The owner of a much-loved Croydon pet shop that has been on the market since last year has cut its asking price by more than a third to secure a quick sale and enable him to retire.

Ken Burgess, who first put Burgess Boys Pet Centre in New Addington up for sale last spring, has instructed his agent, Blacks Business Brokers, to reduce the price to take over the lease from £95,000 to £59,950.

Ken acquired the business in 1979 following a successful career working for multinational corporations. The premises had already been trading as a pet and garden supplies shop for 20 years when he purchased it.

After 40 years of trading Ken has built Burgess Boys, which was named in honour of his three sons, into a £250,000-turnover business. The shop employs two full-time and three part-time members of staff, and incurs a rent of £22,100 per year.

Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre is fully licensed to sell small animals, birds, reptiles and fish. Over the years it has become a fixture of the local community, hosting a popular children’s painting competition and regularly providing work experience placements to students and the wider community.

Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre has been recognised for its commitment to the community and recently attained a prestigious Croydon Business Excellence Award. It is rated the top pet shop in Croydon by Google.

The business, which operates a loyalty card programme, is used by its many regular customers as their first port of call for animal health advice. It has featured in an episode of the BBC children’s TV programme My Pet and Me, which is regularly repeated on the CBeebies channel.

The business provides nail clipping, delivery and holiday boarding services, all of which could be expanded further. It recently upgraded its computer system and website, providing scope for a new owner to develop the shop’s existing online sales into a full-scale ecommerce operation.

According to Ken Burgess, who is a City and Guilds examiner in Pet Store Management and a former board member of the Pet Care Trust (now known as the Pet Industry Federation), the shop’s staff are very highly trained and will be able to provide a seamless transition when a new owner takes over.

The premises include a large covered storage area and rear driveway. Mr Burgess says that, were he not planning to retire, he would consider converting these to provide additional services such as grooming and hydrotherapy.

Ken himself has a high profile in the local business community, and is a founder member, chair and director of the Central Parade Business Partnership, which has pulled together local businesses into the smallest recognised Business Improvement District (BID) in the country. The BID has enabled investment of more than £80 million into the shopping area, improving traffic flow and access to shops, introducing free parking facilities and creating a new market square and community facilities.

Callum Pollard, customer services executive at Blacks Business Brokers, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for an animal lover in the South London or Surrey area to take over a well-established, turnkey operation with highly skilled, supportive staff. There is no competition in the immediate area and the new asking price represents exceptional value for such a long-established, respected and well-located business.”

All enquiries should be made to Blacks Business Brokers on 0333 370 0000, quoting reference 6047.

A gallery of Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre pictures from the agents' online dale details can be viewed below...

Sainsbury’s has announced it is opening a three-day pop-up restaurant for pooches that will serve up dog-friendly Christmas dinners, taking place from 13th to 15th December.
 
Visiting dogs will dine on a ‘silver service’ style feast, complete with doting waiters, at the pop-up restaurant just off glittering Regent’s Street, London. On the menu will be tail wagging-worthy treats, including by Sainsbury’s Festive Dinner for Dogs, with flavour options including a lip-smacking mixture of turkey, carrots and sage, or chicken, duck and turkey.
 
No Christmas feast is complete without dessert, so pooches will be also served with Sainsbury’s Mince Pies for Dogs, a combination of cereals, yoghurt and dried fruit.

A professional doggy photographer will be on hand to help guests get that seasonal social media snap – with matching Christmas jumpers for owners and their dogs.
 
It’s not just our furry friends that will be able to tuck into a mouth-watering meal, as their owners will also be served Sainsbury’s new Christmas sandwiches, alongside a glass of fizz, so they can dine alongside their dog.
 
People wishing to attend the event can now book a slot online for their four-legged friends to dine in style at the pop-up via this link.
 
For one owner and their dog, a ticket to the pop-up will cost £5, with two owners and one dog costing £7.50. This includes entry to the pop-up for the 45-minute session, food for the dogs, a Christmas sandwich and a glass of fizz for the owners.
 
Sainsbury’s will be donating all proceeds from the pop-up to charity partner, Guide Dogs, as part of the supermarket’s drive to ‘Help Brighten a Million Christmases’ this year.

 
Sanj Kaushal for Sainsburys, Pet Product Developer said: “While the nation tucks into a delicious Christmas lunch each year, our beloved dogs are often stuck with their everyday dinners. With such a large proportion of our customers having pets, the happiness of the four-legged animals are as important to us as their humans! So, this year, we want to offer a ‘silver-service’ Christmas dinner experience for our customers’ canine friends and get them involved in the festivities We’re really pleased to also be offering a wide range of innovative Christmas pet food and treats for both cats and dogs, so our customers nationwide can treat their furry friends to an extra special feast this year!”
 
 
Where: Santa Paws Dinner, By Sainsbury’s – The Gallery at 10 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YF
When: Friday 13th - 12pm to 7.45pm; Saturday 14th - 9.30am to 7.30pm; Sunday 15th – 9.30am to 6.15pm
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus Tube Station (3 mins) or Bond Street Tube Station
To book: https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/christmas-themed/santa-paws-dinner-by-sainsburys?t=tickets
 

Pets At Home’s share price surged after the retailer posted a bumper profit increase and strong like-for-like sales growth for the first half of its financial year.

Investors sent the Pets At Home share price up 9.5% to 234.8p in early trading as they responded to the robust earnings. And the share price rose even higher, finishing trading at 246.60 yesterday (Wednesday).

Pets at Home has said it is on track to deliver full-year profit growth ahead of plan, as it reported “strong” half-year results.

The Cheshire-headquartered retailer saw underlying pre-tax profit increase 10.2% to £41.7m, up from £37.9m for the same period the year previous.

The group reported statutory pre-tax profit soared 327.3% to £34m, up from £8m.

Total group revenue rose 7.6% year on year to £546.3m in the first half, up from £499.3m.

Group CEO Peter Pritchard (above) said he was “very pleased” with what the group has achieved in the first half.

He said: “We have executed our plans well, and this has been reflected in the strong customer sales growth across the group.

“Our commitment, and that of the group’s joint venture partners, is to make sure pets and their owners get the very best advice, care and products; and this has led to record levels of VIPs, first opinion practice clients and subscription customers.

“In short, our pet care strategy is working.”

Mr Pritchard said the group has a “strong foundation” and expects sustained profit to continue.

He added: “We have much to look forward to in FY20 and beyond, and we now expect to return to profit growth a year ahead of our original plan.

“In the meantime, we will remain focussed on serving our customers, their pets and our partners better than ever before.”

Joanne Jarvis, 47, who lives in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire with her husband and rescue animals is celebrating after the release of her debut book ‘Dexter’s Diary’ became a bestseller within hours of its release.

‘Dexter’s  Diary’ shows the unbreakable bond she has with her beloved Dalmatian Dexter, as she sets out on her mission to get us all to treat animals with more kindness and give them the respect that they deserve.

The book went straight in at Number 1 on the Amazon bestseller charts in hot new release in Dog Care, and also within an Animal Care & Pets Care category.

Joanne said: “There is something for everyone in the book it will make you laugh, cry and think. I knew I had to share Dexter’s memoirs and our journey of love, devotion, personal revelation and change. Dexter taught me what being with an animal soul mate really meant – he supported me, guided me, predetermined my destiny and opened wondrous, enchanting doors.”

For many years, Joanne was a very successful accomplished manager for an international company living a hectic lifestyle often working  long hours. Joanne was mindful of this and waited until the time was right and family circumstances would allow before getting a dog.

Any pet is a lifelong commitment which Joanne and her  husband Richard fully understood and appreciated when they decided to get a dog – they had both always loved animals as they both had pets growing  up. In fact, they had met as teenagers because of their dogs when they were on holiday in West Wales with their respective families.

Joanne said: “Richard’s dog Sumo was a charismatic character and romanced our dog Lucy. They were a unique couple for sure - Sumo was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Lucy a Golden Retriever. Their connection and interaction led to our friendship and romance. We were young back then and this was long before mobile phones. After the holiday, we kept in touch by letter mostly and somehow managed to arrange for our families to be at the same place at the same time the following summer.

“I didn’t see Richard for a few years after that (he lived in Cwmbran in Wales) but we did write and spoke on the telephone. Richard came to Cheshire to visit on his motorbike when we were in our early twenties. An old romance was rekindled and we soon became a couple. Sumo and Lucy were delighted as we alternated between houses.  We have now been married for 23 years. All our married life, we had been waiting for the right time to have a dog, we waited a long time for Dexter but it was well worth the wait." 

Within the book, Joanne shares the ups and downs along with the emotional and physical highs and lows of their life and adventures together, from happy puppy tales, funny stories and wonderful times, through illness, heartache, saying goodbye and honouring Dexter with a compassionate, fitting farewell. Leaving a lasting legacy and offering a heartfelt, uplifting remarkable ending – this real life, thought provoking story demonstrates the transformative impact of animals in our lives.

To find out more please visit www.jjangels.co.uk

Joanne’s best-selling book ‘Dexter’s Diary is available for download from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081LFDWS1

A pub in Theale, Berkshire, has won the coveted title of ‘most dog-friendly pub in Britain’ after being crowned by a panel of judges from a regional shortlist of 12 finalists. 

The Fox & Hounds is run by Jayne Tilsey and known locally for its warm welcome and special touches for canine companions, such as a paw-sonalised dog food menu, comfy dog beds, and an array of water bowls for dogs of all shapes and sizes. 

The pub was announced as the national winner of the fourth nationwide Dog-friendly Pub Awards, run by Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. The awards celebrate pubs with dog-friendly initiatives and encourage pubs across the country to welcome four legs as well as two.

Jayne Tilsey from The Fox & Hounds was delighted with the news, “Winning this award keeps us firmly on the map as the place to bring your woofer whether you fancy a drink, lunch or dinner. Welcoming dogs into the pub keeps us a community hub and ensures there’s always a conversation point! Being dog friendly is the best part of my day - we love meeting new dogs and getting to fuss them.”

Competition was paws-itively fierce and fur-ocious this year, with over 2,500 pubs entering the awards from around the UK and dog lovers in each region fighting for their favourites; 17,000 votes were placed in total. The twelve finalists (listed below) were then assessed by a panel of judges from Rover, RSPCA, The Morning Advertiser, Your Dog Magazine and The Guardian - with The Fox & Hounds, Theale coming out as the top of the pack. 

1. The Fox & Hounds, Theale (South East & National winner)
2. The Keel Row, Whitley Bay (North East winner)
3. The Dog at Grundisburgh (East of England winner)
4. The Oak at Baginton (West Midlands winner)
5. The Lion at Basford, Nottingham (East Midlands winner)
6. The Maltings, Warrington (North West winner)
7. The Ship Inn, Teignmouth (South West winner)
8. Wags N Tales, Surbiton (London winner)
9. The Calder Vale Hotel, Wakefield (Yorkshire winner)
10. The Sun Trevor, Llangollen (Wales winner)
11. The Stables, Glasgow (Scotland winner)
12. Sunflower Public House, Belfast (N. Ireland winner)

An extensive database of dog-friendly pubs across the UK is available for perusal by punters and their pups at pubs.rover.com.  

Simon Le Grice from Rover said, “It’s been wonderful to see such a high standard of dog-friendly pubs across the country this year. We’ve had so many fantastic entries, it made judging really tough! For the fourth year running we - with the help of dog lovers up and down the country - have been searching for the best of the best when it comes to dog-friendly pubs, and with The Fox & Hounds at Theale, we’ve found just that.

“The superb service demonstrated shows real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at Rover value above all. The whole Rover pack is proud to congratulate Jayne and her team on winning the national UK Dog-friendly Pub Award and hope that the awards will inspire dog owners country-wide to discover and support their local pubs, while also encouraging more pubs to consider our two-legged friends in their offerings.”

For all the winners and more information on where you can find a local dog-friendly pub, visit pubs.rover.com.

A video of the winning pub, The Fox & Hounds, can be viewed by clicking here

A warm welcome is always assured for four-legged friends at Fish4Dogs. The premium pet food company, actively encourages staff to bring their dogs into its head office, in Droitwich, Worcestershire, but a new member of the family has recently needed a little more ‘TLC’ to find his feet in the workplace.

Rescue dog Tato, an eight-year-old beagle, taken on by Technical Manager Annabel Battersby, was struggling to come to terms with life ‘outside the pack’ having spent most of his life as a hunt dog.

Annabel, an experienced dog owner, knew that he would struggle to cope with isolation while she was at work, but equally, Tato was unused to spending time inside a building, having previously being housed in an outdoor kennel.

Having consulted colleagues and pet psychologists, she devised a plan with office ‘DogMother’ Jo Little, to gently integrate Tato into the office and encourage him to socialise with other dogs and humans.

They prepared a den for Tato – a place where he could go to feel secure, reassured and take ‘time out’ when he needed to get away from the crowds. Colleagues have adapted their behaviour to appear nonthreatening – particularly men which he saw as ‘authority figures’ – and they will drop their gaze or turn away to make him feel less anxious.

He has even found a surrogate mum in Product Portfolio Manager Karen Hubbard, who joined the team earlier this year, and shares the same work space with Annabel.

Said Karen: “When I first met Tato he was very fearful of me. I had little experience with dogs but with coaching from Annabel, Tato has slowly built his confidence in me and we have bonded well.  I was delighted to house sit for Tato recently and he now greets me every day in the office with a waggy tail and he seems much happier in his new surroundings.”

Said DogMother Jo, who is also Fish4Dogs Head of Marketing: “We are all invested in Tato’s ‘journey’. He is fast becoming a much happier dog and we are delighted to witness and support his progress.”

For further information on Fish4Dogs products visit: www.fish4dogs.com

IPN Kinmel Park in North Wales, home of The Real Petfood Company, has strengthened its team with two senior appointments who have previously worked together in the pet food sector.

Ashleigh Walker is joining as a Senior Pet Nutritionist in the technical services team.  She will be working with own label partners and developing innovative recipes featuring IPN’s new FreshCook cooking technology, which uses human grade fresh meat and vegetables.

Ashleigh joins from C&D Foods where she held a similar role. Prior to this, she was at GA Pet Food Partners where she worked with The Real Petfood Company’s MD James Lawson developing and supporting branded customers in all their technical development requirements.

At GA Pet Food Partners she also worked with Mike Murray who is joining as Senior National Account Manager.  Mike will focus on supporting existing own label partners as well as developing new brand and own label business internationally.  He had a similar role at GA Pet Food Partners for some seven years. Before this he held business development roles in the human food sector working in beverage and food service and so has extensive account management experience.  In his new post, Mike will report directly to IPN’s sales director Ben Anderson.

James Lawson said: “I am really excited about these two appointments as it reunites a very successful team whom I know will provide a top quality service to our customers both in the UK and internationally.

“We have some great products to offer and particularly with the FreshCook wet and dry foods which use up to 100% fresh ingredients.  Discerning pet food shoppers increasingly expect products to be of the same quality as their own food and we are ideally placed to meet this need.”

Wiltshire-based raw pet food company Poppy’s Picnic has agreed to ongoing donations of its fresh raw dog food to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary in Bristol, in support of the fantastic work the reputable charity does to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned animals.

Poppy’s Picnic handmakes biologically appropriate raw food meals for dogs and is passionate about how powerful fresh food can be in changing a dog's life for the better.

The packs of Mince and Meatballs contain a dog’s 5-a-day (meat, bone, offal, veg and vitamins) and is the ideal health boost for dogs in need. With Christmas fast approaching, the season of goodwill was the perfect time for the company begin donating, although just as should be the case with dogs, the donations won’t just be for Christmas.

Bishopston resident and Head of Love and Health of Poppy’s Picnic, Louise Mackintosh said: “I’ve personally adopted from Holly Hedge and have seen first hand how dedicated and thorough the team are with their work. Knowing we could do something to improve the lives of neglected dogs with our award-winning food meant that donating was a no brainer, and I’m so glad to have struck up a firm partnership that will continue into the future.”

Poppy’s Picnic and its staff are keen supporters of local animal rescues such as Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary, which saves over 1,000 animals each year.

The Rural Business Award winners are located in Melksham, Wiltshire and strive to make feeding a raw food diet as easy as possible. Its ranges of raw Mince and exclusive Meatballs are convenient to feed and mess free, which will make feeding time simple for the volunteers at the charity.

As Poppy’s Picnic meals contain no fillers, grains or artificial additives, dogs absorb all the nutrients, meaning their poo will be smaller, odourless and easy to pick up. Just like humans, dogs react to carb-laden processed food, whereas the biologically appropriate meals will lead to calmer, happier dogs with fewer allergies - great for dogs that have had a difficult start in life. 

Hannah Goodwin-Sharman, a Fundraising Team Member of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary, said: “As an independent charity, we rely entirely on the money raised through donations, fundraising and volunteers to continue rehabilitating and rehoming animals that have experienced mistreatment, neglect and cruelty. We’re extremely grateful for the generous food donation from Poppy’s Picnic which will fill many dog bowls in our sanctuary, especially with the expected flood of surrendered dogs which unfortunately usually hits after Christmas.”

The donation to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary follows donations by Poppy’s Picnic to other charitable organisations both human and canine such as the British Heart Foundation, eating disorder charity, SEED, Pawprints to Freedom Rescue, a not-for-profit charity for Romanian rescue dogs, and Dogs For Good which supports people with a range of needs including physical disabilities, autism and dementia. 

For more information on Poppy’s Picnic raw dog food, click here. 

To make a donation to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary, click here.

Time is running out to vote for your favourite miracle pet to be crowned PDSA Pet Survivor 2019. The six finalists have all beaten death by a whisker thanks to their survival spirit, their owners’ devotion, and the expertise of their vet teams.

Three determined dogs, two courageous cats and a plucky duck are up for the coveted national award, run by the leading vet charity. Voting online www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor closes at midnight on Sunday 1 December.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “All of this year’s finalists represent exactly what our Pet Survivor competition is all about. Their incredible stories show what an important place our precious pets hold within our families. Everyone involved with their care has demonstrated true devotion to help these pets fight for their lives.”

The six pets keeping their paws (or webbed feet) crossed are:

Custo the Bichon Frise / Cocker Spaniel cross, from Camberley in Surrey

Ten-year-old Custo developed an aggressive spleen cancer, which also caused an autoimmune reaction. His body began attacking his own red blood cells, meaning he was unlikely to survive the life-saving operation he needed. He was a whisker from death for a week and needed five blood transfusions. At one point he even went home to spend a ‘final weekend’ with his family, but this seemed to give him renewed hope. After many months of intensive care from specialist vets and his owners, he finally made a full recovery and is still in remission 13 months later.

Jacob the cat from Tilford in Surrey

At 17-years-old Jacob is an elderly feline, but this didn’t stop his owner doing whatever it took to save him. Jacob developed a deadly combination of septic peritonitis, which is a severe infection of the abdomen, and pneumonia. Though considered high-risk for the urgent surgery he needed, it was his only chance. He required a blood transfusion afterwards and was at ‘death’s door’ for ten days, staying at the specialist vet for intensive care. Once home, he still had a feeding tube fitted for six weeks and it took months of recovery. But happily, Jacob has now almost fully recovered from his ordeal.

Milo the Pomeranian from Glasgow

Little Milo was bred by cruel puppy farmers, leaving him with many health issues. He went blind at just a few months old but it was his deformed neck vertebrae that left him crying in pain. He was even in danger of complete paralysis with one wrong turn of his neck. At just eight-months-old little Milo needed six hours of risky specialist surgery to fix his spine - it wasn’t certain he’d survive. But thankfully the surgery was a success and Milo went home for plenty of TLC. After months of careful recuperation he’s now running around like normal.

Mother Duck the Cayuga Duck from Rye in East Sussex

Five-year-old Mother Duck was found bleeding and gasping for life outside her coop following a suspected fox attack. Her neck was ripped open and her vet advised she was unlikely to survive. But the matriarch of their duck family simply refused to die, so they knew they had to give her a chance. The vet came out in the middle of the night and performed two hours of surgery – on the kitchen table! Mother Duck was unable to eat at first but after a week of coaxing, this plucky duck finally started eating by herself and went on to make a miraculous recovery. 

Trinny the Fox Terrier from Manchester

Tiny Trinny suffered a ferocious attack by a larger dog. She was left fighting for her life, with deep puncture wounds to her chest and severe lacerations on her shoulder. Trinny’s injuries were so bad that, even if she did survive, she was in danger of losing her leg. Three operations finally managed to save her life, and also her leg, and after months of round-the-clock care at home she is now back on all four paws and fully recovered.

Woody the cat from Battle in East Sussex

Five-month-old kitten Woody returned home one evening with horrendous injuries. His tail was missing and he had a deep slash on his tummy, leaving his insides exposed, plus other wounds to his paws and ears. Woody really was a whisker from death and it took three hours of surgery for his wounds to be painstakingly sewn up. His tail was fully amputated and he needed months of nursing and recovery. But more concerning was the possible cause of his injuries. While some were consistent with a traffic accident, others suggested a more sinister explanation – deliberate mutilation. A police investigation was inconclusive, so the cause will likely remain a mystery, but his owners are just grateful he survived.

Judging panel

The six finalists were selected by a judging panel which included TV presenter Michaela Strachan, vet and TV presenter Judy Puddifoot, and Love Island star Kady McDermott.

Michaela Strachan said of this year’s amazing entrants: “All of these stories of survival against the odds are so heart-warming. Choosing just six finalists was really tough. The pets’ fight for life and their owners love, support and incredible devotion is truly remarkable.”

Vet Judy Puddifoot added: “It was an honour to judge such amazing stories, many of whom went through extensive vet treatment following incredibly traumatic experiences. I wish I could’ve given all the pets a prize!”

About the competition

Entries were open to any pet that received veterinary care in the UK between 1 August 2018 and 31 August 2019, and nominations were received from all over the country. The winner will receive a prestigious trophy, a luxury pet hamper worth £200 (thanks to the competition sponsor, Petsurance by PDSA) and the coveted title of PDSA Pet Survivor 2019.

Pet Survivor videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWQf4i33jKhGRYw2m9jRgORb7naYv6bqR

Aqueos, a Wilshire-based company that supplies a range of ground-breaking products for horses and dogs, has set out ambitious plans for growth in the next few years.

Aqueos is the brainchild of mother of two, Tracy Richards who started the business from her home in Pewsey, Wiltshire as a small, medium enterprise following a successful career in marketing and as a Managing Director of a wholesale clothing company where a part-time, Financial Director introduced her to a disinfectant solution developed for the human dental market.

Having used the product largely in the stables back at home, its use then inspired Tracy to create her own range of disinfectants and with some product development and branding, Aqueos was born.

The new business allowed Tracy to follow her passion for animals - she is currently renovating a small holding back at home and over the years her family have kept, dogs, horses, poultry and alpacas. Tracy’s eldest son is also a member of the Household Calvary so horses have always played a big part in her family’s lives.

“Aqueos was incorporated in 2010 but it took a year to develop the range.  It has been growing organically ever since but we are ready for a big push now the children have left home,” explains Tracy. 

“The range started with equine and then moved into canine.  My first large customer was Wadswick in Corsham who then put me in touch with a wholesaler Battle, Hayward & Bower.  They have been fantastic and we are still working with them today.  As we have progressed, we have taken on more pet wholesalers, moved into the equine dental market and have a growing export market working closely with the UKTI.”

The range of sanitising products use a technological breakthrough to produce a water-based disinfectant that kills 99.999 per cent of known bacteria, fungi and viruses - Aqueos disinfectants have less than 1% active ingredients in them and animals can return to treated areas immediately.  The disinfectants can be used on any surface and carry on working after application.

The range of Aqueos shampoos for dogs and horses are both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and  are an effective deodoriser.  They help to combat itchiness, soothe minor skin irritations and are gentle on the skin, leaving the coat soft as well as the mane and tails on horses. They can be used on minor skin wounds and are alcohol and phenol free.

Aqueos typical customers include horse and dog owners, dog groomers, dog boarders and walkers, vets, equine dentists, wholesalers, country stores, tack shops and pet shops. They are hoping to expand more in the dog grooming, boarder and dog walking markets which have seen several successful franchise businesses launched over recent years. They are also now taking on a distributor in the UAE as well to cater for the sanitising needs of warmer countries where bacteria are more prevalent.

All Aqueos products are fully tested and come with an excellent pedigree and meet high performance standards.

“We are so glad that 99% of our products are manufactured in the UK.  The active agent in Aqueos is registered on the European Biocidal register and effective against test standards EN1276 (Bacterial), EN1660 (Fungicidal) and EN14476 (Virucidal). It also typically exhibits the highest biocidal efficacy of all quaternary compounds. The performance advantage is especially evident in the presence of hard water and organic soiling, compared with simple Benzalkonium chloride quaternaries.

“Our stable disinfectant is DEFRA approved and we have carried out more detailed approvals for Strangles, Ringworm and Parvo Virus,” says Tracy.

Aqueos works closely with their manufacturers and their brand ambassadors to develop new products. These include eventer, Kitty King and, up-and-coming young Marlborough eventer Chelsea Pearce, and the young show jumperOscar Hobby who is the son of eventer Fiona Hobby (she has moved now)

Tracy also works closely with the Greatwood charity near Marlborough which uses retired racehorses to help disadvantaged children.  In particular they find Aqueos hand sanitising foam a great boon for keep visiting children . germ free

Aqueos has won a number of industry awards for their products including  PATS New product – Anti-Bacterial Dog Shampoo runner up 2013 and winner in 2015 for their Spray Plaster which can be sprayed directly onto animals and protects minor cuts and grazes from water, dirt and bacteria - it gives a bandage-like protection and stays elastic but is still breathable and waterproof.

In terms of the future, Tracy wants to roll out an education programme to emphasise the importance of sanitation and to explain why regular cleaning is so much better than then having to deal with a situation that could damage an equine or canine business.

She concludes: “Most of our new business comes from recommendations, it is fantastic when a customer has a problem with their horse or dog, and you are able to help.  We are also currently going through a full environmental review and are looking to do what we can to lesson our impact as a business."

For further information please visit: www.aqueos.co.uk

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Multi-award winning pet care brand Animology has re-invented its range of concentrated shampoos for professional groomers, proving that the best things really do come in small packages.

Animology is already hugely popular with groomers, many of whom have used the brand’s 5 litre, 20:1 concentrate shampoos with great success for some time.

These are now being replaced by Animology’s new generation of 2.5 litre, 40:1 concentrate shampoos, in a move that halves the physical size of the products, but doubles the concentration level, providing just as much washing capacity as the more bulky 5 litre bottle, but with only half the weight and packaging.

There are ten such concentrated shampoos in Animology’s new 2.5 litre line up, along with a ready to use conditioner. In addition to being more economical, these new products are also cheaper, priced at just £20 per bottle, as compared to £25 for the previous 5 litre versions.

Group55’s Sales Director for Pet Care, Martin Breen, commented: “We are delighted to announce this re-launch of our professional shampoo range, which we feel delivers a number of great benefits to the groomer.

"Our 5 litre, 20:1 shampoos have been a popular choice with groomers for a number of years, but there are some obvious problems with that product format – they are big, heavy and cumbersome, both to ship and to store, as they obviously take up quite a bit of space.

"We wanted to upgrade our offering, and provide a product that does exactly the same job, but with greater economy. Our new 2.5 litre bottles do exactly that, and by halving the size of the product but doubling the concentration rate, the new bottle can provide just as many washes, but in a more convenient and easy to handle format. Not only that, but we’ve also been able to bring down the cost, which puts £5.00 back in the groomer’s pocket!

"All of our shampoos are produced right here in our very own factory in Lancashire, to the very highest standards, and are fully compliant with the latest CLP legislation, which is a very important consideration for a professional groomer.”

Animology’s new 2.5 litre range is available now via www.animology.co.uk, and from pet specialist wholesalers.

A four-week-old kitten who was on the brink of death was saved by a transfusion of dog's blood.

The canine blood kept little Ellie — who, at just 10 ounces, was less than a third of the weight of a bag of sugar — alive.

The rare procedure was only performed because there was not enough time to find a suitable cat donor.

Since then Ellie has beaten the odds and is now fighting fit.

Emergency vets and vet nurses at Vets Now in Gateshead, along with cat lover Maureen Franklin, founder of the New Beginnings Cat Rehoming charity, played a vital role in Ellie’s recovery.

“I got a call about Ellie overnight to say she was very poorly,” said Maureen, 68, who has saved countless cats since setting up New Beginnings five years ago.

“She was absolutely covered in fleas and when we got her to the vets she had no red cells and her gums were actually white.

“She needed a transfusion and because it was so urgent, they did that with blood from a dog.”

Veterinary nurse Helen Spry, of Vets Now in Gateshead, saved the day, not only by administering the vital transfusion, but by allowing her own dog, Bella, to act as the blood donor.

The life-saving procedure, known as a xenotransfusion, kept the desperately ill kitten alive in the short term, but she soon took a turn for the worse again.

The Vets Now pet emergency clinic in Gateshead proved to be the salvation once more for Maureen and her little kitten.

Like all of the nationwide network of clinics and hospitals, it’s open through the night, seven days a week, and day and night at weekends and bank holidays.

“Ellie was suffering from severe anaemia,” said emergency vet Sara Jackson, who is the district clinical lead for the Vets Now Gateshead clinic. 

“Blood transfusions between two species are not common. But if we didn't do it, she would have died, so we had nothing to lose.

“Although the xenotransfusion kept her going for several days, it wasn’t enough and she deteriorated again and we needed to organise a feline blood donor.”

Cat's blood is a little harder to come by than dog's blood so with time running out, Maureen put out an urgent call to her charity’s 6000 followers. 

Thankfully, one of them had a healthy cat she thought might fit the bill and checks at Vets Now found she was a suitable donor.

“The donor cat was an absolutely perfect match, so it was able to go ahead in the nick of time,” said Maureen.

Following the donation and dedicated after-care, little Ellie soon showed signs of a remarkable recovery.

“She somehow made it through the night and in the morning she was much brighter and even eating and playing,” continued Sara at Vets Now.

Kind-hearted supporters of New Beginnings rallied round to meet the cost of the skilled Vets Now treatment and Maureen was thrilled to have the kitten safely back.

“I had a cat who needed a transfusion years ago so I know the difference it can make,” said Maureen. “But it was still amazing to see how she looked.

“When she went in she was nearly dead and she was so weak she could barely lift her head up.

“Vets Now did an amazing job with her and we’re so grateful to them. Just the week before I had two cats die before I could get them help so it was beautiful to get her home.

“She was soon running around the living room and putting on weight. She had actually been called Angel but I think it was only right that we renamed her Ellie after the cat that saved her.”

Sara Jackson, who is district clinical lead at Vets Now, said Ellie’s remarkable case epitomised what Vets Now is all about. 

She added: We had multiple critical cases in the clinic that night and our vet nurse Helen said ‘let's try a blood transfusion’ because there was no other option

. 

“Helen was transfusing the kitten while closely monitoring another critical patient I was working on. It really was awesome teamwork.”

The Vets Now clinic in Gateshead — where Ellie received treatment — is one of more than 60 across the UK that are open through the night, seven-days-a-week, and day and night on weekends and bank holidays, to treat any pet emergencies that may occur.

All of Vets Now’s premises have a vet and vet nurse on-site at all times.

Pictures courtesy of Vets Now.

The changeable wet Autumn weather of 2019 may have dampened outdoor plant sales in October, but houseplant and pet categories performed particularly well this month, according to the HTA Market Update.

Houseplants saw an increase of 39% compared to October last year, and pets and aquatic sales were up 31% in month to month comparisons.

Sales figures for hardy plants, bedding plants and growing media were down in October 2019 compared to October 2018, however all categories reported remain up on 2018 for year to date comparisons. Rolling year to October 2019, compared to 2018 show that sales are still up 9%.

The report highlights that average pay growth has been increasing steadily over the last two years, whilst the rate of inflation is decreasing, now at its lowest level since October 2016. This puts consumers in a more comfortable position, but also pressures on employers in the garden industry to remain competitive with salaries.

The November issue of Market Update looks at last month’s garden centre sales and overall market performance. It measures consumer confidence, the wider UK economy, vehicle fuel prices, groundwater levels and weather, all of which have an impact on sales.

The November edition of HTA Market Update is available free for members to download from the HTA website, by logging in and then going to the Market Information pages at https://hta.org.uk/learn-develop/market-information.html

The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association continues to grow and diversify and has welcomed Yora Pet Foods into membership.

Yora came to the market amidst much excitement and media attention thanks to their sustainability focused credentials and use of insect protein in their diets for dogs. 

Nicole Paley, PFMA Deputy CEO, said: “It’s perfect timing to have Yora in membership and to work with them on our plans. Sustainability will be a significant part of our Pet Food Vision going forward and alternative protein sources is an area of interest.”

Will Bisset, Sales and Innovation Director at Yora, got stuck in to PFMA activity, joining the Communications and Veterinary Nutrition Working Groups.

“The PFMA enables our company to have a voice and make important decisions based on safety and scientific research. Since joining I have been impressed by the collaborative and forward-thinking nature of the PFMA and would highly recommend membership to other companies,” said Will

For more information:

Yora Pet Foods https://www.yorapetfoods.com/yora-pet-foods

PFMA members https://www.pfma.org.uk/members-of-pfma

Benefits of PFMA membership: https://www.pfma.org.uk/about-membership

For the first 12 days of December Sussex-based super-premium pet food company Arden Grange will host its social media giveaway to get owners into the festive spirit.

The 12-day event will kick off on the 1st December and will finish on the 12th December.

There will be a selection of prizes up for grabs, including a range of treats, Arden Grange branded bandanas and 2020 photo calendars.

Entry details can be found on the Arden Grange Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page.

Ark House Vets in Leighton Buzzard has joined forces with a local estate agent and a church to help look after the health of their community.

The three organisations, supported by their local council, have worked together to install a new defibrillator. The machine is designed to be used by someone, in an emergency, with no medical training to deliver an electric current to restart the heart when someone is in cardiac arrest. It has an in-built speaker that gives step-by-step instructions on how to use it.

The defibrillator has been registered with the Community Heartbeat Trust so that 999 emergency operators can let callers know it’s there when needed and three local businesses that arranged to have it installed with cover the costs of its maintenance going forward.

Kate Semple, Clinical Director of Ark House Vets said: “We have been caring for pets in this community for over 25 years and were very excited to be given the chance to extend that caring to the human community too.

“We are absolutely delighted to collaborate with our neighbours in Leighton Buzzard to contribute a life saving device to what is a wonderful local community.”

Dogrobes has added a tartan design to its dog drying coat collection. Not only perfect to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day with, the tartan Dogrobe has many useful applications.

For pet owners they provide the perfect answer for drying wet muddy dogs and surrounding from shake off after long walks on the beach or in the countryside. For gundog and working dog owners Dogrobes are great for drying dogs out in the field, or for keeping their muscles warm in-between beats.

Dogrobes’ practical design and unique fabric make it an ideal choice for use in a clinical environment.

Whether it’s pre or post-surgery or after a hydrotherapy session, Dogrobes can be used to dry the patient and keep him or her warm as well as providing comfort. They are also widely used by dog grooming establishments and are provided to guests in some UK high end hotels to dry off their dogs when returning from walks.

Dogrobes is based in Fochabers, Scotland and owned by Margaret Reynolds, a former marketing and events manager.

A great deal of thought has gone into the design of the Dogrobes as she explains: “Dogrobes dry the dogs quickly in around 30 minutes, depending on the breed of dog. They are made from an innovative fabric, which has longer loops on the inside. No one else has the rights to this fabric within the pet market.

"The longer loops create a greater area for absorbing the moisture from the dog’s coat. Plus it traps the dog’s body heat, which also helps to dry the dog. There is NO Velcro, which spooks some dogs and gets clogged up with dog hair and debris during everyday use and it’s a nightmare to launder too! The ties mean a perfect fit every time.

"Dogrobes are so easy to fit. Straight over the dog’s head, cross over the ties underneath and tie in a single loop to the side of the spine. Dogs love them because they are so lightweight – even dogs who don’t like wearing jackets.

"We are very proud that we’re made in Britain.  We have 1 larger manufacturer and 2 other smaller manufacturers who are all based in Scotland. We also use a team of talented and up and coming designers to design our Exclusive Collection. The company also offer a range of complementary dog accessories to go with the Dogrobes including snoods to dry the dog’s head, neck and ears and Gauntlets which are used to dry a dog’s paws.”

Dogrobes are available in a range of sizes to fit any size and breed of dog and also come in a range of attractive colours and designs.

For further information visit: www.dogrobes.co,uk

CSJ has added two new products to its range of herbs for dogs.

Ring o’ Fire! is a natural mix for dogs that scoot.  If you have ever seen a dog sit and drag or 'scoot' its rear end across the ground you may have thought it funny, however it is no laughing matter for the dog and is a classic sign of a possible anal gland problem.   Echinacea, Liquorice Root, Fennel, Pumpkin Seeds and Psyllium Seeds have been specifically mixed for dogs that scoot by CSJ’s world class herbalists.

Solid Result! is ideal for dogs that suffer from upset tummies due to stress or excitement.   It is important to look after the health of the gut to maintain the right balance of micro-organisms that live there and Solid Result! is a careful blend of Ginger, Slippery Elm, Fennel, Dandelion and Pumpkin Seeds.

Ring o’ Fire! and Solid Result! each come in 250g re-sealable foil pouches and being highly palatable should be simply sprinkled on to the dog's dinner (ideally drizzling a drop of water or CSJ’s Salmon Oil over dry kibble first).  A medium sized 10kg-20kg dog just needs a 5ml scoop of either product per day.

CSJ has a long established background in dogs and their ability to identify dogs’ needs is second to none – these new items are precisely targeted additions to their extensive range of herbs, treats, skin products and feeds and are naturally produced in the UK.

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

It’s not often a new wholesaler launches into the UK pet food market but that’s exactly what’s going to be happening at PATS Sandown with the launch of We.pet Independent Pet Wholesale.

The company's Dan Vander said: "We.pet are fiercely loyal to the independent pet channel in the UK and will sell only to David not Goliath.  We will never supply internet-only retailers such as Amazon, Ebay or Zooplus nor will you find any of our products in any of the national supermarkets.

"We.pet believe in better value through quality with unique and wholesome products.  Our partners will have the choice of a unique range of high-quality premium dog, cat and wild bird brands that we are distributing exclusively via the Independent Channel in the UK.  Three-quarters of the brands already have established track-records of UK retail sales although the Independent Channel have never had wholesale access to them before.

"We.pet will be a dependable ally to the independent channel of the UK pet trade and PATS Sandown will see the UK wholesale debut of two new food brands as well as the worldwide debut of a completely new cat food brand to support our strategy of providing our partners with highly palatable and desirable, market-leading products that are only available via this channel."

You can find out more abouth We.pet on stand G2 in Surrey Hall at PATS Sandown 2020, and for more information contact Dan or Robert on 01342 710420.

The Pets at Home store in Holyhead, which was opened four years ago with the creation of 14 jobs, has closed its doors for the final time.

Staff at the store on Penrhos Retail Park posted the following statement on Facebook: “We would like to thank each and everyone for all your kind words and messages. This is our farewell. Many thanks from us all at Pets at Home Holyhead.”

A Pets at Home spokeswoman said: "We always review the performance and prospects of our stores when leases come up for renewal. It is always a difficult decision to close a store but sometimes it is the right thing to do.”

Firecracker Films are currently working on the second series of 'The Customer Is Always Right', and urging pet entrepreneurs to audition to appear on the show. A number of companies from the pet industry, including Henry Wag and Pet Rebellion, featured in the first series.

The hit BBC television programme celebrates small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people that are proud and passionate about their products.

From start-ups and prototypes, to products that are already on the market, the production company is looking for entrepreneurs and product designers from all over the UK to showcase their work to a larger market and crucial customer testing. The submitted product should be for the consumer market and for general public use and will ideally be tangible and testable.

 “The Customer Is Always Right is an exciting series that follows budding entrepreneurs from across the UK as they try to make a success of their inventions. They are making everything from pet accessories to health and beauty products, home and garden tools, to children’s gadgets,” said a spokesperson for Firecracker Films.

Each episode of The Customer Is Always Right will feature three entrepreneurs, with audiences hearing about the inspiration behind their creation and the sacrifices they had to make in getting their dream item funded and brought to market.

Crucially, their new products will be tested on the people who are most important – the customers. There will be a cast of returning customers, all with different points of view, who are ready to road test the entrepreneur’s products and unleash their honest thoughts on everything from the design to the practical use to the selling price. They’ll unbox and deliver their assessments before scoring each product. And because the customer is always right, they will pick the winner.”

If you are interested and would like to find out more information about this opportunity, then email the Firecracker Production team directly products@firecrackerfilms.com  or contact Danny Robertson on 0141 611 9619.

Pictured above: Grantley Rogers (far right), of PetQuip Award winners Henry Wag, appeared on the first series of The Customer Is Always Right.

An advertising watchdog has ruled that Ancol Pet Products made misleading environmental claims about its dog waste bags on its website.

The Advertising Standards Authority received a complaint about the pet company’s statement on its website that its waste bags were ‘biodegradable to lessen your dog's impact on the environment’.

The complainant, who believed that the bags were made of a material that was not capable of biodegradation, challenged whether the claim could be substantiated.

In response Ancol Pet Products Ltd said the bags were produced using a controlled-life plastic technology, which was added during the manufacturing stage of production of their bags.

The company stated that the material used converted everyday plastic products into materials that were biodegradable in the open environment. It added the bags were oxo-biodegradable because they contained an additive which catalysed the degradation process in the presence of oxygen, so that plastic broke down much quicker than ordinary plastics.

Ancolsaid this process meant that the product was converted to organic material, which was then bio-assimilated by bacteria. The timescale for complete biodegradation, therefore, was much shorter than conventional plastics.

The manufacturers of the bags (Symphony Environmental Ltd) and the trade association for the biodegradable plastics industry (the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association) provided a range of material, including scientific studies and opinions, which they believed substantiated the claim that the product was biodegradable.

However, in upholding the complaint against Ancol, the ASA stated:

“The ASA considered that consumers would expect that in order to dispose of their dog waste bags responsibly ‒ as called for expressly and by implication (with pictures of litter bins) in the advertiser’s own packaging ‒ they should use bins provided specifically for the purpose of dog waste disposal in open spaces, such as parks, or other general waste bins.

“In that context, we considered consumers would understand from the claim ‘These thick waste bags are biodegradable to lessen your dog’s impact on the environment’ that by swapping conventional plastic dog waste bags for the advertised product and disposing of fouled bags responsibly, they would be reducing their impact on the environment.

“Because consumers would understand that the ability of the bag to biodegrade meant that by disposing of fouled bags responsibly they would be reducing their impact on the environment, and because the bag was not biodegradable under the conditions which a responsibly disposed-of bag would find itself, we concluded that the claim ‘These thick waste bags are biodegradable to lessen your dog’s impact on the environment’ was misleading.”

The ASA has ruled that the ad must not appear again in its current form and told Ancol Pet Products Ltd to ensure that future advertising did not mislead by making environmental claims, such as “biodegradable” unless they held adequate evidence to substantiate those claims for the likely conditions of use of the bags.

The full ruling can be found by clicking here

PATS Sandown is the place for pet retailers to see a host of new and international exhibitors as well as the industry’s big-name brands, all of which will be showcasing their 2020 launches over two action-packed days on February 9-10 next year.

It will be the second time the event has taken place on a Sunday and Monday in February following a highly successful move to the earlier date in 2019, and visitors will be greeted by more than 150 brands at the Sandown Park event in Surrey.

Organiser Annie Foord said: “It’s great to see so many companies exhibiting at PATS Sandown for the first time. Together with our valued regular exhibitors, they are sure to make the two-day show one to remember.”

Exhibitors new to PATS Sandown include: Albion Country Bowl, Aquadip, Berts Bows, COCO JOJO & DOOG, Dobbyman, Earth Animal Ventures, Furmagic, Goodchaps, Hot Dog Pet Products, Mackle Pet Foods, N Smith, Rocketo, Ruff and Tumble, Scrumbles and We.pet.

PATS Sandown in February is the best place for pet retailers and garden centres to see the whole pet industry and all the latest products under one roof.

A full list of the exhibitors can be found at www.patshow.co.uk where visitors can register for free entry to the show.

As the excitement builds, a selection of PATS Sandown newcomers share their thoughts on the UK’s leading Spring pet industry exhibition:

Albion Country Bowl (stand B5): “After several successful shows at Telford, Albion has decided to add the Sandown event to its shows for 2020. This will be a chance to showcase a new range of meat products and treats that are to be launched. We feel that PATS is the best place to showcase products both new and old for UK-based and overseas visitors alike. We look forward to making this event a regular thing in our show calendar.” Kevin Dover.

Aquadip (stand A3a):  "We offer a wide range of products from live and frozen fish food to aquatic plants and water treatments. Recently we have introduced an option to start ‘Your Own Brand’ aquatic, pond and koi fish food. We think PATS is the perfect place for us to introduce our high quality products to like-minded people in the pet and aquatics industry.” Joey Abrahams.

COCO JOJO & DOOG (stand K4): “We are delighted to be exhibiting at PATS Sandown for the first time. Our pet business has grown rapidly over the past three years and we are now in a very strong position to offer great prices and new product to the trade. We had an amazing PATS Telford show and met loads of new customers. We hope to see them again at PATS Sandown and offer our very popular show discount.” Ian Green

Fur Magic  (stand F7): “We wanted to exhibit at PATS Sandown because it is the best place to showcase our products and reach out to international retailers and UK buyers.” Ghazwan Halbouny.

Rocketo (stand E15): “PATS is a great platform for innovative companies to be introduced to customers looking only for the best for their furry friends. We are extremely exited to show our new products.” Arunas Matacius.

We.pet (stand G2): It’s not often a new wholesaler launches into the UK pet food market but that’s exactly what’s going to be happening at PATS Sandown with the launch of We.pet Independent Pet Wholesale. We.pet are delighted to have the chance to launch at PATS Sandown where we will get fantastic exposure to thousands of potential customers from the independent channel all under one roof – our precise target market.” Daniel Vander

Visitors to the show will be able to see an unrivalled array of new-launch products, watch demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers and listen to talks from prominent industry figures.

For the latest information on the show visit www.patshow.co.uk

Opening times

Sunday 9th February 2020: 9.30am-5.00pm

Monday 10th February 2020: 9.30am-4.00pm