycle prides itself on offering shoppers a natural choice for their cat litter and small animal bedding.

And to back up its eco-friendly credentials the FibreCycle stand – A7 in the Surrey Hall – has been constructed out of paper, including the chairs, tables and flowers.

The company will also be collecting unwanted leaflets and brochures, again to be turned into cat litter and donated to Woodgreen.

FibreCycle’s Breeder Celect cat litter is made from 100% upcycled paper, mainly comprised of unsold newspapers.

It gives life to a material that was otherwise going to waste, turning it into a naturally absorbent, compostable and biodegradable product. The litter has natural odour control and is soft on little paws, keeping homes clean and smell-free.

Matt Brand, FibreCycle’s UK National Business Manager, Pet Speciality & Independents, said: “Our philosophy is all about ‘finding a better way’. This is reflected in our litter – there must be a better way than mined and imported litter, so we wanted to reflect this in our approach to a trade show, to bring this concept to life and really get the message across. 

“That’s why we’ve created a stand where everything on it is made out of newspaper and will be returned into our upcycled paper litter and bedding. We’re hoping it will capture people’s imagination and demonstrate the good we are doing by taking this potential waste out of circulation and returning it in a more eco-friendly way.”

FibreCycle’s stand will also feature a lucky dip contest, giving visitors a chance to do something for the planet and others.

“To give people a fun and real-life example of how the paper litter is best, we’re got four lucky dip boxes, each consisting of a different type of litter,” added Matt. “Prizes ranging from free bags of litter, to trees planted in their name, will be given out.”

Everyone who visits the stand and plays the game will receive a free 10L bag of Breeder Celect cat litter and a clump of 25 trees planted in their name in Fibre Cycle's Ecologi forest.  A 30L bag of Breeder Celect will also be donated to Woodgreen animal shelter.

Award-winning Frozzys, the frozen yogurt for dogs, is turning 10 this year, and to celebrate the brand has produced limited edition celebration packs.

The celebration packs consist of two new frozen yogurt flavours – Mixed Berries and Banana and Honey. Made with the same great recipe as the original Frozzys flavours, the new flavours are loaded with antioxidants and are also lactose free, virtually fat free and 100% natural with no added artificial preservatives.

Marketing manager Jackie Kirk said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 10 year anniversary and what better way to mark the occasion than by launching a new limited edition celebration pack. The new 4 pack has the same great healthy recipe with two delicious new flavours – Mixed Berry and Banana and Honey."

If you’d like to become a stockist or add the new celebration packs to your existing range, email sales@frozzys.com or give the team a call on 028 9070 7754.

Frozzys will be exhibiting at PATS Sandown on stand F2 in the Surrey Hall.

Pets & Friends, a specialist pet retailer with a network of UK stores, salons and a leading website, has announced the opening of its latest location in Brigg Garden Centre, North Lincolnshire.

The new store is a partnership between Kennelpak, the parent company of Pets & Friends, and The British Garden Centres Group (BGC). Located in a prime location within the pet-friendly garden centre, it is easily accessible for pet parents and their furry friends.

Pets & Friends is known for providing a unique pet shopping experience that offers expert advice, dietary recommendations, and a wide range of pet services to their local communities. With great quality products to suit all budgets, the retailer provides everything a pet parent needs, from personalised nutrition plans, Puppy and Kitten clubs to professional grooming services for dogs, cats, and small animals of all ages.

Kennelpak Retail Director Steve Collard said: “Pets & Friends offers a pet parent shopping experience that is a great fit for the pet-friendly environment at Brigg. BGC’s commitment to providing exceptional service and expertise to their customers is matched by our dedicated to our pet parents. This level of service is a key component of the success we’ve seen over recent years and has earned the trust and loyalty of our in-store and online customer base. We are excited to be bringing Pets & Friends to Brigg and the surrounding areas, providing them with everything they need to keep their pets happy and healthy.”

The new Pets & Friends store and Pets Parlour Spa & Grooming Salon, which occupies a spacious three thousand square feet space within Brigg Garden Centre, is situated next to the dog-friendly restaurant. With a range of garden furniture, plants, and a play-centre for little ones, it is an ideal destination for pets and their families.

David Lazenby, Property and Concessions Director for British Garden Centres group expressed his happiness about the partnership with Pets & Friends. “British Garden Centres have many successful retail partnerships across our estate, so we are delighted to add Pets & Friends to that list. The store the Kennelpak team have created at Brigg looks fantastic, our customers were excited to see it open. Now it has, we are getting great feedback about the team of pet experts and the Pets & Friends shopping experience.”

The new store and grooming salon officially opened on March 17th 2023, by ‘Best-In-Brigg’ competition winning dog Bailey and his owner Nancy, along with Kennelpak CEO Claire Bayliss and the Brigg Pets & Friends team. 

A pet food and accessory retailer based on the south coast has launched a doggy scholarship scheme to help care-givers access dog behavioural support.

The scholarship scheme financially supports owners by paying for three hours of one-to-one training for adopted dogs and their caregivers. 

Healthy Pet Store in Totton has welcomed its first four-legged scholar to the scheme, 18-month old Sky, who is a German Shepherd.

The pet retailer paired Sky and her owners, Russell and Ray, with a local behavioural trainer who has provided face to face lessons. 

During the cost of living crisis, some owners have struggled to fulfil their responsibilities of dog guardianship which may include paying for dog training.

Managing Director of Healthy Pet Store Deborah Burrows said it is really important for adopted dogs showing early signs of behavioural issues to get the right help they and their caregivers need.

She added: “In the current climate, we understand that not everyone is in a position to be able to access the right support. That is why we have launched our scholarship scheme. We want to help adopted dogs be supported by the right behavioural approach in order to help them live happy and fulfilled lives. 

“Adopted dogs sometimes have behavioural problems which pop up post adoption. This is through no fault of their own, and stems from things such as genetics, their past or illness. It's important they get support from a trainer or behaviourist skilled in positive reinforcement methods.  

Sky’s owners Russell and Ray said: “The scholarship scheme has been absolutely fantastic. It has changed our lives. We really struggled with Sky’s behaviour post-adoption and being able to enrol her into these sessions has made her such a happier dog. 

“We are so grateful to Deborah and the whole team at Healthy Pet Store. They paired us with an incredible local trainer who has listened to all of our worries and concerns. 

“The sessions have been relaxed, fun and really tailored to what Sky needs. We are going to continue to pay for lessons now we have completed our sessions funded by Healthy Pet Store.” 

Applications for the Healthy Pet Store scholarship scheme are now open - contact info@healthypetstore.co.uk for more information.

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes will open its new store in Scunthorpe on Saturday and will be teaming up with Jerry Green Dog Rescue to raise funds for the charity’s vital work in North Lincolnshire.

Jerry Green Dog Rescue will be fundraising at the store over its opening weekend giving customers the chance to sponsor a kennel, take part in their fundraiser ’60 Miles in May’, spin their Wheel of ‘Fur-tune’ for prizes and on-hand to offer doggy puppichinos to pets.

But that’s not all that’s planned at the store’s formal grand opening in Unit A2 at Scunthorpe’s Gallagher Retail Park on Doncaster Road.

Scunthorpe will be first Jollyes to get a new-look Jolly Groomer as part of a £1million investment in the roll out of vet clinics, grooming parlours and other pet services.

Alongside Jerry Green Dog Rescue’s ‘Ambassadogs who’ll bite through a string of sausages, assisting the opening will be United mascots ‘Scunny Bunny’ and Scunny Hunny Bunny, who’ll declare the store open by running through bales of hay.

The Scunthorpe United bunny mascots will be at home as the store will be offering a selection of small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs as well as birds, fish and reptiles.

Local community station Steel FM will also provide the entertainment offering the scruffiest dog to turn up on the day a free wash in Jollyes new first ‘Wash & Go’ dog-wash booths which for just £5.00 can provide a full clean-up for mucky pups without the hassle of messing up a home bathroom.

A face painter and stilt walkers will round off the entertainment.

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes plans will double the number of stores that offer community pet clinics, double opening hours for those clinics double the number of dog grooming locations at stores like Scunthorpe.

Vet-supervised dog and cat vaccinations in the clinic will start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Microchipping, already compulsory for dogs and now in new government plans extended to be compulsory for cats, start at just £13, offering significant savings against average prices charged by formal vet practices.

The Jolly Groomer at Scunthorpe will offer straightforward pricing for a quality groom that doesn’t cost a paw and a leg.

Customers can choose precisely what grooming service they need, so they don’t pay for ones they don’t. Prices for a bath and brush will start at just £15.00. 

Jollyes new Scunthorpe store will also provide pet parents in North Lincolnshire and nearby South Yorkshire access to Jollyes’ raw food frozen ‘shop-in-shop’ alongside high quality private label pet food such as its own Lifestage, K9 and Rileys brands which offer a premium experience without the big brand price tag.

“We’ve started work today getting the store ready for opening later in the week.” said regional manager Kerry Midgely.

“We plan to open our doors on Friday 24 March for the first time and then have our formal grand opening at 10.15am on Saturday 25 March.

“We can’t wait to show off our flagship store.”

Jollyes’ in Scunthorpe will be managed by Steve Marshall, the proud dog dad of Sandy who joins Jollyes after five years at Morrisons.  The Jolly Groomer will be managed by Chloe Metcalfe who looks after her sister’s dogs Bella and Bailey and joins the store after four years as a carer.

Amber Satterthwaite, Community Fundraiser for Jerry Green Dog Rescue says: “For over 60 years Jerry Green Dog Rescue has rescued, cared for and rehomed over 40,000 dogs in need of a second chance. With three centres across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as well as a community outreach programme in East Yorkshire, we continue to provide a safe place for homeless dogs and to seek new loving places for them to live.

“We are delighted to be working with Jollyes and look forward to seeing you on Saturday 25th March 2023. We hope you can come along, have some fun and help us raise some pounds for our pouches. Your support will help us transform the lives of rescue dogs in need of care.”

The opening of the new Scunthorpe store is part of Jollyes’ ambitious expansion plans which will see it hit £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ 1,000 colleagues this year and have 100 stores within 18 months.

Little BigPaw, the UK based premium pet food brand in conjunction with Mackle Pet Foods, has been supporting the Pet Industry Federation's 'Save the Pets of Ukraine' initiative. 

PIF has chaired its first working party to identify ways in which the UK pet industry can provide aid for pets affected by the war in Ukraine. 

Joining UK business's pledging their support Little BigPaw has provided six pallets of premium cat and dog food equating to 20,420 meals. These pallets are already on route to PIF joining other donations making their way to Ukraine. 

“Little BigPaw is proud to help this great initiative to feed abandoned pets and support pet owners in Ukraine,” said Little BigPaw director Jim Weston.

The First Class Pet Company Ltd launched Little BigPaw in 2015. Made in the UK from 100% natural ingredients, its products are available in all leading pet stores and exported to over 40 countries worldwide.

www.littlebigpaw.co.uk

GA Pet Food Partners, a private label pet food manufacturer based in Chorley, Lancashire, has won both the Family Business Award and Export Award at the 13th Annual Red Rose Awards that took place at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, with over 1000 business professionals in attendance.

Lancashire Business View’s Red Rose Awards is the event where Lancashire business, commerce and industry are celebrated. It provides the best possible platforms to promote success and encourage trading within the county.

Businesses from the length and breadth of the county vied for titles across a range of categories, with only the best of the best, as selected by a panel of expert judges, progressing through to the shortlist and a rigorous interview stage before being rewarded for their excellence.

Both the Family Business Award and Export Award, had six finalists competing respectively to win the titles. The specially crafted awards were presented by Paul Hardy for the Family Business Award and Helen Clayton for the Export Award. Both hosts were delighted to announce GA as the winner. 

When presenting the Family Business Award, Paul said: “GA is a fantastic family business, run with military precision, which is incredible at adopting a family ethos. A family charter is used and ingrained within the organisation, and initiatives, including a hardship fund for employees, demonstrates the family feel.” 

Helen said when presenting the Export Award: “We were blown away by the GA story, the passion, the drive and the strategic direction of the business. The ethos of being a team, driving quality from Lancashire and taking it to international environments. Enormously impressive export credentials with a considered, well-resourced and strategic approach.”

GA is a family-owned private label pet food busines that create recipes using the finest raw materials sourced from farms and fisheries they know and trust. Their partners are traditional pet shops and corporate brands that use these recipes to create their own pet food brand.  

GA has enjoyed significant growth in both sales (up 20 per cent) and profit. They have continued to invest in European expansion with nine wholly owned European subsidiaries exporting over 50 per cent of net sales. 

GA has sought to continue investing in the ‘GA Family’ with a dedicated career development team, they also celebrate individual success with company-wide voting for a colleague of the quarter award.

Roger Bracewell, Chairman of GA Pet Food Partners, said: “The whole of the GA Family are delighted and honoured to receive both awards. The awards recognises the hard work and dedication of all at GA from a small family farm 30 years ago to a £140 million turnover company, 44% of which is exported.”

In Vogue Pets, the sole distributors of American brand FuzzYard in the UK, is set to unveil FY Active, a new range built for action and adventures.

FuzzYard Pty Ltd/ FuzzYard North America LLC has expanded its range with FY Active, a range built for action and designed to make all your adventures with your best friend easy.

Since 2003 FuzzYard has been designing some of the coolest and freshest products in the market and this new collection is no exception.

This new range, now being launched worldwide, is designed with comfort and style in mind. FY Active is made with the highest quality materials and features soft neoprene lining for comfort, reflective accents for visibility and lock buckles for safety.

The range includes fully adjustable harnesses, multi-use and hands-free leads plus travel accessories to make exploring the outdoors, cities, suburbs, countryside and beaches easy. 

FY Active will unveiled at PATS Sandown on the In Vogue Pets stand M4.

For a sneak preview of the FY Active range watch the video. CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Benyfit Natural has launched an improved website, with the focus on creating a new look and feel for online customers.

The website features Benyfit Natural customers dogs fed on the brand’s raw products.

The new site also focuses on educating users on raw feeding with guides on transitioning to raw feeding, the benefits of raw feeding, in-depth FAQs and an educational blog.

Greg Van Praagh, co-founder of Benyfit Natural & Head of UK and Europe at RPFC Group Ltd, comments: “We are so excited to finally be launching the new website. We started this project with the intention of not only updating the appearance of the Benyfit Natural brand, but also to enhance the user experience, making shopping online for Benyfit Natural easier and help to educate and inform on all things raw feeding.  

“The new site streamlines the user experience whether that’s making a one-off order or creating an on-going subscription. As a team we are immensely proud of what we have delivered and hope our customers see the benefits of the changes that we have made.” 

The biggest change to the Benyfit Natural website is the introduction of a new and improved subscription service. With a new, in-depth on-boarding questionnaire, Benyfit Natural provide personalised feeding recommendations and recipes that customers can choose based on their dogs' individual needs. The service provides ease for customers enabling them the flexibility to pause, skip and reschedule their subscriptions in the new account area, as well as providing an ongoing saving for all subscribers.  

CLICK HERE to view the new website

Purina has announced the seven start-ups that will participate in the fourth cohort of its acclaimed accelerator programme, Unleashed. The programme is designed to support and propel the next generation of disruptive pet-tech and pet-care start-ups. 

From pet-assistant devices to unique nose printing technology, this year’s Unleashed is showcasing best-in-class innovative services and products from across the industry. Hailing from Australia, Turkey, France, Italy, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, the champions will benefit from tailor-made start-up scaling packages based on their stage and need. As part of this, the winners will also gain access to agile coaching and Purina’s deep commercial insights to help drive brand visibility.  

The winners will be accelerated for a period of 20 weeks by Purina Unleashed Champions and industry experts. Drawing on over 125 years of Purina history and powerful R&D capabilities, the program includes a structured and funded project of up to CHF 50,000, to help start-ups achieve pre-determined KPI’s and enable the owners meet their key business objectives.  

Unleashed 2023 winners are as follows:  

• Bookmypet (United Arab Emirates) is a leading digital platform that connects pet parents to local service providers. (Where pets have options too!) 
• Dogami (France) is an accessible, mobile-first web3 game, based on lovable 3D NFT dog avatars.  
• Feelloo (France) is a French-made, subscription-free, connected medallion designed to help cat parents take care of their furry friends.  
• LampoVet (Italy) is a telemedicine portal providing specialist support for the nutritional management of chronic and recently onset diseases in cats and dogs. 
• Petopy (Turkey) is a digital assistant for pet parents that engages vets and pet owners with various services.  
• S’more (Japan) uses nose print identification technology to identify individual dogs and tie all data of the dog to their nose.   
• VetChip (Australia) a smart animal health monitor designed to enable animals to live healthier, happier and longer lives.  It performs all the functions of a standard animal ‘identity microchip’ plus so much more.  

Since its inception, Unleashed has accelerated 18 start-ups, including Kibus, a home appliance which helps to cook balanced pet food based in Spain and Animoscope, a telehealth pet-care service provider in France, which empowers pet owners to make decisions based on expertise and data. 

The 2023 programme, which announced winners in March, was designed to build on this success by bringing new and cutting-edge products and services to the forefront of the industry, further enriching life for pets and their owners.  

Kim Bill, Head of the Purina Accelerator Lab, added: “Whilst competition this year was fierce, we are proud to be supporting these start-ups in their journey to disrupt the pet-care and pet-technology sectors, and help them achieve their business goals.  

Meeting consumer pain points has become increasingly harder across a saturated pet market, however we’ve seen some really robust products that are propelling Petcare into the future. 

Thank you to all of the talented business owners that entered this year’s programme.” 

Satsuki Sawashima, co-founder of S’more, said: “The accelerator program has given us the opportunity to take the first step toward building a society where people and pets coexist together.  

“We believe that by implementing the validation of the science and technology of nasal print recognition, and by improving the credibility of the industry through our partnership with Purina, we will also be able to more effectively promote stakeholder acceptance and validate our business model.” 

To find out more about our 2023 winners go to: www.unleashedbypurina.com

direct to your e-mail inbox...

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

ProDog Raw, a leading creator of raw dog food products, has launched a range to support customers amid Britain’s fragile financial market.

As the brand endeavours to create products that cater to all, helping to make every dog healthier, this ‘Economy Core’ range will prove to be especially accessible and highly nutritious.

Each 450g chub will cost just £2.15, with four different formulas being available – beef and chicken, chicken and lamb, chicken and fish, and a three-bird mix. Meanwhile, a sample pack of 10 economy tubs, two packs of treats, and free delivery will retail for just £16.95 for new customers.

ProDog Raw’s Economy Core range sets a new standard for budget raw dog food. This range combines British ingredient raw food with all-natural dietary supplements to provide nutritionally balanced meals that are delivered straight to your door.

As an innovation for the pet food sector, this range promises to revolutionise how owners ensure their dogs enjoy essential nutrients and proteins. Now, the core nutrients dogs need can be found in carefully designed, pre-prepared meals; owners needn’t be left feeling confused or buying multiple products if they can’t afford to. Instead, they can finally discover a solution that doesn’t scrimp on health or price.

Discussing this revolutionary new economy range and why it’s a tremendous step forward for dog owners, CEO Heidi Maskelyne says: “Owning a dog isn’t cheap. According to our own research, the lifetime cost is almost £21,000. Meanwhile, as we love our dogs and see them as members of the family, we inevitably want to give them the very best and ensure they’re as healthy as they can possibly be. For many dog owners, this means investing in both high-quality raw meals and supplements; something we of course advocate for as our leading experts passionately highlight the many benefits of these rich, balanced diets.

“However, such expenditures can be out of reach for some dog owners. For that reason, we were determined to create an affordable alternative; raw meals which also include naturally source supplement blends, eliminating the need for additional purchases. With everything being tailor-made in ready-to-go meals, giving your dog the core nutrients they need has never been easier. We really are changing the game!”

Meanwhile, ProDog Raw’s Nutritional Advisor, Alison Frost, adds: “Healthy diets can be difficult to understand, especially when it comes to our dogs. Understandably, owners often feed their dogs kibble and assume this is ticking every box, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, kibble doesn’t contain ingredients in their natural, digestible form, as they are processed and typically heated to high temperatures. Dogs thrive on a raw diet and, even then, supplements can help to make sure your dog is as healthy as possible, depending on their unique needs. For example, some dogs require support for their joints, coats, muscles, skin, and more – which our vast supplement range caters to.

“I am so glad we’re launching an affordable product line that simplifies this process – no dog should miss out on the ingredients they need. By investing in these meals, you’re actively ensuring that your dog is digesting an entirely healthy, whole, rich diet. We’ve done the research for you!”

For more information visit www.prodograw.com

The British Independent Retailers Association has said this week's inflation rate surprise of 10.4% is adding unnecessary pressure to the high street and traders will be hit hard.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has reacted to the news that UK inflation rose unexpectedly in February which has meant food prices have surged to their highest rate in 45 years.

The consumer prices index (CPI) have leapt from 10.1% in January to 10.4% - and prices in drinks, clothing, meals out and fresh food being driven high.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) also has said that the cost of non-alcoholic drinks and food have risen by 18% in the past year, which is also the highest rate since 1977.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA said: "We are really shocked at this rise and worry for the independents out there who are struggling with rising costs as it is.

"Inflating rising in February is a disappointment and hurts our smaller independent retailers and the high street. Food inflation at 17% ( more than double non-food inflation) is a real concern, because these higher prices for essential item (as with energy) means there is much less money for other disposable income expenditure.

"Removing the energy support form businesses before cheaper prices have been implemented will fuel inflation in the future," he said.

Calming by Pawable is a ‘multi-approach’ supplement, which combines herbs including chamomile, ginger, thyme, and turmeric with fruits, offering a natural anti-bacterial and an anti-inflammatory support.

With thyme as the main ingredient, healthy respiration is promoted allowing pets to become calmer when their breathing is full. 

Understanding the huge benefits of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, Pawable has also eliminated any potential risk of fish oils oxidizing,which would negate any health benefits. 

To do this Pawable has selected minimally processed Schizochytrium Algal Omega-3 Powder, which as a Phytoplankton, is a highly bioavailable source of essential fatty acids comprising both Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Thoughtfully combining this with Coconut oil, the Calming formula offers a spectrum of essential fatty acids - coined as ‘brain’ food to promote that interplay between a healthy gut and cognition.

Calming offers the perfect combination of ingredients to help nourish the microbiome, boost the immune system and help reduce inflammation, which is the root of all disease, whether it’s arthritis, allergies, diabetes, pancreatitis, even obesity.

Dale Nash, of Pawable, said: "We are so excited to launch Calming, and after an initial successful soft launch, we hope that the general public will love it as much as our dogs have.

"We hope that in the run up to the busy holiday period, where people are thinking about taking their dogs away in cars or even by plane, that they will consider supplementing with Calming to help their dogs with this anxiety.

"Like our Collar-Gen product, the powder is easy to feed, and mix into your dog's ordinary meal. We can't wait to hear from customers about their results."

Pawable's Collar-Gen product launched last year, and has already received positive media attention both nationally and locally, as well as support from legions of dogs across the country, who are living happier lives as a result.

And the time is right for a new natural approach to Calming your dog, as with more dogs in the country than ever before, and more places opening up as dog friendly, the potential for stress is higher than ever.

A recent study from the University of Belfast confirmed that dogs are able to smell our stress and react to our moods. Another study tested the levels of cortisol in stressed owners, finding that their dogs also had high cortisol levels, compared to dogs with less stressed humans.

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

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

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

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

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

New research from the Royal Veterinary College has shed light on the frequency, risk factors and linked health problems associated with periodontal disease in pet cats in the UK. These findings will help veterinary practitioners and owners better understand and predict its occurrence and identify opportunities to improve cats’ dental health.

Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed disease in UK cats. The study found 15.2% of cats are diagnosed annually (estimated 1.8 million cats affected every year in the UK), with many more likely going undiagnosed. Periodontal disease causes a range of oral health issues, including gum inflammation, attachment loss of the structures supporting the teeth, tooth mobility, and pain. The early stages include gingivitis (gum inflammation) which can be reversed with good oral health treatment. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis (end stage gum disease) which is very difficult to resolve and can lead to teeth loss.

Although periodontitis can be painful, it can be difficult to identify because cats have developed evolutionary survival habits of masking chronic pain from potential predators. Until now, research on dental problems in companion animals has mostly been in dogs, so there has been limited understanding of periodontal disease in cats.

The study, led by the RVC’s VetCompass Programme, is the largest study ever carried out into dental disease in cats using veterinary clinical records. The study investigated a sample of 18,249 cats randomly selected from a study population of 1,255,130 cats in the UK in 2019. Formally recorded in 15.2% of cats, periodontal disease was the most common disorder in the cats in the study. The cat breeds with the highest annual levels of this diagnosis were Siamese (18.7%), Maine Coon (16.7%) and British Short Hair (15.5%) as well as crossbreeds (15.4%). The average bodyweight of cats with periodontal disease (5.7kg) was higher than for cats without periodontal disease (5.5kg).

The risk of periodontal disease rose steeply as cats got older, with cats aged 9 to 12 years being 6.7 times more likely to have periodontal disease compared with cats aged under 3 years. This highlights the importance for owners taking extra dental care of their cats as they age.

Cats with periodontal disease were much more likely to have a range of other health conditions compared to cats without periodontal disease (x 1.8 risk). Of the 40 other most diagnosed disorders in cats in the study, cats with periodontal disease were more likely to have 21 (52.5%) of these compared to cats without periodontal disease. These conditions included cardiac dysrhythmia (x 2.3 risk), ear discharge (x 2.3 risk) and hairball/furball (x 2.3 risk).

These findings suggest that periodontal disease should be acknowledged as a leading health and welfare issue in cats. The results indicate that age is a strong predictor of periodontal disease risk in cats, indicating a need for greater dental care in cats as they age. This information will help owners provide targeted care for their cats and veterinary teams focus on preventative healthcare methods.

The study also shows the value of Big Data resources such as VetCompass to increase our overall understanding of cat health at a population level.

Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “Although everyone who loves cats wants to make their lives happier and healthier, sadly we often are not even aware when our cats are suffering from dental pain. This study helps owners to understand how common and serious dental problems are for cats.

“There are many ways owners can help support their good oral health in cats. This includes establishing a routine, brushing at roughly the same time each day and using a veterinary/cat toothpaste which is safe for your pet. It is important to start gradually to allow your cat to get used to the taste and accustomed to having their mouth opened before attempting brushing. If you are in doubt about the health of your cat’s teeth, please do ask your vet for advice.”

Alix Freeman, Clinician in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery at Eastcott Referrals, said: “As a veterinary dentist, I see periodontal disease and its effects in cats on a daily basis. I see the huge welfare impact this infectious disease has on our patients. It is wonderful that this research will help draw attention to periodontal disease and the associated health concerns. Prevention is the key to management of periodontal disease. In the same way that humans brush their teeth twice daily, periodontitis can largely be prevented in cats if we institute toothbrushing on a daily basis from a young age. Electric toothbrushes are very useful for effective homecare in cats. Special dental diets, dental treats, chews, water additives and supplements can all help maintain oral health but are no substitute for effective brushing. Regular health checks with your veterinarian will help identify problems at an early stage to ensure the best outcomes.”

Justine Shotton, Senior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association said: “Cats are excellent at letting us know when they want food or affection but rarely make it clear when they are in pain. Unfortunately, this means that issues can be quite advanced by the time they reach the vet practice and treatment options may be limited or costly. Although it may sound daunting, owners can play a key role in their cats’ long-term oral health by introducing a routine of regular brushing. If you’re struggling to brush your cats’ teeth or have concerns about their dental health, it’s important to visit your vet early and explore solutions before severe problems develop.”

This study was supported by an award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and Agria Pet Insurance.

DOGSTIVAL, the festival dedicated to four-legged fun, is back this June to show the nation’s pooches some love this summer.

Jam-packed with all the things a dog loves, furry friends are sure to have the time of their life at this two-day pooch fest, which takes place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4thJune at the Broadlands Estate in Romsey, Hampshire.

Headline sponsored by Naturo pet food, Dogstival’s five-star fun is ever present with four-legged guests treated to epic arena displays, ‘have a go’ activities such as agility, scentwork and flyball, as well as fun dog shows. Dogstival has also teamed up with UK Agility, who will be hosting a regional tournament within the festival, so pups of all levels can compete for rosettes.

There’s also the Barkour adventure playground and giant splash pools for water-loving woofers. But with their ‘Glastonbury for dogs’ credentials, paw-trons can also expect a generous layer of Dogstival’s bonkers-ness too!

Starting at the Dogfuriendly Muddy Paws Tavern, guests will be able to let their fur and hair down at doggy discos, dog bingo and pub quizzes throughout the weekend, before heading over to The Hound Dog Stage to carry on shaking their groove thing to tribute acts such as Sing Out Sisters Abba Tribute and a 30-strong ‘En Masse Pop Choir’.

The main arena will be hosting Dogstival’s first ever Doggie Sports Day – think eight-legged races, relay with dogs or a spot of egg and spoon. What could possibly go wrong?!  Keeping on an animal experience theme, dog-lovers can also watch the Shetland pony display team with child ‘jockey’ riders whizzing around.

For something more holistic, Dogstival’s Canine MOT Centre will offer a one-stop shop for dog wellness advice and insight to help pups stay in peak condition. There’s also various ‘fitness challenges’ with a 0-30mph speed test, long jump and a test of sniffing power with scent work games.

Back at the Muddy Paws Tavern, humans and hounds can work on their downward dogs and practice canine Zen in Doga sessions (yoga for dogs), which will take place across two days. And for the first time ever at Dogstival, attendees will have the chance to reflect on all the dogs they have loved and lost in the touching ‘Over the Rainbow’ memory garden.

As ever, Dogstival will be gift-wrapped with over 140 shopping stands catering to a dog’s tastebuds, lifestyle, fun, health and wellbeing, as well as a smorgasbord of delicious hound and human food. Guaranteed to get tails wagging, pups will be able to tuck into tasty treats from The Four-Legged Fancies bakery, puppuccinos from Pop & Bark and mini dog pizza from the Chulli Pizza stand. Flavour? Poocheroni of course! Meanwhile pet parents will be able to feast on a whole host of delicious foods from around the world including crispy duck rotisserie, melted cheese raclette and churros. So, guests are encouraged to come hungry! For kids young and old, Dogstival will also have a vintage fun fair.

Every year the festival supports a number of charities with proceeds from the Fun Dog Show and this year welcomes The Dogs Trust with their rehoming village to help find amazing pooches their furever home. Dogstival is also supporting a number of selected charities and causes for our 2023 event including Pets As Therapy and Guide Dogs and StreetVet.

Dogstival’s Summer of Love festival for dogs and dog-lovers takes place on 3rd and 4th June 2023 at Broadlands Park, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9ZD. Tickets are priced from £18 adults, 6-16yrs from £10. For more information and for tickets, visit Dogstival.co.uk and head to @dogstival on social for on-going ‘pupdates’.

Figures from leading vet charity PDSA, which is providing vital care for pets during the cost-of-living crisis, have revealed that four million pet owners (almost 18%) are making savings on their weekly food shop to ensure they can continue to provide for their pets.

A similar proportion of people (16%, or 3.7 million pet owners) are reducing their energy consumption to cut costs so they can continue to care for their pet. This comes as Google searches for ‘save money on heating’ spiked by a shocking 878% in 2022.

PDSA has warned these unsettling findings reflect the stark reality for pet owners, many of whom are being forced to make drastic cutbacks as they desperately struggle to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, as many as 770,000 owners are even going without necessities, including skipping meals, to keep money aside to afford the costs associated with looking after their four-legged friends.

Having juggled expensive bills throughout winter, alongside the soaring cost of living, owners may face a further hit this April. While the energy price cap is being reduced, meaning the amount suppliers can charge goes down, government help – in the form of the energy price guarantee – is set to come to an end. This means a household's energy bills could increase by around £3,000.

The looming spring budget announcement also isn’t expected to go a long way in easing the strain on UK pet owners’ pockets. The huge hike in everyday living costs means pet owners will continue to struggle with the cost of loving their companions.

The owners of four million pets across the UK are giving up personal luxuries as the cost-of-living crisis rages on, while two millions pets’ families are cancelling or not going on holiday to save as much money as possible to continue caring for their pets.

Nearly half (47%) of owners are worried about affording the cost of treatment if their pet should fall ill or be injured – making PDSA’s support crucial. A quarter of all pet owners (26%) said they would go into debt, either with family and friends or via credit and loans, to cover the cost of unexpected vet treatment.

Yet, 95% of people are determined to do whatever possible to avoid having to make the agonizing decision of rehoming them, or having them put to sleep, due to the ever-increasing costs to live.

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon, Lynne James, said: “Everyone wants the best for their pets and hearing the lengths loving owners are having to go to during the cost-of-living crisis so they can continue providing for them is heart-breaking.

“In 2022 we provided veterinary care for over 390,000 pets, whose owners would otherwise have struggled to afford the cost and may even have had to resort to other options such as rehoming. Now more than ever, the treatment we provide is a lifeline for families who face the horrible decision of being able to eat regular meals or provide their furry family member with their usual necessities.

“It’s PDSA’s mission to keep people and pets together. Last year we helped more than 330,000 pet owners. With more than half of those who rely on our services aged 55 and over, and 37% disabled or living with a serious health condition, their pet often provides vital companionship. For lots of our clients, their pets are their only companion, and their lives would be unimaginable without them.

“I’d encourage anyone struggling to afford the cost of veterinary treatment to find out if they are entitled to access our services by visiting the eligibility checker on our website. We also have lots of free advice on how to reduce the cost of caring for pets, while ensuring they remain healthy and happy.”

PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. To help keep pets and people together, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision.

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost of loving crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis.

Investment company BGF (Business Growth Fund) has completed a £6m funding agreement with natural pet food brand Scrumbles. The investment will enable the expansion of the company’s senior team and support the continued growth of its omni-channel business model.

Founded in 2018 and based in London, Scrumbles provides nutritious, natural and ‘gut friendly’ food for cats and dogs, through a range of high quality, natural recipes. Scrumbles has achieved significant growth to date, with revenues trebling since inception. In that time, the firm has secured listings for its pet food in major UK retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Pets at Home, as well as establishing a successful direct-to-consumer channel and a strong online sales footprint.

Scrumbles also achieved B Corp recertification this year, originally certifying in 2018, recognising its high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

Scrumbles was founded by a husband-and-wife team, with Aneisha Soobroyen serving as CEO, alongside her husband and co-founder Jack Walker, who both have considerable corporate FMGC experience. The establishment of Scrumbles was inspired by the poor digestive health issues experienced by the founders’ pets, helping them identify the need for a more nutritious range of pet food, containing probiotics to aid gut health and digestion.

Today, all manufacturing is undertaken in the UK and the firm constantly innovates to streamline its packaging and reduce its environmental impact. BGF’s investment will enable the appointment of key hires, including a new Finance Director, and increased marketing to support the firm’s ongoing expansion across all of its sales channels. As part of the transaction, Mike Brehme (founder of Clipper tea) will join the board as NXC, and BGF’s Daria Polunina will join Scrumbles’ board as a non-executive director.

Aneisha Soobroyen, CEO of Scrumbles, said: “We are delighted to have the support of BGF, an experienced growth investor, as we embark on the next stage of our journey. Pet parents today are more conscious than ever about the health of their cats and dogs and recognise the important role nutrition plays in their wellbeing. We are excited to work with BGF to bring the Scrumbles offering to more customers and support more pets’ digestive health.”

Daina Spedding, investor at BGF, said: “BGF is thrilled to be backing Scrumbles, an exciting business with an ambitious growth strategy. Pet nutrition is a resilient and growing market and Scrumbles is well positioned to serve the increasing demand for healthier, natural food for pets. We look forward to supporting Aneisha and Jack as they continue to expand the business and build on their significant success to date.”

Westland Pet Division’s number one specialist brand Bucktons, which is exclusive to the pet channel, will be showcasing its products along with Peckish at PATS Sandown on 26-27 March.

Robert Rock, Head of Sales, commented: “The Westland Pet Division are delighted to be attending PATS again at Sandown in March. PATS is a great show for us and it’s a real opportunity for us to showcase our new products to both existing and new trade customers. The show also helps us to explore new relationships to grow the bird care category with our market leading brands Peckish and Bucktons.

“At Westland Pet, we understand birds and our expert nutritionists ensure the products we sell across wild bird, indoor bird and pigeon, provide all the nutritional goodness that birds need.

“To ensure you receive nothing but the best service to drive our pet care brands we’d like to welcome our new fully dedicated sales team to the pet channel. Now with five territory managers covering the UK independent pet market to help drive your business. 

Robert Rock, our new Head of Sales commented that “The Westland Pet Division are delighted to be attending PATS again at Sandown in March. PATS is a great show for us and it’s a real opportunity for us to showcase our new products to both existing and new trade customers. The show also helps us to explore new relationships to grow the bird care category with our market leading brands Peckish and Bucktons.

“So please do get in touch if Peckish and Bucktons can help to support your business with any range and display solutions for the bird care category.”

Take a look at the brand websites for more information on products:

www.peckishbirdfood.com 

www.bucktons.co.uk  

Wild Bird Food Range

For many people, attracting, feeding and observing a myriad collection of bird visitors is an integral part of the day. That’s why at Bucktons, we’ve created exceptional mixes which not only cater for the fact that birds’ nutritional requirements change by season and species, but also keep them and your customers coming back for more, all year round.

Indoor and Aviary Bird Food Range

Whether kept for companionship, breeding or displaying in shows and competitions, Bucktons has everything your customers need to keep their birds happy and healthy. We are the friendly expert to turn to for nutritional advice at every stage of their bird’s life. We use only the finest quality ingredients that will fly off your shelves.

Racing Pigeon Food Range

Bucktons is the name that’s highly regarded across the pigeon community. It’s tried, tested and trusted for its highly competitive mixtures for both professional and amateur fanciers and breeders. Our unrivalled commitment to the sport means that we dedicate resources to support the hobby through annual sponsorships and partnerships. 

Exclusive Show Deals

Bucktons and Peckish have lots of exclusive deals that are only available stand F13 at PATS Sandown.

Momentum is building behind Water Alive, the new consumer show for fishkeepers, which will run alongside trade exhibition AQUA 2023 in October. 

News of the event was announced last month and the aquatic and watergardening world has been buzzing with excitement – already over half of the available stand space has been reserved.

AQUA 2023 is being held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12-14 October, with Water Alive being open to consumers on the final two days (Friday and Saturday). The Thursday of AQUA 2023 will be a trade-only day as in previous editions.

The idea of Water Alive is to help consumers become more engaged with their hobby and feel part of an amazing industry. They will be able to see and touch all the latest launches from leading manufacturers and suppliers as well as buy products from specialist retailers.

Organisers of Water Alive are keen to stress there will be strict commercial guidelines in place at the event to uphold the industry’s principles and keep the show professional. As a result, all direct-to-consumer sales taking place at the show will be handled by retailer stores, who must hold an OATA retail membership.

“Water Alive is an exciting addition to the aquatic and watergardening industry,” said Mark Winter, chairman of organisers OATA Impact Exhibitions. “We will ensure the highest standards are upheld so that everyone can enjoy a professional and successful show. All UK retailers with OATA membership are invited to take a stand at the show – this is a perfect opportunity to put your store on the UK aquatics map.”

As well as finding out what’s new to the market, visitors will be able to learn more about their hobby from experts giving talks at a special seminar area called Speakers Corner, plus a range of other hobbyist focussed features. 

Companies wishing to exhibit at AQUA 2023 and Water Alive and retailers seeking more information about taking a stand should call the organisers on 01892 862848 (office open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday).

Up-and-coming Leicestershire pet food business Vale Pet Foods is celebrating a successful appearance at Crufts.

Luke Chapman, Co Founder of Vale Pet Foods said: “We were surrounded by some great companies that were all from different sectors within the pet business world and so I think we all complimented each other very well and visitors were able to browse from one stand to another without seeing more of the same.”

The business took between 30-40 new customers onto their subscription model for raw food and another 10-20 for their dry. Treat sales were great and sold out twice over and had to be restocked from their warehouse. Takings on the stand were tripled from last year. Vale Pet Foods also did very well on the trade side gaining 15 potential new trade clients and 3 new breeders. There was a lot of interest in the new re-branded raw range.

Vale Pet Foods was founded by two dog trainers, husband and wife Luke and Mairi Chapman who also run a busy little farm in the Northamptonshire countryside. As dog trainers they became very aware of the sensitivities and intolerances to food that many dogs had developed. They saw first-hand how diet can massively impact a dog’s behaviour, its appearance and also its development. Vale Dog Food was created to provide customers with a naturally wholesome diet, packed with a good healthy source of protein and the right oils and minerals to benefit skin and joints. They produce a range of grain and gluten free dry food recipes, raw food recipes and natural treats.

All products only use meat sourced from the human food chain and the finest ingredients and packed with vital nutrients that are needed to contribute to great overall health. 

For further information please visit. www.valepetfoods.com

The Government has introduced compulsory cat microchipping in the UK to make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

There are over 9 million pet cats in England, with as many as 2.3 million unchipped, meaning that it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owner if they get lost or stolen.

The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure. The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping was a manifesto commitment and an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.

The new rules mean cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks and their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database. All owners must have their cat microchipped by 10 June 2024 and owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a fine of up to £500.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Cats and kittens are treasured members of the family, and it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“Legislating for compulsory microchipping of cats will give comfort to families by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “I am pleased that we are progressing with our requirement for all cats to be microchipped.

“Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

“By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.”

Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy, Campaigns & Government Relations, Madison Rogers, said: “Cats Protection is delighted that pet cats in England will be given the same protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping. The charity regularly reunites owners with their much-loved cats, and in most cases this is only possible thanks to microchips. No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance that a lost cat will be swiftly returned home.”

The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

It will not be compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.

Owners with cats that are already microchipped should ensure their details are up to date.

The commitment to microchipping is part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading standards. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021: we have brought in new laws to recognise animals sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences and brought forward a ban on glue traps.