On the day of its Annual Convention (28 March), the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), representing 85 UK pet food companies, brought together its members, vets and Government departments to focus on what lies ahead for the pet food sector and pet nutrition.

Under the theme ‘Pet food nutrition: what’s next on the menu?’, there is a lot more clarity and certainty about the pet food sector’s objectives than what’s on the Brexit Menu.

PFMA Chief Executive, Michael Bellingham, explains: “Today we set out the next stage of our 3-year pet food vision, this year focussing on pet nutrition. Our ambition is to remain a world leader in this critical area, by encouraging and acting on the latest science. As a result, our nation’s pets benefit from the highest nutritional quality products, developed over several decades.”

Michael (above) continues: “This ambition is threatened by the continued uncertainty over our future relationship with the EU. This uncertainty is the enemy of our pet food businesses; it lowers confidence levels and risks curbing growth and innovation in the UK. We therefore call on the UK Government to end the Brexit uncertainties which are placing high costs on our businesses and diverting focus from our main job of feeding safe, nutritious high-quality food to our pets."

There can be many different reasons why a pet becomes overweight and needs to lose a few pounds. It is important to keep dogs and cats at a healthy weight to avoid obesity related medical conditions.

Arden Grange offer a range of ‘Light’ recipe options for overweight dogs and cats. These diets can help pets lose weight and keep it off once they reach their goal.   

The range of ‘Light’ products are lower in fat and can be fed as part of a weight reduction plan or a maintenance diet when pets are at their optimal weight. Just like all Arden Grange products, the Light range is naturally hypoallergenic, not containing: wheat gluten; beef; soya or dairy products.

Explore the Arden Grange Light product range:

Arden Grange Sensitive Light/Senior dry dog food

• Grain free recipe, ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies and itchy skin.
• Lower in calories than the standard Sensitive Adult food.
• Boosted levels of joint care support to help older dogs.
• Includes L-carnitine to help increase the rate of fat metabolism and aid weight loss.

Arden Grange Light dry dog food

• Just 7.5% fat.
• Lower in calories than the standard Adult range.
• May aid in weight reduction and the treatment of obesity.
• Added L-carnitine to help increase the conversion of fat to energy and maintain a lean body mass.  

Arden Grange Light Crunchy Bites

• Low calorie snack and just 8% fat.
• Contains 33% chicken.
• Benefitting from joint support ingredients.
• Includes grape seed extract and green tea extract, which have antioxidant properties to support the immune system.

Arden Grange Light dry cat food

• Lower in calories and fat than standard Arden Grange dry cat diets.
• Contains 48% chicken (including 26% fresh meat for exceptional palatability).
• Suitable for senior or indoor cats that may require fewer calories.
• Ideal for less active or overweight cats or those that are prone to weight gain.

For more information about the Light range or advice about how to help a pet lose weight, call 01273 833390 or visit www.ardengrange.com.

Manufacturers and suppliers are getting right behind PATS as the UK’s number one pet trade event prepares for two more exciting and successful shows – PATS Telford in September 2019 and PATS Sandown in February 2020.

More than 110 companies have booked their stand space for the Autumn showpiece with still over five months to go, while PATS Sandown 2020 is already two-thirds full as 72 exhibitors have confirmed their place at the Spring event.

With such a winning formula, the two PATS exhibitions have become ‘must-visit’ events for UK and international retailers and buyers. Showcasing all the latest launches under one roof, the show’s reputation has grown impressively over the past 10 years since launching in 2009.

George Bramble, co-founder of Beco Pets, summed up why companies can rely on PATS to deliver the best shows for the UK pet trade.

“Both PATS shows are musts in the Beco calendar,” said George. “We traditionally launch products in Spring and Autumn so PATS Sandown and Telford respectively are ideal opportunities to showcase innovation to the industry. As a fast-growing business, but without huge marketing budgets, we rely heavily on pet specific retailers to promote and educate pet owners on our eco-friendly range of products. PATS attracts the best pet retailers in the country, and the organisers do a fantastic job in maximising manufacturers’ exposure before, during, and after the show. PATS is a first class trade show!”

These sentiments were echoed by Jo Boughton-White, MD of Dorwest Herbs, who said: “We consider PATS to be the most important trade shows in our calendar. These exhibitions are the perfect platform for us to launch new products to the right people, the decision makers in the pet trade industry! Not only that, but they are the perfect opportunity to meet current customers under one roof. We have gained several new customers from the shows and we continue to nurture those relationships thereafter.”

Rob Newsome, Director of Sales & Operations at Danish Design Pet Products, said: “We believe that PATS is the go-to event for all businesses across the pet industry. We know that we make contact with our valued existing customers as well as opening up new opportunities every time.”

And Sam Marriage, MD of Marriages Specialist Foods, commented: “PATS is a really important launchpad for us and we try to come to every single show with at least one new product. It’s really good that PATS supports us in the industry with the New Product Awards as it helps to keep innovation in the market.”

Bill Kimberling, Trade Channel Controller at Forthglade, said PATS was a great place to meet customers and to showcase the company’s full range of natural products. “The event always has such a buzz. It provides the ideal opportunity for retailers to ask lots of questions face to face, while taking advantage of the special offers available at the show.”

Steve Driver, of Pet Trade Innovations, added: "PATS has always been the best place for us to present our new products and innovations to the trade. The exhibitions attract an excellent range of buyers, including retailers, groomers, kennels and catteries, plus some major distributors from the UU and overseas. Nowhere else in the UK do we get such a good opportunity to meet all these key buyers in one place and get to present our full range and new lines."

Inspired Pet Nutrition were the first company to book a stand with PATS in 2009 under the Wagg brand, and have exhibited ever since. Sales Director Ben Anderson revealed: “From IPN’s standpoint, PATS Sandown and Telford are the only UK pet trade shows that we will be supporting going forward. PATS gets better year on year in terms of visitor numbers, quality of visitor, event timings and location. As a major manufacturer, we know that the show will deliver the level of retail buyer that we are targeting with our new product launches and wider branded ranges. Since day one PATS has been a successful show for IPN, organised by people that truly understand the pet market and the calibre of customer that we are looking to see on our stand.”

PATS is the only exhibition where the entire industry comes together under one roof, making it ideal for all pet retailers, vets, groomers, farm shops, and garden centres. With hundreds of items being exhibited at every show, many of which are new to the market, there is something to meet every retailer’s needs.

Organiser Gordon Thomas explained how PATS is able to stage such first class exhibitions. “We work closely with new and regular exhibitors to make sure our shows are fit for purpose. We listen to their comments and make changes when necessary. For instance, we switched PATS Sandown to a Sunday and Monday in February this year after consultation with our customers – a move that proved hugely successful. We also work hard at delivering the right audience, ensuring that our visitors are the people making the key buying decisions.”

The PATS winner formula delivers:

• Hundreds of the latest pet product launches under one roof
• New Product Awards, judged by a panel of pet retailers and sponsored by pbwnews
• Informative talks by leading experts from across the industry
• Top class demonstrations and workshops from award-winning groomers
• Unrivalled show offers and competitions
• An opportunity to network with UK and international retailers and buyers

PATS Telford also plays host to the prestigious PetQuip Awards, now in their seventh year. These awards have consistently delivered a professional, enjoyable and successful networking evening event for the whole industry where suppliers and retailers can mix, have fun and celebrate the industry’s many successes.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

Hill's Pet Nutrition has expanded its voluntary recall of canned dog food products due to elevated levels of Vitamin D. This expansion relates to the same vitamin premix that led to the January 31st voluntary recall.

While vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss.

Vitamin D, when consumed at very high levels, can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction. 

Dog owners whose pets have consumed any of the products listed and are exhibiting any of these signs should contact their veterinarian. In most cases, complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding.

The affected canned dog foods which were manufactured by the Hill’s Pet Nutrition facility in Topeka, Kansas (EU approval # KS-PF0-0004) were distributed through retail pet stores and veterinary clinics and e-commerce. No dry foods, cat foods, or treats are affected.

The company says that dog owners who purchased the product with the specific lot/date codes listed should discontinue feeding and dispose of those products immediately. Any questions should be sent to hillsukcustomerservices@hillspet.com or (UK): 0800 282 438, (ROI): 1800 626 002.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition learned of the potential for elevated vitamin D levels in some of its canned dog foods after receiving a complaint in the United States about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D levels. Our investigation confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error.

A Hill’s spokesperson said: “We care deeply about all pets and are committed to providing Dog owners with safe and high quality products. Hill’s has identified and isolated the error and, to prevent this from happening again, we have required our supplier to implement additional quality testing prior to their release of ingredients. In addition to our existing safety processes, we are adding our own further testing of incoming ingredients. All products within Hill’s control have been placed on hold. Hill’s will be contacting all clinics and retailers to retrieve products.”

The full Hill's statement can be viewed by clicking here

The winners of the prestigious Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2019 have been announced in a glittering ceremony in The Mercian Suite at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre in Birmingham, following a record-breaking number of nominations of the highest calibre for the third consecutive year.

The awards were hosted by TV presenter and animal lover, Matt Baker, and renowned retired veterinary surgeon, Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award.  They recognise 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. 

The awards’ ceremony on 3 April in the run up to BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) Congress saw praise bestowed on all the shortlisted nominees and winners were announced across eight categories.

Once again, an esteemed panel of industry professionals chaired by Chris Laurence were challenged with selecting the worthy shortlisted individuals and groups and the ultimate winners.

Speaking at the ceremony, chair of the judging panel, Chris Laurence, said: “Once again the breadth of nominations for the Welfare Awards has amazed and enthused the judging panel.  The new categories this year have been well supported and widened the field of nominees as well as increasing the number of nominations.  There have been some outstanding finalists and those who have won should be justifiably proud to have done so against some stiff competition.  Of course, the real winners in all this are the animals whose welfare has been improved and the message that has given about the importance of animal welfare to those who have come into contact with all the nominees.”

Winners of the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2019 by category, are:

 Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award in association with Vet Record

Hannah Capon, Canine Arthritis Management

Vet Nurse of the Year Award in association with Agria Pet Insurance

Rachel Wright, TOLFA

Charity Team of the Year Award in association with PDSA

Ebony Horse Club, Brixton

Charitable Contribution of the Year Award in association with Blue Cross 

Fiona Gammell, Wicklow Animal Welfare

Farmer of the Year Award in association with R.A.B.I.

David Finlay, Rainton Farm, Castle Douglas

Farm Educator of the Year in association with NADIS

James Griffiths from Taynton Court Farm, Gloucester

International Cat Care Welfare of the Year Award

Ian MacFarlaine, chief inspector of SPCA in Bermuda

One individual was given special recognition during the evening.  The Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare Award in association with Your Dog and Your Cat was presented to Professor Jacky Reid, Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and CEO of the innovative research company, NewMetrica.  Jacky and her multi-disciplinary team of renowned academics from the University of Glasgow have dedicated over 20 years to researching pain and quality of life measurement in pets.  Her work into these vital areas at the University of Glasgow and, since retiring from the University, as part of NewMetrica is truly innovative and widely respected and she works tirelessly to broaden its reach for the benefit of the welfare of animals.

The winners were presented with their coveted awards on stage by Matt Baker and Chris Laurence, alongside a representative from each of the category sponsors including: Blue Cross, PDSA, International Cat Care, Vet Record, Agria Pet Insurance, NADIS, R.A.B.I. and Your Dog and Your Cat magazines.

“It is the second consecutive year that I have presented the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards and once again I am touched and humbled by the individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to enhance and promote animal welfare both in the UK and abroad to make a real difference to the lives of animals,” commented, co-host of the awards, Matt Baker.

“The vision, dedication and hard work demonstrated by each and every award winner is truly outstanding,” commented, Cuneyt Seckin, managing director of Ceva Animal Health UK and Ireland.  “We had a brilliant evening celebrating our remarkable winners and would like to congratulate each and every one of them on their fantastic achievement.”

For further information on the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards visit www.cevawelfareawards.com

Independent dog food manufacturer Naturediet Pet Foods Ltd is working exclusively with distributor Glenkrag – the largest wholesaler to the pet, aquatic and garden trade in Ireland.

Leading the way in sustainable, eco-friendly packaging, Naturediet is proud to be the first UK dog food manufacturer to specialise in Tetra Pak® cartons as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wet food packaging such as single-use plastic trays and pouches.

The Naturediet Feel Good range of healthy, 100% British-made wet food for dogs is a vibrant and exciting variety of complete wet food meals which are expertly balanced and carefully created to provide optimal nutrition from freshly prepared natural ingredients. Launched in 390g packs in October 2018, Naturediet have recently introduced to their Feel Good range in a new, smaller 200g pack size - another first for the Dog Food Industry - and brought out their Purely Range 390g and Feel Good treats 150g in the Tetra Pak cartons.

Employing over 80 dedicated and long serving employees, Glenkrag is located 15 miles north of Belfast and works with over 800 retail outlets and Vets across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.  Founded in 1980 the company boasts its own fleet of delivery vehicles with an unrivalled delivery service to the whole of Ireland.

Glenkrag Founders Jack McCready and Mike Taylor still have an active role in the business, and as such, the company share a similar working ethos to Naturediet, which remains a family-owned company proud of their honest labelling ethos and promotion of valid claims.

Naturediet ranges are available direct, or exclusively through Glenkrag in Ireland and Bestpets in the UK. For more information, please contact trade@naturediet.co.uk

Pioneering dog-food brand, Different Dog has introduced a food donation scheme that will benefit some of the UK’s most vulnerable dogs. The launch of this initiative coincided with the first-ever London Dog Week.

Recognising that some dogs have it really ‘wuff’, the official London Dog Week sponsor is supporting rescue kennels and centres across the country by ensuring abandoned dogs have an opportunity to enjoy freshly hand-cooked nourishing meals to help them become fit and healthy again.

Animal charity centres are being invited to sign up to a monthly prize draw to be in for a chance of winning a bumper sized box of Different Dog’s natural food and treats. All Different Dog recipes are grain-free, nutritionally balanced, packed full of superfoods and vet approved for the complete and balanced diet every dog deserves.

Co-founder Alex Thurstan comments: “We exist to make dogs healthy and happy through real food, however, we know that not all dogs are as lucky as the ones we cook for, which is why we have started up this donation scheme. Our hand-cooked recipes are packed full of the good stuff, helping to give dogs shiner coats and better digestion. We hope our donations will help these dogs to get in peak condition and find their forever family homes.”

To kick things off, Different Dog donated a selection of tasty treats to the dogs of London’s homeless as part of London Dog Week’s X PitPat Pooch Tour led by Barrie the War Dog on Sunday (31^st March).

The aim of London Dog Week was to showcase how dogs can benefit our wellbeing, helping to transform lives and as such how important it is to support the welfare of dogs, ensuring positive interactions with our furry friends. 

To find out more about Different Dog, visit www.differentdog.com.

Pure Pet Food, the award-winning manufacturer of dehydrated and freeze dried pet food, has secured a £2m investment from NVM Private Equity(NVM) to accelerate its plans to make healthy choices for pet owners easy and accessible.

The company's low processed natural recipes have become the go-to option for pets suffering with a range of ailments and sensitivities. The innovative Yorkshire based company formed by childhood friends Mathew Cockroft and Daniel Valdur Eha has quickly grown from a tiny business which started life in Daniel’s kitchen, to a brand that is now sold around the world and in major retailers such as Pets at Home.

Pure produces natural pet food products in their very own human grade food facility in West Yorkshire. The company’s innovative manufacturing techniques allow for products that not only address current market trends to feed a low processed and high quality food, but also avoids the inconvenience and expense which can prevent a significant number of owners from doing so.

The investment from NVM comes after a host of recent accolades and achievements for the business. Pure won the Lloyds TSB’s National Best Start-up award and the PetQuip Pet Product Innovation award.

Mat commented: “Pure first started after we decided to do our own research into the current commercial pet food available and exactly how it was made. It made little sense to us that highly processed food, containing low quality ingredients, manufactured into small brown biscuits that are fed to pets each day was possibly the healthiest diet option.”

Dan added: “We set out to create a food which retained the convenience of a commercial dry or wet pet food, but with the benefits of fresh, wholesome ingredients. This thought process led us to the methods of dehydration and freeze drying, which allow for the gentle preservation of fresh ingredients. Pure requires no refrigeration or freezer space, owners simply have to add water and serve, creating a healthy low processed meal in minutes.

“Pure Pet Food has proved to be a big hit with pets suffering from a range of ailments and allergies such as stomach sensitivities, IBD, Pancreatitis and fussiness to name just a few. I think rather than anything special in our recipes it is more what we haven’t added. Our food contains no grains, corn, additives or any other nasties.”

The pair plan to use the funding to support Pure Pet Food’s rapid growth, whilst launching new products, adding to their team and expanding their offering throughout Europe.

“This investment will allow for the development of a much more personalised offering, improving the level of service we can provide to our customers and their pets. We see huge opportunity within this space and by partnering with NVM we now have the resources and experience to realise our vision,” Mat added.

Aaron Lawson-Clark (pictured above (centre) with Mat and Dan), Investment Associate at NVM, added: “NVM is delighted to be backing Dan and Mat to take Pure Pet Food to the next level.  The team have impressed demonstrating the skills required to build a business, brand and quality product with limited resources.  We are excited by the potential market for natural convenient pet food in the years ahead and we look forward to working with the team to scale up the business and deliver the future of pet nutrition.” 

PitPat, the award-winning activity monitor for dogs, has launched PitPat Life, a monthly membership plan which rewards healthy, happy dogs and their owners through perks, points and prizes.

PitPat Life Members will receive:

• A PitPat activity monitor (worth £39) - monitors your dog's activity every day, enabling you to easily manage their health, fitness and weight.
• Exclusive membership pack including: PitPat Life dog tag, membership card and a EUKANUBA dog food sample specific to your dog’s lifestage.
• Perks provided by PitPat partners – from exclusive deals on accessories to event tickets, pets go free holidays and money off dog food.
• Personalised daily exercise goals for your dog, based on their age, weight and breed.
• Points for hitting these goals, which can be swapped for all sorts of prizes including you and your dog’s favourite products, venues and services.
• Access to the PitPat Life community of dogs and their owners.

As the first pet membership scheme of its kind, and with headline support from EUKANUBA pet food and MORE TH>N pet insurance,  two of the largest names in the pet care industry, PitPat is the UK’s market leader in the pet tech sector.

Founder of PitPat, Andrew Nowell, stated: “When we launched PitPat four years ago, we changed how dog-owners look after their best friend.  PitPat brought dogs and owners closer together in a fun and easy way, and helped both to be healthier and happier.  But our customers have shown us they want more, so I’m really excited that we’re able to bring them PitPat Life. We’re turning PitPat into what our customers already make it - a club for every dog owner, making us the heart of a vibrant community of dog lovers. Even better, PitPat Life rewards dogs and their owners for doing a great job and I'm sure they are going to love the perks and prizes membership offers."   

Andrew Moore, Director of Pet Claims at MORE TH>N and qualified vet, said: “Happy and healthy dogs lead longer and richer lives. However, the love we have for our canine friends means it can be easy to over-feed them, with our research showing 50% of dogs are overweight due to being over-indulged by their owner. PitPat Life is a great way to keep your dog happy and healthy. As a thank you for looking after their dog, MORETH>N dog insurance customers who sign up to PitPat Life also have access to exclusive cash prizes worth up to £100 which they can put towards renewing their insurance.”

Brand Ambassador, Rory the Vet added: “I’m really excited to be a PitPat ambassador. As a small animal vet I see so many overweight pets, it’s a real issue. With PitPat, Life owners are encouraged to  track and monitor their pets weight and activity levels and are rewarded for doing so! This could be the first step to addressing the pet obesity epidemic.”

Membership to PitPat Life costs  £4 a month.

Italy continues to be a popular market for UK suppliers of a wide range of pet products: 23 companies will exhibiting in the British group organised by the PetQuip export association for the seventh time at Zoomark.

New product innovations will be displayed across most areas of the pet sector.  Pet foods and treats take high priority in the list of exhibits with new veterinary formulated varieties, tinned and wetfoods, grain-free natural dog foods, locally sourced fish treats, new bones with human grade flavouring, gluten-free sausages, new dental ranges of dry foods and meat-free and vegan chews.  Two unusual and innovative products are new lickable frozen yoghurts for dogs and ostrich based dog treats.  Included in other pet product sectors are the latest chicken coop accessories, de-stress and calming sprays and wipes, shampoos and balms, cat and dog repellents and aquarium products.

For the benefit of visiting buyers, PetQuip is also organising and manning a British pet product industry information stand (Hall 26, Stand B37) and will be offering a free UK product sourcing service to overseas buyers.

Exhibitors and products:

Benevo Vegan Pet Foods (Hall 26, Stand B19) is exhibiting Pawtato Ocean Treats: environmentally conscious chews that are not only entirely meat-free and vegan, but are made with sustainably-farmed spirulina, wakame and kelp seaweeds.  Packed in biodegradable bags, these fun sea animal-shaped dog chews are delicious as well as environmentally friendly.  An excellent hypoallergenic treat, they are grain-free, wheat-free and soya-free, with the additional bonus of being low in fat content.  Each purchase of Pawtato Ocean Treats will result in a donation from Pawtato towards ocean conservation projects.

GET OFF – Blumen International Ltd (Hall 26, Stand C36) is launching its new Natural range of products that are based on natural ingredients to care for a pet’s home environment.  The range includes seeds that allow pet owners to grow their own herbal additive for small animals and birds as well as a selection of natural dog calming products.  The company is also launching its new look GET OFF cat and dog repellent range.  New lifestyle labelling portrays how the product can relate to pets.

Broadreach Nature (Hall 26, Stand B31) is launching a new daily digestive support food for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.  There will also be new digestive treats and specialist veterinary- formulated Fibiotic-Pro, which is a Probiotic Fibre Blend for daily use. It helps to support and maintain a healthy digestive system for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.  The company is interested in meeting with distributors, wholesalers and retailers, and there will be a number of special show offers available.

Canagan, Piccolo and Symply Pet Foods (Hall 26, Stand B11-C16) is a UK specialist in grain-free dog food and is expanding its Dental range of dry food, which is specifically aimed at improving dental health.  Launched late in 2018, Canagan Dental for Dogs was the first recipe from the company to include the clinically effective ingredient ProDen PlaqueOff®, which helps to reduce plaque naturally.  Following the successful launch, Canagan has added Canagan Dental for Small Breed Dogs and also Canagan Dental for Cats.

Cath Kidston (Hall 26, Stand B25) is the latest licensed collaboration for Pet Brands, the UK designer and manufacturer of accessories and treats for pets and wild birds.  The launch of the Cath Kidston brand into stores will be in autumn/winter 2019 and will include bedding, apparel, feeding and other items.  The range features exclusive Cath Kidston prints and utilises strong Cath Kidston logo placement for key brand representation.  The company is seeking key retailers to stock the range globally.

ChickenGuard (Hall 26, Stand C24-C26) is the manufacturer of one of the world’s most innovative chicken coop door openers.  The company is showing its newly launched Locking Door Kit that is compatible with all versions of the ChickenGuard door opener.  The locking door’s innovative self-locking mechanism provides greater protection against predators as well as providing peace of mind and additional free time for chicken owners.  With 10 million chicken owners in Europe, ChickenGuard is leading the way in helping to keep their chickens safe.  

Eden Holistic Pet Foods (Hall 26, Stand B35) is showing a range of foods and treats for dogs and cats.  They include an air-dried range of treats with 70 per cent meat content. The treats contain an Eden Health Pack to support digestive, joint and dental health.  There is also a wet food range for cats and dogs that focuses on high-meat content and superfood herbs and vegetables. Also on show is a supplement range that brings together modern-day supplements and herbal remedies in the form of digestive support, joint support and skin and coat formulas.

Forthglade (Hall 26, Stand C35) is showcasing its award-winning Complete Grain-Free wet range of natural pet food.  Included in the range is a new sardine recipe that contains sweet potato and vegetables.  Containing 75 per cent quality meats, vitamins and minerals, the nutritionally balanced monoprotein complete meals are all a dog requires for optimum health.  A new 150g complete grain-free range is also being launched at Zoomark.  The new cold pressed grain-free natural dry dog food is available in 1kg, 2.5kg and 6kg packs.

Frozzys – Lickable Frozen Yogurt for Dogs (Hall 26, Stand B29) is exhibiting a new lickable frozen yogurt that is a healthy and nutritious treat for dogs. The treats are low in calories, low in fat and lactose free.  They provide natural health benefits, as the primary ingredient is milk to provide calcium for the support of healthy teeth and bones.  The Frozzys® lickable Frozen Yogurt is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and prebiotic fibre to boost its nutritional benefits.  The product is available in five flavours – original, cranberry, strawberry, blueberry and peach. 

Hugo Kamishi (Hall 26, Stand C18) is showing its designer aquarium products that include ornaments, fish tanks and accessories that change with the seasons and allow new colours and themes to be experimented with throughout the year.  The range includes a wide selection of imitation plants made from a selection of materials, including coloured and natural gravels, decorative stones and ornaments.

JR Pet Products (Hall 26, Stand C11) is showing its 100 per cent natural range of innovative dog treats, including a new Ostrich range.  The treats are naturally rich in nutrients, hypoallergenic, very high in protein and have less than three per cent fat.  The range of ostrich products are shaped to represent bones, crisps, spaghetti, braided tendon, kebabs and biltong.

Law Print & Packaging (Hall 26 Stand A73) will be showcasing its latest packaging innovations for pet food brands and manufacturers.  The flexible packaging supplier has recently answered demand for more sustainable packaging materials, developing new 100 per cent recyclable options exclusively for the pet food sector.  The team will be showcasing the newly launched BOPP Recyclable bags as well as PE/PE Mono Film pouches.  

Lily’s Kitchen (Hall 26, Stand C17) is showing its new ‘Woofbrush’ expert dental chew that is made with natural ingredients.  Thanks to its clever spongey texture, the chew gets down to the gumline to wipe away plaque, and it is all due to ingredients like parsley, coconut oil and fennel.  Woofbrush has been carefully crafted with help from the company’s pet dental expert to make sure that it works efficiently, but also tastes delicious.

Little Big Paw (Hall 26, Stand B23) is a multi award- winning brand and is launching a new range of dry cat foods and also wet multipacks.  The company is well placed to meet the increasing consumer demand for premium quality, natural, grain free, hypoallergenic cat foods.  The new lines include a delicious range of complete dry foods for kitten, adult and senior cats and two new variety packs of wet food.  Little BigPaw is now one of the fastest growing brands in the pet industry and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise.  All packaging now proudly carries the Queen’s emblem.   The growing range includes tinned food for dogs, wet food for small dogs, oven baked treats as well as the new wet multipacks and complete dry food for cats.  Little BigPaw is distributed internationally and works with leading UK wholesalers.

Meatiful (Hall 26, Stand C34) is displaying its range of hypoallergenic and gluten-free products including healthy and tasty sausages.  The vet-approved recipes contain single source proteins with 80 per cent fresh meat and are available in several mouth-watering varieties.  New to the range are two sausage varieties, turkey and white fish, as well as brand new oven-baked kibble and a delicious range of meaty treats.

Mr Johnsons / Dog Gone Fishin’ (Hall 26, Stand C20) is showing its Dog Gone Fishin’ range of dog treats that are made in Cornwall in the South West of England.  The treats contain nutritious tasty fish that has been sourced to ensure that only quality fish and ingredients go into the manufacture.  They contain naturally occurring Omega 3.  There are four categories consisting of bakes, crunchies, crunchies plus and dried fish.

Nutriment Ltd (Hall 26, Stand C31) is exhibiting its new Support range of raw food products for dogs.  There are five items in the range: Light, Low Purine and Phosphorus, Liver, Kidney and Recover.  All of the foods are low in fat and highly digestible and their recipes are specially designed to provide nutritional support for ongoing health concerns that are more prevalent in today’s dogs.  Each meal is manufactured by hand with care and animal health and happiness in mind.

PATS 2019 and AQUA 2019 (Hall 26, Stand C33) is promoting its trade exhibitions for the pet and aquatic sectors.  PATS is the UK’s only pet trade event and its two annual editions will take place at The Telford International Centre UK from 22 to 23 September 2019 and Sandown Park from 9 to 10 March 2020.  AQUA 2019 is the UK’s water gardening and aquatics trade event due to take place at the Telford International Centre from 16 to 17 October 2019.

Pet Remedy (Hall 26, B17) is exhibiting its clinically proven, natural de-stress and calming products that are designed to help all pets in stressful situations such as when moving to a new home, travelling, training, separation, bonding, party season and  grooming.  Valerian based, the products bring instant results and work with the pet’s own natural calming mechanisms.
The new range includes a plug diffuser, calming spray and wipes, an atomiser and a calming bandana.  Pet Remedy is one of the UK’s best selling calming brands and is available worldwide.

PetQuip (Hall 26, Stand B37) is the International Trade Association of Pet Equipment Suppliers. The PetQuip team assists and promotes the development of international trade in the pet equipment sector, providing a catalyst for business contact between manufacturers, suppliers and international buyers around the world.  As part of its free UK pet product sourcing service to overseas buyers, PetQuip has published the PetQuip Buyers’ Guide, which includes a directory of members’ product ranges, and copies will be available to all buyers visiting the PetQuip stand.

Podium Pet Products (Hall 26, Stand C32) is exhibiting its selection of 100 per cent natural shampoo bars, balms, candles and coat oils for pets, including a number of vegan options.  The company, which is well recognised internationally for bringing innovative pet products to the market, will be providing free samples to every visitor to the stand.

Simply2 Pet Products (Hall 26, Stand C27) is showing its ranges of non-slip backed fleece bedding, including a new charcoal with pink and white paws design that is both stylish and practical.  The bedding is hygienic, non-irritant and non-allergenic.  The non-slip latex ribbed backing allows free drainage and prevents movement on slippery surfaces.  Machine washable up to 40°, the bedding can be cool tumble-dried.  A large range of sizes and colours is available.

TastyBone (Hall 26, Stand B33) is showing its wide range of bones that are made from 100 per cent virgin nylon and have been tested on the most vigorous of chewers.  Using human grade flavouring, TastyBones are infused to the core, meaning they stay tasty for longer.  New additions to the range include the TastyBrush, available in two fresh new flavours, and the Flexi range designed especially for puppies, soft chewers and senior dogs.  There is also a Natural range with two authentic shapes designed as a safe and super-tough alternative to the real thing.

Tribal Pet Foods (Hall 26, Stand C23) is showing its clean, wholesome and natural, super premium dog and cat food that consists of fresh meats, with no meat meal.  The company also offers cold-pressed dog food and hand baked dog treats with superfood ingredients that are designed to keep pets healthy and nourished.  Newly launched at Zoomark are extensions to the company’s range of popular cold-pressed dog food, including a small breed variety, a new range of cold-pressed cat food and 80 per cent single-source meat sausage for dogs.

Yakers Himalayan Dog Chews (Hall 26, Stand C30) is exhibiting its dog chews and crunchy snacks that are made from the finest Himalayan yak milk.  Using traditional methods, the handmade YAKERS are 100 per cent natural, rich in protein, preservative and gluten free.  YAKERS help fight plaque and tartar, so they are great for a dog’s dental hygiene.  The Chews are available in small, medium and large sizes.

Companies wishing to learn more about the comprehensive range of services offered by PetQuip to British manufacturers and exporters of petcare products should contact the association on: telephone:  +44 (0) 44 1959 565995   or   fax:  +44 (0) 1959 565885

e-mail: info@petquip.com  or visit the PetQuip website on www.petquip.com

Global pet product expert, PetSafe Brand will be launching new additions to its popular Waste Management category at Zoomark International 2019 from May 6-9 – the first new items in the feline range since the ScoopFree Original Self-Cleaning Litter Box was launched in 2012.

As well as the Waste Management products, PetSafe Brand will be showcasing new items across other categories including Pet Doors, Drinkwell Pet Fountains, Busy Buddy dog toys and its Training and Bark Control range. The business will be exhibiting the latest merchandise and recent best sellers at Hall 26, Stand A17-A19.

Experts from PetSafe Brand will be on hand to demonstrate each product and discuss the rigorous researching and testing that goes into developing new ranges to ensure they are effective at keeping pets happy, healthy and safe.

PetSafe Brand offers a comprehensive range of mess-free, odour free waste management solutions for cats and dogs to help keep both pets and their owners happy.

A Scottish dog has been given a new lease of life after his owners were encouraged to try a honey-based product.

Anita Myatt has been treating her 10-year-old English Bull Terrier, called Chubby, with Iminohoney for the past 12 months after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Anita, a medical herbalist, who lives on a croft on the Isle of Skye with her husband Simon Larson, a photographer, said: “Chubby was diagnosed with cancer after he started developing tumours on his body.

“I’ve lost count of how many operations he had but, this time last year, we were told there was nothing else that could be done to help him.

“We knew he was getting upset too because he had started to get quite aggressive and was afraid of going to the vets.

“As a medical herbalist I champion natural medicines so when I heard about Iminohoney I wanted to try it.

“Within four weeks of taking the honey every three days in his food I could see a difference.

“The tumours stopped growing, his coat regained its shine and his skin returned to a healthy colour. Chubby suddenly had more bounce to him.

“I’ve kept in touch with his oncologist and he is surprised that he is still with us. In fact, it’s arthritis – and not cancer – that is his issue today and I’m treating that with a cucumber extract.

“Everyone thinks Chubby is a wonder dog. I’m just so happy that something as simple and natural as honey has given my lovely dog a new life.”

Welsh scientist, Dr Robert Nash, a global leader in the field of phytochemistry, created Iminohoney after discovering a special honey rich in a small and unusual molecule with very specific activity that appears to boost immunity and activate natural anti-tumour responses in the laboratory.

The honey compound, or iminosugar, is sourced from a variety of a Mediterranean plant that only grows in the mild wet conditions of west Wales and Ireland. The compound has been fully identified and extensively studied with worldwide patents.

Dr Nash’s company Sugars for Health Ltd, based in Aberystwyth, uses science to discover new health promoting natural ingredients and compounds from herbal medicines and food plants.

His work focuses on the development of new and better pharmaceutical medicines based on natural iminosugars for inflammatory disorders, diabetes and cancer.

Sugars for Health has been selected by the Welsh Government for its Accelerated Growth Programme aimed at businesses with significant growth potential.

Iminosugars are a widespread group of plant and microbial compounds that are attracting interest as therapeutic agents. They have many activities beneficial to health but due to difficulties with their identification and isolation most have remained uninvestigated.

Sugars for Health has been providing the Iminohoney to dog owners to maintain or improve the quality of life. A number of vets have trialled the product, which costs £59.99 for a pack of ten sachets, with impressive results.

The next stage is to begin using the confidence in efficacy and other information obtained to plan the development of new medicines for humans.

Dr Nash said: “Science is the key to our product range. Sugars or carbohydrates are vital to health in many ways and faults in sugar biochemistry occur in most diseases and in ageing.

“As animals age they typically have weaker immune responses which makes them more prone to various infections and diseases and for cancerous cells to take hold.

“We’re seeing that iminosugars have the remarkable ability to correct many of these errors and to restore a youthful balance.”

Dr Nash is producing a range of products derived from his iminosugar research including a product launching in America for osteo-arthritis and a European product for diabetes.

Holistic cancer vet Dr Birgit Ahlemeyer from Sussex has been using Iminohoney in combination with her other treatments. She said: “I am passionate about treating animals with the most appropriate therapy or combination of therapies in order to improve their health and quality of life.

“I love that this honey is a natural product and I really believe that it can give an immunity boost to a sick animal.”

www.drnashglycohealth.co.uk

Main picture: Anita with Chubby (photo credit Simon Larson).

Inset: Dr Robert Nash.

The Agria Dog Walk 2019 is set to unite thousands of paws across six countries, all on one day! The aim? To help raise much-needed funds for the animals that need it most, those that don’t yet have a forever home of their own.

On Saturday May 25th 2019, walks will be taking place simultaneously in locations across Europe, with dogs (with their humans) coming together to raise money for the rescue that’s local to them. Walks are planned in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Paris and several locations in the UK, from Edinburgh to Devon, and many places in-between! And you and your dog can make a difference – just by taking part.

That’s because each walk is linked to a local rescue, and for every dog that’s walked, Agria Pet Insurance will donate £5. Every penny raised will go directly to that rescue, supporting them to continue the fantastic work they do to care for and rehome animals in safe, warm and loving forever homes. So, while it’s a Europe-wide event, every dog that takes part will be directly supporting their local rescue!

As well as raising as much money as possible for rescues, the Agria Dog Walk also aims to highlight the mutual positive impact dogs and owners have on one another – in particular, from getting out and walking together. From tackling dog and human obesity to the significant mental health benefits gained by exercising with your four legged-friend, the significant evidence is there – dogs change our lives for the better. And by supporting our rescues, there for the 110,000 dogs that enter rescue every year[i], we can give something back.

Did you know that?

• Walking boosts self-perception and self-esteem, sleep quality and mood with studies showing that a walk in the countryside can leave you with a 7-hour high!
• Stress, anxiety and fatigue are all reduced by walking
• Physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and staying active helps those who are depressed to recover
• In older people, staying active can improve cognitive function, memory, attention and processing speed, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Carolyn Menteith, Agria Behaviourist and Trainer, says, "A walk is a wonderful break in the day for both you and your dog. Often, it’s the only time we get to focus 100% on them, and so it’s the perfect opportunity to deepen the bond between you and improve your relationship.

“All breeds and individuals are different - and some need long rambling walks exploring the countryside, while others like a short sprint followed by some lazing on the sofa! 

“It’s not just about walking though. It’s about knowing your dog so you can give them the right kind of exercise and doing what they really enjoy. For some dogs this can be playing retrieve games, for others hide and seek is a favourite pastime, while others enjoy practicing training exercises while out and about. The important thing is that walking your dog is something you do together – no distractions, no phones or work – just the two of you.”

A recent study to report obesity in pet dogs in the UK found 59% per cent of dogs were classified as overweight or obese[ii]. Like humans, exercise can help significantly to get any excess weight off and stay in good shape.

Lulu, a six-year-old chocolate Labrador, is a great example of how exercise and the right care can transform a dog’s life. Lulu was handed into Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home - host of the Edinburgh Agria Dog Walk - in July 2018 with balding fur and bad ears, and she was very overweight. The Home’s staff quickly went to work and provided Lulu with all the veterinary care she needed.

She was given regular medical baths, steroid ear drops and had two lumps removed from her body. She was spayed and given all necessary vaccinations. Throughout her various treatments, the Home’s devoted kennel staff worked hard to reduce Lulu’s weight, often taking her for long walks on the beach and to a local nature reserve, where she could spend her days walking and running around the beautiful surroundings. During this time, one of the kennel staff members, Lucy, fell in love with her. Lucy rehomed Lulu in January 2019 and together they are the perfect match.

Robin Hargreaves, former British Veterinary Association President and Vet Panel Lead at Agria, says, “Life can be much more painful for dogs that are obese, especially as they age, and obesity in dogs - as in humans – can trigger or exacerbate conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetes. Appropriate food and exercise are critical to avoiding and reducing obesity in dogs.

“It’s so much more fun to exercise together with your dog – and the fitter you both are the more enjoyment you can both get from being out and about together in the great outdoors. You’ll never have a more enthusiastic exercise partner – make the most of having them there to motivate you!”

So why not boost your mood, enjoy some exercise with your four-legged friend, and have a great time into the deal?

Find and register for your local Agria Dog Walk! Simply visit https://www.agriapet.co.uk/agria-dog-walk and find the link to register and see the details of the walk nearest to you – or any walk that takes your fancy – why not make a weekend of it?

Three spaniels – turned social media stars – took the lead on a fundraising dog walk for veterinary charity PDSA.

Max and Paddy were awarded the PDSA Commendation in August 2018, for their unstinting devotion to owner Kerry Irving, following a life-altering accident.

The doggy duo went on to find fame and friends across the globe as Kerry charted their exploits around the Lake District, on Facebook and Instagram.

The plucky pair and their new baby brother, 20 week-old spaniel Harry, were joined by over 100 humans and 70 dogs as they took on the fells around Thirlmere Reservoir.

Each walker donated £10 towards PDSA to join in the group walk and helped to raise over £1,500 for the charity, which treats the pets of people in need.

Speaking about the event, Kerry said: “We were thrilled when Max and Paddy were awarded the PDSA Commendation and after the presentation, I wanted to give something back. The walk itself was a huge success and broke all our previous fundraising records, so we are really proud of everything the boys have achieved.”

Max and Paddy have helped to raise over £76,500 for animal charities over the past two years. Now they are joined by pup Harry, they are set to continue the trend.

Amy Dickin oversees PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme and joined the walk at the weekend. She said: “We were blown away by the support that Max, Paddy and Harry rallied for us on Saturday. It was a very special event and all the dogs (and their humans!) were very well behaved.

“PDSA receives no government funding, so every single penny raised helps us continue to treat the sick and injured pets of the very poorest in society. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, attended and supported the event and to Kerry, his wife Angela and ‘the boys’ for being such a force for good - both for PDSA and for other worthy causes too.”

To follow Max, Paddy and Harry’s adventures, follow @Maxoutinthelakedistrict on Instagram and Facebook.

Following the successful launch of her first book “Ditch Your Puppy Fat” in 2017, Phule’s new research on molecular macrowooftrients reveals how pet food can help humans get in shape. Celebrity fitness coach Butch Pawfut has introduced his star clients to the ‘The Dog Food Diet’ and the book is already shaking up the fitness world.

“Butch has been my trainer for years and knows how extensive my research in the field has been. I’d started eating dog food when he noticed the difference in my work-out performance. He wanted to try it himself and couldn’t believe the results” Says Phule.

Pawfut finds the convenience of Pooch & Mutt wet food cartons to be the most beneficial to his jam-packed lifestyle; “The wet food cartons are so much more convenient than meal-prep. they’ve got all the nutrients I need, and the time saved preparing meals means more time in the gym and working with my clients!”

The Dog Food Diet is not the first example of a pet company causing a stir in human trends. Back in July 2018, Mane ‘N Tail horse shampoo became the go-to product of choice for Hollywood celebrities including Demi Moore. The book is already in the limelight, with reviews from celebrity fans including actress Nicole Pupman, who raved about the diet on social media last week; “I can’t get enough of Pooch & Mutt’s chews. They’re a perfect protein hit after the gym.”

The Dog Food Diet hit the shelves on April 1st in major retailers and a host of premium gyms. 

BBC Sounds will begin to cater for pets as well as people with new radio stations, music mixes and podcasts aimed at our faithful animal companions.

From today four legged listeners will be able to hear the first in a series of music mixes - Sounds for Hounds, Purrfect Playlist and Pet Sounds - and brand new podcast ‘A podcast for your Pets with Matt and Mollie’. Hosted by Matt Edmondson and Mollie King and featuring special guests including Nick Grimshaw and Greg James the podcast features shout outs and messages from listeners celebrating their pets. Pet radio and further content will roll out over the coming weeks.

BBC Sounds has been working closely with leading researcher Dr T. Abby from the Meowscow Institute of Animal Behaviour on an intensive pet listening survey, which, combined with his cutting edge research has helped BBC Sounds identify the stories and issues which matter most to people’s pets and the music most likely to lift their spirits to inform, educate and entertain them when they are home alone.

Dr T. Abby says: “I’m delighted to see BBC Sounds is taking the wellbeing of pets so seriously. The fear of abandonment is not a trivial issue for animals left on their own and BBC Sounds, using my extensive research in this area, has commissioned content with hosts that will resonate with animals, helping keep them company and lift their moods.”

Charlotte Lock, Launch Director of BBC Sounds says: “It’s our duty as a public service broadcaster to meet the needs of the widest possible audience. Whether human, canine, feline or equine we want everyone to discover and enjoy more music, radio and podcasts from the BBC.”

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Owners of a family-run pet stall have shut their city centre business after more than three decades. 

Doolan Pet Supplies - based in Hanley's indoor market - shut for the final time at the weekend with fellow traders revealing how much the stall will be missed. 

A sign had been placed at the pet store revealing March 30 is the final day - with members of the family continuing to operate at Stoke Indoor Market.

To read the full story click here

The 13^th annual Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Protect and Prevent campaign, which takes place between June 1-9, is urging vets to help raise awareness around the importance of vaccinations to protect rabbits against an outbreak of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease type 2 (RVHD2) and other fatal diseases.

RVHD2 is a highly infectious strain of RVHD with few or no visible symptoms. It is fatal and can kill within hours. RVHD2 poses a significant threat to Britain’s rabbit population and outbreaks have been reported all over the UK and Ireland meaning no area is safe.

Protection against RVHD2 requires at least annual vaccination but the most recent sales figures show that only 137,405 vaccinations have been distributed in the last year[1]. These numbers show a concerning number of vets are still not stocking the necessary vaccines to protect rabbits against RVHD2 and other fatal diseases.   

Rabbits who have received the combined vaccination for RVHD and myxomatosis will require a separate vaccination for RVHD2.

BSAVA President Susan Paterson said: “This year’s Rabbit Awareness Week highlights the impact of the spread of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease caused by the virus RVHD2. This fatal disease can be easily vaccinated against by local veterinary practices, yet many rabbits remain unvaccinated.

“The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) supports the Rabbit Awareness Week ‘Protect and Prevent’ approach to saving the lives of rabbits in the UK. The BSAVA urges all rabbit owners to get their rabbits vaccinated against this disease and encourages all practices to remind their clients of the importance of doing this."

RVHD2 often has no symptoms which can make a diagnosis of the disease difficult. Post-mortem examinations may be needed to determine the cause of death and vets are being advised that any sudden deaths may be as a result of RVHD.

As well as vaccinating against RVHD2, rabbits must also be vaccinated against myxomatosis and the original RVHD strain.

Richard Saunders BVSc DZooMed MRCVS said: "It’s important for vets to be aware of the importance of vaccinating rabbits against all 3 viral diseases: Myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD2. We certainly don't want rabbits to go without their annual myxomatosis vaccine: this horrible disease is very much still around. RVHD1 appears to have been overtaken by the new variant, RVHD2, but should still be vaccinated against. RVHD2 is a recent strain of the RVHD virus, which the Nobivac Myxo-RHD vaccine does not cover, and it is, quite literally, everywhere. Transported by inanimate objects as well as animals, it can affect both indoor and outdoor rabbits anywhere in the UK.

“If you wait until you see the first case in your area before recommending vaccination, rabbits will die, when this could be avoided. Remember that rabbit owners are much more likely to bury their dead pets at home than cat and especially dog owners, who generally bring their pets to a vet for cremation, and so we, as a profession, are under-aware of the incidence of the disease out there. RVHD2 is a core vaccination requirement, being endemic in the UK. Additionally, it’s not just a fatal disease, it’s a fatal disease with a reservoir in the wild. We strongly recommend vaccination of rabbits with either Filavac or Eravac in addition to Nobivac Myxo-RHD."

Alex Thorne from the team at Burgess Pet Care who organise RAW, said: “Thousands of vets take part in RAW every year and their support is invaluable in helping us to educate rabbit owners and improve the health and wellbeing of rabbits in the UK. This year’s campaign is a matter of life and death and we’re asking veterinary practices to help us save as many lives of rabbits as possible by raising awareness of RVHD2 and the importance of vaccinations.”

Research from the 2018 PDSA Animal Wellbeing  (PAW) Report found that 34% of rabbits aren’t registered with a vet. RAW presents a valuable opportunity to encourage new rabbit clients and to bolster the veterinary sector’s reputation as an invaluable source of information when it comes to rabbit welfare. 

Vets are being advised to start planning their RAW campaigns now for maximum success. The RAW website contains useful information on this year’s theme and how to make the most of RAW. Vets can also request their own RAW packs, which are full of useful marketing materials and free samples that will help them promote any activity they're planning during RAW. 

For more information on this year’s campaign and to request your RAW veterinary pack, please visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk

[1] IMAP –Sales figures for RVHD2 vaccinations (Mar18-Feb19).  

Police dogs who supported emergency services during the London terror attacks at Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and Borough Market are being honoured for their heroic actions by leading vet charity PDSA.

Seven police dogs from the Metropolitan Police (Met) and British Transport Police (BTP) will be awarded the PDSA Order of Merit – the animal equivalent of the OBE – at a ceremony later this year.  The dogs have been chosen to represent the 19* police dogs who served during the 2017 attacks.

Met police dogs Kai (Explosive Detection Dog), Delta (Firearms Support Dog) and Dave (Explosive Detection Dog) will receive PDSA Medals, alongside BTP Dogs Bruno (Explosive Search Dog) Marci (Firearms Support Dog), Jax (General Purpose Dog) and Bobby (Explosive Search Dog)**.

Today, the dogs and their handlers were joined by PDSA vet, Rosamund Ford, at the site of one attack, to announce the forthcoming award.  

Ms Ford said: “The actions of these incredible dogs – and their handlers – was vital in keeping the public safe and allowing the emergency services to carry out their work.  They performed their duties in a highly-charged and unfamiliar environment that no amount of training can fully prepare them for. PDSA is honoured to recognise their devotion to duty and service to society.”

Westminster Bridge - Wednesday 22 March 2017

In March 2017, Central London was hit by a terrorist attack that, in just 82 seconds, left five people dead, including a police officer, and 29 injured. 

In the moments following the attack, the BTP Explosive Search Dog Section and the Met Police Explosive Detection Dog Team were rushed to the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety.

BTP Dogs Ollie, Oscar, Bruno and Scooby searched through the chaos for potential devices that could cause further harm on the bridge itself and around Parliament Square. 

They were joined at the scene by Met Police Dogs Kai and Bruce and their handlers.  They searched the car that had crashed into the wall of the Palace of Westminster, as a precautionary measure in case it contained a bomb.  Once safe, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services landed in Parliament Square to help injured victims.

Police protocol states that if an object or area has been declared suspicious, all emergency services must withdraw until the scene is confirmed safe. The dogs and handlers put themselves directly in harm’s way to secure the scene, ensure safety for the public and allow life-saving treatment of casualties.

London Bridge/Borough Market - Saturday 3 June 2017

In June 2017, a white van containing three attackers drove into 10 pedestrians on London Bridge, seriously injuring eight and killing two. The van collided with the railings alongside Barrow Boy and Banker Public House. The attackers alighted from the van armed with knives and appeared to be wearing suicide vests. They ran through Borough Market, continuing their assaults on innocent members of public. Eight people were killed and 48 people were injured during the attack.

BTP General Purpose Dog Teams were called to the scene to clear the streets, buildings and public areas alongside firearms officers. Police Dogs Jax, Marci, Johnny, Rocy, Tara and Bobby searched amid a volatile situation for over 13 hours, virtually non-stop.  

Police Dogs Tara, Rocy and Bobby arrived on scene and they worked tirelessly, never faltering in their duty.

Met Police Dogs Alfie, Dave, Poppy and Robson were also deployed to undertake a systematic search of the area.  Together with Police Dog Kai (who qualified November 2016 and was relatively inexperienced) they searched a dozen buildings.  

Police Dog Delta worked with his handler and a team of Firearms Officers to search over 30 buildings. His skills, calibre and professionalism saved vital time.

At Borough Market, the Met Dog Teams joined Armed Officers to search for a suspect who was still unaccounted for, despite the unknown risk level to themselves and their dogs.  

Meanwhile, Police Dogs Casper and Romeo were tasked with searching the suspects’ suicide vests for explosives.

Police Dog Casper and his handler were later dispatched to clear a suspect vehicle under a nearby railway bridge that, it was believed, could be harbouring an explosive device.  Despite the horrendous surrounding conditions, Casper was able to indicate the vehicle was safe, allowing visual check inside the vehicle to take place.  

Throughout the incident the teams worked with the knowledge that potential further danger remained all around them, but put the safety of the public ahead of their own as they tirelessly continued their work. 

Award reaction

Commenting on the awards, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “During both attacks in 2017, the role played by all of the Police Dogs was crucial.  They are trained to search transport, buildings and events, usually in a non-hostile environment. Yet on these occasions they worked in unimaginable conditions, remaining calm and responsive.

“Their devotion and service to society was incredible, especially under such distressing circumstances, and we will never forget those who lost their lives in these appalling attacks.  Recognising the actions of these devoted dogs with our prestigious PDSA Order of Merit will be an honour.”

British Transport Police Inspector Paul Miles said: “I am immensely proud of our dogs and their handlers, and absolutely thrilled to see their bravery and resilience recognised through this very special award. They worked through physically and emotionally challenging conditions without second thought, courageously walking into danger and putting the public’s safety before their own. 

“While today is a day of celebration, the horror of 2017 will never leave us, and our thoughts will always remain with those who lost their lives and were injured in these terrible incidents.”

Chief Inspector Graham Horwood from the Met’s Taskforce said: “In 2017 we were sadly met with some unimaginable events and our thoughts and condolences remain with those affected. 

“Our Police Dogs and their handlers were required to work in the most challenging environments and we are delighted to hear that their extraordinary work has been recognised.

“It is an honour for them to receive such a prestigious award and they will continue to work day and night to keep London safe.”

The Met and BTP Dogs will take the total number of PDSA Order of Merit recipients to 27, including 17 dogs and 10 horses. The PDSA Medal, which was instituted in 2014, recognises animals who display outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society, above and beyond normal companionship – and represents an exceptional example of the special relationship between animals and humans. For more information about the previous recipients, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsaorderofmerit. 

PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme was instituted in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin. She believed that, if animals were recognised for their heroic actions, it would help to raise their status in society, ensuring they are better treated. The charity continues this legacy today with the world’s leading Animal Awards Programme. 

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity providing free and reduced cost veterinary care to the pets of people in financial need. The charity strives to improve the wellbeing of all pets’ lives through providing preventive care, educating pet owners and treating pets when they become sick or injured. Today, PDSA treats around 470,000 of the UK’s most vulnerable pets a year through our nationwide network of 48 Pet Hospitals. For more information about the charity visit www.pdsa.org.uk. 

Natures Menu has launched a new healthy treat – Country Hunter Superfood Bars.

Launched to consumers at Crufts this year, the chewy superfood bars, which are part of the Natures Menu Country Hunter range, are suitable for all dogs. Great tasting and rich in protein, the bars are made with only natural, real ingredients. 

Gently air-dried to retain the natural goodness and provide a mouth-watering chewy texture, the bars are available in a range of flavours including Beef with Spinach and Quinoa; Salmon and White Fish with Cranberries and Kelp; Duck with Carrot and Pumpkin Seeds; Chicken with Coconut and Pumpkin Seeds; and Turkey with Cranberry and Pumpkin.

Made with quality human grade ingredients, the bars come in 100g resealable bags and are the ideal healthy snack or training treat for dogs.

Natures Menu specialises in raw dog and cat food made with fully-traceable quality meats and fish, blended vegetables, fruits and healthy carbohydrates, and uses British suppliers and ethical product sources wherever possible. 

Retailers wanting to find out more information about Natures Menu and their range can email trade@naturesmenu.co.uk, phone 0800 0183770 or visit

www.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade-landing. By registering for a trade account, retailers can gain access to hassle-free online ordering, great value freezer deals and point of sale, plus free training and the option to become a qualified Raw Advisor.

For more information about Natures Menu’s Country Hunter range visit https://www.naturesmenu.co.uk/country-hunter

Rapidly expanding fish-based pet treats company Wild Ocean Omega3 Fish Snacks Ltd., trading as WOOFS exhibited for the first time at Crufts recently.

Based in Surrey, WOOFS experienced sell-outs on their stand on all four days of the show and managed to secure several new stockists including a new raw pet food distributor who had two pet shops in Swansea and three grooming establishments and two veterinary practices..

They also tested out new product samples at the show which has now led to the introduction of several new lines to the range which will be added by the end of March.

WOOFS is one of the only few UK pet food companies to hold the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate, which means that all the fish that goes into the manufacture of the treats is from fully traceable and sustainable sources and that the WOOFS’ fishery has been independently assessed on its specific impacts to wild fish populations and the ecosystems surrounding the areas where the fish are caught.

The treats are packed full of Omega 3 and have many health benefits for dogs. In addition, WOOFS accesses all of the raw material used in its manufacturing bases, ensuring that the best quality fish is utilised in all of its current and future products.

WOOFS currently produce Cod Cookies, Cod Fingers, Cod Crunchers, Cod Cubes, Dried Sprats and Granola which are available in different sized packs and beautifully crafted kiln jars. Following the success at Crufts, Cod Skin Tubes, Herring Training Treats and Cod Meat Sticks have now been added to the range 

The company is also looking to develop a premium dry food and is working with leading pet nutritionist, Moddie Lambert to introduce a range of fish-based raw food recipes. WOOFS are also in a position to offer retailers high quality whole fresh frozen fish to cater for raw feeders.

WOOFS are now exporting to Hong Kong, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Saudi Arabia. as well as stocking independent retailers and major online retailers such as Ocado, Fetch and Amazon. The company is looking to work even closer with retailers in the UK and increase its presence in the show dog, breeder and veterinary markets.

Stewart Irvine, company founder says: “We are extremely delighted with WOOFS’ success at Crufts. The company wants to bring top quality fish products to the attention of discerning dog owners and Crufts was an ideal platform to do this and try out new samples.

"Packed full of  Omega 3, an essential fatty acid that must be supplied in the diet because it cannot be created by the body, WOOFS tasty treats help support healthy vision, joint mobility and can help heal sore, flaky, damaged or itchy skin. The brittle nature and rough texture of the fish skin, is also great for reducing tartar and plaque, which creates healthier teeth, gums and a fresher breath.

"Fish is a great, easily digestible protein source for dogs and is ideal as a snack for overweight dogs who are trying to lose weight or dogs with allergies or intolerances. It also makes an excellent dog training treat so it is ideal for use in the show or agility ring and can also be used to train gun and working dog breeds.”

WOOFS offer retailers two space saving point-of-sale display units to display retail packs on.

If you are interested in becoming a stockist fill in the form at: www.woofs.co.uk/pages/stockists or email Steve Nile at s.nile@woofs.co.uk or to find out more about WOOFS visit: www.woofs.co.uk

Members of the public are urged to put food and water out now as hedgehogs will be dehydrated and hungry following their hibernation and their natural food sources will be in short supply. However, it’s really important to feed the right food such as Brambles Crunchy Hedgehog Food or Brambles Meaty Hedgehog Food.

Sales Manager David Tracey comments “Members of the public are increasingly trying to help wildlife but are often confused as what to feed wild animals such as hedgehogs. Being on the endangered list, hedgehogs need all the help they can get but feeding foods such as mealworms, peanuts, sunflower hearts, dried fruit, food with added sugar and fat levels above 15% are very harmful to hedgehogs and should be avoided”.

Stock up with Brambles wildlife foods and see your wildlife sales and profits increase.

Brambles wildlife foods are used by wildlife hospitals and are available through major pet wholesalers and Rosewood Pet Products and we are proud suppliers to the RSPB and the Woodland Trust.

www.bramblespaw.co.uk

Companion Consultancy, the PR and marketing agency run by vets, has appointed Liz Barton, vet and co-founder of the WellVet initiative, to the role of Senior Account Manager.

Liz will be involved in all aspects of the business, delivering the wide range of services provided by Companion Consultancy. She shares the company’s vision to use its veterinary insights to support businesses and expand and develop additional projects, including Veterinary Woman.

Liz graduated in 2004 and has enjoyed a varied veterinary career, including mixed practice in Cumbria, small animal internship, ECC and shelter medicine. The wellbeing of the profession became an increasing concern and inspired Liz to create the free online resource hub www.vetsnet.net in 2017. Liz has developed a deep understanding of human factors affecting the veterinary team. She has also developed skills in web development, marketing and social media and the forward step into PR and marketing builds on this experience.

Liz has collaborated on a number of projects, including co-founding WellVet to host sports and wellbeing weekends. She is also a member of the working group which delivered the Vets: Stay, Go, Diversity LIVE! event. This year, Liz was voted onto SPVS board to coordinate the SPVS/MMI practice wellbeing awards.

Susan McKay, Director of Companion Consultancy, says: “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the team. She brings with her a wealth of experience and understanding of the veterinary profession, article writing, social media, event management and branding. We share common values and a passion to provide excellent service to our clients. Her vision for creating resources that help the profession ties in perfectly with our ethos and we are excited to start work on some new projects.”

Just one week after his 12th birthday George Carter blazed a brilliant trail at the World Sled Dog Association Championships in Germany. He was the youngest competitor there!

His proud mum Mary told CSJ, “George did well - it was his first race in snow, his first time representing Scotland and his first international race.”  

Coming 6th in the Sled 2 Dogs Junior 5,5km races against tough competition from countries including Poland, Austria, Russia, GBR, Italy, Germany and France was made even harder by the challenging weather experienced in Haidmuhle.

George and his brother Bob have sled dog racing in their blood … mum Mary and dad John are multiple Gold medalists and amongst numerous other accolades John is a WSA World Dryland Champion and Mary an IFSS World Champion and IFSS European Champion.

Home is The Bowland Trails in Blairgowrie where, apart from the sled dog training activities, their very popular Siberian Husky rides are now on offer – where people can take a ride as a passenger with a large team of huskies.    

The family share their home with around 40 ‘Satanta’ Siberian Huskies plus Scandinavian hounds, farm collies, Maremma sheepdogs working as Stock Guardian dogs, a flock of registered Hebridean sheep, rescue hens, a Whitebred Shorthorn bull  and  the Glasclune Fold of Highland Cattle. 

Phew!  George was definitely ‘born to race’ and CSJ are looking forward to following his career as the story continues…

Find out more about John and Mary Carter’s fascinating careers at www.csjk9.com and www.leaddog-training.com

George photo courtesy Vicky Pullin.

The Pet Industry Federation has announced the launch of a new trade show aimed at all pet businesses within the UK pet industry, including those within the pet services sector.

It builds on research that the Pet Industry Federation undertook with manufacturers and retailers which highlighted a desire to create more opportunities at a trade show to showcase activities and features which attract the full range of pet service businesses.

The new show will re-establish the name of Petindex, and is scheduled to take place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April 2020 at the Marshall Arena (Stadium MK) in Milton Keynes.

The Petindex show will have a strongly education focused theme, as well as providing opportunities for new and established manufacturers to meet a broad range of pet businesses from retailers, pet groomers; to brand influencers such as dog walkers to pet sitters, home boarders and boarding establishments. It will also incorporate the popular Pet Industry Federation Awards, as well as the 2020 British Dog Grooming Championship to bring a celebratory component of the event for every type of business.

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO said: "The Pet Industry Federation is at the heart of the UK’s pet industry, with our membership bringing together businesses from the whole industry in a way which no other UK organisation does. Our revitalised Petindex show will therefore provide a unique platform to unite the whole industry under one roof at one event, attracting a wide audience of pet professionals looking for more than just a trade show. All this at a fantastic, centrally located venue with on-site hotel and great road and rail access."

The show will feature:

• Concurrent seminars and demonstrations aimed at all sectors
• Extensive networking opportunities
• The British Dog Grooming Championship
• Trade stands
• The PIF Awards

Petindex will include some fantastic sponsorship and trade stand opportunities to companies looking to open dialogue with a broad range of pet businesses that have strong brand influencing qualities.

A dedicated website will soon go live which will contain further information about the Petindex show: www.petindexshow.com

Wilsons Pet Food, a Perthshire-based pet food company that can trace its heritage back well over a hundred years, has announced its products are now in over 52 stockists across the UK and this number continues to grow.

With a long history in working dog foods, the company now produces an expanded range of products to cater for an ever-demanding consumer and continues to innovate within the pet food sector. They source only the best quality ingredients and produce top quality, appetising foods which help to maintain the health and vitality of any dog.

With the only purpose- built factory in the UK to produce cold press food, Wilsons are hoping to expand their customer base even further. They want to establish the Wilsons brand even more in the pet food market by adding a raw pet food and natural treat offering later in the year. They have made supporting the independent retailer their priority by not discounting online, offering free samples and point-of-sale material in the way of posters and by creating boosted posts online to support new retailers. Recent stockists of the cold press range include Broughty Ferry Pet Supplies, Raemoir Garden Centre,  Ferrari Horse Feeds, J&T Rodger, Angus Pets and Aquatics, Abbey Pet Shop and Paws & Claws.

The Wilsons Pet Food owner, Craig Wallace says,

“Our cold press food has the correct level of protein as well as the right balance of fat to protein, something often missed in dry dog food Our range was developed with the help of pet nutritionists Milka and Damir Tesla who organise the Nordic Pet Food Conference and are experts in the field of cold press pet food."

 Cold Press Dog Food is a dry dog food which is pressed at a lower temperature of 55 - 65°C compared to ‘kibbled’ dry dog food which is extruded at a temperature of approximately 145°C.

High temperatures result in the destruction of proteins and complexing of starches (sugars) reducing digestibility and thus absorption within the gut. Cold pressing minimises the impact of temperature damage and produces a food with greater digestibility and superior nutritional value.

The lower temperatures used with Cold Press Technology allow a greater range of beneficial raw materials to be added, including fragile herbs which have significant health benefits for dogs and are sources of essential vitamins and antioxidants. These cannot be used in traditional extruded ‘kibble’ as they would be almost entirely destroyed in the high temperature process.

The natural pressing and blending of materials create a high density, high nutrient, high digestibility product that breaks down naturally and quickly in the digestion process; releasing all the value and goodness as it does so. Whereas, traditional kibble can remain intact and partially digested for hours.

“The Cold Press process itself brings a number of benefits,” says Craig, “however, at Wilsons we are mindful that a well-rounded product needs good quality ingredients and a well-balanced, nutritional recipe. We have worked with the top nutritionists specialising in Cold Press products, who have, based on scientific studies, created a complete dog food with all 6 of the major nutrient groups:  Carbohydrate , Protein , Fat , Vitamins , Minerals and Water.

“Achieving a good balance of vitamins/minerals is important and we have ensured that our product adheres to the “golden ratio” for 1 part Phosphorous to 2 parts Calcium to aid bone development.

“The Cold Press technique has also allowed us to incorporate super foods which provide additional vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including:  Seaweed, Ginger, Turmeric, Thyme , Cranberry , Dandelion Root and Merry Gold Yellow .

 “An important trend in today’s market is the prevalence of “Grain Free” foods, with key emphasis on the removal of Wheat Gluten from products. We have designed two of products to be completely grain free with our other product using a low allergenicity gluten source, rice.

“Our recipes have been designed with a limited ingredient ethos with single source protein. It was essential for us to keep the product as natural as possible and so we have prioritised achieving nutritional balance through ingredients. Wherever possible we use all UK ingredients.”

The Wilsons cold press food is currently available in three varieties, Mountain Stream which is Scottish Salmon and Sweet Potato, Sweet Pasture which is British Lamb and Brown Rice and Sunrise Song which is Chicken and Vegetables. The recipes can be purchased in 2.5 and 10 kg bags.

For further information on Wilsons Pets Foods visit: www.wilsonspetfood.co.uk. If you are interested in becoming a stockist visit: www.wilsonspetfood.co.uk/become-a-stockist/ or Tel: 01250 798298

When Adrian Wilkinson, Director of FourFriends Pet Foods, turned up to exhibit his Otterhound Flo on the breeds’ Discover Dogs stand at Crufts, he had no idea his dog would end up being a TV star.

The Otterhound is an old British dog breed. It is a scent hound and is currently recognised by the Kennel Club as a Vulnerable Native Breed with around 600 animals worldwide. The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. Originally bred for hunting, it has great strength and a strong body with long striding steps.

This makes it able to perform prolonged hard work. The Otterhound hunts its quarry both on land and in water and it has a combination of characteristics unique among hounds; most notably an oily, rough, double coat and substantial webbed feet. They have a nose that can track in the mud and water for many hours.^.They have extremely sensitive noses which make them inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents. They are friendly dogs with a unique bass voice.

Adrian has been interested in showing Otterhounds for a number of years and it was his interest in these dogs that led him to set up FourFriends Pet Foods in the UK. This Swedish brand is synonymous with quality ingredients. Only the muscular parts of the chicken, gently dried to meat meal are used in the dry complete food range. Up to 92% of the total amount of protein in both the dry and wet food ranges comes from animal origin. The range uses chicken, lamb, duck, wild boar and turkey - and in some products, a combination of them.

A well known botanical plant, Aloe Vera is a key ingredient in FourFriends complete food recipes. Used for centuries around the world, Aloe Vera is crammed full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it one of nature’s most effective cleansers. It is especially effective in the cleansing of the dog’s or cat’s intestine. It is also great as an anti-inflammatory. Being rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium and potassium it is excellent for the skin and coat.

All FourFriends products are manufactured in accordance with Formula Security Scandinavia, guaranteeing the quality of each product. Customers also have access to excellent advice from FourFriends own pet nutritionist, Meri Hakkarainen in Sweden.

Adrian concludes: “At FourFriends we have genuine interest in animal health both in Sweden and here in the United Kingdom. We know what's best for your animal! The idea of ​​FourFriends is to make a food that makes your cat and dog healthy, strong and radiant - from the inside out because we know that stomach and health go hand in hand. We only use high quality raw materials and there is no ingredient in the recipes that is unnecessary such as fillers. Dogs are carnivorous animals, i.e. carnivores and we have taken that into account and have a lot of muscle meat in our recipes. Because we love all dogs, we add Aloe Vera – a natural ingredient that is kind to your pet.

“We feed our own dogs on the range and it helps to keep them in tip top condition. This is particularly important now as Flo has become a TV star although she was more interested in having a snooze on set than being a diva.”

James Kennedy, new Sales Director for Forthglade natural pet food, has been enjoying his first few months working within the pet food sector, taking the lead at events such as PATS and Crufts.

James joins the Devon-based natural pet food company with 20 years of commercial sales experience across the FMCG sector, supporting brands including Wrigley’s, Mars and Thatcher’s Cider. 

James oversees a 10-strong national sales team, covering all areas of the trade as well as international sales.

He said: “The pet food sector is proving an incredibly exciting sector to work in - it’s such a dynamic category.

"Joining Forthglade, a company that has such a strong reputation for quality has been a real privilege.

"The past few months have been a very busy time for us. With the launch of the newly built Devon factory production has been a key focus.

"Whilst the factory’s been bedded in, there’s also been a huge increase in sales, however, it’s great that our production is now higher than it’s ever been before and at a level required to catch up with our orders. We’ve been hugely grateful for the trade’s patience whilst production has needed to increase - availability remains our priority”.

“This year we’re also increasing our focus on new POS and in-store support. Newly designed floor standing displays are in production along with shelf strips, barkers and promotional header cards which we look forward to sharing soon.

"There’s also additional POS available to help promote our popular new mini treats and our other new products such as the new complete grain-free recipes chicken & Liver and Sardines plus our new gourmet meal. It’s been an exciting time for us with new recipes launched”.

“I’m really looking forward to the next PATS event, as it proves such a great opportunity to meet more of our customers face to face. Independent retailers have such a unique opportunity to engage with pet owners first hand, we’re really keen to offer as much support as we can in 2019 to help highlight all the health benefits of feeding a Forthglade diet."

For all Forthglade trade enquiries contact trade@forthglade.com

The latest in the highly successful ‘Meet the International Buyers’ events organised by the Gardenex and PetQuip associations will take place at the Federation’s head office in Brasted, Kent on Wednesday, March 27.

The buyers that have been invited to take part in one-to-one business discussions with British suppliers will be seeking to source a wide range of garden, leisure and pet products.

The garden product buyers include a German mail order/online sales company, a Swedish online store and importer/distributor and a Spanish franchise group of 44 garden centres.  Also from the garden sector will be a Dutch buying organisation that services a retail franchise of 27 garden centres and a retail organisation that supports 120 independent Dutch and Belgian garden centres.

Seeking to source a range of pet products will be a buyer from a leading Lithuanian retail chain of 73 stores that is also an importer/wholesaler supplying over 700 retailers and veterinary practices.  A buyer from a leading pet food and accessories distributor based in Dubai will complete the line-up in the latest event organised by Gardenex and PetQuip.

 To ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for 25 minute one-to-one meetings with any of the buyers on 27 March, or to find out more about future ‘Meet the International Buyers’ events for both the garden and pet sectors, please contact theresa@gardenex.com as soon as possible.  

For further information on Gardenex or PetQuip, the trade associations that works on behalf of British companies to help them increase sales worldwide, contact telephone +44 (0) 1959 565 995 or email: info@petquip.com or info@gardenex.com

Now in its sixth year there is no doubt that Bring Your Dog To Work Day has captured the imagination of our dog loving nation.

It has become a highlight in the UK calendar - people love taking their best friend to work with them, it's great fun and there are some seriously positive mental health benefits of having four-legged co-workers at work. 

Celebrities such as Ricky Gervais, Lorraine Kelly, and many more including dog lover Peter Egan, all promote the event through their twitter feeds. 

Top media outlets, like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and broadcasters have dogs on their radio and TV programmes and also tweet about it. The hashtag #BringYourDogToWork always trends at number one and last year reached millions of users.  Even the Disney company made a special animated tweet of all the famous Disney Dogs.

The time to get involved is now, put a big red circle on the calendar to make sure your company doesn't miss out on Britain's favourite doggie charity day.

If you're the boss take a look at the HR guidelines and the Media Success Pack 2018 , and if you're an employee and want to persuade your boss to have dogs at work on Bring Your Dog To Work Day download the Info Pack to help make the day run as smoothly and enjoyably as possible.

Bring Your Dog To Work Day is raising money this year for two animal welfare charities: All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia. Official event sponsors can also choose to raise funds for their own animal welfare charities.  Bring Your Dog To Work Day was founded by multi-award winning pet care brand HOWND and has raised thousands of pounds for animal welfare charities over the past five years.

In return for a business making a minimum £100 donation, its company logo and website link will be displayed on the homepage, and it will receive a thank you shout out on social media from the organisers and the two charities.  The organisers will share all Bring Your Dog To Work Day official sponsors in-house fundraising events, competitions and activities in its social feeds.  All companies have to do is use the hashtag #Bringyourdogtoworkday.

Jo Amit, co-owner of HOWND and founder and organiser of Bring Your Dog To Work Day says: "Having dogs around the office has so many benefits. It is well known that the presence of dogs can help reduce stress levels and blood pressure and it's great for staff morale. It is not too early to start planning for 21st June - this "pawtastic" day out for our furry friends and their owners with thousands of companies taking part throughout the UK. We love the response the event gets each year - it's a real highlight for us to see so many happy dogs and owners at work together."

Sponsorship is open to any business. Previous sponsors have included a diverse range of businesses from across the UK and Europe, with high profile brands from the pet sector, white goods companies, law firms, hospitality, private jet companies, luxury sectors, TV shows, comedians, and more taking part.  

For dog owners, a "pooch selfie" of a dog at work in the home or office, in the shop, in the cab of a lorry, or wherever it is safe to have a dog in the workplace, can be uploaded to the "Dog With A Job Hall of Fame" for a minimum £10 donation.  Anyone that donates £10 or more will be automatically be entered into our Bring Your Dog To Work Day annual prize draw with a chance to win £100s worth of goodies from the official business sponsors. See competition page.

www.bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk

twitter: @BringDog2WorkUK

Leading figures from the UK pet supply industry were among the delegates and speakers at the conference on The Future for International Trade, held in Stratford upon Avon. The event was organised by leading trade associations, PetQuip, Gardenex, and BHETA.

One of the successful businesses that gave an export case study presentation was pet care hygiene product manufacturer Group55, a long-standing member of PetQuip. 

The company’s managing director, Stephen Turner, gave an inspiring presentation on how Group55 had developed international sales to the position today where its products are now sold in over 50 channels in over 50 countries.   

In his advice on ‘preparing to export’, Stephen emphasised the importance of using every available research resource, being organisationally prepared and gaining awareness of regulations and the possible need for product alignment in different markets. 

During the day the packed audience enjoyed a number of highly informative presentations that investigated the possible paths that the convoluted Brexit negotiations could take and their effects on British exporters.  

The opening speaker was John Arnold, a Government lobbyist with an in-depth knowledge of government and the political scene, who provided a fascinating and entertaining backdrop to the current political situation.  There were then incisive and illuminating presentations from international trade consultant Strong and Herd, Rathbone Investment Management and the director of legal advisors Dechert LLP, which has a top international trade for business department.

Richard Tauwhare of Dechert commented after the event: “I thought it was a really first-class event, with a great line up of speakers, lively discussion, excellent networking opportunities, some very interesting experts available for consultation and highly efficient administration.  I enjoyed meeting some of the delegates, from a fascinating range of backgrounds, and learning from the other presenters, particularly the case studies, which really help to bring the issues to life.

Moving the focus to the long term future opportunities in export, Euromonitor explored global megatrends and the effect they have in shaping product design and retail developments in consumer markets worldwide.  

Further guidance and in-depth export information and advice was provided throughout the one-day conference by a wide range of experienced export service providers and experts specialising in translations, logistics, trend analysis, business travel and research grants among many. Representatives from the DiT and trade exhibitions were also on hand, and Glee was the event’s industry sponsor.

Commenting after the event, director general of PetQuip and Gardenex, Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “Our aim in organising the conference was to assure businesses in our product sectors that -- regardless of the outcome of the protracted discussions on our country’s departure from the European Union -- there is a raft of expert help and guidance available through our trade associations and our wide range of associate service providers to help smooth the path for continued export growth in the long term.  Trading internationally remains an important element of the majority of companies’ long term stability and success, and suppliers in the pet supplies sector can be assured that in PetQuip they have direct access to a dedicated team that is delivering essential advice, exclusive research, business information and international sales contacts that current member companies are turning into new business globally.

“New export initiatives we are delivering are hard on the conference’s heels: this month PetQuip is organising the British exhibitor group at Global Pet Expo in Florida and has arranged for pet buyers from Dubai and Lithuania to meet with UK suppliers at a ‘Meet the  International Buyers’ event on 27 March.  Then, at the beginning of May, the association will be organising the British pavilion at Zoomark in Bologna, Italy.”