A film production company is looking to recruit dog owners and their pets for a new Channel 4 TV series.

Five Mile Films, makers of popular television programme ‘The Dog House’, needs misbehaving dogs and their owners for a new series called ‘The Dog Academy’.

“We’re hoping to hear from people who might be struggling with their dog’s behaviour and need help to overcome their dog’s issues,” said assistant producer Mel Beatson.

“From small quirks to life-impacting behaviour, we’ve assembled a team of the very best trainers in Britain to help owners transform their dogs once and for all. 

“The series will be filmed later this year, but we’d love to start hearing from people now.” 

Dog owners are now being invited to apply for an audition by emailing dogacademy@fivemilefilms.co.uk

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes has announced it will open its new flagship store at Wrexham’s Border Retail Park on Saturday May 7, creating 10 jobs as part of a £1m investment in the borough. 

And to launch the store, Jollyes has teamed up with the borough’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid as it aims to wow judges who have already selected Wrexham for the final four shortlist in the competition. 

With the support of the 2025 bid team, Jollyes will also host a competition of its own to celebrate the store opening.   

Britain’s first ‘Pet Passion Show’ will take place outside the new store on opening day as Jollyes launches a search for the pets and owners with the most loving relationships to take to the Jollyes red-carpet catwalk. 

Jollyes’ pioneering Pet Passion Show is not about finding the most beautiful pets in Wrexham – it’s about finding the 10 most amazing relationships between pets and their owners in the borough, to celebrate how pets can lift their owners’ lives. 

And the passion show won’t just be for dogs, but all kinds of pets and their owners. Those selected to take part will get a Jollyes opening day goody bag and their pets will get a free makeover in the store’s new spa. 

Applications from Wrexham borough-based owners (or the cleverest of pets) including a picture and story can be made by posting pictures and their stories at the Jollyes Instagram site (https://www.instagram.com/jollyesuk/] with the hashtag #JollyesPetParade.  

Wrecsam 2025 bid team member and destination manager Joe Bickerton and his dog Milly will also take to the red carpet on opening day. 

Jollyes’ new Wrexham store will be a landmark one for the pet retailer. As well as selling a wide range of pet food and accessories, the store will feature “The Spa”, Jollyes’ high-quality dedicated dog grooming salon, and a pet clinic.  

Jollyes chief operating officer Joe Wykes said: “Wrexham is the perfect location for us to open what will be one of our flagship stores. Not only do we know that the people of Wrexham love their pets, but they also live in of one of the most vibrant boroughs in the UK that as the 2025 City of Culture bid shows, is going places. We can’t wait to open our doors in May.” 

Joe Bickerton, from the Wrecsam 2025 City of Culture bid, said: “Wrexham County is an amazing place to live, work and invest and the county has real momentum at the moment.  

“It’s fantastic news that Jollyes the Pet People have chosen Wrexham as a destination for their flagship store. We’ve had lots of community events promoting our bid and were delighted when we were approached by Jollyes the pet people asking if they could also hold an event promoting our bid as part of their store opening.  

“I’m really looking forward to this quirky and fun event that I’m sure will be a great success.” 

The Border Retail Park store will be Jollyes’ second store in North Wales, complementing its popular outlet at the Flintshire Retail Park, Flint. 

The opening will mark an important stage in the retailer’s plans that will see Jollyes open 20 stores in this calendar year across the UK. 

More details about the store’s launch plans, including timings for the Pet Passion Show, will be released in the week of opening. 

Customers have welcomed the opening of a new family-run pet shop in a North-West town after seeing the closure of a nearby store.

Wayne and Suzanne Haslam recently unveiled The Pet Stop in Farnsworth Shopping Centre, Greater Manc and they said business had been good so far.

The new store has proved to be popular with pet owners after the closure of Nigel’s Pet Supplies in the same shopping precinct.

Nigel Cain, who closed his store at the beginning of April after 34 years, has helped Wayne and Suzanne to settle into their new business.

“Nigel’s help and support has been amazing because we’ve never run a shop before. We’ve known him for a few years,” said Wayne.

As well as running the new store in Farnworth, near Bolton, the couple also offer a delivery service.

“Custom has been good so far,” added Wayne.

Investment in sustainable packaging is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for businesses to survive in the pet industry, according to research experts Euromonitor International.

Nozomi Hariya, senior analyst of food and nutrition at Euromonitor International, said: “Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in packaging. However, one major issue identified in pet care is the rapid growth of packaging waste that is created by the industry. Pet food is by far the fastest growing FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) industry in terms of packaging unit sales; a trend that is being driven by overall industry growth and a shift to smaller pack sizes.

“Despite these current trends, more sustainable pet care packaging does have substantial growth potential, with nearly half of global pet owners also reporting that they used more sustainable packaging alternatives in 2021 and were more likely to do so than non-owners in this regard.

“Consumer pressure from within pet care, but also from the wider packaged consumer goods landscape, is strong enough to warrant increased focus from brand owners on innovation in this area. With plastic packaging being a major focus of green advocates, an increasing number of companies are now trying to replace this with alternative materials, including Edgard & Cooper, which launched new 100% paper-based packaging in 2021. 

“The use of more sustainable plastic is another solution to reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic waste, such as Nature's Logic claiming to be the first company in the pet care industry to offer Certified Plastic Neutral packaging in 2020, and the global leading player Mars implementing packaging made from food-safe recycled plastic in 2022.”

Nozomi Hariya continued: “Along with the increased demand from consumers for sustainable packaging, governments are increasingly setting concrete strategies and measurable targets to reduce plastic waste, such as Japan obliging businesses to reduce the use of 12 types of disposable plastic items from April 2022. 

“As such, investment in sustainable packaging is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for businesses to survive in the industry. In order to address the extraordinary challenges the industry is facing, collaboration and partnership is crucial, as is bringing value to society and the planet.

For further analysis on sustainability, read Euromonitor’s article called Sustainable Ingredients in Pet Care. Click here to view.

Worldwise, a leading pet supplies platform, has acquired Pet Factory, an innovative company producing pet chews, treats, toys, and accessories. The deal was backed by private equity investment fund A&M CapitaL partners.

Worldwise has now completed three successful mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the last four months, expanding its portfolio to include six complementary brands across several attractive product categories, including pet chews and treats, toys, litter accessories and pet bedding. 

“We are a different business today than we were six months ago, thanks to the continued success of our M&A strategy in bolstering the Worldwise platform with innovative brands, products and production capabilities that meet the highest standards of both quality and safety,” said Kevin Fick, CEO of Worldwise. 

“With this acquisition, Worldwise gains a leader in the chew and treat space with strategic domestic manufacturing capabilities and strong customer relationships. 

“The entire Worldwise team is thrilled to welcome Pet Factory to the family and to add their exceptional team to our platform.”

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Mundelein, Illinois, Pet Factory is a leading US producer of high-quality pet chews and treats, and offers premium branded products for dogs through four core brands:

• CareChewz:  a 100% collagen, healthy, long-lasting, and safe daily chew.
• Twistedz:  a combo chew featuring a ‘twist’ of real chicken and/or beef meat around a beefhide chew.
• Real Chewz:  a 100% all-natural, oven-baked chew.
• Combo Wrap Chewz: a handmade chew that combines traditional rawhide, porkhide, and real meat jerky.

For more information about Worldwise visit www.worldwise.com.  

Private label dry pet food manufacturer, GA Pet Food Partners, will officially open its new state-of-the-art Ingredients Kitchen next month.

It will also introduce plans for a mutual journey to net zero that will ensure the business continues to provide industry-leading products for partner brands throughout the world, as well as a long-term vision to help to protect the local environment.

On Friday May 22, Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Borough Council, will unveil the Ingredients Kitchen at Plocks Farm in Bretherton after five years of planning and an additional four years of construction. The new facility allows GA to know the source of all raw materials and provides complete traceability throughout the process.

GA will celebrate this huge achievement in collaboration with nearly 150 build contractors from across the world, from The Netherlands to Japan, bringing together a wide range of knowledge and expertise alongside GA colleagues who will now run and manage the facility.  

“The grand opening of the Ingredients Kitchen is GA’s opportunity to say thank you to all those involved in the design, construction and commissioning of this technologically advanced process and for them to be proud of their achievements," said chairman Roger Bracewell.

"I would also like to extend this thank you to our friends and neighbours and allow them to see what we have been building in their local area over the last four years.

"GA has been supported throughout by Chorley Council, and this encouragement has allowed GA to grow over the last 30 years, where we now employ over 850 people.

"As GA continues to look to the future, it hopes to work with local residents and the council on a mutual journey to a carbon-free world.”

GA is a private family-owned company that continues to develop and expand, keeping its stakeholders at the forefront of their developments.  

It demonstrates to its Partners (the name GA gives to its customers) that working with GA gives access to market-leading technology and high-quality ingredients, meeting the needs of the changing marketplace – allowing full traceability and provenance for every ingredient and ultimately ensuring brand success for Partners. 

The grand opening will be followed by an open weekend allowing employees and local residents to visit with their families to see up close what has been constructed. Fundamental to GA’s success are its employees. GA’s employees will showcase their expertise over the three days, demonstrating their level of skill and knowledge through various trade stands.

The company actively recruits from the local area, and there is an opportunity for residents to learn more about joining GA and becoming part of their journey. With over 30 years of experience producing pet food, GA continues to strive to remain at the forefront of the pet food market. Partnership is fundamental to GA’s existence, delivering Quality, Innovation and Integrity in everything they do.  

Visitors will also be able to hear more about GA’s 2050 net zero proposal for Bretherton and how this mutual journey would work and look. As a pet food manufacturer, the process requires significant heat and power. GA, therefore, needs to use renewable and carbon-free energy sources to minimise their impact on the world around them, continue to reduce their local environmental impact and provide a truly sustainable solution for their Partners and the pets that they feed.

The opening event will provide an opportunity to ask questions and fully understand how GA’s journey together with its local residents and GA employees will look and work for generations to come. Another fantastic way to find out the latest information about the mutual journey to net zero is via the #joinourGAjourney set up for local residents to provide comments about the proposals.

A national vet charity is warning pet owners to be extra vigilant this Easter after a sweet-toothed pooch needed emergency treatment after devouring a chocolate Easter brownie.

Bunty, a cheeky six-year-old Lakeland Terrier from Kings Norton, Birmingham, managed to get her paws on an entire chocolate brownie – and what started as a tasty Easter delight quickly turned into a sickly nightmare.

Luckily, PDSA vets were on hand to provide emergency treatment. The veterinary charity is highlighting Bunty’s story to warn all pet owners to take precaution in the run up to Easter celebrations.

Bunty’s owner, Ela Gardner (63), said: “I’d popped out to the shops that day and thought I’d treat myself to a brownie from our local bakery. I’d left it in my bag on my desk and went into another room for no more than a few minutes – but was horrified when I came back in to find an empty plastic bag and a trail of crumbs!

“I immediately started to panic as I know chocolate is poisonous to dogs – I’m very mindful about leaving food around and I didn’t think Bunty would manage to get the brownie from the bottom of my bag, which I thought I’d left well out of reach.”

Ela quickly called her local PDSA Pet Hospital in Oldbury, who advised she should bring Bunty in for emergency treatment as soon as possible.

“My neighbour drove us there and I was watching over Bunty the whole time, keeping a close eye on her symptoms. Fortunately, the PDSA veterinary team saw us straight away, but I was terrified because I had no idea how much cocoa was in the brownie, or how much it takes to severely poison a dog her size.”

Bunty was given immediate treatment to safely make her sick, followed by medication to prevent her body from absorbing any remaining toxins.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “Bunty’s case was could have been  a close call, but thankfully, her owner swiftly contacted PDSA and she was brought into our Oldbury Pet Hospital straight away.

“Chocolate poisoning can be life-threatening, and sadly, not all pet owners are aware of the risk. The amount of chocolate Bunty had eaten was dangerous for a smaller dog – consuming high levels of theobromine, the chemical within chocolate, can have fatal consequences, so it was vital that she received urgent treatment.  She was lucky she didn’t suffer further damage, and it’s a great relief to see her on the mend.”

After administering emergency treatment, the PDSA vet team ensured Bunty was set up with the appropriate aftercare so she could continue recovery at home with her owner.

Ela expressed her gratitude to the PDSA vets that helped Bunty, and wants her traumatic experience to help other pet owners across the UK by urging them to keep a watchful eye over their furry friends this Easter.

She said: “Bunty has recovered really well at home since completing her course of medication – it’s safe to say we’ve been keeping a close eye on her. Apart from recently chewing up one of my Easter cards, she’s kept her paws well away from any sweet treats!

“PDSA were excellent and I couldn’t be more grateful for their help, Bunty means the absolute world to me, I couldn’t imagine life without her. I’d encourage all owners to be extremely careful with chocolate around their pets this Easter – you might think treats and chocolatey goodies are out of their reach, but they can find a way!”

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing added: “Without rapid treatment, severe chocolate poisoning can cause kidney failure and in severe cases, death. Don’t wait for symptoms – contact your vet the moment you notice your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have. By the time symptoms appear, the toxin has already passed into the body.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn. Support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk

Tiana stands tall as a three-strong grain-free range of freeze-dried cat food made from only all-natural, human-grade ingredients which marries a steely commitment to champion the distinct needs of an increasingly influential, cat-loving Muslim community with wider ‘sustainable production’ ambitions.

During the pivotal Ramadan/Eid period in April, Tiana has initiated a number of targeted online loyalist initiatives where everything from Air Pods and MacBook Air to an all-inclusive Hajj trip are up for grabs.

It was a year ago that Tiana founder Pankaj Hurria (an established pet food buyer) had his interest pricked via a throwaway comment from his good friend’s mother explaining how many Muslim pet parents go to extra-ordinary time-consuming lengths to make homemade cat food using suitable ingredients.  

It dawned on Pankaj that this was a neglected marketplace need because for all the incredible lengths the pet industry was going to marrying changing human dietary priorities, no-one had really tackled pet owners with unique religious needs.   

Tiana’s halal-friendly stance is geared specifically at millennial/professional women looking to juggle busy careers with family traditions. Throw in the fact that the range is made using state-of-the-art tech and its clear to see that Tiana is establishing a unique pet food proposition with a distinct sustainable stance, because the removal of 70% moisture (significant weight) means that the inevitable carbon footprint associated with transport/storage is dramatically reduced.

Besides enjoying a substantial diehard online following an Amazon stronghold Tiana is currently at last stage discussions with a number of the UK’s leading pet food specialists whilst simultaneously playing to its export potential strengths.

tianahalalpetfood.com  

Global pet product expert, PetSafe Brand will be launching an all-new means of training technology – the Audible Bark Collar – a solution to excessive or nuisance barking that uses an innovative audible technology to deter the problem behaviour.

The brand will be showcasing the collar along with a host of products from its broad range of categories, including waste management, travel, toys, and pet doors. 

Experts at Hall 6, Stand 140 will be on hand to demonstrate product solutions, talk about the in-depth development and design process, and discuss the brand’s promise of creating high quality, trusted products that help keep pets healthy, safe and happy.

The Audible Bark Collar (RRP £51.99) is a unique training collar using sound technology – the newest form of stimulation on the market – to detect and discourage a dog’s excessive barking by immediately releasing a sound to distract them.  

SoundBurst technology offers pet parents a novel and effective alternative that is completely unique from spray, static, vibration, or ultrasonic product solutions. 

The waterproof and rechargeable collar deters barking safely and consistently, emitting a sound that resembles the spray sound of an aerosol can. At the first bark, a dog will receive a short sound stimulation from the collar to capture his attention and interrupt the barking. If the barking continues, the duration of the stimulation will increase gradually through 10 levels. As the dog remains quiet, the levels of sound stimulation will gradually decrease with the collar automatically adjusting for dogs by adapting to how frequently they bark.

With entries featuring images of playful dogs, calves being born and a colourful chameleon, this year’s Veterinary Photographer of the Year competition did not disappoint as vets from across the UK got creative with their cameras to snap unique and powerful images.

The much-loved British Veterinary Association (BVA) photography competition, which is sponsored by iM3 Dental, showcases the best companion animal, farm animal and wildlife photography and attracted hundreds of entries this year. The winners and highly commended entries, which include charming photos of pets, have been revealed during National Pet Month, which runs until the end of April.

Laura Caballero won the new ’Sustainable futures’ category with her photograph ‘Decisions’, which shows a captured fish held aloft by two grasped hands in front of a chimney bellowing smoke into the air. Laura qualified from the University Complutense of Madrid and then worked in an animal shelter and spay-neuter clinic in Spain for some years. She has also completed some veterinary projects around the world including in Nepal, Camboya and Botswana before coming to Newcastle three years ago and recently got her Surgery PgCert.

Laura, who loves travelling and photography, said: “I´m really happy that my photo has been recognised because that means it can transmit and create reflection about the future we want to create or avoid. As veterinarians, we have a key role to work for a sustainable future: how we stay in the world, what we buy, what we eat and how we produce it. Each decision has an impact in the world where we live."

Peter Orpin won the ‘All creatures great and small’ category with his photo ‘Who’s arrived’, which captured a Gentoo penguin in Antarctica just three weeks before lockdown in 2020. Peter graduated from Bristol in 1983 and worked in practice for 38 years. He has recently retired from clinical practice in the Park Vet Group in Leicestershire to focus more on consultancy work in both leadership and to continue support for Johne's disease control.

Peter said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The light was fantastic that warm day. A Minke whale had just surfaced, the glacier ice was groaning and creaking. We were ushered up the beach for fear of the ice caving and causing a tsunami in the narrow cove. That gave me a fantastic silhouetted shot of the penguin. The interactions between wildlife and the humans were stunning and best seen from a kayak. The penguin looked at the ship with apparent bewilderment and wonder!”

Bob Lehner won the ‘Happy pets that make us smile’ category with a photo titled ‘Chick Lit’, which sees him and his pet hen Hopalong Cassidy sharing a good book together. Bob is a semi-retired GP vet who lives near Bude on the beautiful North Devon/Cornwall coast.

Bob said: ''I was delighted that the photograph of my pet chicken Hopalong Cassidy enjoying some quality leisure time with myself was deemed worthy of a prize. She was an ex-battery rescue and arrived with a badly broken leg. We nursed her back to health and she became very bonded with us.”

The judges also chose two highly commended photographic entries for each category. The highly commended photographers were:

Sustainable futures

Collision of Worlds by Robyn Geddes

Dragonfly by Charlotte Clough

All creatures great and small

On the prowl by Jasvinder Kaur

First steps by Nestor Moreno Casanova

Happy pets which make us smile

With a spring in your step by Laura Keyser

Sweet summer bliss by Savannah Armstrong

The high-quality of the entries meant that the judging panel – which consisted of BVA President Justine Shotton, iM3 Dental’s European HR Sharon Hamill Huff and Jack Conway from the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) – found it “extremely difficult” to narrow the number down, but all three judges were delighted by the winners.

Justine Shotton offered her congratulations to all of the winners and highly commended entries and said: “As always we have been absolutely delighted by the high quality of the images we have received as entries for the annual competition.

“There was such a range of subjects captured on camera, from reptiles to penguins, from foxes to insects, and the composition of each was impressive. It is fantastic to see the artistic talent possessed by members of the veterinary profession.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and highly commended; we wish we could have selected more images as so many deserved a special mention and we thank everyone for entering their stunning photos.”

Sharon Hamill Huff added: “The standard of the photos was fantastic and it was so difficult to whittle down the entries to just a few winners. There are some incredibly talented vets out there and it was really enjoyable to see the results of their hard work and artistic skills.

“It was wonderful to see the range of different animals and locations which featured in the entries, from farmyard animals in the countryside, dogs at the beach and penguins in Antarctica. A very big thank you and well done to everyone who took part in the competition this year.”

The winning images, as well as those that were highly commended, will be displayed in the BVA members area at BVA Live at NEC Birmingham in June.

Raw pet food brand Natural Instinct has relaunched its limited-edition Easter Feast in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Made from 100% natural, human grade, British Turkey with bone (60%), Salmon with bone (35%) and Beef liver (5%), this meal provides a healthy source of taurine which helps the brain, eye, and heart functions, alongside a source of zinc to improve the quality of pets’ coats and skin.

This specifically formulated complementary recipe can add variety to pets' diets, being served as an Easter treat or used by pet owners to create their very own meal, tailored to their pets’ individual tastes and health needs.

Phill Keen, managing director at Natural Instinct, said: “Any pet owner will know that when you are indulging on Easter eggs, it can be tempting to treat your furry best friends too. As chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, our Easter Feast offers an alternative and therefore the perfect gift. 

“It’s beautifully packaged, delicious, healthy and made with love, using the finest ingredients to keep them happy and healthy. Why not get your pets involved in a pet-friendly Easter Egg Hunt to add to the fun, keep them entertained and engaged. Get outdoors and make the most of the new season.”

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US-based pet food manufacturer Whitebridge Pet Brands has merged with Agras Pet Foods, a European-based pet nutrition company. Both companies are now fully owned by NXMH, a Belgium-based investment firm. 

Olivier Amice, current CEO of Whitebridge Pet Brands, will become the CEO of the combined business. 

“Our goal has always been to build a global natural health nutrition company,” said Amice. “Together, Whitebridge and Agras make a major leap toward that goal with sales in more than 50 countries and four plants that service a larger geographic footprint. More importantly, Agras and Whitebridge are compatible, with talented teams, a shared nutritional belief of natural and minimally processed pet food and a portfolio of strong, purposeful brands delivering on the promise of health and happiness for dogs and cats.

“This merger is in the spirit of our philosophy of ‘Better Together’. It allows us to accelerate our development with more innovation made available to more markets. We will continue to bring to our retailers relevant and differentiated solutions to help them maximize the potential of their stores.”

Whitebridge Pet Brands will continue to operate from both St. Louis, MO, and Genoa, Italy and expects no disruption to customers of either company during the integration.

Whitebridge Pet Brands is maker of Tiki Pets brand cat and dog food, complements, toppers and treats.

Latest pet population statistics show that pet fish ownership has shot up over the past couple of years.

This backs up industry experiences which revealed a high interest in setting up new indoor tanks and digging garden ponds since 2020, as a response to more time in lockdown to spend on home-based hobbies.

Pet Food Manufacturers Association Pet Population data reveals that in 2022 there are 8 million indoor tanks which equates to 17% of the population and 6.5 million households have outdoor ponds (12% of households). This compares to 5 million fish tanks (12% of households) and 4 million garden ponds in 2021.

“Sadly, PFMA’s report also reveals that pet relinquishment is on the rise as people return to the office or change their living arrangements. However, these are not issues that tend to affect people who keep pet fish and illustrates the need to ensure a wide variety of pet species are available for people to enjoy,” remarked OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“The key is for people to pick the right pet for their lifestyle and care for it properly. Dogs, cats and small furries undoubtedly make great pets but they are not always the right pet for everyone. Other pets, like fish, might make better pets for some people with busy lifestyles.”

PFMA’s Pet Population Data report can be found here https://www.pfma.org.uk/statistics.

While the Bristol Vet Hockey Team might have been used to getting up close to cattle as part of their university course, they might not have banked on adopting the same unique pattern as the animals they were looking after.

That was until a new sponsorship deal with Farm Vets was announced for the 2021/2022 season, providing the team with a new livery in the form of cow print hockey shirts.

Having a new kit has not only marked out the team as Vets in amongst the other faculties they have to play during the season, but also provided them with a new formidable look that is bound to turn heads on the hockey pitch.

Aimee Hutcheson, who plays for the Bristol Vet Hockey Team as left midfielder, said: “The team is very happy with its sponsorship by IVC Evidensia Farm Vets this year, which has allowed us to get in a lot of much needed training, improve our playing style and win more matches this year. The IVC Evidensia Farm Vets brand also fit perfectly with our cow print kit design, making us very distinctive when we’re out playing the other faculty teams.”

Paul Horwood, who is one of three Group Veterinary Advisors for Farm, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the Farm Vets brand from IVC Evidensia featuring so prominently on one of our local team’s shirts, especially with the cow print kit design. This sponsorship underlines our ongoing support for Farm Vet graduates as they take their next steps towards a successful career. I wish the best of luck to the team for the remainder of the season.”

Farm Vets is committed to supporting and developing teams up and down the UK, as well as across Europe, providing excellence in all areas of farm animal health, welfare and food safety. Our industry-leading Farm Vet Academy programme allows graduates to gain practical experience and perform their jobs competently and with confidence. 

A Motherwell dog grooming salon will now be training canine stylists of the future by offering top qualifications in the profession.

Beautipets, which is based in Brandon Street is now offering Ofqual regulated iPET Network qualifications in dog grooming, which owner Leah Doran believes will elevate standards in the industry.

Leah, who has been grooming dogs for 20 years, said: "We are so excited to now be offering the iPET Network qualifications as it is so important that people get training if they want to start dog grooming.

"At the moment the industry is not regulated, and this is something our industry would love to see happen. 

"We are skilled professionals, not just in dog grooming, but a lot of the time we also alert owners when they need to seek vets’ advice. 

"As we work with dogs so closely, we see things that owner miss.  

"There are still too many people that set up and think they can groom because they have watched a YouTube video, but that is very dangerous."

The salon has also thrown its weight behind the RSPCA-backed Safe Pets and People campaign which is calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals, including dog groomers, dog walkers and pet sitters.

At the moment people working in these fields do not have to know what to do in an emergency, and a national petition has been set up calling for action.

Leah said: "People don't understand the dangers of this job, and sadly some only realise these things once a dog has been injured.

"We are proud to back the campaign and the petition and hope that by spreading the word more people will sign."

To find out more about Beautipets go to www.beautipets.co.uk

To find out more about the Safe Pets and People campaign go to www.safepetsandpeople.org

Could the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel be the ‘greenest’ breed of dog? New research from a popular ento-vegan dog food brand has named the breed as potentially the least impactful on the environment - based on data from their overall size and weight to the CO2 emissions produced as a result of their diet. 

While many of us have become increasingly aware of our carbon footprint over the years, and may have even taken steps to lower our impact such as adopting cruelty free lifestyle; one area that has traditionally gone overlooked is our four-legged-friends' impact or their carbon ‘pawprint’. 

A recent study in the US showed that the carbon footprint of dogs across the pond was so high that if they were given their own country, they’d rank fifth in the world for meat consumption. Furthermore, the average US dog has a carbon footprint twice that of a SUV. 

Currently it’s estimated that there are around 12.5 million dogs in the UK, making it the second-highest-ranking European country for dog ownership but still a way off from the US, where the canine population sits at just under 77 million. 

However, the impact Britain’s love of dogs could have on our planet shouldn’t be underestimated.

Which is why Percuro, an alternative protein dog food brand, has looked at 25 of the most popular breeds in the UK and scored them against five unique criteria to determine which breeds have the highest or lowest potential for impact on our environment. 

The company scored the breeds against size, coat characteristics, diet, destructiveness and popularity- assigning a winner for each category as well as one for the overall least impactful which went to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 

As Denise Saber, Co-Founder at Percuro explains, this was done to showcase that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution when it comes to making greener choices. Denise says: “It was important for us to show that each breed has ‘green potential’. A large dog will require more food, which has a larger CO2 impact but they may also have a thick double coat which sheds twice a year. That hair can then be used by local wildlife, such as birds building nests, increasing their positive environmental impact and will help keep them warm during the colder months reducing the need for artificial heating or clothing - all of which has an impact on CO2 emissions. 

“As with all things in life, it’s a balancing act. It will be down to pet owners who are conscious of their dog’s carbon pawprint to make the changes that work best for them. Whether that is changing out their diet for a more sustainable option or incorporating more greener choices in their own lifestyle to offset their pet and everything in between.” 

The Cavalier King Charles was closely followed by the Pomeranian and Puggle (a cross between a Pug and a Beagle) who took the second and third spot respectively.

Although, when it came to size alone, the breed with the lowest impact was the Chihuahua based on the average height and weight for the breed. In this category smaller dogs scored higher, with the top three spots being rounded off by the Pomeranian and the Dachshund. 

However, every dog has their day and the larger breeds typically scored better when looking at coat characteristics. When scoring breeds across this category Percuro deducted points for breeds that require a lot of trips to the groomers or have thinner shorter coats that may not be best suited to the harsh UK winters. 

But as Denise pointed out earlier points were awarded for breeds that shed heavily due to the wider ecological impact that lost hair could have. 

According to the research potential pet owners who are looking for a breed with the greenest coat characteristics would be best suited looking at German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers who all scored in a joint first place. 

Percuro employed a similar method for the destructiveness score, awarding and deducting points based on factors such as how easy a breed is to train and how much mental stimulation they need; because bored dogs tend to chew leaving owners repeatedly replacing items.  Points were also deducted if breeds were found to have been included on lists of risky breeds from home insurers. 

For diet the pet food brand looked at the daily recommended feeding amount for each breed based on their average weight. From here Pecuro added a multiplier for more active or working breeds, as these will often require more food, before working out the daily and yearly amount of CO2 emitted for that food production. 

For example, the CO2 emission for feeding a Pomeranian, which was ranked as the least impactful breed when it came to diet, came in at 675kg for the entire year. A larger, more active breed however like the Golden Doodle produced over five times that amount at 3.4 tonnes. 

That's the equivalent of a return plane journey from London to Hong Kong. 

Lastly, breeds were scored against their popularity using the average monthly Google search volume for that breed and how many posts on Instagram were tagged with the specific breed name as a hashtag. 

Frenchies were the most popular dog breed, but actually scored the lowest because of this as highly popular breeds are often overpopulated and therefore less sustainable. The Cavachon, a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise, won this category. 

New research by fresh dog food brand, Butternut Box, has revealed the overall benefits of working with dogs, with 30% saying it boosts their overall mood.

More than 1 in 4 (26%) say their pet pooch helps to reduce their stress levels, while nearly 1 in 5 (17%) say it encourages them to have a much healthier lifestyle, including getting their steps in with a lunchtime walk.

In addition, 13% of dog owners say working with their furry companion brings greater positivity into the workplace, as it boosts their office morale, while nearly 1 in 10 (8%) say it improves their job satisfaction. 

Interestingly, the research found that 67% of dog owners say they would be more likely to accept a new job if they could work from home with their pet pooch, while 61% say they’d be swayed if they could bring them into the office.

A further 51% want to see benefit packages which include options such as paid for doggy day care or dog sitting services, as well as health options which extend to their pet with private veterinary care (43%).

It also appears that puppy parents are keen to see pawternity leave as an office perk, as nearly 1 in 3 would be more likely to accept a job if they were given extra annual leave to bring their dog home.

It is clear pet owners are putting their dogs first when considering employment and in fact,

34% would even accept longer working hours and a further 18% would take a less senior position if it meant they could spend more time with their four-legged friend.

With the pandemic seeing a huge spike in pet owners, it’s no wonder so many Brits are putting their dogs first when it comes to their working lifestyle - and it shows just how important it is that businesses move with the times and offer more flexible ways of working.

Claire Creedon, Head of People at Butternut Box says; “At Butternut, we love having dogs in the office. They remind us why we do what we do as a business. But dogs are also great at connecting people and help in building relationships across teams. Having them in the office creates a more relaxed and positive atmosphere - it's hard to feel stressed or overwhelmed when there are dogs doing dog things around you.

“We encourage squad members, when bringing their dogs in for the first time, to do so on a quiet day so they can get accustomed to the office. It's easy to forget sometimes that it can be overwhelming for the dogs and it's a better experience for everyone when they are comfortable, relaxed and at ease.

“For any business planning to switch up their policies to allow dogs in the office, it’s still important to do this in a safe and secure way. Our policy at Butternut Box stipulates that all dogs must be up to date on vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, and each owner must complete a profile of their pet pooch so the rest of the team knows how to interact with them – this will help support both employees’ and dogs’ enjoyment of being in the office space.”

For more information on Butternut Box visit: https://butternutbox.com/

Award-winning dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas has partnered with independently-owned travel publisher Bradt Guides for its new book Dog-Friendly Weekends.

Written by travel writer and dog lover Lottie Gross, the book showcases 50 breaks in Britain for dogs and their owners, and is an all-encompassing, practical and inspirational guide to dog-friendly holidays. Covering ground from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands, it features guidance on a well-rounded weekend away inclusive of dog-friendly accommodation, pubs, attractions and walks for all abilities.

In addition to Lottie’s years of experience travelling thousands of miles around Britain with her canine companions, Dog Friendly Weekends also draws on more than eight years of expertise from PetsPyjamas, who have sent thousands of dogs and their owners on getaways since 2014. While the book has been independently researched, the partnership sees an exclusive PetsPyjamas’ Petiquette guide for travelling with a dog feature in the book, along with many of their properties listed throughout the pages.

Dog-Friendly Weekends will be shared with PetsPyjamas’ community throughout National Pet Month, leading up to the book’s publication date on 16th May, via the brand’s social media platforms and website including an exclusive Q&A with author Lottie.

PetsPyjamas Managing Director James Williams says: “Since PetsPyjamas first started sending dogs on holiday with their owners in 2014, we have been committed to offering an experience that is truly dog-friendly not just dog tolerant. Lottie shares that same vision and passion, making this project a brilliant partner for our brand. We're delighted to have teamed up with Lottie and Bradt for the launch of Dog-Friendly Weekends, so pet owners have everything they need for a brilliant time away with their four-legged friend.”

PetsPyjamas has been at the forefront of dog-friendly travel since 2014 and now features over 18,000 truly welcoming hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and overseas. PetsPyjamas offers exceptional and exclusive dog-friendly holiday packages where dogs stay free with almost all bookings. With just one booking, customers become members of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws loyalty programme, with benefits to the value of over £1,200 including access to their own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet line access for the duration of their trip, special discounts and exclusive deals.

Dog-Friendly Weekends by Lottie Gross, in partnership with PetsPyjamas, is available for pre-order now at Bradt.com and will be published on 16th May 2022 by Bradt Guides Pbk £16.99.

Northern Ireland Veterinary Nurse of the Year 2022 (NIVNOTY) is celebrating its six-year anniversary and being bigger than ever! The challenges facing veterinary practices have been particularly tough in the last two years, so having an event to recognise their diligence and care is so welcome.

Organised by Susie Hill, Business Development Manager from Agria Pet Insurance, the awards are supported by BVNA Regional Representative Louise Taylor and the Association of Practitioners in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI). 

Celebrating the veterinary professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty, the awards recognise those who positively impact the lives of pets and their owners. 

Judges representing Agria, BVNA, and AVSPNI commented on the high quality of the nominations from practices all over NI, from Belleek to Newtonards, as well as the number of entries.

The Categories

NI Veterinary Nurse of the Year 

Finalists

Charlotte Coyle - Parkview Vets, Strabane

Janice Harbinson - Oldstone Vets, Ballymena 

Naoimh Toner Roe Valley Vets, Limavady

Winner

Naoimh Toner - Roe Valley Vets, Limavady

“Naoimh’s nomination reflects her many fine qualities but focuses on her work with loss and bereavement. She has been proactive in making things happen within her practice, and I believe this is above and beyond, yet priceless to pet owners. Veterinary nurses like Naoimh, who strive to promote issues within their own practice, just don’t realise the positive impact this has on the service users. Thank you, Naoimh, for easing the journey through loss.”

NI Student Nurse of the Year

Finalists

Marion McMahon - Cromlyn House , Royal Hillsborough

Georgina Gray - Jubilee Vets Newtonards

Cassandra Kilgore - Craemills Vets, Magherfelt

Winner 

Cassandra Kilgore - Craemills Vets, Magherfelt

“Cassie is completing her training at Greenmount and will be an amazing RVN when she qualifies. She has a calming attitude and is a fantastic nurse in emergency scenarios with her quick thinking and cool head. She thoroughly deserves this award. If it wasn’t for her support in 2022, I would not still be in the profession.” 

NI Animal Nursing Assistant of the Year

Finalists

Rhianna Hurst - Stormont Vets, Belfast 

Samuel Galway- Rathgael Vets, Bangor

Kathryn McBride - Earlswood Veterinary Hospital, Belfast 

Winner

Kathryn McBride – Earlswood Veterinary Hospital, Belfast 

“Kat spends a lot of her time running the rehab and hydrotherapy centre. Kat is incredible at her job. She manages the diary, organises the vets' inpatient treatments, keeps clients informed by sending them pictures and videos and then follows up on their discharge. Kat’s focus is on the welfare of the patients. She makes the life of the vets, nurses and patients so much better by her efficient manner.”

NI Veterinary Receptionist of the Year

Finalists:

Melissa Donoghue - V4P, Newtonards 

Lauran Mercer - Glenburn, Glengormely

Jessica Magee - Cedar Grove, Belfast 

Winner 

Jessica Magee – Cedar Grove Belfast

“Jess has recently been promoted to a team leader role within the practice, thanks to her hard work, caring nature and passion for all things veterinary. She now looks after a team of five full-time receptionists and three part-time receptionists. Jess should be proud of her achievements to date. She is keen to train others to her level and provides a supportive shoulder to lean on for new staff members.

“I am enormously proud of her and how much she has flourished in what many deem in practice as a very demanding role. Jess really deserves the recognition as Veterinary Receptionist of the Year to top off what has been a challenging few years for all veterinary staff with Covid. Especially for the front-of-house team. Jess has handled it with aplomb, and I know if she won this award, how much it would mean to her.”

NI Re-homing and Charity Champion of the Year

Winner

Special Award – Megan Andrews, Glenburn Crumlin

“Megan has fitted into the team like a duck to water and is so highly thought of. It is like she has always been here. She has had no trouble getting to grips with the workload and is such a hard worker. For quite a number of years, Megan has volunteered at a local animal shelter and gives up her evenings to assist with the running of the shelter. She also arranges donations from the local superstore to support them with food, blankets etc. Megan is a young girl who I believe will go very far in this line of work. Her dedication is admirable.”

Clinical Coach of the Year

Finalists

Beverly Smith - Cromlyn House, Royal Hillsborough 

Jayne Getty- Cedar Grove, Belfast 

Sarah Crockett, City Vets, Belfast

Winner

Sarah Crockett - City Vets, Belfast 

“She genuinely cares about the quality of training of the students and aims to improve it in our practices, which is refreshing to see.”

New in 2022

Young Vet of the Year

Finalist

Richard Johnstone, Riada Vets, Ballymoney

Hannah Eastwood, Coleraine Vets, Coleraine

Aoife Ferris, Lakeland Vets, Beleek

Winner

Aoife Ferris - Lakeland Vets, Beleek

“She is a vet, a practice manager, a clinical coach and most of all a kind, caring individual who always puts clients, their pets and her staff first. She has immense empathy during difficult situations and always listens to the client’s needs. All the thank you cards are a testament to her hard work. She has built up an almost non-existent small animal practice from scratch, training a nurse and two new graduate vets along the way.”

Susie Hill, Business Development Manager at Agria Pet Insurance, says: “We are delighted to be back at the AVSPNI Spring conference to present these well-deserved awards, with a record number of nominations in 2022. 

“Veterinary practice has been busier than ever with the increase in pets and Covid precautions, making the working day ever-more complex and demanding for the team. It’s great to see the well-deserved recommendations from vets, nurses and pet owners. 

“The whole Agria team and I would like to congratulate all those incredible short-listed individuals and say a massive well done to our amazing winners.”

An independent family-run pet store, which opened during the pandemic lockdown, proved to be such a success that the owners have now opened a second shop.

Swansea-based Dewkes Pet Store unveiled its second store just over a year after launching its first retail outlet.

Director James Bygate said: “We were overwhelmed by the positive reaction from our customers at the Mumbles store and were thrilled to open our second shop in such a short space of time.”

James spoke to Pet Trade Xtra about how plans for the second shop in Sketty came to life.

Who owns the family business?

The family business is owned by myself and my wife Jane.

When did you open the shop in Mumbles?

It was very much a lockdown project. We opened the business in January of 2021 right in the middle of the Christmas lockdown. Luckily, being essential-retail, we were able to press on.

Did you work in the pet industry before opening the store? 

I’m an accountant by ‘trade’, however I have had clients in the pet space and always had a keen interest in animals. It seemed like the best move.

Was it the success of the Mumbles store that made you open a second shop?

Absolutely. There were so many more dogs that entered the market in lockdown and we love running the pet shop.  We saw an opportunity for a second and went for it.

How far apart are the stores?

The stores are around a 15 minute-drive time from each other – about five miles.

When did the new store open?

We opened on March 19.

How many staff do you employ?

Currently we are a team of six.

What sets you apart from your opposition?

As a team we have a wide range of expertise across a number of disciplines.  For example, I have extensive background in business as a chartered accountant and specifically in the pet sector. Our retail manager Sally has managed boarding kennels and worked as part of a team in a veterinary practice.

Our grooming studio also adds another dimension to the store and provides dog owners with a one-stop shop approach to all their pets’ needs.

We are entirely animal focussed and ensure that health and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We focus on customer experience for both the pet and their owners.

Our policy is: if you don’t see it on our shelf “Just Ask”.

What has the reaction been like to your approach to pet retail, particularly from customers? Entirely positive. A lot of the customers coming into the store already have an awareness of our brand and this store is more conveniently located to their homes. There have also been a huge number of new faces too.

We offer dog grooming in our original store and the request to open a second has been overwhelming…so watch this space!

People love our independent business and its community focus.

Do you hope to keep expanding the business?  

Absolutely!

Sniffe & Likkit, the fast-growing British dog grooming and treats firm, has created two new SKUs to maximise gifting opportunities for retailers across all categories. 

The new products tap into the fact that, with dogs being treated as an important and equal member of the family, they’re just as likely to be ‘gifted’ as anyone else.  

And it’s not just ‘pooch parents’ who are driving these sales. Strong anecdotal evidence from consumer events, as well as feedback from retailers, has highlighted just how many of Sniffe & Likkit’s sales were being generated by friends and family of dog owners. 

So, with Mother’s Day and the Easter holidays set to trigger thousands of family and friend visits,  the firm felt it the perfect moment to create new gifting options. Easter is also the UK's second biggest present giving occasion, meaning the opportunity for these products is significant. 

The 'Inn The Dog House' (RRP £17.00) gift set features four of Sniffe & Likkit's signature products - including ‘Fragrant Fur Coat’ shampoo, a pack of ‘Wippets’ wipes, ‘Give a Dog a Cologne’ fragrance spray and a scented hanging sachet, ‘Scent Something Nice’.  

The second gift item is the 'Paw Kit Treat Tin' (RRP £10.00), a sturdy metal tin full of all-natural tasty snacks, made from a natural and healthy balance of sweet potato and chicken liver. Treats are currently a major driver in the UK dog food market and a significant contributor to value, as they typically command a price premium over everyday meals.

The two products further boost the firm's gifting line-up - joining its ‘Scent-a-Message’ scented greetings cards, ‘Home Barking Kit’, ‘Woofpack’ travel bag and Christmas-themed stocking and 'Mutt Crackers’. 

Lee Sargent, Co-Founder, said: “People love bringing gifts for a dog, especially if they think it’ll ‘miss out’ on a celebration or gifting occasion! It’s all part of the lovely humanisation of dogs and a recognition of just how important they are to a home. Gifting’s growing nicely for us, so expect further additions.” 

All Sniffe & Likkit items are available from Pedigree Wholesale and direct from sniffeandlikkit.com. 

New data from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has revealed record pet ownership figures in the UK but also highlighted an alarming number of households abandoning their animals in the past year.

The PFMA released its annual population data this week with a record 35m pets in the UK in 2022. Pet ownership is at a peak and 17.4m households (62%) own a pet. 

There are now 13m dogs, 12m cats, 1.6m indoor birds, 1.4m domestic fowl, 1m rabbits, 900k guinea pigs, 700k pigeons, 600k hamsters, 600k tortoises and 600k horses.  

Whilst 4.7m households (17%) have acquired a new pet since the start of the pandemic, sadly 3.4m (12%) have given up a pet over the past year.

Nicole Paley, PFMA deputy CEO, said: “Reflecting the recent ONS report with its new shopping basket containing a pet collar, we are not surprised to see these strong figures. 

“However, on closer inspection, we are concerned about the number of owners who have given up their pet. We are keen to investigate why owners are giving up their pets and where they are being relinquished.  

“We believe that many pets are being sold on to recuperate funds, in addition to being taken to rehoming centres.  We are working closely with the CFSG (Canine & Feline Sector Group) plus other animal welfare charities to identify what the pet care sector can do to support owners and prevent this from happening.” 

Although over a half (57%) of new pets have been welcomed into homes with children (2.7m households), Gen Z and Millennials represent 53% of those owning new pets (2.6m households).  25% (1.2m) are 16–24-year-olds and 29% (1.4m) are 25–34-year-olds.  Almost one quarter (23%) of the people in these age groups have been unable to keep their pet and 71% of all relinquishments can be attributed to this demographic (2.1m households). Looking at which pets were relinquished, 60% were dogs and 45% were cats.  However, anecdotally, rehoming centres are seeing more small mammals such as rabbits. 

The main reason 16–24-year-olds gave up a pet was a change in living arrangements with 34% citing this factor. 23% claimed financial obstacles and 22% identified a change in working arrangements. Behavioural concerns were a reason for 13% of those who relinquished in this age group.  For those slightly older aged 25-34 years old, both working and living arrangements were an issue affecting 41% and 39% respectively.  The research revealed that 40% of owners don’t have pet friendly offices with an extra 11% unsure.  

Nicole added: “At the PFMA, we believe there is a need to boost the provision of pet-friendly policies at work and in rental accommodation. There are some excellent campaigns focused on this. We also need to ensure that potential pet owners are aware of the full implications of pet ownership and the significant responsibility that comes with a new family member.  We are active in supporting pet ownership education campaigns such as National Pet Month and we work to promote the many excellent resources provided by the network of UK charities and welfare organisations.  Woodgreen, for example, have a service whereby struggling owners are supported in their own homes.  Rehoming centres should always be the first port of call for owners unable to cope.”    

Linda Cantle, Director of Pet & Owner Support Services at Woodgreen Pets Charity, said: “Sadly, we are seeing the number of requests for intake increase, which has been most significant for dogs and small pet species (rabbits in particular). Unfortunately, we cannot always accommodate pets straight away, resulting in concern about how these pets are being rehomed instead. Online or private sales may be worse for pets’ welfare in the long-term, especially if they have significant medical or behavioural needs that go on untreated. 

“On a more positive note, we at Woodgreen have seen demand for our outreach, behaviour advice and online workshops increase. Well over 200 people receive support each week, indicating that many owners are keen to work at keeping a pet. We’d encourage any owner experiencing problems with their pets to reach out as soon as possible for guidance, as many common issues can be improved in the home with trusted advice and support.” 

Pet welfare expert at RSPCA, Dr Samantha Gaines, added: “The relinquishment figures are very worrying but, sadly, not surprising as we are now starting to see an increase in requests for help and rehoming and particularly with rabbits. Bringing an animal home to join your family is a significant commitment and responsibility and the increase in ownership during the pandemic did cause concerns that some people may not have fully considered whether they would be able to properly care for them for the rest of their life.

“We understand that circumstances can change and, sometimes, this leaves families having to make the heart-breaking decision to give up their pets. However, we also know that animals are often signed over to charities, rehomed or even abandoned because people took on a pet without the necessary research or appreciation of the responsibility and commitment. 

“Following the surge in pet acquisition during lockdown, with many people now returning to normal life, and with the cost of living rising at a shocking rate, at the RSPCA we fear this is just the start of a pet welfare crisis; and we’re worried that it’ll be charities like us that are left picking up the pieces.” 

Nicole concluded: “Pets are wonderful additions to the family, but it is a huge responsibility and people need to do their research.  As we have highlighted in our research findings, the burden is too great for some people. To address this, the pet industry is working together to educate as many new owners and potential new owners as possible.”