Wendy Stephens, who launched Arden Grange in 1981 with her late husband Graham, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She received her prize from Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden at the recent Pet Industry Awards...

While enjoying a successful London modelling career Wendy met Graham, and together they embarked on a journey founded upon Wendy's love of animals and a joint entrepreneurial determination.

It was whilst raising their two children, Emma & Jon, that Wendy acquired her first German Shepherd Dog and thereby began a lifetime passion for the breed.

She has achieved notable success in the show ring, has served on various council forums in support of the GSD and continues to breed under her highly acclaimed affix of Ardenburg.

During the 1980s, Wendy and Graham moved to Sussex and took up the challenge of rebuilding a rather run-down kennels.

They also developed a successful wholesale business, delivering a wide variety of pet products to pet shops throughout the south-east. This experience gave them great insight into animal nutrition, and after identifying a gap in the market they went on to acquire the sole distribution rights for a well-known super premium dried cat and dog food range throughout the UK and Ireland.

This was the first super premium pet food to be imported into and distributed throughout the UK on a commercial scale, and set the trend for the upper end of the cat and dog food marketplace as it is known today.

After almost a decade of outstanding success with these products, the market was sufficiently primed for the manufacturer to establish a UK base, and thus the distribution was transferred. This led the way clear for Wendy and her husband to launch their own British-made super premium pet food under the Arden Grange brand.

Throughout her life, Wendy has derived pleasure from the simpler things in life. A great love of literature and the arts, a deep compassion for creatures large and small, an enthusiasm for travelling and the appreciation of different cultures.

Above all, she appreciates the joy afforded by spending time with family and friends, and indeed she remains a true and loyal friend to many.

All of this, of course, touched by Wendy's own inimitable sense of humour!

Since the sudden loss of Graham to acute myeloid leukemia in 2009, Wendy has continued to push the boundaries of animal nutrition with the Arden Grange range in both the UK and internationally.

Arden Grange remains essentially a family run business, yet often leads the industry with new innovation. It is a tribute to Wendy that so many of the staff at Arden Grange have been a part of the team for over 10 years (many even approaching 20!) and that staff are often heard to be said that they also feel part of the extended family.

The countdown is on for the launch of the new award winning range of products from Natures Menu. The range to be known as Country Hunter range of products will be available to order from December 2.

Natures Menu has had a fantastic year, winning both Supplier and Manufacturer of the year at different Industry events, alongside the awards for product of the year for the whole range of their new Country Hunter products.

The range of products include four new frozen ready-made Complete and Balanced Raw Nugget meals, labelled as super food nuggets for dogs. Available in Rabbit with Cranberry, Venison with Blueberries, Salmon with Raspberry and Duck with Plum. The new nugget meals (the rabbit, venison and duck) are also Grain free and chicken free, making them fantastic for dogs with intolerance or allergies.

There are four new complete and balanced dog cans, again in Rabbit with Cranberry, Venison with Blueberries, Salmon with Raspberry and Duck with Plum.

Also included are five new innovative Freeze Dried Raw Treats – three dog treats in Rabbit with Cranberry, Venison with Blueberries and Duck with Plum, and two cat treats in only the Rabbit with Cranberry and Duck with Plum.

And finally three new Complete and Balanced crunchy nugget meals complete the range. These include Freeze Dried Raw Meat nuggets mixed with nuggets of gently baked oats and vegetables.

Natures Menu advise you to contact your representative and find out more on the special introductory offers to ensure your store has the products ready for sale when the products are launched.



The team from Natures Menu – Sallie-Ann King, Peter Roy and Emma MacKenzie – receive their latest award 'Manufacturer of the Year' from Deborah Meaden at the recent Pet Industry Awards.

A free workshop, entitled ‘Going Global’, will run alongside the latest in a series of successful meet-the-buyer events being organised by the Gardenex and PetQuip associations at Lea Marston Hotel, Sutton Coldfield on November 14.

The event is supported and funded by UK Trade & Investment, as part of its Export Week and in support of its ongoing joint export programme specifically for the gardening and leisure and pet product sectors in conjunction with Gardenex and PetQuip.

The content of the workshop, which is being held between the overseas buyer meetings, has been structured to provide all of the tools needed to reach new export markets or to expand existing international business.  Among the various topics will be overviews of the European markets for the garden and pet product sectors.  

The overseas buyers travelling to the UK to meet with British suppliers will be:

Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre – one of Ireland’s leading garden centres;

Allox – a Swedish importer/distributor of garden products;

Arett Sales Corporation – the leading US garden distributor/wholesaler, providing distribution to 20 NE US states:

Dubai Garden Centre – the premier garden retailer in Dubai;

Solfang – a Norwegian garden internet sales company;

TiendAnimal – Spain’s leading internet sales company for pet food and accessories;

Warmako – an importer/distributor of pet products based in the Netherlands.

Places in the workshop, sponsored by UKTI, are free of charge; a small administration fee will apply to companies registered to meet in one-to-one sessions with the overseas buyers.

For more information email Emma Lewis at emma@petquip.com

Tetra, the leader in fish foods, treatments and equipment, has launched two new and very different aquariums, emphasising the untapped market potential in this sector.

The new aquariums include the exciting, new Tetra AquaArt Explorer Line – a premium product with a contemporary curve glass design for customers for whom beautiful design is important; and the Tetra Peppa Pig aquarium – a character tank created to caption the attention of and inspire the younger fishkeeper. 

Both products have been designed with innovation and quality in mind, and with the aim of encouraging new fishkeepers into the market place.

AquaArt Explorer Line

This is an opportunity for aquatic retailers to explore new opportunities and set new standards. It offers all the convenience of the existing Tetra AquaArt range but with a totally new design and appeal.  Its innovative ‘curve’ design has been created to appeal to those customers who want a clean, beautiful and modern look. It includes Tetra’s convenient, one-touch EasyCrystal Filter and a long-lasting and powerful LED light with COB (chip-on-board) technology that reduces energy consumption. 

There are three products in the AquaArt Explorer Line:

• 60L Tetra AquaArt Explorer Line Tropical aquarium set

This offers long-lasting and powerful LED lighting, with low consumption of energy of just 8.5 watts.  It includes the innovative Tetra Easy Crystal FilterBox, including an additional replacement filter cartridge and an accurate Tetra HT50 aquarium heater.  It also contains a starter set of Tetra’s best-selling products including 100ml of TetraMin for all ornamental fish, 100ml of Tetra AquaSafe to make tap water safe for fish, and 100ml of Tetra EasyBalance to reduce the number of water changes required.

• The 30L Tetra AquaArt Explorer Line Goldfish aquarium set

This smaller tank for goldfish contains the long-lasting and powerful LED lighting with a consumption of just 5 watts.  It also offers the innovative Tetra EasyCrystal Filter, including an additional replacement filter cartridge, 100ml of Tetra Goldfish food, and 100ml of Tetra AquaSafe water conditioner to make tap water safe.

Agathe Dias, Tetra’s Marketing Manager for Western Europe, says: “Over the years we have built a reputation for making fishkeeping easy.  Our new AquaArt Explorer Line is now adding an innovative and modern design element to those other benefits. They have been created to appeal particularly to fishkeepers who love beautiful design and to inspire beginners to take up the hobby. They therefore need an aquarium that is easy to use but will also look beautiful in the home. This customer-type offers a great deal of potential for our market and so far has been relatively untapped.”

The Tetra AquaArt Explorer Line is designed to make fishkeeping more pleasurable and easier. Its ‘curve’ design allows for a 180 degree view into the tank and, because it is glass, it offers a crystal clear view that won’t scratch like other materials. The LED light offers a service life of 50,000 hours, the transparent cover means there is easy visibility from the top, with a built-in feeding hatch to make it easier to feed fish. There is flexible positioning for the filter and heating equipment and the one-touch Tetra EasyCrystal makes the cartridge easy to replace and maintaining. It also offers retailers an opportunity for repeat purchases through the replacement cartridges.

Tetra Peppa Pig Aquarium

This is a unique opportunity for retailers to join in the huge success of Peppa Pig - the hit TV show that children love, with the new Tetra Peppa Pig aquarium.  Designed for 3 year olds upwards, this is a one-off opportunity to capture the imagination and inspire youngsters into the hobby through this fun character. The Tetra Peppa Pig aquarium is a complete starter kit that brings the popular cartoon to life, offering children the chance to decorate their own tank with a Peppa Pig backdrop and stickers. It is an 18 litre tank which features:

• Tetra EasyCrystal Filter and two replacement cartridges
• 800g of gravel
• Peppa Pig high quality background
• Fun aquarium stickers
• TetraMin and AquaSafe food and care samples
• Fishkeeping information booklet for children with fun activity ideas 

Agathe adds: “This is an exciting launch for us and a great opportunity for retailers to ride on the success of the BAFTA award winning Peppa Pig animated series.  Merchandising for Peppa Pig is already generating 200 million in retail sales with over 4 million books and £7.5 million DVDs sold to date. It has high appeal and great potential for retailers to attract long-term customers. There are the repeat sales of the cartridges but also the benefit of being there are the beginning of a child’s fishkeeping journey. They make a perfect Christmas present.”

For further information contact Tetra on 023 80 60 60 70 or go to www.tetra.net

Seahorse Atlantic Ltd based in the South of Ireland produces a range of products called Kelp Care – 100% natural feed additives formulated from different species of seaweed grown in the purest of the Atlantic Ocean and tailored to the health of each animal.

The company was founded by Marine Biologist and Zoologist Sarah O Sullivan, combining her knowledge and passion for the marine environment with animal nutritional health.

Kelp Care seaweed ingredients are grown in controlled Atlantic environments and monitored constantly ensuring the seaweed never comes into contact with any external factors.

The kelp is grown at a specific level in the water column and absorbs the nutrient rich waters around it combining sub tidal kelp species and also Irish seaweed farms located off the south west coast of Ireland.

Seahorse Atlantic has its own unique production process which yields a high quality unique premium seaweed blend to form Kelp Care.

Kelp Care Clinical Canine Trial

Kelp Care canine recipe formulated specifically for dogs has just undergone a 60-day subjective clinical veterinary trial with 44 clinical dog cases under leading osteoarthritic specialist vets.

The trial focused on palatability and key areas of increasing canine diseases:

• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic skin conditions
• Dental health
• Haematology and urinalysis were included in selected cases

Results supported the high palatability of the product (90.5%). There was significant clinical improvement in chronic skin conditions (91%). Clinical response was also noted in osteoarthritis and dental cases.

In selected cases, haematology presented a decrease in white cell count and urinalysis showed a decrease of pH in cases suggesting Kelp Care can aid in neutralising an acidic pH and promote better health.

Kelp Care's unique recipe is veterinary recommended as an adjunctive therapy in chronic skin cases and as part of a multimodal management of chronic osteoarthritis in dogs.

Kelp Care Equine formulated from a different species of seaweed has also been successfully veterinary trialled with racing thoroughbreds and international show jumpers:

Seahorse Atlantic Ltd will be exhibiting at London Vet Show on November 21-22 offering special offers for all orders placed at the show.

Kelp Care is distributed throughout the UK by Natural Pet Products Ltd. A new website has been launched with full scientific reports available to download www.seahorseatlantic.ie

Lily’s Kitchen, the natural and organic pet food brand, has this year made an exclusive range of Christmas treats for cats and dogs. 

Building on the success and excitement created last year, with the world’s first Christmas Dinner for Dogs, Lily’s Kitchen is launching this year’s freshly prepared Christmas Dinner Tin along with a great new range of delicious hand-baked treats. 

The Fabulously Festive Christmas Biscuits for Dogs and the Merry Little Cat Treats will all be available from October, making sure that pet owners who plan in advance are kept happy along with any last minute shoppers.The range also features an on-pack tag so treats can be given as gifts to doggy and cat friends too.

Hand-made with only the very best ingredients, including fresh turkey, goose, organic potatoes, green beans and cranberries, the range has been designed with pet owners in mind as the ideal treat for all cats and dogs this Christmas.

Henrietta Morrison, Founder of Lily’s Kitchen, says: “Lily’s Kitchen is committed to providing the best possible food for cats and dogs everyday. And Christmas Day is no exception.

"In fact it’s one of the greatest days of the year for pet owners to show how much they appreciate their furry friends with a great tasting, minimally processed, natural meal or treat. 

"We were so delighted at how popular the Christmas Dinner for Dogs was last year, that this year we have decided to extend the range into treats to give as many pets as possible the opportunity to enjoy Festive period as much as we do.”

The Christmas Dinner for Dogs, 400g tin has an RRP of £2.49, Fabulously Festive Christmas Biscuits for Dogs, 100g box RRP £2.99 and Merry Little Cat Treats, 100g box RRP £2.99. 

To get in touch with Lily's Kitchen call 020 7433 1863.

The Pet Industry Forum, packed with a heavyweight line-up of speakers and topics, has been given the thumbs-up by delegates who attended the inaugural event.

Subjects ranged from an overview of the US pet industry and an insightful overview of how a UK high street retailer could keep their prices at the same level for 23 years; to working collaboratively with the RSPCA, tips and ideas for understanding your customers better and a look at the future of wholesaling in the pet industry.

The Pet Industry Federation’s newly revamped charity, The Pet Charity, and logo were officially unveiled by its Chairman, Paul Miley. The Pet Charity will be the pet industry’s own charity – its public facing voice,  encouraging pet ownership, promoting the joy and benefit of pets, conducting research and collaborating with other stakeholders.

Forum chairman Steve Fowler of PamPurred Pets said: ‘The feedback from this year’s event has been overwhelmingly positive, with ‘collaboration’ a dominant theme throughout the two days.

"The aim of the Forum & Awards was to inspire the pet industry and thanks to the generous support of all our sponsors, the quality of the topics and speakers, and the participation of stakeholders from all corners of the pet industry, this has undoubtedly been achieved.  

"Thoughts are already turning to how we can build on this success next year."

PIF chief executive Nigel Baker said: "We delivered an extremely enjoyable and memorable event. We are delighted by the very positive feedback, with many calling for the event to be repeated next year. Having delivered one of the best industry events yet, this will be a hard act to follow."

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association says now is a good time to think about staff training as the annual pet shop licensing inspection comes around.

Well-trained staff with relevant qualifications could help aquatic retailers meet their pet shop licence conditions, says the industry trade body, as the annual inspection round approaches.

New guidance on pet shop licensing from the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health, in which water quality features heavily in the section on fishkeeping, will hopefully be widely used by EHOs when they make this year’s inspections. 

Showing that staff have completed or are signed up to study industry-recognised and specialist training should help demonstrate how shops are meeting Condition 14 of this new guidance, says the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association. 

“During the year it’s become apparent that more and more councils are requiring pets shops to employ trained staff or train those currently working for them. It was heartening the number of business owners who talked to us about their wish to invest in specialist training for their staff when they visited our stand at AQUA 2013,” said OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport. 

“Indeed, one shop owner came to the stand for information about our Advanced Diploma because his EHO had said it was now necessary for one person in his shop to have this qualification.

“We do recommend that at least one person in the shop has a qualification of the same standard as our Advanced Diploma. This will help retailers meet the staff training element of Condition 14 of the new guidance and has been accepted by all local councils as far as we are aware.

“As anyone working in our industry knows, getting water quality right is vital to the health of fish that are sold, so investing in training about this will pay for itself. We produce home study training packages that cover water quality, fish health, fish biology and filtration at levels that are suited to both staff new to fishing keeping and for those who want more advanced knowledge.”

More information about the Certificate and Advanced Diploma training courses offered by OATA is available at www.ornamentalfish.org/training. The new CIEH guidance for EHOs can be found on its website.

Pet accessories expert Ancol has launched Viva –  its first ever extendable dog lead. Made from super strong nylon, the retractable tape lead extends up to five metres, giving dogs freedom while the owner remains in control.

The handle has been designed so that it’s comfortable to hold yet ensures dog owners maintain a firm grip. Keeping things simple, it features just one button which allows dog owners to easily apply and release the brake as necessary.

The lead is available in three sizes – small (for dogs up to 20kg), medium (up to 30kg) and large (up to 50kg) and is available in four colours: black, red, blue and raspberry. It is competitively priced with great sales margins - £9.50 for the small with an RRP of £16.95; £11.25 for the medium with an RRP of £20.25 and £15.95 for the large with an RRP of £28.75.

In a recent independent survey, 90% of dog owners rated Viva as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ in terms of comfort, ease of operation, quality, length of lead, efficiency and durability. Viva was also subject to a tension test by leading testing body Intertek which concluded that it can withstand the weight of dogs over and above the recommended weights advertised.

Sales Director Sarah Lane commented: “Following several years of research and development, we are confident that customers will love Viva, which offers a premium quality extending lead at a very competitive price. We have chosen to design one model which matches the top of the range of the leading brand, yet beats it on price.” 

For more information about the Viva lead visit www.ancol.co.uk/viva

One of the UK’s biggest charity retailers - PDSA - has unveiled its annual list of amazing charity store donations. Sometimes amazing, sometimes hilarious, the new list highlights that charity stores can be treasure troves for those seeking something out of the ordinary as well as bargain hunters.

Pet charity PDSA, which runs 180 stores nationwide to help fund veterinary care for poorly pets, receives a huge variety of second-hand donations, and among the usual clothing, books, DVDs and furniture, there are items ranging from the highly valuable to the downright weird and wacky. 

PDSA’s Top Ten Hidden Treasures (and the stores that received them): 

1.      100 brand new wedding dresses worth a combined £50,000 (Boscombe)

2.      Roll of turf  (Spennymoor)

3.      Antique ‘Steiff’ teddy bear worth £650 (Teignmouth)

4.      A selection of x-rated adult items (various*)

5.      Two packets of ten-year-old spaghetti (Aldershot)

6.      Kitchen sink (Neath)

7.      A used 2007calendar (Basildon)

8.      Urn with ashes  (Rutherglen)

9.      A collection of gas masks  (Barkingside)

10.    False teeth (Mutley Plain)

Commenting on the latest weird and wonderful haul, Brian Gibson, PDSA Area Retail Manager, said: “It really is amazing to see some of the donations received from our generous supporters. Our staff and volunteers are used to donations of clothing, books, DVDs and furniture, which all help raise valuable money for poorly pets.

"But every now and then they are faced with a real surprise. These can range from the very valuable to the downright strange – but we are always grateful as we know they are given with the best of intentions.

“It just goes to show that you never know what you’ll find in a PDSA store, so it’s well worth paying us a visit. In addition to the usual bargains you could pick up something truly exceptional.”

Topping this year’s list is a donation of 100 brand new designer wedding dresses which were given anonymously to the charity’s Boscombe store. With a high street retail value exceeding £50,000, the dresses are now being snapped up by brides on a budget, some of whom have travelled across the country to visit the makeshift wedding wonderland.

Annie Campbell, PDSA Area Retail Manager for the Boscombe store, said: “We were amazed by the size and generosity of this donation – not what we expect to find when sorting through donations! The dresses are absolutely stunning and there is a fabulous range. They’re on sale from £150 and will raise around £10,000 for us in total.”

A slightly tatty teddy bear donated to Teignmouth PDSA was later identified as a 1900 antique Steiff teddy bear which raised an incredible £650 at auction.

Not every item on the list was quite as valuable, but the charity’s staff managed to raise money from some of the everyday items. The kitchen sink was sold for £60 and even the roll of turf raised £4.99. 

A few of the weirder top-ten donations proved impossible to sell however – the out of date spaghetti packets (from 2004), false teeth, six-year-old calendar and x-rated items were all thrown away.

On average, every bag of donated items received by PDSA is worth £12 to the charity, meaning that one bag of donations would help PDSA pay for a month of life-saving insulin for a diabetic pet, two bags would help towards the cost of x-raying a pet in need, while three bags would ensure four pets received vital intravenous fluid.

PDSA needs to raise £60 million each year to fund its vital veterinary service – which provides over 1.8 million free treatments to poorly pets annually. So the charity is calling on UK pet lovers to wade through their wardrobes and donate any unwanted items to help pets in need. 

To find out more about donating to you local PDSA store please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/stores.

Pet food manufacturer MPM Products, producer of the Applaws range of products, has appointed advisers to seek additional funding as it targets sales of £50m within two years.

The Macclesfield firm, which makes dog and cat food, has has enlisted the help of the Manchester office of PwC.

In the year to the end of 2012, it achieved 56 per cent growth to post sales of more than £17m and underlying pre-tax profits of £1.8m.

Managing director Julian Bambridge told the Manchester Evening News the firm is on course to post earnings of more than £3m on a £27m turnover this time around.

And as it looks to smash the £50m revenue barrier by the end of 2015, MPM is exploring a variety of options to welcome fresh investment.

MPM currently has three joint shareholders, who are founders Roger Wood and Roger Coleman, along with John Kinsey.

Mr Bambridge told the Evening News the firm would consider welcoming on board an equity investor, in the form of a private equity house or investment fund.

But he said it “remained focussed” on hitting its 2015 sales target, quashing talk of a potential sale in the short term.

He added: “Like any medium-sized rapidly-growing business, securing funding is key to keeping our growth going.

“We wouldn't turn the right acquisition down but it is not part of our strategy right now.

“We are about growing our brands and we will continue to do that.”

MPM has opened offices in Sydney, Australia, and Atlanta, America, in recent years and Mr Bambridge said the continent was now on its radar.

He added: “Sales in Europe are growing to the extent we would look to open an office there next, if anywhere.”

MPM has two core product ranges, Applaws and Encore, which are available in UK supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Ocado.

Its products are already available in 33 countries across Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific.

It recently started trading in India and is hoping to launch in South America this year, both markets where it says the growth of middle class consumers presents an opportunity.

Mr Bambridge said: “We have recently secured additional bank funding with HSBC, however to continue the rapid pace of expansion we need future additional investment and therefore we have appointed PwC to help us do that.”

Fluval has extended its reach into the consumables market, with a brand new range of fish foods and water treatments.

The Fluval line of water treatments is effectively a re-brand of the popular Nutrafin range. Nutrafin Aqua Plus and Cycle will become Fluval Aqua Plus and Cycle and the Waste Control and Plant Gro ranges will be re-named 'Fluval Biological Aquarium Cleaner' and 'Fluval Plant Micro Nutrients’

"We felt that with the enormous brand equity existing in the Fluval name, it made sense to transition Nutrafin products to the Fluval brand," said a spokesperson for Hagen. "We have retained the well known Aqua Plus and Cycle names and the new packaging really is fantastic, the bottles just leap off the shelves!"

The Fluval food range is a different story as this is no simple re-brand, rather a complete new range of foods with the emphasis placed squarely on the quality and purity of its ingredients. Here's the low down on this high quality food line.

Ingredients should be harvested not engineered

Fluval believes in using only the freshest, purest ingredients from natural sources in all its foods. Our nutritional experts extensively travel the globe to establish and maintain relationships with a select group of reputable and reliable suppliers that share this vision, allowing us to offer consistent, high-quality nutrition that far exceeds industry standards.

Premier Proteins

Fluval foods feature superior, wild-caught protein sources such as Herring and Krill, which are harvested from the pristine cold waters of Norway and Iceland. In our Vegetarian formula, we’ve included Spirulina Pacifica from Hawaii, which is world-renowned as the best-quality spirulina protein available. First-class proteins such as these not only provide powerful energy and growth for your fish, but also help to fortify a greater immune system for increased disease protection. 

Powerful Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies are often difficult to detect and can result in fish loss. Fluval includes a complete, balanced mix of choice, nutrient-dense vitamins and minerals that help improve digestion, fertility, eyesight, immune and nervous system defense, bone structure and overall growth.

No Artificial Colours

Unlike many other fish foods available on the market today, Fluval foods contain no artificial colourings, which are unnecessary and serve no nutritional value. Our formulas are only naturally-coloured due to the wholesome ingredients they include.

Rich in Omega 3 & 6

All Fluval formulas contain quality salmon oil, which helps to maintain skin and fin condition and offer added protection from de-pigmentation as well as the harmful effects of cuts and scrapes.

Sustainable Kelp

All Fluval food formulations contain highly nutritious Kelp, a rich source of Omega-3, in addition to polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and complex carbohydrates, for a complete diet. We take great measures to ensure our Kelp is harvested in an ecologically-responsible way to help preserve ocean stocks and provide future generations with a sustainable supply.

The Range

The Fluval range of foods consists of:

Fluval Tropical Flakes and Sinking Pellets

Fluval Goldfish Flakes and Sinking Pellets

Fluval Cichlid Flakes and Sinking Pellets

Fluval Colour Enhancing Flakes and Sinking Pellets

Fluval Vegetable Flakes and Sinking Pellets

For more information visit www.hagen.com

PATS 2013 Harrogate from sirastudio on Vimeo.

The dog for you is not always the one you think, says the Kennel Club, ahead of its Discover Dogs event. Statistics reveal people are following fashion and not doing their research..

The UK’s tallest man, Neil Fingleton, and one of the UK’s shortest men, James Lusted, met Pickle the Chihuahua and Ruach the Great Dane for a walk in London’s Green Park today, ahead of the Kennel Club’s Discover Dogs event.

Discover Dogs, taking place at Earls Court on 9 and 10 November, enables people to meet more than 200 breeds of dog under one roof. The Kennel Club is reminding people to do their research about differences between the various dog breeds, and to not always opt for the popular or fashionable choice.

New research by the Kennel Club has found that one in ten people do no research about which breed would be right for their lifestyle before they buy a dog.

Photo credit: Geoff Caddick/PA Wire

Thieves stole a range of high value pet products from a pet and equestrian store, costing the owners thousands of pounds.

Cumbria police are appealing for information about the theft which happened at Northern Pet & Equestrian Supplies in Penrith.

The thieves stole a substantial quantity of equestrian accessories, including clothing, saddlery and boots.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone who has information relating to the stolen property.

Anyone with information should call Cumbria Police on 101 and ask for DC Jayne Wright.

The new 16-page Pedigree Wholesale brochure gives both existing and potential new customers an all-inclusive introduction to the company in conjunction with its comprehensive range of products.

Through the use of customer testimonials the brochure also explains how Pedigree Wholesale works with different types of pet business to help them maximise their sales.

Steve Brown, Pedigree Wholesale’s Managing Director, commented: “We wanted to produce a brochure which clearly and simply communicates what Pedigree have to offer, what sets us apart as a company and how we can work with different types of pet businesses.

"At Pedigree we’re focused on building long term relationships with customers through a combination of excellent product choice, efficient deliveries and strong promotions backed up by exceptional customer service."

If you would like a copy of Pedigree Wholesale’s new company brochure please call 0115 982 3900 or e. info@petproducts.co.uk.

Pedigree would be delighted to hear your feedback. If you have any issues, suggestions or comments about any aspect of dealing with Pedigree Wholesale you can e-mail your feedback to yourfeedback@petproduts.co.uk.

A crime-plagued Leeds pet shop boss has been left counting the cost again after a car smashed into her business.

Helen Wolstenholme – who has been struggling in the face of competition from big business – has been robbed at knifepoint twice and burgled once in the last two years.

She has now been dealt a further blow after a car caused significant damage to her small independent store, Creature Comforts on Green Road in Meanwood, Leeds, in an early hours crash.

Miss Wolstenholme, 25, said: “The incidents haven’t affected us as much financially, but
my mental state has been affected.

“It’s heartbreaking when you put so much into it.”

Miss Wolstenholme worked in the shop, which sells ethically-sourced animals and pet supplies, before taking over as owner in April 2011.

She was first threatened at knifepoint in January 2011, while working for the previous owners. The robber took cash from the till and escaped.

Five months later an armed man raided the premises but was thwarted after Miss Wolstenholme bravely grabbed the knife he was carrying.

A 45-year-old was given an indeterminate sentence for that incident later in 2011.

In August of last year burglars attempted to kick the door through but failed because of security grills.

In the most recent incident Miss Wolstenholme got a call in the early hours of Sunday, October 20, to say that a Fiat Stilo car had run into the shop.

She had to wait for structural engineers to confirm the property was safe before being allowed back in. The animals in the shop were unharmed, but Miss Wolstenholme said she is now considering moving location.

“We have a very loyal customer base, but there’s only so much you can take,” she said.

“When we took over the shop we knew it would be difficult, but back then there wasn’t so much competition.

“Because I’m self-employed it makes it especially difficult.

“We aren’t going to be able to carry on the way things are going. We’re thinking about moving somewhere else.”

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and failing to stop after an accident following last week’s incident and is on bail.

The first Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar is being launched at Discover Dogs on November 9 to celebrate purebred rescue dogs and raise money for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Cover star, Jasmine, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was rescued by Northern Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue will be launching the sale of the 2014 KCBR calendar on Saturday with her rescue friend, Andrea Kitchen and new owners, Simon Mulholland and Adam Hussain from Coventry. 

The calendar showcases 12 dogs, all from different KCBR organisations and each with their own special story. The stars of the calendar were only chosen after a toughly fought competition run by Kennel Club Breed Rescue in search for the most worthy models to illustrate each month of the year.

Life has not always been so glamorous for Jasmine, who features in August and graces the calendar’s front cover.  Jasmine and her sister were brought to Northern Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue by a reservist Army medic who was called up to serve a six month tour of Afghanistan.

The man initially rescued Jasmine and her sister from  his  local sanctuary when  they  were  puppies after  they  had  been  taken  there half-starved and neglected, and Jasmine has a slight  foreleg deformity as a result of  poor  nutrition at  an  early  age. However both Jasmine and her sister are very much loved by their new families and Jasmine does not seem to be bothered by her leg.

Jasmine’s new owner, Simon Mullholland, an aerospace engineer, says: “Jasmine is such a loving and friendly dog and she settled into our home straight away. In fact, after two weeks we commented that it’s like she has been with us all her life. Everyone loves her and she is great with other dogs. We are so lucky to have her.”

The Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar will be on sale for £9.99 throughout Discover Dogs and through the Kennel Club Online shop for the rest of the year. All proceeds go to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to make a difference for all dogs’ lives.

Other canine models attending Discover Dogs will be April’s Han Solo, a Pomeranian, May’s Lily and Emily, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, June’s Louis the Cairn Terrier and July’s Ronnie and Michael, both Cotons de Tulear.

For those who cannot make it to Discover Dogs, the calendar is available to buy from www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breedrescue

Rosewood Pet Products now has exclusive distribution of all products under the Starmark brand in the UK.

Starmark are world leaders in pet education. Their aim is to keep pets happy in their homes by improving relationships with their owners. All products are developed by experts and performance tested by thousands of dogs at the Starmark Academy Animal Behaviour Centre.

The Everlasting Treat Balls and Bento Balls have already received many fantastic reviews from dog owners. Each treat ball contains an edible chicken flavoured dog treat and is made with virtually indestructible material which is stronger than rubber, puncture resistant and great for powerful chewers.

The Bento Ball also has raised dimples to help to clean teeth too. Both toys encourage play which helps to reduce anxiety and boredom behaviours.

Everlasting treat packs are available separately too for those customers who want to refill.

The treat dispensing chew ball is another great product available in small and medium and a swing and fling version. This product rolls, bounces, floats in water, holds a variety of treats or kibble, is virtually indestructible and is even dishwasher safe! It is much safer than a tennis ball, is fun to throw and easy to retrieve.

Additionally the Starmark range includes a series of Durafoam Discs and Durafoam Balls. Both products are soft but still extremely durable and are lightweight for indoor and outdoor use. They also float in water and are stronger and safer than their rubber/plastic equivalents. Available in two sizes and assorted colours.

Also available is the Bob-A-Lot treat dispenser which wobbles and bobbles dropping treats as it goes. Offered in two sizes it is a fantastic interactive toy and will provide a good challenge for dogs as owners are able to customise the difficulty using the adjustable openings.

Retailers can contact Rosewood Pet Products on 01952 883408 for more details or go online at www.rosewoodpet.com 

The heating of small aquariums is set to be revolutionised by the launch of Interpet’s Nano Delta Mini heater. The unique slim design of this small aquarium heater is the latest in the company's indoor aquatic innovations.

The Nano Delta Mini heater generates a constant heat output leading to a water temperature increase of approximately 6°C above the ambient room temperature. This level is ideal for maintaining aquatic plant and animal life.

Available in two sizes, 7.5w and 15w, the Nano Delta Mini heater is suitable for small aquariums from 12 – 20 litres. Its flexible positioning system allows for easy placement under the gravel, hidden in filtration or on the side of the aquarium depending on user preference, and its compact flat format design makes the heater visually discreet.

Mark Dalton, Interpet Brand Manager, explains: “This product is truly unique in its design with its durability and slim-line shape making it one of the most versatile aquarium heaters on the market. Coupled with its easy to understand, consumer friendly packaging, we’re confident that this great new product will lead to boosted sales for retailers.”

The Nano Delta Mini heater is available across the UK from early November and is expected to hit shelves later in the month. They will be available at an SSP of £11.99 for the 7.5w and £12.49 for the 15w. A free thermometer is also included in pack.

For more information visit: http://interpetcatalogue.com/

This year’s CSJ CanineMax held at Pembrey Country Park included the inaugural CaniX World Championships.

The major event in the canine calendar also included Bikejor, Gundog Scurries, Scooter and Terrier Racing.

Richard and Eileen Cook thanked CSJ for their support and prizes and admitted everyone was ‘buzzing’ throughout the event.

For more information on the winners, headed by the Belgian team and all about CaniX visit www.canix.co.uk

And if you missed last years event go to www.csjk9.com/news/caninemax-dog-games for a 16-minute video showing all the action.

Mike Wildman secured his second Best in Show win in a year at the British Dog Grooming Championships at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground.

Following on from his success at Premier Groom and with new dog Violet (a Cocker Spaniel), Mike demonstrated his skill in handstripping to produce another showstopper. For the first time he also competed at the show with his own homebred poodle Norris in the scissoring class.

‘This is just amazing,’ Mike said. ‘I owe a huge thank you to Michaela Burns who owns Violet and also to my friend Shirley Jones who helps prep all my dogs for shows. I have been handstripping for a long time so I’m used to it, but scissoring was a new experience for me and I look forward to doing more. Both dogs are only 12 months old but they behaved impeccably and I’m so proud of them.’

The Championship went with a bang at its new location of Bingley Hall in Staffordshire. The light and airy annexe at Bingley Hall provided an exciting new venue for the competition, which was constructed in the round, with the judges elevated on a raised platform in the middle of the ring. Seven classes were available to each group to enter, as well as the Junior Competition. The new Pot Pourri Clip & Scissor class proved popular, allowing groomers to demonstrate more of their salon skills in a competition environment.

The prize fund was bigger than ever this year. In addition to his prize money, Mike won a trip to the USA to compete for International Groomer of the Year compete at Intergroom. He will be joined there by Shaun Leach from Scruffy Pups Grooming and Training Centres, who won the draw from the Pet Industry Federation Accredited Training Centres.

With over 40 trade stands in attendance, as groomers enjoyed shopping for both their businesses and their own faithful companions, picking up a mixture of grooming specific products and doggy treats and accessories.

The professional grooming seminars were packed out with groomers keen to learn from the expert speakers demonstrators. Julie Harris and Shaun Leach gave the low down on the level 3 City & Guilds 7763 introductory grooming qualification, as well as top tips on how to go about passing the diploma to obtain the full qualification. Pammie Carmichael Hogg’s Asian Fusion Grooming demonstration was especially popular.

Pet Industry Federation Grooming Director Heidi Anderton gave an excellent cat grooming demonstration for those looking to extend their skillset. Others benefited from the first aid seminar run by veterinary nurse Catherine White. The programme was rounded up by a lively session on the new Quality Assurance Standard, delivered by Nigel Baker, chief executive of the Pet Industry Federation, with Elaine Pendlebury, senior vet at PDSA (who are supporting the scheme).

The Championship was held against the backdrop of the new family dog day, Paws at Bingley. Demonstrations by talented display teams created a real buzz in the show ring, and a Companion Animal Dog Show took, with plenty to entertain and interest the dog loving public. ‘One of the objectives of the new event was to show dog grooming and all the great things about it to the general public,’ explained Nigel. ‘I spoke to a number of people who said how much they’d enjoyed seeing the expert groomers at work and they had learned a lot from it. People left the show with big smiles on their faces.’

For a full list of the results from the Championship, log onto www.petfederation.co.uk

Groomer of the Year 2013: Mike Wildman

Runner-up: Richard Smith

3^rd place: Su Eld-Weaver

Juniors Group

1^st Sian Beddoe (Airedale Terrier)

2^nd Lottie Garratt

3^rd Imogen Heaton

Student & Newcomer Group (sponsored by Christies)

1^st Sarah McCarney

2^nd Susan Jennings

3^rd Rebecca Cook

Experienced Group (sponsored by Redcape)

1^st Richard Smith

2^nd Richard Smith

3^rd Dawn Inett

Advanced Group (sponsored by Pet Revolution)

1^st Mike Wildman

2^nd Su Eld Weaver

3^rd Peter Ensell

A new Aquarium catalogue is now available for the popular Superfish brand. 

The 20-page full colour brochure is packed with a fantastic range of aquariums and accessories.

Whether you’re a first time fishkeeper or a keen hobbyist Superfish offer everything you need to set up and maintain a successful aquarium. The catalogue includes many new lines, helping keep your range refreshed and up to date.

Superfish aquarium products have been professionally designed and developed over many years by aquatic specialists and enthusiasts and offer excellent reliability, efficiency, quality and value.

If you would like a copy of the latest Superfish Aquarium Products brochure contact Pedigree Wholesale on 0115 982 3900 or Aquadistri UK on 01767 677075.