A 10-year-old schoolboy, who started his own business making neckerchiefs and bow ties for dogs, has secured a deal to sell his products in a leading pet supplies store.

Budding entrepreneur Rory Fricker has reached an agreement with Rosebourne Weyhill in Hampshire for the garden centre complex to his stock bow ties and bandanas, plus a range of shampoo, cologne and travel sets.

Rory and his Fox Red Labrador Hattie Bean were invited to the grand opening of Rosebourne Weyhill’s new undercover extension last Friday (August 5) where he was able to see the range of products on the shelves of the pet department.

As a student of Brockhurst & Marlston House school in Berkshire, Rory learned to sew in an art lesson.

“I wanted to make a few different things outside of the classroom and convinced my mum to buy a sewing machine so I could carry on at home,” he said.

“I had an idea to make my Labrador Hattie Bean a neckerchief and a bow tie, and they turned out rather well, so I made a few more and a few more.

“I then decided to sell these to pay off my sewing machine debt and make some pocket money. I also wanted to raise some money for animal charities.”

He set up Rory & Bean as an online business and is now branching out as Rosebourne becomes the first bricks-and-mortar retailer to stock the products. 

For more information visit www.roryandbean.co.uk or email info@roryandbean.co.uk

Pictured (top): Rory and Bean with Rosebourne’s Stuart Whalley and Carol Paris.

Direct-to-customer cat food brand KatKin has secured $22m (£18m) of investment funding from a group of venture capitalists and angel investors.

KatKin is described as being a rebel in a fast-growing market, challenging the pet food industry to do better for cats.

The company has grown significantly in recent years in line with growing demand for its industry-first fresh-cooked cat food. Perwyn and Verlinvest join Octopus Ventures and angels as investors in KatKin.

Led by co-founders and siblings Brett and Nikki O’Farrell, KatKin is the brand that dedicated cat parents can trust to be uncompromising when it comes to their cats’ wellbeing. 

Its fresh recipes have been formulated by a Board Certified veterinary nutritionist to meet the biological needs of cats. Each recipe uses 100% human-grade meat, that’s gently steam cooked and then frozen fresh, featuring 0% fillers, grains or preservatives. 

KatKin also controls its entire supply chain, from UK sourcing to carbon-neutral shipping, making sure its fresh cat food is free from any risks associated with mass production. The business prides itself on doing things the right way, even if that means taking the hard way.

Brett O’Farrell, co-founder, commented on growth and the use of investment: “KatKin began when Nikki and I questioned what we were feeding our cats Molly, Kiki and Columbus. The more we asked, the more horrified we were at what we found. There’s a huge demand for products that put cat wellbeing first; we know that because KatKin’s customer base has been doubling every six months.

“The new funding will help us go even harder for cats. That means we’re investing in personalised health plans, expanding our world-first fresh cat food manufacturing site and growing our team. Using a data-driven approach, our researchers are working on developing new recipes – including developing nutritional solutions to issues making cats unwell, like diabetes and renal disease.

“We’re grateful to Lopo and Cecile at Verlinvest and Andrew at Perwyn, as well as for the continued support from Octopus and our angel investors. This support doesn’t just invest in our business but in the health and happiness of cats and cat parents.”

Nikki O’Farrell said: “We’re cat parents that love hard. Cat wellbeing happens to be our profession but it’s our passion first. And it shows – we’re the highest-rated cat-food brand on Trustpilot. With this investment, we’ll continue to grow our offering to improve every area of cat wellbeing – with sustainable tofu-based litters, worming tablets, and flea treatments to launch this year.

“It’s about creating awareness and lighting a fire in cat parents everywhere, bringing them together as a community to drive change. We’ll never stop innovating until KatKin’s love-hard attitude becomes the standard for cat care everywhere.”

Andrew Wynn, founder and managing partner of Perwyn, added: “Following our previous investment in the healthy pet food sector, and the invaluable experience that we built up in this market, it has been a delight to get to know Nikki and Brett O’Farrell and to learn about KatKin and the enormous success they have had with their brand. We are very excited to partner with them and to build the next chapter in KatKin’s story. The business is well positioned to drive growth in the rapidly expanding fresh food market for pets, and we look forward to supporting KatKin on the execution of its expansion plans.”

New research from a price comparison website shows that the cost of owning a pet has increased dramatically, adding further financial pressure to many UK households.

Data from pet insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk, based on a sample of 100,000 pet insurance policies, shows that the average cost of purchasing a pet has increased by 31% in 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. 

While it’s difficult to suggest what exactly is causing this increase, it’s likely the surge in demand may be responsible, as 3.2 million households bought a new pet during the pandemic.

This increase, coupled with the soaring cost of pet food and veterinary bills - has put pressure on many a pet lovers pocket.

People across the UK are already leaving pets at rescue centres, citing cost of living strains as their main reason – and with household costs set to rise further, it is feared this trend may continue.

Insurance is an incredibly important aspect of pet ownership, pet insurers processed a record 1 million claims in 2021, that’s £2.4 million a day, with the average claim up 4% to £848, most likely due to the rising cost of veterinary treatments.

Quotezone.co.uk has created tips on how to help keep the cost of insurance down:

• Ensure they are up to date with vaccinations/booster shots (neutering can help too) 
• Think about lifestyle - house pets are less likely to be stolen or run away 
• Consider opting for a lifetime pet insurance policy, because the higher upfront cost could save you more as your pet ages 
• Insure multiple animals under the same multi-pet insurance policy 

Greg Wilson, Founder of pet insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk comments: “Welcoming a pet to the family has never been more expensive. As people look to rein in the budget, work longer hours and even take up second jobs, many are going to think twice before adopting or buying a furry friend but there are ways to help keep costs down, especially when it comes to insurance.

“It’s important that people do their research beforehand and learn about the type of animal and breed they’d like to adopt, to ensure it’s a good fit for the family, and give themselves an idea of costs for that particular animal.  Some animals can cost up to £30,000 across the course of their lifetime, so it’s crucial owners realise the scale of the commitment. 

“Unexpected vet bills have the potential to be quite sizable if the pet suffers an accident or is diagnosed with an illness so a pet insurance policy is sensible, to ensure they are well looked after and the owners finances are protected. Especially as we enter the hot summer months where increased temperatures can cause issues for many animals.”

The RSPCA has revealed, across the country, the charity received 3,644 calls in 2021 asking for help with vet bills.  It said this was a growth of 12% on the year before when 3,241 calls were received.

Pets at Home has reported a strong financial performance across the business with revenues up by 7.1% to £404.7m in its first quarter trading figures.

The UK’s biggest pet retail group has seen continued growth in new customer acquisition and high levels of retention across both retail and veterinary operations. 

The strong performance is a reflection of the growth in pet ownership seen during the pandemic lockdowns, as the company grew membership of its Puppy and Kitten Club.

Lyssa McGowan, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our performance has remained strong in the first quarter, underpinned by continued customer growth and high levels of retention. 

“We operate a unique omnichannel model, in a market in structural growth, where the passion and expertise of our colleagues and partners is a key competitive advantage. I would like to thank them for their warm welcome, their continued efforts in helping our record number of customers care for their pets in these challenging times, and their ongoing commitment to building the best pet care business in the world.”

The trading statement covers the 16-week period from 1 April to 21 July 2022:

Total Group revenue up 7.1% to £404.7m, with Group like-for-like (LFL) revenue up 6.0%, reflecting broad-based growth throughout the quarter.

• Retail revenue increased by 6.6%, and LFL revenue up 5.6%. All channels remain in growth, with Store LFL of 4.3% and Omnichannel LFL of 13.5%. Omnichannel participation of Retail revenue was 16.7% in the quarter, compared to 15.8% for FY22.
• Vet Group revenue increased by 11.2%, with LFL revenue up 8.6%. LFL customer sales across all First Opinion practices up 4.6% and LFL1 Joint Venture fee income up 9.6%.

Continuing growth in new customers and strong retention of the 1.1m customers acquired last year, combined with the non-discretionary nature of our affordable pet care proposition, supporting ongoing growth in spend.

• Sign ups to our Puppy and Kitten Club continued at pace, averaging 25,000 per week, three-fold higher than pre-pandemic, and creating a 12-15 year growth opportunity over the full pet lifetime.
• New client registrations across our First Opinion veterinary practices remained strong, averaging over 8,500 per week, growing our active client base to 1.7m.
• The number of active VIPs increased 10.7% YoY to a record 7.4m, with our strategic focus on deepening customer relationships resulting in 27% of all VIPs shopping across more than one channel, up 14% YoY.
• The number of subscription plans across the Group grew 16% YoY to over 1.5m, generating over £135m in annualised recurring customer revenue, representing c8% of Group customer revenue.

Good sales to profit conversion as we continue to proactively manage inflationary cost pressures through a planned series of productivity and efficiency initiatives.

Our balance sheet remains robust, with net cash of £40.2m and good liquidity through our recently renewed £300m revolving credit facility until 2027. The vast majority of our currency requirements are hedged over the next 12 months, and we are progressing our previously announced £50m share buy back programme.

No change to sales and margin outlook, and we continue to expect full-year Group underlying pre-tax profit, including the impact of the IAS38 accounting policy change, to be in line with analyst consensus, which is currently £131m, with a range of £127m-£136m.

PATS Telford has lined up a star-studded list of professional groomers for an unmissable series of demonstrations at the UK’s National Pet Industry Event on 25-26 September 2022.

With an increasing number of pet retailers introducing grooming salons into their stores, the PATS programme of seminars and demos will provide invaluable insights into this side of the business.

On both days of the show expert groomers will be giving free-to-attend demonstrations of specialist grooming techniques, including Asian-style Grooming, Creative Grooming, Pet Trim and Traditional Trim, as well as advice on how to grow your grooming business.

The demonstrations will highlight the knowledge and expertise required to complete traditional grooming techniques successfully as well as showing off a few modern and creative ideas. There will also be information on tools and products for the everyday groomer, plus tips and tricks to increase salon revenue.

The grooming activity at PATS Telford is being produced in association with Peanut and Pickle. an all-natural canine skincare brand. 

Kara Boyd (pictured above) appeared in the BBC One series Pooch Perfect, which became an instant hit with viewers during the pandemic.

Kara, who runs Fairy DogMother in Cambridgeshire, said: “I’m honoured to be making an appearance and taking part in this year’s PATS pet trade show. I can’t wait to be able to share the knowledge I have gained over the years, and exchange tips and advice with other groomers. It is such a valuable occasion, being able to learn more about our pet industry, and meet new people. See you there.”

Holly Briden, who owns grooming salon Doggie Stylez in Salford, Greater Manchester, specialises in creative grooming and once featured in a national newspaper after transforming her pet into Woody from Toy Story.

Laura Cook is a certified master groomer from Oxfordshire with more than 20 years’ experience grooming and producing show dogs at major event like Crufts. She now runs her own training school, The Academy at Tails & Tweed.

Kirsty Cooper loves to give her clients something different at her salon, Pet Grooming by Kirsty at Gleve Farm, Congleton, Cheshire, and will be giving an Asian-style demonstration at PATS.

The grooming demonstrations are as follows:

Sunday, 25th September 2022

10am Holly Bridden – Creative Grooming Seminar

1pm Kirsty Cooper – Asian Style Demonstration

Monday, 26th September 2022

10am Kara Boyd ­– Pet Trim Seminar on a Shitzu 

1pm Laura Cook – Traditional Trim on a Spaniel 

The groomers will also be on the Peanut & Pickle stand (N40 in Hall 3) throughout the show to talk with people and offer one-to-one Q&A and extra demos.

PATS Telford is taking place at the Telford International Centre on Sunday and Monday, 25th and 26^thSeptember 2022.

Visitors to the show can register online for free entry at the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk. A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

Healthy dog snack brand Denzel’s has been recognised as one of the very best British food and drink businesses at a national awards final, after co-founders James Lacy and Nathan Perry were announced as the Animal Food Entrepreneur of the Year 2022.

London-based Denzel’s was one of more than 700 applicants who were whittled down to 14 Food & Drink Heroes winners by a panel of expert judges from industry-leading companies including Selfridges, McDonald's and Costa Coffee.

Food & Drink Heroes was launched in 2020 by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, but was held for the first time in person this year in Wickham.

Mirroring the quality of applications, recent statistics show that the food & drink sector accounts for 20% of the UK’s overall manufacturing output, having contributed £28bn to the economy during 2020 alone.

The ceremony was part of the first ever Ideas Fest at Wickham Farm which brought together the business leaders of today for two days of expert talks, informal networking and a host of fun activities. The ultimate goal of the festival was to offer an alternative to the conventional business conference or networking event, underpinned by themes of people, planet and profit.

Nathan Perry, MD and Co-Founder of Denzel’s, said: “We are delighted to have won Animal Food Entrepreneurs of the Year. A big shout out to the team at Denzel’s for all their hard work over the last year, and to Food & Drink Heroes for putting on a fantastic event!”

With an estimated 58 million pets in the UK, the pet food market is big business. More and more brands are championing the case for fresh and natural alternatives, free from artificial preservatives, fillers and colourings. The judging panel were looking for a brand which brought to market an innovative brand that puts quality at the top of the agenda for our pets.

The judging panel said: “James and Nathan's passion for the business really shines through in this pitch. It is clear to see that the time spent on ensuring the product is authentic, in terms of being natural and sustainable, is appealing to the consumers of today and the growth achieved over the last 12-24 months is testament to this. The strong growth, done in a sustainable way, is what makes this product the winner of the category.”

They added: “A great concept, well executed and showing impressive growth. Well done.” 

Food & Drink Heroes founder Francesca James said that all the finalists were exceptional: “The outstanding level of this year’s finalists have proved us right in thinking that UK food & drink entrepreneurs deserved an awards programme of their own to showcase the breadth of the industry. The competition was fierce, so those who were shortlisted should be assured that they have demonstrated an incredible level of determination, entrepreneurial spirit and drive.

“This year’s winners have undoubtedly had it tough given various circumstances affecting the UK over the past few years, so it’s more important than ever to us that we give these inspiring food and drink entrepreneurs a platform to be recognised and their companies showcased. This is especially the intention by holding the awards as part of a large-scale event like Ideas Fest, where we hope that the additional networking and learning opportunities they had there will help them to reach new highs going forward.

“We’re so proud of all of our 2022 Food & Drink Heroes for showing the tenacity to become leaders in their sectors - we wish them all the best of luck as they continue their business journeys!”

Full list of winners:

Alcoholic Drink Entrepreneur of the Year

Jay Bradley - The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. & Whiskey Wealth Club

Animal Food Entrepreneur of the Year

James Lacy & Nathan Perry - Denzel’s

Baked Goods Entrepreneur of the Year

Paul & Laura Clark - Phat Pasty Co.

Confectionary Entrepreneur of the Year

James Cadbury, Love Cocoa & H!P Chocolate

Export Entrepreneur of the Year

Sean Ramsden - Ramsden International

Health Entrepreneur of the Year

Wayne Starkey & James Whiting - Skinny Food Co.

Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year

Louise Palmer-Masterton - Stem & Glory

Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year

Charlie Gilpin & Sam Moss - Stocked

Non-Alcoholic Entrepreneur of the Year

Ellie Webb - Caleño

Food Service Entrepreneur of the Year

Antoine Melon & Nicolas Payer - HOMETAINMENT

Producer of the Year

David Thompson & Tom Mellor - Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery

Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year

Laura Riches & Laura Rosenberger - Laylo

Street Food Entrepreneur of the Year

Puneet Wadhwani, Patri Artisan Street Food and Drinks

Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year

Jamie Crummie - Too Good To Go

The Pet Industry Federation has launched a completely revamped website this week, packed full of useful industry information and business advice.

Easy to navigate, the site provides help and resources for all PIF members, whether they are new businesses starting out or long established figures in the pet industry. 

PIF CEO, Nigel Baker, commented: “Listening to feedback from our members it was clear that the previous site needed a revamp so we’ve taken that feedback on board and created a site that is both easy to use and full of essential information for PIF members. We know that digital communications are absolutely key for today’s businesses and this is just Phase 1 for the new website; keep an eye out in the coming months for even more developments.”

Phase 2, which will become a central hub for the pet industry this autumn, is already in development including a Find A PIF Member feature where members of the public will be able to search for a PIF member near them.

To access the secure Members’ Area of the new site, or to join PIF today, visit www.petfederation.co.uk

The British Veterinary Association urged cat owners to mark International Cat Day by checking that they are meeting their cats' welfare needs.

According to a recent BVA survey, one in four cats (24%) seen in practices are not having all of their welfare needs met. The most pressing health and welfare issues affecting cats in the UK are:

• Obesity
• Behavioral problems/stress from living in a multi-cat household
• Dental issues
• Health issues linked to extreme conformation
• Owners not accessing preventative veterinary care

The figures, from the BVA Spring 2022 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, have prompted BVA to ask that all cat owners mark International Cat Day today by checking that they are definitely meeting all of their cats’ needs.

BVA President Justine Shotton said: “Cats are among the nation’s favorite pets and we know that the vast majority of owners want to provide the best possible home for their much-loved felines. Cats have a reputation for being easy to care for and unfortunately, we know that that can sometimes lead to important welfare needs being overlooked.

“To mark International Cat Day 2022 we are asking all cat owners to consider whether they might be inadvertently missing something that is key to their cats’ health and wellbeing. If you think there may be an issue please seek advice from you vet, who can help you to ensure your pet is getting the best care possible to reduce stress and stay healthy.”

Vets were asked to identify the three most pressing health and welfare issues affecting cats in the UK. Obesity is the biggest problem facing cats in the UK. 43% of vets highlighted excessive weight as the most pressing issue they are seeing with cats in their practices. Two fifths (41%) cited behavioral problems and stress associated with living in a multi-cat household compared with just 7 per cent citing similar stress as a result of living with other companion animals, mostly dogs. 34% mentioned dental issues, while 26% cited issues relating to extreme conformation, such as flat faces, and 19% referred to lack of preventative veterinary care.

International Cat Day is a celebration which takes place on August 8 every year. Run by International Cat Care, it’s a day to raise awareness for cats and learn about ways to help and protect them.

Pet Treats Wholesale has taken on the 10-year lease of a 8,162 sq ft former Brantano Footwear unit in Burton-on-Trent town centre for its new retail warehouse and e-commerce fulfilment facility.

Douglas Harvey, senior agency surveyor at commercial property agents Rushton Hickman concluded the letting. He said: “This has been a really interesting deal to be involved with, as it’s part of a recent trend of repurposing retail park units to enable occupiers to satisfy their storage needs in a market with a scarcity of warehousing supply as well as the needs of their customers who are increasingly transitioning towards shopping on-line. The size and location of retail warehouses make them ideal for being adapted to provide both click and collect and last mile logistics services for the consumer.”

Bill Stephens from Smith Price RRG said on behalf of the landlord: “it’s been a fantastic result to get a unit of this size let after being vacant for so long. We were impressed with Doug’s creativity in suggesting an occupier that we may not have normally considered for a property of this type and then getting the deal over the line for us”.

Graham Bancroft, director of Rushton Hickman, commented: “The market for retail warehouses has changed over recent years with traditional occupiers not necessarily being the ‘go-to’ for these spaces due to the change in the way people shop.  Consequently, it is important as an agent to think outside the box and not just consider the same old methods and we’re extremely pleased to see the hard work and effort that Doug put into this letting coming to fruition and we all wish Pet Treats Wholesale the best of luck in their new property.”

Pictured: Rushton Hickman senior agency surveyor Douglas Harvey at Pet Treat Wholesale's new warehouse unit in Union Street, Burton-on-Trent.

direct to your e-mail inbox...

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

Police in Sheffield have released a CCTV image of two people they would like to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into a reported assault at a Pets at Home store.

At around 7pm on Wednesday, July 27, it is reported that staff at the pet store in Kilner Way, Sheffield, challenged a man and woman who they suspected of shoplifting.

It is believed the man then assaulted a member of staff, causing minor injuries.

Officers are keen to identify the man and woman pictured, as they may hold vital information.

Anyone who recognises them should contact police via live chat, the online portal www.southyorks.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/ or by calling 101, quoting incident number 1104 of 27 July 2022.

London-headquartered Tenacious Labs, a pioneering international consumer products group championing emerging plant-based ingredients, has announced the acquisition of US pet care specialist Rover’s Wellness.

Tennessee-based Rover’s Wellness creates high quality products containing all natural, non-GMO ingredients including 100% certified organically grown hemp. Founded by RaChelle Baca-Lobre in 2018 after her own pet was diagnosed with cancer, Rover’s Wellness offers a diverse range of oils, topical salves, and treats which harness the natural power of CBD to support joint flexibility and mobility, ease anxiety, and promote positive long-term health for dogs, cats, and equine.

A core part of the brand’s approach is its commitment to testing and transparency. Leveraging a “seed to sale” approach, Rover’s Wellness works directly with growers and uses state-of-the-art nano technology to extract CBD before purity testing. Each batch is tested by a certified industrial hemp laboratory, both before and after production, with all lab-results published on its website. This process ensures that none of Rover’s Wellness products contain THC – the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis which is harmful to animals. 

The acquisition of Rover’s Wellness represents an important milestone in Tenacious Labs’ strategy to become a leading consumer products group globally and sees the Group diversify into the high growth pet care market for the first time. According to Prohibition Partners, global sales of CBD pet care products are expected to reach $424.4m by 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18.6%.  

As part of the acquisition, RaChelle Baca-Lobre will join Tenacious Labs as Global Director of Sales – Pet Division and CPG Wholesale and Private Label. RaChelle’s personal passion for CBD-enriched pet care, as well as her experience in managing a fast-growing brand, will prove invaluable for the Group as it looks to scale up its pet care division over the coming months.

Since launching 12 months ago, Tenacious Labs has completed three acquisitions, including female-focused CBD brand Press Pause and high quality white-label manufacturer SZM LLC—now operating as TL Manufacturing. The Group has also continued to expand, now employing 35 people around the world as it looks to scale up.

Nicholas Morland, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Tenacious Labs, commented: “We are delighted to welcome RaChelle and her team to Tenacious Labs. Since launching in 2018, Rover’s Wellness has grown rapidly, launching genuinely market-leading products which have been well received by customers across the US. This acquisition will enable us to kick-start our pet care division, while combining RaChelle’s expertise and Tenacious Labs’ high quality manufacturing capabilities to significantly scale up Rover’s Wellness. We look forward to working with her closely over the coming months and years."

RaChelle Baca-Lobre, founder of Rover’s Wellness and Global Director of Sales – Pet Division and CPG Wholesale and Private Label at Tenacious Labs, said: “I am excited to join Tenacious Labs, a Group which reflects my desire to create safe, natural, and quality products, underpinned by third-party laboratory testing. We have enjoyed great success to date, and I believe that by harnessing Tenacious Labs’ best-in-class manufacturing facilities, marketing expertise, and operational support, we can unlock more exciting growth opportunities for Rover’s Wellness and the Group’s broader pet care division.”

At a time when lawns are coming under siege from dry weather and pet urine burn marks CSJ’s Eezy Peezy! herbal blend is in great demand. 

With its gentle blend of ingredients including Burdock Root, Celery Seed, Golden Rod and Dandelion, Eezy Peezy! is simply sprinkled on dogs’ food.

A typical customer review says: “In the past I tried other lawn burn tablets, but to no avail, there was still loads of bad burn marks. It got to the point I was having to hose down the area after my dog toileted to stop the damage! So I decided to try a more natural alternative. I must say this has done wonders in reducing the lawn burn in my garden, will definitely continue!”

CSJ suggests ordering the resealable 300g foil pouches of Eezy Peezy! now while stocks last.

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

An online retailer, who set up her pet supplies business during the pandemic lockdown, is set to expand with the opening of a bricks-and-mortar high street store.

Willow’s Pet Supplies is opening in the Hampshire market town of Bishop’s Waltham on Saturday (August 6).

Owner Victoria Wiggans decided change careers during lockdown and set up the business after getting a family dog called Willow.

“This bundle of black fluff has changed my life, for the better, and it gave me a new purpose in life – to make her life the best it can be whether that be the best food, toys or bedding.  It became my new passion,” she says on the company’s website. 

“I decided I wanted to give everyday pet owners the opportunity to buy great quality, locally and UK sourced and eco friendly (where they can be) products that are great for your pet!  So Willow's Pet Supplies was born.”

A pet shop has reported the theft of a ‘large amount’ of stock during a break-in at its premises over last weekend.

Raw and Paw in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, contacted police after finding that leads, collars and harnesses had been stolen.

The pet supplies store posted on its Facebook page: “We have been broken in to between Saturday 30th July at 4pm and Monday 1st August when we were alerted at just at 5.30am.

“During this break-in a large amount of our Bully Billows stock has been stolen. Please could you SHARE, SHARE AND SHARE AGAIN, this post to as many groups, friends and family members as you can to help us catch who this was.”

The shop’s  mobile phone – a white iPhone 6S – was also been stolen.

“Your support means the world to us and if you could just share this post, it could really help!” added the post. “Thank you for all your kind messages.”

Anyone with any information regarding this crime should report it on 101 quoting incident number 114_01082022.

Picture taken from Raw and Paw’s Facebook page.

Jollyes is set to open a new store in Poole – its first in Dorset – right opposite a Pets at Home outlet. The new Poole store, at Unit 1C, Wessex Gate East Retail Park, will open at 10am on Saturday, August 20.

Jollyes in Poole will be just a few paw-steps away from the well-known pet store chain, meaning customers will be able to compare the service and value they each offer side-by-side.   

The new store will employ 10 staff, including newly appointed store manager Andy Matthews (pictured above), whose career includes spells at the Co-op, Marks & Spencer and Tesco. With three children in his family, he has hands-on experience with pets including Angel, a German shepherd, and Tom, a 10-year-old cat. 

The 5,000 square feet store will sell a wide range of pet food and accessories for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, fish and reptiles. 

In the weeks immediately after opening, the store will also host a Community Pet Clinic, offering regular health checks, vaccinations, flea and worming and microchipping. 

The location is a convenient stopping off point for owners across the area, including those using popular dog walks such as the local beaches, Upton Country Park and Canford Heath. Like all Jollyes, owners are welcome to bring their pets into the store.  

Matt Godwin, Jollyes regional manager, said: “For those people in and around Poole who don’t yet know Jollyes, we can’t wait to open our doors and give them a warm welcome. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is really looking forward to giving people in and around Poole, more choice than they’ve ever had for their pets. 

“The new store is in a great location, and we’re designing it to be easy as possible for pet lovers to find what they are looking for. It’s a very popular retail park and we’re as excited as a new puppy to open later this month". 

As the first store in Dorset, the Poole store will complement Jollyes outlets in neighbouring counties of Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire, including Bridgwater, Chippenham, Congresbury, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Waterlooville. 

Backed by Kester Capital, Jollyes has more than 80 stores across the UK. In addition to recent openings in Stockton-on-Tees, Southport, Stirling Wrexham and Cookstown, Jollyes this year acquired Penparc Pet Centres with five stores in the Midlands. New stores are due to open this autumn at Glenrothes, Edinburgh and Robroyston as Jollyes continues to search for new locations across the UK. 

More news on the new Poole store, including product ranges and plans for opening day will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

Johnson’s Veterinary Products Ltd has announced that its chairman David Johnson passed away peacefully on July 21 in Good Hope Hospital, after a short battle with illness.

David joined the family business in 1970 after qualifying as a chartered accountant and became a highly respected figure within the UK pet trade. He oversaw the development and success of Johnson’s as it transitioned from local family business to international pet healthcare brand.

In a statement, Johnson’s said: “The loss of the company’s figurehead is keenly felt, following on so closely to the business celebrating 100 years of caring for the nation’s pets, in May 2021. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but especially his family, friends and colleagues.

“Not only was David responsible for turning Johnson’s Veterinary Products into one of the UK’s leading pet healthcare brands, but he worked tirelessly to help raise the profile and professional standards across all aspects of the UK pet trade.

“The company and the wider UK pet trade has lost one of the great champions of the industry and his passing reduces considerably the experience and expertise that has helped the business and the sector move forward to the respected positions both find themselves in today.”