In This Issue
Pets at Home overshadowed by Poundland as flotation gets off to shaky start
500 apply for new pet store jobs
Dog Rocks announce Partnership Programme with a tempting range of benefits
PATS Sandown ready for biggest show ever...and it opens 9am Tuesday
KRUUSE selects consumer range of first-time PATS exhibitor Butch & Bess
Seahorse Atlantic to launch chicken and poultry range
PetQuip Awards to be held during PATS Harrogate in September
Are you ready for the aquatic plant ban?
Check out the new Fluval Aquatics website
Blagdon’s Auto Shut-Off Feature Pump delivers market first
68% of owners fail to feed pets properly
Ambleside's Hayes Garden Centre owner jailed
159,536 people visit Crufts – a rise of 7% on the previous year
Lucy and Indie win Crufts Factor
Ceva launches Feliway advertising campaign featuring Dawn French on Heart FM
Tropican gets seal of approval from Wing and a Prayer
Marina Betta Kit is ideal for fishkeeping newcomers
The new Day & Night LED light is energy efficient
Raising awareness about 'cruel' puppy farming
REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE
Pet Trade Xtra – Circulation Report 2013
  • Total e-mails sent:  355,576
  • Issues published:  47
  • Unique readers (e-mail openers):  6,647
  • Average opening rate each issue:  28%
  • Average page views per month:  13,902

Source: Newsweaver Reports

Top 25 stories of 2013
Click on the headlines below to read the most read stories from Pet Trade Xtra 2013

1. Profitable Lincolnshire pet store is closing down
2. Finalists of new industry awards revealed
3. Telford pet shop closes down on the spot
4. Bespoke pet furniture firm seeks retail outlets
5. The Giant Pet Store in Norfolk goes into administration
6. RRPs should be protected, says pet shop
7. Poundstretcher expands its pet business
8. Leading vet responds to claims by dog behaviourist
9. Taking on the giants of the pet food industry
10. Small Irish firm is a big player in the dog treat market
11. Award-winning Just for Pets aims to open more stores
12. Pressure from retail giants and the internet force pet shop to close down
13. Hundreds of UK pet shops selling inadequate hutches
14. Secrets of success of an award-winning pet store
15. Sales grow for ‘natural pet store’ that refuses to stock food from major suppliers
16. Vets should share some of the blame for falling pet welfare standards
17. Dog Rocks stop supplying Amazon Retail
18. Seahorse Atlantic and Soopa share winning formula
19. Pet GPS device sets its sights on Europe
20. Pure Pet Food is an instant hit
21. Pet retailers react to Crown's distribution move
22. Divided opinion among some retailers
23. Lancashire pet shop to close down at the end of the month
24. Dragon's Den star backs Southampton pet firm
25. Mars Petcare looks to close Peterborough factory

Useful Links
Send to a Friend »
Subscribe »
Issue Archive »
Update your Profile »
Print All Articles »
Subscribe to RSS »
Visit Our Website »
Example of a Flyer »
CONTACT US NOW
Find out how Pet Trade Xtra can help to promote your business and products.



Contact neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk for all editorial matters

Or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk to discuss advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
Pets at Home overshadowed by Poundland as flotation gets off to shaky start

Pets-at-Home-dog-jumping-001

Pets at Home shares fell by a whisker in initial trading on Wednesday as the £1.2bn float was left in the shade by a strong debut from fellow high street chain Poundland. The pet company, which floated at 245p, ended the day trading around 243p after falling as low as 230p during a rocky start...




Pets at Home shares fell by a whisker in initial trading on Wednesday as the £1.2bn float was left in the shade by a strong debut from fellow high street chain Poundland. 

The pet company, which floated at 245p, ended the day trading around 243p after falling as low as 230p during a rocky start in unofficial trading, which occurs a few days before shares list on the main market.

The slow start contrasted with a strong showing from Poundland.

Shares rose from a listing price of 300p to as high as 400p before closing at 366p – giving the discount chain a value approaching £1bn.

Prices are set to become firmer on Monday when the two firms start official trading on the London Stock Exchange.

The two floats, which have been in the works since last autumn, will prove a boon for US private equity houses KKR and Warburg Pincus, which own Pets at Home and Poundland respectively.

Pets at Home raised £280m on Wednesday, with £210m of this going back to its major shareholders, KKR, and a management team led by chief executive Nick Wood (pictured).

NickWood-LargeAround 40 per cent of the company will be owned by public shareholders but KKR will retain a 46.2 per cent stake in the business and sell this down over time. Management will hold 4.3 per cent.

Nick Wood said on Wednesday: "Today's announcement marks an important moment for all of us at Pets at Home. We are delighted that our initial public offering has been so well received by colleagues, institutions and retail investors alike, who have recognised that this is a unique and differentiated business with multiple opportunities for future growth.

“Pets at Home has enjoyed strong growth for over a decade and we are now ready to move on to the next stage of our development as a listed business."

 
500 apply for new pet store jobs

More than 500 people applied for 12 jobs at a new pet store that is about to open in Bromsgrove...


More than 500 people applied for 12 jobs at a new pet store that is about to open in Bromsgrove.

Pets at Home will open its new premises at Brook Retail Park, Sherwood Road on Thursday, March 27 and was able to offer 12 of the people that applied for jobs positions with the company.

The firm invested more than £375,000 in the new 7,341sq ft store, and applicants had to go through a number of stages to see if they were suitable for the role.

Adam Wilcock, area manger, said: “Pets at Home is committed to recruiting from the local area and I’m pleased we’ve found a team of talented individuals in Bromsgrove. They’re all extremely passionate about pets and can’t wait to get started.”

New store manager Andy Thurstance has been with Pets at Home for nearly a year having previously worked at the Ashby de la Zouch store branch.

“It’s been a busy few months and now my team and I can’t wait to open the doors and welcome our new customers and their pets to the store,” he said.

Dog Rocks announce Partnership Programme with a tempting range of benefits
Sign up on the Dog Rocks' stand K11 at PATS Sandown

Become a member of Dog Rocks Retailer Partnership Programme and enjoy exclusive, ongoing benefits for your store or practice. Your membership begins with an inviting permanent display unit to showcase top selling Dog Rocks and other products from our range (PetproBio www.petprobio.com)...


Become a member of Dog Rocks Retailer Partnership Programme and enjoy exclusive, ongoing benefits for your store or practice. Your membership begins with an inviting permanent display unit to showcase these top selling Dog Rocks and other products from our range (PetproBio www.petprobio.com).  Other incentives include:

As a Partnership Programme Member you get:

  • FOC Stock as a thank you for signing up
  • 2% off your next purchase of Dog Rocks through your preferred wholesaler.
  • 100% no hassle guarantee for all products including return of overstock or expired product after a 6 month period through Dog Rocks UK Ltd
  • Exclusive offers to partnership programme members
  • Regular planograms to help you optimize shelf sales
  • Regular new & innovative visual merchandising tips & point of sale materials
  • Exciting staff purchase programme – Discounted rate available online
  • Additional benefits as opportunities arise


Retailer Requirements:

  • Ensure exclusive placement of Dog Rocks products within display units provided & maintain shelf placement
  • Continue to purchase products through existing wholesalers
For more details or to join up please visit stand K11 at PATS Sandown or e-mail info@dogrocks.co.uk with your company name, address, telephone, web address and your current supplier.
PATS Sandown ready for biggest show ever...and it opens 9am Tuesday


The doors open for PATS Sandown on Tuesday (March 18) at 9.00am and it’s set to be the biggest show ever at the Sandown Park exhibition centre in Esher, Surrey...



The doors open for PATS Sandown on Tuesday (March 18) at 9.00am and it’s set to be the biggest show ever at the Sandown Park exhibition centre in Esher, Surrey.

More than 160 exhibitors are ready to showcase a record number of new products for 2014, and there are a host of exciting activities and features planned to make this year’s show the ultimate visitor experience.

Visiting retailers and buyers will be able to network with almost the entire pet trade under one roof, see the latest product innovations and hear some of the industry’s top experts reveal their secrets in an impressive series of seminars.

This year's exhibitor list reads like a 'who's who' of the trade, with an exciting mix of new-to-the-market companies, including Happy Paws and Butch and Bess, to multi-national brands like Beaphar UK, Mars Petcare, Burns, Danish Designs, Eukanuba & IAMS, Wagg, Nestle Purina, Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved.

For visitors looking for fresh, new and exciting products to keep customers coming through their doors, there are hundreds of newly launched products displayed on the New Product Showcase as well as an impressive number of exclusive money-saving show offers.

And for those retailers looking for tips and ideas on how to grow their business, the seminar programme will cover topics such as how pet stores can thrive in the internet age, getting more online visitors, and understanding your shoppers. Meanwhile, the Grooming Workshops will feature state-of-the-art grooming demonstrations from Groom Team England.

The benefits start as soon as visitors arrive at Sandown Park with a free show catalogue, free tea or coffee voucher, free parking  and for those arriving before 10.00am a free breakfast voucher (subject to availability).

Visitors should register for free entry now by visiting 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 both venues, hotels in each area and regularly updated show news. The PATS hotline is +44 (0)1892 862848.

Opening times

  • Tuesday 18th March: 9.00am-5.00pm
  • Wednesday 19th March: 9.00am-4.00pm
KRUUSE selects consumer range of first-time PATS exhibitor Butch & Bess

New London-based firm Butch & Bess has announced that leading distributor KRUUSE UK has added its range of natural grooming into its pet consumer portfolio...


New London-based firm Butch & Bess has announced that leading distributor KRUUSE UK has added its range of natural grooming into its pet consumer portfolio.

KRUUSE’s Pet Account Manager, Mark Derby, explains: “We’re very excited to have added Butch & Bess into our pet consumer product portfolio. On the very first occasion we saw the range, we could see the unique quality and market potential of this natural brand, matching our standards as a supplier of premium pet and veterinary products.”

The Butch & Bess brand is made entirely in the UK, and comes in six delightful signatory fragrances: Stinker Belle (which appeared on ITV This Morning during Crufts week), Bess Petite, Butch Leather, The Perfect Calm, Maybe Bebé and Bed of Roses.

Butch & Bess Co-Founder Jo Amit adds: “We’re thrilled that KRUUSE can see the quality in our aromatherapeutic essential oil blends, which combine natural ingredients including aloe juice, oatmeal extract, argan oil, and hydrolysed wheat protein. Despite the quality of our ingredients, we’ve not compromised on price. Our aim is that Butch & Bess be an affordable luxury for all pet owners”

Mark Hirschel, Co-Founder sums up: “We’re confident that KRUUSE will help push our consumer range to market and optimize the success we’ve received in a short time frame. The Butch & Bess team will continue to innovate and introduce new products to market, including our five-Litre 25:1 SuperGroomer™ Collection that will debut at PATS Sandown.”

Butch & Bess will be showcasing at PATS conditioning shampoos (suitable for both dogs and cats), daily grooming and detangling sprays, natural pet perfumes, and antibacterial pet bed & car deodorisers. All happening on Stand K2 in Surrey Hall.

The company has received some promising reviews including renowned groomer Louisa Tandy: “Just wanted to say how much I like these products. As a professional groomer, I am always looking for shampoos that don't just smell nice (which it really does) but actually prepare the coat correctly. The Long Coat shampoo conditions the coat just enough without weighing it down too much. The detangling spray really does help with those knots and I love the Santa Paws spray. The shampoo fragrance really complements the sprays and makes the salon smell like an aromatherapy shop. Highly recommended.”

Visit www.butchandbess.com for further information.

Seahorse Atlantic to launch chicken and poultry range


Seahorse Atlantic Ltd is becoming strongly renowned for their innovative seaweed feed additives for the pet and equine industry and are now set to launch a preview of its latest innovative product for the chicken and poultry market at PATS 2014.



Seahorse Atlantic Ltd is becoming strongly renowned for their innovative seaweed feed additives for the pet and equine industry and are now set to launch a preview of its latest innovative product for the chicken and poultry market at PATS 2014.

The company prides itself on formulating products from different seaweed species tailored to the nutrient requirements of different animals.

Kelp Care Sprinkles for healthier hens and chicks is 100% organic Irish seaweed that has been scientifically shown to improve egg shell strength, yolk colour and general immunity of chickens therefore healthier hens providing 100% organic nutritious eggs.

The product comes in a handy reseal-able pouch with a scoop included and retails at £4.50 for 500g. The product will be on display in the New Product Showcase in Sandown.

Sarah and the Seahorse Atlantic team will be at stand A4 at PATS Sandown with lots of scientific information and samples on offer.

Contact: +35321 4322450/+35385 1392280 Check out our brand new website: www.seahorseatlantic.ie

 
PetQuip Awards to be held during PATS Harrogate in September
Following the huge success of the PetQuip Awards held in 2013, the association has announced it will stage the event again in 2014, culminating in a special awards and party night during PATS Harrogate in September...

Following the huge success of the PetQuip Awards held in 2013, the association has announced it will stage the event again in 2014, culminating in a special awards and party night during PATS Harrogate in September.

Organiser Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s association manager, commented: “These awards for the pet industry are aimed at bringing together suppliers and retailers in the UK and overseas markets. They were held for the first time in 2013 and we were overwhelmed by the number of entries and the positive feedback we received; and the winners were thrilled at the wide publicity generated for their organisations both in the UK and overseas”.

The 2014 awards are now open for entries in all seven categories, which are:

 1)     UK Pet Retailer of the Year

2)     International Retailer of the Year

3)     Supplier of the Year

4)     Wholesaler of the Year

5)     Pet Product Innovation of the Year

6)     Pet Product Exporter of the Year

7)     Lifetime Achievement Award

Entry for the awards is completely free of charge and companies or persons can enter as many categories as they wish.  Nominations need to be emailed to pat@petquip.com by 30th June 2014.  Nominations can come directly from the entrant or be submitted by another party.  The application needs to provide full contact details of the entrant and stipulate which category they wish to enter.  Applications need to include brief information on the reason for the entry and why the particular product, company or person qualifies for an award.  On receipt of an entry, PetQuip will forward a simple form for the entrant to complete that will provide entry information for the judges.  The form will be accompanied by the Terms and Conditions.

The entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges during August and the winners will be announced at the PetQuip Awards Party on 14 September 2014, which is being staged in association with Impact Exhibitions, the organiser of PATS Harrogate.

Pat Flynn commented: ‘”PATS has proved to be a fantastic trade show for the industry, and our awards are intended to recognise  some of the major achievements of the past season, whilst also bring an element of fun to the event.  We have been fortunate to recruit The Rockits, the resident band from the Cavern Club in Liverpool, to provide the entertainment at the event, which is being held in the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.  The Rockits are a fantastic group, and their performance at a recent industry event resulted in eight encores!”

Further information on these prestigious awards, details of how to enter and the booking form to secure Early Bird Discount tickets for the awards and party night are available from Pat Flynn on telephone (+44) 07778 313623 or e-mail:  pat@petquip.com; or from the PetQuip secretariat on 01959 565995 or e-mail: info@petquip.com 

Companies wishing to explore the commercial and publicity opportunities available in sponsoring an award should contact Pat Flynn.

Pictured: Jo Lapidge of Litter Kwitter receives the Exporter of the Year gold award from Amanda Sizer Barrett, PetQuip’s director general at last year’s awards.

 
Are you ready for the aquatic plant ban?

A sales ban on some aquatic pond plants comes into full force in April which will stop the trade in five invasive species. The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association has suggested the industry does not sell these particular plants for several years but DEFRA introduced the ban last year, giving traders until April 2014 to clear any stock.


A sales ban on some aquatic pond plants comes into full force in April which will stop the trade in five invasive species.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association has suggested the industry does not sell these particular plants for several years but DEFRA introduced the ban last year, giving traders until April 2014 to clear any stock.

The five plants banned from sale by DEFRA are:

  • Water Fern (Azolla filiculoides)
  • Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
  • Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
  • Australian swamp stone crop (New Zealand Pygmyweed) (Crassula helmsii)
  • Water Primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora)

The ban means all retailers in England must stop selling these plants or face a fine of up to £5,000 and/or up to six months in prison. Retailers have had a year to adjust to the ban.

“We’ve been saying for some time that retailers should not be selling these plants and any shops that have continued to do so have had a year to clear their shelves. So there should be no excuse for these five plants to be sold after April,” explained OATA’s Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

“These plants have been identified by DEFRA as posing a significant risk when they escape into the our native waterways so we’d also urge retailers and pond consultants to make sure they give proper advice to their customers on how to manage and dispose of these plants when they’re already in ponds. There’s plenty of useful information about careful composting aquatic plants in Be Plant Wise leaflets and point of sale information.

“It’s vital that our industry is seen to be acting responsibly across the UK when it comes to the ‘no release’ message because otherwise we’re likely to see yet more plant bans. We’ve already seen water hyacinth come under fire in recent House of Commons’ evidence sessions by the Environmental Audit Committee. This group of MPs is examining invasive species in the UK and we know that other pond plants – including water hyacinth and Lagarosiphon – are coming under increased scrutiny. These plants are worth millions of pounds to the industry so if we don’t want to lose these to the trade we need to be part of the solution – not viewed as the start of the problem.”

More information on the banned plants can be found on the new pond season page on OATA’s website http://www.ornamentalfish.org/pond-season 

Check out the new Fluval Aquatics website


Fluval, the leading aquatic products brand, has enhanced its online presence with the launch of the exciting new Fluval Aquatics website...



Fluval, the leading aquatic products brand, has enhanced its online presence with the launch of the exciting new Fluval Aquatics website.

Users can dive deeper into the home aquarium experience like never before, navigating through the wide array of premium products, news, video guides, fish-keeping tips and event information.

The new look website uses a highly graphical interface inspired by the theme ‘discover life below water’ with an easy to navigate user-friendly system. You can meet the aquatic experts who inspire Fluval’s iconic cutting-edge products, learn valuable tips that will help you build the perfect aquarium and join the Fluval team as they journey through Colombia’s tropical waters.

Discover Freshwater, Saltwater and Lifestyle products to add eye catching displays to any home and with the addition of Fluval TV, our Fluval experts will visually guide you through helpful product features, fish-keeping tips, global adventures and more.

The website allows you to build a wishlist to track your favourite products and accessories and by signing up to receive the Fluval Newsletter you can ensure you’re always first in line to receive news and promotions

Don’t forget the ‘Featured Products’ section of the website which showcases new Fluval product releases that are making waves in the aquatic world.

Visit www.fluvalaquatics.com to see for yourself.

 
Blagdon’s Auto Shut-Off Feature Pump delivers market first
Anyone with an outdoor water feature will appreciate the latest innovation from water garden experts, Blagdon. The Auto Shut-Off Feature Pump turns off the pump automatically if the water level runs low, meaning your pump will never burn out...



Anyone with an outdoor water feature will appreciate the latest innovation from water garden experts, Blagdon. The Auto Shut-Off Feature Pump turns off the pump automatically if the water level runs low, meaning your pump will never burn out.

Windy conditions can displace water from water features and sunshine can dry up water reservoirs quickly and unnoticed. The result is burnt out pumps that are hard to replace as they are often hidden beneath heavy fountains or cables are laid beneath paving slabs or pathways. A first to market, the auto shut off pump removes the worry of monitoring water levels in outdoor water features. Once the water levels are replenished, the pump re-starts automatically.

The pump is powerful enough even for wall mounted water features. To ensure the pump is as low maintenance as possible, the pump has a pre-filter cage that prevents debris creating blockages that need to be cleared. A large easy to grip water flow control also means the pump is easy to operate even when hidden in the sump of the water feature.

Nathan Ring, Blagdon Brand Spokesperson, says: “We all know how annoying it is when we boil a kettle and realise we’ve forgotten to put water in. It’s easily done but damage is avoided as the kettle automatically turns itself off. The same is needed for water feature pumps, especially as the damage of a pump running dry can be a lot more extensive than a kettle.

"Replacing a pump often requires significant work to reach cables running under patios and paths. This is the first pump with an automatic shut-off feature – it makes pump burn out a thing of the past.”

The Blagdon 650 Auto Shut-Off Feature Pump is available immediately for an SSP of £29.99.

For more information visit: http://interpetcatalogue.com/ or email: customercare@interpet.co.uk

 
68% of owners fail to feed pets properly

Britain is facing a pet obesity epidemic as new figures suggest that almost half of all animals taken to the vet are considered overweight...




Britain is facing a pet obesity epidemic as new figures suggest almost half of all animals taken to the vet are considered overweight.

According to a report released yesterday entitled Pet Obesity: Five Years On, the vast majority of vets believe that the issue has got markedly worse since 2009 and call for urgent action to be taken by owners.

More than two-thirds of pet owners fail to feed their animals correctly in accordance with vets’ guidelines, the researchers said, based on a survey of 1,000 owners carried out last month.

And while 93% of pet-owners say they would be deeply concerned to discover that their animal was overweight, only 37% are aware of the simple techniques which can be used to check this.

The report produced by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA), also found that 36% of pet owners are using “human” food to treat pets, even when some can be toxic to animals (such as chocolate, onions and grapes).

According to PFMA, more than three-quarters of UK vets are now running obesity clinics at their surgeries, and the organisation quoted previous research which suggests keeping a pet at a lean body weight can prolong its active life by up to two years.

PFMA has produced a series of practical tools and advice for pet owners to follow, which can be found on their website.

Michael Bellingham, the PFMA chief executive, said: “All the tools are in place for pet owners and pet care professionals to better pets’ lives together – now is the time to use them.”

 
Ambleside's Hayes Garden Centre owner jailed
The owner of one of the Lake District's best known businesses has been jailed for 18 months for conspiring to pervert the course of justice...

The owner of one of the Lake District's best known businesses has been jailed for 18 months for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Richard Hayes, of Hayes Garden Centre in Ambleside, attempted to lay the blame for a drink-driving offence on one of his employees.

Hayes and the employee, Derek Henderson, were charged after questions arose as to who the driver of a Porsche was when it was involved in a crash in November 2010 near Kendal.

Hayes was jailed for 18 months and Derek Henderson for 12 months.

“We hope that today’s convictions and sentences serve as a warning to other motorists who seek to evade the law," said Katie Micolson, senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.

"The two men conspired together to deliberately mislead the police and the courts in relation to who was driving the car at the time of the collision.

"Hayes was arrested at the scene and was convicted after trial of driving over the alcohol limit and driving without due care and attention. He then lodged an appeal naming Henderson as the driver.

"However the judge was not satisfied with their version of events and asked for a further investigation into who was driving at the time."

 
159,536 people visit Crufts – a rise of 7% on the previous year
Dog lovers flocked to the NEC in their hundreds of thousands last week as Crufts celebrated its joint biggest year, with almost 160,000 people coming to celebrate the British love affair with dogs...



Dog lovers flocked to the NEC in their hundreds of thousands last week as Crufts celebrated its joint biggest year, with almost 160,000 people coming to celebrate the British love affair with dogs.

In total 159,536 people visited the show over the course of the four day event, whose principal sponsor is Eukanuba, closely matching the record breaking 2008 attendance figure. The gate was up 7% on last year.

Celebrities who dropped in to coo at the Cocker Spaniels and fawn over the Foxhounds included Homeland actor Damian Lewis; Harry Potter actress Elizabeth McCrory; TV presenter Ulrika Johnson; singer, actor and TV presenter John Barrowman; TV presenter and actress Amanda Holden, Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford MBE and Downtown Abbey star Lesley Nicol.

A record number of people tuned in the watch the coverage across Channel 4 and More4 with a total of 4.6 million tuning in, compared to 1.8 million last year. Viewing figures peaked at 1.8million on Sunday night alone, as people watched Standard Poodle, Ricky be crowned as Best in Show and Cocker Spaniel, Molly be crowned as the UK’s top dog hero in the Friends for Life competition.

Additionally, 75,400 hours of watch-time was clocked up on the Crufts Youtube channel, with more than 48,000 watching the live internet stream. The Crufts Facebook page was hugely popular, delivering pictures, videos, news and comment throughout the show and now has over 133,000 likes, 366,000 fans and with almost 14 million views of Kennel Club social media posts throughout the event.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Crufts celebrates the British love affair with dogs in a unique and special way and we are so pleased that people continue to get so much pleasure from the event. The show reflects the extraordinary and special relationships that people have with their dogs.

“Year on year people visit Crufts to watch exciting dog sports and competitions from agility, showing, flyball and  heelwork to music to dog hero competition Friends for Life and crossbreed competition Scruffts, but it also helps potential dog owners to make responsible decisions about buying a puppy or rescue dog. The event was packed with information about which breeds suits which lifestyles in the Discover Dogs area; how to ensure that you get a healthy puppy from a responsible breeder or rescue home and what is being done generally to improve dog health, in the Breeding for the Future area and how to be a responsible dog owner in areas such as the Good Citizen Dog Training ring.

“We would like to thank everybody who entered their dogs into Crufts or took part in one of the many activities at the show, many of whom had travelled miles and crossed seas to be there, and every member of the visiting and viewing public who supported the event due to their love of dogs.

“We could not have put on such a marvelous show without our fantastic sponsors and without Channel 4 and More4, who as always, did a superb job of showing the nation all that Crufts is about. The television coverage reflected the excitement and diversity of the various Crufts competitions and was a platform for the discussion of interesting and important issues about buying the right puppy, dog health and how to be a responsible dog owner.”

 
Lucy and Indie win Crufts Factor
Lucy Heath and her dog Indie have proved themselves as the crème de la crème of canine stars after being named as the winners of this year’s Crufts Factor competition...



Lucy Heath and her dog Indie have proved themselves as the crème de la crème of canine stars after being named as the winners of this year’s Crufts Factor competition.

In the weeks leading up to  the world’s biggest and best dog event, entries for the Crufts Factor were open on the Crufts Facebook page. The categories changed each week and the Kennel Club has been searching for dogs with a range of talents, from those with the best tricks and the best routines, to the funniest dogs.

Lucy and Indie impressed with their video submission which showed their Freestyle performance to ‘That Man’ at the Lincolnshire County Show.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We are thrilled that Lucy and Indie have won this year’s Crufts Factor competition.  Their performance was fun to watch and showed off a lot of skill and they clearly love spending time together - their chemistry really seemed to come across in their video.

“The Crufts Factor is all about finding the nation’s most talented dogs with star quality, regardless of what their special skill may be.  Whether a dog’s talents lie in dancing, singing, or something entirely different, the competition is all about celebrating the extraordinary talents of ordinary dogs, and a big congratulations goes out to Lucy and Indie as well as each of the winners of the individual categories.”

The winners for each category:
  
- Best Routine – Lucy and Indie http://youtu.be/dvud7rrKXPk

- Best Trick – Terri and Sam http://youtu.be/HKTJJJeUKwA

- Funniest Dog – Kim and Koby http://youtu.be/mKm-rP8wYII

- Most Musical – Kathleen and Brandy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ybsejWu5Y8&feature=youtu.be


Each winner will receive a £100 Pets at Home voucher, with Lucy receiving £250 in Sykes Cottages vouchers as the overall winner.

To watch this year’s Crufts Factor entries visit the Crufts Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crufts.

 
Ceva launches Feliway advertising campaign featuring Dawn French on Heart FM
Ceva Animal Health has launched a new radio advertising campaign on Heart FM to highlight the benefits of the UK’s leading veterinary behaviour product Feliway among cat owners...


Ceva Animal Health has launched a new radio advertising campaign on Heart FM to highlight the benefits of the UK’s leading veterinary behaviour product Feliway among cat owners.

Voiced by the iconic actress and comedian Dawn French, the Heart FM radio advertisement will raise awareness of the signs of stress in cats, which include scratching furniture, and the use of Feliway to reduce feline anxiety. 

Featuring the strapline ‘the secret to happy pets’ the advert will run on Heart FM’s 38 regional stations from Monday 24 March, with a reach of approximately seven million adult listeners. The station attracts a wide audience, of whom a high proportion are pet owners.

To support the radio advertising campaign, Ceva is running a competition on the Feliway website – www.feliway.co.uk - for one lucky person to win £5,000 of Virgin Holidays’ vouchers for a trip of a lifetime on a ‘Big Cat Safari’ adventure. 

The company is also offering a second prize of an annual family pass to a wildlife park or zoo of the winner’s choice, together with a month’s supply of Feliway.

 
Tropican gets seal of approval from Wing and a Prayer
Wild bird and owl haven rehabilitation centre, Wing and a Prayer, have given Hagen’s Tropican Breeding Mash their seal of approval in the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned birds...



Wild bird and owl haven rehabilitation centre, Wing and a Prayer, have given Hagen’s Tropican Breeding Mash their seal of approval in the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned birds.

Tropican is the only formulated food line that most birds will need in their lifetime, from a newly hatched baby chick to a mature, breeding adult, making it ideal for bringing birds back to the peak of their health.

Wing and a Prayer rehabilitates on average 650 birds a year, with many requiring hand feeding due to their juvenile nature and inability to self feed. Tropican Breeding Mash has proven to be a superior product, not only in providing the nutrients that birds need to grow, but also for promoting excellent feather condition during their rehabilitation.

The versatile formulation of the product enables it to be used as a syringe based feed for pigeons and collard doves, but also as a main element in mixes made up for stick feeding smaller birds such as finches and sparrows.

Richard Gallop, Manager at Wing and a Prayer, said: "We use Tropican hand rearing mash as we find it to be a superior product to some other brands. The formula is versatile to use and provides all the nutrients that our birds need to grow. I have absolute trust in the Hagen brand and continue to use Tropican Breeding Mash to ensure our birds are rehabilitated as quickly as possible.”

For more information contact Rolf C. Hagen (UK) Ltd on 01977 556622 or visit  www.hagen.com

 
Marina Betta Kit is ideal for fishkeeping newcomers
Hagen has launched the Marina Betta Kit, an aquarium believes is perfect for fishkeeping newcomers to develop their hobby...



Siamese Fighting Fish make excellent first pets and are one of the most popular tropical fish in our homes today. Because this species are perfectly happy being kept on their own and thrive in small areas, the Marina Betta Kit is the perfect aquarium to develop the hobby.

To thrive, Siamese Fighting Fish need to be kept at 24-25 degrees Celsius and grow to around 6cm, meaning a tank of 6L or more is perfect for this colourful fish to spread its beautiful fins.

The fantastic new Marina Betta Kit provides the perfect environment for your beautiful Siamese Fighting Fish to explore, complete with all the elements you will need to ensure your Siamese Fighter feels right at home.

Designed to hold seven litres of water, which is a large enough area to house a Siamese Fighter Fish plus a couple of snails and shrimp to help keep the aquarium clean, the compact aquarium is available in a choice of two colours and reversible aquarium backgrounds to suit your decor.

Turn your Betta tank into a stylish underwater home with the help of the contemporary range of Marina gravel and plants, all available in a selection of colours and plant varieties to dress your tank beautifully. There is also an optional LED light, enhancing the beauty of your fish and illuminating plants and ornaments.

The Marina Betta Kit fully complies with OATA’s guidelines for keeping fish in the UK, so you can be sure your Betta fish is happy, healthy and has all the space he needs.

The Marina Betta Kit comes complete with:

  • 7L Aquarium
  • Marina i25 Internal Filter
  • Submersible Heater
  • Double sided background

For more information visit www.hagen.com

 

 
The new Day & Night LED light is energy efficient
The new Day & Night LED light from Exo Terra is a convenient and energy efficient day and night light ideal for reptiles and amphibians with no UVB requirements...

The new Day & Night LED light from Exo Terra is a convenient and energy efficient day and night light ideal for reptiles and amphibians with no UVB requirements.

The low energy lighting device contains bright white LEDs to mimic sunlight with the ability to switch to the night light at the touch of a button, creating a night time atmospheric blue light with natural temperature drops you would experience in the wild.

Ideally suited to snakes, nocturnal geckos, frogs, newts, salamanders, spiders and scorpions, the Day and Night light is the most convenient and energy efficient way to illuminate your terrarium, allowing you to observe your reptile’s adventures without disturbing their natural behaviour.

Conventional light bulbs waste more than 80% of the used energy in the form of heat, whereas the

Exo Terra Day & Night LED illuminates your terrarium with a minimum of heat and a maximum of light output reducing the risk of overheating in the warm summer months.

The longevity of the LED light also means they consume less energy and have a longer lifespan compared to conventional incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs meaning fewer replacements which inevitably delivers money saving benefits.

The Exo Terra Day & Night Light is available in 2 sizes: 15 LED and 24 LED.

For more information visit www.exo-terra.com

Raising awareness about 'cruel' puppy farming
PupAid, Europe's biggest event of its kind aimed at ending the cruel practice of puppy farming, will again be held at one of London's most exclusive outdoor venues, Primrose Hill, in September...
PupAid, Europe's biggest event of its kind aimed at ending the cruel practice of puppy farming, will again be held at one of London's most exclusive outdoor venues, Primrose Hill, in September.

Combatting this cruel industry, PupAid's animal welfare campaign is showcased annually by a star-studded celebrity-judged fun dog show with past supporters including Ricky Gervais, Brian May, Elle MacPherson and Liam Gallagher.

PupAid will take place on Saturday, September 6. For more information visit www.pupaid.org
Pet Trade Xtra – Circulation Report 2013
  • Total e-mails sent:  355,576
  • Issues published:  47
  • Unique readers (e-mail openers):  6,647
  • Average opening rate each issue:  28%
  • Average page views per month:  13,902

Source: Newsweaver Reports


Email Newsletter Software by Newsweaver