Figures from leading vet charity PDSA, which is providing vital care for pets during the cost-of-living crisis, have revealed that four million pet owners (almost 18%) are making savings on their weekly food shop to ensure they can continue to provide for their pets.

A similar proportion of people (16%, or 3.7 million pet owners) are reducing their energy consumption to cut costs so they can continue to care for their pet. This comes as Google searches for ‘save money on heating’ spiked by a shocking 878% in 2022.

PDSA has warned these unsettling findings reflect the stark reality for pet owners, many of whom are being forced to make drastic cutbacks as they desperately struggle to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, as many as 770,000 owners are even going without necessities, including skipping meals, to keep money aside to afford the costs associated with looking after their four-legged friends.

Having juggled expensive bills throughout winter, alongside the soaring cost of living, owners may face a further hit this April. While the energy price cap is being reduced, meaning the amount suppliers can charge goes down, government help – in the form of the energy price guarantee – is set to come to an end. This means a household's energy bills could increase by around £3,000.

The looming spring budget announcement also isn’t expected to go a long way in easing the strain on UK pet owners’ pockets. The huge hike in everyday living costs means pet owners will continue to struggle with the cost of loving their companions.

The owners of four million pets across the UK are giving up personal luxuries as the cost-of-living crisis rages on, while two millions pets’ families are cancelling or not going on holiday to save as much money as possible to continue caring for their pets.

Nearly half (47%) of owners are worried about affording the cost of treatment if their pet should fall ill or be injured – making PDSA’s support crucial. A quarter of all pet owners (26%) said they would go into debt, either with family and friends or via credit and loans, to cover the cost of unexpected vet treatment.

Yet, 95% of people are determined to do whatever possible to avoid having to make the agonizing decision of rehoming them, or having them put to sleep, due to the ever-increasing costs to live.

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon, Lynne James, said: “Everyone wants the best for their pets and hearing the lengths loving owners are having to go to during the cost-of-living crisis so they can continue providing for them is heart-breaking.

“In 2022 we provided veterinary care for over 390,000 pets, whose owners would otherwise have struggled to afford the cost and may even have had to resort to other options such as rehoming. Now more than ever, the treatment we provide is a lifeline for families who face the horrible decision of being able to eat regular meals or provide their furry family member with their usual necessities.

“It’s PDSA’s mission to keep people and pets together. Last year we helped more than 330,000 pet owners. With more than half of those who rely on our services aged 55 and over, and 37% disabled or living with a serious health condition, their pet often provides vital companionship. For lots of our clients, their pets are their only companion, and their lives would be unimaginable without them.

“I’d encourage anyone struggling to afford the cost of veterinary treatment to find out if they are entitled to access our services by visiting the eligibility checker on our website. We also have lots of free advice on how to reduce the cost of caring for pets, while ensuring they remain healthy and happy.”

PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. To help keep pets and people together, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision.

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost of loving crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis.

Seeing the latest pet products launched under one roof is a major attraction to PATS visitors, and this month’s show at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, is getting ready to unveil more than 200 new items.

With such a high number and quality of entries to the popular New Product Showcase, PATS Sandown exhibitors can’t wait to show their latest products to visiting retailers and buyers.

Products entered into the Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers and retail experts on the first day of the show (Sunday, 26 March) to decide the winners of the New Product Awards.

Exhibitors know the importance of having their latest launches displayed in the Showcase, which will be prominently located in the Surrey Hall’s Madri Lounge. 

Grant Rogers, director of 3P Enterprise, said: “Exhibiting at PATS is always exciting when we have new products to present to the market. This year we are not only launching new products under the Henry Wag, but we have taken on distribution of the Jolly Pets Toy range. PATS gives us the perfect platform to launch new products to the market and we are quivering in anticipation at being able to present these new products to the trade.”

Robert Rock, head of sales of Westland Pet Division, commented: “We are delighted to be attending PATS Sandown again. PATS is a great show for us and it’s a real opportunity for us to showcase our new products to both existing and new trade customers. The show also helps us to explore new relationships to grow the bird care category with our market leading brands Peckish and Bucktons.”

The New Product Showcase is designed to help buyers find the latest and most exciting products to hit the pet trade. Once visitors have seen what they like, they then have the opportunity of visiting the stand of the manufacturer or supplier of that product to discuss it in more detail. There is an information card beside each product, giving details such as suggested retail price and where to find the supplier.

With so many new products on show and more than 150 companies and brands exhibiting at PATS Sandown this year, the exhibition is set to draw an equally impressive amount of visitors. 

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk where retailers and visitors can register for free entry to the show.

PATS Sandown takes place at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, on Sunday, 26 March, and Monday, 27 March 2023.

Opening times

Sunday 26th March 2023: 9.30am-5.00pm

Monday 27th March 2023: 9.30am-4.00pm

Henry Wag, the dog accessories brand focussed on providing product solutions for pet parents with an active outdoor lifestyle, will be bringing four new products to market this spring. The UK brand will be unveiling the products at PATS Sandown.

The new products are a Paw Cleaner, Water bottle with drinking bowl, the Easy-Roll Travel bed and the Snaffle Pack folding travel food and water bowls. These new products are the result of customer feedback and continue to provide adventurous pet parents with solutions to the problems experienced on expedition days out and nights away from home.  

“We are all about making travelling pet ownership easier and offer products to help parents deal with the challenges of exercising and travelling with dogs,” commented Grant Rogers the founder of Henry Wag. “Anyone who is active knows how mucky dogs get and how they need food and water when on the move. Our products provide solutions to these issues and make life safer and easier for pets and their parents.”

The Water bottle, available in 2 colour options, holds 500ml and comes with a flexible plastic sleeve to provide an instant drinking bowl. The Easy-Roll Travel Bed folds neatly into a pouch with a strap making it easy to carry. The Snaffle Pack Food and Water Set folds small enough to fit in a pocket allowing parents to feed and water their pets on the move and the Paw Cleaner, with a little added water removes mud and dirt from paws before the journey home, keeping car interiors nice and clean.

All four products will be on the new product gallery at PATS Sandown and on the Henry Wag stand #M5. 

Further information is available at enquiries@henrywag.com

Westland Pet Division’s number one specialist brand Bucktons, which is exclusive to the pet channel, will be showcasing its products along with Peckish at PATS Sandown on 26-27 March.

Robert Rock, Head of Sales, commented: “The Westland Pet Division are delighted to be attending PATS again at Sandown in March. PATS is a great show for us and it’s a real opportunity for us to showcase our new products to both existing and new trade customers. The show also helps us to explore new relationships to grow the bird care category with our market leading brands Peckish and Bucktons.

“At Westland Pet, we understand birds and our expert nutritionists ensure the products we sell across wild bird, indoor bird and pigeon, provide all the nutritional goodness that birds need.

“To ensure you receive nothing but the best service to drive our pet care brands we’d like to welcome our new fully dedicated sales team to the pet channel. Now with five territory managers covering the UK independent pet market to help drive your business. 

Robert Rock, our new Head of Sales commented that “The Westland Pet Division are delighted to be attending PATS again at Sandown in March. PATS is a great show for us and it’s a real opportunity for us to showcase our new products to both existing and new trade customers. The show also helps us to explore new relationships to grow the bird care category with our market leading brands Peckish and Bucktons.

“So please do get in touch if Peckish and Bucktons can help to support your business with any range and display solutions for the bird care category.”

Take a look at the brand websites for more information on products:

www.peckishbirdfood.com 

www.bucktons.co.uk  

Wild Bird Food Range

For many people, attracting, feeding and observing a myriad collection of bird visitors is an integral part of the day. That’s why at Bucktons, we’ve created exceptional mixes which not only cater for the fact that birds’ nutritional requirements change by season and species, but also keep them and your customers coming back for more, all year round.

Indoor and Aviary Bird Food Range

Whether kept for companionship, breeding or displaying in shows and competitions, Bucktons has everything your customers need to keep their birds happy and healthy. We are the friendly expert to turn to for nutritional advice at every stage of their bird’s life. We use only the finest quality ingredients that will fly off your shelves.

Racing Pigeon Food Range

Bucktons is the name that’s highly regarded across the pigeon community. It’s tried, tested and trusted for its highly competitive mixtures for both professional and amateur fanciers and breeders. Our unrivalled commitment to the sport means that we dedicate resources to support the hobby through annual sponsorships and partnerships. 

Exclusive Show Deals

Bucktons and Peckish have lots of exclusive deals that are only available stand F13 at PATS Sandown.

Investment company BGF (Business Growth Fund) has completed a £6m funding agreement with natural pet food brand Scrumbles. The investment will enable the expansion of the company’s senior team and support the continued growth of its omni-channel business model.

Founded in 2018 and based in London, Scrumbles provides nutritious, natural and ‘gut friendly’ food for cats and dogs, through a range of high quality, natural recipes. Scrumbles has achieved significant growth to date, with revenues trebling since inception. In that time, the firm has secured listings for its pet food in major UK retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Pets at Home, as well as establishing a successful direct-to-consumer channel and a strong online sales footprint.

Scrumbles also achieved B Corp recertification this year, originally certifying in 2018, recognising its high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

Scrumbles was founded by a husband-and-wife team, with Aneisha Soobroyen serving as CEO, alongside her husband and co-founder Jack Walker, who both have considerable corporate FMGC experience. The establishment of Scrumbles was inspired by the poor digestive health issues experienced by the founders’ pets, helping them identify the need for a more nutritious range of pet food, containing probiotics to aid gut health and digestion.

Today, all manufacturing is undertaken in the UK and the firm constantly innovates to streamline its packaging and reduce its environmental impact. BGF’s investment will enable the appointment of key hires, including a new Finance Director, and increased marketing to support the firm’s ongoing expansion across all of its sales channels. As part of the transaction, Mike Brehme (founder of Clipper tea) will join the board as NXC, and BGF’s Daria Polunina will join Scrumbles’ board as a non-executive director.

Aneisha Soobroyen, CEO of Scrumbles, said: “We are delighted to have the support of BGF, an experienced growth investor, as we embark on the next stage of our journey. Pet parents today are more conscious than ever about the health of their cats and dogs and recognise the important role nutrition plays in their wellbeing. We are excited to work with BGF to bring the Scrumbles offering to more customers and support more pets’ digestive health.”

Daina Spedding, investor at BGF, said: “BGF is thrilled to be backing Scrumbles, an exciting business with an ambitious growth strategy. Pet nutrition is a resilient and growing market and Scrumbles is well positioned to serve the increasing demand for healthier, natural food for pets. We look forward to supporting Aneisha and Jack as they continue to expand the business and build on their significant success to date.”

The Pet Industry Federation has launched an online directory of PIF members, enabling the public to find pet services located near them, simply by entering their postcode.

Accessed via the home page of the PIF website, PIF – Pet Industry Federation (petfederation.co.uk), the Find A Pet Business directory links directly to PIF’s own database, giving the public peace of mind that the businesses shown in the search results have signed up to the PIF Charter which prioritises customer service and animal welfare. With automated links between the directory and PIF database, businesses appear in the listing as soon as they become a member. 

Nigel Baker, CEO of PIF explained: “We are delighted to have launched the Find A Pet Business directory to enable the public to find PIF members operating near them. We wanted to give those businesses that have signed up to the PIF Charter more exposure to the public and the Directory couldn’t be easier to use, with results showing the distance from the search postcode both by map and in text. The public can then contact the business easily through links to its website or email address which are supplied by the PIF member.”

To access the Find A Pet Business directory, click here.

To be listed in the Directory, join PIF and take advantage of all the other great business benefits that are available to PIF members, including a legal helpline, fuel card, payment processing rates from Lopay, IT discounts from Dell and local authority help and advice, please visit https://petfederation.co.uk/

Momentum is building behind Water Alive, the new consumer show for fishkeepers, which will run alongside trade exhibition AQUA 2023 in October. 

News of the event was announced last month and the aquatic and watergardening world has been buzzing with excitement – already over half of the available stand space has been reserved.

AQUA 2023 is being held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12-14 October, with Water Alive being open to consumers on the final two days (Friday and Saturday). The Thursday of AQUA 2023 will be a trade-only day as in previous editions.

The idea of Water Alive is to help consumers become more engaged with their hobby and feel part of an amazing industry. They will be able to see and touch all the latest launches from leading manufacturers and suppliers as well as buy products from specialist retailers.

Organisers of Water Alive are keen to stress there will be strict commercial guidelines in place at the event to uphold the industry’s principles and keep the show professional. As a result, all direct-to-consumer sales taking place at the show will be handled by retailer stores, who must hold an OATA retail membership.

“Water Alive is an exciting addition to the aquatic and watergardening industry,” said Mark Winter, chairman of organisers OATA Impact Exhibitions. “We will ensure the highest standards are upheld so that everyone can enjoy a professional and successful show. All UK retailers with OATA membership are invited to take a stand at the show – this is a perfect opportunity to put your store on the UK aquatics map.”

As well as finding out what’s new to the market, visitors will be able to learn more about their hobby from experts giving talks at a special seminar area called Speakers Corner, plus a range of other hobbyist focussed features. 

Companies wishing to exhibit at AQUA 2023 and Water Alive and retailers seeking more information about taking a stand should call the organisers on 01892 862848 (office open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday).

The Dog-G8 Company, who were recently offered a £50k investment from entrepreneur Deborah Meaden on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den for their range of highly versatile, concertina gates, has reported record sales at Crufts.

Peter Maxted founder of The Dog G8 Company, said: “We had such fantastic show. There was such a positive vibe this year and our stand was incredibly busy. Crufts seemed to be back to pre-pandemic levels. Sales at the show were good and we came back to an impressive order book as people go away and measure their required spans for the gates. We made some amazing connections as well as visit from Dr Claire Guest CEO of Medical Detection Dogs, who is another advocate of our product.”

Peter devised the Dog-G8 gate because of the risks associated with dogs at front doors – escapes, attacks and thefts. Although there were other gates on the market, he felt they were inadequate and ineffective enough to work for all breeds. 

Son Chris is also a director in the business and has been working alongside Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership and the University of Liverpool to raise awareness of dog attacks and their impact on delivery workers. 

For more information visit www.dog-g8.com

Furr Boost, the multi award-winning smoothie drink for dogs, is celebrating further success as it has made the finals in the innovation category for the StartUp Awards for the Midlands region which had a field of over 3,000 entries.

Furr Boost was voted Best Product Innovation (Food and Treats) at PetQuip 2022 and Best Dog Product at the Pet Industry Federation Awards 2022.

The product can be added as a topper to dry foods to give full hydration and extra nutritional value to a dog’s meal. On hot days or when in exhibition halls or at show grounds, you can freeze Furr Boost to make a tasty treat which your dog can lick to keep cool or you can simply pour into a bowl for your dog to enjoy. Pour into a LickiMat and you will keep any anxious dog occupied and happy. Furr Boost is also excellent for senior dogs that need something nutritional, comforting and soothing. The product is also handy to pop in a bag or car for travelling to shows or going on holiday. Simply give the carton a good shake, flip up the sides, fold over the top along the razor strip and tear off to serve.

Furr Boost is particularly popular wih Flyball and Dog Agility competitors. A carton of Furr Boost gives instant hydration to any dog that has been competing hard in the ring keeping them nice and fresh for each round of the event. It is also a refreshing drink for dogs who take part in heelwork to music and obedience competitions as well.

Crufts was extremely busy for Furr Boost. As well as loyal customers and new ones discovering the product for the first time, Louise Toal, Founder of Furr Boost received loads of independent pet specialist enquiries for the product. They also picked up interest from a major international distributor which will allow the brand to enter the export market.

Alison Sampson, a representative of Pets As Therapy charity, visited the Furr Boost stand.

For further information visit www.furrboost.com

Up-and-coming Leicestershire pet food business Vale Pet Foods is celebrating a successful appearance at Crufts.

Luke Chapman, Co Founder of Vale Pet Foods said: “We were surrounded by some great companies that were all from different sectors within the pet business world and so I think we all complimented each other very well and visitors were able to browse from one stand to another without seeing more of the same.”

The business took between 30-40 new customers onto their subscription model for raw food and another 10-20 for their dry. Treat sales were great and sold out twice over and had to be restocked from their warehouse. Takings on the stand were tripled from last year. Vale Pet Foods also did very well on the trade side gaining 15 potential new trade clients and 3 new breeders. There was a lot of interest in the new re-branded raw range.

Vale Pet Foods was founded by two dog trainers, husband and wife Luke and Mairi Chapman who also run a busy little farm in the Northamptonshire countryside. As dog trainers they became very aware of the sensitivities and intolerances to food that many dogs had developed. They saw first-hand how diet can massively impact a dog’s behaviour, its appearance and also its development. Vale Dog Food was created to provide customers with a naturally wholesome diet, packed with a good healthy source of protein and the right oils and minerals to benefit skin and joints. They produce a range of grain and gluten free dry food recipes, raw food recipes and natural treats.

All products only use meat sourced from the human food chain and the finest ingredients and packed with vital nutrients that are needed to contribute to great overall health. 

For further information please visit. www.valepetfoods.com

PitPat, the UK's favourite pet wearables company, and identibase, one of the UK's largest and longest running pet microchipping databases, are joined forces to raise awareness of dog theft on Dog Theft Awareness Day. In addition to their efforts, the two brands released an infographic with their top 10 tips to keep your dog safe.

Dog theft is on the rise in the UK, with an estimated 2,000 dogs being stolen every year. To combat this issue, PitPat and identibase are coming together to educate pet owners on the importance of pet security and how they can take steps to protect their furry friends.

PitPat's GPS tracker for dogs is a great way to keep tabs on your pet's location and ensure they don't run off or get lost. The device is small and lightweight, so it won't interfere with your dog's movements, and the accompanying app provides real-time location updates so you can always know where your dog is.

identibase's pet microchipping database is an essential tool for pet owners. Microchipping is a legal requirement in the UK, and it's the best way to ensure that your pet can be identified if they ever get lost or stolen. identibase's database is one of the largest in the country, with more than 7 million pets registered, so you can be sure that your pet's details are safe and secure.

With their identifind membership, identibase customers can get a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker, access to the UK’s most responsive Lost & Stolen Pet service and premium microchip account support.

To complement their efforts, PitPat and identibase are releasing an infographic with their top ten tips to keep your dog safe. The infographic includes advice on how to ensure you can find your dog if they go missing, what to do when you're out and about with your dog, and how to protect your dog from thieves.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with identibase to raise awareness of the issue of dog theft,” said PitPat CEO Andrew Nowell. “We know how much dog owners worry about losing their pup, it’s a very real fear for a lot of dog owners. Keeping your dog’s microchip details up to date and investing in a GPS tracker gives your dog the best chance of being found and identified quickly.”

identi CEO Robert Diamond added: “We are dedicated to delivering the most complete pet protection available in the UK – partnering with PitPat ensures we are able to provide this reassurance anytime, any place.”

Dog Theft Awareness Day took place on Tuesday (March 14th), and PitPat and identibase shared tips and advice on social media to help pet owners keep their dogs safe. To learn more about how you can protect your furry friend and to view the infographic, visit www.pitpat.com/dog-theft. To check a dog’s microchip details are up to date, visit identibase.co.uk.

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The British Independent Retailers Association has said the forecast for the future from today's Spring Budget announcement looks brighter – but warns that businesses still are in for a rough few months ahead.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said they hope today's forecast for the future helps improve customer confidence and will drive economic growth.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA said: "The Chancellor was upbeat about the economy in that we are likely to avoid a recession and forecast growth is better than expected. We wanted to hear about plans for growth and we were told about new investment zones, increased capital tax allowances for business investment and £200M in local regeneration.

"These are positive measures but long term are not necessarily addressing the challenges faced by businesses on the high street today.

“We were not expecting much from the Budget today and while we are pleased with the focus on growth, many of the big announcements are focused on long term investment.

"We hope that the better economic forecasts, and more people returning to work will improve consumer confidence – often the key driver for high street economic growth. Unfortunately though there was nothing to ease the fears of indie retailers dealing with the pressures of today.

"The pressures of inflation, high energy costs and energy support set to reduce by 95% in April, and wages set to increase by 9% in April. This budget may improve consumer confidence, but it does little to boost the confidence of businesses on the high streets throughout the UK," he added.

The Government has introduced compulsory cat microchipping in the UK to make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

There are over 9 million pet cats in England, with as many as 2.3 million unchipped, meaning that it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owner if they get lost or stolen.

The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure. The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping was a manifesto commitment and an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.

The new rules mean cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks and their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database. All owners must have their cat microchipped by 10 June 2024 and owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a fine of up to £500.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Cats and kittens are treasured members of the family, and it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“Legislating for compulsory microchipping of cats will give comfort to families by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “I am pleased that we are progressing with our requirement for all cats to be microchipped.

“Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

“By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.”

Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy, Campaigns & Government Relations, Madison Rogers, said: “Cats Protection is delighted that pet cats in England will be given the same protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping. The charity regularly reunites owners with their much-loved cats, and in most cases this is only possible thanks to microchips. No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance that a lost cat will be swiftly returned home.”

The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

It will not be compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.

Owners with cats that are already microchipped should ensure their details are up to date.

The commitment to microchipping is part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading standards. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021: we have brought in new laws to recognise animals sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences and brought forward a ban on glue traps.

Kevin Pratt, pet insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, supports the microchipping of cats but warns it is only a small part of responsible pet ownership, and isn’t a cure for all cat concerns.

He said: “The government’s new legislation means that cat owners will now be bound by the same laws that their canine counterparts have been since April 2016, and will need to get their pet microchipped by 10 June 2024 or risk a £500 fine. While microchipping bears a cost - typically £20 to £30 - it’s a small part of the overall cost of cat-ownership and in many cases - such as when rescuing a cat - it’s included in the adoption fee. 

“Even before it became mandatory, microchipping should always have been considered as a necessary cost of owning a cat, along with the price of food, bedding and other essentials, and insurance. Too many cats end up abandoned or surrendered to over-stretched rescue centres and animal charities because the cost of keeping a cat wasn’t properly weighed up. 

“Most cat owners undoubtedly bring a cat into their lives with the absolute best of intentions, but a cute kitten can make even the most rational person throw caution to the wind, so it’s not surprising that some owners feel like they have no option but to give up their pet when the bills start to mount. 

“By far one of the most significant costs of owning a cat is vets’ fees. Advancements in veterinary medicine and treatments mean that saving your cat’s life is far more likely now than it has been before, when a decision to euthanise would have been the only viable option. But this also means that costs are greater - in fact, the average cost for caring for a cat that’s been involved in a road traffic accident is almost £1,500, and even diagnosing and treating vomiting can cost almost £800.

“However, it’s possible to get a comprehensive pet insurance policy, with £2,000 worth of cover for under £5 a month. If faced with vets’ charges of £2,000, such a policy could cover £1,600 of the bill - allowing for a ‘co-payment’ of 20% - but without it, a cat owner would have to pay the whole amount themselves. 

“While microchipping can make it easier to reunite a lost pet with their family, insurance can in many cases also help expedite the process by paying towards advertising or offering a reward for information that results in the return of a lost or stolen pet. And if the worst happens, and you fail to recover your pet, many policies will also pay compensation. 

“We hope that the rest of the UK follows suit by introducing mandatory microchipping for cats, as it’s definitely a good thing for cats, their owners, and animal charities; but people also need to know that a chip won’t prevent their pet from getting lost or being stolen, and it won’t provide any financial protection should they be unable to find their pet or if their cat suffers an illness or injury that requires veterinary 

care.” 

For more information on cat microchipping, and what it means for cat owners, visit: https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/pet-insurance/microchipping/

CSJ’s owner and founder Ceri Rundle doesn’t just ‘feed the most Champions in the most canine activities’…she breeds many of them too, under her Moel affix. 

Crufts 2023 was no exception with Stephen Richardson winning the hotly contested Intermediate Agility Championships with his Border Collie ‘Gamble’, or to give his full title, Agility Champion Moel Gamble Demonic Risk.  Stephen is a professional dog agility trainer based in Cumbria with over 20 years’ experience in agility.

Ceri says, “We really enjoyed the TV coverage and spotting so many people who feed CSJ doing so well in a variety of activities. 

It was thrilling to see Toni Dawkins and her Miniature American Shepherd win the nail-biting Medium Agility Final, which gave Tiger his Champion title to become Agility Champion Bachero Cross My Heart.”  Toni later posted, ‘Thanks to my bestest pals and to CSJ who have now sponsored me for the best part of 20 years.’

Ceri continued, “In the Gundog rings, amongst so many enjoying their day was Debra Harker with Hector, her beautiful Gordon Setter Ch. Hernwood Achilles at Ettrick JW, who was shortlisted in a fantastic Open class and James Reavil of Cwnsaethu Gundog Training with his lovely Vizsla dog Nadorpusztai Gore at Cwnsaethu getting a VHC in Junior.”

Whilst Crufts was in full swing Ceri, herself a world-renowned sheepdog trainer and triallist, heard the news that another CSJ user, Kevin Evans, had won the EU Nursery Championship 2023 in Belgium on 12^th March with Kemi Jack and also his Balearic Meg coming 6^th.  

Ceri added, “Congratulations to everyone, unfortunately just too numerous to mention!”

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

This month, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is celebrating 10 years of its life-saving service of extracorporeal therapies for cats and dogs with kidney failure, immune-mediated disease and certain toxicities. The RVC’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) remains the only place in the UK to offer this specialist service and has so far supported more than 50 dogs and cats.

The QMHA’s service was established in late 2012 with the first treatment taking place in March 2013. This was funded by the RVC’s Animal Care Trust to offer advanced extracorporeal therapies. These pioneering blood purification treatments include dialysis which vitally helps to clear the blood of toxins when the kidneys are failing.

They also offer therapeutic plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) for dogs which is used for some immune-mediated conditions such as immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (destruction of red blood cells), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (destruction of platelets) and other conditions that relate to substances circulating in the blood. The service provides versatile options for the management of these conditions and can be tailored to the individual patient.

Its first ever patient was Alba, a one-year-old Labrador. Alba had ‘Alabama Rot’ and presented with skin lesions and an acute kidney injury. Based on the similarities between this condition and other conditions amenable to blood purification, Alba was treated with therapeutic plasma exchange. Alba made a good recovery from this condition, especially significant given the grave outcome for many dogs with this disease.

Some of its more recent patients include Marty, a 10-week-old Labrador puppy. Marty presented with a bacterial infection (leptospirosis) causing acute kidney failure, was no longer producing urine and had signs of liver damage. The renal replacement therapy team initiated emergency dialysis for his kidneys. Following a number of cycles, his kidney values had returned to normal function by the time of discharge, and he had reverted back to his usual bright and excitable temperament.

Oscar, a one-year-old Labrador cross, was also recently presented to the QMHA with concern for leptospirosis and evidence of acute kidney injury. Dialysis was required to support Oscar’s kidneys until he was well enough to be discharged. Oscar has since been participating in a long-term study at the QMHA where they are tracking the recovery of his kidney function following the severe damage to his kidneys. They are pleased to report that 14 months after his first visit, Oscar is doing really well and his kidney function remains normal.

During this past decade of service, the QMHA’s Renal Replacement Therapy Service has not just supported in-need pets. During the Covid-19 pandemic there were shortages of dialysis machines for the treatment of people in intensive care settings, and so the QMHA’s dialysis machine and associated equipment were loaned to the NHS.

Dr Stefano Cortellini, Senior Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care and Co-director of the Renal Replacement Therapy Service at the QMHA, said: “We are very fortunate to have the option to treat dogs and cats with acute kidney injury using dialysis at the QMHA. As we’ve seen with Marty and Oscar, this can be literally a life-saving treatment. Providing dialysis is very much dependent on teamwork, and this involves highly coordinated efforts by members of the renal replacement team, critical care clinicians and nurses as well as support from other specialty services at the QMHA. We are delighted that Marty, our most recent case, has made a full recovery and we are looking forwards to updates on his progress in the future!”

Dr Rosanne Jepson, Professor Small Animal Internal Medicine and Nephrology and Co-Director of the QMHA Extracorporeal Therapies Programme, said: “Our Prismaflex machine offers advanced treatment options not only for the management of acute kidney injury but also enables us to perform a mode of treatment called therapeutic plasma exchange. This has allowed us to manage some of the most severely affected dogs with immune mediated haemolytic anaemia which are failing response to traditional treatment, has been used in patients with CRGV (Alabama Rot) and together can help us manage certain toxin exposures. We are really very lucky to have this facility at the QMHA and to be able to offer this advanced care where it is needed. None of this would be possible without the amazing team who help us run this service.”

For more information, please visit Extracorporeal therapies (Dialysis and Plasmapheresis) (rvc.ac.uk) https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/specialist-referrals/advanced-techniques/Extracorporeal-Therapies

Hampshire’s Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists (SCVS), one of the largest specialist referral centres in the UK, has announced an extensive and comprehensive CPD programme spanning the rest of 2023. 

The programme includes a variety of free-to-attend and paid-for sessions covering specialist topics from diagnostic imaging and ophthalmic emergencies to practical nursing skills and using echocardiography to aid day-to-day decision making in practices. 

The sessions are run monthly across various specialist disciplines and, as well as building on attendees’ skills and knowledge, the hours will count towards annual CPD requirements. 

The launch of the programme has in part been facilitated by the addition of a new lecture theatre during SCVS’s recent expansion. Supported by hospital owners IVC Evidensia, the redevelopment also included the addition of a new reception building and operating theatre complex at the hospital. 

Stephen Collins, SCVS Hospital Director and IVC Evidensia’s National Cardiology Lead, said: “We’re proud to announce one of the UK’s most comprehensive CPD programmes and share the vast knowledge that our specialist team has with the rest of the veterinary community. 

“Our programme is packed full of informative and practical sessions that every vet and vet nurse can benefit from - whether that’s specialist skill development or improving everyday advice and practices in clinic.”

A full list of CPD events is available here: https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/events-and-cpd.

SCVS is fully operational and open 24/7 for referrals, supporting colleagues from surrounding vet practices. For more information, visit www.scvetspecialists.co.uk

An animal lover fulfilled a long-held dream of owning a pet store when he opened the doors to Gary’s Pro Pets last week.

Gary Reekie welcomed customers to the store in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and already it is proving to be a big hit.

After the first day, Gary said on the store’s Facebook page: “What an absolutely amazing opening! We sold loads. It was so great to meet you all and have your support.”

And Gary, who runs the store with wife llana, told Pet Trade Xtra he was pleased with the response from the local community and that the first week’s trade had been “very good”.

Kirkcaldy-born Gary admitted it was great to offer a vital service to his local community. He has given up a career as an IT analyst in the finance industry to fulfil his ambition but believes he’s done the right thing. 

Customers praised Gary on social media with comments like:

• “Thankyou for all our goodies. Dog is loving all her new chews and demolished the cupcake. See you again next week.”
• “Congrats on getting your first successful day done! Sure it’ll go from strength to strength from here!”
• “Well done both of you! Russell enjoyed his yummy treats.”
• “Great seeing you both today and thanks for all the advice. I'll let you know how Bruno gets on with his new food.”

Fish4Pets Ltd has announced that CEO Graham Smith, who has been with the organisation for 13 years, will be retiring in December. His successor is Sarah Fowler, who took over as CEO on March 1.

Sarah has had a very successful career in the pet industry, having previously worked as Commercial Director with Vital Pet Products, and joined Fish4Pets five years ago as Sales Director.

Since Graham's appointment as CEO in 2010, Fish4Pets has experienced impressive year-on-year growth, and now exports to over 30 countries.

Thanks to major investments from new investors, DSD, and existing shareholder FKRA in Norway, the UK-based organisation opened a state-of-art warehouse and office facility in 2022 and has made 23 new hires in various strategic roles support the company’s impressive future growth plans.

Simon Nagle also joins the organisation as Chief Commercial Officer and Global VP of Sales to replace Sarah and support continued worldwide sales development.

Graham will remain in the company supporting Sarah, managing specific regions, and maintaining his position as a statutory director in the company’s supervisory board until his retirement.

An independent pet shop has moved into a bigger store on the high street after ‘outgrowing’ its present premises.

Newcastle Pet Supplies opened its new store – twice the size of its previous shop – on Newcastle-under-Lyme high street in Staffordshire on Monday this week.

“The move will mean we can expand our range of pet products with some exciting new lines to come including RAW food for both dogs and cats,” the store said on its Facebook page.

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes is investing £1m over the next 18 months to supercharge the provision of vet clinics, grooming parlours and other pet services in its UK stores.

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes will double the number of stores that offer community pet clinics, double opening hours for those clinics and double the number of dog grooming locations.

To facilitate that growth, Jollyes will:

• Appoint its first ever ‘Head of Services’.  Colin Neave, who takes up the role moving from his existing regional manager position to focus on the expansion of Jollyes’ pet services.
• Partner with Leeds-based Eville & Jones to provide in-store veterinary services from fully trained and Royal Veterinary College-accredited vets.
• Appoint Dr Adrian Ward MRCVS to the Jollyes board, bringing veterinary experience to the leadership team.
• Rebrand its existing and growing number of pet spas as “the Jolly Groomer”.

The expansion gets underway immediately and compliments Jollyes’ growth plans which will see it hit £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ 1,000 colleagues this year and have 100 stores within 18 months.

From 13 March, Jollyes will introduce vet clinics across eight of its Northern Ireland stores – Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Banbridge, Newry, Newtownabbey, Belfast and Bangor.

Existing clinics in 45 Jollyes stores will see opening hours expand across the week enabling greater access and convenience for shoppers.

And the first Jolly Groomer will open at Jollyes’ new Scunthorpe store in North Lincolnshire at the Gallagher Retail Park on 25 March.

What’s more Jollyes’ service expansion will reflect its commitment to extraordinary value.

Vet prescribed and administered dog and cat vaccinations in its clinics will start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Microchipping, already compulsory for dogs and expected to be extended to cats start at just £13, offering significant savings against average prices charged by formal vet practices.

All Jollyes’ existing Spas will relaunch in 2023 as Jolly Groomers, committed to simple straightforward pricing for a quality groom that doesn’t cost a paw and a leg.

Customers can choose precisely what grooming service they need, so they don’t pay for ones they don’t.  At the first two Jolly Groomer locations in Scunthorpe and Edinburgh Hermiston Gate , prices for a bath and brush will start at just £15.00. 

Scunthorpe will also be the home of one of its first ‘Wash & Go’ dog-wash booths which for just £5.00 can provide a full clean-up for mucky pups without the hassle of messing up a home bathroom.

“We’re moving at pace at Jollyes as we support our extraordinary colleagues as they support pet parents in their communities with much needed ways to lower the cost of looking after their four-legged family members.

“Our commitment to widen the provision of vet clinics and grooming services will help us build on our extraordinary growth as more customers discover the value and expert support our people provide.”

Eville & Jones has worked with Jollyes since 2013 to provide in-store vaccination clinics and its chief executive officer Charles Hartwell was delighted at the expansion of the relationship. 

"Jollyes' investment in more community pet clinics in their UK stores is fantastic news,” he said. 

“It's an exciting time, and with eight new vet clinics set to open in Northern Ireland, I look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Jollyes and their customers."

In 2023 Jollyes has already opened new stores at Port Glasgow and Peterborough and in addition to its new location in Scunthorpe, plans further openings in the coming months in Warrington, Christchurch, Swindon and Merthyr Tydfil.