Exports of British pet products are set for a substantial boost following the success of more than 50 UK companies exhibiting in the PetQuip-organised group at Interzoo, which returned in impressive style to Nuremburg, Germany, last month.

The British firms were supported before and during the show by the experienced events and research team from PetQuip and early reports confirm that worldwide enquiries have been received, export orders have been won and valuable overseas distributorships secured.

The positive outcome brought the following response from Pat Flynn, trade association manager of PetQuip: “We are delighted by the very positive outcome from our exhibiting firms’ stands. Everyone agreed it was fantastic to be able to meet and greet international buyers at Interzoo again.”

The British pet industry information stand hosted by PetQuip attracted unprecedented interest from overseas buyers during the show.

Carina Evans, of Podium Pet Supplies, summed up the mood of companies taking part in the British group, saying: “It was simply brilliant to be back in Europe and in front of our customers. The show was surprisingly busy with an amazing array of retailers and distributors from all over the world. We were really surprised and delighted to see things 100% back to normal.”

And Mark Hirschel, co-founder of HOWND, added: “It was awesome to be back at Interzoo after a four-year hiatus, and great to see existing customers as well as meet loads of new ones. Our plant-based superfood was a hit along with our Making Meat Obsolete bright green bags we gave away. We’re already looking forward to the next show.”

Dr Wen Liu, director of PetDreamHouse, commented: “For us Interzoo is one of the best trade shows to explore global market opportunities because visitors interested in our products are distributors/wholesaler/key account buyers from all over the world. Since returning from the show we have already closed deals for a new market, and we are now looking forward to working with more companies.”

It was a similar story for Group55, whose director of pet care Martin Breen said: “It was great to be back at Interzoo after four years away. We were delighted with how the show went – it was great to meet so many of our overseas customers again and bring them fully up to date with our latest developments and future plans. We also met lots of new buyers from around the globe, and we are hopeful that we will begin trading in further new markets in the near future as a direct result of the show. Our new product developments and forthcoming new branding was all really well received, and we left the show tired but happy with a really strong four days. We look forward to returning in 2024.”

For UK companies exhibiting at Interzoo for the first time, the international exhibition also turned out to be a huge success.

Cheryl Parry, head of marketing at The Barking Bakery, said: “We were filled with trepidation because it was out first Interzoo. But we had no need to worry, the response was phenomenal. We had interest from Australia to Abu Dhabi and everywhere in between and met some fantastic distributors that we would be honoured to work with. Now we are back on UK turf the hard work really does begin…we have a feeling The Barking Bakery will be global in no time.”  

Amanda Sizer Barrett, director general of PetQuip, summarised: “We are extremely pleased to have received or seen so many positive responses from our British exhibitor group as to the tremendous work our events and research team carried out, both in the run-up to the show and throughout build-up and during the event. Their hard work enabled the exhibitors to get on with the job in hand without needing to worry about anything else.

“The British Pavilion looked fabulous and we were the largest national group at the show. We are looking forward to helping the exhibitors with their follow-ups from the event and to helping our pet product member companies to seize many more export opportunities in the months to come.”

Companies that are not yet members of PetQuip yet interested in learning more about the comprehensive range of business advice, market research, international sales leads and practical export support available exclusively to PetQuip members should email info@petquip.com or visit www.petquip.com.

Pet treat start-up company, PARK LiFE is set to expand overseas after its first-ever visit to Interzoo.

The company, which is based in Ireland, manufactures and distributes a range of wholesome, grain-free and 100% natural biscuits for dogs which are full of tasty human grade and gut -friendly ingredients. These come in three varieties, Fris-Bix, Love-Bix and Chill-Bix. The biscuits are made from a few simple ingredients, sunflower Seeds, peas, potatoes, coconut oil and apple juice with added herbs, berries and super seeds depending on the variety. They are cut into fun bite-sized shapes to keep any pooch happy and satisfied.

PARK LiFE also offers a fantastic dental chew called, Milk Bone which is inspired by Yak chews and available in chicken, salmon and lamb flavours. Again using 100% natural, human-grade ingredients which are kind to the tummy, these bone-shaped “super chews” are made with high quality milk protein, and help to relieve boredom, while cleaning teeth and supporting strong muscles and bones. What’s more, they’re high protein, calcium rich, and lactose free. 

PARK LiFE received hundreds of visitors to its stand, coming from as far afield as South Korea and the Lebanon. 

Founder Richard Marles said: “Most interest came from the Nordic Region, Benelux, and Malta, where the natural ingredients and playful branding was very well received. People loved the simple and wholesome biscuit recipe, and this is what grabbed people's attention. But when they discovered our Milk Bones, they were equally as impressed with the premium recipe and how long lasting the product is.  We've got more leads than we can possibly follow up on, so the next few weeks will be all about carefully selecting long-term business partners to grow our business with."

As well as meeting with overseas visitors, PARK LiFe also met with UK retail and distribution partners at the show, and are about to sign a deal with a major UK wholesaler to help bring PARK LiFE to independent retailers across the UK.

If you are interested in stocking the product then visit www.parklife.dog. There is a trade page Trade – Park life.dog and you can email Richard Marles at: info@parklife.dog

Kent-based All About Pet Health looks to expand overseas following a successful appearance at Interzoo.

Currently distributors of the successful Naturvet (Overby Farm in the UK) range of supplements and pet aids manufactured by the Garmon Corporation USA, the distributor is looking to offer more clients their own white label range targeting pet food manufacturers, large pet shop chains, smaller multiple independent shops, online pet retailers and veterinary practices with their products as well as distributors and stockists overseas..

Dan MacKenzie, founder of All About Pet Health reported heavy traffic to his stand at Interzoo with the first two days being particularly busy.  

He said: “We had interest from all over Europe including Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, France, Germany and many more countries. We had the most interest in our soft chew products and we have a number of healthy leads to follow up on.

“Being part of a larger group, Garmon Corp USA. who is the largest manufacturer of pet health products in North America enables us to be competitive on pricing, product range, innovation and customer service. 

“We are building our range all the time and our product range is very comprehensive and many items are what we call ‘problem solvers’ so are niche but very highly rated to solve problems like ‘carpet scooting’, chewing carpets, lawn burn, etc. All of our products are formulated by our own veterinarians and materials/ingredients are natural and sustainably sourced.

"Private/white labelling is currently highly popular with our growing client list. We want to become the ‘go to’ manufacturer for private label customers within the UK.  This is a fantastic business opportunity open to anyone looking to set up a pet business or add income to their existing business."

For further information visit: www.allaboutpethealth.co.uk Tel: (0)1892 839989 or email: dan@allaboutpethealth.co.uk

To support its ongoing commitment to being the specialist pet wholesaler of choice and to build capacity to sustain long-term future growth, Pedigree Wholesale has invested in a new distribution centre located in Yate, Gloucestershire.  

Pedigree Wholesale, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, successfully opened the new site on the 30th of May, transferring its current facilities in Yate to the new location on the same business park. At 51,210 square feet (4,758 Square Metres) it is their largest distribution centre to date.

Over the coming months, Pedigree Wholesale will increase the ranges and product count carried at the new site, and when it is fully stocked and running at capacity, it will create circa 40 new roles to assist the existing team, all of whom have moved over to the new site.

This new site will service the South and West specialist pet and aquatic customers.

Wayne Kinton, Head of Operations, Pedigree Wholesale, said: “This new and exciting expansion strengthens our ability to service our valued customer base better. It also allows us to grow and welcome new customers to our business.”

Gerard O’Mahony, Managing Director, Pedigree Wholesale, said: “Our distribution centres are core to the operational backbone of our business and strengthening this is a key part of our strategy in 2022. We’ve committed to building more capacity into our infrastructure to meet the needs and demands of our customers over the next three years and beyond.”

John Burns, veterinary surgeon and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, has been awarded an MBE for services to business and the community in West Wales. 

The highly prestigious accolade was announced as part of the Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.  

Burns Pet Nutrition is a family run business based in Kidwelly, South Wales. The natural pet food company has been feeding healthy and happy cats and dogs since 1993 and is helmed by John Burns.  

All Burns products are natural, hypoallergenic and designed to suit all dog breeds and ages. Mr Burns is an advocate of healthy eating and believes that many of the health problems affecting pets are diet related and can be avoided with the correct nutrition. 

Burns continues to support over 30 charities long term and contributes multiple donations throughout the year. The in-house charity, The John Burns Foundation, runs multiple community initiatives, such as Burns by Your Side, a scheme that helps school children improve their literacy and communication skills with the aid of trained volunteers and reading dogs. 

Mr Burns has always aimed to ensure that the brand is not only to be known for natural pet food, but also for establishing and maintaining a legacy of good causes in the community. As such, the John Burns Foundation was set-up in 2006. The focus, rather than being solely animal based, has been a mix of constantly developing projects and partnerships.  

The Foundation aims to help enhance the lives of disadvantaged people, by offering practical recreational facilities and life skill opportunities, as well as using the arts, the outdoors and events to bring enjoyment to the whole community. The charity has recently moved to its flagship new home, at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Kidwelly. 

Mr. Burns said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been honoured by the award of the MBE.  Needless to say, everything that has been achieved here is the result of the combined efforts and dedication of many colleagues working as a team, and I would like to record my thanks to them all.”

GA Pet Food Partners has officially opened its state-of-the-art Ingredients Kitchen, which features storage for more than five million kilograms of ingredients.

The development will ensure that the ingredients that go into each pet food recipe are of the highest quality while allowing for full traceability.

The grand opening of the facility provided an opportunity for contractors, suppliers, and GA colleagues to connect in one place and congratulate each other on the hard work and dedication that had gone into building the world-leading premises.  

Alistair Bradley, the leader of the Chorley Borough Council, was also in attendance. He sdaid he was impressed by what GA had achieved as a business and its long-term plans for future investment and interaction with the local community. 

Visitors were given a chance to go on an in-depth tour by GA's dedicated experts, who provided key insights into why the facility is world-leading.

Roger Bracewell, chairman of GA Pet Food Partners, said: “I would like to thank everybody who attended the grand opening. It was remarkable to see everybody that was part of the designing, construction and commissioning of this process in one place. 

“In addition, it was also fantastic to see the attendance of local residents wanting to explore the Ingredients Kitchen and find out about our Mutual Journey to Net Zero proposal. 

“The Ingredients Kitchen was conceived in 2013 and allows us to separate our raw materials from our finished product. Secondly, by separating our raw materials from our extrusion and packing we could be more efficient. Finally, a huge factor is that we can track and trace all the ingredients that go into each bag.”

Raw dog food brand Paleo Ridge is running an exciting Golden Ticket event for five weeks until July 3. With £7,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, customers will be challenged to follow daily clues posted on the company’s social media channels and in its enewsletter to find hidden golden tickets.

Golden tickets will be hidden online, placed in customers’ orders, on the Paleo Ridge website and in physical locations across the country to engage and excite shoppers. Paleo Ridge is also allocating two golden tickets each week to its trade partners.

Across the five weeks, a golden ticket will be placed in a customer’s online basket at random each day, giving them £30 in loyalty points to be spent on the Paleo Ridge website. Winners can boost this to £50 by posting a picture of their golden ticket with the hashtag #paleoridgegolden. Meanwhile, a special weekly prize will see a customer win a free portrait of their dog, worth over £100, each Monday.

All purchases on the Paleo Ridge website between 30th May and 3rd July will qualify to be entered in the final prize draw. Worth over £400, the final prize is “The Golden Hoard Hamper”, made up of over 30 Paleo Ridge products, a range of supplements, an illustration of the winner’s dog and £120 worth of loyalty points.

To support and engage its trade partners, Paleo Ridge is allocating two golden tickets to them each week. Trade tickets give the stockist an additional 10% off all orders for a month.

The Golden Ticket event has been specially designed to create excitement and drive sales of Paleo Ridge’s award-winning range.

Will Green, Director of Marketing at Paleo Ridge, says: “We are thrilled to be running our first Golden Ticket Event, offering our customers the chance to win some great prizes. The competition spans digital and social channels, as well as the real world, and is a massive and exciting step for Paleo Ridge. The Golden Ticket Event is perfectly positioned to ignite interest in our growing brand, and we’re really pleased to be working closely with our retail partners on this too.” 

A soothing paw balm for dogs developed on a kitchen table by childhood friends Lyndsey Fearns and Becky Dutton-Geraghty is to be sold nationwide by pet retailer Jollyes. 

The range of four balms, made with natural ingredients that are non-toxic and licksafe for dogs, has already become a hit online and is set to reach a new national audience through Jollyes. 

Lyndsey is store manager at Jollyes in her home-town of Runcorn, Cheshire and was the first person Becky, who works in retail recruitment, turned to when she had the idea for the balms during lockdown in 2021. 

After doing research into various essential oils, they experimented with different recipes and ingredients in Becky’s kitchen and developed samples to ease doggy ailments including allergies, itchy paws, dry nose and anxiety. 

Lyndsey, who is also Jollyes’ store manager of the year, said: “It was very important to us that our products were cruelty free and vegan friendly, and we didn’t want a petroleum-based product because we knew it had to be safe if a dog licked it and ingested it. 

“We test our products on humans, starting with ourselves. My chihuahua Meika used to suffer terribly at Bonfire Night. The anxiety balm has made a huge difference and I can’t believe how settled she has been since we started using the balm.” 

With labels designed by Becky and packaged in recyclable aluminium cans, they started selling their Paws Right There range via Etsy site and Instagram and as the products became more popular they set up their own website. 

“It just took off and we started building up followers who loved it and we realised we had something that could work,” added Lyndsey. 

Last December they sent samples to Jollyes who agreed to a trial in six stores and the response has been so strong it is now preparing to roll it out across all 70-plus stores in the UK. 

The balm now comes in four varieties: pre walkies barrier balm for paw and snout protection, anxiety calm balm, itchy paws soothing balm and vegan rough paws and snout Saviour, [priced from £5]. 

The business partners, who are looking for a manufacturer to scale up production, have just launched a pet sun protection balm to protect dogs’ noses and ears which went on sale on their website on 1 June. 

They also have a range of pet-friendly candles and wax melts made from natural materials and reflecting the growing awareness of avoiding potentially harmful emissions in the home.  

Jollyes’ commercial director Chris Burns said: “We were really impressed with the balms. There was a gap in the market for Lyndsey and Becky’s product and their cruelty free ethos fits perfectly with our approach. Customers in the trial store love it and we can’t wait to see the response as we roll it out across all our stores.” 

Butternut Box, the dog-food subscription service, has added a completely plant-powered recipe to its range of fresh meals.

The new dish is ideal for switching up their favourite meaty meals – starting the week off with good intentions by incorporating a few meat-free Mondays.

It also offers customers a way to reduce their pups’ environmental pawprint, while still incorporating tasty, plant-powered protein to ensure their dog’s tail is wagging for the rest of the day.

The decision to create a punchy plant-based meal arose from the love Butternut Box customers have for their pups, with 71%* of pet owners saying they want a vegetable-based meal once a week so their dogs can enjoy different textures and flavours – a wonderful way to freshen up mealtimes.

Dr Ciara Clarke, In-House Vet and Research Specialist at Butternut Box, said: “Incorporating a more varied diet into your dog’s meal routine is ideal for picky eaters as you learn to understand their likes and dislikes. Dogs are omnivores and a well-balanced diet is essential for their health and wellbeing.

“Our new plant-based meal is beneficial for dogs with allergies and the plant-based ingredients are also gentle on digestion, making it easier to eat for dogs with digestive issues.

"Many plants are anti-inflammatory, meaning they help relieve joint pain and arthritis too, showing this meat-free alternative is a great way for our furry companions to try something delicious whilst helping them to be happier and healthier too.”

This plant packed dish offers pooches a deliciously well-balanced meal, making it paw-fect for switching up dogs’ dinner times. Plant Get Enough is full of veg that does good from the inside out, like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips – and powered by pea protein to support healthy muscles.

Suitable for pups of all ages, rest assured you’ll find no nasties here as it’s made with only human-quality ingredients, and all the vitamins and minerals your pup needs to thrive.

The new Plant Get Enough dish stands proud alongside the rest of Butternut Box’s tasty range and follows the successful launch of their vegetarian meal, Ready Steady Veggie. An ideal meal for shaking up your pooch's palate, mix it up with their favourite dishes such as Swish Fish Dish, Wham Bam Lamb, and Pork This Way – happy dances are guaranteed.

For more information visit: https://butternutbox.com/

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Long Paws is redesigning the face of dog accessories with a new collection called Funk The Dog.

Long Paws has released a new line of themed collars, leads, harnesses, bandanas, poo bag holders, and bowties, all under the banner of Funk The Dog.

According to Long Paws director, Elan Mansur: “Dogs, like their parents, have been getting bored of plain designs. Dogs need to express themselves in ways that show just how 'funky' they can be.”

Mansur believes that Long Paws’ new Funk The Dog collection is designed to help dogs to be who they want to be.

Long Paws is producing a number of designs under the Funk The Dog collection and is ensuring there are unique designs available to independent retailers that will not be available to the large multiples. Mansur said the new collection has already been extremely successful, with the number of resellers growing daily.

For those resellers who would like to list the collection, they are asked to contact Lauren Bentley, on lauren@longpaws.co.uk.

Dog agility stars Katrina Hands and her son Blair, from Fofar in Angus, Scotland have been helped on their way by a sponsorship deal with raw pet food manufacturer, Rawgeous. 

Katrina believes that changing her dogs’ diet has helped to fuel their performance, keeping them fit and healthy.

Katrina and Blair kicked off their competitive year in impressive style, winning numerous titles and prizes in the dog agility world. Competing for Team Scotland, Katrina recently won a Bronze medal for the Overall Games Championship at the World Agility Open in the Netherlands with her Shetland sheepdog, Sizzle. She also gained second place in the Gamblers Class. Both mother and son have also been selected to represent Team GB in forthcoming World Championship events.

Katrina said: “I decided to change to raw feeding as I wasn't happy with how my son's dog was doing on the various dry foods we had tried. A good friend suggested we should try raw. Then I started the process of looking into different raw food companies. We settled on Rawgeous for a number of reasons.

"They laboratory test each batch of food to ensure it is safe. They ethically source and can trace all their ingredients and they are a family company, which appealed greatly as Blair and I are mother and son.

"Additionally I was able to speak directly to Lorraine Sweeney, co-founder of the business, to get advice on which flavours to try first and which flavours to feed at different times of our competing season.

“Their packaging is biodegradable and recyclable; some of the other companies I had considered were using lots of plastic packaging and I wanted to try to avoid this. In addition to the minced raw food, they also produce raw sausages; these are great for training treats when chopped into small pieces. So I can continue with the raw food even when training certain activities.”

Lorraine Sweeney said: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring Katrina and Blair and to see them doing so well in the dog agility world. They are an example of the old adage that when it comes to pet nutrition, what you put into a dog you get out of it in terms of health, vitality and wellbeing. It is fantastic that all the dogs are performing so well on the Rawgeous food.”

For further information on Rawgeous Pet food visit www.rawgeouspetfood.com or contact Lorraine Sweeney on 07376 572479, email: Lorraine@rawgeouspetfood.com

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Independent parcel carrier Yodel has seen pet food deliveries more than double since 2018, as UK consumers turn to online deliveries as a more convenient way to care for their pets.

The significant increase in pet ownership across the UK during the pandemic has been a key driver in the growth of pet food deliveries, with an estimated 3.2 million households taking on a new pet since lockdown began in 2020, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).

With Covid-19 restrictions coming to an end and more people going back into offices, Yodel has seen a particular surge in the number of pet food subscriptions being taken out. The business now handles more than six million pet food boxes every year.

Growth has been sharp across the UK, with the biggest rise coming from London, where pet food deliveries were up by 277% since 2018, closely followed by the West and Midlands regions, which both increased by 227%.

Carl Moore, COO at Yodel, commented: “With millions of new furry friends on the scene and Covid restrictions over, people are looking for the most convenient way to give their companions the best nutrition and care. Online shopping, particularly with subscription services, gives people one less thing to worry about and means no more hauling big bags of pet food back from the shops.

“Growth in the pet food sector is representative of an overall shift in consumer behaviour towards online delivery, with many now using our services for products which they may not have in the past. This shift also demonstrates our ability to deliver parcels of different shapes and sizes, across a wide range of sectors.”

Yodel continues to expand its presence in the pet food industry, having added Tails, Butternut Box, Zooplus and petplanet.co.uk to its portfolio in recent years.

Visit yodel.co.uk to learn more about its services and shifting logistics trends.

New data from pet insurance provider ManyPets, has revealed an average 18% decrease in puppy prices since the lockdown boom in 2021.

With many eager for companionship throughout the pandemic, prices for popular dogs including Cavapoos and Dachshunds soared up to £2346*, leaving new owners paying up to 25% more, while others were priced out completely. 

ManyPets has unveiled the UK’s cheapest breeds ranked on their overall costs; taking food costs, insurance costs and potential annual vet bills into account. The top ten include: 

1. Jack Russell
2. Chihuahua
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Shi Tzu 
5. Border Collie
6. Greyhound 
7. Border Terrier 
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
9. Sprocker Spaniel
10. Beagle

Taking the top spot as the cheapest dog breed is the sturdy Jack Russell. With just a £685 average buying cost and an average food bill of approximately £13 a month, they're both inexpensive to buy and to keep compared to their other furry counterparts. In addition, the £300 average annual pet insurance cost for a Jack Russell comes in well below the average pet insurance cost for all breeds of £421.60. 

Other traditionally fashionable breeds such as Chihuahuas and Shi Tzus have also made the list, with low food and vet bills keeping costs at a more manageable rate. 

Oke Eleazu, CEO of ManyPets UK: "It feels like we all know a family member, friend, neighbour or colleague who welcomed home a pet during the pandemic. It wasn't unusual to hear of pet parents paying over £2,000 for popular breeds like Cockapoos, Cavapoos and German Shepherds, sometimes over £500 more than they would have paid in 2021.

"Our data shows that the pet boom is starting to steady which has helped bring prices down, in some cases below 2020 levels. And while the initial cost of the breed is not the only consideration, differences of £500 can be game changing when considering inflation on other key pet costs such as vet visits, vaccinations, toys and even insurance (sorry, we wish it didn’t). With things slowing down naturally post lockdown, we hope this will help to make pet parentship more accessible for those who felt priced out previously. 

Choosing the right breed for you, your lifestyle and home environment is the most important factor when it comes to pet ownership. The hard working Collie might be the top 5th cheapest to care for but has entirely different needs when compared to the more expensive Cavapoo!”

After a pandemic pause, the Agria Dog Walk returned for 2022, raising over £37,000 for animal charities and their amazing causes across the continent.

Here in the UK, Brits raised just over £10,000 for a selection of animal rescues including Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

The international initiative saw walks taking place simultaneously across Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden with more than 18,500 dogs taking part.

In the UK, over 800 dogs and their families took part, with Adam Henson, Cotswolds farmer and rural TV Presenter, hosting a 4km circular walk around Waddesdon Manor, one of the country’s loveliest National Trust sites.

The day was packed with entertainment for the whole family, including have-a-go agility, a rock choir, bubble artist and face painters, plus demonstrations illustrating how to teach dogs tricks or whizz around an agility course. Attendees also learnt how Hearing Dogs For Deaf People make such a difference to the deaf community with a live demonstration.

Vicki Wentworth, CEO, Agria Pet Insurance, said: “It was very heart-warming to be surrounded by so many lovely dogs and their equally lovely families – some of which had travelled across the country to get involved and help raise funds for such fantastic causes. The teams involved pulled off such a wonderful day out and to top it all off, we are so proud to confirm that it was a carbon-neutral event! We can’t wait to do it again in 2023.”

“We are delighted that Agria chose to support us with its Dog Walk this year. All funds raised will go directly towards helping us care for and rehome our animals,” commented Iain Atkin from Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary.

“We had so much fun and it was all for such a good cause! The money raised at the Agria Dog Walk will allow us to train more life-changing hearing dogs who help deaf children and adults to leave loneliness behind and reconnect with life," said Darcy Power, from Hearing Dogs For Deaf People.

Festivals are about celebrating the outdoors with great events to enjoy alongside family and friends. So why not bring along your four-legged best friend to take part as well?

Of course, not all festivals are suitable for dogs. Some can be too loud, uncomfortable, and stressful for our fur babies. It’s important to identify which festivals are suitable for our pets to give them as good an experience as you will enjoy.

It’s time to swap the bucket hats for bones and the lemonade for water bowls.

Fentimans, the dog-loving botanical brewer whose mascot Fearless the German Shepherd proudly guards every bottle, looks at five paw-fect festivals that you can attend with your pooch.

1. Standon Calling, 21-24 July
Located near the village of Standon in Hertfordshire, this festival is as much for dogs as it is for their human companions. In 2022, Standon Calling will welcome headliners Madness and Anne-Marie alongside events including comedy shows and a costume parade. For dogs, there’s also a food stall and water bowls scattered around the festival. There are also dog welfare services on offer, just to check on them if needed. If you’re looking for more fun, Standon Calling also has a dog show with competitive categories including ‘Dog with the Waggiest Tail’ and ‘Looks Most Like Owner’.

2. DogFest, 18-19 June
This one’s all about the dogs. While you have your own time to shine at human festivals, DogFest in Tatton Park welcomes our furry friends to try their paw at a range of activities and fun events.

The two-day event in Cheshire features a ‘V.I.Pooch Experience’, a ‘Dog School’, and a ‘Big Dog Walk’. Talking part in the ‘Big Dog Walk’ helps raise money for Dogs Trust – helping more dogs find loving families. Your dogs will be able to meet a variety of breeds while you can enjoy the company of hundreds more dog-loving folk.

3. Lindisfarne, 1-4 September
Dogs must love the musical talents of Madness. The band features again at Lindisfarne Festival in September. The festival welcomes well-behaved pooches and well-behaved owners acknowledging that some dogs will lap up the attention of festival-goers. The festival only asks that dogs do not enter the music marquees and to keep our friends on a short lead to help them feel more comfortable and safer. This music festival may be louder than others on the list, so this is one for confident dogs – others may prefer to snuggle up at home instead.

4. Shrewsbury Folk Festival, 26-29 September
This family festival is for everyone – including your dog. With a focus on folk music, the event is a great opportunity to explore new authentic artists and established performers.

Shrewsbury Folk Festival also promotes itself as a dog-friendly festival. It even offers free poop bags in case of any little accidents. Be ready to enjoy a diverse range of music. Who knows? Your dog may even sing along with a little howl.

5. North East Dog Festival, 3-4 September
Do dogs bark with a northern accent? The North East Dog Festival may be the best place to answer that question, with hundreds gathering to celebrate their canine companions in a range of events and activities over two days in September. The event promises food, drink, and festival vibes for visiting humans and unimaginable fun for dogs. Hosting dog experts and fanatics alike, take part in agility courses, displays, and dog shows with plenty of prizes up for grabs.

Generous supporters of canine sports, CSJ supplied Salmon Oil as sponsorship of the St John’s Hospice Open Walked Up Retriever Test.

The event at Ashlack Hall, Cumbria attracted 30 competitors with Richard Sanderson saying: “All competitors had a great day despite the rain and the standard of dogs was truly outstanding.”

The results were as follows …

• 1st Chris Pilkington Lab D Shadeoak Major
• 2nd Simon Capstick Lab B Drakeshead Casey
• 3rd Tony O'Hare Lab D Burrendale Rambler
• 4th Paul Dukes Lab D Brindlebay Rum of Ravencote
• COM Paul Dukes Lab D FTCH Brocklebank Boorbon of Ravencote
• COM Tony O'Hare Lab D Burrendale Bruno
• COM Dave Latham Lab D FTW Bluecreek Curtis Cash

The winner and runners-up are shown smiling despite the weather …

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

Family-owned pet chain Just for Pets has just announced its transition to a more natural, sustainable approach to both products and practice, with the launch of its ‘No More Rawhide’ campaign — placing a ban on any future sales of rawhide products across the chain.

The pet retailer, who recently won ‘The Healthy Pet Guide’s Retailer of the Year 2022’, is known for putting animals’ health and wellbeing at the centre of every decision it makes, meaning there are no exceptions when it comes to rawhide.

With more pet owners on the search for healthy alternatives to rawhide, which averages at only 18% digestibility, Just for Pets Buyer, Leanne Blunn told us: “With so many healthy, natural and long lasting dog treats now available, we’ve recognised for a long time that to offer our customers the best for pet welfare, we have to be firm on what we won’t sell as well as what we do sell both in store and online.”

One of the healthy alternatives that Just for Pets has decided to stock in place of rawhide are No-Hide® Chews, created by Earth Animal. These award-winning chews are made with just six simple, natural ingredients: brown rice flour, eggs, olive oil, pineapple stem, banana and agar-agar (vegetable gelatine) ­­­— plus, one flavour-bursting, sustainably sourced protein. They’re the perfect choice for a tasty, long-lasting and natural chew for dogs (and cats). 

Speaking about the benefits of No-Hide® Chews, Earth Animal’s in-house vet, Dr. Kris Hansen, told us: “No-Hides are an excellent alternative to rawhide. Not only do they provide mental stimulation, but they also increase physical health, burning excess energy, whilst promoting healthy teeth and gums.

“Rawhide chews are made from the hides of factory-farmed animals, an inhumane practice that also contributes to climate change. And, most rawhide is treated with bleach and synthetic chemicals and preservatives that can cause harmful side effects to dogs. Choosing a No-Hide® means choosing the healthiest, most humane option for animals.”

Dr. Bob and his wife Susan Goldstein, have been passionately pioneering a more holistic, humane, and sustainable way of preserving and enhancing the quality of life for animals, people, and the Earth for more than 40 years – they call this Another Way. In 2015, the No-Hide® Chew was introduced to do just that by combining a healthy formula, high-quality ingredients, and compassionate sourcing.

Will Baggaley, International Sales & Marketing Director at Earth Animal, added: “We’re delighted to collaborate with Just for Pets on its latest ‘No More Rawhide’ campaign. Opting for healthy, humane alternatives, like No-Hides, is a small but important step in reducing the demand and slowing its harmful impact on animals, people and the Earth.”

Tom Maltby, Brand Manager at Just for Pets, said “Earth Animal No-Hide® Chews offer our customers and their pets a genuine, long-lasting and healthy alternative to rawhide. The company's ethical standards are world-leading so it’s been a real pleasure working with them on the #NoMoreRawhide campaign.”

This is just the start for Just for Pets, with it pledging to supply a range of natural and sustainable products for its customers. The retailer hopes to encourage many other pet shops to get involved in this transition, ensuring that the products on offer across the UK have the pet's health considerations as the number one priority. 

Find out more about Just for Pets and its alternatives to rawhide here.

How does £5,000 for five days’ work sound? Well, that’s the fee on offer from pet brand OMNI, which is recruiting for a unique tester of its dog food.

This is what it says on its website: “Here at OMNI we don’t use unwanted animal by-products and left overs that most dog food brands use. We aim to smash the rules out of the park with tasty, plant-based ingredients that humans would not only eat but would enjoy. Think sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, pumpkin, blueberries, peas and cranberries - all of those sound pretty darn good, right?

“We believe in our food so much that we’re going to put our money where our mouth is and are looking for someone to eat dog food - and nothing else - for 5 days and want to pay them £5,000 to do so.

“And trust us when we say we’d even eat OMNI food ourselves. We’re sure many other dog food producers wouldn’t!

“In a society with a lack of education around diets for dogs, we understand there is a pre-existing and negative misconception about feeding your dog a plant-based diet. We hope that by hiring someone to change their diet, we can communicate that, where plant-based dog food is concerned - it’s good enough for humans so why not our dogs?

“For the role to be successful we will ask the taste tester to record their experience of the temporary diet change, monitoring how they feel when carrying out the challenge - such as energy levels, comfort and bowel movements. We will provide a questionnaire for our new hire to fill in.

“In return for the diet change and their work, we will pay the successful candidate £5,000 for the 5-day job role and will provide all food expenses, plus the taste tester will have access to a registered dietician throughout.

“We will also complete optional health tests on the candidate before, during and after the experiment to ensure they are maintaining good health but also to monitor how the diet is affecting them.

“A selection of plant-based dog food will be provided to ensure the candidate has a varied meal plan, all using a variety of current and as yet unreleased OMNI dog food and ingredients.”

Job applications close on 31st May as OMNI hopes to hire someone early next month. You can apply by clicking here

Bookings for PATS Telford, which takes place on 25th-26th September 2022, are gathering pace as the UK pet industry looks forward to launching hundreds of new products into the marketplace.

More than 160 companies and brands have booked to exhibit at the Autumn showpiece with still four months to go, and because of surging demand stand space has been expanded into Hall 3 of the Telford International Centre in Shropshire.

All the latest innovations, exciting new product launches, unrivalled networking opportunities and future trends come together to create the industry’s most thriving exhibition.

Visitors can expect to see all the latest innovations at PATS Telford with the industry’s leading companies, plus a growing number of new businesses, ready to showcase their products and services.

Companies to have already booked their stands at the show include: Ancol Pet Products, Beco, Burgess Pet Care, Burns Pet Nutrition, Canagan, Company of Animals, Danish Design, Forthglade, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Johnson's Veterinary Products, KONG, Mr Johnson’s, Sharples Pet, and Trixie. 

Brands exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time include: Accidents Happen, Beddies, Bronte Glen, Bugalugs, Catofu, Dirty Little Paws, Dodo Direct, Khanal Foods, Kikkerland Europe BV, Marnoch Pet Supplies, Milk & Pepper, Mountain Garden Botanics, Mr Slobberchops, Non-stop dogwear, Parklife, Pippas Paws, Pup Pup Foods, Rachael Kelly Equestrian Accessories, Smoofl, Trinkety Paws, and Ulster Weavers.

Preparations are well underway as the eagerly awaited exhibition gets set to open its doors at Telford International Centre.

This year’s show has attracted:

• An unrivalled number of pet product exhibitors
• The biggest and best showcase of new products
• Unbeatable show offers and competitions
• Top groomers for insightful demos and workshops

“There is a tremendous buzz surrounding the show,” says organiser Gordon Thomas. “So much is happening at PATS Telford over both days of the exhibition, it really is a must-visit event for retailers and buyers. You won’t be disappointed.

“All the latest new product launches will be unveiled and there will be great workshops from the country’s top groomers.

“I can promise it will be a great buying experience so make sure you travel to Telford and attend the biggest pet industry exhibition for years.”

With so many exciting plans it should easily be a record-breaking year for attendance numbers as well.

On arrival at Telford International Centre, a large majority of visitors will head for the New Product Showcase, which will have a huge presence at the exhibition, again in two prominent locations. All entries in the Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, will be judged by a panel of independent retailers for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show.

As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new pet products and speaking to top suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to witness demonstrations and workshops from the country’s leading dog groomers.

All visitors to PATS Telford will receive a free catalogue, free tea and coffee, and free parking, and you can register online for free entry at the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk. 

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

The prestigious PetQuip Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements within the pet industry, will also be taking place during PATS Telford on the evening of the first day.

A new study, led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), has revealed a huge demand for designer crossbreed dogs in the UK between 2019 and 2020 and has identified the main factors behind the increasing demand – including beliefs that they are more hypoallergenic, generally healthy, easy to train and good with children, which could be misconceptions based on current evidence.

The new study also suggests that this increased demand poses a significant risk to the health and welfare of these designer dogs due to high demand leading to poor breeding and to buyers unintentionally supporting puppy farming and illegal importation of underage puppies.

Designer crossbreeding describes the planned mating between distinct pure breeds to create new designer dogs with catchy names. For example, a cross between a Pekingese and a Miniature Poodle would create a Peke-a-poo that could sell for much more than either of the parent breeds. The findings of this study are vital to improving understanding on why the popularity of designer crossbreeds is increasing across the UK and subsequently for improving advice to the public on responsible puppy purchasing that prioritises canine welfare and supports safe and responsible breeding.

The team comprised of researchers from the RVC, the University of Nottingham and an independent consultant. They used the online Pandemic Puppies survey to canvas nearly 6,300 owners across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who acquired a puppy between 2019 and 2020, including 1,575 owners of designer crossbreeds. The five most common designer crossbreeds in the study were the Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Cavapoo, Sprocker, and Goldendoodle.

The team previously documented a significant increase in designer crossbreed ownership during the pandemic, from fewer than 1 in 5 puppies in 2019 being a designer crossbreed (18.8%), to more than 1 in 4 puppies in 2020 (26.1%). This highlights a dramatic shift in demand towards designer crossbreeds in the UK population and suggests that designer dogs are now the latest ‘fad breed’ for puppy buyers.

Importantly, the study found that the main drivers of acquiring a designer crossbreed puppy compared with a purebred puppy were perceptions that designer crossbreeds offered a size suited to their owner’s lifestyle (74.8% vs 59.1% for purebred); were generally healthy (62.1% vs 42.3% for purebred); good with children (56.0% vs 42.5% for purebred); easy to train (54.3% vs 36.4% for purebred); and hypoallergenic (47.1% vs. 7.9% for purebred).

Additional findings include that owners of designer crossbreeds:

• Prioritise convenient purchasing of their dog over welfare factors – being less likely to seek a breeder that was trustworthy or provided relevant health tests in favour of a breeder that lived within a suitable distance or had available puppies at the desired time.
• Were less likely to be provided with DNA and veterinary screening tests for their puppies’ parents by their breeder - in part a result of fewer crossbreed owners asking to see any results or believing that there were no relevant tests for their crossbreed.
• Were more likely to source their puppy online, via a general selling website or an animal-specific selling website.

Designer crossbreed buyers also overlooked more ‘red flags’ during the purchasing process that put them at increased risk of being deceived and purchasing their puppy from unscrupulous sources. This included placing a deposit on their puppy before they had seen it in-person, being less likely to see their puppy in person before purchase and being less likely to see their puppy with its littermates or mother when collected, despite the strong ‘Where’s Mum?’ campaign against puppy farming in the UK since 2015. Ignoring these important ‘red flags’ risks unintentionally supporting puppy farming and illegal imports of puppies, inflicting major early-life stresses on puppies that could have lifelong behaviour and welfare consequences.

This booming designer crossbreed trade is also posing a serious risk to the overall welfare of these animals. This includes health risks caused by breeding without due regard to health, increasing the risk of inherited disorders. For example, a reduced emphasis on pre-breeding health screening of the parents of many designer crossbreeds could lead to increased levels of debilitating conditions such as hip dysplasia in the Labradoodle (Labrador x Poodle) in the future.

Other issues include a potentially increased rate of relinquishment of designer crossbreeds in the future, as owners realise the reality of their misconceptions. For example, designer crossbreeds are thought to be hypoallergenic (a trait sought-after by almost half of this owner group), yet there is no strong evidence of this trait in studies of designer crossbreeds, and allergies have been cited as one of the top three reasons for dog relinquishment, often within one year of ownership. Additionally, behavioural risks are increased as, in some cases, behaviour in designer crossbreed offspring is less desirable than the behaviour of the parent breeds, including increased levels of aggression in the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever x Poodle).

It is hoped that this study will help to build an understanding of factors driving the designer crossbreed puppy demand and help vets, sellers and the wider pet industry to educate owners on the importance of safe puppy purchasing and the risks to canine health and welfare if not adhered to.

Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC said:

“The UK public are flocking towards designer crossbreeds based on perceptions that they are ‘off the shelf’ easy family dogs; trainable, healthy, and hypoallergenic dogs that fit into their owners’ existing lifestyles. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that reality will meet all of these high expectations, with little evidence to support these claims.

“These misconceptions risk poor outcomes for both dogs and their owners in the future, including rehoming, unexpected health problems and bite risks. Would-be owners should avoid being enticed by designer labels and rose-tinted expectations, and instead conduct thorough research to help decide if these are really the dogs for them.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC said:

“Sadly, designer dogs often do not come from ‘designer’ breeding programmes but are farmed indiscriminately to meet the current craze for breed-crosses with catchy names such as Frug and Jackalier. Check out the seller before buying, visit your puppy several times before you bring them home, and always make sure you see the puppy with its mum.”

This study was funded by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), with the original study that generated the dataset was funded by the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF).

The UK’s leading pet retail group Pets at Home has experienced a record year driven by the surge in pet ownership and increased market share. Group revenues were up 15.3% to £1,317.8m and pre-tax profit up 39.8% to £148.7m.

Other highlights from its end-of-year financial figures include

• Active VIP customers grew by 1.1m to an all-time high of 7.3m
• Puppy and Kitten Club sign-ups increased 48% year-on-year – or 23,000 a week – three times pre-pandemic levels
• Seven new pet care centres and 22 dog grooming salons opened in the year
• Grooming figures up at 920,425 for FY22 (uP 8.2% from FY20 figures, and up 49.9% from FY21 – impacted by closures due to Covid)
• Around 120 of the group’s 457 stores now offering convenience of two-hour home delivery
• Vet business added an average of 9,000 customers a week, taking total client base to a record 1.7m
• Plans to open up to 15 new vet practices a year to help care for increased pet population
• Record £73m investment last year will be matched again this year to support future growth
• Around 40-50 existing stores per year will be converted to new format pet care centres

Peter Pritchard, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Despite another period characterised by significant and evolving external challenges, our performance this year has been noteworthy, delivering record sales, profit, and cash flow. 

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our truly inspiring colleagues and Partners across the Group for their continued adaptability and commitment to making Pets at Home bigger, stronger, and more efficient.

“We are well placed to accelerate our growth in market share. The robust backdrop of the UK pet care market, coupled with our clear strategic priorities, proven omnichannel model and strong Executive Team, mean that I hand over leadership of this great business to Lyssa McGowan with the utmost confidence that Pets at Home will continue to create value for all stakeholders in both the near and longer-term.”