The Nutriment Company has announced the acquisition of Pet Treats Wholesale, marking its fourth acquisition in 2024 and the third in the UK. 

Following the successful acquisitions of raw pet food focused Totally Natural Pet Products in April and Natural Instinct in July, TNC continues to expand its presence in the UK market, this time in the natural pet treats sector.

Pet Treats Wholesale Ltd. is one of the leading natural dog treats and chews manufacturers in the UK, boasting an extensive and award-winning range of more than 150 products. The company won a New Product Award at PATS last October. (see picture above).

The company was founded based on the deep personal desire to serve a gap in the market: high-quality treats that are easily digestible and produced to a high standard directly in the UK.

This clear vision resulted in a well thought through and widely recognized product range that led Pet Wholesale Ltd to rapid growth in the UK over the last few years, serving over 2,000 stockists through its wide offering of grain-free natural treats including sausages, sticks, slices, pâté and a diverse selection of natural air-dried products.

Louis Jolivet (pictured right), Managing Director of Pet Treats Wholesale, said: "We are thrilled to join The Nutriment Company and look forward to working with the entire team as they continue their impressive journey. As a key treats and chews manufacturer within the group, we see this as a significant opportunity to scale our operations, enhance our product offerings, and share our expertise with the team. We are excited to be part of one of the most dynamic and promising projects in our sector and we cannot wait to contribute to our collective success."

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company, explained: "Pet Treats Wholesale has been a supplier to us for many years and we have known them for providing exceptional product quality and customer service. Thus, it was a very logical move to join forces with TNC and help bring these qualities to a broader range of customers - both in the UK and across mainland Europe."

Julius Adrian, Head of Corporate Development at The Nutriment Company, added: "I'm extremely excited to welcome Louis and the full team to our group. It's a very dynamic and entrepreneurial group of talents that has grown their business rapidly and proven their abilities repeatedly in the past - and I'm sure they will contribute greatly to the overall success of The Nutriment Company."

Pet Trade Innovation proudly launches The Wonderful World of Treats. It’s a brand experience, which is about being accessible, inclusive, sustainable and transparent. 

As the first UK treat manufacturer to use biodegradable, plastic free packaging, it strives to be carbon neutral.

The brand also prides itself on its high quality ‘species appropriate’ ingredients, with an emphasis on minimal processing and wellness to offer healthy treats with lots of variety, bursting with flavours. 

Inspired by tastes from human cuisine, Wonderful World brings an exciting twist to your pup’s snack time, training session, or just for celebrating being a good dog. 

Offering four varieties: Burger Hills, Sushi Forest, Pizza Oasis and Cake Mountains – each contains three distinct flavours. Combining 12 different recipes, each catering for every canine culinary taste and preference. 

The Wonderful World range is 100 per cent natural, wheat free, and uses up to 24% air dried single proteins like beef, chicken, duck, pork, salmon and white fish.

Providing four Vegan options, the treats combine either bean, gram, pea, potato, or rice flour. Cold pressed flaxseed oil and rapeseed oil is complemented by a raft of healthy ingredients including, avocado flesh, carob, seaweed, green tea extract, ginger, apple, carrot, kale, spinach, blueberries, thyme, parsley, shitake mushrooms, and turmeric.

Hand baked in the UK and thoughtfully created into individual fun shapes that represent their variety. Moist and delicious, making Wonderful World a healthy treat that’s perfect for reward-based training and everyday enrichment.

Steve Driver, MD, at Pet Trade Innovations, enthused: “The Wonderful World concept is all about bringing joy and a sense of wellbeing to dogs and their people. All the treats are inspired, tested, tasted and baked in the UK using only locally sourced ingredients where possible. Our aim is to deliver a brand that has a conscience to make our ‘world’ as wonderful as possible, helping pet parents with honest, cost-effective options to share experiences with their pets, no matter their breed, personality or culinary tastes.”

The range is accessibly and competitively priced with four packets of each flavour RRP: £21.00.  That’s only £1.75 per pack!

For more information click here

The Wonderful World of Treats range can be view on the Pet Trade Innovations stand (C22a) at PATS on 29th September to 1st October.

WildWash, a leading name in natural pet care products, has officially achieved B-Corp certification, joining a global community of businesses dedicated to prioritising purpose alongside profit. This significant milestone underlines WildWash’s unwavering commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible practices across every area of the business.

Watch the company's journey to becoming B-Corp certified in a specially created video below

Gaining B-Corp status is a rigorous process, awarded only to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. For WildWash, this certification is a testament to years of dedication and hard work, demonstrating our mission to not only raise the bar in the pet care industry but to make a positive impact on the world as a whole.

“Achieving B-Corp certification is more than just a milestone for us; it embodies the values we’ve held since day one,” says Jane Cooper, CEO of WildWash. “At WildWash, we believe that every business has the potential to do good, not just for its customers, but for its communities, employees, and the planet. This certification confirms that our ongoing efforts are having a meaningful impact and drives us to continue pushing the boundaries of what responsible business can achieve.”

The implications of this certification will be felt throughout WildWash’s operations. Customers and partners can expect even greater transparency in sourcing, an increased commitment to reducing environmental impact, and expanded community engagement initiatives. For the WildWash team, this achievement represents a collective purpose: using business as a force for positive change.

As a B-Corp, WildWash joins a distinguished group of over 7,000 businesses globally, all striving to redefine success in today’s world. From ethical sourcing to sustainable packaging, WildWash is setting new standards within the pet care sector, demonstrating that it is possible to thrive while prioritising people and the planet.

WildWash invites its valued customers, partners, and community to celebrate this achievement and look forward to exciting future initiatives aligned with the B-Corp ethos.

For more information, visit https://wildwash.co.uk/b-corp-certified/

Inventor Cat director Victor Carpio, who won investment from Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden when he appeared on the BBC hit series, has announced he will be showcasing his Dental Wand product at PATS.

The innovative product is the only dental solution that combines the instinctive play of a cat with the brushing of their teeth.

Victor has confirmed that PATS will be the first time the Dental Wand has been offered to the retail market in the UK where demand is expected to be high. 

Inventor Cat has already been nominated for six PetQuip Awards, including Product of the Year in the Healthcare and Grooming Category and UK Retailer of the Year in the Independent Category.

“We cannot wait to show everyone our products and are thrilled with the nominations, which reflect our innovation in bridging the gap in the feline dental market by giving cats 100% control over the brushing of their teeth.  We are pioneers in the rise of health toys, producing the only true cat-friendly toothbrush on the market,” said Victor.

The Dental Wand attaches to the telescopic rod and, through interactive play, encourages the cat to capture it in their mouth as they would their prey. When the cat bites down on the dental wand, the toothpaste bursts through the holes covering the surfaces of the teeth while the bristles bend and snap, disrupting the bacteria in the cat's teeth.

The Starter Kit, retailing at £26.99, includes the Dental Wand, enzymatic toothpaste, a telescopic rod, the worm toy, and catnip.

You can find Inventor Cat in the New Starter Zone on Stand Q21, where retailers who order at the show can expect a 15% discount on orders over £200.

Cat owners wishing to purchase a dental wand online at https://www.inventorcat.co.uk/dentalwandshop can claim a 25% discount using the code PATS2024. This offer will run until the end of September or while stocks last.

Award-winning pet retailer Jollyes opened its first Chester store on Friday and has more celebrations planned for this coming bank holiday weekend.

The store, at 2B Chester Retail Park, Old Seals Way, Chester, CH1 4RY was officially opened by three special guests.

Performing the red ribbon cutting was Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Razia Daniels a Governor of City of Chester University and The Queen’s School Chester.

Alongside The Lord Mayor was detector dog Sully and his handler Olivia Uguz who bit through a string of sausages to declare the store open.

Sully, a sprocker, works for the border force protecting the country and like many service animals may be supported in later years by the National Federation of Retired Service Dogs (NFRSA) which Jollyes recently named as a key charity partner.

The NFRSA helps support the care, well-being, and welfare of retired service animals from across the emergency service family - the police, fire, border force, National Crime Agency, NHS and prison services.

Over the next 12 months, all Jollyes’ stores will be raising money for NFRSA with collections matched by Jollyes up to £20,000 that will help NFRSA support retired service animals and their owners.

The new Chester store has created 12 jobs and is led by experienced Jollyes store manager Stephen Williams who’s been promoted to the role after 11 years working for Jollyes in Runcorn.

What’s more the Chester store is a great example of the career development opportunities for colleagues as the pet superstore continues to open new stores at pace.

Joining the Chester team are deputy manager Charlie Davis who has been promoted from his role as supervisor at Jollyes’ Flint store and new supervisor Holly Williams. Also part of the opening day celebrations were two Jollyes ’Ambassadogs’ who’ll be going for walks (with their owners) wearing Jollyes coats and sharing details of the new store and what it has to offer. They are Evie, a six months old Labrador cross Border Collie from Hoole who can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/evie.the.lab.x/ and  Mr Bear an eight year-old rescue fox-faced Pom who lives close to the store.

And there’s more activity continuing this coming bank holiday weekend with an entertainer and pet theme gameshows on Saturday 24 August giving every customer the chance to spin Jollyes’ iconic ‘Wheel of Fur-tune’ to win prizes.

Jollyes new store will provide pet parents in Chester access to Jollyes’ raw food frozen ‘shop-in-shop’ and a community pet clinic which will open later this year.

Store manager Stephen Williams said: “We’re delighted to have brought Jollyes to Chester.  My whole team here at the store can’t wait to bring their pet expertise to the city alongside the kind of value that’s been making a real difference to pet parents right across the UK.”

Jollyes has grown its store estate by 50 per cent in three years and has had an remarkable start to 2024 winning new investment to supercharge its growth, being named as the best retailer in Britain at the prestigious Retail Week awards for retailers under £250m turnover and making the Sunday Times’ list for the first time as one of Britain’s best big companies to work for.

Jollyes in Chester is the pet superstore’s 105th store in the UK joining other stores in and around Cheshire in Congleton, Ellesmere Port, Flint, Widnes, Runcorn, Warrington and Wrexham.  Jollyes main national distribution centre is also in Middlewich, Cheshire.

See caller of pictures from the store opening below...

Marro, a bold new player in the fresh cat food market, has launched its innovative fresh food subscription service, delivering premium, steam-cooked meals directly to pet owners’ doorsteps.

Marro distinguishes itself by using fresh, human-quality ingredients in its meals. Steam-cooked to preserve nutrients and flavour, this approach stands in contrast to the ultra-processed dry or canned food of many of its competitors. 

Marro's recipes feature a variety of delicious protein sources, including human-quality meat and fish, all slathered in a glossy, hydrating gravy that cats love. This combination caters to feline palates while ensuring optimal nutrition.

The team behind Marro leverages the experience of sister company, Butternut Box, a market-leader in fresh dog food. Inspired by the positive impact of fresh food on pets, Marro embarked on an eight-year R&D journey. This resulted in a premium cat food line catering to diverse feline preferences and dietary needs.

Charlie Kelly, Managing Director of Marro, said: “Launching Marro is something we’ve dreamt of for a long time – because as a company we felt passionately that cats and their owners deserved better. So we created better. We already knew how powerful the health benefits of Fresh can be and what we soon discovered was how much cats adore the taste too. This is a win-win, as any cat lover will tell you that our feline friends can be notoriously fussy. To make sure every recipe is up to scratch we went through rigorous rounds of taste-testing with both humans and cats. The end result is irresistible, meaty, Fresh meals that are worthy of our favourite felines.”

Marro prioritises both convenience and environmental responsibility. As a proud B-Corp, its commitment to sustainability runs through the entire company. Its flexible subscription service allows for customisation of delivery schedules and recipes, with the option to pause at any time. The mess-free, single-serve pouches are stored in the freezer for long-lasting Freshness and then transferred to the fridge for convenient mealtimes. 

Its irresistible menu features juicy beef, flaky fish, succulent chicken, scrumptious pork, and tender turkey – all drizzled in a glossy, golden gravy to boost hydration.

For more information visit marro.com  

Leading veterinary surgeon and nutritionist Dr Veneta Kozhuharova, Director of Associated Veterinary Services based in Rainham, Kent, has launched her own range of freeze-dried pet food.

The launch of the Dr Veneta range coincides with news that her business has been nominated in multiple categories for the prestigious PetQuip Awards.

Associated Veterinary Services is world renowned for its range of veterinary export services. This includes helping to facilitate the export of commodities from the animal health industry, export food industry, and animal travel industry. They provide veterinary inspections of commodities for export, advice on legislation relating to export certifications, and technical support relating to import permits and export procedures for products that are of animal origin or animal-by products. They also provide certification of the export and travel of all animals ensuring their welfare.

Through Dr Veneta’s work as a nutritionist as well as being a vet, and approving recipes for export to different countries, she became inspired to create her own range of dog food.  

Dr Veneta freeze-dried food is the latest phenomenon in the pet food market. It marries the convenience of a traditional kibble with the nutritional value of a raw diet.  The intricate freeze-drying process safeguards both the nutritional structure and shelf life of the products to create a far-reaching range that supports the ongoing health and wellbeing of your dogs whilst providing them with essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is also convenient and easy to use, highly digestible, grain free, is a complete meal, uses human-grade natural ingredients such as raw meat and vegetables and is high in protein. The food is suitable for all sizes and breeds of dogs from 6 months of age. The kibbles themselves also make excellent dog training treats.

Dr Veneta has created a food that does not just support the wellbeing of dogs, but also their microbiome which is responsible for so many physiological functions that happen in dogs’ bodies and where 84% of the all-important immune system resides. Each recipe has been designed to tackle ailments seen in an everyday veterinary practice – elderly dogs, anxiety, joint problems, poor digestion and skin irritations. In addition to herbs and superfoods, a “hero” ingredient, Nutritional Yeast which is fermented and gluten free and very palatable to dogs has been added to support and feed a dog’s microbiome. All meat proteins, vegetables and fruits are British and locally sourced supporting local communities. The diet is also extremely good for maintaining a dog’s weight.

Dr Veneta is available in five varieties: STAY MOBILE (Chicken Swede & Blueberry); STAY CALM (Turkey, Pear & Apple); STAY SHINY (Turkey, Salmon, Carrot & Blueberry); STAY WELL (Chicken & Rabbit, Apple & Pumpkin);  and STAY YOUNG (Pork, Pumpkin & Pear).

Associated Veterinary Services is a finalist in the Business Services of the Year Category at the PetQuip Awards and Michelle Williams, Sara Mendana and Daniel Barta have been nominated for Best Employee of the Year. Dr Veneta pet food is a finalist in the Best Product of the Year category (food and treats).

Dr Veneta said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised by the pet industry for all our hard work at Associated Veterinary Services. The launch of my new pet food was also something that I have dreamt about for years and I wanted to create recipes for dogs that could be the best possible. We are entering a new chapter of our business evolution.”

Dr. Veneta will be exhibiting at Edition Dog Live on 25 August and PATS Telford in September.

For further information visit  www.drveneta.com

Paws for thought – that’s the advice from Tillymint Communications to pet businesses considering a rebrand or creative design project.

The marketing communications agency, which specialises in working with the pet industry, believes a good brief is the cornerstone to success and has created a free downloadable guide to help kickstart the process.

It is intended to provide pet businesses with a starting point to help them shop around for creative services, lay out expectations and save time and money.

“Branding or any graphic design project should have a considered approach. It needs to be informed by the client who can outline the vision and values of the business, its objectives and target markets,” said Tillymint’s founder Alison Gallagher-Hughes.

“When undertaking a branding or design project, we want that visual identity to say something about the company, be easy to apply and help inform or contribute to a wider design style that is consistent and instantly recognisable.”

The guide is a springboard to map out a scope of work and specific design requirements, alongside background information to support research.

Added Alison: “Commissioning design work is an investment and if done properly will have longevity and support visibility. We need to do all we can to make the right choices and get it right first time. In the long run this will provide return on investment and support wider marketing objectives.

Tillymint Communications will be exhibiting at PATS 2024, on Stand P12, in Hall 3.

To download Tillymint’s Creative Brief Template visit: www.tillymint.co.uk/2024/08/16/free-creative-brief-guide-for-pet-businesses/

PetPlace has organised a series of events, open days, demonstrations and workshops over the coming weeks for animals and their owners.

The news comes after the company – which has sites in Llangefni, Ruthin, Mold and Gledrid, Oswestry, and a HQ in Kinmel Bay – welcomed more than 650 people to Pride in the Park at its Abergele store, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community while raising awareness and promoting diversity and inclusion.

PetPlace will held another Pride event, this time at Llangefni on August 18, with activities for dogs, their owners, and revellers to enjoy, including charity raffles, face painting, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, entertainment, and refreshments.

Managing Director Sion Pritchard said: “PetPlace celebrates Pride every day, but this is another opportunity for us to bring people together and promote and showcase our services and offering as a diverse and inclusive business at the heart of the community.

“There will be lots of other events at our North Wales stores for pets and their owners to enjoy, as well as sessions on animal behaviour, health and wellbeing and attractions that will hopefully be educational, informative, and fun!”

• August 24 - Mold Open Day to celebrate store rebrand, featuring a bouncy castle, refreshments and family-friendly entertainment and live animals.
• August 25 – PetPlace joins forces with Kinmel Bay FC – as its main sponsor – for a fun day.

There will also be an Equine Day this autumn at Gledrid store, to be held on October 26 (more details to follow on social media) and the retailer will be forging new links in the region, including a partnership with award-winning SF Parks holiday group, which has sites in Towyn, Rhuddlan, and Abergele.

Sion added: “While we are primarily a retailer and here to provide products and services for our loyal customers, we also value our responsibility as one of the sector’s main employers in North Wales.

“We want to keep giving back, through education, entertainment and for charities and important causes and campaigns that our important to us, and the community.

“This latest line-up is testament to that and contributes to what is shaping up to be the busiest summer we’ve ever had – we hope to see you all soon!”

For more information on PetPlace, including the PetPlace Plus+ loyalty app, follow @petplaceUK on Facebook and Instagram, visit Farm & Pet Place | Pet Food, Supplies & Accessories (farmandpetplace.co.uk) or email sales@farmandpetplace.co.uk. The app is available on platforms including Google Play and The App Store. 

Lily’s Kitchen is launching a Limited Edition Dogs Trust Dinner recipe for dogs in support of its partnership with Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity.  

The company is donating 100% of profits from the product to Dogs Trust to help fund their important work helping dogs in need.  

The B Corp pet food brand’s Dogs Trust Dinner is a nutritionally complete and grain-free recipe, made with natural ingredients including chicken, ham, sugar snap peas, spinach, carrots and apples along with Lily’s Kitchen’s own botanical blend.  

Dogs Trust has been fighting to make tomorrow’s world a better place for all dogs, working tirelessly to ensure every pooch receives the love, care and training they need to thrive. To support this mission, Lily’s Kitchen has had an ongoing partnership with Dogs Trust since 2020, to offer help to dogs in need.  

Charlotte Henderson, Marketing Manager at Lily’s Kitchen, says: “This collaboration holds a special place in our hearts as we join paws to help make a difference to dogs in need. We know that our four-legged friends are part of the family, but for dogs that have not yet found their forever home Dogs Trust offers invaluable support. So, we’ve partnered up to offer proper food that also helps an incredible cause, a win-win for all.”  

Head over to www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/pride to pick up the Limited Edition Dogs Trust Dinner adult wet dog food, 150g RRP £1.60 from Monday 1st July. Also available to buy from some independent stockists. 

The Tetbury Pet Shop has launched its first-ever dedicated luxurious dog spa treatments, created to enhance dog wellness. 

Recognising the immense mental health benefits dogs bring to our lives, the store aims to reciprocate by offering them exceptional mental and physical support through its wellness treatment.

The spa treatments go beyond traditional grooming, focusing on relaxation and wellbeing. The team has observed the positive impact of the grooming sessions and is excited to elevate the experience.

Key Features:

• Wellness-Focused Treatments: Soothing baths, massages, UV light therapy, Epsom salt soak, and customised care to relax and rejuvenate.
• Experienced Professionals: Passionate and highly trained groomers dedicated to your pet’s wellbeing.
• Products: Using only organic and natural products tailored for each dog with custom formulations for each specific dog. 

This is a four-hour pampering treatment that aims to calm and relax dogs, leaving a lasting sense of serenity. 

Using aromatherapy, the scent used will be picked by the dog depending on their needs. Calming music will create the perfect atmosphere. 

Time is taken for the dog to get to know their therapist, while a personalised mud mask is made as the bath fills up for the paw soak. 

A thorough bath and conditioning massage is followed by a gentle blow-dry and lavender towel wrap. 

Earthing mats and infrared lights, toilet breaks, a health check, and a joint massage are all included. 

Optional dog drying coats are available to leave with and complimentary wash bags filled with products.

"We believe that just as dogs support our mental health, they deserve the same care in return," said Amelia, founder of The Tetbury Pet Shop. "Our new wellness treatment is designed to provide unparalleled relaxation and rejuvenation for our furry friends."

For more information, please visit www.thetetburypetshop.co.uk/spa

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Aquamania 2025, a new B2B trade show dedicated to the thriving Asia-Pacific ornamental fish and aquarium market, is set to make a splash in Singapore on 25–27 June 2025.

Organised by MP Singapore Pte Ltd, and partnering with Ornamental Fish Importers (OFI) and Singapore Aquarium Fish Exporters Association (SAFEA), this event promises to connect international buyers, regional sellers, and passionate hobbyists; fostering a dynamic environment for networking, learning, and propelling the future of aquatics.

Held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre and boasting an exhibition space covering 7,000sqm, Aquamania will showcase the latest innovations and technology from over 100 international exhibitors and 200+ key buyers from key importing countries such as Canda, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, the United States, and more. 

Connect with a diverse audience of ornamental fish importers & exporters, manufacturers of aquatic equipment & supplies, retailers & distributors, and passionate aquarists from Asia-Pacific and across the globe. Explore lucrative business opportunities in Singapore, one of the Top 3 Exporters of Ornamental Fish, and one of Asia-Pacific’s largest trading hubs.

Discover innovative products, smart technologies, and sustainable practices shaping the future of the aquarium industry.

Participate in a dynamic conference program featuring renowned speakers who will delve into global trends, fish health & breeding practices, and the evolution of the Asia-Pacific market.

Exhibitors can connect with a targeted audience of qualified buyers and decision-makers, generating valuable leads and propelling their businesses forward.

“Aquamania 2025 is designed to be a catalyst for growth and innovation in the ornamental fish and aquarium industry for Asia-Pacific,” says David Lim, Project Director of Aquamania 2025. “By bringing together key players from across the globe, we aim to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of new opportunities within this dynamic market.”

"OFI is proud to support Aquamania 2025. Singapore has been a major exporter of aquarium fish for many years, proving to be the perfect location for the launch of Aquamania” said Shane Willis, President of OFI.“This event not only showcases the beauty and diversity of aquarium fish but also includes the latest information, technology and best practices for the global aquarium industry."

“SAFEA is happy to participate and contribute to the success of Aquamania 2025. The association is always ready to support and cement Singapore's position as a leading player in the global onamental fish industry.” says William Chew, Chairman of Singapore Aquarium Fish Exporters' Association (SAFEA).

Elevate your brand visibility and showcase your innovations at Aquamania 2025! Sponsorship opportunities are also available. 

Visit aquamania.sg for more information.

Karnlea is introducing a new goat milk product that combines prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics – the first of its type to be launched in the UK and Ireland.

Goat Milk Plus is whole goat milk powder with added ‘good bacteria’ for dogs and cats which can be used to support their gut health and immune systems.

Goat milk is naturally rich in oligosaccharides which act as a prebiotic. But necessary pasteurisation to make it safe to consume, and legal to sell commercially, means that it doesn't contain any live cultures, or probiotics. These have been added to Karnlea's Goat Milk Plus – four beneficial strains – to provide enhanced health benefits.

Karnlea is launching the product at Edition Dog Live (25 August, at Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire – stand T2) but trade customers can pre-order via its website: www.karnlea.com/trade

The product comes in 200g tubs – providing up to 40 servings (depending on dog/cat weight) - and retails for £19.99.

Karnlea founder Lara McCullough said that she was really excited to be introducing this new product to the market.

“We believe that it’s a first for the UK and Ireland and could really bring benefits that pet owners are looking for. Although regular goat milk is really beneficial to a cat or dog’s diet – it’s extremely palatable, has better fat and protein distribution as well as essential minerals - it does not contain pro or postbiotics. This means that they need to be added back in, and those strains need to be proven as beneficial which ours are.

“By adding these cultures to our regular mix, we are providing a product with true ‘biotics’ that can support general health or specifically be used to improve gut health and immunity.”

Karnlea Goat Milk Plus can be used as part of a regular diet, used occasionally or alternated with Karnlea’s original Goat Milk. Goat Milk Plus can also be given to older or recuperating cats and dogs.

Postbiotics are the exciting new kids on the block and may be new to some. They are bioactive compounds – by-products which occur when probiotics consume prebiotics. These work alongside probiotics to increase health to support the immune system, reduce the symptoms of IBD, some allergies and prevent or treat diarrhoea.

Karnlea will also be stocking the product when it exhibits at PATS, Stand: P29, Telford International Centre – 29 September to 1 October.

The OFI Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ofer Carmeli (Israel), Mr Eric Wang (Taiwan) and Mr Mario Wipfler (Germany) as Advisors to the Board. 

Ofer holds a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Life & Animals Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with a specialization in ornamental fish aquaculture. His master's research focused on ornamental fish nutrition, providing him with in-depth knowledge in this field. Since 1992, Ofer has been advising ornamental fish farms on various biological and farming aspects, including economic programming, fish nutrition and feeding, breeding, filtration, and water systems planning, as well as water chemistry. Ofer also pursued studies in Business Administration and Marketing at Tel Aviv University, which paved the way for his involvement in the global ornamental fish market as a Marketing and Sales Manager for various companies since 1996. Currently, Ofer serves as the VP of Sales and Logistics at Aquamade Ltd., a position he has held since January 2021. 

Eric is the owner of Larmax International Co., Ltd., a company he has successfully managed since 2013. Eric is a graduate of the Department of Business Administration at National Taiwan University. Under his leadership, Larmax has become a prominent name in the ornamental shrimp industry, particularly known for breeding world-leading Neocaridina species. Expanding beyond shrimp, Larmax began offering comprehensive solutions for the trading of ornamental aquatic animals and plants from Taiwan in 2015. In 2023, Eric and Larmax made a significant impact on the industry by hosting the Taiwan Shrimp Open at the Taiwan Aquarium Expo, further cementing their reputation in the global aquatics community.

Mario Wipfler is an experienced fishkeeping professional, born on April 23, 1992. He has been passionate about fishkeeping since 2000 and has gained significant experience in the field over the years. Mario worked as a student worker at Aquarium Glaser GmbH for six years, where he honed his skills and knowledge. In 2021, he advanced to the role of Operations Manager at the company, where he continues to contribute to the freshwater fish trade. His expertise was further recognized in 2024 when he became certified as an expert in the freshwater fish trade under §11 of the German Animal Protection Law (TierSchG).

OFI Secretary General, Jonathan Poh, expressed his gratitude towards the newly elected advisors, stating, "I would like to thank all our newly elected advisors for availing their time, experience, and willingness to accept the role. I look forward to working with all of them in elevating our industry standards to a higher ground”.

Join us to welcome them in their new positions with OFI. We would also like to thank the past advisors, Mr Ran Epsteen (Israel) and Mr Willy Heidbrink (Germany) for their contribution to OFI over the years.

Rachel Bean, who travels the world teaching Ofqual regulated qualifications in canine first aid, is at the forefront of teaching people how to save their pet's life.

The Qualified Veterinary Nurse, who lives in Oldham, Gtr Manchester, has recently returned from Kenya, where she led sessions with the Action for Cheetahs Charity, which uses dogs to help protect the big cats against poaching.

She said: "As a veterinary nurse and dog owner I have seen first hand the brilliant effects that Antinol has in promoting mobility in pets.

"I am so thrilled that the brand has partnered with me, and together I hope that we will help to spread the word about pet safety and health to a wide range of people."

Antinol® is a super potent blend of Green-Lipped Mussel oil containing over 90 essential fatty acids, including Omega-3 fatty acids, encapsulated in an orange-red capsule.

Green-lipped Mussels are processed at our world-class extraction facility within two  hours of harvesting, ensuring they retain their active goodness. They are stabilised and freeze-dried before undergoing our unique proprietary supercritical fluid extraction technique.

This technology is heat-free, protecting the active ingredients to ensure the highest quality oils are packed into Antinol®.

A spokesperson for Antinol®, said: "We are conscious that the pet supplement industry is full of myths and claims. Our founder was determined to produce a supplement for his dog that is of the highest quality and clinically proven.

"Vetz Petz is committed to ensuring that Antinol is backed by science, trusted by Board Certified Veterinary Specialists, and used in Veterinary Schools and Veterinary Referral Centres around the world.

"90% of pet owners see the benefits of using Antinol within the first 14 days. We are confident Antinol will help your pet too."

To find out more about Rachel Bean go to: www.rachelbean.co.uk

To find out more about Antinol® go to: www.antinol.co.uk

Aled Owen and family (including baby Nel) hosted the 2024 North Wales Sheepdog Championships at Penyfed, Corwen.

The trials, held in glorious Welsh sunshine on 19^th and 20^th August, were sponsored by CSJ who provided: 

• 15kg bag of Command Performance 30 for top 10 prize winners
• £10 vouchers for remaining competitors
• Tub of Shift! to overall Champion 
• Tube of PrePro Paste to each finalist

It was a hard-fought competition with the ultimate winner being former International Supreme and Reserve Supreme Champion, Dewi Jenkins with his dog, Jock. 

They were pushed hard by the ultimate Reserve Champion, Arwyn Davies with his young bitch, Eglwys Izzy … losing the title by just one point!

Both Jock and Izzy are fuelled by CSJ and this success closely follows Dewi and Jock earning their place in the National Wales Team to compete in the International Supreme Championship being staged in Scotland in September.

CSJ’s founder Ceri Rundle said: “We’re delighted to see so many winning dogs being fed on our food and supplements and CSJ is used by a big percentage of the team dogs, so we’ll be cheering them on as always.”

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

An independent pet store in Yorkshire launched last December has grown so quickly it has now moved to a larger unit double the size of its previous premises.

Yorkshire Feed & Country Store in Sowerby, Thirsk, has also created eight jobs in the process. 

Matt Wright, who owns the business with Jason Smallridge, said: “We have always had to travel further afield to get what we needed for our own animals, and identified a gap in the market for a sort of ‘one stop shop’ here in Thirsk. Unlike many big brand name equivalents, our focus is on animal welfare and making sure our customers are confident in making informed purchases, rather than the bottom line.

“We’re adding products and services that we ourselves want and use, and also that our customers are asking for – it’s all about making it easy to have happy, healthy animals.”

The company recently launched a small animal boarding service, enabling customers to take holiday or spend time away from home safe in the knowledge that their animals are being looked after by an experienced team, and also ran a canine first aid course to teach dog owners the essentials.

They plan to launch a grooming service in the coming months and open a second store based on the same model.

Both Matt and Jason are experienced animal owners with a background in agriculture.

After over 100 years of crafting Walter Harrison's seed mixes at its Nottingham mill, Pedigree Wholesale has announced a new partnership with Marriages. The two companies will combine the expertise of two great brands to deliver exceptional products and service to customers. 

A spokesperson for Pedigree Wholesale said: “We are proud to introduce our newly formulated Indoor Bird mixes, created with the finest, high-quality ingredients. We have worked together to bring a best-in-class Indoor bird offering formulated by Marriage's in-house nutritionist to ensure birds maintain a healthy, balanced diet. We have improved many of our well-known mixes, focusing on improving nutritional balance. Marriage's striking packaging clearly communicates the key features and benefits of the products, which will be the key to driving retailer sales whilst helping to keep pet birds in top condition. 

“Marriage's Indoor Bird mixes cater to a variety of beloved pet birds, including parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, lovebirds, budgies, canaries and finches. These specially formulated mixes ensure optimal nutrition for each type of bird, supporting their health and vitality. Several straight ingredients are also available, helping to maximise choice for owners. These Indoor Seed Mixes are available in various pack sizes to help cater to all types of customers.

“The support the launch of the range in-stores we have in-store literature available, are offering competitive pricing and have an introductory deal available to all new stockists. Our dedicated Business Development Managers, Telephone Account Managers and Customer Services team are ready to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth transition.”

All products are available now on www.petproducts.co.uk, which offers detailed information about the Marriages brand. Simply enter the old product code to find the new one with ease. 

Pedigree Wholesale will continue to supply Indoor Bird products, now under the Marriages brand.

The new Aquatics Zone – a dedicated hall for the key aquatics, reptile and watergardening exhibitors – will be one of the major highlights of the three-day PATS 2024.

The biggest-ever Pet & Aquatics Trade Show takes place at the Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024, with more than 330 brands showcasing their new products.

Visitors will find the Aquatics Zone located in Hall 1A, a prime position immediately next to the show entrance of the Telford International Centre.

The Zone will be packed with almost 40 of the UK’s leading aquatics, reptile and watergardening exhibitors. They include: ALF, Anglo Aquatic Plant, Aqua One, Aquadip, Aquatlantis, Bermuda, Betta Aquatics, BiOrb, Ceramic Nature, CIANO Aquarium, Clearseal Aquariums, Cloverleaf, Dennerle, Dymax, Eheim, eSHa Labs, Exo Terra, Fluval, J&K Aquatics, Neil Hardy Aquatica, NT Labs, OASE, okpet.co.uk – Fish Systems, Peregrine Livefoods, Pettex, PondXpert, sera, Superfish/Colombo/Aquafleur, Tropica Aquarium Plants, Tropical, and Zoo Med Laboratories.

Excitement is already building as the companies plan their activity at the show.

Certikin will be exhibiting its popular Bermuda brand and National Sales Manager Bob Meacham said: “We are excited to be exhibiting at PATS with it being such a premier industry event. It’s a great show for bringing together all the key brands under one roof. We have been working on some exciting new products for 2025 and look forward to showcasing these alongside many of the popular products from our existing leading range of pond and watergardening products.”

Rolf C Hagen is another major company that will have a big presence in the Aquatics Zone. The company’s UK Marketing Manager Paul Trott said: “We’re excited to announce that Hagen’s market-leading Fluval aquatic and Exo Terra reptile brands will be on display in the Aquatics Zone at PATS. We invite visitors to join us on the Fluval stand to discover the latest innovations in app-controlled LED lighting, stunning new aquarium designs and sustainable foods. Our Exo Terra stand will feature one of our biggest launches in years, with a full new range of T5 lighting and canopies with unique, custom light spectrums developed in association with reptile lighting expert Thomas Griffiths from Tomaskas. Visitors can also view the latest developments in LED lighting with our new Terrasky UVB range, along with a host of new products. Whether you’re already a Fluval or Exo Terra stockist or if you’re new to our brands, be sure to pop by our stand and benefit from our exclusive show deals.”

German company Eheim welcomed the opportunity to take a stand at PATS with European Sales Manager Xavier Beguin explaining the decision to be part of the Aquatics Zone: “Having an extended three-day event provides ample time to spend with our retail partners to demonstrate our latest innovations and share our plans for the coming years.”

Acknowledging the importance of this new addition to PATS, the Aquatics Zone will have its own dedicated catering area and New Product Showcase.

All entries into the Showcase will be judged by industry experts to determine the winners of the New Product Awards under three categories: Indoor, Outdoor and Reptile.

“The launch of the Aquatics Zone is really exciting, having been welcomed by the aquatics, reptile and watergardening sectors,” said PATS organiser Gordon Thomas. “We’re confident that this dedicated Zone will inject a real buzz into PATS.”

To make the visitor experience even more exciting there will be unrivalled show offers and competitions, fantastic networking opportunities, a free show catalogue, free parking for up to 1,300 cars and a complimentary tea/coffee voucher.

You can register online at www.patshow.co.uk where you’ll also find a full list of exhibitors and information on how to reach the venue.

A new podcast, ‘Pet Business Disruptors’, has made an instant impact since launching recently and has consistently ranked in the top five in its niche. 

The show was founded by host Clayton Payne, COO of The Bug Factory, and is supported by co-host Harvey Blackaby, a pet store manager. The podcast benefits from their collective 30 years of pet business experience.

The aim of the podcast is to give the audience a chance to listen to the business and marketing strategies of expert guests from the pet industry who have set themselves apart through innovation, game-changing ideas, and calculated risks.

“We are providing a platform for start-ups, people with new ideas, industry disruptors, people with stories to tell and strategies that work”, said Clayton. “I want to support the pet industry by bringing together people who have knowledge to share. It is critical to keep the pet industry innovative and thriving”.

The debut episode features Hugh Petit, co-founder of Grub Club, sharing how he made a fast move to market, getting their brand into Pets at Home in record time. 

The podcast is seeing international success as it enters the charts in the USA, Germany, and Ireland and is ranking number one in Hong Kong. Clayton recently returned from America after flying over to film episodes with Zen Habitats Emma Lock, better known as Emzotic, Randy Williams of WeGroCo and Be Spotted’s Instagram and Pet Marketing Specialist Jamie Keane.

Clayton added, “The show is attracting attention because it highlights the advantages of thinking differently, being an outlier, achieving a different outcome and how important it is to disrupt your category and push boundaries when the ideas are right”.

Other guests include David Hartigan, CEO of Hemp Heros, Michelle Hollis, vet and member of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, The Animal People Recruitment Company and Pet Industry Writer Pixie Greatorex.

The successful launch has already seen the ink dry on some big industry names who will be featured in the next season of the Podcast. Season one is available to listen to and download from Spotify, YouTube and the Apple Podcast App.

The Pet Centre in East Street in Newquay has started naming and shaming anyone it has caught stealing from its shop on its social media accounts.

It has also produced a wall of shame inside the store in a bid to prevent further shoplifting.

In a recent incident captured on CCTV on Sunday (August 11), two men can be seen approaching the Pet Centre and, as they walk past the entrance, one of them casually grabs a £25 dog bed and walks off with it.

Owner Paul Larkin told Cornwall Live: “We go through the rigmarole of reporting incidents to the police but they can't or won't always charge people," he said. "It's frustrating. We still report incidents but we've also upgraded our CCTV system and decided to name and shame those we catch stealing from us. We put it all on social media.

"We have a wall of shame in our shop too. It's just for the locals. If we had a wall of shame with the tourists it'd be bigger than the shop. It is getting that bad which is annoying but it will continue as these people don't think there are any consequences."

The full story can be found here