Visitors to PATS Sandown can expect to see an impressive showcase of new products for 2013 with a record number of over 160 exhibitors keen to unveil their latest creations when the event opens on Tuesday, March 19.

As well as being displayed on a vast array of exhibitor stands in the Surrey and Esher Halls at Sandown Park during the two-day show, over 120 items have been entered into the New Products Showcase, which has become one of the most popular features at PATS.  

The Showcase is a great way for visitors to see and touch the new products, making it the ideal place to view the things they’ll want to stock in their store.

The Showcase has been given a prime position in the Surrey Hall’s Brasserie Bar this year, acknowledging its importance to both exhibitors and visitors, and all items entered by exhibitors will be put forward for the New Product Awards.

Once visitors have seen what they like in the Showcase they then have the opportunity of visiting the stands of the manufacturers or suppliers of those products to discuss them in more detail. There will be an information card beside each product, giving details, such as suggested retail price and where in the show the item’s exhibitor can be found.

All entries in the Showcase will be judged by a panel of retailer judges for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show. The results will be known and highlighted throughout the Surrey and Esher Halls for the rest of the exhibition.

The panel of judges has already been chosen after retailers were invited to put themselves forward, and their identities are a closely guarded secret to ensure complete impartiality during the judging process.

Winning an award in the PATS New Product Showcase can be the launch pad to huge sales. That’s according to companies whose new products have been recognised at previous exhibitions.

Manufacturers can be confident that successful products have a great chance of becoming bestsellers because a panel of pet retailers decides the awards. Past winners admit that winning an award can certainly increase the profile of the items to the trade.

The awards will be presented by Karen Pickwick, editor of sponsors Pet Business World, at the New Products Showcase display at lunchtime on Tuesday, March 19. Visitors will be invited to attend and cheer on the winners.

Entries will be displayed under the following award categories

• Cat Product or Service
• Dog Product or Service
• Bird Product or Service
• Small Animal Product or Service
• Pet Care Product or Service
• Aquatics/Reptile Product or Service
• Grooming Product or Service
• Retail Resources Product or Service

PATS Sandown is certainly the place to be to see all new products for 2013 under one roof. Visitors are now being urged to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk. Benefits include free parking, free catalogue, free seminars, dog grooming demonstrations and many special offers.

Dog groomers have hit back at national newspaper headlines which have threatened to drive owners away from their salons.

The British Dog Groomers’ Association sent a statement to the national press to provide some balance to the dramatic journalism used in reporting recent tragedies involving grooming salons.

"We hope the national media take notice of the facts," said Heidi Anderton, director of grooming for the British Dog Groomers’ Association.

"The issue of regulation is one which we as an organisation are actively tackling. We will share more information about a Quality Assurance Standard for groomers as soon as it is ready."

The BDGA's comment reads as follows:

The sad cases involving grooming salons in the news recently are tragic and made more so where the incidents were avoidable. However, the British Dog Groomers’ Association would like to provide balance to some of the media reports which risk sullying the reputation of an entire industry.

First, we are concerned that the recent media storm should not have the effect of scaring dog owners away from using grooming professionals to take proper care of their dog.

Full coat maintenance can be time consuming but is crucial for maintaining the health of any dog. Many breeds of dog require professional trimming and styling. Most coated breeds will require full grooming about once every four to six weeks but even short coated breeds can benefit from a ‘wash and brush’ up more regularly to remove dust and dirt.

Secondly, dog owners looking for a groomer should seek out their nearest member of the British Dog Groomers’ Association (www.petcare.org.uk). For members of the BDGA, grooming is a vocation, not simply ‘a job’. The BDGA’s own history goes back over 30 years, and was founded on the principles of promoting excellence and life-long learning.

Our members sign up to a code of conduct subscribing to the highest professional standards – a significant pledge, particularly in an unregulated industry.

The BDGA has a network of satellite training centres around the UK offering City & Guilds qualifications in grooming. These busy centres are working hard to ensure that each new generation of qualified groomers steps into the industry skilled and knowledgeable.

As well as perfecting their craft, groomers who achieve their level 3 City & Guilds qualification in dog grooming will have undertaken rigorous health and safety training – invaluable in the grooming salon environment where sharp scissors and clippers are essential tools.

This means they will be well aware of all the risks and will have been trained to take necessary precautions to avoid accidents. Dog owners looking for that extra reassurance should ask groomers about their qualifications.

Finally, we live in an imperfect world, where cowboy operators can be found in any industry. The BDGA abhors the conduct of those who fail to prioritise the welfare of the dogs in their care.

Identifying these individuals when there is no licensing system in place is virtually impossible. Whilst government has little appetite for regulating this industry, it falls on the best of the best to self-regulate, and the BDGA is well placed for this.

We are actively seeking the support of a key animal welfare charity in introducing a Quality Assurance Standard for groomers, which would provide reassurance to consumers.

Talks are in early stages so for now we advise the dog loving public to take the time to select their groomers carefully and to watch out for further news on this development.

PetQuip is organising a British pavilion at Zoomark International 2013 taking place in Bologna, Italy, on May 9-12, and is inviting UK-based companies to take part.

Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, Zoomark International is the biennial trade fair held in alternate years to Interzoo.

A total of 636 firms from 36 countries around the world exhibited at Zoomark International 2011, which attracted over 21,000 trade buyer.

The trade show benefits from a wide promotional campaign and once onsite exhibitors are able to showcase their products and services to a broad international audience.

Zoomark 2013 will stretch over an exhibit surface of 52,000 square metres, an increase of 8,000 square metres from 2011.

The Italian market for pet supplies is one of the most dynamic in Europe. Retail sales are an estimated €3.8-€4 billion a year and, with supplies for dogs and cats predominating, the market continues to expand at a faster rate than those of France, Germany and the UK.

But Zoomark is not exclusively about the Italian market. The close proximity of Bologna to Central and Eastern Europe draws trade fair visitors from those rapidly developing markets for consumer goods, thus providing an added incentive for British suppliers to exhibit at Zoomark International.



PetQuip has been negotiating extensively with the organisers and can now offer an attractive package deal for British firms at next year’s show:

• The British pavilion will have a prime location.
• A comprehensive stand package designed so British firms can just turn up and display their products.
• The potential for grant aid from the UK Trade & Investment’s TAP Scheme subject to eligibilty.
• Help with freight and other logistics from PetQuip’s dedicated event organisers.
• Advice and information about how to make the most of your presence at the event.
• The support at the show of a pet equipment industry information stand, organised by PetQuip and manned by an experienced team, including an interpreter.
• A schedule of press releases before, during and after the show, to publicise the goods and services of the British group
• A preview sent out to named buyers in advance of the show to generate advance publicity for the group.
• Preferential management fee for members of PetQuip.

For more information email emma@petquip.com or theresa@petquip.com

Consumer pet shows are springing up all over the country with organisers claiming that interest in owning a pet has never been higher.

The latest company to announce their plans for 2013 are Sherwood Media & Events, who have decided to take their consumer show Pet Expo to
Glow at Bluewater, Kent, on October 25-27.

“Glow’s integration with Bluewater Shopping Centre means it provides so much more than any other events venue in the South East," said event director Marie Murphy.

"We believe the benefits of being co-located with a major retail and entertainment centre will offer a significantly stronger package for both
exhibitors and visitors, including free car parking and discounted restaurants meals."

For those families considering getting a pet for Christmas, a strong theme at Pet Expo 2013 will be to promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Animal charities, retailers, breeders, associations and pet services will be there specifically to meet visitors and answer any questions.

Marie Murphy added “We’re really excited to bring Pet Expo to the UK and it’s going to be such a great show for all the family and for anyone interested in their own pets or even considering getting a pet.

"There’ll also be lots to do and see including a Children’s Pet Corner. an on-going series of seminars and interactive workshops to entertain, enlighten and educate the whole family on choosing, owning, and caring for their pets.”

For more information visit www.petexpo.co.uk

Other leading consumer pet shows taking place this year...

       

Click on each logo to find out more details of the shows.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association is calling on all aquatic retailers and manufacturers to actively spread the 'Be Plant Wise' message as it awaits draft Invasives legislation from the European Union.

The draft regulation or directive comes out for consultation in the next couple of months and could have an enormous impact on what can be sold within the industry.

“We need to be an active part of the solution to tackling the issue of non-native plants and fish invading our countryside, so the more that people within the industry can do to inform customers the better,” said OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

News of the draft legislation was announced at a meeting held last week in Brussels, which brought together senior EU officials and organisations to debate the problem of invasive species in Europe.

At the meeting, entitled Biodiversity’s Ticking Time Bomb, Mr Davenport and Dr Alex Ploeg from Ornamental Fish International made the case for involving the trade in any consultations on the draft legislation. 

“We’re coming to the end of about five years of lobbying on this subject both at local and European levels. But it will start to get really serious now with the prospect of the draft regulation or directive coming out for consultation.

"I was pleased with the reception we got to our calls to involve the trade which I think shows that our representations so far have had an effect. And we’ll continue to hammer home our message that any legislation needs to be rational, proportionate and pragmatic.

“But it’s also vital for everyone involved in the aquatics industry – from the shop selling fish on the High Street to the manufacturers of aquariums and dry goods – to step up to the plate and play an active part in helping customers to understand why they shouldn’t get rid of plants and animals into the wild.

"It will make our hand so much stronger if we can show that the trade acts responsibly by actively informing its customers on the issues around invasive species.”

OATA recommends that retailers and manufacturers:

• Talk to customers about the Be Plant Wise campaign every time they sell fish, plants or dry goods
• Put up Be Plant Wise posters and leaflets in shops and premises which can be downloaded from https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/beplantwise/retailer/index.cfm
• Share the message regularly on websites and social media 
• Include leaflets with all dry goods products and put online messages about not releasing plants or pets into the wild. OATA is happy to help with more information on this.

Westland saw a 143% increase in year-on-year sales of its wild bird food brand Peckish following a TV advertising campaign in January,

The success of the campaign comes on the back of several exciting new launches for the brand, including the Peckish Daily Goodness nuggets and Peckish Winter Warmer bird feed - both of which benefit from the unique Calvita supplement which is completely distinctive to the range.

Peckish will be one of  three bird care brands that Westland will be showcasing at this year’s PATS Sandown.

Visitors to the Westland stand (R30) will be able to take advantage of a host of sales offers, meet the team and learn more about the company’s combined strength following the 2012 acquisition of Cranswick Pet Products – the only wild bird food manufacturer to have been awarded a stringent ‘A’ grade rating from the British Retail Consortium.

Rachael Dickinson, Senior Brand Manager at Westland comments:  “PATS Sandown provides the idea showcase for our leading brands in the bird care division – Bucktons, Peckish and Nature’s Feast. 

"We are looking forward to using the event to highlight how we can help deliver further growth to the independent pet trade market, through ongoing product innovation, investment in consumer communications and exacting standards.”

Bucktons, the UK's market leader in competitive mixtures for professional, amateur fancier and breeders, will play a leading role at the show following Westland’s continued investment in the brand. 

Recognised for the support it offers the UK Racing Pigeon sport, Bucktons remains at the forefront of the market through its high profile sponsorship of key events including the RPRA’s Blackpool Show and ongoing campaigns to promote the sport to the next generation.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to learn more about Westland’s significant commitment to driving forward the wild bird care category with both the Peckish and Nature’s Feast brands.  

Nature’s Feast will be using the show to highlight a wide range of range of stylish and durable feeders including the All Seasons Twist Feeder. Awarded PATS Product of the Year 2011 for Bird Care, the feeder has gone on to become one of Nature’s Feast’s best-selling products, alongside the brand’s comprehensive seed mixes including Feeder Supreme, High Energy Supreme and Everyday Mix.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued new guidance for owners of pet rodents following two recent UK cases of hantavirus.

A number of infections may have been acquired from pet rodents. Although rare, infection may follow a bite, contact with rodent urine or droppings, or through inhalation of infected animal waste including urine, faeces or dust from bedding materials.

Hantaviruses are passed from rodents to humans through inhalation of infected animal waste including urine, faeces and saliva (usually through a bite). They cannot be caught easily and prolonged exposure is required with infected rodents for the virus to be passed to people. Hantavirus infection does not pass from person-to-person.

The majority of hantavirus infections present as non specific, mild flu-like illness. Symptoms of more moderate disease are fever, headache, respiratory symptoms and kidney dysfunction. The most severe forms of disease have haemorrhagic (bleeding) manifestations.

One of two recent cases reported was in a man from North Wales who kept pet rats. He presented with acute kidney injury which required hospitalisation. The other case was a rat breeder’s spouse who was admitted to hospital in 2011 with an undiagnosed viral illness resulting in renal impairment. Blood tests from both cases showed high levels of antibodies to the virus. Both cases recovered.

The rats have also been tested and showed the presence of the virus which was the same type of hantavirus (Seoul hantavirus) as that to which the two human cases had antibodies.

Study author Lisa Jameson, a research fellow at the HPA, said: “All animals whether they are pets or wild, can carry bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people. Hantavirus infections are rare in the UK although they can cause very serious infections in people who are exposed and are susceptible.

“Given these cases and the possibility of acquiring other infections from pet rodents, we have developed guidance for people who keep pet rodents on how they can reduce their risk of infection. Long term studies are also planned by the HPA and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) to more accurately estimate the prevalence of hantavirus among the rodent population in the UK.

“We want people to enjoy their pets and handling them, and as long as people follow the guidelines regarding hygiene and handling, then the risk of becoming unwell from an infection is very low.”

HPA advice on how to reduce the risks of infection from pet rodents

• Do not eat, drink or smoke while tending to your pet rodent.
• Keep rodent cages clean and remove soiled bedding often.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (see link for good technique) immediately after handling your rodent or cleaning their cage or any other materials such as bedding, toys etc. Be especially careful to immediately clean your skin thoroughly if you get rodent urine directly on your skin.
• Do not kiss pet rodents or hold them close to your face.
• Cover cuts, scratches or sores with a waterproof plaster before handling animals and thoroughly clean and cover any cuts or abrasions received during handling the animal.
• Keep your pet rodent out of rooms where food is prepared and eaten, and limit the parts of the house where it is allowed to roam freely.

Do not use kitchen sinks for washing cages or equipment. If you use a bathroom sink, shower or bathtub, it must be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant afterwards.

Famous animal lovers Pam St Clement (Pat Butcher from EastEnders) and Samantha Brick (Celebrity Big Brother contestant) will judge the first Scrufts final at Crufts tomorrow (Friday).

It's the first time in its 12-year history that the final of the prestigious Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition is taking place at Crufts at the NEC in Birmingham.

Special celebrity judges Pam and Samantha will join the four finalists – Alfie, Barley, Becky and Rascal – in the Crufts main arena.

The four finalists secured their place after winning their class finals at Discover Dogs in London last November, beating almost 100 other contenders who had qualified at local heats held around the country.

The finalists were selected from their respective categories: Prettiest Bitch (Becky), Most Handsome Dog (Alfie), Golden Oldie (Rascal) and Child’s Best Friend (Barley).

Prettiest Bitch finalist Becky is a true mongrel - “the epitome of the competition” explains her owner Margaret McKnight from Bangor, County Down. Becky was rescued along with her litter mates from the River Lagan near Belfast seven years ago and now lives with retired teacher Margaret.

Most Handsome Dog finalist Alfie is a Labrador/Great Dane cross. His owners, Neil and Zoe Stow from Poole, Dorset took him in after seeing him being advertised by his previous owner who could not care for him properly. Neil said: “We were his fifth home. He was incredibly nervous when we got him and was so skinny you could see every one of his ribs. He is now however becoming a really happy, confident, affectionate and loving dog.”

Rascal, a 10-year-old Jack Russell/Norfolk Terrier cross is the Golden Oldie finalist. Rascal was adopted by Anne Worthington from Dereham, Norfolk, at the age of six months, and has been a loyal, loving and constant companion of Anne, keeping her company whilst her husband is away with the RAF.

Barley is a Pyrenean Mountain Dog/Golden Retriever cross. His best friend is 14-year-old Annabelle Shemming from Ipswich, Suffolk, and together they are the Child’s Best Friend finalists. “Barley is so special and different - he loves sleeping and eating, he is very intelligent and also stubborn.” Annabelle explained (pictured with Barley above).

Scruffts is run in support of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which has donated over £6.7m worth of grants to benefit the canine world since its inception in 1987.

Its mission is to promote the improvement of dogs through charitable donations and helping to fund research into canine health problems. The Kennel Club is hoping that more people will get involved with Scruffts throughout 2013, raising more money to make a difference for dogs and spending time with their own dogs in the process.

To find out more about Scruffts visit www.scruffts.org.uk

Over 2,200 people who work with dogs have registered in advance of Crufts this week, to take advantage of the first ever dedicated resource for canine professionals at the show - the KCAI Career Zone in partnership with Purina PRO PLAN.

 
The Career Zone has been developed by the Kennel Club’s KCAI Scheme and Purina PRO PLAN, as part of their commitment to support canine professionals by delivering the highest standards of care and advice to dog owners in the UK, under the quality badge of the KCAI Scheme.

Part of the Career Zone’s offering to visitors is a comprehensive programme of lectures being given by some of the most respected names in the dog world. Such has been the level of interest that capacity has had to be increased in the KCAI Career Zone lecture theatre and, even with this increase all the lectures are fully booked.  

Those not lucky enough to secure a place at one of the lectures have registered to take the opportunity to talk to the KCAI Expert Panel members to develop their careers or to get advice on current issues.

Over 600 dog trainers and canine behaviourists have registered to attend, but other professions are very well represented too: there will be nearly 50 dog wardens, 320 dog groomers, 183 vets and vet nurses, 200 rescue and rehoming professionals and 120 assistance dog professionals in attendance.

And it is not just those in the more ‘established’ dog professions that are taking advantage of the Career Zone: over 400 visitors are expected who work in the growing areas of dog walking or pet sitting. 

Laura Colborn, Manager of the KCAI Scheme says: “The Career Zone is a very exciting opportunity for anyone who works with dogs to learn from some of the very best in the business. 

"The KCAI Scheme and PRO PLAN have a shared passion for improving the health and welfare of dogs and we are delighted that so many canine professionals will be visiting the Career Zone.
 
“By improving their knowledge and professional standing through the KCAI Scheme, canine professionals will help ensure dog owners receive the standard of care they deserve for their pets."

Really Wild TV presenter Michaela Strachan has thrown her support behind Wild Futures' campaign to end the primate pet trade in the UK.

Wild Futures, which runs the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe, claims current legislation on the ownership of primates, and Defra's code of practice for keeping the animals, is being ignored.

As a result monkeys are suffering in inappropriate environments all around the UK, the organisation says.

The charity is now calling for a total ban on keeping monkeys as pets.

Brooke Aldrich, campaigns manager at Wild Futures, said: "It is clear that current UK legislation is failing these socially complex and highly intelligent animals.

"The situation is tragic, especially in light of the UK's reputation as a nation of animal-lovers.

"We are sure that the best and only option is to ban the primate pet trade in the UK."

Currently filming her latest TV show, Really Wild Adventures, Ms Strachan said: "I am shocked at how big the monkey pet trade is in the UK – 5, 000 monkeys are kept as pets. I had no idea there were that many."

She urged members of the public to think twice before buying primates as pets.

"Monkeys are not domesticated; they simply don't make good pets. People in this country should know better.

"When I was a child I adored monkeys and the idea of having one as a pet was a constant fantasy.

"But it's as ridiculous as having a pet lion or a pet elephant.

"As an adult, it's just wrong to indulge that childhood fantasy, however much we think we love that animal."

The Monkey Sanctuary in Looe reopened to members of the public on Saturday. For more information visit www.monkeysanctuary.org

A Lancashire pet shop, which has been open less than 12 months, is to set appear on national TV.

Barrowford Pet Store, in Nelson, will star in the Channel Four series Britain’s Secret Shoppers where host Justin Preston tries to turn people into savvy consumers.

The shop applied to feature on the show, which wanted to hear from struggling businesses, after being contacted by the Pet Care Trust.

Alison Owen, who runs the business with husband Chez, said: “They wanted to hear from a pet shop business that was struggling in the economic climate and we thought, we are a new business so naturally we’re struggling so we may as well apply. The following morning the producers got in touch. It all happened very quickly.

“They filmed here on four occasions five months ago but we haven’t seen any of the show yet. We will see it for the first time when it is aired.”

As part of the programme, the presenters go into the shop to film undercover, before showing the footage back to the staff, which Alison described as an ‘eye-opening experience’.

When the show is aired on Thursday, March 14, Alison and Chez will be hosting a charity evening at Barrowford Working Men’s Club.

They will be raising money for the Little LAMB fund for Pendle youngster Louie Jenkins, and for the 2014 Barrowford Show.

During the evening, which begins at 7.30pm, Alison and Chez will be watching the programme for the first time.

Alison said: “Entry to the charity evening will be by a donation. Everybody there will be able to watch us watching ourselves on TV, which will be an interesting experience. There will be nowhere to hide."

Leading cat food brand Whiskas has launched a new TV advertising campaign called ‘Big Cat Little Cat’.

The campaign, launched at the end of February, reinforces the fact that Whiskas understands what cats need through insights from the parent company's Waltham Centre of Pet Nutrition.

Developed with AMV BBDO, the campaign marks a new focus for the Whiskas brand, and brings to life the idea there is a big cat inside every small one.

The 50-second advert, which aired on ITV1 during the ad break for Coronation Street, showed a leopard exploring a snowy environment at night, which is then revealed to be a neighbourhood garden. The leopard hears a dog bark and runs towards a house’s cat flap. As it enters the house, the leopard transforms into the recognisable silver tabby cat.

Miranda Sambles, UK Marketing Director Mars Petcare, said: “At Whiskas we understand a feline’s natural instincts like no one else and we know that big cats and little cats share a lot of behaviours.

"Our new Big Cat Little Cat campaign brings this insight to life in an engaging way. In understanding the link between the two cat types, our product range gives cats all that they naturally need in one brand.”

Dr. Sandra McCune, Scientific Leader of Human-Animal Interaction at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, added: “For 50 years, the centre has been a leading authority within the field of pet nutrition and care and underpins product development across the Mars Petcare portfolio.

"Many owners will recognise character traits in their own cats that they’d see in big cats, whether that’s scratching posts or hunting at night.”

The 50 second ad will be supported by an additional 30 second ad, online activity and PR.

Potential dog-owners are being urged to do their homework before committing to taking on a puppy after an increase of dogs being handed in because they were too large.

Pet charity Blue Cross said three times more dogs had been handed in last year because of their size, with the most common reason for giving them up being a lack of time for them.

Large breeds given up because their owners say they were too big include great Danes, dogue de Bordeaux, German shepherds, rottweilers and Labradors.

Mandy Jones, Blue Cross head of rehoming, said: "The larger breeds we are taking in because of their size shows how important it is do your research.

"Think about what the dog will be like when he is fully grown and what their breed was originally trained to do.

"All dogs still need to show some of this instinctive behaviour and it is up to their owners to use play or exercise to prevent their dog from becoming frustrated."

To find out more about the dogs currently needing new homes, or for tips on choosing the right breed for you, visit www.bluecross.org.uk