The Real Petfood Company – which manufactures premium pet food snacks at its site on Kinmel Park in Bodelwyddan – has confirmed it is committed to spending more than £300,000 on a permanent solution to the issue of the baking aromas which have brought complaints from some local residents. 

The solution will involve the building of two new chimneys through which the odours will be expelled at a suitable height and speed.

Before moving to Kinmel Park, the firm was based in Flint, where in nine years carrying out the same production process, the firm received no complaints about unpleasant odours.

Graham Wheeler, the company’s founder and managing director, said: “It was unexpected to experience problems here as we never did in Flint - it may be due to the topography or particular weather conditions in this locality. 

"However, whatever the reason, we are determined to find a long-term solution as we take our responsibility to the local community very seriously and residents can be assured that we are fully focussed on meeting this challenge.”

When the issue first became apparent, the firm quickly appointed ADAS UK, a recognised air quality specialist, to carry out extensive tests and recommend actions to deal with the odours.  

The company has already taken steps such as converting the cowls on the roof extractors to speed up the dispersal of any odours into the atmosphere and also fully enclosing the baking area to minimise the leakage of any odours into the general factory in the first place.

A planning application for the chimneys, accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the visual impact, has now been submitted to Denbighshire County Council.  Measures to mitigate the visual impact – such as additional tree planting – have also been included.

More than 30 local residents attended an open day in December for a tour of the factory and to hear about plans to tackle the aroma issue.  A new letter, being sent to local residents and businesses, also invites anyone who wants to study the planning application and associated reports to come and view them at the factory.

The Real Petfood Company – which is a subsidiary of Inspired Pet Nutrition - started production at its Bodelwyddan site about a year ago manufacturing premium pet food snacks and treats under the Wagg and Harringtons brands as well as a wide range of own label products. 

It now has a workforce of 70 having created 40 new jobs in the past year alone with sales growing by some 20%. The objective is for 100 employees within the next three years.

John Burns, of Burns Pet Nutrition, has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Swansea Bay Business Awards, which honour the best businesses in the west Wales region.

The black tie event was held at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea with TV presenter and journalist Fran Donovan hosting the evening.

John, was presented with the award by Paul Gardner, president of Swansea Bay Business Club, was honoured for his commitment to pets and people over the past 25 years.

Burns Pet Nutrition also won Manufacturing Business of the Year.

“Needless to say, we are completely over the moon, particularly as this is our 25th year in business,” said a Burns spokesperson.

Image credit: Robert Melan

Beco Pets has launched its first localised campaign near Newark in Nottinghamshire, tackling the problem of owners not cleaning up after their dog in public places.

An estimated 17 million poops are deposited by dogs every day in the UK. With people living in denser environments than ever before, when owners don’t clean up after their four-legged friend, it has a negative and smelly impact on the rest of the community. The abandoned faeces become a ticking time bomb of dangerous bacteria and can even get into the water supply.

Becky Lambert, Beco Pets very own eco-warrior, promotes the environmental benefits of using degradable poop bags. She is a mother of two and spends her school run constantly dodging dog faeces on the pavements with her children.

Becky has worked with Beco Pets and Flintham Primary School near Newark to educate children and parents about why it is so important to clean up after their dog.

Becky set up an in-school activity session to educate the pupils about the importance of picking up the poop. She gave them a drawing challenge to complete at home with their parents, asking them to illustrate what makes a responsible dog owner. The kids came back with some adorable, creative and informative drawings (we think we may have a few Picasso’s in our midst). Soon you will find the illustrations pinned up in the local public areas, encouraging owners to scoop the poop.

Beco Pets launched the UK’s first degradable poop bags in 2014, leading the charge in creating environmentally friendly options for pet owners.

The company's environmental stance helped to tackle the issue of millions of plastic poop bags going to landfill or ending up in our oceans.

Beco Pets has since created ethically sourced fresh meat recipes, supporting local farmers and British enterprise while minimising the foods carbon footprint.

PetSafe Brand parent company, Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Ltd (RSPEL), has been crowned Best Workplace in Ireland 2018. The accolade comes on the back of the business being recognised by Great Place to Work as 9th Best Workplace in Europe last year.

In the employee survey assessment, RSPEL achieved top marks, with 100% of staff declaring the company a Great Place to Work, a 3% increase on last year’s score.

The company also achieved highly in its overall score - which measures culture, trust and employee experience - achieving 98%, far exceeding 70%, the minimum to achieve certification.

Specialising in innovative companion pet and sport and hunting products, RSPEL offers comprehensive pet training, health and wellness, waste management and play product solutions through its leading PetSafe Brand, and superior training and tracking products for professional trainers and hunters via its global SportDOG Brand.

Business has flourished for RSPEL since it first opened in Dundalk in 2012, growing by 25% over the last three years and headcount has risen steadily by 50%. 

Since last year’s Great Place to Work recognition, RSPEL has built on its projects to foster great working practices and inspire and motivate its team. The company has introduced new programmes such as ‘Creative Thinking’ and ‘Office Improvement’ and established a bi-annual ‘Fantastic Five’ award initiative.  Categories include ‘Einstein Idea’ which recognises great creativity and ‘Iron Man/Woman’ which offers those with 12 months’ full attendance an extra three days of annual leave.

In the last year, RSPEL has also introduced policies to help encourage better work/life balance, offering employees both flexi-time and working from home.

On top of more traditional perks, as a pet-centric business RSPEL also offers perks to ensure employees have great relationships with their pet. These include being allowed to bring dogs into the office, eight hours’ ‘paw-rental’ leave to help new pets settle and three days’ paid pet bereavement leave. 

RSPEL also helps to cover the cost of pet care, including microchipping, insurance and health check-ups.

David Verdon, General Manager at RSPEL said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been given the accolade of Ireland’s best workplace by such a prestigious organisation, it’s a great achievement for our business. 

"Over the last year we’ve been focused on gaining a better understanding of our customers’ needs, improving teamwork and enhancing employee wellness and it’s fantastic to have this work noticed. 

"Every team member has helped in this achievement, so I take my hat off to each and every one of them. We are now focused on continuing to improve the business and to positively impact on the lives of our customers and their pets.”

2018 marks the sixteenth year of Great Place to Work Ireland recognising great workplaces with the publication of its Best Workplaces in Ireland lists, and the number of workplaces who are realising the benefits of empowering their employees to flourish in a supportive high-trust culture continues to increase.

John Ryan, CEO of Great Place to Work Ireland said: “It’s been a mixed year for Irish workplaces who have seen good trading growth is tempered by ongoing uncertainty over the impact Brexit will have.

"Infrastructure challenges are making planning for expansion difficult, and we’re on the threshold of full employment in our cities which creates a real headache for organisations who are trying to attract and retain top talent.

"The organisations on this year’s list know that beyond a certain point, employees aren’t going to be tempted by a slightly more generous financial package: they want an environment where they feel psychologically safe, encouraged to grow, provided with opportunities to develop, and empowered to do their best work.

"Rather than simply throwing money at their staff, Irish workplaces should take advantage of reward and recognition opportunities as a chance to develop their employer brand; enhancing and amplifying their unique culture.”

The Best Workplace accolade was presented to the RSPEL team at the Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in Ireland awards in Dublin on 21^st February 2018.

www.radiosystemscorporation.com   

Dog owners will trek more than 1,000 miles, play 2,080 rounds of fetch – and call their pet’s name 3,120 times while walking them each year, a study has found.

Exercising their dog will also result in owners having 1,040 conversations with other animal lovers with the average pooch spending 17 minutes of each walk off the lead.

But owners will also have to untangle their dog’s lead more than 1,000 times a year and will have 1,040 arguments – two every week - with their partner or children about whose turn it is to take their pet out for a walk.

It also emerged that 24% reckon the daily dog walk is an ideal opportunity to talk to children away from the distractions of home while 64% use it as a time to bond with their pet.

A spokesman for Harringtons, which commissioned the research, said: “For dog owners, going out for a walk is one of the main perks of owning a pet.

“It’s staggering to think just how far you walk, and how many times you will play fetch over the course of a year.

“While a walk is necessary to keep your pet fit and healthy, it’s also a great opportunity to bond with your dog, away from the chores and your busy day-to-day lives.”

The study of 2,000 dog owners found the average pooch is taken out for a walk 10 times a week, with each trip lasting around 34 minutes.

On each occasion, they will walk just under two miles, but almost one in 10 admit they usually trek across the exact same route every time.

Another one in 20 only tend to change where they walk once a year.

Dogs will spend just half the time off the lead with one in four admitting they never let their dog off the leash.

Four in 10 owners say other dogs stop them from letting their pet off the lead more often, while 31 per cent worry too much to let their dog roam free.

Others say they don’t let their dog off the lead because they aren’t allowed to do so in the area they walk in (17%), they aren’t well behaved off the lead (18%) or that they feel it’s too dangerous (31%).

The study found that while 89% enjoy walking their dog, 39% admit a lack of time stops them from going out more often.

Poor weather (47%), feeling too tired (20%) and finding it difficult to find places where they can walk their dog off the lead (9%) also means they don’t go on as many walks as they should or would like to.

As a result, almost one in five dog owners spend an average of £25.66 a month paying someone else to walk their dog for them.

A spokesman for Harringtons added: “To think that so many people walk their dogs on the same route every day, with some only changing this route annually, is astounding. At Harringtons, we believe that walking should be something that excites and inspires both you and your dog.

“To make sure owners and their dogs are getting the most out of their walks, we have teamed up with Ben Fogle and eight dog experts to create a series of dogventures. These dogventures aim to inspire owners across the UK to try something different, whatever the weather, from the peaks to the lakes, de-stressing strolls to adventurous ambles, there’s a walk to suit everyone.

Commenting on the results, Ben Fogle said: “It was staggering to see so many people admitting to never letting their dog off the leash. For me, a dog walk isn’t a dog walk if you can’t take the dog off the lead – it means they can fully stretch their legs and let off steam. There are plenty of places that are geared up for lead-free dogs, so it’s worth taking the time to find one close to your home.

“That’s why teaming up with Harringtons to create these dogventures has been great – I really hope we can inspire owners to be more adventurous with their walks and encourage them to do something they wouldn’t normally feel comfortable doing.”

During the average walk, dogs will interact with other pooches three times, while owners will bump into four other people also out walking their pet.

On two of those occasions, they will stop to have a chat, with dog owners also having one break to buy a coffee or drink in a pub along the route.

Each walk will also see the average dog jump up to someone else once while the lead will need to be untangled from trees, other people and dogs twice.

A ball will be thrown four times while the dog’s name will be called an average of six times before the walk is over.

For more information about the campaign, and to download all the dogventure information, including maps for routes across the UK, visit: www.harringtonspetfood.com/dogventures.

Dog lovers can look forward to a record-breaking 14 hours of television coverage when Crufts returns to Channel 4 and More4 this March to celebrate the world’s largest dog show. This is two and a half hours more than the 2017 show which was then a record in itself.

With Clare Balding at the helm, Channel 4 and More4 will broadcast all the action from the show, leading up to the grand finale on Sunday when Best in Show will be crowned.

This year Channel 4 will be broadcasting an extra one-hour programme from the show in the afternoon on all four days, including a new show on the Wednesday before Crufts begins.

WEDNESDAY 7th MARCH
1500-1600 – Channel 4 Crufts Daily Show

THURSDAY 8th MARCH
1500-1600 – Channel 4 Crufts Daily Show
1830-2000 – More4 Crufts
2000-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts

FRIDAY 9th MARCH
1500-1600 – Channel 4 Crufts Daily Show
1830-1930 – More4 Crufts
1930-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts

SATURDAY 10th MARCH
1630-1730 – Channel 4 Crufts Daily Show
1900-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts

SUNDAY 11th MARCH
1630-1730 – Channel 4 Crufts Daily Show
1900-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts Best In Show

Clare will host daily highlights of the world's biggest dog event live from the NEC and will be joined by Alan Carr, who will be presenting the afternoon show with Clare, and Channel 4’s ‘Supervet’, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick. The presenters will be supported by vet, health and welfare expert Nick Blayney, as well as dog reporters and breed experts, Jessica Holm and Frank Kane.

All of the Arena action from the show will also be shown every day live on the Crufts YouTube channel which can be found at www.youtube.com/crufts.

Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, said: “We are delighted that Channel 4 and More4 will be offering viewers at home the opportunity to enjoy even more of this year’s Crufts. The event holds such a special place in dog lovers’ hearts because it celebrates everything that we love most about dogs, and the programmes will reflect on the benefits dogs bring to our lives and the many fascinating aspects of Crufts.

“The enhanced TV coverage will not only bring exciting sports such as agility and flyball into people’s homes, but will enable people to see the diverse range of wonderful dog breeds, including some of the more unusual breeds that are not often seen in the streets and parks across the country, through the dog show aspect of Crufts. It will also cover topics about choosing, caring for and enjoying life with dogs, as well as different issues affecting dog owners in the UK.” 

Channel 4 and More4’s coverage of Crufts will be produced by Sunset + Vine and Channel 4’s afternoon shows will be produced by Mentorn Media.

The Kennel Club has begun its search once more for the best dog photographers around the world with the launch of its annual Dog Photographer of the Year competition.

Now in its 13th year, last year the international competition received almost 10,000 entries from over 75 different countries around the globe, including Canada, Russia, Brazil and New Zealand, making it the biggest and most popular canine photography competition in the world.

The competition which opened this month is free to enter and will be accepting submissions until 4^th April 2018.

The competition comprises 10 categories:

1. Dogs at Play
2. Portrait
3. Oldies
4. Dogs at Work
5. Puppies
6. Man's Best Friend
7. Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under)
8. ‘I Love Dogs Because …’ (for entrants aged between 12 and 17)
9. Assistance Dogs
10. Rescue Dogs

An overall winner will then be chosen from the winning ten images.

Portuguese photographer Maria Davison was selected as the overall winner of last year’s competition with her winning image of a puppy resting beside her owner’s feet (see picture above).

Upon winning the biggest canine photography competition in the world, Maria said: “This image was already close to my heart and it is one of the photographs I am most proud of. It was not only a beautiful, real and candid moment I got to capture, but also a demonstration of the strong bond between one of my closest friends and her dog, Yzma. Winning not only the Man’s Best Friend category, but also the overall winner prize with this picture feels really good.”

The overall winner will receive an original oil painting of their image by award-winning artist Sara Abbott.

All category winners will have their images on display at the Kennel Club in Mayfair, and will win a SmugMug photography website to showcase their work online and a one day photography course offered by Nikon School UK, as well as a trophy and exhibition print from Loxley Colour presented during an award ceremony.

The Assistance Dog and Rescue Dog category winners will also receive a £500 donation from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to their chosen dog charity. 

The winner of the 2017 ‘Assistance Dogs’ category was Alasdair MacLeod from Ayrshire, Scotland, who took a candid shot of retired Greyhound, Megan from Canine Concern Scotland visiting local care home resident Duncan, a 95 year-old RAF veteran who flew in the ‘Dambusters’ squadron.

Alexandra Robins from Wiltshire won the ‘Rescue Dog’ category for her intimate portrait of rescue dog Chloe with her carer at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. The two winners chose for their £500 donations to go to Therapet and Bath Cats and Dogs Home respectively.

For more information and to officially register and enter, please visit www.dogphotographeroftheyear.org.uk. The deadline to enter is 4^th April 2018.

US chilled pet food brand Freshpet, one of the fastest growing pet food companies in North America, has launched three new products on to the UK market.

The company says the new lines – Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe for Small Dogs (454g, £5), a new smaller size Freshpet Select Tender Beef Roasted Meal for cats (454g, £5) and Freshpet Select Grain Free Tender Chicken for dogs (794g, £8) – have been introduced in response to consumer demand for the innovative fresh pet food.

The new product launches come a few months since the launch of Freshpet’s Dog Joy Turkey Bacon dog treats, the UK’s first fresh and refrigerated treats.

The brand claims to have added £1.6 million in value to the pet category since its UK arrival at the beginning of 2017.

Freshpet’s range of fresh, natural, less-processed pet food is now available in 300 Tesco stores and 78 Asda stores nationwide. It is merchandised in unique Freshpet branded fridges in the pet aisle – a UK first for the category.

Explains Freshpet Co-Founder and Europe’s MD, Cathal Walsh: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response that Freshpet has had in the UK. Our two new recipes and new pack size will add further excitement for shoppers and help make a difference to the lives of the UK’s cats and dogs.

“As more and more owners treat their pets as members of the family, they are increasingly willing to buy higher quality, natural food for their pets, reflecting their own eating desires and habits. Health and indulgence are huge influencers in the growth of premium pet food and Freshpet’s success in the UK in its first year clearly reflects that.”

Vital Pet Trade Specialist is set to make a big impact at PATS this year, where it aims to provide an enhanced experience for retailers. The stand in the main Surrey Hall (J7) will be doubling in size and the company is also taking over the Grandstand View overlooking the racecourse, where it will be joined by leading manufacturers offering exclusive promotions.

In the main hall, retailers will be able to view exclusive products only distributed by Vital in the UK. This includes market leading brands from the US and the first chance to see revitalised products within Vital’s own-brand Mayfield range, including chews, toys, bowls and bird feeds. Only available to the independent pet trade, Mayfield products can’t be purchased anywhere else. The team is also keen to share news of the many improvements and innovations that have been put in place over recent months to allow the company to deliver a better service to retailers.

The Vital Grandstand is a completely new area for the company. Existing customers can expect to receive their own personal invitation soon, giving them access to some exclusive activities. There’s even a free goodie bag on entry.

In the grandstand, Vital has partnered with top manufacturers to offer fantastic promotional deals that won’t be available from any other wholesaler. All orders will be processed on the day so delegates can bank on their delivery for high demand promotions.

Selected products will be available at clearance prices as Vital clears out the warehouse to make way for incoming new lines. There are also complimentary refreshments to top up energy levels during a long day at the show.

Those who are not existing customers but are keen to experience the benefits of working with Vital, can enter the Vital Grandstand by completing a quick registration process.

Sunny Sharma says he felt it was time to demonstrate that Vital is doing things differently at every level of its business and making positive improvements that benefit its partners.

“For many retailers, times are tough and competition is increasing – both on and offline and from outside the independent channel. We’re doing everything we can to ensure the trade is in great shape to meet the challenges ahead.

"We are all very excited about this new approach to PATS, which not only offers a unique visitor experience but really signals that Vital is a vibrant and refreshingly different wholesaler that can think ‘outside the box’.

"The support we’ve had from manufacturers has been phenomenal and with their cooperation we have some really amazing offers that will allow retailers to make generous margins, trial lucrative new lines and pass on some great deals to their customers.”

Visit Vital at stand J7 and the Vital Grandstand at PATS, Sandown.

To find out more about Vital visit www.vitalpetproducts.co.uk or telephone 01837 883000.

PetSafe Brand will be introducing two exciting additions to its popular toy range for cats and dogs – the PetSafe Grip ‘n Tug and the FroliCat Fox Den Automatic Cat Teaser – at PATS Sandown on March 20-21.

Show attendees will be able to learn more about the new toys on Stand G1 as well as view recent popular items from the broad PetSafe Brand range which includes Pet Doors, Easy Walk and EasySport Harnesses, Drinkwell Pet Fountains and Solvit Travel & Access products. 

PetSafe Brand experts will be on hand to chat through the items and the brand’s focus on developing high quality products that enhance the relationship between owners and their pets.

Below is an overview of key products that will be on show at Stand G1. To find out more about PetSafe® Brand in the meantime, visit the website at www.petsafe.com/UK.

Perfect for playtime

Play & Challenge toys from PetSafe Brand make playtime fun for cats and dogs of all ages while also challenging them mentally to keep them actively engaged.  The following brand-new toys will be on show at PATS:

NEW! PetSafe Grip ‘n Tug™, £12.99 – this durable toy provides a rewarding, safe and fun experience for dogs and owners and is a wonderful way to train dogs with basic commands like “drop it.” Its smart design means the fleece and rope braided tug does not get stuck in a dog’s teeth or gums and its protective handle makes it safer and less tiring for pet owners.  Conveniently, the “Tugs” are detachable, meaning they can be both machine washed and replaced once worn (replacement Tugs can be bought separately).

NEW! FroliCat Fox Den Automatic Cat Teaser, £25.99 – this fun and unique addition to the popular FroliCat range excites cats by teasing them with a realistic fox tail. The sly fox hides in his den, waiting to shake his realistic fuzzy tail at unexpecting cats.  The toy has a “Play-All-Day” mode allowing pet owners to entertain their cats when they are not home, and its inbuilt motion sensor will automatically shut off the toy when it’s not in use.

Pet Doors

The PetSafe Brand range of pet doors have been designed to give pet owners more control over their home while giving pets the freedom they need and deserve.

PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap, £79.99 – the latest addition to the PetSafe® Brand pet door range, this high-tech cat flap gives pets easy access to the outside world while keeping out troublesome unwanted cats and other animals. It works by reading a cat’s unique microchip ID and doesn’t require an additional collar or accessory. Suitable for cats up to 8kg, it can be easily programmed for up to 40 microchipped cats, making it ideal for both single and multi-cat homes. The door is extremely secure, boasting a reinforced dual auto-latch with a four-way manual lock. Furthermore, it features a built in draught excluder.

Extreme Weather Pet Door, from £50.99 – this is the perfect door for extreme hot or cold climates, boasting maximum energy efficiency that is 3-1/2 times higher than standard single-flap doors in the PetSafe Brand range.  Suitable for cats or dogs, the 3-flap system protects homes from the elements while giving pets the freedom to come and go. With a durable plastic frame, this well-designed door fits most doors and interior or external walls.

Fabulous feeders

Automatic pet feeders from PetSafe® Brand enable owners to manage their pet's feeding schedule and maintain portion control even when they can't be there in person.

Digital Two Meal Pet Feeder, £50.99 – this clever feeder allows pet owners to manage pets’ diets even when they’re not at home. Ideal for cats and small dogs, the convenient automatic feeder system has a digital display that lets owners set the timer for each meal up to four days in advance. Battery operated, each section can hold a portion size equal to 355 ml, so pet owners can be assured their pets will get the right portions at the right time. Dual locking lids also ensure that pets can’t access the food early.

Tip top training
PetSafe Brand has many solutions to help teach dogs to curb their excessive barking behaviour in a matter of days.  One of the most effective methods are Ultrasonic Bark Control deterrents which release an ultrasonic sound each time a dog barks.

PetSafe Indoor Bark Control, from £23.99 – this clever device has an internal microphone that automatically emits an ultrasonic tone when it is within range of a barking dog.  The high-pitch tone is silent to humans but surprises dogs, causing them to stop barking.  In time, the device should stop dogs making excessive noise as they come to associate their bark with the unpleasant sound. Effective up to eight metres, the device can be used in one room or a second device can be used for multi-room coverage.

Travel time
Pet owners increasingly want to take their pets with them when they go places, which means lots more trips in the car. To help keep people and pets travel safe, PetSafe Brand has introduced several products to prevent driver distraction and comfortably restrain pets.

Solvit Standard Pet Safety Seat, £69.99 – this handy booster enables pet owners to give their dogs a ride with a view. With its rigid internal structure that integrates with the vehicle seat belt and quilted cover with fleece liner, the seat comfortably and securely cradles dogs.  The booster seat can be quickly fitted in one minute in the front or back seat and holds one or more pets up to 13.5kg.

Solvit Deluxe Pet Safety Seat, £78.99 – for even more comfort, pet owners can try the Deluxe version of the seat which has the same design but includes a plush quilted faux suede shell with quilted plaid liner.

Access all areas
With advancements in care and nutrition, pets are living longer, and many need help getting places.  PetSafe Brand has a range of ramps and stairs perfect for reaching vehicles and medium to high elevations in the home, helping reduce stress on pets’ joints.

Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp, £112.99 - this adjustable, lightweight ramp has a high-traction walking surface and gives pets easy access to both vehicles and furniture.  The ramp can support over 180kg with no bending and its adjustable design extends from 96 to 182cm. Alternatively, there is a slightly larger model of this ramp, the Deluxe XL Telescoping Ramp, £150.99, which is 38cm longer and 8cm wider and best for when pets need a flatter climbing angle.

Solvit Triscope Ramp, £139.99 – this adjustable, lightweight ramp is an ultra-compact solution to help dogs reach vehicles and their favourite furniture.  Weighing just 6kg, the ramp has a clever three-piece compact telescoping design meaning it can extend from 71 to 177cm with no folding required.  It can support over 135kg, making it ideal for even large pets.

Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold Pet Ramp, £69.99 – the lightest full-size ramp on the market, this nifty product allows pets to safely get up and down with less stress on their joints (and pet owners’). Weighing just under 5kg and supporting over 90kg, the all-plastic ramp gives pets a sure footing with its high-traction walking surface and four rubber feet.

Solvit PupSTEP®+Plus, £48.99 – these portable stairs help pets reach their favourite elevated places, such as a sofa or bed. Pets can travel up and down safely with the built-in side rails and non-skid feet and the steps are foldable for easy storage. Lightweight at just over 2kg, the steps can support over 50kg, making them ideal for small-medium sized pets.

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A thief, who pretended to have a weapon during a raid on a Pets at Home store, has had his appeal against a jail sentence rejected.

Thirty-year-old Simon Hawkins was jailed for four years for stealing £90 of dog food in the robbery at the store in Reading last June, plus attempted theft from a Co-op in the town two weeks earlier.

Three Court of Appeal judges in London ruled the sentence was fully justified.

The court heard that Hawkins entered the Pets at Home, where he was already banned, and was seen to remove packs of dog food.

He showed a staff member what they thought was a weapon, but which he later claimed was the edge of a mobile phone.

"You know what's going to happen if you stop me," he told the shop assistant.

Mr Justice Spencer said Hawkins had behaved in a "thoroughly aggressive and unpleasant" manner.

"These were nasty offences," he said.

"Shop staff simply doing their job are entitled to the protection of the court from offending of this kind.

"There were no mitigating factors. We think an element of deterrence was properly to be included in the sentences as well.”

Hawkins’ lawyers had argued that a four-year sentence was excessive.

As the ‘Beast from the East’ sweeps the UK, Pets at Home has reminded pet owners of the dangers the cold poses to their animals and come up with six top tips.

Dr. Maeve Moorcroft, Head of Pets at Pets at Home, said: “During colder periods, exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer.

“Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off bare paws. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, Pets at Home have provided advice for UK pet owners experiencing the wrath of the Beast from the East.”

Pets at Home’s top tips are as follows:

1. Towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside – Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home warm and towel dry your pooch, paying special attention to their feet and in-between their toes. Remove any snow balls from between his foot pads to significantly reduce the chance of infection.
2. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter – A longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.
3. Bathe your pets as little as possible – Washing too often can remove essential oils from your pet and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.
4. Make sure they have a warm place to sleep – At night, temperatures will drop to a daily low so make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep away from draughts.
5. If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet – Never leave your pet outdoors unattended in the cold weather, they may start to show signs of hypothermia such as shivering and disorientation.
6. Take extra caution when using anti-freeze – Ethylene glycol, a chemical usually found in antifreeze, is and potentially fatal when ingested by pets. Even small amounts can be fatally toxic to the body's organs, including the brain, kidneys and liver. Its “sweet” taste makes it appealing to cats. Therefore, take extra caution when using the chemical and ensure it doesn’t spill onto the ground from the car or left uncapped after use.

The unique and ingenious Tick Twister tick removers are now offered with a small storage box: the new ClipBox!

Available in five colours and made up of two parts for both sizes of tick removers, the ClipBox will provide a safe storage.

Its closing system, inspired by a karabiner, enables a dog owner to clip it on a key ring, a backpack or a belt.

And for a reminder of how to remove a tick with the Tick Twister, instructions are on the back of the ClipBox!

Made in France, the new Tick Twister ClipBox is available at veterinary clinics and pet shops, or online from www.ticktwister.co.uk 

Recommended retail price for a pair of Tick Twisters with the new ClipBox: £5.50.

Technical features:

• Material: ABS plastic – alcohol-resistant
• Dimensions: 2.99x1.85x0.39 in
• Weight: 0.03 lb
• Colours: pink, purple, green, blue and orange

Key features:

• Handy, compact and easy-to-carry
• Functional design
• 5 new fancy colours available: pink, purple, green, blue and orange
• Instructions on the back of the ClipBox

The new ClipBox will be on show at PATS Sandown on stand M20

With more dogs from overseas set to descend on Birmingham next month than ever before, the world’s greatest dog show Crufts will be even more international this year.

A total of 3,623 dogs from overseas will compete at Crufts this year, compared to 3,469 in 2017, an increase of over four per cent. Dogs from a total of 48 overseas countries will take part in the show, including entries from Bahrain, Kazakstan and Peru for the first time ever.

Leading this friendly ‘foreign invasion’ with more entries than any other overseas country is France with 462 dogs, followed closely by Italy (411), the Netherlands (334), Germany (319) and Russia (297).

Crufts will welcome around 27,000 dogs this year, taking part in a wide variety of competitions and displays over the four days of the show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 8th – 11th March. Last year, a record attendance of over 162,000 visitors joined in the annual celebration of man’s best friend.

The show is also set to be more competitive than ever, with over 200 pedigree dog breeds in contention for the famous Best in Show trophy, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 11th March. Never before in the show’s 127 year history have over 200 different breeds had the opportunity to get their paws on the ultimate prize in dogs.

These breeds include the Braque D’Auvergne, a French gundog, which will compete at the show for the first time. Another new breed from across the Channel appearing at Crufts 2018, though not yet eligible to compete, is the Barbet which will be formally recognised in the UK from April. Visitors will be able to see the breed for the first time at the show in a special parade on Thursday 8th March.

In total, nearly 21,000 dogs will be competing for just seven places in the show’s finale, representing each of the individual groups. The highest number of dogs in a single breed set to compete in each group is as follows:

Working: Boxer – 222
Pastoral: Border Collie – 390
Terrier: Staffordshire Bull Terrier – 341
Hound: Whippet – 414
Toy: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 304
Utility: Bulldog – 263
Gundog: Golden Retriever – 592
As well as the breed class judging which leads to Best in Show, visitors will be able to watch some of the world’s finest dogs and handlers in action across a range of disciplines including agility, obedience, heelwork to music and flyball.

Crufts will welcome two new finals for the first time this year, as the show plays host to the popular annual Eukanuba Champion Stakes and Eukanuba Pup of the Year competitions for the first time. Other highlights of a busy programme taking place in the Genting Arena are the Kennel Club Friends For Life competition, which celebrates those dogs in our lives that provide lifetime service, support, love and devotion, and the final of the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts.

Gerald King, Crufts Chairman said: “We are delighted that entries to Cruft remain so impressive year on year. We feel honoured to welcome dogs from a wider variety of breeds than ever before, representing all corners of the globe. The fact that people travel far and wide to enter this prestigious event proves that it really is the world’s greatest dog show.

“We thank everybody who has entered the show and look forward to welcoming all the dogs and their owners, who make Crufts such a wonderful event, whether it is those who have been loyally returning year after year or those who are experiencing the show for the first time, such as those who will make the journey from Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Peru!”

A full list of entries in each breed is now available on the Crufts website at: www.crufts.org.uk/content/dog-exhibitors/crufts-2018-entries/.

The Kennel Club has announced the five hero dogs who will compete in the public vote for the prestigious Friends for Life award at Crufts 2018.

They are:

• A rescue Border Terrier who has completely changed his owner’s life by helping her deal with complex mental health illnesses
• A hearing dog who has become the ‘ears’ for his young owner and helped her reconnect with everything around her
• A search and rescue dog who has spent his life working in adverse conditions to help find missing persons, from murder enquiries to a helicopter crash
• An assistance dog who has become a lifeline for a lady with Ehlers Danlos syndrome and undertakes over 100 different tasks for his owner, from picking up the phone to loading and unloading the washing machine
• A Shih Tzu who taught himself how to be an assistance dog and has given unending support to his owner through serious illness and given her a new life to look forward to.

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

Judges from the Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, have selected five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced in the Genting Arena at the Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 11th March. These five dog heroes are just some of the dogs celebrated at the show for the ways that they enrich our lives.

Low consumer confidence is leading shoppers to postpone large purchases, with nearly four fifths visiting physical stores to research items before completing their purchase, according to new research.

Almost a quarter of customers spend up to six months on research before  making a considered purchase, when it comes to buying expensive items such as a new car, sofa, kitchen or bathroom. A larger number (28 per cent) will typically spend up to a month researching available options until making a decision, saying they need to be confident they are making a good choice.

The survey also found that shoppers are combining in-store and online research to ensure they are well informed about products and deals, with 79 per cent saying they have identified an expensive product online before visiting a store to check it physically; 70 per cent had bought an expensive item online only after seeing it in-store.

The study, carried out by ecommerce agency PushON, consulted 1,000 UK consumers as part of its Webrooming vs Showrooming report.

“Parting with large amounts of cash is a huge decision for consumers, as they need to be sure they will like the product after they’ve bought it,” says PushOn managing director Sam Rutley. “It’s clear from the research that consumers don’t feel confident enough to make expensive purchasing decisions straight away and are taking a long time to research all their options to make a final choice that they know they’ll be happy with.

“There are a number of factors that are affecting customer’s decisions, whether that’s price, customer service, the quality of the product or the delivery options. Of course, shoppers want to make sure they’re getting the best deal for their money. Therefore, it’s up to retailers to close the purchasing gap by providing a truly omnichannel experience and engaging with shoppers on various channels to build better relationships. This way, shoppers will have all the information they need to make an informed decision and then follow through with that final purchase.”

The sheepdog world was out in force for the English Nursery Finals on Sunday 25^th February at Castle Rising in Norfolk.

Sponsored by CSJ the prestigious event attracted 45 top runners with the Team Event being won by The East Anglian Sheepdog Society - Ed Hawkins, Ed Thornalley and Sue Little - and the Breeders Cup won by Richard Saxon.

Richard Saxon also headed the flock to become the English Nursery Final Champion after scoring 182 with his dog Don (pictured above).

Robert Fielden scored 171 and came second with Jack whilst Gavin Fearon came third with Dave on 159 OLF.

CSJ’s roving reporter was on hand to capture all the excitement and will be releasing a series of videos on YouTube…..

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

Leading pet food firm Purina has hit back at claims that discredit one of its leading brands, Bakers, stating it is “committed to creating nutritious foods that will keep pets happy, healthy and content.”

The claims were made by Pooch & Mutt who said it had produced an exposé on Bakers pet food.

According to Pooch & Mutt its investigation had shown that Bakers pet food included: crushed insects, known carcinogens, the controversial antioxidants BHT and BHA (which McDonalds and General mills both stopped using due to public pressure) and potentially just 1% chicken in the ‘chicken’ recipe. None of these ingredients are said to be shown on the pack of food.

But Purina has responded by stating to Pet Trade Xtra: “As a responsible pet food manufacturer we are concerned the campaign will cause pet owners unnecessary worry about the quality of food they are feeding their pet.

“All Purina products comply with the strict UK and EU legislation for pet food to ensure they are safe to feed your pet and are nutritionally balanced.

 “The production of pet food is highly regulated to ensure that it is of the utmost quality. The colours and all other additives that we use are carefully regulated by a number of authorities and are permitted for use in cat, dog and human food in all EU member states.

 “Purina is committed to creating nutritious foods that will keep pets happy, healthy and content.”

In the UK, pet food manufacturers have the option of declaring individual ingredients in their food, or declaring them by categories. Independent pet food companies, like Pooch & Mutt, tend to declare individual ingredients, as they want customers to know about the high quality ingredients that they put in their foods. Multinational companies tend to list ingredients by category.

Guy Blaskey, founder of Pooch & Mutt, commented: “There was a of lot of criticism of Bakers’ old recipe online, and it was good to see that they responded to this with an updated recipe.

“We feel that Pooch & Mutt plays an important role in helping customers do what is right for their dogs and to better understand what they feed their pets, and therefore demand more of manufacturers at all ends of the spectrum. We first looked at the recipe out of curiosity, as we delved deeper we were pretty shocked.

The report that we have published is intentionally objective, simply linking the ingredients that we found out were in the food to independent information, commentaries and studies on those ingredients.

“However, on a personal level, I find it incredibly disappointing that a company would act this way whilst claiming to care about the health of customers’ pets.”

Pooch & Mutt’s report can be viewed at http://www.poochandmutt.com/bakers_dog_food/

Budget supermarket chain Aldi launched its biggest ever pet range in stores with products ranging from toys and towels to crates and beds.

The new pet range includes a variety of pet beds and accessories,  and Aldi claims it offers savings of up to 67% compared to Pets At Home.

The company also states that Brits spend an average of £27k on their dogs during its lifetime – but could save up to £4,700 with Aldi.

One of the biggest savings owners can make is on Aldi’s Specialbuy Pet Beds, which will save owners 62%. Other savings that can be made by shopping at Aldi include:

• A 45% saving on pet crates
• 63% on carriers
• 60% on pet food
• 67% off poo bags (dog owners will get through a massive 13,140 poo bags in their dog’s lifetime!)

Julie Ashfield, from Aldi said: “At Aldi we know how important our furry family members are and we’re committed to providing only the best for pets and their owners.

"This dedicated pet range is available at unbeatable prices and will help UK families to lower the overall costs of owning a pet, yet maintaining a high standard of care and quality of life.”

Some of the products have been discounted as part of Aldi's SpecialBuys, which means the items are sold on a first come, first served basis and "once they're gone, they're gone." The full range was available to pre-order online from 18th February before being launched in stores today.

Here’s a selection of products in the range…

To see the full range visit https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/pets?q=%3Apopular&page=0

Seeing the latest pet products launched under one roof is one of the major attractions to PATS visitors, and next month’s show at Sandown Park in Surrey is set to unveil an impressive number of new items.

The high quality of entries to the popular New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, is a positive sign that PATS Sandown exhibitors are excited about their latest products and can’t wait to show them to visiting retailers and buyers.

Products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers on the first day of the show (Tuesday, March 20) to decide the winners of the New Product Awards.

There are eight categories in the New Product Showcase and past winners admit that winning an award can certainly increase the profile of the items to the trade.

One of the biggest success stories of 2017 has been Woof & Brew’s Pawsecco Wine For Dogs and Cats, which won a New Product Award at PATS Sandown. Steve Tearle, national sales manager at Woof & Brew, said: “It has been a phenomenal year since we launched Pawsecco at PATS. The product has really caught people’s imagination.”

Unipet International won the Bird Product category at PATS Sandown last year with its innovative and distinctive Super Suet Starter Pack. Marketing manager Dawn Robinson said: “The success in the New Product Awards certainly gave this product a tremendous boost. It drove people to our stand at the show and created a lot of interest afterwards.”

SnuggleSafe was attending their first PATS Sandown in 2017 and were ecstatic to win a New Product Award with its ‘I’ll Eat My Hat’ product for small animals. Chris Kavallares said: “Picking up the award was beyond our wildest dreams. We definitely made the most of the accolade.”

The Showcase is designed to help visitors to find easily the latest and most exciting products to hit the pet trade, as they are gathered together in one, extensive display. There is an information card beside each product, giving details such as suggested retail price and where in the show you’ll find the item’s exhibitor.

The New Product Showcase entries will be displayed under the following eight award categories:

• Cat Product
• Dog Food Product
• Dog Treat Product
• Dog Accessory Product
• Bird Product
• Small Animal Product
• Pet Care Product
• Grooming Product

With so many new products on show and more than 150 exhibitors attending PATS Sandown this year, the exhibition is set to draw an equally impressive amount of visitors.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

PATS Sandown takes place at Sandown Park in Surrey on Tuesday, March 20, and Wednesday, March 21,