A popular pet shop in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, has announced it is to close. Coopers Critters, which sublets from Aquascope, said it is winding down its operation, but plans to continue the animal-encounters side of the business.

The company had said it would remain open following Aquascope’s decision to close this month, but has changed its mind.

Store owner Becky Cooper said: “I regret to announce that, due to recent developments, Coopers Critters will be closing the pet-store side of the business.

“My own animals will be coming home with me and the animal encounters will continue as normal, as alternative arrangements have been made.

“I am taking this opportunity to concentrate on my animals and encounters for a few months, then reassess the situation.

“Thank you all so much for your custom and support. It is you guys who have made everything so far possible.”

The pet shop sold a large selection of small animals, from hamsters and guinea pigs to snakes, bearded dragons and tortoises.

The company also carried out educational visits, during which youngsters were treated to an information session on reptiles, spiders, insects and mammals.

Coopers Critters also held parties, including a coffin-strewn Hallowe’en event in aid of local Cubs and Beavers.

Altham councillor Miles Parkinson, in whose ward the two pet stores were located, said it is disappointing for any businesses to shut.

He said: “There has been some general indication that ownership of pets has decreased because of the costs in upkeep and veterinary bills.

“The last thing you want is for someone purchasing a pet finding they cannot afford to look after it properly. The main thing is that I hope these businesses can succeed in some way going forward.”

Customers took to social media to express their dismay at the news of the latest closure.

Joanne Parsons wrote: “I have been coming with my family since you were in Great Harwood.

“My two rabbits came from you. No problems with them because they came from a good pet store. Sorry again that you are closing.”

Pooch & Mutt has picked up its second award in less than a week – the Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year for founder, Guy Blaskey. This award comes just six days after the company won the SMARTA Made in Britain Award.

It completes a hat-trick of awards for 2014, which also included the Gold Award for packaging at The European Design Awards.

The Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year Award is part of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The ceremony took place at Old Billingsgate in London and the prize was presented to Guy Blaskey by Oli Barrett MBE, Giles Brandreth and Graham Lowes of OKI, the award’s sponsor.

Guy was selected as a winner by a judging panel of successful entrepreneurs, business people and business journalists.

The category featured some tough competition. Runner-up to Guy was Jane ni Dhulchaeintigh, the creator and manufacturer of Sugru, which was described by The Telegraph as “The best invention since Sellotape”. In third place was David Strang, whose company Wicked Vision, amongst other things, makes boomerangs in Scotland and sells them to Australia – something that Giles Brandreth commented deserved an award of its own.

Guy commented: “I am totally blown away to win this award. I really didn’t expect it.

"The competition was so strong that I felt disappointed when my name wasn’t read out in third place, or second. I didn’t imagine for a second that I could have won it.

"It took quite a while to sink in. Although this award is in my name, it was won by the hard work and dedication of the all the team at Pooch & Mutt.

"2014 has been an incredible year for Pooch & Mutt. The three awards are a great reflection of how well the company, the products, the team and the brand are doing."

2015 looks set to be another bumper year for Pooch & Mutt, with growth set to continue at its current, incredible rate and lots of new products in the pipeline.

Crown Pet Foods' general manager Andy Reed has accepted a pan-European role for Royal Canin and will be leaving the UK business. 

Andy, who has been with Crown Pet Foods in the UK since 2001 and active in the industry for many years before that, will take up the role of Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Europe. 

Speaking this week Andy said that he was delighted and excited to have been offered such a prestigious position within Royal Canin although he was sad to be leaving the UK business. 

 “I have seen a great many changes and much growth in the UK pet food industry over the past 22 years, lots of improvements in how we sell to customers, gaining loyalty and providing them with options tailored to their own specific pets," said Andy.

"However, I still think there is plenty of room for the pet specialist market to grow further within the UK and I sincerely believe that with a European role I can continue to support that growth, not only in the UK but throughout the European pet specialist market.”

Laurent Marais, European President  for Royal Canin, said: “The performance of Royal Canin in the UK over the past years is a true reflection of Andy’s talent and ability. It is this talent and ability that we now want to bring to Europe to drive growth across a wider market.“

Andy’s replacement as GM to Crown Pet Foods in the UK will be announced in the coming weeks.

Manufacturers and suppliers in the pet industry have given PATS Telford a massive ‘thumbs-up’ after attending a special exhibitor event at the venue.

PATS organisers Impact Exhibitions invited representatives of the pet trade to a tour of Telford International Centre to see for themselves the superb facilities on offer, and hear more about next year’s show taking place on Sunday, September 27, and Monday, September 28, 2015.

More than 50 guests heard the centre’s owners Southwater Event Group describe how the venue had developed into one of the country’s major exhibition locations.

Tom Gray (pictured left), chief executive of Southwater Event Group, said: “Bringing the PATS exhibition to Telford is fantastic news not only for our venue but for the destination as a whole, and we were thrilled to host the PATS exhibitor day to showcase the venue on behalf of the organising team. 

“We were also able to showcase the new Southwater Square, an events village on our doorstep, with a new hotel, restaurants, and one of the UK’s largest town-centre parks, all available for visitors to make the most of their stay, and we’re confident visitors to PATS will be equally impressed.”

Following a tour of the venue and a chance to see the centre’s excellent facilities, guests were quick to acknowledge that Telford International Centre was a perfect choice for the PATS exhibition next September.

They were impressed by the easy access for build-up and breakdown, and the amount of free parking for exhibitors and visitors next to the venue.

The wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets was another important feature in their eyes. Three hotels on site offer a total of 338 bedrooms, with a further 325 bedrooms available within a five-minute walk and 1,000 just a 15-minute drive away.

“This place has the wow factor,” said Ken Seymour, of Tasty Bone, who has already booked to exhibit at PATS Telford. “It’s modern, clean and tidy, and I think it will be a fantastic venue for the show. It will certainly provide a great experience for visitors.”

David Timperley, of Scruffs, admitted he was sceptical about the move to Telford but the exhibitor day had convinced him that it was the right decision. “I’m pleasantly surprised by what I’ve seen on this visit. It’s easy for people to get to, it’s an impressive centre and there is a friendly atmosphere.”

After a tour of the venue, Anthony Smallman, of Natural Instinct, was convinced enough to book a stand. “The exhibition hall is very impressive. It looks fantastic and I like the fact that PATS will be housed within one big area, making the flow of visitors much better. I’m really excited…roll on September.”

Northumberland-based Profleece also booked a stand on the strength of the visit to Telford, with Bob Foster saying: “This exhibition centre sends out the right message. I’m really impressed with the place. It is just what this show needed.”

Rachael Dickinson, from Westland Horticulture, said: “It has been good to get a feel for the venue and I’m impressed with the whole picture,” while Clive Reavell, of Bamfords Top Flight, admitted: “There is a great atmosphere around this place. It’s a first-class exhibition centre.”

Telford International Centre also got the seal of approval from the pet industry’s leading trade organisations.

“Telford looks set to be a great venue for PATS, with plenty of space and improved accessibility for exhibitors,” said Lisa Pawsey, of the Pet Industry Federation. “The facilities – venue, hotel, restaurants – are all in one place and there are good transport connections. We’re really pleased to be involved in the plans for 2015 and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Pet Industry Federation stand.”

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of PetQuip, commented: “I’m very impressed, and I’m certain the move will elevate PATS on the international stage. The whole image of the venue will be good for attracting buyers from abroad and we will be working closely with the PATS team to deliver a growing number of overseas visitors.”

Amanda agreed that travelling to and from the event for international buyers will be far easier than in the past because of the close proximity of England’s two largest international airports outside of London – Birmingham with 110 daily arrivals and Manchester with almost 200.

More than 50 companies have already booked their stand for PATS Telford. They include: Mars Petcare, Royal Canin & James Wellbeloved, Danish Design, Wagg Foods, Eurostitch, Pedigree Wholesale, Hagen, Kong, James & Steel, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Burns, Flexi, The Company of Animals, Vital, Collarways and Trixie.

Dates for next year’s shows:

• PATS Sandown: March 17-18, 2015;
• PATS Telford: September 27-28, 2015.

For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk

Guests at the PATS exhibitor day at Telford were impressed with The International Centre’s easy access for build-up and breakdown.

More images from the visit below...

• Microchipping is front of mind for UK pet owners as new regulations come into force
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier identified as the most popular dog breed across the Pets at Home Vet Group
• Growing Alabama Rot and feline TB threats to increase pet health awareness
• Reptile wellbeing in focus, with further insight into causes and treatment of diseases

The first annual Vet Report draws on vast surgical and clinical data from across 305 practices in the Pets At Home Vet Group, providing insight into the health issues that pets will be facing in 2015 and beyond.

Primarily aimed at pet owners, the report is an equally interesting read for veterinary professionals, containing further information on the potential concerns that clients may bring into the surgery.

Microchipping is chief among these concerns, following recent changes in legal requirements for dog owners to ensure their pet is suitably chipped and registered with database providers. In 2013 alone, the Pets At Home Vet Group practices implanted 126,066 microchips. With compulsory chipping gradually coming into force, this will be a significant area of growth for vet practices across England and Wales – Scotland has yet to decide about compulsory chipping. In March 2015, Wales will join Northern Ireland in making microchipping compulsory, while England’s dogs will have to be microchipped from April 2016.

The report includes a geographic analysis of dog and cat ownership, with the North of England and Scotland predominately owning dogs, while cats remain the preferred companion for pet owners in London and the South East. In addition, the report reveals an alternative calculation of the most popular dog breeds in the country to the Kennel Club data, based on the information from the Pets at Home Vet Group. The findings suggest that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was the UK’s most popular dog breed in 2014– edging out the Kennel Club’s leader, the Labrador Retriever.

Turning to current canine and feline health risks, the report identifies an increase in the geographical spread of Alabama Rot, a severe disease in dogs that can result in kidney failure, as a serious consideration for veterinarian surgeries across England and Wales. The report maps all cases of Alabama Rot in the UK – including The New Forest and a growing hotspot in Greater Manchester, an area of significant dog ownership.

Further findings reveal that domestic cats are still at risk from TB through contact with badgers and other animals harbouring the disease. A further comprehensive guide included in the report helps to recognise the symptoms of the disease and details available treatments.

Last but not least, the report contains a comprehensive guide to four common diseases affecting reptiles, including incomplete shedding, parasites, metabolic bone disease and impaction, as well as the core principles of reptile care for owners.

Sally Hopson, MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Pets At Home Vet Group, commented: “With owners increasingly treating their pets as part of the family, there is a greater emphasis on pets’ health and wellbeing today than ever before. In this report, we wanted to share with consumers and veterinary professionals some of the industry insight from within our Vets group, as we strive to increase awareness, help prevent common health conditions and ensure a greater quality of life for the nation’s pets.”

Huw Stacey, Head of Clinical Services at the Pets at Home Vet Group, added: “Our first Vet Report draws on the experience of our 841 veterinary surgeons as well as the unparalleled expert knowledge of our collaborators such as VetCompass, the knowledge hub from the Royal Veterinary College. As the largest network of surgeries in the UK, we have been able to identify and highlight health trends and owner issues which will help to shape the future of the entire profession.”

For more information visit www.thevetreport.com

With experts predicting that this winter will see temperatures below average and the opposite of last year’s mild weather, the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association has issued some timely advice on feeding wild birds. 

The PFMA says: "Winter brings hardships from freezing weather and floods to high winds. As a result, birds find it tougher to find natural supplies of food such as seeds, fruits and insects. Supplementary food at dawn and dusk that is high in fat will provide a welcome source of energy to help them survive the frosty days and nights."

It urges all retailers to pass on the following advice to its customers, and at the same time encourage sales of wild bird food...

TOP TIPS FOR WINTER FEEDING

• Provide water all year round, which is vital for drinking but also important for washing feathers so they can fly easily
• Fat/suet balls and other fat-based food bars are an excellent winter food loved by blue tits and the tit family in general
• Peanuts are rich in oils and a popular choice for tits, finches, sparrows, nuthatches, woodpeckers and siskins
• Crushed or grated nuts attract robins, dunnocks and wrens
• Black sunflower seeds or sunflower hearts are an excellent year-round food and can be more popular than peanuts for some birds

WINTER WATCH OUTS

• Never give birds milk as they cannot digest it
• Salted or dry roasted peanuts should not be used
• Whole peanuts should always be fed from a suitable feeder
• Always remove the mesh bag before putting the fat ball out as the mesh can trap birds
• Regularly clean your bird table and watch out for mould, which can cause respiratory infections
• Stale food provides a breeding ground for salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning
• Large quantities of food scattered on the ground may attract rats and mice

Of course all birds are different and it’s important to provide a varied menu. By supplementing natural supplies at these tougher times of year, the birds will keep coming back. 

The PFMA represents 90% of pet food manufacturers and has a dedicated Bird Group.  At pfma.org.uk, these bird food experts have created a section with tips on how to feed, what to feed and seasonality plus hygiene, what not to feed and how to deal with predators. The organsation also has a link to all the manufacturer websites.

For the long range weather predictions click here 

Award-winning pet store Betty & Butch, voted Pet Retailer of the Year by leading industry organisation PetQuip, has launched a new and exclusive range – Cardamom & Cedarwood – just in time for Christmas sales.

Creative director Angel Moore has created another great dog product which can be ordered on its own or part of the company's wider range. 

The inspiration behind the new soap bar was to enhance the dogs coat no matter how many times they get washed. 

The new soap bar Cardamom & Cedarwood has all of the organic ingredients you would expect from Betty & Butch but they have gone one step further with this one and added shea butter and silk powder, the end result says Angel is a bar that smells amazing and leaves any coat looking healthy and shiny. 

To complement the new soap bar there is also a spritz scent.

The company now also have the facility for drop shipping.

Further information email sales@bettyandbutch.co.uk

Christmas came early for the pet guests at RSPCA’s Southridge, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Newport and Gonsal Farm Animal Centres thanks to the recent delivery of a new high tech Scout 83 pet monitoring camera and leading HomeSurf 744 Tablet, which has been gifted to them by innovative technology company Motorola.

The gifting of the top-of-the-range Scout 83 means RSPCA staff and volunteers at the five centres will be able to check in on their precious pets around the clock, using tablets and mobile devices. 

Whilst RSPCA carers continually keep an eye on animals in their care, the Scout 83 camera will enable them to be able to check in on their animals whether they are in a different part of the building or site.  


 
This donation to RSPCA centres around the country follows hot on the heels of the recent launch of the Motorola Scout 83. Each time a Motorola Scout is sold a percentage of the profits is paid to the RSPCA.

Presenting the gift to local volunteers, Jon Bugden from Motorola, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring some Christmas cheer to the animals, volunteers and staff at the five RSPCA Centres and hope the new Motorola Scout 83 along with our HomeSurf Tablet will provide a great way for carers to check in on what the pets are up to from wherever they are in the centre.”


 
RSPCA Southridge’s centre manager Anna White said: “Christmas is still a busy time of the year for staff and volunteers at our centre. Sadly we still receive many animals brought into our centre who have been rescued by our hard-working inspectors from cruelty and neglect. It’s nice for our team to receive this present from Motorola, and also it’s a timely opportunity to remind everyone locally that if you’re thinking of giving a present, please don’t make it a pet.
  
“We have lots of lovely animals that would love a new home, but pets should be introduced into the home in a calm environment. The pressures of Christmas make it too stressful for the animal and the family, so we recommend planning the introduction of a new pet pal in the New Year when the seasonal frenzy has subsided.” 

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association has joined forces with the City of London Corporation to launch a new scheme for its members to help them to show high standards of animal welfare.

The trade association has formed a Primary Authority partnership with the London local authority to cover the issuing of pet shop licences and health and safety requirements.

The new scheme aims to help protect members from strange and unreasonable conditions that can sometimes be introduced by local authorities during a pet shop licence inspection visit. And it offers shops a way to distinguish themselves from their competitors by showing they follow high animal welfare standards in their shop.

The new scheme is open to OATA retail members. They will still be inspected by their local authority but it should follow an inspection plan to be drawn up by City of London Corporation in association with OATA. This should make the inspection process easier to manage for retailers, who will know what to expect from their inspection visit.

This is the first time a co-ordinated Primary Authority partnership arrangement has been organised to cover the ‘animal establishments’ category of legislation and it’s the first scheme to draw up an inspection plan, which will be based on the 2013 guidelines on pet vending from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

“The pet industry has worked with a variety of groups from the veterinary profession, licensing authorities and welfare charities for 35 years to try to achieve country-wide consistency and coherence in pet shop licensing,” said OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

“But we know, both anecdotally from our members and our Freedom of Information surveys of pet shop licensing authorities, that standards still differ widely.

“This Primary Authority arrangement will give OATA members, whether they have a single shop or a chain with sites in different authorities, the peace of mind of ‘assured’ advice – effectively ‘gold standard’ guidance on what’s required to get a pet shop licence. A local authority would have to have an extremely good case not to follow it, if the shop is a member of this scheme.  

“Incorporated in the scheme will be an inspection plan to help licensing officers focus on the most important aspects of husbandry. We believe this enables members of the scheme to show their customers they are meeting high welfare standards – can their competitors say the same? And there are mechanisms to help reward good shops with fewer visits, which releases officers’ time to concentrate on those businesses (if any) that do not come up to standard.

“The scheme will be reviewed in 18 months to see if it has delivered the hoped-for benefits. If it isn’t working effectively then we believe we’ll have a good case to press Ministers for secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act.

“We believe all pet shops should achieve at least good welfare standards. If poor pet shops are being allowed to trade then that indicates a local authority that has failed in its licensing role for 60 years. If they exist then the pet shop and the licensing authority must be robustly encouraged to improve.”

The pet shop licence scheme, which will cover fish, reptiles and amphibians, is available to OATA members in England and Wales. They must also have signed up to OATA’s Code of Conduct. The health & safety scheme is available to OATA members in England, Scotland and Wales.

More information can be found at www.ornamentalfish.org/primary-authority

It’s the perfect time of year to stock up on your bedding selection so Rosewood Pet Products has launched seven new soft beds to add to its popular '40 Winks' range.

For mucky pups, the stylish yet practical square water-resistant bed is a must. Available in four sizes, in a grey colour with purple piping, this bed features a reversible cushion (one side grey, one side purple) and a non-slip base.

The new red orthopaedic bed with cream luxury plush inner is essential for ageing dogs or those with joint problems. The memory foam base provides additional support for bones and joints as well as promoting restful sleep and relieving pressure points. This bed is available in two sizes (26” and 34”) to cater for both small and large breeds.

For pampered pooches Rosewood has launched a deep, plush grey donut bed for snuggling into on cold winter nights (available in two sizes) and a country tweed and plush oval bed (available in four sizes) which matches the new dog coat. 

The tweed and plush bed and brown hyena print sofa are suitable for both small dogs and cats and in addition to these the company has introduced a grey tweed hooded cat bed. 

Retailers can contact Rosewood Pet Products on 01952 883408 for more details or go online at www.rosewoodpet.com

The Animal Protection Agency (APA) has praised Brighton & Hove City Council for adopting measures to reduce impulse purchasing of pets.

APA has encouraged councils to adopt an initiative to facilitate informed decision making when animals are purchased from pet shops, and Brighton & Hove Council is the first in Britain to take up the scheme. 

Many exotic pets continue to be mis-marketed as 'easy to keep' and this ultimately leads to widespread animal suffering. The APA is promoting a user-friendly, scientific species assessment system, which categorises animals as 'easy', 'moderate', 'difficult' or 'extreme' according to how challenging they are to keep.

The four categories form the acronym 'EMODE', which gives the system its name. By answering a few questions contained in the EMODE leaflet, shoppers can obtain a reliable gauge as to how much commitment will be required in taking on any new pet. From the start of the new licensing year on January 1st 2015, the Council will ask local pet shops to hand an EMODE leaflet to anyone thinking of buying a pet.

The EMODE scheme was comprehensively voted in at a Licensing Committee meeting on 20th November 2014 with cross-party support, and Green Party members took the lead in working closely with officers throughout. The APA has also praised the Environmental Health and Licensing Team for their commitment to promoting more responsible pet selling.

Says Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency: "As a Brighton-based organization that helped to develop EMODE we are particularly proud that the initiative has been adopted on our doorstep and we are looking forward to pet shops taking this on.

"In my view, pet shops that hand out the EMODE leaflet signal their commitment to responsible pet selling and should inspire greater confidence in prospective purchasers. We are delighted that EMODE is rapidly gaining support and has also received the 'thumbs up' from UK central government." 

Stephanie Powell, Green Councillor and Licensing Committee Chair, commented: "Impulse buying of pets, especially exotic animals, is the root cause of a whole raft of animal welfare and environmental problems. It was therefore very important for the Greens to ensure Brighton & Hove City Council genuinely tackle this issue by adopting the EMODE initiative. This is the first council in Britain to do so and I hope many more follow our lead." 

At the Licensing Committee Hearing, Jeane Lepper, Opposition Spokesperson for Labour, expressed her view that wild animals should not be traded as pets. She said that as long as there was a demand for exotic animals the Council would need to fully use its powers to regulate the trade as best it could. She hoped that this was an issue that would keep coming back to Committee.

The APA was also pleased that the Committee voted against adopting the recently published 'Model Conditions for Pet Vending Licensing', which has been severely criticized for being unscientific and too closely linked to vested pet trade organisations.

• For further information contact Elaine Toland on 01273-674253 or out of hours on 07986 535024.
• Link to EMODE online leaflet here.

Cat-loving couple Oliver and Kate Charles-Richards are planning to open a cat café for animal lovers in Nottingham, based on similar concepts in Tokyo, America and London. But they still need to raise £5,000 towards the finishing touches.

Two floors at the Kitty Café would be dedicated to 15 to 20 cats, afternoon tea and big comfy sofas. The ground-floor Edwardian-style café will be a cat-free zone.

Former social worker Kate, 27, and salesman Oliver, 37, hope to open by the end of January.

Kate said: "The health and wellbeing of the cats is our paramount concern. We are giving a lot of consideration to how they are going to be safe and well. We are working with a team of vets who are devising a health care plan.

"The kind of cats we are looking at are house cats. We'd have a section built outside where can go out with playthings but they won't be able to go out into the city."

The couple are visiting rescue centres: "They have cats that are older and not necessarily easy to rehome so it's giving them somewhere to go in their twilight years.

"But we'd also have a few of our own kittens. My husband had three Persians before I met him.

"He's adamant if we're getting kittens they've got to be Persians," said Kate, who used to have a cat called Leo.

The couple, from Bestwood Village, is talking to Nottingham City Council and Food Standard Agency over hygiene.

Kate said: "I'm in conversations with cat cafés that have recently opened in America so they are passing on their advice and experiences they've had."

The café is aimed at cat lovers, city dwellers, students and people whose landlords don't allow pets.

"And there's a lot of quirky people in Nottingham so I think it will appeal to them as well," said Kate.

Up to five cat sitters will be employed, plus ten café staff.

The couple are hoping to raise £5,000 towards the finishing touches through online fund-raising platform Kickstarter.

For more information watch Kate on Youtube by clicking here

The Dexas HDuO Companion Cup, distributed exclusively in the UK by AmPet Products, is ideal for dog owners who love to take their pets on long walks and short trips in the car or on public transport.

Since its launch to the pet trade at PATS Harrogate in September, the HDuO has created huge interest with its unique features.

The specially designed product contains a two-compartment bottle that allows two drinks or food to be stored and poured separately into a collapsible cup. It means the dog owner can take along a mixture of food or drink needed on a walk, without having lots of things to carry. The owner can alternatively use one of the compartments for a storing their own drink.

The HDuO won a prestigious Dr Marty Becker Best New Product Award at Global Pet Expo earlier in the year.

Dr Becker, a renowned vet in the US, said: “You share kisses with your dog, but do you want to share the same water or carry separate drink bottles for each of you? Probably not, and that’s why the Dexas HDuO Collapsible Companion Cup is the perfect solution, because it allows you to carry one bottle with separate reservoirs for pet and person. Plus, when you’re ready to collapse from a vigorous walk with your pet, you can whip out the attached collapsible pet cup and let your pet slurp away.”

The unique features of the HDuO include:

• Each compartment has its own opening and pouring spout.
• It is made from a quality, durable, food grade material, which seals in the contents of each compartment, and stops any contamination.
• It’s possible to have two different flavour drinks in the same bottle.
• HDuo is fitted with a flexible travel cup, for animal drinking or feeding. 

“This is a completely new idea in feeding and drinking for dogs on walks, or on car journeys,” said Alex Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director of Ampet Products.

“HDuO means you can have your own drink, and your dog’s drink completely separately, but in one bottle which is going to be very popular with a lot of dog walkers.”

HDuO is available in clear material with three bright colours cap options – Purple, Blue and Green – and retails for around £19.99.

If you’re interested in stocking the Dexas HDuO Companion Cup, contact Alex Wilson on 0330 088 1673 or by email alexw@ampetproducts.com

Neil Grainger has joined pet treat manufacturer Hollings Ltd as Operations Manager.

He is the key link between the manufacturing and production factories, ensuring good stock availability and production planning.

The power of Facebook has helped re-unite a pet owner with her stolen dogs.

Tina Drayson, from Cranleigh, Surrey, had captured brazen thieves on CCTV snatching her hounds, Nelson and Brock, before piling them into a Renault Clio and speeding off.

But after sharing the shocking footage on her Facebook page, which 3.5million people viewed in a matter of hours, the dogs were found.

They had been left abandoned in Burpham, Guildford at midnight on Friday, less than four hours after they went missing.

"The power of Facebook – due to everyone’s efforts we made our dogs too hot to handle and they were found," said Drayson.

The dogs were found by Jamal Betts and Matt Kipping, both 16. Jamal quickly contacted the RSPCA and his mum, and waited with the dogs until the police arrived.

Tara Betts added: "Nelson was very anxious but was coaxed into my car with Brock who was quick to jump in because he knew he was going home."

Tetra is expanding its range of aquarium filtration products with the launch of new Tetra BalanceBalls – taking filter technology to a whole new level.

Effective biological filtration is essential for achieving healthy water conditions and using Tetra BalanceBalls will help ensure a thriving aquarium with crystal clear water which requires less frequent changes. BalanceBalls facilitate the natural break down of nitrate, minimising the level of this algae-encouraging nutrient. They also stabilise water-quality by helping prevent pH changes.  In this way, Tetra BalanceBalls reduce the number of water changes required, making it even easier for aquarium owners to look after their tank.

The balls must be placed in the final stage of a canister filter to ensure oxygen-free water passes over the balls. This encourages a natural process of bacterial denitrification; the nitrate is reduced to harmless dinitrogen gas, with an associated rise in the KH levels. 1 BalanceBall will remove 1 gram of nitrate under optimal conditions.

Aquarium owners can use Tetra BalanceBalls either to reduce excessive nitrate levels in their tank or as a preventive measure, making aquarium maintenance even easier, in addition, the fish and plants will also benefit from the best possible environment.

Available to retailers now, Tetra BalanceBalls can be used in any standard external canister filter and are particularly suitable for larger tanks with a capacity of at least 50 litres.

Alex Hinton, Trade Marketing Manager at Tetra, comments: “Tetra BalanceBalls is a unique, innovative and pioneering product which has been developed to appeal to all aquarium fishkeepers. Tetra BalanceBalls will make aquarium upkeep easier and will ensure fishkeepers maintain healthy water balance.

"Due to the uniqueness of the product, we have included lots of eye-catching graphics on the packaging to show consumers how the balls function and the positive effect they have on the water values.”

For more information about Tetra, visit http://www.tetra.net/en

The number of pet cats and dogs being poisoned by their owners’ e-cigarettes is “significantly increasing”, UK vets have warned.

Last February a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Ivy became the first pet in Britain to be killed by an electronic cigarette.

She died within hours of chewing on a bottle of nicotine-laced liquid used to fuel the smoke-free vapouriser, belonging to owner Keith Sutton, 56, of Redruth, Cornwall.

Now there’s been recorded a 300% increase in e-cigarette poisoning in the last 12 months, according to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.

There are now an estimated four million people in Britain who have turned to electronic cigarettes.

White Cross Vets, in Walkden, Greater Manchester, also reported a huge rise in nicotine-poisoned pets after chewing on e-cigarette capsules.

They recently treated eight-month old Zuchon puppy Elton, who picked up a cartridge that accidentally fell on the floor.

His owner Emma Ronnay said: “I was at work when my housemate rang to tell me what had happened.

“The nicotine capsule fell out of his hand and before he could pick it up Elton had grabbed it.”

Lorna Siddons, Clinic Director at White Cross Vets, warned: “Elton was lucky because he received treatment straight away and we knew exactly what had happened.

“We gave him some medication to counter the effects of the poison and a charcoal treatment to line his stomach and he has made a full recovery.

“E-cigarettes have become incredibly popular and as the debate rages on about the health risks of these unregulated products.

“But one thing is crystal clear - if an e-cigarette is chewed or ingested by a pet dog it could be fatal.”

The battery-powered aid works by heating up the ‘e-liquid’ into a gas which the user inhales like real cigarette smoke.

Last February coach driver Mr Sutton had left a bottle of the liquid on his dining room table when 14-week-old Ivy bit into it.

She immediately started frothing at the mouth and vomiting and Keith rushed her to the vets, where she was given huge doses of steroids, but died from nicotine poisoning early the next day.

There are currently warnings on the bottles but grandfather Keith wants to see e-liquid become a controlled substance before it kills another animal.

The World Health Organisation has refused to endorse the device until long-term trials prove they are safe.

The e-liquid itself contains chemicals such as propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol 400 which are mixed with vegetable glycerin and various flavourings, plus varying amounts of nicotine.

While it would take a large dose of nicotine to harm a human, experts say a dog would only have to ingest 10 milligrams per kilogram of animal weight to be in danger.

Nicotine is a highly poisonous substance that can kill both humans and animals.

The lowest fatal dose was between 50 and 60 milligrams - equivalent to smoking about 20 to 30 cigarettes or drinking two high strength bottles of e-liquid containing 24 milligrams of nicotine each.

Nicotine poisoning induces vomiting, muscles spasms and seizures. In fatal cases it interferes with the central nervous system and causes respiratory failure.

Johnson's Veterinary Products is launching a new 6 treatment size pack of its highly successful Fipronil Spot-On flea solution for cats. The new pack will give up to 30 weeks protection, sufficient for the whole of an average summer flea season.

2014 saw the very successful launch of Johnson’s New Fipronil Spot-On (in one treatment and three treatment sizes) to kill fleas and ticks on cats.  Johnson’s are shortly to have available a 6 treatment size, which will give up to 30 weeks protection, sufficient for the whole of an average summer flea season.

Johnson’s Fipronil Spot-on is exclusive to the pet trade and is not supplied to supermarkets, discount stores or cheap internet selling. Therefore it has proved to be popular and extremely well received by Johnson’s pet trade customers. The new 6 treatment 30 week Summer Season pack has been introduced due to customer demand for this larger size.

The active ingredient Fipronil is the same active as the market leader and which currently should only be sold by Veterinary Surgeons and pet stores with SQP qualified staff. However Johnson’s has been granted AVM/GSL status and Fipronil Spot-on is therefore authorised for general sale by all pet stores and other similar GSL/OTC outlets. 

Fipronil Spot-on kills fleas and ticks and is fast acting, showing immediate effect against fleas and each vial gives persistant activity for up to five weeks. Ticks will start to be killed between 24 and 48 hours and when dead, will drop off or can easily be removed. The product is suitable for cats and kittens from eight weeks of age and with a minimum body weight of 1 kg.

Important – to avoid re-infestation, all cats and dogs in the house must be treated and as with all on-animal flea treatment, it is also most important to treat animals baskets, bedding and regular resting areas such as carpets, rugs and soft furnishings, with a Johnson’s Household Fleas Spray or Room Fogger and vacuumed regularly.

The 3 sizes will now be as follows:-

• NEW Code D052   6 Treatment Pack – giving up to 30 weeks protection        RRP £19.55
• Code D051   3 Treatment Pack - giving up to 15 weeks protection        RRP £11.55 
• Code D050  1 Treatment Pack - giving up to 5 weeks protection           RRP £ 4.75

 For more information call 0121 378 1684, email info@johnsons-vet.com or visit www.johnsons-vet.com

Ceva Animal Health, manufacturer of ConfidenceEQ, is hosting a live webinar to educate SQPs on advice that can be given to horse owners to help them manage equine stress.

The AMTRA-accredited online CPD seminar, which is entitled ‘the unique approach to help manage equine stress with ConfidenceEQ’, will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 28 January. 

It will be presented by Emma Wright, retail trainer and SQP advisor at Ceva Animal Health, and will focus on the signs of stress in horses and how SQPs can discuss the practical use of ConfidenceEQ to help both the horse and the owner in everyday challenging situations in horses of all ages.  These include loading, travelling, environmental changes, training, events and social situations such as weaning and dental, farrier and vet visits.

ConfidenceEQ is a synthetic copy of the equine appeasing pheromone. Since the equine appeasing pheromone was identified, numerous studies have been conducted confirming its efficacy.  The science of pheromone communication has been at the heart of Ceva’s expertise for over 10 years; Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs have helped thousands of pets deal with the stresses that modern life bring to them.

To register for the online webinar, which lasts for an hour and equates to four AMTRA-accredited CPD points, email your name, SQP number and email address to sqp-group@ceva.com. Once registered a webinar link and access instructions will then be emailed to you 48 hours prior to the webinar starting. 

A set of 10 questions will be emailed to each delegate after the webinar has finished.  These questions must be completed with a pass mark of 80% in order to gain the four AMTRA CPD points.

For further information on ConfidenceEQ, please visit www.confidenceequine.com.  For details of the webinar contact Ceva Animal Health on 01494 781510.

Vterinary Thermal Imaging's managing director Helen Morrell is to feature in the BBC’s Countryfile on December 7.

“I’m not able to give away any spoilers, but I had an excellent time filming and met some lovely people and animals,” says Helen.

“I’m a big Countryfile fan, so to be asked to take part was really exciting.”

For more information on VTI, visit www.veterinary-thermal-imaging.com, call 0844 544 3314 or email enquiries@vtiuk.com.

Vet Futures, a major new initiative that aims to help the profession prepare for and shape its own future, was launched at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Congress at the London Vet Show.

The project is jointly funded and led by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the BVA, and will be a collaborative venture, drawing on the experience and insight of a wide range of individuals and organisations, including veterinary surgeons and nurses, veterinary bodies, farmers, pet owners and other key stakeholders.

The project will help understand where the provision of veterinary services is currently heading, whether this is in the best interests of the profession, animal owners and the public at large, and what might be done to shape an optimal future for the veterinary team, keeping animal health and welfare at its heart.

In the project’s first phase, independent researchers will gather evidence via focus groups, phone interviews and desk-based research, in addition to the gauging of opinion through events, the internet and social media.

This evidence gathering will be followed by an engagement phase, where the profession will be asked for their feedback on initial thoughts; a period of analysis, where a report will be written by the independent researchers; and, finally, there will be an action phase, where key strategic issues will be identified, together with a clear plan for action from the BVA and the RCVS, as well as other organisations and individuals.

“The RCVS is implementing a programme of reform to make it a first-rate regulator, but how do we also make ours a first-rate profession, that is resilient and agile enough to meet future demands?” asks Professor Stuart Reid, RCVS President.

“The Vet Futures project will not just be about horizon-scanning, but getting a fix on those issues over the horizon that we may not yet have considered, such as the use of emerging technologies. 

“It’s an exciting challenge and I am looking forward to members of the veterinary team getting involved so that, together, we can develop an action plan that will deliver a sustainable future for the profession.”

John Blackwell, BVA President, says: “It is no secret that the veterinary profession is changing rapidly and that is why the theme for my presidential year is ‘driving change and shaping the future’. It is essential that we come together to map out where we want to be as a strong and trusted profession and identify how we can make that happen.

“On such cross-cutting issues it is appropriate that the two leading professional bodies come together to provide joint leadership for the profession, but we are keen to engage as many individuals and stakeholders as possible. It is designed to be a hugely collaborative project and we want to hear voices from across the whole profession and the whole veterinary team.”

The project has a dedicated website www.vetfutures.org.uk where the latest events, reports and publications will be found. There will also be a ‘topic of the month’ for the duration of the project, with controversial opinion-pieces being posted to stimulate debate from within the profession and amongst animal owners and other stakeholders.

Researchers in the United States are preparing to discover whether a drug commonly used in human organ transplants can extend the lifespan and health quality of pet dogs.

A pair of University of Washington researchers want to see if they can give pet dogs a few more years of life.

Matt Kaeberlein and Daniel Promislow are preparing a clinical trial to test whether rapamycin, a drug commonly used in human organ transplants, can extend a dog's life. It's already worked in trials using mice.

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