American pet giant Petco has opened a ‘first-of-its-kind’ store in California that offers a new way for pet owners to provide complete care for their animals. Unlike regular Petco stores, the PetCoach concept has no registers or dedicated cashiers. 

PetCoach offers customers a membership option that includes high-value perks like free vet visits and discounted products and services.

According to the company, PetCoach provides the highest quality suite of personalised pet services, products and experiences – all designed through a veterinary lens – to address total pet health and wellness.

"Pet parents tell us they want expert advice they can trust and easy, seamless access to everything they need to take the best possible care of the pets they love," said Petco CEO Ron Coughlin, who took the helm on June 18.

"With PetCoach, we're reinventing the idea of a traditional 'pet store' by providing complete care experiences – from grooming, training and day care to full-service veterinary care.”

The new model brings Petco's previously online-only, veterinary-led PetCoach platform to life in a retail setting, enhanced by digital and mobile tools, so pet owners have 24/7 access to the support they need – whenever and wherever they need it.

On-site services include grooming, training, veterinary care, nutrition consultations, day care, self-wash, mobile vet house calls and dog walking – all in one place.

The store design highlights the experiences offered, with clear visibility into each service area and casual gathering spaces for personal interactions and educational events.

Digitally, owners can create custom pet profiles; book in-store service appointments and get tailored reminders; access immediate professional pet health advice from licensed veterinarians; order from a vet-vetted selection of pet food and supplies; and search an extensive library of content relevant to their pet, including their own health and vaccination records, service history and more.

Whether online or in store, an integrated team of highly-trained ‘pet coaches’ work together to get to know every pet and help owners make the best choices for theie animals. Every service and product PetCoach offers – including a limited selection of top natural pet nutrition brands – has been hand-selected and approved by licensed veterinarians to make life healthier, happier and easier for pets and their owners.

"The new PetCoach location serves as an innovation lab where we can test and learn more about what pet parents want and need to live their best lives with their pets," said Petco EVP, Strategic Innovation & Digital Experience Brock Weatherup.

"The concept allows us to continue creating new, differentiated and personalised pet care experiences, all backed by our extensive veterinary expertise and support."

WildWash is launching a campaign to use less plastic, and its first step is to introduce refill centres across the UK.

The company uses PET plastic bottles for its products which are the most recyclable plastic bottles but still some bottles enter the municipal solid waste stream instead of being recycled.

Discarding plastic bottles instead of recycling them, wastes non-renewable resources and generates higher levels of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, in a natural process called the greenhouse effect. This leads to Global Warming and this extra heat causes changes in climate patterns, including the severity of wind, precipitation and temperature fluctuations.

As part of its campaign WildWash will be suggesting ways that people can eliminate plastic from their lives and work towards cutting down the pollution of the planet. Small steps lead to big changes.

As a company that uses plastic WildWash will be looking at ways to reduce the plastic consumption. Its first step is to introduce refill centres across the UK. The first refill centre is The Mutz Nutz in Notting Hill (address: 221 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 1EA).

Customers will be able to bring their empty WildWash Pro 300ml bottles and refill them. The company's concentrated formula normally costs £14.95 a bottle, but for the refill service it will just be £10, so customers will make a huge cost saving as well as using less plastic.

"We are aiming by the end of the year to have centres offering this service all over the country to make it accessible to everyone," said Jane Cooper, of WildWash.

"We will be appealing to all our customers to help with this plea and we also welcome anyone and everyone to get involved with ideas and tips.

"We would like this campaign to span as far as possible."

Email info@wildwash.co.uk to get involved.

Recent media frenzy surrounding the harmful effects of plastic waste has sent many pet food consumers, brands and retailers into a spiral of confusion, according to a leading packaging company.

Law Print Pack is a company specialising in recyclable packaging and its marketing manager Kate McCauley says: "We've had a lot of interest from our pet sector customers and contacts on how to make their packaging more sustainable moving forwards."

Kate has put together the following guidelines that hopefully clear up some of the main reasons why plastics are used in packaging and what pet food brands can be focussing on moving forwards before real legislation is put in place.

From consumers, suppliers, retailers, governments and even just as mere humans, we’ve all felt compelled to tackle the global plastics problem.

The statistics released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 is nothing short of terrifying.

And it’s not only the visible pollution but the hidden problems of microplastics and their impact on marine life and the wider food chain.

Of all the global plastics manufactured, over half are used solely for packaging, many only once and failing to be disposed of responsibly. Recent studies have shown that 90% of all the plastic polluting the oceans comes from just ten rivers located in Asia and Africa, so it’s only right to take a step back and ask the question how far can we go to tackle the global plastics problem?

Managing the huge volumes of waste from our ‘throw-away culture’ is arguably nigh on impossible. We are simply manufacturing more plastic than we are able to dispose of. Even with the robust recycling systems in place here in the UK, it’s still not enough. According to Recoup UK only 21% of plastic films and 76% of plastic pots, tubs and trays are currently recycled by local authorities.

Compare these figures to the most polluting countries with no infrastructure, government funding or obligation to control plastic waste and you hit a real problem. In their Plastic Planet feature, National Geographic quoted Ramani Narayan from Michigan State University who suggests that even if the whole of Europe and North America managed to recycle all of their waste it would hardly make a dent in the total plastics found in the oceans.

A scary statement, but one that many people need to hear before we commit millions to new collection systems and waste management centres. As well as brands investing in new biodegradable materials that in fact may do far more harm than existing plastic packaging materials on the market.

The recent media frenzy has sent many pet food consumers, brands and retailers into a spiral of confusion, with many of our own customers asking why are still using plastic in packaging. For perishable foods, like those used in the pet food sector, plastic provides essential barrier protections to prolong shelf life, protect the product in transit and prevent unnecessary food waste, which in itself is another catastrophic environmental issue.

Using lightweight flexible films can improve environmental impact through reduced material usage and production emissions, so with more product and less packaging, landfill waste is significantly cut. These efficiencies also trickle down to distribution, with less space needed for transportation resulting in fewer CO2 emissions.

The simple fact of the matter is we can’t simply villainise all plastics in packaging. It’s a naïve and dangerous belief that abolishing all plastic can be an immediate solution to such a complicated and engrained issue. 

What we can do is ensure that we always design with the end in mind.

• We can work to optimise all packaging.
• We can use a more lightweight material with reduced environmental impact.
• We can think about the potential for recycling at end of life.
• We can look at whether we really need to use plastic for single use, throw away formats.
• We can develop materials that will be accepted in current waste streams, rather than contaminating them.
• We can put collective pressure as an industry on the government to invest in improved infrastructure here, but also further afield in developing countries that need it most.

As the statistics suggest that until the worst offending countries waste systems are addressed, Western policies may be futile to tackle the deep-rooted global problem. 

Because really, everything can and should be recycled, even if it is burnt for energy, it still has the potential for positive use at end of life.

This month Law Print launched their sustainability series, outlining their commitment to sustainability as well as providing a free eBook on the Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Packaging.

To learn more, visit: http://lawprintpack.co.uk/ultimate-guide-to-sustainable-packaging/

Cotswold RAW was born from a dogged determination to challenge incumbent pet food norms, promote clean living and champion ‘local’ farming in conjunction with the wider rural economy. 

BARF is about simplicity, transparency and clarity of thought.  When you consider that a raw diet seeks to reduce waste levels from our pets, it makes sense to also re-evaluate our business’s paw print on the wider environment.

From day one Cotswold RAW deployed its own refrigerated vans and heat-sealed packaging (leak and tamper proof) to keep wastage to an absolute minimum and yet and yet this isn’t a business that rests on its laurels. 

This summer sees Cotswold RAW change the colour of its 1kg meat trays from black to clear in a spirited bid to broaden the packaging’s recycling credentials (500g packs will follow suit imminently).

Co-founder Mark Lewis said: "Our focus has always been brand transparency (showcase our products) and yet whilst wealready go further than most we fully accept there’s always wiggle room when it comes to further improvements, hence our 2018 commitment to recyclable trays."

If that wasn’t enough, Cotswold RAW has also revisited its all-important outer packaging and are moving towards Woolcool packaging (that customers will be incentivised to return) thereby minimising future usage of Styrofoam boxes.

"Countryside common sense has been one of the cornerstones of our business from day one, so in these times of heightened awareness regarding the impact of plastic pollution we’re keen to add our voice to the debate," added Mark.

Denzel’s is set to launch a range of healthy, everyday snacks for dogs, reflecting the boom in popularity of human health snacks such as protein bars, superfoods and natural spreads. 

As parents become increasingly concerned with high sugar and calorie snacks. Denzel’s offers a low sugar, grain-free alternative for dogs which are under 50 cals per chew.  

Co-founders James Lacy and Nathan Perry put their heads together when they struggled to find a healthy, everyday snack for James’ cheeky cocker spaniel, Denzel.

With over 10 years’ experience working for successful pet food brands between them, they decided to create their own range which has since been backed by Virgin Startup.

The range of hand-baked chews are made from 100% natural ingredients and contain nothing artificial.

Denzel’s launches with three variants – High Protein, Superfood and Nut Butter dog chews. 

• High Protein dog chews – Made with real chicken, spinach and chickpeas to cram the chews with healthy proteins.
• Superfood dog chews – Using salmon, fresh banana, berries and apple to pack the chews with vitamins and minerals.
• Nut Butter dog chews – Blending tasty peanuts, cashews and coconut oil to provide a source of heathy fats and fibre.

“With UK families becoming increasingly health conscious and aware of the dangers of a high calorie and high sugar diet, parents are looking for healthier alternatives for themselves, their children and their pets each day. This is why Denzel’s snacks are grain-free as well as naturally low in sugar and under 50 calories per chew," said Nathan.

Denzel’s pack of three chews (RRP: £2.50), are launching in a number of independent pet and health stores with further exciting launches to be announced.

For further information about becoming a stockist contact Nathan (nathan@denzels.co.uk) and James (james@denzels.co.uk).

IKEA has urged customers to return a water dispenser, after two dogs suffocated when their heads became trapped.

The Swedish retail giant has put out a statement recalling the Lurvig water dispenser for pets, with the warning that it is hazardous to animals, after it was reported that two dogs had died using it.

“At IKEA, the safety and security of our products is our top priority, which is why we have decided to recall the LURVIG water dispenser,” said Petra Axdorff, Business Area Manager at IKEA of Sweden AB.

“We are deeply saddened by these events and know that pets are important and loved family members."

The Lurvig water dispenser features a reservoir designed to keep the water bowl topped up, but it has proved to be a suffocation hazard.

The full IKEA statement can be viewed by clicking here.

Pooch & Mutt’s latest online campaign puts a fun, unique spin on the ­­more 'traditional' expectations of pet food adverts. 

Featuring one of the UK’s top female free runners, the ad follows Thuli and her parkour pooch, Scout, racing through the streets of London to try the brand's new wet food cartons.

Commenting on the concept, Pooch & Mutt founder Guy Blaskey is excited that the ad stands out from the norm.

“We've never been afraid to stand out with our marketing and like to keep things fun.

"For our last Christmas campaign, we created a spoof of the John Lewis Christmas ad and everyone loved it. It reached over 1 million views in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

"We’re confident that Pooch Parkour will go down well because its pace and energy are so fun to watch. Pooch & Mutt is the first UK pet company to use Tetra packaging and you don't see many adverts promoting pet food using a free running athlete with their dog."

The advert reflects Pooch & Mutt’s ethos, which is focused on healthy food and healthy living. With fresh meat, fruits and vegetables in a paté-like texture, the foods are complete and grain-free, containing the equivalent of a can.

Incorporating the brands’ ethical values with the tagline “Ditch the can, help the planet”, the new range has the environment at its heart, promising:

• 100% recyclable packaging
• 80% lower carbon footprint than a can
• 70% of the pack is made from renewable resources

Filmed around some well-known spots across south west London, the filming took place over a day, with Scout playing the leading role. Since being adopted from a Romanian street dog shelter in 2017, Scout and her free-running owner Thuli do everything together.

After a month of post-production, the campaign is now live.

"A huge thanks goes to Philip Dupée and the team from the production company LOVE London, as well as our free runner Thuli Lamb and her dog Scout, they did an amazing job on a high energy brief,” says Blaskey.

“We’d also like to thank Parkour Generations, Pets At Home and the staff at their Battersea store, their support throughout the filming process was a great help.”

The film can be viewed on Pooch & Mutt’s Facebook page here.

Benevo Vegan Pet Foods was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, acknowledging its outstanding growth in exports over recent years.

As an independent,100% veggie owned family business, Benevo has been creating innovative nutritionally complete animal-free pet food for cats and dogs since 2005, in addition to complimentary foods and treats.

The Queen’s Award is the UK’s most prestigious business award, granted to companies by Her Majesty The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Company Director, Darrell de Vries accepted the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire who presented the Grant of Appointment signed by both Queen Elizabeth II and Theresa May along with a commemorative crystal bowl.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire was also joined by the Mayor of Havant where Benevo is based, who both acknowledged the unique nature of the business and the impressive 50% increase in international sales, despite operating in a very niche market.

Darrell de Vries said: “The best thing about this award is that it’s won on performance, not opinion. It’s much more meaningful, as the performance is a reflection of the hard work put in by everyone here in our team. It is a pat on the back for our success that couldn’t have come from a higher authority."

The ceremony held at Benevo’s headquarters followed on from a reception at Buckingham Palace earlier this month where Mr de Vries along with Benevo’s manager of exports Dominic Eadie met Prince Charles and the Duke of Kent.

Since the announcement, Benevo’s achievements have gained coverage all around the world, on platforms such as International Asian TV and Israeli TV and they have even received new business interest from as far away as New Zealand.

Now accounting for the majority of their sales, Benevo’s award winning foods can be found in over 30 countries worldwide, replacing millions of pets’ meals each year with more environmentally friendly options.

Pet firm Oralade has donated a quantity of its new hypotonic drink, Hydrate+, to the Dogs on the Streets organisation to help animals in their care through the intense heatwave and beyond.

Dogs on the Streets director Michelle Clark set up DOTS in March 2017 as a voluntary run, not for profit organisation. Helping the homeless community with dogs, DOTS runs weekly ‘street stations’ across London and nationwide.

With DOTS’ mobile veterinary units the team provides free veterinary care from routine check ups and vaccinations to dietary and behavioural advice. DOTS can now also provide biopsies, blood tests and emergency 24/7 care.

In the recent soaring temperatures the organisation was struggling to cope with the number of dogs with severe heat stroke symptoms and de-hydration.

Michelle Clark said: “We’re always looking for preventative support for the dogs in our care, and Hydrate+ has been one of the best donations we’ve received for exactly this.

"Living rough on London’s concrete takes its toll, especially in hot weather. We’re committed to doing the best for our dogs, and why wait for problems to arise, medication and vets bills? Hydrate+ has been so effective even lapped up by the poorliest dogs suffering in the extreme temperatures. It helped get them drinking and quenched their thirst quickly, and naturally.”

Encouraging dogs to drink, the unique hypotonic formula is packed with essential electrolytes, glucose and prebiotics, which helps maintain optimum digestive function.

Its ingredients nourish the mucosal barrier and improves nutrient uptake, whilst stimulating the micro-flora that promotes gut health.

This balances the serious effects of de-hydration, which impacts overtime at a cellular level by starving your dog of oxygen, fluid and nutrients.

Catering for all the dogs’ needs, DOTS is delighted to be able to offer an effective hydration solution that helps dogs cope with the additional stresses of living on the streets.

Offering a lifeline to the homeless community with dogs, DOTS has already helped over 300 dogs living on the streets of London and further afield through their unique ‘static street stations’, and mobile veterinary support.

For further information visit www.dotslondon.co.uk and www.oraladepet.com

Sunny Sharma, Director at Pet Brands and Vital Pet Trade Specialist, has been announced as winner of the SME Company Director of the Year, Yorks and NE, by the Institute of Directors at a gala dinner.

Sunny said he was surprised and delighted to receive the award which was the icing on the cake on a very enjoyable evening.

Simon Walton, Managing Partner at Odger Berndtson/Berwick Partners and Head Judge for the Director of the Year Awards 2018, said: “This was a very hard category to judge as the quality of entries was particularly high but we felt that Sunny Sharma was the standout candidate due to the impressive growth of Pet Brands and the company’s international expansion.”

Sunny Sharma receives his Institute of Directors award from Natalie Allen, Business Development Manager, Enterprise Services, Leeds Beckett University.

British middle distance runner and recently qualified vet, Laura Muir, has announced the date for the inaugural Simplyhealth Canine Run, which will take place on Saturday 20 October as part of the Simplyhealth Great South Run weekend.

Simplyhealth is also asking local vets and vet nurses who want to volunteer as marshals, or to be part of the event, to get in touch.

For anyone looking for something a little more challenging than a fun run, the Simplyhealth Great Run Series will involve 100 fit dogs and their sporty owners. Those who register and are accepted will take part in the 2.5km run along the scenic Southsea seafront, starting and finishing on Clarence Esplanade.

Dogs taking part in the Simplyhealth Canine Run will need to be well socialised. Whilst an on-site vet will be on hand on the day to deal with any emergencies, owners should also make sure that they consult their vet ahead of the run to check through their dog’s training plan and ensure they are in great shape to take part.

Laura, who is also the 1500m British record holder and World Indoor silver medallist, will be setting everyone on their way as honorary starter.

She commented: “I am thrilled to be part of the very first Simplyhealth Canine Run. Exercising with your dog is a great idea – it ensures that dogs get plenty of exercise and people can also benefit from an increased sense of wellbeing as a result of physical activity.

"I’m really looking forward to spotting some canine athletes and seeing everyone having fun together.”

The event is the first of its kind in the Simplyhealth Great Run Series. It will take place on the morning of Saturday 20 October before the Simplyhealth Great South 5k, the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run.

Each dog will be accompanied by one owner to run the 2.5km course and once they cross the finish line, dogs will be rewarded with a collar tag and a dog treat, while their owners will receive a Simplyhealth Canine Run t-shirt.

Sally Clarke, Director of Vets at Simplyhealth Professionals, says the company is delighted to have put the spotlight on pets for the first time of the Great Run Series history,

“The Simplyhealth Great Run series promotes health and wellbeing and we have an amazing opportunity to also address the needs of the furry members of the family.

"Canine fitness is about diet, exercise and of course high quality veterinary care. Having veterinary professionals join the team of volunteers on the day and share their expertise in preventive health helps ensure those positive messages are heard by tens of thousands of people.”

Simplyhealth donates at least 10% of adjusted pre-tax profits to charity each year and its charity partner for the Great Run series is mental health charity MIND.

For more information and to enter the Simplyhealth Canine Run visit www.greatrun.org/canine

About Simplyhealth Professionals

Simplyhealth Professionals is the UK’s leading provider of preventive healthcare packages for cats, dogs, horses and rabbits and has been providing pet health payment plans for over 10 years.

The company makes it simple for practices to implement and run pet health plans by providing dedicated business support from its team of field-based business development consultants and in-house practice support advisors, as well as a large team of customer support advisers and legal, compliance and marketing experts.

It provides an additional regular monthly income and there are no upfront costs required to set up health plans for practices. Over 1,800 vets use the service to care for over one million pets. Every health plan is bespoke to the practice and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of pets under its care.

Find out more at http://www.pethealthplans.co.uk/vets

The Quintessentially British Collection of Bird Houses from Deco-Pak has picked up a major honour at the prestigious GIMA Awards.

The Best Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Product award was presented to the company by Pet Trade Xtra editor Neil Pope at a glitzy ceremony at Celtic Manor Golf Resort last Thursday.

The Quintessentially British Collection is a fun and functional favourite guaranteed to fly off the shelf. Daring designs include The Garden Shed, The London Underground, The Wine Rack and 10 Downing Street.

A complete gift package that appeals to a wide range of consumers and retailers. Eye-catching POS teamed with an unrivalled profit margin makes this range a retailer's dream.

What the judges said: “Whimsical and charming - a fantastic take on the traditional bird house.”

Finalists in this category were Smart Garden Products (Apple & Pear glass bird feeders) and Wildlife World (Shenstone Theatre Bird Bath and Drinker).

Supreme Petfoods just keeps adding to its accolades this year. The manufacturer of food for small pets has now been voted number one by retailers in the Pet Product Marketing (PPM) Retailer Recommended Awards with the Small Animal Product of the Year.

Supreme Selective Naturals treats also won Product Innovation of the Year – an award that extended across all categories and all pets!

In the small pet product category, the company nominated its Selective brand for the first time – having won twice before with the Tiny Friends Farm range.

Marketing Manager, Claire Hamblion says the company made the decision because it had already proven the popularity of the Tiny Friends Farm range and wanted to reflect increasing demand for high quality top of the range mono-component foods by owners who now see their pets more as valued companions rather than children’s pets.

She attributes the win to solid nutritional credentials and the resources and support available for stockists,

“Selective has all the bells and whistles that anyone could ask for – there’s no added sugar, it’s the highest fibre kibble around, has a fixed formula and it’s made in dedicated facilities and formulated by experts in the nutritional needs of small pets. That all adds up to some reliable results and it’s a recommendation that will never let you down.

"We’ve also worked hard to understand what support retailers need and to give them practical advice on how best to encourage sell though in the small pet category.”

The Naturals treats range is suitable for all herbivores, making them easy to recommend. The hoops and stick shapes encourage different interactions and are small and light enough to allow tiny paws to carry them to their favourite spot or hide them away for later. Winning the innovation category against popular products for cats and dogs was a real high point for Supreme.

The natural ethos is popular with pet owners and the treats are made with ingredients sourced from meadows, woodlands and forests, as well as garden vegetables. Treating is an important part of the bonding experience and with Naturals it’s also a responsible recommendation as the range is high fibre with no added sugar.

Retailers interested in stocking Supreme can find out more about the product range at www.supremepetfoods.com where they can also access free materials in the Retailer Zone. 

Supreme Petfoods has specialised in the care and nutrition of small pets for 25 years. It was the first company to make species specific small animal diets that reflected their unique nutritional requirements. As well as offering the biggest range of species specific foods, Supreme also manufactures all its herbivore diets in dedicated vegetarian facilities.

Only ingredients of the highest quality are sourced for use in the Supreme range of foods and the recipes are developed to be palatable without the use of added sugar.

Supreme recipes are all manufactured to a fixed formula to minimise the risk of gastric upset and while the company produces diets containing the highest fibre levels of any rabbit food, hay is always recommended as an additional food source to promote dental wear, provide environmental enrichment, foraging and nesting opportunities.

Find out more about Supreme at www.supremepetfoods.com

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The end of the UK’s longest heatwave won’t only dampen the mood of the nation but will create the optimum breeding conditions for fleas, in what could become a flea epidemic, according to experts.

Pets at Home is warning unprepared pet owners ahead of any imminent rainfall to treat their pets against fleas, as the environmental conditions needed for flea eggs to hatch will be in perfect alignment.

Flea eggs can lie dormant during cold weather and will hatch when conditions are warm and humid. The moisture in the air that comes with rainfall is necessary for eggs to hatch and continue their life cycle, from which point they will multiply rapidly and can quickly become out of control if homes and pets are not protected.  

Dr. Maeve Moorcroft, Head of Pets, for Pets at Home, has advised pet owners to check their home, as well as their pet, for a flea infestation, as fleas can live within bedding as well as soft furnishings used by the whole family.

Maeve says: “While the risk to a pet varies from animal to animal, it’s possible for a pet to become infested after missing just one preventative treatment. The great weather might have lured some owners into thinking their pets could be flea-free, but infestation can cause real suffering for pets causing them to scratch themselves and can result in hair loss or a secondary skin infection.

|Whilst it is recommended to seek regular treatment as a precaution, even during cold seasons, it is never too late to take action against fleas, especially before the rain begins.”

Pets at Home’s flea treatment subscription service now makes it easier for pet owners to prevent their beloved cat or dog from catching fleas.

Advantage flea treatment starts from £4 per month, or from £5.50 per month choose Frontline Plus, which not only kills fleas, ticks and biting lice, but also protects your home as it stops eggs from hatching, therefore breaking the flea life cycle.

The subscription can be set up in store or online by visiting http://www.petsathome.com/subscribeandsaveflea.

Three men are being sought by police after a window was smashed at the Pets at Home store in Kendal.

The window was smashed at 12.05am on July 12 at the Southlakeland Retail Park store.

One of the suspects is said to have been wearing a light coloured top.

Police are asking for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Witnesses can contact police on 101 or call Crrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Pet Industry Federation has announced that its joint animal establishments inspector training course, run in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, has been approved as meeting the City & Guilds Accreditation benchmark.

From the 1 October 2018, the new Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations (AAL) require those carrying out inspections to be appropriately qualified.

The ‘Professional Programme in Inspecting Licensable Activities Involving Animals’, a Level 3 equivalent course, has been specifically developed by animal health inspectors and education experts to address this new legal requirement. The course will provide inspectors with sufficient training to ensure the legislation, its guidance and animal welfare requirements are understood and implemented.

The course comprises an online multiple choice legislation test, prior to undertaking five days of ‘face to face’ training. These classroom days will be a combination of taught sessions and practical exercises delivered by qualified, experienced inspectors from the City of London, supported by industry experts, held at the specialised facilities at Heathrow Animal Reception Centre. Assessment is through reflective essays of completed inspection.

The new regulations allow three years for existing animal licensing inspectors to undertake relevant training, with those new to the activity requiring training from 1 October 2018.

Commenting on the recognition the course has gained, Nigel Baker, PIF CEO said: "Hundreds of PIF members require licensing in order to run their pet business, and the new AAL regulations represent a brave new world that will take time for pet businesses to digest.

"The knowledge, therefore, that their inspections will be undertaken by individuals who possess the requisite skills and understanding derived specifically from these new AAL regulations as part of a nationally accredited course will undoubtedly provide reassurance and will help safeguard animal welfare."

Rob Quest, Assistant Director at the City of London Corporation, added: "The City of London Corporation is delighted to have helped develop this important course with our Primary Authority partners, the Pet Industry Federation.

"The course equips local authority inspectors with all the training they require to undertake local authority inspections, in order to sufficiently discharge their duties under the new legislation.

"The badge of accreditation for this course received today from City & Guilds is important for providing a hallmark of quality, with teaching and assessment methods closely monitored to ensure standards of training are maintained."

The Pet Industry Federation is also developing a range of online courses for licensees to ensure they are able to meet the minimum training requirements under the new legislation.

Further details about the Professional Programme in Inspecting Licensable Activities Involving Animals course, including course dates and registration, can be found in the Education section of the Pet Industry Federation website: www.petfederation.co.uk; by calling 01234 273933, or emailing education@petfederation.co.uk

Beaphar UK has welcomed a new member to its ranks, with Rose Victor joining the company as Marketing Communications Executive.

Rose has a master’s degree in Graphic Design, and previously worked in the education sector, where she worked with international schools producing various publications and looking after different online elements. In her new role, Rose will be providing design, online and event management support, and will be pivotal in the creation of instore point- of-sale.

Rose said: “Education is a hugely important part of being a pet-owner and something that Beaphar is also passionate about. Having come from this sector, I’m looking forward to integrating my knowledge of international clientele relations and educational marketing to help steer Beaphar towards becoming a thought leader.

“The Beaphar UK Marketing Team is a strong one, and I’m excited to begin working with them on our next campaign.”

Vicky Le Fanu, UK Marketing Manager, said: “Rose has a keen eye for detail and a flair for design that makes her a great addition to the Beaphar UK Marketing Team.

“Her strong design skillset and digital knowledge guarantees we will continue to deliver attention grabbing point-of-sale and online support to our retailers, while her previous experience brings diversity to the team. We are delighted to welcome Rose to Beaphar UK.”

Pet Rebellion is exhibiting at spoga+gafa, the international garden and leisure show taking place in Cologne, Germany, on September 2-4.

The pet firm will appear in the British Pavilion organised by Gardenex, the export federation that has taken a group of British exhibitors to spoga+gafa for over 40 years. 

Pet Rebellion Ltd (Hall 9.1, Stand D33) will be showcasing its new version of the Car Seat Carpet that is now made with a new super absorbent pile.  

Designed to fit almost every car seat, this award-winning carpet prevents car seats from getting soiled, scratched and odours from forming on the interior.  

The carpet is machine washable and universal size, 57x140cm. 

Other Pet Rebellion products include memory foam beds, barrier mats, car boot protectors and door mats.

Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Limited (RSPEL), parent company of PetSafe Brand, has appointed Alex Bewley to Business Development Manager.  

The new appointment is a further boost to the company’s sales team following Nicki Hamilton joining the business as EMEA Sales Director last month. 

At RSPEL, Alex’s role will be to win new business and develop both Radio Systems’ PetSafe® Brand and SportDOG® Brand presence in the North of the UK.  He will be based in the field and report to Stuart McCulloch, International Business Manager at Radio Systems.

Alex joins from pet food manufacturer, Edgard Cooper, where he was Account Manager and responsible for acquiring key accounts and launching the brand in the North of the UK. During his time with the business, achievements included signing big names such as Waitrose and Blue Diamond Group as well as over 60 independents within his first 12 months.

Commenting on his new role, Alex said: “RSPEL is a market leader and has a great overall ethos and reputation for outstanding product innovation.  I’m thrilled to be joining a company I’ve long admired and I’m looking forward to getting started and building the business even further.” 

Stuart McCulloch added: “Alex has an exceptional track record in new business acquisition and a great network of contacts in the North of England.  We’re delighted to welcome him on board and are confident he’ll help drive our business forward in this key region.”

Shrewsbury based CJ Wildlife is the proud winner of the 2018 Best Online Business category at the Shropshire Business Awards. 

The Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has been running the Shropshire Business Awards for 18 years to bring the business community together and celebrate the achievements of finalists in all 15 categories.

CJ Wildlife, a former Business of the Year winner in 2003, was started over 30 years ago on a Shropshire farm outside Shrewsbury selling high quality wild bird food to encourage people to feed their garden birds at a time when population decline was putting local wildlife under threat.

In the decades that followed, CJs were instrumental in the growth of the bird food and wildlife care market in the UK and Europe, and in raising awareness of the benefits of feeding garden birds all year round. Bird populations are once again on the increase and the public’s interest in caring for wildlife has never been greater.  

As well as distributing high quality foods and products throughout the UK, the company operates in a further nine countries across Europe and has a turnover in excess of £24 million per year. In addition to their own ten online shops, CJs also manage five e-commerce websites and distribution channels for wildlife and animal charity partners in Holland, Germany and Belgium.

Tony Cordery, Chief Executive Officer at CJ Wildlife, said: "When we received the news in May that we had been selected as a finalist for two awards, including the prestigious Best Online Business category we were delighted.

"With fellow finalists Wood’s of Shropshire, Wrekin Water Softeners and Purition, we knew we faced extremely tough competition.

"To be a part of the awards this year was an enjoyable experience for all involved, and to come away as overall category winners was a proud moment for the entire CJ team."

The 2018 Best Online Business category was sponsored by Reech Media based at Shrewsbury Business Park. Rob Hughes, Founder & Managing Director at Reech Media, was head judge for the category and presented the award at the event.

CJ Wildlife was also a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 International Trade Through Export category which was won by TIA (GB) Ltd based in Telford and sponsored by Global Freight.

CJ Wildlife supplies a range of high quality bird food, feeders and water baths as well as cleaning materials to help keep feeding areas clean and free from harmful bacteria.  For more information and advice or to request a Free Wildlife Guide visit www.birdfood.co.uk or call on Freephone 0800 731 2820.

MDC Exports has been presented with a special award for Innovation in Humane Cat Population Management by International Cat Care.

The Luton base company has specialised in creating and selling humane animal handling and care equipment for over 50 years and was recognised for its range of traps, trap transfer restrainers and baskets. 

ICC named MDC as winners at their 60th annual awards which saw a large gathering of feline experts, veterinarians and welfare workers at Church House, Westminster, London on the 13th of July.

These awards are the premier feline awards in the UK and highlight products that have made a real difference to cat wellbeing and welfare (Cat-Friendly Awards), and to those who have developed a well-tolerated prescription only medicines (Easy to Give Awards)

Melvyn Driver, the founder of family-run MDC Exports, said: “Being recognised for excellence by International Cat Care is a true honour. We have always listened to the ideas and suggestions of those working in cat care and TNR to develop and improve our products and we are delighted to receive this accolade.”

MDC’s full product range can be viewed via their website www.MDCexports.co.uk or call (0)1582 655 600 for more information.

Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, offers towners advice on how to care for their dog during the warm temperatures.

Some helpful tips include:

• Invest in a cooling mat to give dogs somewhere to chill out - a wet towel works just as well!
• A frozen bandana.
• Freeze slices of banana or kibble in water in an ice cube tray. 
• Set up a shallow paddling pool - dogs can take a dip to cool off too.

At a time when lawns are under siege from dry weather CSJ has a herbal product on hand to help…its 'Eezy Peezy!' has been specifically formulated to optimise urinary health and can help prevent burn marks on lawns caused by pet urine.

With ingredients including Burdock Root, Celery Seed, Golden Rod and Dandelion, Eezy Peezy! sprinkled on dogs’ food is a simple way to help care for pets and lawns alike.

As examples, Burdock Root is one of the foremost cleansing herbs, providing nourishing support for the blood, the liver, and the natural defense system and can be found in many tonic formulas and special blends designed for internal cleansing and Burdock is used to support the function of many organs of elimination (liver, kidney, bowels). 

Celery Seed is used today, primarily to help promote the excretion of urine. This action, combined with the presence of the other beneficial compounds found in celery seed, also makes it useful in helping to support the urinary tract.

Dandelion acts as a support to the general system, but most especially to the urinary organs, and maintains the health of the kidneys and liver.

In a 300g foil pouch Eezy Peezy! is an easy way to ease the burden placed on lawns throughout the year and especially during this dry spell so order now whilst stocks last!

For more info on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470.

Entries for the 2018 Pet Industry Federation Awards are now being received online through PBW News’s website (www.pbwnews.com), the event’s media sponsor.

This year sees the pet services category split into three separate awards recognising the growth of these types of business within the pet industry; namely, Dog Walking Business of the Year, Home Boarding Business of the Year and Dog Daycare Business of the Year.

In addition, the independent retailer category has been divided into livestock retailer and non-livestock retailer, acknowledging the difference in these businesses and the role that livestock retailers play in safeguarding the industry by supplying pets to new pet owners.

There is also the addition of a Groomer Achievement Award, to recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the UK pet grooming industry.

It is free to enter the Pet Industry Federation Awards. Those interested in applying should check the list of criteria which are available online and cover the areas that judges will be specifically looking for in the entries.

The winners will benrevealed, alongside the Lifetime Achievement Award and a Special Recognition Award, at the Pet Industry Federation Awards dinner on Tuesday 27 November at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire.

The Pet Industry Award categories are:

1. Pet Retail Chain of the Year (sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance)

2. Non-Livestock Retailer of the Year

3. Livestock Retailer of the Year

4. Manufacturer of the Year (sponsored by PATS)

5. Wholesaler of the Year (sponsored by PATS)

6. Export Strategy Award

7. Grooming Business of the Year (sponsored by Jelf)

8. Groomer Achievement Award

9. Kennel of the Year

10. Cattery of the Year

11. Dog Walking Business of the Year

12. Home Boarding Business of the Year

13. Dog Daycare Business of the Year

14. Product Innovation Award

15. Sustainability Award

The deadline for the receipt of entries is Tuesday 28 August.

The PIF Awards take place after the annual PIF Forum, where topics such as UK market trends, non-specialist competition and the effect of ‘Brexit’ on our industry, will be on the agenda.

Tickets for the Forum conference & Awards will shortly be available online at www.petfederation.co.uk.

RSW International has launched a range of pet cooling products which has had an amazing reaction in garden centres around the county. The comprehensive range includes cooling mats, jackets, coats, collars, and toys.

Lee Kennerley, Head of Garden & Leisure at RSW International, said: "After joining the business two years ago we put a growth strategy in place which included the further development our pet collections to garden centres.

"Our brands of Smart Choice (Play & Pamper), Delicious (Treats & Essentials), and Sweet Dreams (Beds & Bedding) have had an incredible reaction with healthy sales increases across all areas.

"I am happy to report that although we were slightly taken back by the response we have met customer demands and delivered a healthy 90% of product on every order.

"With the recent addition of merchandise display options we have been able to grow presence within independents and also groups.

"Our buying teams have been working hard to strengthen our offering including potential licensing opportunities that we are hoping to launch at Glee."

Should you need any information on RSW's pet collections contact Lee directly 07940 567615 or lkennerley@rswint.co.uk

HOWND, the multi-award winning pet care brand, has just launched a reward-based Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its new innovative HERO Bowl and aims to raise £38k to bring the bowl to market.

It was invented to provide antimicrobial protection for dog food and water bowls and is set to be the most hygienic bowl solution on the market.

In an increasingly hygiene conscious world, the patent-pending HERO Bowl is the ideal food and water bowl for pet owners that care as much about their pets' hygiene as their own. The innovative HERO Bowl has built-in antimicrobial technology provided by BioCote®, a world leader in antimicrobial technology.

The BioCote technology is present throughout the HERO Bowl, providing premium antimicrobial protection even if scratched or chewed, protection that will last for the expected lifetime of the bowl as it does not wash off or wear away.With recommended retail prices starting from approximately £18/$22 this innovative bowl is set to disrupt the pet accessory market.

Studies have shown that 67% of dog bowls coming out of the dishwasher still have Salmonella present on their surfaces. A superior alternative to a stainless steel product, the HERO Bowl has 24 hour protection from a technology that works constantly to reduce microbes by up to 99.99% on the protected surface. Although all pet bowls should be cleaned regularly, including the HERO Bowl, the effects of cleaning are short lived and once they have worn off an unprotected bowl is subject to recontamination, leaving bacteria to thrive unchecked until the next clean.

Unlike on an unprotected bowl, the risk of microbial cross contamination from the HERO Bowl is actively reduced as the BioCote technology continues to perform against the colonisation of bacteria, perfectly complementing existing hygiene practices. BioCote has been proven to reduce up to 86% of bacteria in just 15 minutes, 99.5% in two hours and has even been proven to inactivate the H1N1 virus.

With modern day dog owners taking more interest in the health and hygiene of their pets than ever before, the HERO bowl is also ideal for multiple pet households as well as vet surgeries, grooming salons, rescue centres and kennels where bowls are often shared and hygiene is of the utmost importance.

With a contemporary ergonomic design, the HERO Bowl is made from recyclable polypropylene and will come in a range of HOWND matt brand colours with a gloss logo to suit any home decor; with a non-slip base; twin side cut outs for easy handling; a high curve interior with angular corners for easier feeding and shifting of food; and is dishwasher safe. Available in two sizes: 18cm and 23 cm.

HOWND, a rising star in the pet sector, has been setting tails a wagging in the industry since its launch in 2015. HOWND has won multiple accolades for its ground-breaking vegan and cruelty-free pet care products and its high profile Bring Your Dog To Work annual charity fundraising day. It won the coveted Petquip Product of the Year in September 2017 (accessories). All HOWND pet care products are certified Cruelty Free International. They have been awarded the prestigious Leaping Bunny Award, and are endorsed by The Ethical Company Organisation and the Nature Watch Foundation.

Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND explains: "We know from the success of our HOWND pet care range that animal lovers are prepared to go to great lengths for their pets to ensure they enjoy a happy and healthy life.

"We live in a time where people are using antibacterial hand gels and cleaning sprays as well as other hygiene solutions, and we saw a gap in the market for an antimicrobial pet bowl solution.

"Animal health and welfare is at the heart of everything we do and launching the HERO Bowl is the logical next step for us as a company whose whole ethos is about protecting and caring for our precious furry friends."

Jo Amit and Mark Hirschel, the founders of HOWND, searched long and hard to find the right material for the bowl, to ensure that any materials they used met with the company's strict ethical standards. They eventually found and partnered with BioCote® who are pioneers in antimicrobial technology.

BioCote's Head of Partner Development, Jennifer Collier says: "BioCote is thrilled to be partnering with HOWND to develop a unique range of antimicrobial pet bowls. This emerging brand's immense passion for producing ethical, quality pet products is truly inspiring, and we look forward to helping them deliver yet another fantastic product to the market."

"As a forward-thinking company, it's important for us to continually evolve and drive new innovative product development. The HERO Bowl is a perfect example of this, and we are very excited to be launching this crowdfunding campaign and creating a product which offers pet owners important health related benefits and ergonomically designed functionality," says Mark Hirschel.

You can back HOWND's HERO Bowl on Indiegogo, click here

Pet rabbit obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed, a specialist nutrition and welfare conference has been told.

The second Rabbit Nutrition and Welfare Symposium, hosted by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association in central London, also heard every rabbit should have a rabbit sized bundle of hay a day, and commercially prepared food had an important role to play in supplementing a pet’s diet.

The event brought together over 60 pet food manufacturers, retailers, welfare organisations, vets and academics to discuss the latest science on rabbit welfare topics and how the sector can work together to improve the wellbeing of the 900,000 pet rabbits in the UK.

The collaborative event was a great success with renowned rabbit experts, including Dr Nicola Rooney, Richard Saunders MRCVS and Molly Vagra MRCVS, presenting on all aspects of rabbit welfare before agreeing three key messages for rabbit owners.

1. A rabbit sized bundle of good quality hay a day 

Hay was the buzz word of the day with all delegates in agreement that every rabbit should have a rabbit sized bundle of hay a day. Rabbits need a high level of fibre in their diet, and hay is the most common source of this for them. Hay quality is important too but a clear and simple message on quantity is needed for rabbit owners as a first step. 

2. Commercial rabbit food has a role to play

The experts agreed that commercially prepared rabbit food has an important role to play in supplementing a pet rabbit’s diet but portion control is vital. How to feed is considered as relevant as what to feed.  Food provides nutrition but also creates opportunities for a rabbit to express natural behaviour through foraging (scattering feed, puzzle feeders) and bonding with owners (hand feeding), both enhance well-being.

3. Fit bunny, not fat bunny

Rabbit obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed. Education on what is a healthy body shape for rabbits, increased opportunities for exercise and following feeding guidelines on rabbit food packets are the practical steps needed. Food (taken from the daily portion) can also be used to encourage activity, for instance, digging and foraging for food, reaching for food on higher platforms and in hanging devices.

Michael Bellingham, PFMA Chief Executive explained: “This seminar has been a highlight in our year. The range of delegates from industry to vets and welfare bodies, quickly reached consensus in all areas. Without doubt it is ‘hay all the way’ and there is a need to collaborate on education. We have all been working to improve rabbit welfare and what has become very clear today is the potential for us to do this more effectively if we all have a collaborative approach. We look forward to bringing the next steps to life.”

The PFMA Rabbit Size-O-Meter is a simple chart to help owners assess whether their rabbits are a healthy size. This is free to download at: https://www.pfma.org.uk/rabbit-size-o-meter