Leading pet food manufacturer Pets Choice has announced the purchase of the Bob Martin Healthcare factory, assets and goodwill after Bob Martin (UK) Ltd entered into administration at the end of November.

Alongside the acquisition Pets Choice has agreed a brand licence with the Martin family so that the Bob Martin brand can continue to flourish and grow.

The sale saw Pets Choice acquire the Bob Martin (UK) Healthcare brand including Clear, Clear Plus and cat litter brand Felight, taking the product portfolio into a new category within pet and boosting the Pets Choice’s brand portfolio to a total of twelve.

Tony Raeburn (pictured above), Pets Choice CEO, said: “We are very sorry to see such a long standing, iconic brand like Bob Martin enter into administration however we are honoured that the Martin family have entrusted Pets Choice to build upon the fantastic reputation that has been set out by the brand.

“We welcome the Bob Martin brand into our strong product portfolio which will complement our Webbox range and offer us a fantastic branded range of Healthcare and Cat litter products going forward.”

The Martin family commented: ‘We are delighted to entrust Pets Choice to continue to market and sell our heritage brand throughout the UK and Europe. Bob Martin products will continue to reach all pet owners to ensure accessible healthcare solutions for all.’

For further information about Pets Choice and its brand offering visit www.petschoice.co.uk

A former bulging Beagle – with a taste for Sunday roasts – has been crowned pet slimmer of the year after shedding a third (30%) of his bodyweight and 14 inches in just six months.

Every year vet charity PDSA helps the UK’s fattest pets battle the bulge in Pet Fit Club – a six-month diet and exercise competition, specially tailored and overseen by its vets and nurses.  

Five-year-old Luigi, from Newport, Wales, beat off competition from five other pets (three dogs and two cats) to be crowned champ. At the beginning of his diet he weighed-in at a whopping 29.10kg (4st 8lb) - 39% over his ideal weight.

After PDSA vets warned that his health was at serious risk from his excess pounds, his concerned owners cut out his extra food and increased his exercise. 

He wowed the competition’s judges by losing 8.7kg (1st 5lb) - reaching 20.40kg (3st 3lb) – the perfect weight for him.

In second place was Missi the Bulldog from Walsall, West Midlands, who cut out ice cream treats, losing 24% of her bodyweight. Alfie the Labrador from St Helens was close behind in third after shedding 23% of his bodyweight. Percy the Pug was named runner-up after dropping 18% of his bodyweight.

Overall, this year’s Pet Fit Club finalists lost over 37kg (5st 12lb).

Luigi’s ‘tail’

Luigi’s owner Perrie Eedy (28), said that his huge appetite and love of human treats had led his weight to spiral out of control. 

She said: “Since overhauling Luigi diet and exercise regime, the change we’ve seen in him has been unbelievable, he’s a different dog now! At first the weight came off slowly, but after a couple of months of being strict and really sticking to it, we noticed a big difference in him and his body shape.

“The diet has impacted all of our lives for the better; we take him out for a walk without question first-thing in the morning which is a great kick-start to our day. We spend more time outdoors exploring new places with him now, and it’s helped me with my exercise too as I go out on runs and long bike rides with him. He has totally transformed from the dog we used to drag out on walks before, he’s often running well ahead of us now.”

But his weight-loss journey hasn’t been without a few mishaps. Perrie added: “We got married earlier this year and put Luigi in a home boarding kennel for a few nights, but while he was there he managed to break into the locked utility room where the food was kept. They found him head-first in a bag of food! We don’t know how much he managed to eat but he didn’t lose any weight that month.

Perrie added: “On another occasion he also managed to steal a Birthday cake I’d made and left cooling on the kitchen counter before I decorated it! He ate about half of it before I found him, and my poor husband was left without a birthday cake, as I had no time to make another.

“Apart from those slip-ups he’s been brilliant. He’s so much more agile now, and full of energy.”

“My Nana has changed her ways too. She used to be guilty of feeding him lots of treats but she understands now why cutting these out is so important. She can see the positive change this diet has made to his life”.

Luigi has reached his ideal weight, losing 8 inches from his waist and 6 inches from his chest, so will now be switching to a food programme that helps maintain his weight. 

“It’s been an amazing experience and I’d recommend it to anyone who needs help with their pets’ weight. I’m delighted he’s won the competition, but even if he hadn’t, seeing him lose the weight and being so much happier and healthier would be enough of a prize!”

Luigi’s weight-loss has been supervised by Karen Jones, PDSA Vet Nurse at Cardiff PDSA Pet Hospital. 

Karen said: “Luigi has undergone an incredible transformation over the last six months. He is unrecognisable from the dog that waddled into our hospital for his first Pet Fit Club weigh-in six months ago. Every month we’ve seen him slim down a little more and gradually get healthier and happier. He is like a puppy again!

“His family have been very dedicated, overhauling his diet and exercise programme to transform his life! This amazing outcome is testament to what can be achieved with the right effort and support.

“Any owners who are worried about their pet’s weight should seek advice from their vet, who can work with them to get them on the right diet and safely increase their pet’s exercise levels.”

PDSA Vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan, who is on the Pet Fit Club judging panel, added: “It has been hugely rewarding to see Luigi and the other dogs’ weight decrease over the last six months. Their success is testament to the hard work of their owners and our PDSA veterinary teams. 

“Pet obesity is a growing issue that affects millions of UK pets. We believe up to 50%* of dogs in the UK are overweight or obese, which can lead to serious long term health problems and a shortened life expectancy.”

Since its launch in 2005 Pet Fit Club has helped 143 pets - 89 dogs, 44 cats, eight rabbits and two rats - lose 513kg (80st 12lb)!

Luigi’s owner has won a year’s free pet food from Dechra Specific and a pet-friendly holiday courtesy of Sykes Cottages.  

Find out more about this year’s pet slimmers and register your interest for the 2020 Pet Fit Club competition at www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub

Above, second place went to Missie, and below, third place went to Alfie.

HOWND, the multi award-winning ethical pet care brand, has successfully closed its first round of investment following an equity crowdfunding campaign. The company, which rebranded to HOWND in 2015, raised just shy of £200k from 329 investors on the investment platform Crowdcube.

“After years of putting the building blocks in place, we are well positioned to focus on growth and innovation covering health, wellness and hygiene,” explains Mark Hirschel, Director of Business Development.

“We are launching a disruptive range of products in the summer of 2020 and will be looking to expand the sales and digital marketing teams.”

The company has recently appointed two anchor investors, each with decades of experience in FMCG, as Finance Director and E-Commerce Director. Their names will be announced in February.

“In the next two years, we will be focused on bringing people into the business who are experts in their fields to ensure that we get to the next level of growth faster,” explains Mark.

“Seeing the number of customers and industry colleagues who invested in our brand proves to us that we are on the right track.

“We have a lot of work to do over the next 12 months and excited for the challenges that lie ahead post investment.”

Petindex is a new trade show aimed at all pet businesses within the UK pet market, as well as those overseas. It is organised by the Pet Industry Federation, the UK trade association for pet businesses.

Here the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) outlines its plans for Petindex, which takes place on 26-27 April 2020 at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

"The Pet Industry Federation is at the heart of the UK’s pet industry, with membership bringing together businesses from the whole industry in a way which no other UK organisation does.

"Petindex will provide a unique platform to unite the whole industry at one event, attracting a wide audience of pet professionals looking for more than just a trade show. It is positioned differently to other trade shows in the UK, because of its aim to bring all types of pet businesses together, not just the traditional retailer/manufacturer combination. The shape and nature of pet retail in the UK is changing, and Petindex is a show which broadens the horizons for pet manufacturers and offers them not just retailers, but also influencers within the service sector.

"All pet businesses are invited to visit Petindex. The main event is free to attend as a visitor, including all the seminars and demonstrations taking place throughout the event. The event takes place under one roof over two days at a convenient, centrally located venue with on-site hotel and great road and rail access and at a good time of year."

Why should businesses have a trade stand?

"Petindex is projected to have over 100 trade stands from both the UK and overseas and companies such as Royal Canin, Natures Menu, Marriage’s, Supreme Petfoods and Pawfect Petfoods have already committed to attend. From the profiles of our pet membership, we know that in order to support pet manufacturers, influencers of products are very important. Any business involved in this industry will both like pets and use pet products. They in turn talk to pet owners and are therefore a brilliant resource to promote your products. We aim to harness this at Petindex where visitors will be designated as either a retailer/large purchaser of products or an influencer. This will allow stand holders to target their conversation stand visitors.

"PIF is a not for profit company which means we don’t have shareholders. Our members own PIF and therefore this allows us to offer stands at much more economical rates than other shows as well as make the event and seminars free to enter for pet businesses. Exhibitors will also be able to get a discount to attend the PIF Awards on Sunday 26 April."

What about education?

"There will be three seminar rooms running a wide variety of seminars over two days. The seminar rooms collectively hold 300 people and we have already secured Trevor Cooper (Dog Law), Yvonne Mackinder (COAPE), Joe Watson (Petland USA), export market seminars on China, the USA and the EU, as well as many other speakers who we will announce closer to the event. There will be something for everyone and our seminar themes will include business, animal wellness, grooming, retailing, and pet services.

"In the main arena, there will also be an education zone with City & Guilds, Pearsons and LANTRA and of course PIF Education attending where you can discuss courses and how you can be part of PIF’s core objective of raising standards in the pet industry."

What else is going on?

"On Sunday 26 April, the British Dog Grooming Championships will take place to determine the 2020 Groomer of the Year. Registrations will open before the end of the year and if you have never visited a grooming competition before it’s well worth a look to see the dedication and passion that pet groomers put into this competition. On the Monday, the area will host grooming demonstrations delivered by internationally renowned groomers.

"Our intention is to help businesses connect the dots, so there will also be a business village at the show. Too often businesses are isolated and find it difficult to get practical help in starting business services or how to engage with other like-minded business people. Petindex will also offer advice on developing pet services such as grooming, walking or day care – areas which are really booming in the industry currently. 

"There will a ‘green’ sustainability stand where we will have experts on hand to talk about things you could do to make your business more sustainable. We want to help you change some of your old habits for a more sustainable future.

"For PIF members, there will be a lounge you can visit for you to take time out during the day for some complementary refreshments. The arena of course also sells food and drink during the day.

"In addition, exhibitors will also have the opportunity to put forward products at Petindex for the innovation awards and we will announce the winners in four categories during the Awards night.

"And talking of the Awards night, the Pet Industry Federation Awards dinner will take place on Sunday 26 April in the DoubleTree Hilton – the hotel adjoining the arena, so not far to walk!"

Sunday 26 – Monday 27 April

Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

www.petindexshow.com

Retailers are expecting to cash-in on the British love affair with pets as new research suggests that almost 80% of owners will buy a present for their furry friends this Christmas.

Wamiz, a leading website for pet lovers, asked UK pet owners if they will be buying a Christmas present for their four-legged friends and 79% answered ‘yes’.

What presents will Father Christmas leave under the Christmas tree? 

Wamiz.co.uk also asked Brits who own a dog or a cat what they think they will buy for their furry friends for Christmas. According to the survey, cats will mostly receive treats to munch on, while dogs will most likely get new toys. This is followed by treats/bones, blankets, pillows, and accessories for dogs, and toys, scratching posts, catnip and blankets for cats.

Dogs are usually more spoiled than cats. Indeed, 83% of British owners confirmed that they wanted to buy something for their dog, while 74% said they would get something for their cat.

39% of those who completed the survey own one or several dogs, 38% own one or several cats, and 23% own both.

How generous will Father Christmas be?

Wamiz asked owners how much they are willing to spend on a Christmas present for their pet. 44% said they would spend less than £10, 36% between £10-£30 pounds, 12% between £30-£50 pounds and 8% over £50. Some were very generous and said they will spend up to £500 on their furry friends. Father Christmas better get started then!

A special meal for a special occasion 

Christmas is synonymous with roast turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, sprouts, bread sauce and gravy. We can already smell the aromas. But what about our pets? Will they also get a special meal for Christmas? The answer is YES! 70% of pet owners will cook or give their pets a special meal for Christmas.Yummy!

The place of a pet in the heart of owners seems to be stronger during Christmas

Wamiz tried to understand the role dogs and cats play in their families especially during the Christmas holidays. British owners were asked if their relatives usually buy a gift for their pets. 29.5% replied that this never happened, 15% said they still didn't know if their dog or cat would receive anything from their family this year. However, 27% said their friends and family always get their pets gifts.

Some families traditionally go to Mass on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, so Wamiz asked pet owners if they would take their dogs and cats if they were allowed to enter a Church. While 70% answered 'no', there were still 30% who said 'yes'. 

Christmas Eve is often spent at a relative's house or at home, although some prefer going to a restaurant. However, amongst dog and cat owners interviewed by Wamiz, more than 95% said they would be celebrating Christmas with their pets.

Christmas is a time for family, love and sharing, and it’s clear British pet owners can’t think of anything better than celebrating this occasion with their ‘fur-ever’ friends.

Buying a pet for Christmas: good or bad idea? 

Owning a pet has great advantages. Indeed, they help to keep us healthy and fit, they bring us love, joy and affection, and they also help us be more sociable.

However, owning a pet also comes with great responsibilities. Wamiz warns potential buyers or adopters that pets are not objects. They are sensitive beings who deserve attention, care, time and affection. So, a pet really is for life and not for Christmas.

Indeed, once the magic of Christmas has passed, and despite many TV shows that highlight the plight of rescue dogs, it is not uncommon for many domestic animals to end up in a shelter.

Wamiz has some advice for those considering buying a pet at Christmas, to try to reduce the number of pets abandoned a short time after.

Before you take a new pet on board, consider the following:

• Check that nobody in the home is allergic to pets
• Be realistic about how much time pet care takes and make sure you can devote that time to your pet
• Check up on the cost of food, veterinary bills, pet sitters, dog walkers and, of course, gifts and treats.
• Consider whether it is fair to have a pet if you are at work all day.
• Think about what will happen to your pet, if you go on holiday and cannot take it with you.
• If you have young children, make sure they will not be nervous around the pet.
• Consider how much exercise a dog will need and ask yourself if you have time to walk it.
• Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you are the type to be out with a poop bag in hand.
• If you are currently not parents, but plan to be so, consider what sort of pet might be suitable around babies and how you will prevent the pet becoming jealous.
• If you love your home and its furniture and furnishings, how would you react if items were chewed or ruined? Pets will be pets, after all!
• Whilst taking on board a puppy or kitten may be a bad idea, adopting an animal may be a better choice, as long as you still think through all of the same points. Remember that a dog or cat can live up to 15 years.

Wamiz was created in October 2009 by Adrien Magdelaine and Adrien Ducousset. With more than 19 million page views per month, Wamiz is the #1 European website about pets. Wamiz.co.uk is a website which gives advice and information about pets and accompanies pet owners and future pet owners thanks to our expertise and passion.

www.wamiz.co.uk

Lily’s Kitchen has witnessed sales of its hugely popular advent calendar for cats grow +27% yoy and its dog calendars have seen growth of +52% since they launched five years ago.

Each year, demand for the £10 advent calendars (which boasts celebrity fans such as Victoria Beckham)  grows and in 2014 when they produced a modest 5000, this year Lily’s Kitchen has made over ten times more, and has shipped to 9 countries across Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Lily’s Kitchen was the first company in the UK to launch pet advent calendars, and where they have pioneered, many others have now followed in their footsteps, with the pet advent calendar market now a regular feature at Christmas.

Cat fans of Lily’s Kitchen have their very own advent calendar to help them countdown to Christmas in the most deliciously exciting way – each window is filled with naturally wholesome treats made from Chicken with Liver, Chicken with Shrimp, and Turkey with Cranberry.

And of course, tails up and down the country (and now world!) are wagging in delight at the dog advent calendars which are generously filled with Cheese and Apple Training Treats (made with fresh russet apples and organic farmhouse cheddar) along with Rise & Shines (made with beef liver, blackstrap molasses and alfalfa making dogs feel chirpier than a Christmas robin) and Bedtime Biscuits (made with honey, yoghurt, chamomile and passion flowers to help keep pups calm amongst the excitement).

According to research carried out by American Express, in 2018, two in three dog owners bought their pets a festive present, spending £166million over the season with many admitting to spending more on their pets than their human friends and family. 

A new recipe book “Tasty Treats for Happy Dogs’ by Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen which is set to launch on the 5^th December has already received pre-orders on Amazon.co.uk.  The book serves up 50 nourishing and easy-to-make treat recipes and is a cookbook thoughtfully designed for your four-legged family members. From everyday wholesome snacks for cold days to celebration recipes, including birthday cake and Christmas cookies, this lovely book has something for every occasion.

Comments Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily's Kitchen: “Pets are such an important part of our family, so it’s only natural that we want to spoil them just as much as the rest of our family during the festive season. It’s wonderful seeing them perform tricks for their daily Advent Calendar treat and then on Christmas Day itself, join in the fun with their very own specially prepared Spectacular Three Bird Feast. Our Christmas collection has become a must have each year as more and more people want to include their pets in their Christmas festivities.”

The Lily’s Kitchen show-stopping Christmas Spectacular collection not only includes their much-anticipated advent calendars but also treats in Christmas crackers and festive, natural meals for dogs and cats and is available on www.lilyskitchen.co.uk and in over 700 independent pet shops. ‘Tasty Treats for Happy Dogs’ is available from today (5th December).

Different Dog will be serving up a tasty treat for your pooch this Christmas with the launch of their Festive Feast recipe which is packed full of all the goodies that you would expect to find in a traditional turkey dinner.

Containing  60% turkey, red cabbage, parsnip, dried cranberries, sage, vitamins, minerals and superfoods,this recipe will not only taste good and get those tails wagging but it will also do your dog the power of good as well.

Turkey is a particularly lean meat. It is not only ideal for maintaining a healthy weight but is also good for those sensitive tummies. Cranberries are rich with antioxidants and nutrients that help support your pet's immune system and decrease inflammation. Antioxidants play a major role in keeping dogs healthy; they can improve cognitive function and alleviate allergies and skin problems.

Ingredients such as salmon oil, olive oil, chia seeds and turmeric are great for looking after a dog’s joints, coat and skin whilst kelp will help regulate it’s whole glandular system. The addition of vegetables in Festive Feast will make sure that all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for an active and healthy life are provided for- all in this one tasty recipe.

All Different Dog recipes are hand-cooked using the finest British quality ingredients. The food is then frozen and delivered lovingly to your door. Recipes can be served directly from the fridge or gently warmed if you prefer and can be kept in the fridge for up to five days after defrosting.

Each recipe has been developed by our expert nutritionist in conjunction with a vet to make sure that the food is completely balanced containing 60% British meat, freshest veg, fruit and herbs, and no nasties. The recipes can be fed as complete food or as a topper.

By supporting British farmers and growers and using packaging that is recyclable and compostable, we can make sure that here at Different Dog, we only produce real food recipes that are fully traceable, kind to the planet, environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Different Dog deliver perfect portions to meet your dog's specific nutritional needs, helping keep them healthy and happy and at their ideal weight over the festive period and beyond. Recipes are also available to buy in 250g and 600g pack sizes and small and large dog hampers. Freezer packages are available for retailers.

For further information visit: www.differentdog.com

The 2020 Pet Industry Federation Awards are now open for entries through the Petindex website: www.petindexshow.com.

The Awards have moved to a new time in the year to coincide with trade show Petindex, which takes place on 26-27 April 2020 at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

Organised by the Pet Industry Federation, the leading trade association for pet businesses, the PIF Awards celebrate success across a wide range of products, services, companies and individuals and provide the perfect platform to recognise excellence and innovation in the industry.

Pet businesses are invited to submit a nomination across the 16 categories available this year:

1. Product Innovation Awards – Dog, Cat, Reptile/Fish, Small Mammal/Bird
   (NB: the product awards will be judged at Petindex)
2. Manufacturer of the Year
3. Wholesaler or Supplier of the Year
4. New Business of the Year
5. Grooming Business of the Year
6. Kennel of the Year
7. Cattery of the Year
8. Pet Service Business of the Year
9. Home Boarding Business of the Year
10. Dog Daycare Business of the Year
11. Online Business of the Year
12. Exporter Award
13. Green Award
14. Pet Retail Chain of the Year
15. Independent Retailer of the Year
16. Special Achievement Award

Those interested in applying should check the list of criteria which are available at www.petindexshow.com and cover the areas that judges will be specifically looking for in the entries.

Entries must be submitted to awards@petfederation.co.uk by Monday 3 February 2020, and shortlisted companies will be announced in the March 2020.

The winners will be presented with their awards on Sunday 26 April at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel,  Milton Keynes – on the same site as the Petindex trade show, providing a convenient way for companies to visit or exhibit at the show, and then enjoy a fabulous black-tie dinner with entertainment in the evening.

Sponsorship opportunities are currently available for the Awards categories. Further details on these or any other aspect of the event are available at www.petindexshow.com, or from Daniel Everett on 01234 224507; Daniel.everett@petfederation.co.uk

The vital work of PDSA charity vets and nurses returns to the national TV spotlight this month, as they battle to treat and support pets from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged households. Ten episodes of Channel 4’s popular series The People’s Vet hit the screens from Monday 9 December.

Cameras spent six months behind the scenes at PDSA’s two busy Liverpool hospitals to create the fascinating series. It captures all the drama as the vet teams deal with hundreds of cases every single day – ranging from routine check-ups to extraordinary life-and-death emergencies.

In the first episode, senior vet Stephen performs intricate surgery in a bid to save much-loved cat Heinrich, who was badly injured in a suspected road accident. In another featured story, cute puppy Harley was found abandoned in a box – but will he find a forever home with his rescuers?

As well as its two Merseyside facilities, vet charity PDSA runs 46 other Pet Hospitals in cities and towns around the UK, at a total cost of £60 million a year. The charity receives no Government funding and relies on voluntary support.

Produced for Channel 4 by Blakeway North, The People’s Vet appears every weekday from 12.00 on Channel 4.

With a growing number of Brits (one million at last count) aspiring to embrace The Good Life and keep their own hens, ChickenGuard - the company behind the world’s most innovative automatic chicken coop door openers – has conducted research to highlight the true cost of establishing your very own small flock.

Following extensive desk research*, the award-winning ChickenGuard can reveal that the approximate initial outlay for keeping chickens (based on a flock of four) is over £1,000 (£1057.40)! A total which may come as a shock to those who assume chickens can pay for themselves with the income from eggs.

Ben Braithwaite (pictured), Founder of ChickenGuard, comments: “It’s a fact that chickens are a fantastic pet choice. They don’t take up too much room, they produce their own tasty eggs, they are fantastic with children and they each have a unique personality which can be mildly mesmerising.

“The welfare of chickens is of utmost importance to us so the purpose of our research was to reveal the true cost of owning chicken, as it can mount up. That said, in comparison to other pets such as the four-legged friend which cost £2,000 a year or more[1], chickens are a much more reasonable outlay.”

Those tempted by owning chickens can expect to pay £15 - £20 for each of their hens, although rare breeds can be considerably more. The next item on the shopping list is a coop, easily fitted with a ChickenGuard automatic door opener for maximum security and convenience. The girls will also need some space to eggcercise so allow another £65 for a chicken run. Add to that bedding at £20, plus another £80 for nest boxes, £54 on a heatlamp to keep them cosy and £77 on lighting, grit (£36), feed and supplements (£97) and something to dispense them from alongside fresh water (£80) plus a decent pair of wellies (£45), the cost of being a responsible owner soon rises.

After the initial outlay, chicken owners will also need to bear in mind ongoing costs for food and grit, as well as healthcare needs such as red mite spray (£34) to keep their hens on top form. And for those planning to welcome their feathered friends into their home, it might be worth picking up some chicken nappies (£22) to keep mess to a minimum.

Having shelled out on everything needed to keep the girls happily laying, the last thing wanted for them is to fall fowl of a sneaky fox. That’s precisely why ChickenGuard founder Ben created the first automated chicken coop door opener ten years ago: “Today, ChickenGuard offers a variety of automatic chicken coop door openers and doors to benefit chicken owners across the world by:

• Providing reassurance that their chickens are safe and secure from night predators,
• Giving extra time to sleep in, as the coop door can be set to let chickens out in the morning and back in the evening at the appropriate times, and
• The opportunity to have stress-free weekends and holidays as the timer and light sensor functions ensure the hens are self-sufficient.”

ChickenGuard has worked closely with customers, taking their feedback on board and incorporating it into various iterations of the product range. Currently, this includes the Standard, Premium and Extreme automated chicken door openers, the world’s first self-locking door and Combi Kits which combine smart automated door openers with either the self-locking door for extra protection or the classic door with oak wooden runners.

All ChickenGuard units are made in the UK, at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge. This enables the business to maintain stringent quality standards, reliable shipping methods and a high level of customer service.

For more information about ChickenGuard visit www.chickenguard.co.uk

Hugo & Hudson will be exhibiting its luxury dog beds, which are available in a variety of different styles and materials with a distinctive piping around the outer edge, at PATS Sandown on 9-10 February 2020.

The dog beds are designed and filled in the UK with Polyester Hollow Fibre. All of our beds have been generously filled to ensure maximum comfort and a good night’s sleep for your pet. They also have the option to remove or add filling at a later date for maintenance.

Features:

• Stylish and hardwearing fabric fitting in perfectly to your home
• Designed and filled in Great Britain
• Once each bolster/cushion is removed, the fabric can be washed as a whole
• Non-slip base

Hugo & Hudson will be exhibiting on stand C15 at PATS Sandown.

Find out more about the company and its product by visiting https://hugohudson.co.uk

The future of dog grooming has arrived in Edinburgh as Dobbies Garden Centre opens its brand new, state-of-the-art, self-service dog wash.

The new dog wash at Dobbies makes grooming pooches of all shapes and sizes easy. The dogs enter via a ramp and are washed and blow-dried inside. The dog wash even ensures that their humans dodge the inevitable soaking that follows every shake.

Launched in store, the new dog wash is suitable for dogs of all sizes and features a shampoo, rinse, optional flea shampoo and hair dryer to make sure they look perfectly polished and dogs come out smelling beautiful.

More than a third of people in Britain own a dog and according to the Pet Foods Manufacturing Association there were 471,000 households with dogs in 2017. And it’s clear that pet owners are quite happy to indulge their furry friends with 54% saying they’d cut back on spending on themselves in favour of a pet, according to Mintel.

Dobbies in Edinburgh has extended its pets section in recent months in response to growing demand. From an extended pet food section, natural treat section, grooming products, pet bedding, a large pet toy aisle and even a weighing station, there’s everything pet owners could possibly need for happy, healthy animals.

Sean Kelly, Head of Pets, at Dobbies said: “Our new dog wash has already been given a paws up by our canine testers. Our research showed that owners don’t like having to wash the dog in the family bathtub, and most of all, the clean up afterwards. This way, dogs can enjoy a relaxing pamper in pleasant surroundings and owners are spared the chore of cleaning afterwards.”

The dog wash at Dobbies costs £10 per 15 minute session, with no need to book. For more information visit www.dobbies.com

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Organisers of BETA International 2020 are looking forward to welcoming Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the trade show on Tuesday 21 January, when she will be given a tour of the halls and introduced to members of the equestrian industry.

The visit will allow The Princess to meet young entrepreneurs and see the work of apprentice and student saddlers who will be displaying their skill, precision and craftsmanship. Exhibitors and visitors will also be able to hear The Princess give a short address during her visit.

“We are extremely honoured that The Princess Royal has accepted our invitation to visit the show,” said BETA International organiser Claire Thomas. “She is held in high regard throughout the equestrian world for her charity work and vast knowledge and enthusiasm for all things equine – in addition to her own abilities as a horsewoman.”

Her Royal Highness is connected to more than 300 charities, including positions as president of the Riding for the Disabled Association and perpetual master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers. She is the British member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the British Olympic Association, and was the first member of the Royal Family to compete in an Olympic Games.

Her daughter, Zara Phillips, is clearly following in her mother’s footsteps with an incredibly successful equestrian career – and an eventing team silver medal in London 2012.

BETA International is the leading trade show for equestrian, pet, country and giftware. The 2020 show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 19 to 21 January. Entry is strictly trade only and free on registration at beta-int.com.

For further information, please contact Fiona Berry, email info@beta-int.com or telephone +44 (0)1937 582111.

A Glasgow pet shop has launched a drive to give warm coats and collars to homeless dogs in the run up to Christmas.

Instead of holding a typical Black Friday sale this year, Just Nuisance decided to turn their focus on helping needy pups out in the community.

Glasgow Live reported the store invited customers to donate collars, leads and winter coats to the shop's gift basket in return for 20% off.

To read the full story click here

With winter in full swing and the countdown to Christmas just around the corner, Natures Menu reveals shocking festive favourites that have the potential to be hazardous to pets:

• Christmas tree water
• Chocolate
• Christmas dinner
• Christmas decorations
• Silica gel
• Christmas pudding and mince pies
• Christmas plants
• Batteries
• Candles
• Fires

As well as highlighting the hidden dangers around the home, Natures Menu is also urging pet owners to help protect their animals from the colder weather and reveals the steps we can take to keep our animals safe!

Cold feet: Believe it or not, just like humans, pets can suffer from cold feet! Those with hairy feet are more susceptible to ice droplets forming in-between their toes, which can cause them to feel uncomfortable and suffer from sore pads, so trim the hair around your dog’s feet to prevent this from happening. Also, after taking your furry friend out on a chilly walk, ensure you wash their feet with warm, but not hot, water.

Salty Paws: As the temperatures plunge, many councils will spread salt on the roads and pavements to prevent them from becoming too slippery. However, salt is not great for our four-legged friends’ sensitive pads and after being outside many dogs will lick their feet to clean them, resulting in our pooches ingesting the salty substance, which may cause gastric upset from vomiting and diarrhoea to dehydration, and could lead to an emergency vet visit if the symptoms persist. In a bid to stop this, rinse your pets’ paws after a crisp walk in the cold. Also, be aware of cats going outside and walking on salty, icy surfaces. If it’s very chilly, keep your cat inside and only let them out in the garden where you can keep a close eye on them. 

Wet Tails: If a dog does get wet during the cold weather, their muscles can go into spasm when they are trying to warm up, especially around the base of their tail. This can be extremely painful for your pooch, so always be sure to dry off your dog with a towel straight after a swim and allow them to warm up gradually. If your dog appears sad or is unable to wag their tail properly a few hours after getting wet, take them to your local vets for a check-up and, if needed, they can prescribe anti-inflammatories and pain killers to help reduce discomfort.

Watch out for ice: Take care that your dog doesn’t lick cold or frozen surfaces. While dogs may like the sensation of cold on their tongues, some have been known to become stuck to objects, damaging their tongues severely or leading to ice burns in the mouth.

Melanie Sainsbury, Natures Menu veterinary nurse, said: “Whilst the thought of a white Christmas may be terribly exciting for us humans, harsh winter weather can pose some unwanted and surprising risks to our furry-friends. Here at Natures Menu, we urge pet owners to follow and share our handy top tips, so that pets across the country are kept safe and happy in the coming colder months.”

Trixie has launched a series of products in the Harvey for Velvet Paws range, including a scratching post, cushion and bed...

All these Harvey items impress with the extra fluffy texture.

The cushion excels with its extra thick and high filling volume (in 2 sizes, 80 × 60/100 ×70 cm).

A firmly attached cushion in the cuddly bed prevents slipping (in 3 sizes, ø 50/60 cm). The lying platforms as well as the scratching post feature a soft long-haired plush cover. The posts of the scratching post for kittens and beginners are wrapped in jute.     

www.trixie.de

www.facebook.com/trixie.heimtierbedarf

www.youtube.com/user/trixieheimtier

A delighted Mary Carter stormed home to win the World Sleddog Championship 2019 with her homebred six-dog team all fuelled entirely on CSJ dog food.

This year’s Championship saw competitors travelling to the UK for the first time and was held at the Firle Estate on the South coast of England on 16^th and 17^th November.

Mary commented: “The trail had something for everyone... trails meandering  in open grass fields, narrow woodland trails, straights, chicanes, hills, winding fast downhills, grass, dirt, sticky clay, mud, hard packed trackways, chalk, and floods!”

Her winning team consisted of five brothers - Xenon (more about this special dog another time) and Copper in lead, Titan and Promethium in team, with Thor at wheel - alongside their cousin, Rod.

Mary and husband John, who also took a bronze in the 8 dog class despite eventually only running with six dogs, own the Satanta Huskies and spectacular Bowland Trails … the only purpose built sleddog training centre in the UK with seven miles of trails set in 218 acres.

The couple are both multiple Gold Medal winners with a glittering array of silver and bronze prizes too since starting to compete with their own dogs in the early 1990’s.

Eldest son George is following in their tracks and finished 4^th in his first outing in the World Dryland Championships junior category with 2 dogs.

Satanta Huskies also hit the heights for their good friends - Lucy Van Zwanenberg who finished a very respectable 8^th place in the largest class of the day with a four-dog team and Anna Williams on the podium with a Silver medal in the Ladies Veteran Bikejor class – huge congratulations to them too.

The photo (courtesy of Christian Helm) shows Mary and her six dogs powering out of the start chute … clean at this point!!

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

The owner of a much-loved Croydon pet shop that has been on the market since last year has cut its asking price by more than a third to secure a quick sale and enable him to retire.

Ken Burgess, who first put Burgess Boys Pet Centre in New Addington up for sale last spring, has instructed his agent, Blacks Business Brokers, to reduce the price to take over the lease from £95,000 to £59,950.

Ken acquired the business in 1979 following a successful career working for multinational corporations. The premises had already been trading as a pet and garden supplies shop for 20 years when he purchased it.

After 40 years of trading Ken has built Burgess Boys, which was named in honour of his three sons, into a £250,000-turnover business. The shop employs two full-time and three part-time members of staff, and incurs a rent of £22,100 per year.

Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre is fully licensed to sell small animals, birds, reptiles and fish. Over the years it has become a fixture of the local community, hosting a popular children’s painting competition and regularly providing work experience placements to students and the wider community.

Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre has been recognised for its commitment to the community and recently attained a prestigious Croydon Business Excellence Award. It is rated the top pet shop in Croydon by Google.

The business, which operates a loyalty card programme, is used by its many regular customers as their first port of call for animal health advice. It has featured in an episode of the BBC children’s TV programme My Pet and Me, which is regularly repeated on the CBeebies channel.

The business provides nail clipping, delivery and holiday boarding services, all of which could be expanded further. It recently upgraded its computer system and website, providing scope for a new owner to develop the shop’s existing online sales into a full-scale ecommerce operation.

According to Ken Burgess, who is a City and Guilds examiner in Pet Store Management and a former board member of the Pet Care Trust (now known as the Pet Industry Federation), the shop’s staff are very highly trained and will be able to provide a seamless transition when a new owner takes over.

The premises include a large covered storage area and rear driveway. Mr Burgess says that, were he not planning to retire, he would consider converting these to provide additional services such as grooming and hydrotherapy.

Ken himself has a high profile in the local business community, and is a founder member, chair and director of the Central Parade Business Partnership, which has pulled together local businesses into the smallest recognised Business Improvement District (BID) in the country. The BID has enabled investment of more than £80 million into the shopping area, improving traffic flow and access to shops, introducing free parking facilities and creating a new market square and community facilities.

Callum Pollard, customer services executive at Blacks Business Brokers, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for an animal lover in the South London or Surrey area to take over a well-established, turnkey operation with highly skilled, supportive staff. There is no competition in the immediate area and the new asking price represents exceptional value for such a long-established, respected and well-located business.”

All enquiries should be made to Blacks Business Brokers on 0333 370 0000, quoting reference 6047.

A gallery of Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre pictures from the agents' online dale details can be viewed below...

Sainsbury’s has announced it is opening a three-day pop-up restaurant for pooches that will serve up dog-friendly Christmas dinners, taking place from 13th to 15th December.
 
Visiting dogs will dine on a ‘silver service’ style feast, complete with doting waiters, at the pop-up restaurant just off glittering Regent’s Street, London. On the menu will be tail wagging-worthy treats, including by Sainsbury’s Festive Dinner for Dogs, with flavour options including a lip-smacking mixture of turkey, carrots and sage, or chicken, duck and turkey.
 
No Christmas feast is complete without dessert, so pooches will be also served with Sainsbury’s Mince Pies for Dogs, a combination of cereals, yoghurt and dried fruit.

A professional doggy photographer will be on hand to help guests get that seasonal social media snap – with matching Christmas jumpers for owners and their dogs.
 
It’s not just our furry friends that will be able to tuck into a mouth-watering meal, as their owners will also be served Sainsbury’s new Christmas sandwiches, alongside a glass of fizz, so they can dine alongside their dog.
 
People wishing to attend the event can now book a slot online for their four-legged friends to dine in style at the pop-up via this link.
 
For one owner and their dog, a ticket to the pop-up will cost £5, with two owners and one dog costing £7.50. This includes entry to the pop-up for the 45-minute session, food for the dogs, a Christmas sandwich and a glass of fizz for the owners.
 
Sainsbury’s will be donating all proceeds from the pop-up to charity partner, Guide Dogs, as part of the supermarket’s drive to ‘Help Brighten a Million Christmases’ this year.

 
Sanj Kaushal for Sainsburys, Pet Product Developer said: “While the nation tucks into a delicious Christmas lunch each year, our beloved dogs are often stuck with their everyday dinners. With such a large proportion of our customers having pets, the happiness of the four-legged animals are as important to us as their humans! So, this year, we want to offer a ‘silver-service’ Christmas dinner experience for our customers’ canine friends and get them involved in the festivities We’re really pleased to also be offering a wide range of innovative Christmas pet food and treats for both cats and dogs, so our customers nationwide can treat their furry friends to an extra special feast this year!”
 
 
Where: Santa Paws Dinner, By Sainsbury’s – The Gallery at 10 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YF
When: Friday 13th - 12pm to 7.45pm; Saturday 14th - 9.30am to 7.30pm; Sunday 15th – 9.30am to 6.15pm
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus Tube Station (3 mins) or Bond Street Tube Station
To book: https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/christmas-themed/santa-paws-dinner-by-sainsburys?t=tickets
 

Pets At Home’s share price surged after the retailer posted a bumper profit increase and strong like-for-like sales growth for the first half of its financial year.

Investors sent the Pets At Home share price up 9.5% to 234.8p in early trading as they responded to the robust earnings. And the share price rose even higher, finishing trading at 246.60 yesterday (Wednesday).

Pets at Home has said it is on track to deliver full-year profit growth ahead of plan, as it reported “strong” half-year results.

The Cheshire-headquartered retailer saw underlying pre-tax profit increase 10.2% to £41.7m, up from £37.9m for the same period the year previous.

The group reported statutory pre-tax profit soared 327.3% to £34m, up from £8m.

Total group revenue rose 7.6% year on year to £546.3m in the first half, up from £499.3m.

Group CEO Peter Pritchard (above) said he was “very pleased” with what the group has achieved in the first half.

He said: “We have executed our plans well, and this has been reflected in the strong customer sales growth across the group.

“Our commitment, and that of the group’s joint venture partners, is to make sure pets and their owners get the very best advice, care and products; and this has led to record levels of VIPs, first opinion practice clients and subscription customers.

“In short, our pet care strategy is working.”

Mr Pritchard said the group has a “strong foundation” and expects sustained profit to continue.

He added: “We have much to look forward to in FY20 and beyond, and we now expect to return to profit growth a year ahead of our original plan.

“In the meantime, we will remain focussed on serving our customers, their pets and our partners better than ever before.”

A pub in Theale, Berkshire, has won the coveted title of ‘most dog-friendly pub in Britain’ after being crowned by a panel of judges from a regional shortlist of 12 finalists. 

The Fox & Hounds is run by Jayne Tilsey and known locally for its warm welcome and special touches for canine companions, such as a paw-sonalised dog food menu, comfy dog beds, and an array of water bowls for dogs of all shapes and sizes. 

The pub was announced as the national winner of the fourth nationwide Dog-friendly Pub Awards, run by Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. The awards celebrate pubs with dog-friendly initiatives and encourage pubs across the country to welcome four legs as well as two.

Jayne Tilsey from The Fox & Hounds was delighted with the news, “Winning this award keeps us firmly on the map as the place to bring your woofer whether you fancy a drink, lunch or dinner. Welcoming dogs into the pub keeps us a community hub and ensures there’s always a conversation point! Being dog friendly is the best part of my day - we love meeting new dogs and getting to fuss them.”

Competition was paws-itively fierce and fur-ocious this year, with over 2,500 pubs entering the awards from around the UK and dog lovers in each region fighting for their favourites; 17,000 votes were placed in total. The twelve finalists (listed below) were then assessed by a panel of judges from Rover, RSPCA, The Morning Advertiser, Your Dog Magazine and The Guardian - with The Fox & Hounds, Theale coming out as the top of the pack. 

1. The Fox & Hounds, Theale (South East & National winner)
2. The Keel Row, Whitley Bay (North East winner)
3. The Dog at Grundisburgh (East of England winner)
4. The Oak at Baginton (West Midlands winner)
5. The Lion at Basford, Nottingham (East Midlands winner)
6. The Maltings, Warrington (North West winner)
7. The Ship Inn, Teignmouth (South West winner)
8. Wags N Tales, Surbiton (London winner)
9. The Calder Vale Hotel, Wakefield (Yorkshire winner)
10. The Sun Trevor, Llangollen (Wales winner)
11. The Stables, Glasgow (Scotland winner)
12. Sunflower Public House, Belfast (N. Ireland winner)

An extensive database of dog-friendly pubs across the UK is available for perusal by punters and their pups at pubs.rover.com.  

Simon Le Grice from Rover said, “It’s been wonderful to see such a high standard of dog-friendly pubs across the country this year. We’ve had so many fantastic entries, it made judging really tough! For the fourth year running we - with the help of dog lovers up and down the country - have been searching for the best of the best when it comes to dog-friendly pubs, and with The Fox & Hounds at Theale, we’ve found just that.

“The superb service demonstrated shows real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at Rover value above all. The whole Rover pack is proud to congratulate Jayne and her team on winning the national UK Dog-friendly Pub Award and hope that the awards will inspire dog owners country-wide to discover and support their local pubs, while also encouraging more pubs to consider our two-legged friends in their offerings.”

For all the winners and more information on where you can find a local dog-friendly pub, visit pubs.rover.com.

A video of the winning pub, The Fox & Hounds, can be viewed by clicking here