Lancashire entrepreneur Gemma Connolly, who’s created a unique brand of edible greeting cards for dogs Scoff Paper, has secured major backing from BBC Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies to allow her business to take full advantage of the growing pet treat market. 

Volunteer guide dog puppy raiser, Gemma, who appeared on the show last evening with golden retriever Leo, clinched the deal with her clever idea and the tenacity she’s maintained in building her business from the ground up, which involved the development of never-before-seen manufacturing processes and machinery. 

As such, the famous businesswoman, known for her ability to spot big business potential, offered Gemma £50K for 25% of the company, with the option to claim 5% back if Sara recoups her investment within the first 12 months of their collaboration. With Sara’s expert eye and rich retail experience, Gemma, plans to make her world-first product accessible across the UK and internationally in the near future. 

Gemma said: “I’m not good at blowing my own trumpet, but I gave it everything I had when I went into The Den and was proud of my presentation and my responses to the Dragons’ subsequent grilling. It probably helped that I had Leo by my side. 

“When Sara said she believed in me and my vision, it meant so much. I’m over the moon that she chose to invest in my little company that’s got its eye on global domination. After all, is there a dog on this planet that doesn’t love a tasty treat? With Sara’s know-how and support, I can put 100% of my time and focus into our business and get the bespoke manufacturing facility running at maximum capacity.” 

Sara Davies added: “Gemma’s belief in her fantastic product was clear from the moment she stepped into the Den. I have so much respect and admiration for the work she’s put in to grow her company to the level she has. I’m excited to work alongside Gemma to mentor her through the next exciting stage of growth as she goes on to inspire dog owners around the world to celebrate their pets’ special occasions with edible cards.” 

Scoff Paper’s HQ, aka ‘The Scoffice’, is based in Buckshaw Village, Chorley, where all the design, marketing and manufacturing takes place. As the business grows, Gemma plans to offer more career opportunities to local people across all departments. 

Click here to watch Gemma face the business moguls on BBC iPlayer. Gemma appears 16 minutes into the programme.

Scoff Paper is a multi award-winning business having won New Product Awards at both Glee and PIF.

For the past 10 years, Scoff Paper founder Gemma Connolly has volunteered for Guide Dogs charity, supporting guide dog puppies and helping to socialise them in readiness for their next phase of training. 

Gemma began volunteering for Guide Dogs after suffering a major heart attack whilst working in a very stressful job. Volunteering for Guide Dogs helped to rehabilitate her and has led to supporting 16 dogs so far.

She usually has the dogs from around eight weeks to 15 months, and, like many dog lovers, likes to celebrate their birthdays, ‘gotcha’ days and other occasions. 

Gemma came up with the idea for Scoff Paper in March 2020 when one of the guide dog puppies, Loki, tried to eat a greeting card that she had bought to celebrate his birthday. 

This coincided with a period of employment dissatisfaction and health worries for naturally creative Gemma, so she decided to go for it. Gemma created the first range of edible card prototypes at her kitchen table when she realised the manufacturing capabilities for this type of product did not currently exist. After numerous calls and visits to local pet shops, she received her first order for 48 cards, which she produced by hand.

Fast forward three years, and after working two jobs and ploughing every single penny into the business, Gemma is proud to see her Scoff Paper cards on display at many major UK retailers, including John Lewis, Pets at Home, Pets Corner and hundreds of independent pet retailers. The products are now produced by bespoke machinery at Scoff Paper’s manufacturing facility in Buckshaw Village. The facility is capable of producing 2m cards per year.

Scoff Paper products are made with potatoes and natural flavourings, and are complementary to a dog’s diet. They come in a range of flavours, including bacon, cheese, chicken and peanut, as well as unflavoured. 

The cards are designed for a variety of occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas, get well soon, gotcha days, Valentine’s, or just to say I love you, with messages such as ‘happy birthday to chew’ and ‘for the dog who eats everything’. The cards can also be personalised. 

Additionally, the company produces dog-friendly edible ink pens for writing messages in the cards.

Product packaging is made using sustainable, renewable materials. 

Discover more: www.scoffpaper.com

Interzoo has set a new record in terms of exhibitors, exhibition space and countries represented. Thirteen weeks before the start of the trade fair the number of exhibitors surpassed the magic mark of 2,000 companies – thus exceeding the previous record of Interzoo 2018.

Interzoo 2024 will feature the world's most comprehensive range of pet supplies in a total of 14 exhibition halls. Over 2,000 companies from 69 countries will be exhibiting their services and products for pets on a gross exhibition area of more than 140,000 square metres at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre. 

“We are delighted that Interzoo is acknowledged to be an extraordinarily diverse and professional platform and is consequently in high demand from the global pet industry,” said Gordon Bonnet, Managing Director of WZF and ZZF (German Pet Trade & Industry Association, honorary sponsor of Interzoo).

“Never before in the history of Interzoo did we register more than 2,000 exhibitors from almost 70 countries. This impressive record shows the need for the industry to come together,” added Dr Rowena Arzt, Exhibition Director of Interzoo organiser WZF GmbH – Pet Industry Services.

Throughout the four-day trade fair, Interzoo visitors can profit from an excellent and condensed market overview of the latest trends, products and developments in the global pet supplies industry. The Interzoo experience will be enriched by numerous opportunities to cultivate existing business contacts, get in touch with new clients and initiate post-fair business. In addition to the diverse product range of more than 2,000 exhibitors, Interzoo 2024 offers an attractive supporting programme that addresses key topics and highlights of the pet industry in short conferences, special shows and demonstrations.

One day prior to the opening of Interzoo, Petfood Forum Europe will be co-located with WATT Global Media for the second time at the Nuremberg fairgrounds. On 6 May 2024 the conference places a special focus on innovations in petfood and petfood technology. During the following four days of the trade fair, the Interzoo Country Sessions on countries and regions will provide exciting insights into important growth markets. Also, the topic of sustainability will be highlighted and discussed in a separate session.

“The high internationality among both visitors and exhibitors of Interzoo underlines the importance of international supply chains and global networking within the pet supplies industry,” said Dr Arzt. 

“As a meeting place and source of inspiration for the industry, Interzoo is already showcasing and addressing the developments and trends of tomorrow.”

Trends and innovations are the particular focus of the start-up area in Hall 3 with the Fresh Ideas Stage as a major attraction. On the first three days of the trade fair the stage will be home to presentations on innovative products and companies before hosting the Fresh Idea Contest on the final day of the fair. Innovative and special products are further shown at the Product Showcase at Entrance Mitte.

Interzoo is a trade fair for industry professionals. If you want to visit the biggest Interzoo of all time, you have to legitimise yourself as a trade visitor. This is possible via the Interzoo website. Tickets can be purchased and legitimised easily via the Online TicketShop. With the ticket loaded into the Interzoo App, visitors can use the ‘Fast Lane’ for faster access to the trade fair during the whole week of the fair.

Tickets: www.messe-ticket.de/Nuernberg/interzoo24/

Events programme: www.interzoo.com/en/events-programme

The British group at Interzoo, organised by trade association PetQuip, is one of the largest ever, with 44 companies already confirmed.

The British group will be located in an unparalleled location at the front of hall 9, directly adjacent to one of only two entrances to the entire event. Hall 9 is also the location for the New Product Showcase, a huge visitor draw.

PetQuip offers a stand package which enables exhibitors to simply turn up and display their products, backed by a comprehensive marketing campaign to ther association’s database, press list and social media accounts.

With limited availability, you need to book your space now. Contact emma@petquip.com or call 01959 565995.

For more information click here

An independent pet retailer, which supports animal welfare charities, surprised one of its customers with a special Valentine’s Day package called The LOVE Box.

The London-based online business muthapuppa recently launched its own dog treat called LOVES, with every pack sold helping to rescue abandoned dogs.

As part of its Valentine’s Day package muthapuppa gave away some novel items with every order of LOVES – basically items that dogs love to destroy, like a loo roll, a slipper, a sock plus some other goodies.

Customer Louise ordered three packs of LOVES without seeing the Valentine’s Day promotion. So when the biscuits arrived, she had no idea why they were accompanied by the random items.

Louise wrote to muthapuppa founder Giuseppe Bloom-Mangione, stating: “Thanks so much for the sweets in my delivery. Really lovely surprise and love hearts are my favourites. Just one weird thing, within the packaging was a toilet roll, a slipper and a sock. See attached photo. Just in case you are missing them.”

Giuseppe said: “I replied to Louise and included a video to explain what it was all about. We had a great laugh about it.”

There is a serious side to the muthapuppa business, however, as Giuseppe explained: “We're supporting three charities via the Work For Good platform – Battersea Dogs, All Dogs Matter and Blue Cross. We donate whatever we can, support their events, share their messaging etc.”

Giuseppe and his wife Kim launched the muthapuppa business in 2022 after reading a news story headlined ‘Rescue centres face perfect storm’. It highlighted that rescue centres were reaching crisis point due to dogs being abandoned at an alarming rate.

“I woke up the next morning after reading this and sketched out the business plan for muthapuppa,” he said.

You can read more about muthapuppa’s mission to help rescue centres through sales of their products and donations from customers by clicking here.

More on the LOVES treats can be found by clicking here.

Click here to watch the video that Giuseppe sent to customer Louise.

Manufacturers and suppliers are getting behind PATS 2024 as the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show prepares for its first-ever THREE-DAY event, taking place at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024.

More than 160 companies have already booked their stand space for the showpiece with still eight months to go, and the final number of exhibitors is set to be well over 300, making it the biggest PATS ever staged.

With PATS 2024 taking over all of the exhibition space at the International Centre, this year’s event will also feature the Aquatics Zone, a dedicated area for aquatics and watergardening exhibitors.

Showcasing all the latest launches under one roof, the show’s reputation has grown impressively over the past 15 years since launching in 2009. With such a winning formula, PATS has become the ‘must-visit’ event for UK and international retailers and buyers.

This year’s three-day formula has enticed Supreme Petfoods to return to PATS. Marketing director Claire Hamblion explained: “The pet industry has grown phenomenally in recent years and it’s an exciting time to be returning to PATS. Having an event like PATS, where we can all get together under one roof, provides a unique opportunity to catch up and share insights.

“I think it’s even better that PATS has been consolidated into a single all-encompassing show. Having one large pet trade event not only streamlines the experience for exhibitors and delegates but also helps to elevate the UK pet industry’s prominence on a global scale and we are excited to play our part.

“The timing couldn’t be better. After an exciting start to the year with our recent move into the dog category, PATS is the ideal platform to showcase our new Tiny Friends Farm dog treats, alongside the rest of our popular Tiny Friends Farm and Science Selective small pet brands. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Carina Evans, CEO of Podium Pet Products, summed up why companies can rely on PATS to deliver the best show for the UK and international pet trade. “We are really looking forward to PATS,” said Carina. “The three-day format will undoubtably attract more international buyers and create a professional working environment. I expect it to be a firm fixture in people’s diaries. Having a big show in the Autumn will ensure that our products get noticed at the most important time.”

Snug & Cosy Pets exhibited for the first time at PATS last year and the company’s Luke Finnegan admitted the 2024 event can’t come soon enough. “We are so excited to be a part of it and with both exhibitions merging this year, it is going to be bigger and better than ever. We cannot wait to showcase our luxury pet beds, learn more about enrichment products and network more with the UK pet industry.”

It's a similar story for COYA Pet whose brand manager Amy Spratt said: “We launched our new brand at PATS in 2023 and couldn’t be happier that the event is now bigger than ever. 

PATS has been a fabulous launchpad for us and we’ve gained great traction off the back of it. It’s the perfect platform to launch and grow brands.”

For Irish company Chanelle Pharma, a manufacturer of veterinary products, PATS 2024 will be its third year as an exhibitor. “The event has been successful in terms of gaining new leads and strengthening connections,” said marketing executive Julie Feeney. “This year we anticipate having great conversations with new and existing customers.”

Petface is also thrilled to be a part of PATS 2024 with marketing executive Lauren Summers saying: “We’ll be using this perfect platform to showcase new, fun, and innovative pet products to aid in the entertainment, mental stimulation, health, and care of pets all around the UK.”

Other companies and brands to have already secured their stand space include: Whitebridge, Schesir, Skinners, Pedigree Wholesale, Ancol, Dorwest Herbs and Kong.  Newcomers include Happy Pet, Holistic Hound, Bullybillows and Doodlebone.

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

Ceva Animal Health, world leader in pet behaviour, has launched Happy Snack by FELIWAY, the first and only relaxing liquid snack which comforts cats in challenging and unsettling situations and helps strengthen the relationship between cats and their owners.

Loved by 86% of cats, Happy Snack is a light, delicious creamy snack containing a unique composition featuring alpha-casozepine, a well-known natural milk protein with proven appeasing properties.

Cats thrive on routine and Happy Snack creates a relaxing and calm environment to strengthen the human-animal bond, enabling cats and their owners to share a special moment of happiness. In a lickable format, Happy Snack is convenient for cats and kittens from 12 weeks of age, on the move and in the home, and can be used directly from the sachet, on food or from a finger.

“Seventy-two per cent of cats exhibit at least one stress-related behaviour such as scratching the furniture, urinating or defecating outside the litter tray and hiding away for long periods of time,” says Claire Gibbs, marketing manager at Ceva Animal Health.

“FELIWAY is now a household name to many cat lovers, with more than 14 million cats worldwide having benefited from its use. Happy Snack can comfort cats in stressful situations and strengthen the relationship between cats and their owners, giving cat owners even more options to enable them to live happily with their cats.”

Commenting on the launch of Happy Snack, feline behaviourist, Lucy Hoile, adds: “I am very excited about Happy Snack, as I think there is a real gap for in the market!  Something delicious, that a person can give easily to a cat, is a great tool to help with general distraction and bond building.”

Providing solutions to cat owners to live ‘Happy Together’ with their cats has been Ceva’s drive for innovation since 1996.  As a pioneer in companion animal behaviour, the global veterinary health company has built a strong reputation and expertise in this area as the FELIWAY range has grown.

Happy Snack by FELIWAY is available in packs of six sachets. For information visit www.feliway.com/uk.

HOWND has launched its latest plant powered recipe – Delicious Pumpkin, Quinoa & Moringa Superfood. The new vet-approved and nutritionally complete flavour is available in 2kg and 10kg sizes and comes in improved fully recyclable packaging. 

The new recipe contains super nutritious and highly palatable pumpkin - a digestive reset ingredient for dogs with upset stomachs, recovering from illness or those who have lost interest in their current food – as well as quinoa, sweet potato, cranberry and algae-based Phytodroitin, an innovative vegan supplement to support joints through all life stages. 

“Our mission was to create a new complete superfood option that was not only directed at gut health but would also taste great. The our taste and digestibility trials have been hugely successful,” said Jo Amit, Product Director. 

Delicious Pumpkin Quinoa & Moringa is designed for dogs with food allergies and intolerances. Like all HOWND plant-powered superfoods, the new recipe is high in protein, low in fat and purines, and free from soya, wheat, meat, diary, fish, diary and GMO ingredients. 

Delicious Pumpkin Quinoa & Moringa is available now to UK trade and via the brand’s distributor network in Europe. RRP £15.39 for 2kg and £65.99 for 10kg.

HOWND has a single mission: to improve the health and wellbeing of dogs without unnecessary harm to other animals and the planet. 

The company’s core ethos and values have never wavered, and since 2015, HOWND has evolved into a multi award-winning ethical lifestyle brand for dogs in the UK and overseas. The company was named as one of the most ethical businesses in the world by The Good Shopping Guide in January 2024, emerging top dog in categories such as environmental impact, animal welfare, and public record with a score of 98/100. The prestigious list of the Top 200 Ethical Companies and Brands recognised HOWND's commitment to positive ethical practices as they were independently certified through Ethical Accreditation by The Good Shopping Guide.

Pawer Water, the leading force in canine wellness hydration supplements, has introduced its new 12-stick Pouch, designed for a monthly regimen, along with its 5-stick Introduction Pouch.

 “At Pawer Water, we advocate a well-rounded wellness routine, emphasizing the importance of balance by alternating between clear water and Pawer Water. Active ingredients need their space to deliver optimal benefits to our furry friends,” said Tanya Malcom, Pawer Water's lead nutritionist. “Our formula empowers dog parents to provide a regular wellness boost, two to three times a week, or even daily for rapid rehydration.”

The Pawer Water 12-stick Pouch is tailor-made for online marketplaces and pet retailers, strategically designed to offer dog owners a monthly regimen, ensuring recurring customers. This format prioritizes needs, convenience, and affordability, giving retailers an irresistible proposition: 12 sticks for the price of 10, a win-win for pet parents!

"Listening carefully to our retailers and partners’ feedback after our soft launch, we've decided to introduce two pouches to meet their diverse needs. One provides a full month of advanced wellness hydration for pet owners, securing swift returns for our retailers, and an exclusive Introduction 5-stick Pouch for online marketplaces, offering an accessible entry point," commented Nathalie Ohana, founder of Pawer Water.

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

Yet, what truly sets Pawer Water apart is not just its premium formula but also its exquisite design and considerate recyclable packaging. Celebrated for its 'Tiffany meets Fortnum and Mason blue,' Pawer Water is the new must-have accessory, whether on a leisurely park stroll or tucked away in a travel bag.

For further information visit: www.pawerwater.com

CVS has opened a new state-of-the-art small animal veterinary practice on Alfreton Road in Derby to care for pets in the local area.

The new £1.3 million Ambivet complex is a 3,500 square ft. building on Northedge Business Park. It houses the very latest veterinary facilities and equipment.

Four consulting rooms offer a significant number of vet and nurse appointments, along with two operating theatres and a specialist dental suite. The site also houses an in-house laboratory and digital x-ray facilities. To keep stress to a minimum for patients, the practice has a large reception area with separate feline and canine waiting areas, in addition to separate dog and cat hospital wards.

Three highly skilled veterinary surgeons will initially work at the new practice. They will care for a wide range of companion animals. A wide range of services will be offered such as; vaccinations, surgery and dentistry, X-ray, hospitalisation for day cases and blood testing. In addition, three veterinary nurses and two patient care advisors will run pet health clinics and look after clients and their pets.

Ambivet Derby will also run The Healthy Pet Club to offer preventative health treatment for puppies, kittens, cats, dogs and rabbits.

Esther Wroughton Regional Director at Ambivet Derby, said: “We wanted to build a brand new practice in the heart of Derby to offer the best level of veterinary care and more appointments to local clients and their pets. Our new facilities and experienced veterinary team mean we’ll be able to provide surgery and treatments right here – in addition to routine procedures and regular check-ups.’’

The new Ambivet Derby practice offers easy access and ample parking to clients and animal patients. Full disabled access has also been built. Its opening hours will be Monday to Friday 08.30am until 18.00pm and Saturay 09.00am until 13.00pm. Emergency care will be offered at Ambivet’s main Heanor branch, after hours and at weekends.

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The British Independent Retailers Association has called the news that The Body Shop getting ready to appoint administrators in the UK as 'sad' and has said the government still needs to do more to protect the high street.

Bira, who work with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said that the economy needs growth to restore consumer confidence and keep the high street alive.

It has been reported that The Body Shop's UK businesses is set to appoint administrators this week in a move which is likely to see shop closures and job losses.

The Body Shop was bought from private equity firm Aurelius just a few weeks ago, and trading over the Christmas period had not been as strong as they had anticipated.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira said: "It seems that we hear about the demise of a national retailer every few month – this time it is The Body Shop. A stalwart of the high street, it is sad news and we hope that the employees and franchisees are looked after whilst the future of this chain is decided.  

"There is no doubt that since the cost of living crisis started in 2022, life on the high street has been very difficult for retailers large and small. Shoppers have felt inclined to spend less on so-called non-essential items and official retail sales figures are showing decline in sales volumes. The loss of The Body Shop should serve as a reminder to the Chancellor that the economy needs growth and he should use his upcoming budget to restore consumer confidence by focusing on economic stability and growth. High streets and local shops are vital to communities everywhere and more needs to be done to help them through these very challenging times."

Mr Goodacre stressed that the budget next month would be an ideal time for the government to help save the high street and had set out its five item wish list to help.

The Body Shop was set up in 1967 by the late Dame Anita Roddick and has changed hands three times since it was sold by the founder in 2006. It is believed to employ 10,000 people and operates in around 3,000 stores in more than 70 countries.
 

Parkvets Footscray Hospital, which is part of the Parkvets group and IVC Evidensia network, was recently awarded with Gold Rabbit Friendly Status on the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) directory.

The RWAF aims to recognise the best care for Rabbits across the UK and the EU, and Footscray Hospital is one of only 20 practices in the UK to hold this prestigious award. 

Having achieved the Silver Status approximately 7 months ago, the practice team continued to strive for higher standards and better care for their rabbit patients. 

In September 2023, Dr Sam Mak, who is a keen member of the exotic unit, completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Exotic Animal Practice and the practice team decided that they were ready to apply for a Gold Status.

Along with only a handful of other practices, they will now be featured in the RWAF online directory and recommended as one of the best rabbit-friendly practices in the country.

This Gold Status Award is a highly recognised accolade that follows a rigorous assessment process conducted by the RWAF including their expert advisor. The judging criteria for the award includes, but is not limited to, the knowledge of the veterinary staff, rabbit-related policies and protocols, and practice environment and equipment. 

Detailed submissions are also required on veterinary advice and care regarding different practice areas, including routine checks, husbandry advice, dentistry, anaesthesia and analgesia, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Features of the rabbit care unit at Footscray Hospital: 

• Specialised staff CPD that featured handling, anatomy, and emergency & critical care
• Prominent exotics information in the ward and additional anaesthetic sheets
• 24hr hospitalisation for exotic patients and a separate exotics prey species ward
• Separate consult room with easier exit so patients don’t have to spend time with other species
• Specialised rabbit & rodent medication
• Rabbit-specific dental kits

Deborah Hayes, Practice Manager for Parkvets, commented: “I’m so proud of the entire team for achieving this certification from the RWAF and making Footscray a nationally recognised centre for rabbit care and welfare. 

“They have worked so hard in making sure that we can extend our utmost care to our exotics patients and I’m looking forward to seeing many more rabbits in practice!”

Parkvets own eight branches located across south-east London and north-west Kent and are part of the wider IVC Evidensia network of practices across the UK.

While this Gold Status from the RWAF highlights Footscray Hospital as one of the best for rabbit care in the UK, two of the team believe it will be a launchpad for more personal accreditations and specialisms in the future.

Dr Sam Mak BVM&S PgC (EXaP) MRCVS, a Veterinary Surgeon at Footscray who is currently working towards becoming an Advanced Practitioner, said: “We are so pleased with this Gold Status from the RWAF, which is testament to our dedication in achieving the very best veterinary care for our rabbit patients.

"I’m hoping this will provide a launchpad for further personal accolades amongst the wider team, so we can continue to grow and develop our knowledge and skills in exotic animal practice.”

Kiana McCabe RVN, BSc (Hons), APVN (AHM), is also working towards her final certificate that will complete a Diploma in Zoological Nursing (DipVNZS). She added: “We’re so lucky to work at a practice that not only provides the best equipment and facilities, but also pushes us to be our best for our patients. The team have a huge number of relevant qualifications between them, and patients are always in good hands when they visit us.

“I can’t wait to see what we can achieve following this new Gold Status from the RWAF – hopefully a lot more happy and healthy rabbits at Footscray!”

You can find out more about Parkvets group and Footscray Hospital via the website here.

Regional support teams from IVC Evidensia pulled together to take on a 125-mile walk from Hull to Blackpool, all so they can raise money for IVC Evidensia’s charity partner, StreetVet.

The team took on the first leg of their journey by starting at Kingston Veterinary Group in Hull on 15 January and proceeded to visit as many practices as they could along the way. 

They passed the baton onto the remaining nine teams who all completed legs of the huge journey. The final team managed to reach the final destination in Blackpool on 26 January.

Originally the target for fundraising was £1,000 but the combined efforts of the ten teams managed to smash that target by raising over £1,800 between them. This will go into the main total for IVC Evidensia’s StreetVet fundraising, which now stands at over £35,000.

If you would like to donate to the team’s total, please visit the JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/justine-rossetti-1699623789881

Leading veterinary group CVS announced it had acquired Ark Animal Services Limited on Monday (12 February).

Ark Veterinary Surgery, also known as Ark Vets, is a first opinion, small animal veterinary practice based over two sites in Mobberley, near Knutsfords, and Northwich in Cheshire.

The practice has an excellent local reputation and an experienced team of 25 vets, nurses, patient care assistants and receptionists.

The former owners of the practice, David Walker and Jeff Pye, will both remain at the practice as Clinical Directors.

CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia.

For more information about CVS Group visit www.cvsukltd.co.uk.

Cat product inventor Victor Carpio clinched an investment offer for his innovative Dental Wand when he appeared on BBC One’s hit programme Dragons’ Den. He accepted Deborah Meaden’s offer of £45,000 for 40% of his business.

Victor appeared in the Den last Thursday, demonstrating the Dental Wand to the Dragons and claiming his product was the cat-friendly way to brush a cat’s teeth.

He explained that he tried brushing his cat’s teeth with a tooth brush but it proved to be a disturbing experience for both. Victor realised that he wasn’t the only cat owner that struggled with cleaning his pet’s teeth, so he decided to create the Dental Wand.

Victor went into the Den and asked for £45,000 in return for 10% of the business. He received two offers of the full amount for 40% equity from both Deborah Meaden and Touker Suleyman before deciding to go with the former.

You can watch the Dragons’ Den featuring Victor on BBC iplayer by clicking here. Victor appears 14 minutes into the programme.

For more information about the Dental Wand visit www.inventorcat.co.uk

A car that crashed into a pet shop, forcing it to close, has finally been removed from the building…seven days after the incident.

The car smashed through the front of Feathers and in Wakefield on Sunday, January 28. It was only removed on Tuesday as repair work to the store started.

An online fundraising appeal was launched to help the pet shop recover from the car crashing through the store front.

Lindsay Ward, a friend of the pet shop owners Cassy Coldwell and Lily Barnes, launched the appeal on the GoFundMe website with a fundraising target of £500. Within hours that target had been smashed. The latest total is £1,605 from 86 donations.

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

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

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

The GoFundMe page can be visited by clicking here.

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

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

An award-winning pet business, which has experienced dramatic growth over the past seven years, has changed its name to The Pets Larder.

Natural Cornish Pet Shop has developed from a small store and doggy day-care centre to a business that now boasts large warehouse facilities, its own range of quality pet food and treats, plus a wholesale division.

The company built up a strong online presence during the pandemic, becoming a lifeline to pet owners through its door-to-door delivery service.  Its success is based on excellent customer service, an expanding range of quality products, subscription offers and loyalty schemes.

The Pets Larder is headed by Katy Peck, the founder of the Natural Cornish Pet Shop. She has been the creative side of the business and developing a product range which includes Alfora pet food, fish treats, chews and peanut butter.

Pictured: Natasha Long (Operations Manager), Sophie McCabe (Warehouse Manager), Alex Shaw (Customer Service & Dispatch) Katy Peck (Founder) and her son Merlin, Sadie Dalley (Customer Service & Dispatch).

Katy said: “The Pets Larder is to stand for all that the Natural Cornish Pet Shop began with. We will house all the same award-winning brands, and we will also expand our offering beyond that of just dogs and cats to include all companion animals and wildlife over the coming months. We see this as our opportunity to offer and grow our curated range of selected products to create a one stop shop for our loyal fan base, whilst using our knowledge of the pet industry to continue to deliver exceptional value for money in the products we choose to sell. Customers can be safe in the knowledge that no compromises have been taken when bringing them the best pet products.

“Many of our customers discover our range when needing to look outside the box when faced with dietary and health issues for their pets. We stock an extensive range of grain free foods, chews and treats. The products we stock are chosen for their simplistic transparent ingredient lists, (containing no nasties) and, using our knowledge of what to look for when shopping for our beloved companions. Many dogs, cats and companion animals like humans suffer from intolerances and variety is definitely the spice of life. 

“We have a mixture of dog friendly cafes, farm shops, groomers and independent pet shops stocking our range of Cornish treats. It is our aim to establish a core range of basic pet care products for all companion animals and, to become the one stop shop for owners’ care needs. Our team has extensive backgrounds in animal care, and firsthand experience with a range of pet health care issues.”

The business was awarded Pet Shop of the Year in 2021 at the PetQuip Awards and the Most Sustainable Pet Products Supplier in the South West Awards.

For further information visit: www.thepetslarder.co.uk

GA Pet Food Partners has introduced a new look to its promotional materials that provide in-depth information about its ranges and recipes.

GA specialise in offering pet shops the unique opportunity to create their own brand of pet food in a few simple steps. Once their brand has been created, one of the many services that GA provides its partners is promotional materials that they can use in their pet shops.

The new promotional materials include Product Lists, Product Guides, Booklets, Leaflets, A1 wallcharts and much more. This is provided for each range, including Superfood 65, Grain Free, Super Premium, Goodness Grains and Connoisseur Cat.

Marketing executive Mathew Aiken said: “We have listened to feedback from our valued partners about our previous promotional materials and we recognise that for our partners to progress and showcase their own brand to their customers, there is an ongoing need for promotional materials to be more engaging, clear and appealing. The team here at GA have worked extremely hard to bring new and creative concepts to our partners, and early feedback from them has been excellent.”

In addition to physical copies of the promotional materials, which GA prints for its partners free of charge, partners can also now download each asset from an online platform that they have access to 24/7. These promotional materials can be utilised on their websites and social media channels if they wish to do so.

GA continues to work with its partners to develop new promotional materials that helps support the growth of their own brand.