News that PATS – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – will be a THREE-DAY exhibition in 2024 has been warmly welcomed by both exhibitors and visitors alike.

PATS 2024, to be staged from Sunday 29th September to Tuesday 1st October 2024 at Telford International Centre, will become one all-encompassing show as the two PATS exhibitions – previously held in Telford and Sandown Park, merge into one.

Many key exhibitors have already reserved their space at the show, which will take over the entire Telford International Centre, giving the organisers the ability to accommodate more than 350 exhibitors, compared with this year’s record number of 256.

The new show format will also enhance its appeal to international visitors. PATS organisers will be working closely with PetQuip to encourage an increasing number of international buyers to the show, making PATS 2024 a truly international event.

The new three-day show will retain all its popular features including the New Product Showcase and Awards, the New Starter Zone, grooming workshops and show-only deals and discounts, and this year will also include a separate Aquatics Zone.

There will also be free entry for visitors, a free show catalogue, free parking for up to 1,300 cars and a complimentary tea/coffee voucher. 

For all the latest information visit www.patshow.co.uk or call the organisers’ offices on 01892 862848

HOWND has been named one of the most ethical businesses in the world by The Good Shopping Guide. The Good Shopping Guide rated HOWND from head to tail, and they emerged top dog in categories such as environmental impact, animal welfare, and public record. 

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.

"We're over the moon about this recognition from The Good Shopping Guide," says Jo Amit, Co-Founder at HOWND. "Being named one of the Top 200 Ethical Companies with a rating of 98 out of 100 is a reflection of the heart and soul we pour into being ethical in our choices every day. Being ethical isn't a destination for us; it's our journey.” 

“This recognition isn't the finish line; it's our fuel to keep pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in ethical business practices. So, what's next for HOWND? More of the good stuff, more innovation, and more reasons for you to feel great about supporting a company that's not just in business for business's sake but for the greater good.”

HOWND  has a single mission: to improve the health and wellbeing of dogs without unnecessary harm to other animals and the planet. Its core ethos and values has never wavered. Since 2015, HOWND has evolved into a multi award-winning ethical lifestyle brand for dogs in the UK and overseas.

The Pet Industry Federation was saddened to learn of the recent death of esteemed pet nutritionist, John Murray, of Woodbridge, Suffolk. 

John worked in the field of animal nutrition for most of his career and was at one time head of nutrition for a major feed supplement company. In addition, he was involved with food processing technology and raw material development in both the animal and human food world. 

He spent time spent in Kenya with the World Food Programme making food for refugees and in other countries around the world. Towards the end of this career, he concentrated on horse and small animal nutrition, particularly dogs, developing new treats and complete foods for pet food companies. 

PIF had worked with John on many nutrition projects and recommended his expertise on nutritional matters to many members. He also advised PIF on nutritional issues to support its policy work and training courses. 

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, had known and worked with John for nearly three decades and attended John’s funeral on 16 January. He said: “John was one of the nicest and kindest people you could meet. He was ‘one of a kind’ when it came to pet and animal nutrition. He knew how to formulate recipes in an exceptional way. John will be very sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”

A pet shop in Cumbria has revealed it rehomes more than 100 abandoned animals in 2023.

Little Beaties, in Ulveston, took in 109 pets last year and managed to find them homes.

Owner Mandy Christopher said on the shop’s Facebook page: “I usually start the New Year with a post about the rescue and rehoming work we do. During 2023 we took in and rehomed 109 animals! 

“These range from rabbits, guinea pigs and small rodents to reptiles, birds and tarantulas.

“We cover all the costs by raising money selling used pet items that get donated to us, from the adoption fee when someone rehomes from us, from helping people out and them donating in return and by donations made in our box on the shop counter. 

“We couldn't provide this service if it wasn't for all the lovely people who donate items, adopt from us, share our posts, pop change in the box and spread the word about the work we do so a massive THANK YOU! to you all.”

Visit the shop’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/littlebeasties.ulverston to find out more.

Henry Bell & Co (Grantham) has grown its stable of premium equine feeds with the launch of EquiGlo Cooked Full Fat Linseed. This nutritious and natural product can be included in all feeding regimes for condition, performance and general wellbeing.

It is made in the UK from pure, great-quality linseed that has been micronised and milled to improve the availability of ingredients and allow higher digestible energy levels. Low in sugar and starch, the feed is suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis, while its calorie-rich content helps equines to remain full and energised for longer. 

EquiGlo Cooked Full Fat Linseed is BETA NOPS-approved, extremely palatable and a good source of slow-release energy. It provides high-quality protein to support muscle development and recovery, and has an excellent fibre profile, with a range of soluble and insoluble fibres. Rich in natural antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, and flavonoids to help support tissue structure, the feed also includes a wide range of minerals and trace elements, and essential fatty acids Omega 3, 6 and 9 to promote glossy coats and healthy skin.

The feed is particularly beneficial for horses and ponies on forage or fibre-based diets and can be fed directly from the bag or used as a top dressing with hard feeds or EquiGlo Quick Soak 10 Minute Beet. 

“We are delighted to introduce EquiGlo Cooked Full Fat Linseed to our collection of equine feeds and treats,” said Henry Bell Trading Director Simon Parker. “It offers retailers a fantastic opportunity to stock a quality supplementary feed at a really good price point. 

“Henry Bell has been a trusted name in the animal feed sector since 1825 and we are immensely proud of the knowledge and expertise that underpins our EquiGlo range. We are confident that EquiGlo Cooked Full Fat Linseed will prove to be extremely popular with equine owners.”

For further information, telephone 01476 565761 or email info@equiglohorsefeeds.co.uk.

OSCAR Pet Foods has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.

Feefo established the Trusted Service Awards in 2014 to recognise brands that use the platform to collect verified reviews and receive exceptional feedback from their customers. The awards are unique because they truly reflect a business's dedication to providing outstanding customer service by analysing feedback from real customers.

Working with over 6,500 brands, Feefo is the world's largest provider of verified reviews, helping brands understand customers by analysing verified reviews and providing insight into trends, needs and habits.

Consumer confidence is now at its highest level since 2021 as living standard show signs of improvement, but consumers remain cautious with their spending. The businesses that stand out will be those who put excellence in their service and weave in a customer advocacy strategy. This award celebrates brands that are delivering standards that go above and beyond.  

Feefo has presented Platinum Trusted Service Awards to businesses that have achieved Gold standard for three consecutive years. To receive a Gold Trusted Service Award, businesses must have collected at least 50 reviews with a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 4.9 between 1^st January 2023 and 31^st December 2023.

Richard Martin, Managing Director of OSCAR Pet Foods, commented: “We’re so excited to receive a Platinum Trusted Service Award from Feefo. Keeping our customers happy is our priority. So, the fact that this award is based on feedback from real customers gives us confidence we are providing an exceptional level of service. The award reflects how hard OSCAR and our franchisees work to listen to our customers and keep them happy, especially in a climate where purse strings are tight. As we enter 2024, we’ll continue to listen to our customers and deliver what our customers want.”

Congratulating OSCAR Pet Foods on winning this year’s award, Tony Wheble, CEO at Feefo, said: “With customers continuing to build resilience in a time of economic uncertainty, we’re delighted to showcase thousands of our clients who are continuing to go above and beyond for each and every customer.  

“The Trusted Service Awards have always been about recognising companies that go way beyond the norm in customer service and in turn receive great feedback from delighted customers. 

The Pet Industry Federation has revealed the initial line-up of short, hour-long webinars taking place over the next few weeks to support its members in their professional development. 

The webinars will cover a range of topics including how to scale Meta adverts, a clipper and scissor workshop, a new way to feed raw and look into salon management software.

The webinars are free to attend for PIF members and some of them will also be open to non-members. More webinars are being planned and will be uploaded to the PIF website when they have been confirmed. PIF aims to develop a webinar programme which covers the whole year. 

Daniel Everett, PIF Operations Manager who has designed the organisation’s webinar programme, said: "We know from talking to our members that keeping up to date with knowledge and training to help their business is a really key reason for them joining PIF.

"We are developing a wide-ranging programme which covers bases for all of our members and allows for easy access during their busy working week.

"We are grateful to the experts who are willing to devote their time and share their knowledge on these insightful webinars and delighted to reveal the schedule so far."

For further information about the webinar schedule and to register to attend them visit: https://petfederation.co.uk/events/

To find out more about PIF membership and to join visit www.petfederation.co.uk

The chaotic yet exciting time of the year has passed us by, and now all we are left with are extra pounds on the belly and the rest of a dreary Winter ahead. But fear not! This is where New Year's resolutions kick in, and your customers will be heading out to their local pet shop to find healthy foods and help set new wholesome habits for their pets. The key is not to set unrealistic dietary goals for the year but to make simple changes that will sustainably support dog health.

It is said that 50% of dogs suffer from obesity, and this number may increase in the next few years. If your customers feel like they need to reset their dog's diet, guiding them to healthier food choices is an excellent way to start the year. Cooper & Co believes in a healthy diet for dogs through simple, wholesome recipes – free from grain to aid digestion and made with ingredients that have a unique purpose and benefit for dogs to lead a happy, wholesome lifestyle. 

Cooper & Co was developed in-house by Pedigree Wholesale to provide a perfectly balanced diet for Cooper, the dog owned by the company's CEO, Steve Brown. It's always been really important to the family that Cooper is fed a simple and wholesome diet containing only the finest quality ingredients, grain-free and full of all the essential energy, nutrients, vitamins and minerals dogs need for a happy, healthy life.

The range is comprehensive and fits all dog lifestyles – whether dog owners want to provide a diet suitable for sensitive tummies, very active dogs, or one targeted to their young, adult, or senior pets. Offering complete, high-meat dry dog food and two different types of treats – air-dried sausage slices and biscuits – Customers will love the Cooper & Co range. They can be reassured by its natural credentials and science-backed ingredients and benefits.

With category-leading margins across the entire range and in-store support, Cooper & Co can help your sales and offer your customers the right balanced diet for dogs. Simple.

Cooper & Co is available to purchase through Pedigree Wholesale and is exclusively available to the specialist pet trade. The whole range is on sale throughout January, a great time to launch Cooper & Co in-store and introduce it to new customers. Find out more about the range and the portfolio of products by visiting the Pedigree Wholesale website: https://petproducts.co.uk/cooper-co/ 

direct to your e-mail inbox...

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

New research from the Royal Veterinary College VetCompass programme has found that English Cockers Spaniels have an increased risk of disorders such as ear discharge, dry eye and musculoskeletal pain, but have reduced risk of allergies, alopecia (hair loss) and osteoarthritis.

This research will help vets, breeders and dog owners to predict what problems English Cocker Spaniels might develop, better monitor their health and promote earlier diagnosis.

The English Cocker Spaniel is a popular dog breed in the UK and has been generally considered to have reasonably robust health. However, the UK Kennel Club still recommends that breeders should screen English Cocker Spaniels for a number of health conditions including eye disorders, hip dysplasia and some additional hereditary conditions.

The RVC’s VetCompass programme has previously published research1 describing the most common disorders in English Cocker Spaniels but this new study goes much further by comparing the risk of a range of common disorders in the breed against the risk in all remaining other types of dogs in the UK. This will help the sector to understand the welfare costs and gains from breeding and owning English Cocker Spaniels.

The study compared the risks of a range of common disorders between random samples of 2,510 English Cocker Spaniels against 7,813 dogs of all other types from a study population of 336,865 dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016.

Overall, the English Cocker Spaniel had 1.12 times the risk of having at least one disorder diagnosed annually compared to other dogs. From the 43 most common disorders across both groups of dogs, the English Cocker Spaniel had a higher risk of 21 conditions compared with a lower risk of just 11. Taken together, these suggest different and somewhat poorer overall health in the English Cocker Spaniel compared to other dogs overall.

Ear discharge was the disorder with highest risk in English Cocker Spaniels, with the breed almost 15 times more likely to have the condition. This may be linked to the pendulous ear flaps which are typical of the breed and favoured by the general public but may predispose these dogs to ear infections.

Other disorders with high risk in English Cocker Spaniels included keratoconjunctivitis sicca (x7.6 times risk; dry eye, not producing enough tears in the eyes), musculoskeletal pain (x7.1) and subcutaneous mass (x4.9; tumour).

Allergy and atopic dermatitis (itchy, dry, inflamed skin) were the conditions with the lowest risk in English Cocker Spaniels, with the breed being seven times less likely to develop these conditions. Other disorders that English Cocker Spaniels were protected from were alopecia (x-2.9), pododermatitis (x-2.9; inflammation of the paw) and retained deciduous tooth (x-2.9; baby tooth not shed). This shows the complexity of trying to understand breed health.

It is hoped that these results can support breeding organisations to establish key priorities and outline the health-based reforms needed to protect the welfare of the English Cocker Spaniel. They may also help owners when deciding which breed to get and how to look after breeds that are already owned.

Dr Karolina Engdahl, Epidemiologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and lead author of the paper, said: “This study helps to increase the awareness of health issues in the English Cocker Spaniel by reporting conditions that the breed is especially prone to develop. Based on the results, we recommend the owners to keep an extra eye out for ear and eye disorders and masses in or just under the skin and in the mammary glands.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said: “The Cockapoo is now the UK’s second most popular dog breed acquired as a puppy. Given that the Cockapoo was invented by crossing the English Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, prospective Cockapoo owners should be aware of potentially higher risks of ear and eye problems that may be carried over from the English Cocker Spaniel to this new Cockapoo breed. This may be a particular problem for those Cockapoos that retain the pendulous ears and loose facial skin typical of their English Cocker Spaniel parent.”

Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeding Services Executive at The Kennel Club, said: “This research, supported by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, enables us and all those who care about the health of this much-loved breed to know and understand more about their health. We’re pleased this study indicates that Cocker Spaniels don’t appear to suffer from a high prevalence of specific diseases, other than those which appear to be fairly common for all dogs. 

“It does however remain crucial that puppy buyers do thorough research regarding health and go to a responsible breeder; this plays an important part in improving the health and welfare of all breeds, now and in generations to come. We also continue to urge breeders to make use of the resources and tools available to them to improve and protect dog health.”

This paper included research work from 10 undergraduate veterinary students, showing how VetCompass is now opening up the research opportunities for non-traditional sectors to get involved in active research.

A vet professional who lectures internationally on nurse consulting and nutrition, alongside many contributions to an array of publications and textbooks, has won the Bruce Vivash Jones Veterinary Nurse Award from the BSAVA.

Nicola Lakeman, who is IVC Evidensia’s Nutrition Manager and based at their Bristol HQ, has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to the advancement of small animal veterinary nursing, the winners of which were announced in December 2023. 

The award ceremony itself will take place in March 2024 at BSAVA Congress in Manchester.

Nicola graduated from Hartpury College with an honour’s degree in Equine Science, and subsequently qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002, after originally working in veterinary practice in 1992.

She is now the editor for Veterinary Nurse journal and has written for The Consulting Veterinary Nurse and Companion Animal Nutrition textbooks, alongside writing several chapters in a range of textbooks on nutrition and VN consulting. 

Last year she gave lectures across the UK at various conferences, in the USA (Philadelphia and in Denver), France and Australia. This year she will be continuing her lectures in the USA (Minneapolis and Texas), as well as lecturing in Romania, Australia and back here in the UK. 

Nicola said: “I am really honoured to be awarded the Bruce Vivash Jones Veterinary Nurse Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of small animal veterinary nursing within the profession as a whole. 

“Nurse consulting has always been a huge passion of mine and its importance in animal welfare, owner education and improving clinical outcomes cannot be underestimated.

“Helping to spread the knowledge of consultation skills really enables more RVNs to consult and help more animals. Working within a team that supports and enables you to do this is vital and working for IVC Evidensia practices and at Central HQ since 2002 has made all of this possible.”

Liz Cox, Group Veterinary Nursing Advisor for IVC Evidensia, commented: “As a nursing collective, we always try to support our RVNs to ensure they are given all the tools they need to perform effectively in their roles. 

“Nicola is a shining example of someone we crucially rely on to not only provide that support, but also positively contribute to the industry as a whole, making our profession a better place to work in.

“I am so glad she has been recognised by the BSAVA and I hope this award will propel her to even greater heights.”

Carrie Pulsford, acting chair of the Nurse Board, added: “I’m thrilled to hear of Nicola’s award win and her contribution to small animal veterinary nursing. We’re very lucky to have someone as talented and knowledgeable in our network of RVN’s and I can’t wait to see what she does next in her highly regarded career.”

You can find out more about veterinary nursing at IVC Evidensia, alongside the Nursing Board on the website here.

Winter can be a fun time for pets, but with forecasts of an ‘arctic blast’ on the way, PDSA experts are warning owners to keep our four-legged friends safe and warm in the wintry conditions. Pets can be at risk of hypothermia if they get too cold, but it’s also important to ensure they stay active during freezing temperatures. 

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, asked their Vet Nurse Nina Downing to put together her top tips on keeping our pets cosy and safe through the big freeze.

Dogs

• Giving dogs their daily walks is important for their physical and mental health, even during the colder months. Try to do this during daylight hours if possible, and consider getting a good dog coat.
• LED collars or high-vis leads are a good investment, to help keep both you and your pooch visible if you’re braving the dark nights and mornings.
• If your dog gets wet while out, dry them off as soon as possible. If you drive your dogs to walks, then keeping a towel in the car is a good idea.
• Check their paws after walks too, as snow can build up and form clumps on the fur between dogs’ toes, which can be painful. Salt and grit can also irritate their pads, so when they return from winter walks it’s a good idea to wash their paws in warm water. Keep the fur between their toes trimmed short, and you can even use some paw butter or pet-friendly skin cream which may prevent their pads becoming dry and sore.
• Don’t leave dogs in cars – the inside temperature can quickly become as cold as the outside, even if you’ve just been driving with the heating on.
• Never leave dogs locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
• Watch out for ice, this can be slippery for them as well as us, and if it’s broken it can even cut their paws. Keep dogs off icy surfaces, and definitely keep them away from any frozen lakes and ponds.
• If your dog is very young, elderly, skinny or poorly then they are at higher risk of hypothermia. They can’t control their body temperature well so need extra care to keep them warm. High risk pets should only go outside for short times in cold weather, and should be closely supervised. Give them extra bedding and consider getting a pet-safe heat mat.

Nina added: “It’s worth considering whether your dog would benefit from a good winter coat to keep them warm and dry. Pets that are young, old, unwell, or that have very thin fur, can all benefit from this extra protection. Make sure coats fit well and don’t restrict your dog’s movement.”

Cats

• Make sure your cat has a warm, comfy bed, in a draught free area of the house. If possible, make sure this is raised off the floor – cats are often more comfortable when higher up and it will keep them out of the coldest draughts.
• Never leave cats locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
• If your cat prefers to stay indoors during very bad weather, help them stay active by providing toys and enrichment activities. This will ensure they don’t miss out on vital exercise. Also make sure they have a litter tray that’s kept clean, so they don’t have to go outside if they don’t want to.
• If your cat prefers to spend time outside, make sure they can always come inside when they want to. Providing an alternative option, in case cat flaps get frozen shut or blocked by snow, is also a good idea.

Nina continued: “It’s really important that our pets stay active during the winter – don’t let them become a coach potato! This can be challenging when the weather is uninviting, but many dogs and cats still enjoy exploring the great outdoors even during the cold and the wet.”

She also has some advice for keeping smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets cosy in the cold weather:

Small pets

• Bring hutches under shelter – a shed or car-free garage is ideal, to protect them from draughts, rain and snow. Pets that are used to living outdoors can find a centrally heated home a stark contrast, so a cooler room is better, if you bring them indoors. Make sure they have access to natural light and an exercise run.
• Bulk up bedding – give small pets extra bedding during the winter, so they can snuggle right down to keep warm.
• Provide protection – if there’s no option than to keep hutches outdoors, then drape a blanket or piece of carpet over the mesh door to keep out the worst of the weather. You could also use plastic sheeting, but make sure any covers don’t obstruct ventilation.
• Don’t forget to check water bottles or bowls several times a day to make sure they’re not frozen.

For more advice from PDSA experts, go to PDSA’s website pdsa.org.uk/winterhealth

Nominations for the 7th Northern Ireland Agria Veterinary Community Awards 2024 are open. Agria invites you to nominate those individuals that go the extra mile to make the lives of animals, owners and colleagues better. Voting closes on 8^th February 2024

Every day people in the veterinary community devote their skills, time and energy to giving the best possible care to the animals we love.  Often striving beyond the clinical and professional, with kindness, compassion and sensitivity, giving a piece of themselves in their service. 

The Agria Veterinary Community Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise those professionals who care for our beloved pets, and our hardworking and supportive colleagues and have become a key moment of the year in the Northern Ireland veterinary calendar. 

The awards are once again organised by Agria’s Susie Hill, Agria’s Northern Ireland Business Development Manager, and supported by the Young Vet Network, the BVNA and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland who will host them at the AVSPNI Conference in Northern Ireland.  This will take place April 12, 2024 - April 13, 2024 at the Crown Plaza Belfast.

The categories are as follows:

• Vet Nurse of the Year
• Student Vet Nurse of the Year
• Animal Nursing Assistant of the Year
• Receptionist of the Year
• Rescue & Rehoming Champion of the Year
• Clinical Coach of the Year
• Young Vet of the Year

Agria is passionate about animal welfare, and celebrating those who work hard to support this, be they veterinary professionals, or those providing shelter, rehabilitation or rehoming.  Together, we make an amazing team and these awards reflect the importance of encouraging new talent, highlighting inspirational leaders and showing those who diligently serve that we see them and we are thankful.  Remind them what a difference they have made to the lives of others and encourage them to carry on

You still have a month to nominate, so if you are a resident of Northern Ireland, just go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NIVCA24 before 8th February 2024 to put forward those you recognise as having gone that extra mile!

Susie Hill, Business Development Manager for Northern Ireland at Agria Pet Insurance, says: “The day-to-day commitment and dedication shown by practice teams to each other, their clients and pets is absolutely heart-warming, and we cannot wait to see the most-deserving individuals recognised in 2024.” 

Naturaw has taken the UK pet food market by storm in recent years, seeing amazing growth in such a short space of time. Its trend-setting range of products also picked up three New Product Awards at successive PATS exhibitions.

As the Wetherby-based business looks forward to more expansion in 2024, we take a look at the company’s startling success and find out how it all started.

Founders Jess Warneken (above left) and Tom Johnson (above right) with director Chris Broadbent.

How did the Naturaw story begin?

Jess Warneken founded the business, along with Tom Johnson. Back in 2010 Jess completed a degree in Animal Sciences at Lincoln University where, whilst it was predominantly equine based, she elected to complete modules on canine nutrition as part of studies which piqued the interest in nutrition. Tom and Jess were prompted to change all the family’s pets to a raw diet when their beloved Ridgeback Louis began suffering from chronic ear and skin infections. They switched between several brands of dried foods, with varying degrees of improvement, but nothing really cleared it up. After taking the plunge to raw, Louis no longer had any of the dark itchy skin on his belly, nor was he constantly shaking his head and scratching his ears.

That was the inspiration for the business and the family never looked back, adding many new furry faces to the family both feline and canine over the years, all of whom are positively thriving on their species appropriate diet.

Is it true the business started as a retailer of raw food?

For two  years we were solely a retailer of raw food. However, we never felt we could truly stand by products where we believed there were flaws, be it plastic packaging, meat with no provenance or questionable ingredients or ratios. Deep down our passion was always to create something truly special of our own, that we could be proud of. Thankfully Tom has a history in graphic design so we were in the position where we could develop branding/packaging all ourselves (and this is still the case to this day, everything is done in house) which would have otherwise been out of reach to us as a small business. So, in October 2016 we launched our range of raw food made in our own little production kitchen. We proudly launched as the first raw pet food in the UK to have Organically certified (OFG) products.

Was this purely online?

Business started as online direct-to-consumer only when we borrowed warehouse space from Jess’ parents business which was an Organic Veg Box Scheme. As the freezers started to take over we moved to our first dedicated premises. We have since grown dramatically and now feed thousands of dogs a month and have a sizeable trade following with well over 200 independent stockists across the UK. We also have a small click & collect facility for local customers who want to pick up from our factory and HQ here at Thorp Arch, Wetherby.

How did the manufacturing side of the business grow?

We started manufacturing with a second-hand mincer bought from a factory who made sausages for Asda. Quickly demand increased to such an extent that Tom was staying at work and making the food until 4 am so that it was ready to be packed by the team first thing in the morning. This was unsustainable, so Tom and Jess sold their house and invested the proceeds into a mincer and filling machine to upscale the process and meet demand. Produced completely in-house, we crafted every aspect ourselves using our experience and

knowledge. From the coarser mince made from quality cuts of high welfare British meat, to the beautiful compostable packaging – packaging that we strongly believe is labelled to an unbeatable standard in clarity.

Who comes up with the recipes and ingredients for your food?

Jess, of course. Now Jess has two little girls, born in 2020 and 2022, she has stepped back on the day to day and Tom and Cath are tasked with ongoing sourcing of ingredients and planning of production. We have long standing relationships with most suppliers.

Has winning New Product Awards at three successive PATS Telford helped the business?

PATS has been a great success for us. Having exhibited at Telford in September 2021 for the first time we were thrilled to win the New Product Award for our Louis & Ada Natural Treats. To then follow that up with the Dog Food Category wins for Forage in 2022 and then 2023 as overall best new Dog Food Product was amazing. The business has certainly followed as spectacular growth in our stockist base and corresponding sales has seen this important channel now accounting for around 25% of sales.

How have your production facilities changed over the years?

Demand for our range has proved to be unprecedented, and the business has moved both in 2017 to Hessay York and then again in 2021 to our new Headquarters at Thorp Arch, each time quadrupling in size. We now have a 20,000 sq foot factory and warehouse facility with separate offices that future proofs our further expansion plans. Repurposing an ex-DFS warehouse with newly fitted out production kitchens and fully automated production lines in 2021, our facilities have evolved to enable staff to graduate over the years from a mainly manual labour cottage industry to now work with state-of-the-art processes that ensure the very highest levels of safety, quality and efficiency. We are producing hundreds of thousands of tubs of food per month and have the capacity to do much more as demand and product ranges grow.

Is it true you installed a solar power system in your present facility and that it powers your raw food production?

Naturaw was the first Raw Dog Food business in the world to become a B Corp and is the UK’s only raw dog food producer also to have been awarded the King's Award for industry – Sustainable Development. As such, sustainability is central to the business rather than a ‘bolt on’ exercise.

Here are some of the interventions we have put in place over the last three years since moving to Thorp Arch:

• Naturaw is committed to being totally Plastic Free; this has meant dropping certain products that cannot be source without plastic in the last 24 months - as a result of this and our supplier policy, certain 3rd party supplier were dropped in 2021; to ensure we conserve the oceans, only MSC certified sustainably sourced fish and mussels are used in our products
• Working with ‘One Tree Planted’ which is a non-profit organisation dedicated to global reforestation by planting trees to restore nature and biodiversity. Naturaw donated one tree for every subscription or trade order purchased; the scheme is monitored and measured quarterly within the business. In its first year the One Tree Planted project planted 2,500 trees, 12 months on, Naturaw have planted over 13,000 trees; adding 8,000 in the last year. A target of an additional 10,000 in the coming year has been set; the ultimate goal is 100,000 trees by 2030.
• Sustainable packaging across all products that is completely compostable and plastic-free; totally natural, food-safe and GM-free; each tub is sealed with a compostable bio-film and wrapped in an FSC-certified cardboard sleeve, printed with vegetable inks.
• Solar Panels on the factory roof powering all production machinery and c. 40% of total energy requirement for the business
• EV charging points powered by the Solar PV, free charging for all employees

Naturaw delivers products to stockists using an electric van.

Sustainable Credentials:

• Naturaw was awarded the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise in April 2023 for outstanding achievement in Sustainable Development
• Naturaw is a member of the trade body, UK Pet Food (Formerly PFMA)
• Naturaw has Ethical Accreditation from the Ethical Company Guide
• Naturaw is one of only c.1,700 UK companies certified as a B Corporation, the only Raw Pet food manufacturer in the world (at time of print!)

Which has been your bestselling product?

Our range of 500g raw minces come in around 20 flavours across the core range, best sellers include Surf & Turf, Beef & Venison, or Beef & Organic Chicken.Our Forage range is growing at the fastest pace and makes up a substantial volume of sales for customers wanting a complete product. During the Christmas period, our Festive Forage and Festive Original mince are both very popular for the big day!

What’s next for Naturaw?

More initiatives around ‘community’ is next on our list to develop our presence and what we can do to give back in our local area…who knows what else 2024 has in store, watch this space.

Yorkshire-based pet food company Inspired Pet Nutrition became a £200m business in accounts made up to June 2023. 

Currently celebrating 100 years since its establishment in animal feed in 1923, the family-founded company is now daring to dream of becoming a £500m+ sales business within the next five years.

Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) spent the first 25 years growing to a £100 million sales business and then doubled in the following five years through organic growth and the acquisition of Pet Food UK Ltd in 2021. It has not stopped there, with new weekly sales records continuing as momentum across the multiple pet categories it operates within drives new growth.

Richard Page, grandson of the business’ founder James R Page, took over the reins from his father, Bill Page, in 2006. At that time, the business was the home of the Wagg brand, a leading value brand sold in the mass market.  It is now a house of brands, from Wagg and Harringtons to Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU. At the heart of all the brands is the same mission: to make great pet nutrition affordable and accessible to all, no matter the buyer’s price point.

The Page family business was originally set up as a wheat trading business, but quickly moved into producing animal feeds in the mid-1920s. The company stopped producing animal feeds and relaunched as a pet food business, Wagg Foods, in 1990.

In 2007, IPN invested in the Real Pet Food Company, which now houses the manufacturer’s treats kitchen and wet food plant. A year later, the company launched the natural dog food brand Harringtons, starting their mission to make premium pet foods affordable to all without compromising on quality. Harringtons is now the largest dry dog food brand sold in mass markets and also now serves the wet dog, wet cat, and treat pet categories.

The pet food industry and Inspired Pet Nutrition are fast-growing and resilient; L. Catterton became the majority shareholder in 2015 when the business relaunched under its current name from Wagg Foods, and in 2020, private equity business CapVest became the new majority shareholder after a successful sale by L Catterton.

Launching an organic and acquisition-led growth strategy under CapVest, 2021 saw IPN acquire Pet Food UK, home to premium brands Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU. This new buy-and-build approach shows no sign of slowing as IPN aims to become a major player in the category and European landscape.

Commenting on the future, Chairman Richard Page said: “As a family-founded business, there was always limited capital; everything had to be hard-earned and justified. It meant we wasted nothing, turning simple opportunities into money-making methods, took our losses quickly and moved on. Fundamentally, we made decisions and bet on ourselves.

“Hitting the £200 million sales mark is such a milestone for Inspired Pet Nutrition, but we always look ahead. Our financial forecast for the next five years is to more than double the business through both organic growth, by continuing to democratise the areas where we can offer the consumers better value, and  M&A. Alongside this, the coming years will see more waste removed from packaging and the supply chain, improved customer service and a focus on growing our brands into new sub-categories – especially wet feeding and treats.

“Ultimately, our ambition is to become one of the ‘Big Three’ UK pet food manufacturers. We need to acquire more businesses and optimise the strength of our leading brands as they stretch into adjacent categories. Bringing new brands and manufacturing capabilities into the IPN platform will allow us to strive for even better pet nutrition that’s accessible to all.”

Sustainability, as well as affordable nutrition, is key for the business. In 2020, the company became the first major UK pet food manufacturer to be certified carbon-negative, achieved with a combination of accurate carbon assessment and offsetting for its production, manufacturing, office and people. To date, the company has offset over 34,000 tonnes of Co2e and donated 3.5 million meals to pet charities thanks to its Miles & Meals programme.

Through partnerships, the company has set up a lasting sustainable legacy. It’s on a mission to plant one million trees with Ecologi and has partnered with Leeds Beckett University to build a roadmap to Net Zero emissions, including any created in its supply chain. Currently, 95% of IPN’s packaging is recyclable, but the company is aiming for 100% recyclable, reusable or refillable packaging by 2025.

IPN’s unique position within the pet food industry is based on market-leading nutrition. Natural, fresh and meat content that correlates to the buyer’s price point ensures there’s an IPN brand for any pet owner. James Lawson, Chief Technical Officer at IPN, says that the legacy of Yorkshire values has contributed to where the company is now: 

“We still champion the same core Yorkshire values that we see as the DNA of the business – to make great pet nutrition affordable and accessible to all. Whatever the brand or price point, we make sure we invest more quality nutrition in every mouthful than the competition. We continuously improve the taste and digestibility of our foods, particularly using fresh ingredients to assist us in this pursuit of making the very best food money can buy.”

There’s a distinction between IPN’s pet food brands and competitors, which Lawson says comes from joining the dots better than anyone else:

“We start the recipe production process by understanding the taste and nutritional requirements of the pet better than anyone else. We source natural ingredients and farm produce, and then there’s a transformational piece in the middle where we design, make and pack our foods. 

“It’s so simple; by doing this in a technically superior and more cost-effective way, we deliver more natural, nutritional goodness to more pets than anyone else.” 

Swansea-based Dewkes, set up during the Covid pandemic by James and Jane Bygate, is investing £150,000 in the business and has ambitious plans for growth in the next three years.

Dewkes has a shop in The Mumbles, and now a doggy-café welcoming four-legged friends and their owners in Sketty. The company also supplies counter-top selections of treats to pubs, cafes, hotels, holiday destinations and many other establishments. 

“The hospitality industry is picking up on the benefits of creating the right experience for dog owners and their pets, and finding there are substantial rewards,” said James.

The company presently has a turnover of £500,000 and is aiming to double this to £1 million in the next year, increasing the staff of seven to 11 in that time. Within three years, it is hoped to bring the workforce up to 17 to cope with higher demand as turnover rises further.

“Businesses find that looking after both owners and their dogs too can be very good for them and this is why demand for the products is growing so quickly. As we put it, we are looking to cater for dogs with a social life,” added James.

The £150,000 investment package, half of which comprises funds from private investors, has been cornerstoned by Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE in the form of a £75,000 loan. Rob Barber, UKSE Area Manager, said: “We were very impressed by the business plan which demonstrates a route to growth and the potential to create lasting jobs. We wish James and Jane every success as they grow the business and we are delighted to be providing support.”

UKSE works in former steel areas to help create a strong and sustainable economy, providing equity and loan packages to businesses with growth potential, as well as offering high quality business accommodation at their centres in Cardiff and Ebbw Vale. 

Dewkes has received support from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) funded through Welsh Government. This included mentoring and specialist advice on market analysis and planning, coaching and developing a customer relationship management system.

Richard Morris of the Excelerator Consortium, which delivers the AGP programme said: “Seeing Dewkes flourish is a testament to the power of strategic guidance and targeted support. Their success in the burgeoning pet product market is a clear indicator of the Dewkes leadership team’s quality, strategic acumen and market responsiveness.”

The size of the market for pet products has grown exponentially as a result of Lockdown, with some 34% of British homes now having a dog, and is estimated to be worth £1.6 billion and increasing. 

New clients for the business include food service providers such as Castell Howell Foods, Pembrokeshire Foods, Diverse Fine Foods as well as Cotswold Fayre.  These are in addition to other contracts with Haven Holidays and Red Funnel Ferries. “Our products are sold around the UK and with this investment from UKSE in particular we are looking to increase our share of the wholesale market,” added Mr Bygate.

To explore how Dewkes can elevate your hospitality experience with our premium dog snacks and to learn more about our growth journey, visit our website at www.dewkes.co.uk . For trade inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact us at james@dewkes.co.uk or call 01792 986163.

PATS 2024, reverting to its original title of the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show, will introduce a focussed Aquatics Zone to its three-day exhibition, which takes place at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29^th September to Tuesday, 1^st October 2024.

The Aquatics Zone will be a dedicated area for aquatics and watergardening exhibitors and will showcase all of the latest launches from the leading manufacturers and suppliers.

“The launch of the Aquatics Zone at PATS is really exciting and has been welcomed by the aquatics and watergardening sector,” said organiser Gordon Thomas.

“We know from our previous attendance figures that 615 retailers who visited PATS Telford in 2023 had an interest in aquatic products, and that was without any of the major content we have now planned for 2024. We will be working hard in the coming months to ensure the leading suppliers and the right buyers make the Aquatics Zone a great success at PATS 2024.”

“To emphasise the importance of the Aquatics Zone we have revived the original name for PATS – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show.”

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show will be the biggest ever in the exhibition’s 15-year history and will take over the whole of the Telford International Centre.  It will be exclusively a TRADE ONLY event.

The Zone will be located in Hall 1A of Telford International Centre as shown on the plan below, located next to the show entrance, and can accommodate up to 40 exhibitors. It will also feature its own dedicated New Product Showcase and refreshment area.

Pet product suppliers will again be exhibiting in Halls 1, 2 and 3.  With the new three show days, retailers will also have more opportunity to spend longer at the show and ensure they visit all product sectors.

Aquadip, which has been supplying UK retailers for over 25 years, was one of the first companies to book stand space in the Aquatics Zone and commercial director Joey Abrahams expressed excitement at the prospect of attending.

“As a Dutch-based supplier of live, frozen and dried fish food, aquarium plants and water treatments to UK retail outlets, public aquaria and zoos, I am thrilled to hear that PATS is introducing a dedicated aquatics section into its trade show,” said Joey.

“The fusion of pets and aquatics under one roof promises a great three-day event. It is ideal for us to connect with our existing customers but also to meet potential new ones.

We can showcase our whole range of products and explain that customers do not have to worry about customs or other paperwork since Brexit. This is all covered by our UK entity allowing customers to order without any worries.”

Other leading companies who have already reserved stand space in the Aquatics Zone include ALF, Aqua One, Cloverleaf, Fluval and Exo Terra, OASE, Pettex and Zoomed.

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

Photographs of PATS Telford 2023 are available to download at

https://stewartwrittle.dphoto.com/album/dollqv

For further media information please contact Neil Pope by email press@impact-exhibitions.com