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American natural pet food company WellPet LLC has acquired the popular WHIMZEES business, the Netherlands-based maker of natural dental chews for dogs.
WHIMZEES has been innovating the dental chew category since 2013 with natural, healthy ingredients and unique patented designs that help promote gum and dental health.
“We’ve long admired the work of WHIMZEES, their commitment to innovation and passion for bringing only the best, highest-quality natural products to pets globally. And, it’s no secret that our team members’ dogs love them,” said WellPet Chief Executive Officer, Camelle Kent.
 “This is a major growth opportunity for WellPet, and an exciting one. Natural dental chews today represent a significant and fast-growing segment of the treats market, and WHIMZEES is an established leader in this category. More importantly, we share the same vision and culture, aiming to provide the best, healthiest and most fun dog products to the world in a sustainable, socially-responsible way.”
Combined, WellPet and WHIMZEES bring more than 100 years of experience developing and delivering nutritional excellence to pets. That is made possible by passionate employees, state of the art, company-owned facilities and high-quality products. WHIMZEES joins Wellness®, Old Mother Hubbard®, Eagle Pack®, Holistic Select® and Sojos® in the WellPet family of premium, natural pet food and treat brands.
“WellPet brings more resources for us internationally, which means more fun for pets. We’re thrilled about our new collaboration and see WellPet helping WHIMZEES grow to serve more pet families and bring more health, happiness and fun to dogs everywhere,” said WHIMZEES Founder and CEO, Wim Pater.
WHIMZEES will continue operations in the Netherlands. They have a state-of-the-art facility which has received the highest possible “AA” rating from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) made available through the Global Standard for Food Safety.
The company holds patented designs for a variety of fun shapes, including a hedgehog, dog bone, alligator and cross bone, all of which uniquely support gum and dental health. WHIMZEES dental treats are currently available in the U.S. through PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, Pet Valu and also available at independent pet retailers and online e-tailers.
For more information, visit www.wellpet.com.
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Proposed changes to pet shop licensing welcomed by PIF
The Pet Industry Federation, the trade association which represents the interests of over 2,500 UK pet businesses, has broadly welcomed DEFRA’s Next Steps document on the review of animal establishment licensing, including pet shops and boarding establishments...
The Pet Industry Federation, the trade association which represents the interests of over 2,500 UK pet businesses, has broadly welcomed DEFRA’s Next Steps document on the review of animal establishment licensing, including pet shops and boarding establishments.
In its joint submission with OATA and REPTA to the original consultation last March, PIF called for a new licensing scheme to provide consistent, coherent standards which were robustly enforced by inspectors who had appropriate qualifications and experience to undertake inspections at a range of animal establishments.
“We welcome the proposals outlined in the ‘Next steps’ document and feel that many of them will go a long way towards improving the effectiveness of the licensing system for pet businesses”, said PIF CEO, Nigel Baker.
“In particular, we are pleased that DEFRA has recognised the need for standardised criteria on which to base licence inspections, and for a risk-based framework approach to licensing, with UKAS schemes used only as a means of earned recognition.
"Furthermore, we welcome the fact that DEFRA recognises the importance of having trained inspectors with specialist knowledge to undertake animal establishment licensing, and PIF is already working on a solution to this.
"We also welcome the proposal for information to be made available by retailers to potential new owners to be mandatory, and PIF recommends the range of leaflets produced by The Pet Charity for this purpose.”
Nigel continued: “However, there are some areas that appear to have been overlooked and which PIF feels could present a missed opportunity to strengthen existing areas of legislation. There is no mention of any plans to bring activities such as dog grooming, rehoming or dog walking into the scope of licensing. These areas are completely unregulated, so standards vary wildly, with the potential for serious consequences for animal welfare.
“In addition, we would also like to see any new licensing regime providing clear guidelines to local authorities on fee setting, as many businesses, pet shops in particular, have struggled to cope with the increased cost of licence fees. If the fees are too high, turning retailers off selling livestock, then this has serious repercussions for the industry as a whole.”
In summary, PIF welcomes the following points:- The acknowledgement that online sellers will need to be licensed in the same way that traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ pet shops are;
- That licensing criteria, through the establishment of the key requirements of model licensing conditions, will be become mandatory, meaning that local authorities must follow a consistent set of minimum standards;
- The recognition that licensing inspectors should reach a certain standard of training and prove competence to carry out inspections;
- The acknowledgement that ‘earned recognition’ will mean that inspections could happen less frequently for good businesses;
- All businesses will need to provide written, point of sale information on the animals they sell by law (including online businesses);
- Licences will be issued throughout the year, spreading the administrative burden for local authorities.
Finally, the Pet Industry Federation is delighted to have been selected to sit on the Expert Panel, under the National Companion Animal Focus Group and chaired by DEFRA, to discuss the supporting documentation and background information to the new system of local authority licensing and implement the proposed changes in a way that will be acceptable to the pet industry.
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OATA pleased with DEFRA's Next Steps document
OATA has broadly welcomed the Next Steps document issued by DEFRA outlining its proposed approach to the licensing of ‘animal activities’, including pet shops. The association's Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee (pictured) said: “Overall we are very pleased that DEFRA has listened to many of our suggestions about how to improve the licensing of ‘animal activities’."
 OATA has broadly welcomed the Next Steps document issued by DEFRA outlining its proposed approach to the licensing of ‘animal activities’, including pet shops.
In its joint submission with PIF and REPTA to the original consultation OATA called for a new licensing scheme to provide consistent, coherent standards which were well-enforced by inspectors who had appropriate qualifications and experience on the animals involved. It also called for robust enforcement which rewards good business practises with earned recognition and which stamps out bad businesses which flout the law and have little regard for animal welfare.
“Overall we are very pleased that DEFRA has listened to many of our suggestions about how to improve the licensing of ‘animal activities’, as it will now be labelled to acknowledge the advent of online sales,” said OATA’s Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee (pictured).
“However, the devil is in the detail so we will now consider the whole document and refine our response following discussions with Directors, members and colleagues at PIF and REPTA. We look forward to being actively involved in the work of the National Companion Animal Focus Group in discussions on how to flesh out and implement any proposed changes in a way that will be acceptable to the aquatics industry.
“But certainly, on the face of it, it finally looks like a set of standards will be enshrined in law and that DEFRA acknowledges the need for online business – not just bricks and mortar shops – to be licensed if they sell animals for profit. Both of these are major steps forward.”
In particular, OATA welcomes:
- The acknowledgement that online traders of animals will need to be licensed in the same way that ‘bricks and mortar’ pet shops are. DEFRA has also said it ‘intends to require’ local authorities to look at whether an individual who sells animals is running a business. This is a welcome acknowledgement which we hope will go some way to levelling the playing field for all businesses.
- That ‘key requirements’ of the CIEH’s model licensing conditions will be enshrined in law. We look forward to ensuring this finally means local authorities must follow a consistent set of high standards – in England and Wales at least – something OATA has called for for many years.
- The acknowledgement that inspectors need to have the right training, experience and competence to carry out inspections. DEFRA is proposing that a set of standards and training are created and we look forward to playing our part in this work. DEFRA has also acknowledged that a list of inspectors who meet that standard could be created, which would help local authorities to pool resources and develop expertise, such as through Primary Authority schemes.
- The acknowledgement of ‘earned recognition’ which means good businesses could have licences issued for up to three years. We look forward to playing our part in developing the ‘robust and consistent risk-based system’ that will be used to take forward this approach and OATA notes that being part of an independent scheme, such as UKAS, is likely to be taken in account when identifying lower risk businesses which require less frequent or detailed inspections.
- All businesses will need to provide written information on the animals they sell to customers by law (including online businesses).
- Licences will no longer be issued for the calendar year but for a fixed term throughout the year. This will spread the administrative burden for local authorities and we believe should further improve inspections.
- The requirement for licence holders to notify local authorities to ‘major changes’ to their business and we welcome that this will be ‘clearly defined’.
- The requirement for local authorities to report annually to Defra on the licenses they issue and conditions they put on them, which will help improve information on this.
- The guidance DEFRA will introduce on how local authorities set reasonable fees to help improve consistency and transparency.
“However, while the majority of the Next Steps document appears to be good news for the aquatics industry, we remain concerned about how all this will be enforced. Robust enforcement is the flip side of the coin to good standards,” added Dominic.
“There is some mention of fixed penalty notices to aid enforcement and an aspect of concern is the ‘powers of entry’ question. We recommended that people who ran their business from home should have, at the very least, the same scrutiny around enforcement that ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses do, despite the fact that traditional pet shops actually already have greater scrutiny because they are visited daily by the public in a way that online businesses are not.
“But DEFRA is not recommending a change to the powers of entry that inspectors have into these ‘home’ businesses – they will still need a warrant and to give notice. It is this kind of detail that needs further scrutiny about how it will be practically implemented and there will no doubt be other examples that need further input from the pet industry to ensure the right outcome for animal welfare is achieved.”
Defra’s Next Steps document and the joint submission to the original consultation is available on OATA’s website at http://www.ornamentalfish.org/uncatogorized/oata-welcomes-defras-next-steps-pet-shop-licences
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ACANA Enhanced Singles and Regionals launch in UK
 
Bern Pet Foods, the exclusive importer and distributor of ORIJEN & ACANA dog and cat foods, has launched ACANA’s enhanced range Singles and Regionals pet food to its 700+ retailers across UK and Ireland...
Bern Pet Foods, the exclusive importer and distributor of ORIJEN & ACANA dog and cat foods, has launched ACANA’s enhanced range Singles and Regionals pet food to its 700+ retailers across UK and Ireland.
Now packed with more meat than ever, 50% of which is fresh or raw and in WholePrey ratios, both the Singles and Regional ranges are Biologically Appropriate and contain generous portions of freshly-prepared fruits and vegetables.
ACANA Regionals for Dogs
- ACANA Regionals is now packed with 70% meat (half of which is fresh or raw) and rich in fresh regional ingredients. The range comprises four carbohydrate-limited and protein-rich dog foods for dogs of all breeds and life stages:
- ACANA Regionals Wild Prairie contains free-run chicken, turkey, whole nest-laid eggs and wild-caught fish, brimming with natural goodness.
- ACANA Regionals Pacifica is bursting with Pacific herring, pilchard, flounder, hake and rockfish to nourish your dog completely.
- ACANA Regionals Grasslands features fresh lamb, free-run duck, whole nest-laid eggs, wild-caught northern pike and free-run turkey to support lean muscle mass.
- ACANA Ranchlands is loaded with fresh Angus beef, grass-fed lamb, Yorkshire pork, plains bison and wild whole walleye, providing a diversity of proteins and fats essential to the peak health of dogs.
ACANA Regionals for Cats
Now containing 75% meat (of which half is fresh or raw) and bursting with fresh regional ingredients, the ACANA Regionals Range for cats includes:
- ACANA Regionals Wild Prairie, brimming with natural goodness, is packed with free-run chicken, turkey, whole nest-laid eggs and wild-caught fish.
- ACANA Regionals Pacifica is bursting with Pacific herring, pilchard, flounder, hake and rockfish to nourishing your cat naturally, without long lists of additives.
- ACANA Regionals Grasslands is loaded with fresh lamb, free-run duck, whole nest-laid eggs, wild-caught northern pike, and free-run turkey to nourish your cat naturally and completely.
- ACANA Regionals Ranchlands promotes your cat’s peak condition with fresh Angus beef, grass-fed lamb, Yorkshire pork, plains bison and wild whole walleye.
ACANA Singles for Dogs - ACANA’s enhanced Singles range includes three richly nourishing single protein foods containing 50% meat (of which half is fresh or raw) for diet-sensitive dogs of all breeds and life stages:
- ACANA Singles Grass-fed Lamb is a limited ingredient food containing 50% lamb ideal for diet-sensitive dogs.
- Yorkshire Pork is loaded with 50% pork, plus squash and pumpkin to support healthy digestion. Yorkshire Pork is suitable for diet-sensitive dogs of all breeds and life stages.
- Pacific Pilchard contains 50% wild-caught pilchard, fresh pumpkin and greens for digestive health, making it perfect for all breeds and life-stages.
ACANA’s pet foods are prepared by Champion Pet Foods in its award-winning NorthStar® kitchens, produced to Biologically Appropriate and Fresh Regional Ingredients standards.
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Dogrobes - makers of the original drying coat for dogs - have launched an exclusive tartan fabric that celebrates the company’s proud Scottish heritage.
Inspired by direct requests from customers, the Keith-based business commissioned Araminta Campbell - a renowned Scottish textiles expert - to design a bespoke tartan for the Dogrobes’ brand. After 18-months of development, the result is a striking red and dark grey tartan pattern, which contrasts beautifully with a series of subtle white lines.
Customers can now choose the tartan design as their colour option when ordering Dogrobes’ drying coats. The design is also the focal point on Dogrobes’ new range of luxury dog collars and leads.
“Unveiling our new brand tartan is a moment that the whole Dogrobes’ team has been looking forward to. We’ve spent the past 18-months refining our design to ensure it meets the expectations of our customers, while reflecting the brand’s attachment to Scotland,” explains Margaret Reynolds, director of Dogrobes.
“I’m thrilled with the end result, so I’d like to thank Araminta for her imagination and dedication during the development process. This tartan fabric is a true extension of the Dogrobes brand which I’m sure our customers will love.”
A key part of the development process was to ensure that the new fabric not only looked memorable, but that it performed the practical functions expected of Dogrobes’ drying coats. This involved testing a ‘covering layer’ of printed tartan stitched onto a base fabric - something that proved to be very successful.
Araminta Campbell, who designed the bespoke tartan, explains: “It was an absolute pleasure to work with Margaret to create something so integral to the Dogrobes’ brand. Before we started the design process, we discussed in detail the importance of Scotland and the part it has played in Dogrobes growth."
“What we’ve managed to achieve with this design is something that represents Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty, and how it binds us and our dogs together. I’m looking forward to seeing this tartan fabric being worn by customers in the future.”
Established in 2004 and proudly manufactured in Britain, Dogrobes are practical dog drying coats that are perfect to use after outdoor adventures, swimming, training, bathing and working.
The garments protect surroundings from wet and muddy shake off, helping to keep homes and cars clean. They also keep a dog’s muscles warm and are non-restrictive, allowing pooches to move freely while drying off.
These dog drying jackets work by absorbing moisture from a dog’s coat and trapping their body heat, drying the dog quickly while keeping their muscles warm. Why does this happen? The secret is the longer loops on the inside of every Dogrobe, specially designed to optimise drying time to approximately 30 minutes.
Dogrobes come in all dog breed sizes - from Chihuahua to Newfoundland - and are available in red, navy, green and tartan. Customers can also choose from Limited Edition pink, grey and purple options.
For further information about Dogrobes, please visit www.dogrobes.co.uk or email info@dogrobes.co.uk - a member of the team will be happy to help.
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Visitors to AQUA 2017 in October can expect a busy and exciting show as most of the exhibitor stands at the two-day event have now been sold.
Having already attracted an impressive number of nearly 70 exhibitors, the two halls at Telford International Centre will be packed with companies showcasing new products. And with only a handful of stands left to sell, it promises to be the biggest and best AQUA show ever.
Show organiser Annie Foord said: “I’m delighted that confidence in the show is reinforced by the number of exhibitors already booked. The UK’s major exhibitors are again heading for Telford and we will be welcoming more international companies than ever before despite the uncertainty over Brexit.
“It’s great to know there is such enthusiasm for the show and that it keeps growing in size. This event is an important date in the industry calendar, and retailers can be assured of an enjoyable and profitable visit.”
Exhibitors include: Aquadip, Aqua One, Berry Ring, CASCO Pet, Cloverleaf, Eheim, Evolution Aqua, Gordon Low, Heritage Distribution, Hertford Shelving, Interpet, JMC Aquatics, Lotus-Atlantis, Mars Fishcare, Nishikoi, OASE, Red Sea Aquatics, Tetra, TMC, Velda and Waterlife.
As well as meeting up with a long list of AQUA regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place on October 18-19.
A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see AQUA as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors. New exhibitors include Aquaja, Dennerle, Soell, Marine Arts and OCTO by Reef Octopus.
A sure sign of AQUA’s growing importance to the industry is that a third of exhibitors have increased the amount of stand space since the last exhibition in 2015.
Heritage Distribution Ltd is one company that acknowledges the benefits of exhibiting at such a prestigious event. “We launched the company at AQUA 2013, and it was the ideal place to start the business,” said Andrew Werendel. “In 2015 we secured 50% more business at the show with more new customers on board.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have doubled our stand size for this year’s show, and are lucky enough to have Jack Kent on the stand with us. Jack has invented more aquatic products than anyone I know and is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the marine industry.”
OASE is another company to have increased their stand space. Managing Director Chris Wright said: “We’re really looking forward to the show. We have many new products, which will be seen first at this year’s event. This is a great opportunity for us to showcase them and for customers to experience them first hand.”
TMC is another company looking forward to exhibiting at AQUA. “This exhibition is an essential part of our sales strategy – a great way to showcase new products to our target audience and get direct feedback from customers,” said Jayne Robb. “The show is very well organised too, by a helpful and lovely team and that is a real bonus.”
As well as getting to see all the new products to be launched on to the market, visitors will be well looked-after during their stay, including a complimentary deli bag lunch and a wide range of catering facilities. Parking at Telford International Centre is also free.
Retailers and buyers will be invited to join exhibitors at an AQUA dinner on the first evening of the exhibition. The dinner, which will also be free, is a popular feature of the show, and for the first time the New Product Awards will be presented during the evening.
Visitor registration is now open at www.aquatelford.co.uk, where visitors will also be able to book their place at the dinner.
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Lintbells offers free AMTRA-accredited CPD
Lintbells, the premium natural supplements company, has made two online courses available to SQPs online. There’s a total of 12 AMTRA accredited CPD points available and each module takes around 45 minutes...
Lintbells, the premium natural supplements company, has made two online courses available to SQPs online. There’s a total of 12 AMTRA accredited CPD points available and each module takes around 45 minutes.
To gain access to the courses, users visit the AMTRA accredited learning site: https://sqptraining.learnupon.com/users/sign_in. The available learning modules are ‘Supplements in Canine Joints’ and ‘Supplements in Equine Joints’.
The modules are a great source of information covering areas such as how supplements work and what changes are happening in the body. The CPD can help SQPs make recommendations to improve the wellbeing of dogs and horses experiencing reduced mobility, or where owners want to support long term joint health.
The Lintbells vet site (www.lintbellsvet.com) also offers free CPD on its portal and there are currently three presentations suitable for veterinary nurses available to view on canine behaviour.
For more information about Lintbells and the product range of natural pet supplements visit www.lintbellsvet.com
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The biggest rabbit ever seen by PDSA vets has signed up for a national pet slimming competition after ballooning to almost the size of a one-year-old child.
Plus-size Zeus, who’s so big he’s been mistaken for a dog, lives with another rotund rabbit, Nala, and his owner, Sharon Close (46). Sharon, from Leicester, rescued the pair five-years-ago when they were found abandoned in a freezing park.
White bunny Zeus, thought to be a Californian breed, weighs in at over 1st 4lbs– around double the size he should be, while Nala is around 2lbs overweight.
Sharon said: “Both Zeus and Nala are very fond of food and absolutely love Ryvita crackers. I also feed them bags of salad, spinach and treats, which I hide in their hay.
Their over-indulgence stems from Sharon’s love and affection for her rabbits, which began when she first brought them home:
“When they were found in the park, it was freezing and they weren’t in great condition. They’d had a tough start in life and I suppose I wanted to compensate for that.
“Zeus is absolutely huge now, I can’t lift him anymore. He’s just not interested in exercising or playing, even when I let him out in the garden. He just sits there.’
“One time I took him out into the front garden and a neighbour said ’shouldn’t that dog be on a lead?’ When I told her he was a rabbit her jaw nearly hit the floor!”
While Nala is a smaller Lionhead rabbit she is still carrying far too much weight.
In addition to eating everything Sharon gives them, the rabbits also have a bad habit of nibbling on the furniture: “They also love chewing my sandals, which is their favourite hobby:
“I love them both dearly, they’re my life,” she said. “They’re both quite old now so I can’t make any drastic diet or exercise changes without help from a vet. But if I had my time again I wouldn’t have fed them so much. I’m hoping I can make some gradual adjustments and help slim them down before their weight has any negative side effects.”
PDSA vet nurse, Rae Andrew, from the vet charity’s Leicester Pet Hospital, said that it is never too late to help a pet lose weight:
“Zeus is the biggest rabbit we’ve ever seen, he’s absolutely enormous.”
“However, even small changes to an obese pet’s diet and exercise regime can have a big impact and potentially help them live longer.”
Sharon has entered Zeus and Nala into PDSA’s Pet Fit Club competition – a six-month diet and exercise programme, tailored and overseen by expert vets and nurses. The charity will select up to 15 overweight dogs, cats and rabbits from across the UK to participate.
Owners can enter their pets at www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub
Entry forms are also available from PDSA Pet Hospitals and Shops nationwide. The deadline for entries is Sunday 5 March, 2017.
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Pet owners in Taiwan were given expert advice on how to better look after their beloved pooches by a UK dog specialist at the country’s first ever canine symposium.
Julia Robertson was among a handful of VIP’s to talk at the weekend event dedicated to dog health. The Sussex-based animal expert is the founder of Galen Myotherapy, a unique hands-on manual muscle treatment that helps dogs suffering from underlying pain, arthritis and compensatory issues, and spoke about how to spot canine health problems.
Julia, who has a background in farming and veterinary nursing, is now keen to share her experience of working in the country, to help break taboos surrounding the Asian island nation and its treatment of dogs.
“This was my second visit to Taiwan and they are very much a nation of dog lovers, just like us Brits, despite some misplaced stereotypes,” she said.
“This is reflected in the fact it was one of the first Asian countries to introduce an animal health act, and by the number of people who came to the seminar. All the people I met and spoke to are dedicated to their dogs and were keen to find out more about how to support them.”
Julia was one of four canine experts who spoke at the symposium in the capital Taipei. Her talk focussed on pain and the behaviours that can manifest in a dog if it is suffering from an underlying condition.
And it is this kind of pain – that can be brought on by previous trauma or repetitive strain – that Julia is determined to treat in dogs, using myotherapy.
She said: “Very often people can perceive habits such as paw licking and chewing as a behaviour totally unrelated to chronic pain, but this can be a clear indicator to underlying issues that is causing the dog stress, through referred pain.
“The thought they may be suffering hidden, underlying pain is not considered but so often this is the reason why dogs present many altered behaviours and physical changes – and it was this message that I was getting across to the Taiwanese audience.
“By working with dogs to pinpoint and relieve their pain we can make their lives, and that of their owners, so much better. All the work I do is aimed at supporting animals so they don’t have to suffer in silence, and I was delighted to be able to share my practice with so many Taiwanese dog lovers.”
Other speakers at the symposium included internationally renowned dog trainer Turid Rugaas and physiotherapist and osteopath Els Vidts.
For more information about Galen Myotherapy visit www.caninetherapy.co.uk
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Controversial Pets at Home store officially opened
A controversial new Pets at Home store in Berwick-upon-Tweed has been officially opened. The store on the corner of Prince Edward Road and Ord Drive, Tweedmouth, had received widespread public criticism...
A controversial new Pets at Home store in Berwick-upon-Tweed has been officially opened.
Pupils from Scremerston First School were joined by Cllr Isabel Hunter to open the new store.
Mark Adair, store manager, said: “What a fantastic start! Our opening weekend went even better than we had hoped and it was great to welcome Cllr Isabel Hunter and show her the new amenities that we have on offer at the store.
“Our new store features thousands of dedicated pet products for not only local dogs and cats but small animals, fish and local wildlife too. We have also created 12 jobs for the community across a range of full time and part time positions.”
The appearance of the store on the corner of Prince Edward Road and Ord Drive has received widespread public criticism.
Pets at Home say all colleagues at the new store receive extensive training on pet care and pet knowledge which is endorsed by City & Guilds.
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A Dorset man has been banned from selling pets for ten years after unlawfully selling puppies.
David Parsons, 57, was prosecuted by West Dorset District Council for four offences under the Pet Animals Act 1951 - three relating to using premises as a pet shop without a licence, and one offence of selling an animal in a public place.
Parsons, formerly, of formerly of Bankfield House, Pound Lane, Dewlish, was found guilty at Weymouth Magistrates Court on December 21.
He was sentenced at Poole Magistrates Court, being ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, as well as being £1,500 in costs and £309.60 in compensation.
The court heard that a total of four puppies were sold unlawfully by Parsons between December 14, 2015 and March 4, 2016.
During this time Parsons was already subject to a disqualification from keeping a pet shop license, owing to a previous offence committed in another area.
The court also heard that two of the puppies appeared to have not been vaccinated properly, despite assurances from Parsons that they had been vaccinated.
One of the puppies had to be treated with a six-month course of worming as it was passing large amounts of blood. Another puppy, also sold by Parsons, had to be treated for worms after having bleeding from the gut.
The fourth offence - selling an animal in a public place - related to the sale of a puppy by Parsons which then fell seriously ill and had to be euthanised the day after it was sold.
The council worked with Dorset County Council's trading standards department and the RSPCA to bring Parsons to book.
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 The Dog Treat Company has come up with the ideal Valentine's Day present for dog owners who shower their pets with love, gifts and attention – Paw-Ever Yours goodies.
The Dog Treat Company is a fast-growing rural operation with a strong tradition of making your four-legged friend feel extra special, courtesy of its ground-breaking, home-delivered treat selections that continue to generate an avalanche of ‘happy letterbox moments’ for discerning dogs, throughout the country.
Paw-Ever Yours is the latest, (some might say the best yet), in a series of collectible tins celebrating life-affirming moments over the course of the year.
Made with free-range chicken & eggs and a special selection of beneficial herbs, this is a low calorie, wheat-free treat that will help your dog’s heart not only flutter but feel healthier.Company founder Joe Halliwell said: "A great deal of attention goes into deciding what delicious yet better-for-you herbs go into every batch of DEFRA approved goodies.
"In this instance we chose rosehip for its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties, coconut oil because it’s rich in healthy cholesterol helping to promote healthy hearts and thyme because its brimming with vitamin A&C, helps ease arthritis and upset stomachs.
"Better-than that, and like any thoughtful pet-themed aphrodisiac, thyme reduces flatulence and parasitic worms, a win-win for any pet and its adoring owner."
Valentine’s tins cost £5.99 100g) – refills £2.49.
For more information visitwww.thedogtreatcompany.co.uk
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 Pet accessory company Best in Show has launched a heart-shaped ‘Grin ‘n’ Tear It’ toy, which would make an ideal Valentine's Day gift for dogs...
The toy is a fun and fuss-free way to boost a dog’s oral hygiene, allowing pooches to polish while they play. When a dog chews the hand-woven toy it acts just like doggie dental floss as the knotted rope frays, polishing and flossing the teeth.
The toy’s shape is also perfect for a playful game of tug and can be used to help soothe teething puppies. By soaking the toy in water and freezing overnight, puppies can soothe their gums as they play, while also encouraging puppy teeth to shed easily.
Best in Show’s brand manager, Caroline Cleary, said: “Taking care of a dog’s oral health can sometimes be overlooked by owners as brushing their teeth is often a tough task, but it is essential in maintaining their overall health. Our heart-shaped ‘Grin ‘n’ Tear It’ toy is the ideal addition to any dog’s dental care routine no matter the time of year, but what better time to show their teeth some love than on Valentine’s Day?
“We’re passionate about the health and well-being of the nation’s pets, and work hard to ensure all of our products are carefully designed using the highest quality materials and ingredients. This means owners can be confident that their four-legged friends are enjoying only the very best from the Best in Show range.”
The heart-shaped ‘Grin ‘n’ Tear It’ rope toy is now available from www.bestinshow.co.uk and is priced at £4.99.
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Following the most successful round of nominations to date, the judging panel (pictured) has revealed its shortlist for the seventh annual Ceva Animal Welfare Awards.
Spanning seven categories, the shortlist for each award was decided following a day of deliberations by a panel of esteemed judges chaired by retired veterinary surgeon, Chris Laurence MBE MRCVS. Chris is the chairman of the Animal Welfare Foundation and BVBA (British Veterinary Behaviour Association) and before retiring was chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA and veterinary director of Dogs Trust. He is also involved in a number of charities and is a trustee of the RSPCA and Animal Welfare Foundation.
The awards celebrate the achievements of remarkable people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries, who go beyond the call of duty to better the lives of animals around the world. Nominations were submitted by friends, family, clients and colleagues.
Chair of the judging panel, Chris Laurence, says: “Judging gets more difficult each year as we receive more nominations and they get even more impressive. It is humbling to witness the huge number of people who give their lives to animal welfare to the detriment of better paid jobs or simply going out and enjoying themselves.”
The shortlist for the 2017 Ceva Animal Welfare Awards is as follows: Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award in association with Veterinary Times - Andrew Gardiner from Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
- Richard Saunders from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund
- Jenny Stavisky from the University of Nottingham
Welfare Nurse of the Year Award in association with VN Times - Sarah Dawson from Vets4Pets in Walton Vale, Liverpool
- Samantha Shand from Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford
- Ellisah Raven from Bransby Horses in Lincoln
Charity Professional of the Year Award (UK & International) – in association with PDSA - Lesley Winton, founder of the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears & Fostering Compassion
- Dr Stephen Blakeway, director of international operations at The Donkey Sanctuary
- Ali Taylor, head of canine behaviour and training at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Charity Team of the Year Award (UK & International) - in association with Your Cat and Your Dog magazines - Mission Rabies
- Mitchelson Found Animals Foundation
- Dogstar Foundation, Sri Lanka
Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award (UK & International) – in association with Blue Cross - Maureen Smith from the National Animal Welfare Trust in Berkshire
- Annie Blumenfeld from Wags 4 Hope, USA
- Dean Bland from Well Equine in Yorkshire
Farm Animal Welfare Award (UK & International) – in association with R.A.B.I and NADIS - Dr Othieno O Joseph, a freelance veterinary journalist from Kenya
- Katrine Bazeley, a retired veterinary surgeon from Dorset
- Graham Duncanson, a retired veterinary surgeon from Norfolk
International Cat Care Welfare Award – in association with Agria Pet Insurance International Cat Care will be choosing the winner of this award from its extensive membership base. The winner will be announced at the awards’ ceremony. In addition to the scheduled categories, the judges have granted one additional award in special recognition of a charity’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare. “We are amazed by both the quantity and quality of the nominations that we have received, which detail their overwhelming passion and commitment to animal welfare,” comments Cuneyt Seckin, managing director of Ceva Animal Health. “We are delighted to be able to honour these individuals and organisations and champion people involved in animal welfare, while raising awareness of this important work to wider audiences.” Winners will be revealed and presented with their awards during a glitzy ceremony held in Birmingham ahead of BSAVA Congress on 5th April 2017. To find out more about the awards visit www.cevawelfareawards.com.
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A US pet food company says traces of a drug used to euthanise animals have been found in some of its products, leading to a large recall.
Evanger's Dog & Cat Food issued the recall after detecting traces of pentobarbital, a sedative normally used to euthanise dogs, cats, and horses.
The voluntary recall affects five dog food products which had been sold in 16 states, according to officials.
One pug named Talula died after being fed the canned food on New Year's Eve.
Three others in the same Washington state household all began acting strangely after being fed the food, Evanger's Hunk of Beef with au jus, owner Nikki Mael told US media.
Mrs Mael told KATU: "I fed them one can and within 15 minutes, they were acting drunk, walking around, they couldn't … they were falling over."
Talula, who had eaten most of the food, died, but the other pugs - Tito, Tinkerbell and Tank survived after being rushed to the veterinarian's office.
Evanger's Dog Food paid for Mrs Mael dogs' medical bills, as well as two others', and donated to an animal shelter in Talula's honor.
The drug, pentobarbital, was discovered following a post-mortem examination at Oregon State University.
In addition to being used on animals, pentobarbital has been used in a cocktail of drugs to execute prisoners in at least 14 states, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
In a statement the company said: "We feel that we have been let down by our supplier, and in reference to the possible presence of pentobarbital, we have let down our customers."
Evanger's estimates that more than 100,000 cans of the possibly-tainted dog food have been sold since illnesses were first reported.
Evanger's, who say they use only US Department of Agriculture-approved beef, added that "something like this seemed impossible."
After forty years they have" terminated" their relationship with their meat supplier, which also supplies to other pet food companies.
The source of the contamination is still unknown, and the company says they will continue with their investigation.
According to their website, Evanger's is the "the only family-owned and operated pet food cannery in the United States."
This is the Illinois-based company's first recall in its 82 years.
The company estimates that about one million cans of Hunk of Beef, its most popular dog food, are sold in the US each year.
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Glee to hold two shows a year from 2018 onwards
Glee is to become a biannual event with the opening of a 'Glee concession show' at Spring Fair 2018 (February, NEC Birmingham). This show will complement Glee’s main exhibition at the NEC each September...
Glee is to become a biannual event with the opening of a 'Glee concession show' at Spring Fair 2018 (February, NEC Birmingham). This show will complement Glee’s main exhibition at the NEC each September.
Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. A second addition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes.
Glee in February will also provide garden buyers with the latest concepts and trends for 2018, helping them to direct their buying. Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining.
Long-term Glee visitor, Mike Burks of The Gardens Group said: “Glee’s new Spring Fair concession is a great idea. By providing a garden centre hub it will help Glee’s visitors at Spring Fair to focus on the products most relevant to them. Additionally, the presence of these garden related exhibitors will introduce products to those buyers that wouldn’t normally see them. The Gardens Group buying team will be sure to visit in 2018.”
The spring edition will also provide Glee exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, and an additional touchpoint to meet with new and existing customers. Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, and will have the signature wide boulevard synonymous with the September layout.
The February edition of Glee also means that Spring Fair will now benefit from having a dedicated garden centre hub at its heart. Glee at Spring Fair is a natural home for these garden and outdoor suppliers, and will make it even easier for home and gift retailers to tap into these thriving and highly profitable product sectors.
Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein explains: “Retailing is a constantly evolving business, and we appreciate that the buying cycle for gardening, outdoor living gifts, and design-led products stretches across the whole year. However, in the Glee 2016 post-show visitor survey over 15% of those polled said that they would also make purchasing decision in first quarter of the year. What is more, we hope that Glee’s Spring Fair presence will increase the show’s visibility to those buyers that don’t normal attend the September show. This will give our exhibitors an additional sales opportunity in the year.”
Glee at Spring Fair, will be similar to the popular ‘shop in shop’ concept, and will benefit from the strong contemporary Glee branding that both exhibitors and visitor have to come to recognise.
Garden, outdoor living and design-led product suppliers are invited to contact the Glee sales team to find out more about how they can maximise this exciting new development.
To keep up-to-date on all the latest news visit www.gleebirmingham.com or for details on exhibiting at Glee 2017, call 0203 033 2160.
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Pet food company Cotswold RAW is over halfway towards its £250,000 crowdfund target, having secured £156,240 from 144 investors.
Cotswold RAW is offering the crowd a 10% stake in its bustling rural business as it seeks to raise £250k that will deployed to expand its product range whilst evolving both its distribution and production infrastructure.
The comopany says:
"With some 8.5million dog owners in the UK it makes real sense to invest in a food arena which has enjoyed enviable growth, both in times of economic boom and austerity.
"With 1-3 dogs currently suffering from ‘obesity-related’ issues it’s vital that the same ‘healthier living’ momentum that is slowly but surely changing the face of human consumption is allowed to migrate into pet food.
"With a state-of-the-art, Defra approved kitchen facility (7000sq ft) Cotswold RAW stands tall as a proud family-owned, rural voice championing human-grade ingredients (meat, bones, seasonal veg and beneficial herbs), local sourcing (wherever feasible), ingredient traceability and long-term countryside sustainability.
"Pet humanisation is the popular movement which recognises that dogs are less pets and more integral members of the family, a thought-provoking realization that encourages health conscious pet owners to apply the same sensible choices to their pet’s food as they would their own: all-natural, nutrient-rich, flavoursome, the welcome presence of superfood.
"We’d love you to join us on the next stage of our adventure, however if you’re not quite sure why not watch our informative 3 minute video at www.crowdcube.com/cotswoldraw."
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