Jollyes has confirmed its next three locations which will  see the completion of a major milestone, taking it beyond 100 stores for the first time.

The Pet Industry Federation’s current retail chain of the year will open stores in Belfast Connswater, Northern Ireland (23 February), Newport in Gwent (1 March) and Rotherham, South Yorkshire (22 March).

Since the beginning of 2022, Jollyes has doubled the size of its estate opening 34 new stores.

Jollyes’ new store in Newport will be its 100th location when it opens on St David’s Day. 

The Newport store underlines its continued commitment to South Wales following openings in Llanelli and Merthyr Tydfil and the creation of 36 new jobs at private label supplier facilities in Llangadog and Pencader.

Alongside the store opening programme, Jollyes today announced it had a record-breaking Christmas with like-for-like sales of 13% for the five weeks to 31 December 2023.

Total growth for the period was 25%, testament to Jollyes continued investment in value and services.

The final week before Christmas was Jollyes strongest seven-day trading period in its history with almost 45% more customers than the previous year and 26% on a like-for-like basis.

The strong Christmas trading has also led to a significant landmark in Jollyes’ Trustpilot scores – it has now seen over 50,000 reviews posted online with over 88% rating Jollyes as excellent.

Building a platform for future growth, Jollyes also confirmed that the first deliveries from its new Wincanton distribution centre in Middlewich, Cheshire would take place next week.

The new Wincanton location will provide Jollyes with a much larger space able to accommodate its rapid store growth.

The new hub will mean long-term partner Wincanton can pick and deliver up to 25 per cent more cases each year as it replenishes all Jollyes 100-plus stores, fulfilling over 10,000 deliveries each year.

Chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “Christmas saw us continue to fly, delivering market-leading trading both in stores and online as we brought our special combination of expertise, service and value to UK pet parents.

“A big thank you to our 1,000-strong team – I know these excellent results are powered by their hard work for customers in the communities they serve.

“We’re looking forward to trading from 100 stores for the first time and continuing to invest in 2024 in building a platform for even more growth in the months ahead.” 

Jollyes will announce other new store locations for 2024 in due course.

Pets at Home has revealed that its sales growth in the third quarter trading period fell 'below expectations'.

The UK’s largest pet retail group said growth in its retail business was not at the levels it had expected, and as a result expected underlying pre-tax profit to reach £132m for the year, down from its previous target of £136m.

Lyssa McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our colleagues came together over our peak trading period to deliver a record sales performance, growing against a very strong performance in the prior year. While a slower market over peak meant our sales growth didn’t quite hit the levels we expected, the business remains well positioned to benefit from long term growth in the sector as we continue to win share and grow volumes across food and deliver differentiated performance through our unique vets business. 

“Importantly, we will shortly follow up launching our new distribution centre with the launch of our new digital platform, in line with our target. Our new digital platform is a key foundation of our growth strategy, bringing vastly improved user experience to our consumers, and creating opportunities to improve cross-sell into accessories and further grow share of wallet. With these foundations now in place we are well positioned for the future.”

In its financial statement, the group reported: 

“Our balance sheet remains robust and we expect to finish the year in a net cash position, having returned over £100m to shareholders via ordinary dividends and our ongoing share buyback.

“Our new digital platform build has progressed well and we will launch it to consumers in the coming weeks, having successfully trialled and tested it with a group of colleagues. The new platform offers a much improved customer experience and functionality across our app and website and is a key foundation for future growth, enabling us to deliver a succession of improvements in the years ahead.

“Returning accessories to growth is a key priority for the business and innovation will play a central role in this. In Q3 we introduced new premium brands including Lords & Labradors and Cocopup, and launched extended lifestyle ranges from Pawsome Paws Boutique. Innovation and the introduction of new ranges that stretch our brand appeal will remain a focus over the coming year.

“We continue to drive innovation in food, introducing new raw dog food brands across the estate, and will soon commence the roll out of Butternut Box. The transfer to Cranswick has now successfully completed.

“Year to date we have now opened 4 new pet care centres, and completed 33 refits. Within vets, we have opened 3 new practices, completed 16 extensions and converted 8 company-owned practices to Joint Venture ownership.

“Strong progress within vet talent, with improvements in recruitment, vacancy rate (down 33% YoY), and vet turnover, all underpinning robust consumer revenue performance. Our third physical clinical academy hub is in progress and we have made significant strides in our international recruitment.

“We have selected our partner for our new PMS system, Provet, a leading, cloud-based system that will unlock productivity benefits for our practice partners and enable better integration of our vets into our pet care platform. Rollout of the PMS will begin in FY25, after an initial pilot, and take 2 years to complete.

“In the year, we have fed over 1m pets for a day through our foodbank partnership with Blue Cross, and raised over £6m for charities.”

An online fundraising appeal has been launched to help a pet shop forced to close after a car crashed through the storefront.

The incident at Feathers & Tails in Westgate, Wakefield, occurred at about 4.30am on Sunday. A man has since been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Lindsay Ward, a friend of the pet shop owners Cassy Coldwell and Lily Barnes, has since launched an appeal on the GoFundMe website with a fundraising target of £500. Within hours that target had been smashed. The latest total is £1,415 from 77 donations.

Lindsay wrote on the GoFundMe page: “Running a business and been self-employed is difficult at the best of times. Feathers and tails is an amazing small business venture in Wakefield owned by two of the loveliest people I know.

“In the early hours of Sunday the 28th of January this business was forced to close it doors temporarily due to no fault of their own.

“The purpose of this go fund me is to help support Feathers & Tails in the care of the animals and themselves whilst they are sadly unable to trade. The community and their clients are devastated.”

The GoFundMe page can be visited by clicking here.

Owners acssy and Lily posted on the pet shop’s Facebook page: “Thank you again for all your support and kind donations towards the rescue/sanctuary, the community is beautiful. We will be re-opening as soon as we can! This isn't going to stop us!!”

Pictures of the damage caused have also been posted on Facebook. They can be view by visiting https://www.facebook.com/feathers.and.tails.petshop

PATS 2024 – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – will be presenting state-of-the art grooming demonstrations, talks and Q&As during the three-day show, which takes place at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024.

The Grooming Workshop, in association with leading pet care brand For All DogKind, will include some of the country’s leading groomers.

The demonstrations, on the first two days of the show (Sunday and Monday), will highlight the knowledge and expertise required to successfully complete all traditional grooming techniques, and will show off a few creative twists and turns as well.  On the third day (Tuesday) the focus of the talks and Q&A sessions will be on the potential benefits of adding grooming to your retail premises.

With an increasing number of pet retailers introducing grooming salons into their stores, the PATS programme of talks and demos will provide invaluable insights into this side of the business.

For All DogKind director Laura Redstone said: “We feel honoured to be organising the PATS Grooming Workshop for a second year. 

“Running the grooming demos last year really helped with our brand awareness – we’ve never had our logo so visible before – and we loved the chance to speak to so many people and show what we can do.

“We are trying to raise awareness among groomers about the opportunity to expand their businesses via pet retails – and for retailers to have an additional opportunity to get people through the door. Our exposure at PATS has really helped with this.”

Laura added: “With the show being a three-day event, it gives us a great opportunity to provide a Workshop to cover more live demos, a grooming competition, social media support and Q&As with industry leading experts. PATS is the place to be this year.”

Over the three days of PATS, the Grooming Workshops will cover:

• Live demos, including the secrets behind creating the perfect groom
• Live grooming competition, with industry-leading judges
• Ask the experts in special Q&A sessions
• Talks on how dog grooming can benefit pet shops
• How social media can benefit a grooming business
• Ways to increase turnover through grooming services

For All DogKind will also be showcasing its latest product ranges on stand P60 alongside the Grooming Workshop in Hall 3 of Telford International Centre.

PATS organiser Gordon Thomas said: “We’re really excited to be running such a full programme of grooming talks and demonstrations in association with For All DogKind. 

“The grooming demos have always been a highlight of PATS shows and it’s great to be staging such an interesting programme once more.”

Buyers can register their interest in visiting PATS 2024 by going to the exhibition website www.patshow.co.uk, which has all the up-to-date information about the show.

A cat-loving inventor, who thinks he’s found a pain-free way to keep feline teeth clean, will feature in BBC One’s hit programme Dragons’ Den at 8pm today (Thursday).

Tune in to find out if the cat lover secures an offer from one of the Dragons.

Also featured: a Surrey-based hairdresser and his wife pitch their innovative brush aimed at combatting hair loss, an Irish entrepreneur is on a mission to help the world breathe better, and a Warwickshire-based couple’s unusual request for their online bedtime story business.

The vet charity for pets in need, PDSA, says the pet obesity crisis needs ‘urgent attention’ as vet teams estimate around half of UK pets are overweight – equating to around 5 million dogs and 4.7 million cats.

It comes as the charity launches its annual ‘Big Weigh In’ campaign in a bid to tackle the growing pet obesity crisis head on. PDSA, in partnership with Royal Canin, is inviting pet owners to book free weight checks at participating vet practices nationwide throughout February and March.

There are more than 500 vet practices signed up and pet owners can find their local participating practice and book their free appointment here: pdsa.org.uk/WeighUp

“We’re all guilty of over indulging at times, but worryingly, 36% of dog owners admit to regularly giving their pet leftovers*,” explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. “And while a tasty treat now and then, when considered amidst the rest of their food intake, won’t harm your pet, regularly overfeeding them could lead to serious health problems.

“Since our PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report launched over a decade ago, overweight and obese pets have always been an issue but almost half of veterinary professionals (49%) say they’ve seen an increase in pet obesity in the last two years. And a quarter say obesity is one of the top five welfare issues in dogs.

“But with more and more people owning a pet these days, especially dogs, we’re now at a point where it needs urgent attention before it gets even worse.”

The dangers of overweight pets

“Overweight pets are more likely to suffer from health problems such as diabetes and urinary tract disease - symptoms tend to develop when they are younger and are harder to manage.

"Excess fat can also worsen other health problems - such as arthritis and breathing difficulties - as well as increase anaesthetic and surgical risks, all of which could negatively affect your pet’s quality of life.

“That’s why we’re urging all pet owners to get involved in the PDSA Big Weigh In this year and let us help you help your pet.

“It can feel like a big challenge to get a pet to lose weight, but trust us, it’s worth it and isn’t that difficult (I promise!). Once your pet has reached their ideal size and shape, they will be healthier, happier and more active. They will also have the best chance of living a long, healthy life.”

Dr Lauren Hayes, MRCVS, a veterinarian at Royal Canin, said: “We’re once again partnering with the PDSA on its Big Weigh In campaign to educate pet owners on the important role weight has on the overall health, and therefore happiness, of our pets.

“As well as booking an appointment, there are some simple measures that can help your pet get to a healthier weight. I would always advise using a digital scale to weigh your pet’s food, as it is surprising how easy it can be to overfeed. Consider swapping to low calorie treats or halving the treat to reduce caloric intake. At the appointment, you can also ask your vet about switching to a diet developed for weight loss, such as our satiety nutrition; which has been developed by experts to support safe weight loss while being high in fibre and contains the right macronutrients to keep your pet satisfied.”

The findings come from the 2023 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, the UK's largest annual nationally representative assessment of pet wellbeing.

During the free weight check, pets’ weight and body condition score will be recorded and owners will be signposted to further materials to help educate them about their pet’s weight and encourage regular monitoring, as well as support with weight loss if needed.

There are also plenty of free helpful resources on PDSA’s website for owners to refer back to. Visit pdsa.org.uk/WeighUp

Kennelpak has started its 50th anniversary celebrations by announcing that its 100% natural dog treat brand YAKERS has partnered with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a renowned charity dedicated to providing life-changing assistance to deaf people and people with hearing loss.

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Over the two-year collaboration, every purchase of YAKERS will support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, helping fund the training, enrichment and placement of assistance dogs that empower deaf individuals to lead more independent lives. ​

YAKERS natural dog treats stand out for their commitment to pet wellbeing with their mission to provide high-quality, nutritious treats for pets, YAKERS emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and responsible sourcing in crafting their products. 

Not only will every purchase of YAKERS support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, but the natural occupier treats are already used whilst the dogs are in training. ​

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“YAKERS Chews are a great treat for hearing dogs in training, we use them daily to help keep the dogs in training mentally stimulated during their down time,” said David Robson, spokesman for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People“ 

“YAKERS is a brand with purpose, making it the ideal choice for Kennelpak when it came to partnering with Hearing Dogs for the Deaf” explains Claire Clough, Customer Director at Kennelpak. "Our shared values of compassion and community engagement align seamlessly, and we look forward to making a real difference together." ​

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Hearing Dogs for Deaf People provides specially trained dogs to alert deaf individuals to important sounds and enhance their overall quality of life. By partnering with YAKERS, the charity gains a valuable partner in expanding its reach and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for those with hearing impairments. ​​

Kennelpak colleagues will also be undertaking a number of fundraising activities in the coming year, including events held across their retail arm Pets & Friends.  ​

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Kennelpak encourages its customers, partners, and the community at large to join in supporting this worthy cause. By choosing YAKERS products associated with the charity initiative, customers can directly contribute to the ongoing success of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.  ​

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For more information on YAKERS and the partnership with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, visit YAKERS.co.uk. ​

Furr Boost, the healthy hydration smoothie drink that scooped the Best Product Innovation Awards at both PetQuip and the PIF Awards in 2022, is now available to buy at Pets at Home both in store and online. 

Furr Boost has grown  rapidly over the best two years and as well as the deal with Pets at Home, they also secured a nationwide distribution deal with Pedigree Wholesale ensuring that Furr Boost is now available in pet shops right across the country. They are also exporting to Australia and are currently in many of the leading pet shop chains in the UK. Furr Boost can be found on the new Health and Wellbeing Fixture in Pets at Home stores as well as on their online shop.

The  latest new varieties of Furr Boost, Venison, Butternut Squash and Cranberry, Salmon, Sweet Potato and Blueberry and Vegan Plant Based will be launched to the consumer at Crufts 7-10 March at the NEC HALL 1 STAND 127.  

The smoothie drinks were created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal  after her Beagle, Phoebe at the age of 18 months became unwell with bladder problems which after investigations with her vet, were linked to the dog’s food. Using her technical background, Louise then started experimenting with protein shakes to help flush out Phoebe’s system and to provide her with the hydration that she needed when she was refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. This led to the creation of the Furr Boost range of smoothies.

Each of Furr Boost’s recipes contains a meat, fruit and vegetable, along with added oils and vitamins, so it’s more than a hydration drink, it supports the dog’s wellbeing in areas such as digestion, skin and coat, anxiety, metabolism and immunity.

Furr Boost can be used in a variety of ways. Served frozen, it can be placed in a Kong Toy or lick mat for dog training or as a distraction, or simply given to a dog as a tasty icy treat.

Unfrozen, it can be added as a topper to meals or on hot days, simply pour into a bowl for instant hydration.

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com

You can order from Pedigree Wholesale  Pedigree (petproducts.co.uk)

Recently voted ‘Best Pet Day Out in the UK’ in the Animal Star Awards, dog festival Dogstival is back for 2024. Taking place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, the two-day event also returns to their most successful venue to date, Burley Park in the heart of the dog-friendly New Forest.

This year, Dogstival plans to lead the pack as having the most ‘have a go’ activities than any other doggy festival in the UK, and will be crammed with all the quirky fun, features, food and more than has 10,000 dogs zooming back year after year.

Some of the highlights include Barkour – Dogstival’s giant canine approved adventure playground and in a nod to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Dogstival’s sporting activity will be served with a twist with leader boards and a daily ‘Paw-lympic’ ceremony for each category’s highest achievers.The Dogfuriendly Muddy Paws Tavern will serve dog beer and treats, over fun activities such as dog bingo and the Big Pup Quiz, as well as hosting Dan the Hat Circus Skills & Comedy Show. Dogstival will also invite pet owners to polish up their knowledge and learn something new from the world of canine health and wellbeing at the Canine MOT Centre stage.

Naturo natural pet food returns as headline sponsor, with the Naturo Main Arena being the focal point for Dogstival’s dazzling displays from Little Nippers & Terriers Racing and the Paws For Thought Display Team. Bringing a further Olympic twist to the entertainment will be working dogs from the military, police, search and rescue battling it out in the ultimate challenge of scent work and agility.

In addition to activities, talks and fun entertainment, Dogstival will offer the best in dog treats, food and drinks, catering to owners with a wealth of locally sourced food from gourmet vendors. More than 120 stands are also expected offering an array of products and services for hound and human needs.

A dog festival with a conscience, Dogstival will ensure that the fun is paid-forward too, by helping showcase the work and raise funds for charities such as Pets As Therapy and Dogs Trust. They will also be managing their carbon pawprint, improving on last year’s efforts to recycle 67.5% of the event waste and on-boarding sustainable practices that apply to both them as event organisers and their various exhibitors and vendors.

Dogstival Co-Founder Richard Nowell says: “This will be our sixth Dogstival and winning the Best Pet Day Out at the Animal Star Awards, along with returning to our spiritual home of Burley Park has given us a great reason to celebrate and make this our most exciting, action-packed event to date. Every year we add new canine-approved entertainment and cram more activities for dogs to try and enjoy.”

Commenting on joining the Dogstival pack, Eva Mooney, Marketing Manager, Naturo natural pet food says: “We are absolutely delighted to be joining Dogstival for the second year running. Dogstival is our favourite event of the year, and we can’t wait to meet all the wonderful pups, pet owners and vendors at this year’s event. We are back and bigger than ever with exciting games and prizes to be won, along with spectacular displays and competitions at the Naturo Main Arena.”

Dogstival 2024 takes place on 1st and 2nd June 2023 a Burley Park, Burley, Hampshire, BH24 4BS. For more information, visit Dogstival.co.uk and follow @dogstival on social. Any brands or businesses wishing to be involved in Dogstival 2024 should contact info@dogstival.co.uk.

Pawer Water, the new canine wellness supplement that is transforming the way dogs hydrate, is taking the pet care industry by storm. 

Since its soft launch at PATS, this ground-breaking wellness approach to dog rehydration has managed to captivate a wide range of professionals from dog groomers, dog walkers, behavioural therapists, agility specialists, breeders, to independent retailers and major chains. 

The product has attracted the attention of prestigious stockists that are renowned for their exclusive offerings and their commitment to cutting-edge wellness solutions. Among the list are the luxury grooming townhouse Love My Human, premium online marketplace WOOOF.co.uk and London pet hotel, Urban Mutts. 

“We're proud to be stocked in prestigious establishments that are wellness-focused and led by forward thinkers. What all those professionals have in common is their commitment to quality and innovative vision towards pet care," said Nathalie Ohana, founder of Pawer Water.

Nathalie isn't your typical entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience in innovation and branding, she's worked for leading wellness and beauty brands and is known to be a true trailblazer. She’s lived across the globe, from Paris to New York City, Cape Town to Amsterdam, and finally settled in London. This international journey immersed her in diverse wellness practices, enriching her understanding of holistic well-being. Now, drawing on her wealth of knowledge in the human wellness sector, Nathalie is on a mission to revolutionise how we care for our beloved furry companions. Her vision is clear: bring the same level of attention to pet wellness as human wellness. Her guiding principle? 'If it's good for us, it's good for our dogs.”

"Our pets deserve the same level of care and attention that we provide to ourselves,” she said. “Pawer Water bridges the gap between human and pet wellness innovations, making sure our pets live their happiest, healthiest lives."

Pawer Water was nominated for product innovation at both the PetQuip and PIF Awards in 2023.  

“From the beginning, we focused on creating a hassle-free, two-in-one soluble solution that would empower pet owners to effortlessly give their dogs a vital dose of well-being, anytime, anywhere,” added Nathalie. “Not surprisingly, our current customers are health-conscious pet owners who are going the extra mile for their dogs. We can see that they are, for now, mostly urban-based millennials with a cleaner, healthier, and greener shopping mindset. And most importantly our customers and retailers alike are big believers, like us, in preventive care.”

Developed in collaboration with leading nutritionist Tanya Cohen, Pawer Water formula is carefully crafted with a blend of pawerful human-grade ingredients _ electrolytes, collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants. This thoughtful two-in-one combination supports canine hydration and overall wellness needs, making it a game-changer in the pet supplement market. 

Pawer Water is looking to introduce three new products in 2024 and is looking to expand to Europe. 

For further information visit: www.pawerwater.com

For trade enquiries contact: Nathalie by email hello@pawerwater.com

Award-winning pop culture collectables brand Funko took the spotlight at London Toy Fair with a number of exclusive features, including a guest appearance from TV personality Michael McIntyre.

Visitors to the Funoo stand stand were treated to a fashion show full of furry friends, a reveal of Michael McIntyre’s new Funko Pop! alongside a guest appearance from the comedian himself, and premiere of new products across. 

McIntyre said: “It’s been an amazing experience to become a Funko Pop and to see everyone’s reactions in person. There will be an opportunity for some lucky individuals to get their hands on it, so keep your eyes peeled as there’s more to come.”

Funko unveiled the new Backpacking Freddy Funko Pop – exclusive for European Funatics only through funkoeurope.com. The new addition to the Funko Pop! line is the second in a two-part series, following the launch of Travelling Freddy last October. Equipped with a signpost to show all the wonderful places Freddy has visited, and a special postcard that Freddy has written on his travels, the new addition to the brand is designed to inspire Funko fans to embark on travelling adventures of their own. 

Following Bitty Pop!’s hugely successful launch in 2023, the Funko category will be further expanding with brand-new display cases later this year – allowing fans to proudly show off and house their Bitty Pop! collections. 

Funko Chief Commercial Officer, Andy Oddie said: “It’s been a pleasure to see our industry friends and their reactions to Funko’s new innovations for 2024 across our Pop!, Bitty Pop!, Loungefly and Mondo categories. The warm reception and positive response has been brilliant to see.”

Business enquiries can be directed to NewTradeEnquiries.EMEA@funko.com.

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From London to Lake Como, pet parents can take their pooch’s tastebuds on a culinary adventure with the new Lily’s Kitchen Pasta al Ragu recipe.

Give your dog a taste of la dolce vita with this wholesome meal from the B Corp pet food brand. Inspired by the Italian classic and made with freshly prepared beef with delicious pasta, as well as a sprinkling of flavoursome basil and oregano – the perfect seasoning to accompany this hearty feast.

The succulent beef is packed with vitamins B12, B6 and iron, which are essential for good woofer health. What’s more, the Pasta al Ragu recipe is vet-approved and offers complete nutrition to fuel your four-legged friend’s daily mischief. Buon appetito, pups.

The mouth-watering Italian feast, made with natural ingredients and proper food for pets, is suitable for all good boys and girls over four-months old.

Mark Zaki, Global Marketing Director at Lily’s Kitchen, comments: “Pasta al Ragu is a firm favourite across the nation, particularly in the colder months of the year when all the family can come together to enjoy a comforting feast. Here at Lily’s Kitchen, we’d hate for our beloved four-legged friends to miss out, so that’s why we’ve launched our new vet-approved Pasta al Ragu recipe for dogs.

“The succulent, Italian-inspired recipe is enriched with natural ingredients including freshly prepared beef, pasta and flavoursome herbs so that each mouthful offers an array of enticing flavours. It’s the perfect way to include all the family on pasta night.”

Bring Italy to your doorstep by heading to lilyskitchen.co.uk to buy the Lily’s Kitchen Pasta al Ragu recipe from £3.70.

Dog owners looking to give their beloved pooch something special and fashionable on Valentine’s Day should look at a designer collar from Xparkles.

Made from French nappa leather, customers are able to change the look and mood of their pets’ collars by incorporating interchangeable charms made from pure silver (so that they don’t rust), with others which are encrusted with rhinestones. 

This new concept in pet collars, which is patented by Xparkles in the UK and USA, brings a uniqueness to the pet accessory market with the collars exceeding the manufacturing standards of many produced by high-end designer fashion houses. They are fashionable, stylish but more importantly, affordable. They also give dogs that touch of glitz and glamour.

There are three types of charms to choose from, thread through, push through and screw based. Each leather collar is finished with hand-waxed and double stitched edges.  The buckles are made from stainless steel and lab test shows they can sustain 72kg of pull.   This makes every collar extremely durable with the soft leather making them very comfortable to wear.

Xparkles is the inspiration of founder and successful entrepreneur, Erika Yao and her partner Andrew Blach. As pet owners who liked to dress their bichon frise poodle cross in stylish pet accessories, they failed to find a designer decorative collar that would stand up to daily wear and tear and was also comfortable for their dog at the same time. Sensing a gap in the market, they created Xparkles.

Erika said: “The use of interchangeable charms has been extremely successful in the human jewellery market and we wanted to create something that would provide a similar gift buying opportunity for pet parents. They are perfect for any fashion conscious dog owner as the look can be changed by switching the charms over to suit an outfit or mood.”

The Xparkles collars meet several quality standards already. Their designer holds a Jewellery design degree from UAL.  Their ISO9001 certified production partners also have in- house designers to help final check the products and Xparkles won the Muse Design Award in 2023.  The business is also nominated for a European Product Design Award.  Best of all the collars are made in Britain a country synonymous with the manufacture of high-end quality leather goods.

Xparkles are looking to stock pet boutiques that are interested in developing a long term partnership, and pet groomers who are looking for a new revenue stream.  

The collars are available in a range of sizes and widths to suit different breeds and there is a good selection of different charms and accessories to add to the collars including leather bows.

RRP Collars start from £40 upwards, Charms start from £15 each and the leather bows £17.

For further information visit www.xparkles.com

Global leader in animal healthcare IVC Evidensia has shared news of the success of its 2023 EMS bursary scheme, and released dates for the next round of applications.  

With data now coming in from this year’s round of recipients, IVC Evidensia are proud to have supported over 100 vet students in accessing their dream EMS placement, without needing to worry about financial limitations. 

The scheme was set up to break down barriers for vet students and to enable access to the best possible EMS placement for their career goals. Offering financial support to empower vet students with more choices when deciding where to go for their EMS placement.  

The topic of ensuring fair access to EMS placements has been widely discussed across the veterinary sector, with concerns raised by many that students must not be placed at a disadvantage in their careers because of personal circumstances. 

IVC Evidensia is committed to developing the next generation of skilled and experienced veterinary surgeons. In addition to supporting clinical development while on placement in practices across the UK, this bursary program removes financial barriers that prevent vet students from following their dreams and gaining the experience they should be able to access. 

Released in three stages across the year to allow for multiple application deadlines, this year’s bursary programme ensured vet students had every opportunity to apply and access this additional support.  

IVC Evidensia’s Director of Veterinary Professional Development, Gayle Hallowell shared why increasing fair access to EMS placements is so important: 

“We want to ensure that all students are not limited financially and can go and spend time somewhere that they deem important to their clinical development, be that at a farm practice that does lots of beef work, or to experience life as an exotic vet and everything in between.  

We view EMS as incredibly important, both for veterinary student development, but also to ensure that they can experience the supportive environments offered by our teams at IVC Evidensia. Many of our EMS students return to work at their EMS practices when they qualify, because they know the quality of support and development they will receive there.”

Previous bursary recipient Sharna Walker found the fund helped her focus on her studies, and allowed her to prioritise the development of her clinical skills: 

“It’s a great tool to relieve pressure. Vet students are already under a lot of pressure just from our studies alone, as well as travelling to placements, taking time away from work etc. – so the bursary really eases that burden and allows you to fully focus.

I feel much more confident in my skills and am more prepared and ready to handle anything that comes my way - including emergencies. I feel able to perform under pressure and have increased my familiarity with surgical procedures. It’s been a really valuable experience.” 

Funding for next round of EMS bursary applicants

IVC Evidensia has committed a continued investment of £250,000 for the next round of EMS student bursaries. Providing valuable experience and financial support for the vets of tomorrow, applications for the next round of EMS placement bursaries will open soon.  

• Applications will be open to all veterinary students in the UK undertaking clinical EMS from third to final year
• Students must be undertaking EMS in an IVC Evidensia practice or Vets Now emergency clinic or hospital, andhave either already arranged or be in the process of confirming the placement
• Those demonstrating financial hardship will be prioritised
• Bursaries will be released in three stages during 2024: the end of February, at the end of April and at the end of June
• This will allow for multiple application deadlines and ensure students have every opportunity to apply

Applying is easy and can be done via the IVC Evidensia website: www.ivcevidensia.co.uk/ems-bursary. For any further questions contact: employerbrandteam@ivcevidensia.com  

The British Independent Retailers Association has said recent figures from the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index will prompt more consumer confidence.

Speaking about the report, which can be downloaded here, BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said the figures which have shown their lowest levels since May 2022, would help boost more confidence shopping on the high street.
 

Also reported:

• Shop Price annual inflation eased to 2.9% in January, down from 4.3% in December. This is below the 3-month average rate of 3.9%. Shop price annual growth is its lowest since May 2022.
• Non-Food inflation fell to 1.3% in January, down from 3.1% in December. This is below the 3-month average rate of 2.4%. Inflation is its lowest since February 2022.
• Food inflation decelerated to 6.1% in January, down from 6.7% in December. This is below the 3-month average rate of 6.8% and is the ninth consecutive deceleration in the food category. Inflation is its lowest since June 2022.
• Fresh Food inflation slowed further in January, to 4.9%, down from 5.4% in December. This is below the 3-month average rate of 5.6%. Inflation is its lowest since May 2022.
• Ambient Food inflation decelerated to 7.7% in January, down from 8.4% in December. This is below the 3-month average rate of 8.5% and is the lowest since July 2022.

Andrew Goodacre, BIRA CEO said: "After a blip in December it is good to see inflation falling again. Given the low demand it is no surprise to see non-food retailers needing to discount significantly. However, this means reduced margins at a time when the costs of running a business continue to rise. We hope that lower inflation results in a cut in interest rates to boost consumer confidence. We also hope that the Chancellor uses his Spring budget to further improve consumer confidence and focus on economic growth."

A dog owner faced a desperate race against time to save his dog from drowning in a flooded tidal tunnel.

Two-year-old chocolate Labrador Henley managed to find himself trapped inside by a metal grille, and off-duty police officer Rob Paterson fought to keep the dog’s head clear of the fast-flowing water in a tiny air gap at the tunnel end.

Minutes before he managed to get help to cut Henley free, he said an emotional farewell to his beloved dog, fearing he’d be unable to save him.

Even after the miraculous rescue, Henley was seriously ill with water in the lungs. He needed three days of intensive care in a high-tech oxygen kennel at IVC Evidensia’s Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Ringwood, Hampshire, to bring him back from the brink. 

Rob was out for a walk on a footpath near the mouth of the River Hamble with nine-month-old daughter Phoebe when Henley got into difficulties. 

“Henley goes in for a swim regularly when the tide is in, and there’s never been a problem,” said Rob from Warsash. “There’s a sluice tunnel under the path, taking the water to the marshland on the other side. Suddenly, I saw Henley struggling as he swam past it, and then he went under. 

“I thought he’d been swept against the entrance by the power of the water and knew he was in trouble.” 

Rob left Phoebe with a fellow walker, jumped in out of his depth and was horrified to find the grille was missing, and Henley had been swept right through the two-metre-wide tunnel. 

He clambered back over the path and into the water on the other side, but there was a grille stopping Henley from getting out, and he was being crushed against it by the surging water. 

“He was almost fully submerged, with just a little air gap at the top,” said Rob. 

“I couldn’t get the grille off, and all I could do was keep his nose clear through the space between the bars. The lady who had Phoebe called 999, but as a policeman, I couldn’t think who would be able to help and whether they’d get to us in time. 

“The water was coming in higher and higher, and I must have been in there for about 20 minutes. Henley was right by my face, looking at me, and I had to say my goodbyes, telling him there was nothing I could do. It was absolutely traumatic.” 

With time running out, Rob remembered a boatyard along the river and got the lady to call there to see if they could help. A worker with an angle grinder raced to the scene and cut a couple of bars loose to allow them to pull Henley through the gap. 

He was struggling to breathe, and Rob rushed him to his vets, who quickly referred him to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists.

“Henley was brought into us as an emergency, and radiographs had shown he has aspirated water into his lungs, causing severe pneumonia,” said vet Charlotte Lea. 

“We gave him antibiotics, but importantly, we were also able to supply high concentrations of oxygen because his lungs were struggling to absorb enough. 

“Our oxygen kennels are like sealed bubbles, and we can increase the oxygen concentrations to high levels, which we did with Henley. That supported him while the water was absorbed by the lungs, and the antibiotics fought any infection. Being a strong, healthy dog really helped. 

“We were gradually able to reduce the oxygen concentrations, and thankfully, he was well enough to breathe in room air after three days. Rob did an amazing job in saving him and seeing them reunited was lovely.” 

Pets needing highly-specialised care, such as orthopaedic surgery, cardiology or soft tissue surgery, are referred to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists by their daytime vet.

Police have issued CCTV of a woman they would like to speak to following a pet shop theft in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

It happened at Pets at Home in the Princes Gate Shopping Park in Catterick Garrison at approximately 10.51am on Tuesday 31 October 2023 and involved a woman entering the store and taking dog toys, treats and fish accessories without making an attempt to pay for them.  

Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the image as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to email Jamie.Kennerley@NorthYorkshire.Police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jamie Kennerley.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12230207028 when passing on information.

A new pet shop is set to be built at Pugh’s Garden Village in Wenvoe after receiving planning permission from the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Pets Corner will add Pugh’s Wenvoe to its list of over 150 locations that it operates in the UK. 

Situated in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, Pugh's Garden Village Wenvoe opened its doors in 2001. The garden centre has seen a number of recent additions and investments having opened The Orange Tree Express Café last year and a brand-new Food Hall. Construction works for the pet shop are expected to commence in the next few months with the store opening anticipated for Spring 2024.

Co-owner of Pugh’s, Graham Pugh said: “We are continuing to invest in the garden centre in Wenvoe to meet the needs of our local community. With Pets Corner’s success at our Pugh’s Branch in Radyr, established seven years ago, we see this an exciting development of the continual growth of the Pugh’s garden village brand. Our plans for the car park include an emphasis on pollination which will create an attraction for birds and bees and will become an innovative haven for insect pollination. This is an important consideration for our sustainable and ethical values, and we believe a first for the Vale in car park ‘thinking’. We are delighted to be able to continue improving the garden centre, welcome Pets Corner and further broaden our offer and have no doubt this will provide our customers with an enhanced shopping experience”.

The proposals for the car park include its reconfiguration, extension and improvement with formalised parking spaces and control of vehicle movements in and out of the site. A particular feature of the new car park’s remodelling and expansion is additional and supplemental planting in the bays. These are to be undertaken to include plants that are particularly good pollinators. The car park enhancement, whilst providing an additional number of spaces, would also deliver E.V chargers, providing a service for the local community along with covered cycle parking.

Joe Ayoubkhani, a director at planning consultancy, Highlight Planning, said: “We are pleased to have played a part in Pugh’s improvement plans and bringing Pets Corner to Wenvoe having worked positively with the planners in the Vale to secure the planning permissions. I look forward to popping in with my dog when Pets Corner opens later this year.”

Ceva Animal Health (Ceva), the company behind huge selling brands Feliway and Adaptil, has acquired Scout Bio, a pioneer in biotechnology focused on cutting-edge therapies for pets. 

The move represents a significant leap in innovation for Ceva, unlocking access to key advancements, including a pipeline of monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy developments to address chronic diseases in pets.

While maintaining strong positions and continuing to develop biological and preventive medicine for all species, with this strategic acquisition Ceva aims to boost its global biotechnology activities, drawing on Scout Bio's heritage but more importantly, fostering a future characterised by the acceleration of biotherapeutic innovation.

Scout Bio, renowned for its commitment to innovation, has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking biotherapeutic products. This acquisition underscores Ceva's recognition of Scout Bio's quick and responsive approach, as well as its excellence in clinical study execution in the biotherapeutics space.

Mark Heffernan, former CEO of Scout Bio, who has joined Ceva as Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics and CEO of Ceva Biotechnology Campus (Philadelphia) expressed his enthusiasm by declaring:  “With this acquisition, Ceva is ready to write a new chapter. The strength of the Group, which is one of the leaders in animal health, will propel our existing and future initiatives to new heights. Ceva has not only recognised our team’s delivery on innovation, but also our commitment to execution of quality clinical studies. With the power of Ceva, we will be able to accelerate biotherapeutic innovation for the well-being of pets and the happiness of their owners.”

In a commitment to continuity, Ceva will maintain a strong relationship with the world-renowned Gene Therapy Program (GTP) at the University of Pennsylvania, from where Scout Bio originated as a spin-out from Dr. James M. Wilson's laboratory.  Dr. Wilson is director of the Gene Therapy Program, the Rose H. Weiss Professor and director at the Orphan Disease Center, a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy. 

Together, Scout Bio and Penn’s Gene Therapy Program have jointly developed multiple programmes in this emerging field, and Ceva aims to build further upon this success. The collaboration will progress existing programmes and explore new product development opportunities where these types of disruptive technologies can be applied for the advancement of animal health.

"The recent acquisition of Scout Bio by Ceva marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of pet therapeutics. This integration of expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to innovation opens new horizons for Ceva. Indeed, with the growing trend of 'pet humanisation', owners aspire to extend the lives and well-being of their four-legged companions. This strategic alliance offers us the opportunity to develop products and solutions that cater to these expectations. Together, we are poised to lead in shaping the future of biotherapeutic solutions for the well-being of pets worldwide,” said Dr. Marc Prikazsky, Chairman and CEO of Ceva.

Group55 has announced the appointment of Kieran Prince as a Non-Executive Director of its leading pet care brand, Animology.

Kieran brings a breadth of experience and expertise within the Pet industry and will provide valuable contribution to the strategic direction and commercial growth of the Animology brand.

Rob Banks, Managing Director at Group55 comments, “We’re excited to bring Kieran on board to accelerate the growth of Animology. Keiran’s level of strategic experience and knowledge of the pet care sector will be extremely valuable to Animology and our goals for 2024.”

Kieran Prince adds “I’m delighted by the opportunity to work with Animology. With their longstanding history, positive reputation and values around quality & compliance they are the perfect brand to be associated with. I look forward to enhancing Animology’s sales strategy, growth plans and global reach.”

Kieran operates Koem Business Solutions, a consultancy firm, and has a background as the Sales Director at Bugalugs Pet Care.

Bella & Duke has  announced the appointment of James Sturrock as Chief Executive. The news comes as former CEO and co-founder Mark Scott moves to a non-executive director role.

Following a record-breaking year as the UK’s leading subscription raw pet food company, delivering over 15 million of its meals across the UK in 2023, Sturrock will lead the company as it moves to its next chapter of growth and development. Looking to 2024 and beyond, Bella & Duke will continue on its mission to bring healthier eating to the UK’s pets by educating on the benefits of a raw diet, and further growing its customer base.

Sturrock joins Bella & Duke with a wealth of experience overseeing periods of growth in revenue and profitability with disruptor brands Moonpig and Eve sleep, and most recently overseeing the digital transformation and significant growth as Group CEO at flooring retailer Tapi Carpets & Floors. Sturrock joins Bella & Duke to support the company in achieving its ambitious goals in the industry.

Mark Scott, who Founded Bella & Duke with Tony Ottley in 2016, has seen the business expand from just two people at Blairgowrie to 133 employees and was named among the Most Ambitious Business Leaders in the UK, as one of just five businesses in Scotland named in the 2023 LDC Top 50 list. The LDC Top 50 list celebrates the entrepreneurs reshaping the way business is done, to address the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Bella & Duke were also named Manufacturer of the Year 2023 at the recent Pet Industry Federation Awards 2023, having brought manufacturing in house only 2 years ago. The industry awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the pet industry, showcasing the remarkable individuals and businesses who uphold the highest standards of quality that drive the industry forward. 

James Sturrock commented: “Joining Bella & Duke and taking on the role of Chief Executive is a privilege and incredibly exciting. It has been fantastic to witness the growth of the company in the past seven years, since Mark and Tony founded it in 2016, and my role will focus on building on this momentum. Having started my Spaniel on Bella & Duke and seeing the health improvements first hand, I’m excited to get the message out to other pet owners about the benefits of raw nutrition, attracting new customers to the category, and building on our incredible loyal community. I’ve always been an advocate of finding improved solutions to consumer problems, so joining Bella & Duke to educate pet owners on the benefits of raw feeding and changing perceptions felt like a perfect fit.”

Mark Scott, Founder at Bella & Duke, said; “Since starting Bella & Duke with Tony back in 2016 it has been a long but incredibly rewarding experience seeing our vision grow year on year, and I will still be heavily involved in the business. As a business that is purpose-led, with an incredible team and loyal community, it was really important to us to protect that, which is why James was the perfect choice with his excellent experience and customer centric approach. This is an incredibly exciting time for the business, and I’m delighted to be welcoming James to Bella & Duke as we embark on our next chapter.”  

For more information on Bella & Duke, visit: https://www.bellaandduke.com/join-our-team/ 

Burgess Pet Care has announced two key appointments to its team based in Pollington, Yorkshire, as the company continues to strengthen its brand and market presence.

Annabel Coleman has joined Burgess as Excel brand manager. She will be responsible for ensuring the Burgess Excel brand continues to be the leading choice for small animal lovers, whilst helping to educate and support the welfare of all small animals.

Annabel has several years’ experience in FMCG brand management and marketing for household brands, including Aunt Bessie’s and Piper’s Crisps,

Tom Mottram has also joined Burgess Pet Care as national account manager. Bringing several years’ experience of operational and commercial finance, along with account management experience gained with Marks & Spencer and Ocado, Tom will focus on growing and strengthening customer relationships and the distribution of products among a wide range of buyers.

Head of marketing Peter Lancaster said: “We warmly welcome Annabel and Tom to Burgess Pet Care. They have already proven their skills, ability and commitment to their new roles, whilst sharing our passion not only for delivering best in class products but also for responsible pet ownership and pets’ health and wellbeing.

“This is an exciting time for Burgess Pet Care, as we have recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Burgess Excel range. This was developed following concerns raised around the negative impact that selective feeding could have on rabbit health, which led to the launch of Burgess Excel rabbit nuggets, the UK’s first single component extruded rabbit food.”

Pets at Home has announced the appointment of Angelique Augereau as its new independent Non-Executive Director.

Until recently, Angelique served as the Chief Analytics Officer at Capital One Financial Corporation, where she led a team to execute Capital One's first artificial intelligence and machine learning strategy and innovation agenda for the card business. Prior to this, Angelique held positions as the Chief Data & Analytics Officer for Apax Partners and as a Managing Director in J.P. Morgan's Global Payment Business, where she built and scaled a data-driven innovation unit.

On her appointment to the Board, Angelique has also become a member of the Pets’ Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as the ESG Committee.

Pets at Home Chairman, Ian Burke, commented: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Angelique Augereau to Pets at Home Group plc. The directors and I look forward to working with Angelique and strengthening the Board’s experience in AI and machine learning.”