Supreme Petfoods has defended its record of supporting independent pet retailers despite criticism from an award-winning store.

Dawn Worton, Director of  Ingleby Pet Supplies crowned PIF Retailer of the Year in 2015, said: “I was interested to read about the Supreme Petfoods Survey results and think they should be challenged about how they are going to help and support the independents that are being let down by suppliers who sell on mass to chain stores and discounters.

“In my town centre Wilkinsons sell the Tiny Friends Farm range as do Home Bargains. Locally Morrisons Supermarket stock Tiny Friends Farm and the full Supreme small animal food range is sold in The Range. At the moment Wilkinsons are selling Harry Hamster 700g for £1.10. I cant compete with that – my cost price is 99p + VAT.

“Following their survey I would be interested to know if they are going to stand by the independents and pull back from selling to discounters and help drive business back into independent outlets who will, as they say, also benefit from the add on sales in the category.”

As reported in Pet Trade Xtra last week, Supreme Petfoods surveyed more than 500 independent pet retailers and found that over half (54%) report that in the small pet category they have experienced an adverse impact on sales as a result of brands moving into mass grocery channels. Stores that experienced the greatest decline in sales were those located close to mass grocery or discount stores.

In response to Dawn’s comment  Supreme Petfoods issued the following statement:

“We continue to support independent retailers with monthly deals direct from Supreme and via the wholesale channel, free samples, feeding programmes, money off coupons, loyalty scheme discounts, point of sale, FSDUs, and a plethora of other marketing support materials.

“We’ve also carried out research into how the small pet category is shopped and can advise independents on the best way to improve sales from the fixture. We are more than happy to visit stores and provide category audits to help them stock and merchandise the right products and provide ideas on improving the shopper’s experience.

“With regard to pricing, like any supplier we can only recommend retail prices and retailers take a view on what margin they are prepared to invest in bringing customers to store. 

“It’s obviously very challenging for independents competing with many diverse retail channels, more so when trading competitively against those where the whole household shop can be completed in one place.

“As a business we support outlets that have dedicated small pet sections, which allow us to remain competitive and able to produce high quality innovative products that the trade needs to flourish.”

The owners of Leicestershire pet food business Scrumbles turned down an £60,000 investment offer from Deborah Meaden when they appeared on the BBC2 hit show Dragons’ Den on Sunday evening.

Jack Walker and Aneisha Soobroyen entered the Den with their dog Smudge and asked for investment in return for 10% of the business.

Deborah was the only Dragon prepared to make an offer but she asked for 20% of the business in return for her £60,000 stake.

Jack tried to negotiated for a 15% share but when Deborah refused to budge he declined her investment offer, much to Aneisha’s dismay.

If you missed the show you can now watch it on BBC iplayer. Click here to watch now – Scrumbles appear at the end of the programme, starting after 44 minutes.

Pet food manufacturers have hit back at claims that 95% of dog foods don't reveal their exact ingredients.

The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association said its members are committed to providing pet owners with a clear understanding of what is in their pet’s food, which is why many pet food manufacturers provide full product information on company websites and have dedicated customer care lines to provide further support.

The PFMA was responding to new research from Paws.com which looked at over a thousand wet and dry dog foods across Britain's supermarkets and Amazon's bestseller list.

The research found:

• 95% of dog foods owned by big brands don't reveal their exact ingredients
• 85% of supermarket own-label dog food contains 'meat and animal derivatives'
• Over HALF of big brand dog food contains vegetable derivatives

However the PFMA said: “Many pet foods provide a full ingredients list on the label and these products are widely available. Alternatively, some manufacturers may label using category descriptions – e.g. ‘meat and animal derivatives’ or ‘vegetable derivatives’ – instead of listing individual ingredients.

“Using category descriptions means manufacturers can select ingredients based on supply without having the need to change labels constantly.  

“Whilst the word ‘derivatives’ may not sound pretty (the term is set by EU legislation), pet owners should not be put off as this provides a highly sustainable way of sourcing ingredients. A vital consideration given current sustainability challenges and future thinking.

“Regardless of the labelling format, all ingredients are subject to the same stringent legislation and any product labelled as ‘complete’ must by law provide all the nutrients a pet needs for healthy bodily function.”

The PFMA provide fact sheets on the following topics:

• Understanding pet food labels: https://www.pfma.org.uk/labelling-factsheet
• More information on pet food ingredients: https://www.pfma.org.uk/ingredients-factsheet 

The pet store Kennelgate in Shrewsbury announces its transformation of becoming one of the most exciting new UK pet store brands; Pets & Friends. 

The store has recently completed its rebrand; offering a unique customer experience for pet owners to be able to truly care for their furry family members.

New store highlights include a brand new grooming salon, a self-service dog wash and a community hub for puppy training and pet advice.  

In addition, the new Pets & Friends store reveals its commitment towards protecting the environment by being the first retailer to stock the Project Blu range as the only pet bed products in store.  

The range features stylish dog and cat bed designs made from plastic recovered from the sea which not only look great, but each bed purchased prevents at least 40 plastic bottles from entering the ocean and polluting the planet.* 

The Project Blu beds are amongst a range of new zones and innovative pet products to be found in store. 

Speaking about the new store rebrand and link with Project Blu, Andy Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Kennelpak, said: “We’re passionate about pets and love to share our expertise.  

"The launch of our second Pets & Friends store here in Shrewsbury signifies a huge step forward for the business.  Our aim is to help customers and their pets live a healthier and happier life, and we certainly deliver against this through our new store experience.  In addition, thanks to Project Bluas our exclusive pet bed range in store, we are showing our commitment towards the environment and helping reduce plastics in the oceans.

"We really look forward to welcoming customers to our refreshed Shrewsbury store, and creating more Pets & Friends stores within the UK market in the near future.”

Geryn Evans, Founder and CEO of Project Blu said: “There is no simple fix for the complex threats that harm our natural environment. Plastic is a design failure and without action and awareness we will create irreparable damage that will affect future generations. Reducing the threat of ocean waste requires teamwork and bold action from every part of the supply chain. We are delighted to be working with Pets & Friends to offer our exclusive range of sustainable pet products to the UK market."

The family behind a successful South East London pet store have now set up shop on Herne Bay pier in Kent.

Joe Pavey, whose daughter Lauren owns and runs the Doghouse in Eltham, decided to undertake the new venture after taking voluntary redundancy in the casino industry.

The Doghouse by the Sea was opened at the beginning of the month and is already doing a great trade with local residents and holidaymakers.

“My daughter Lauren and wife Susan said I needed to do something to stop me going mad. Lauren saw that you could rent huts on the pier and suggested opening a pet shop because of the large number of dog owners in Herne Bay.”

The Doghouse by the Sea was officially opened by actor Gabriel Vick, who was on tour with Little Miss Sunshine.

Bestpets now has in stock a great range of Lily’s Kitchen products across the dog dry, dog wet, dog treat, cat wet and cat dry categories.

Peter Brame, Director of Trading – Pet, said of the arrival of Lily’s Kitchen: “We’re excited to have Lily’s Kitchen on board. Working with a strong brand leader shows our customers our continuing commitment to deliver the products they want to allow them to drive their businesses forward alongside introducing fresh ranges and innovation.”

Henrietta Morrison, Founder of Lily’s Kitchen, commented:  “Lily’s Kitchen believes that pets are family and deserve to eat proper food that will help them live happy and healthy lives.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Bestpets to make our natural recipes available to even more four-legged friends across the country.”

Bestpets customers who receive deliveries and would like to stock Lily’s Kitchen, can order Lily’s Kitchen products now, via the new Bestpets app or via the Bestpets website.

Cash & Carry customers will find the new products clearly highlighted in depot.

For retailers who would like to become a Bestpets customer, they should contact the Bestpets Customer Contact Centre on 01738 646666 or call in at their local depot to find out more.

PATS, the UK’s No1 Pet Industry Exhibition, has gone from strength to strength every year since its launch in 2009.

More and more pet industry exhibitors are finding it the ideal opportunity to get down to business with customers old and new. The show is the ideal environment in which to meet up with and support regular clients, network with colleagues and showcase all the fantastic products on offer.

It’s also a very well-run and extremely friendly show, where the PATS team go above and beyond to support exhibitors and visitors with all their requirements.

But you don’t need to take our word for it!

Here are just some of the comments from happy exhibitors who are returning to the show at the Telford International Centre on September 22nd-23rd 2019:

“PATS Telford is great. It’s a show where you get double, triple bites of the cherry! You get to launch new products, meet new customers and talk to existing customers. It’s all about getting feedback from people and being able to maintain those great connections.”

Greg Van Praagh, Benyfit Natural  

“Having previously visited PATS Sandown, we knew we just had to be a part of this great show and booked a space in Telford without hesitation. We believe this is the best place in the UK to showcase new products, talk business and meet like-minded people from around the globe.”

Victor Margevich, Pets and Pods Furniture

“PATS Telford is a fantastic show, which always kickstarts our busiest quarter of the year. It’s easily accessible to retailers nationwide and gives us an opportunity to showcase new products to the trade in advance of the lead up to Christmas. The PATS team are also great hosts, making exhibiting as stress-free and enjoyable as possible!”

George Bramble, Beco Pets

“PATS is a fantastic opportunity to meet the people who share a passion for our products. It gives both parties a chance to discuss and share insights about their businesses face to face.”

Charlotte Mews, Burgess Pet Care

“After visiting PATS Sandown we were impressed by the scale of the event and potential for trade exposure and were keen to be involved with Telford. It’s a well-organised and sizeable show, and a great opportunity to meet a wide range of retailers face to face and showcase our pet supplements range. We’re looking forward to meeting retailers we haven’t worked with before, as well as reconnecting with our current stockists and providing fresh product information as well as some great show offers.”

Helen Hounsell, GWF Nutrition

Over the years, PATS has proved to be the ideal launchpad for new ranges from established companies and even to help kickstart companies with ideas and ranges new to the pet trade. The show’s regular New Product Awards and Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, are a major contributor to this, as new releases are displayed together on one eye-catching stand, with labels easily directing visitors to the appropriate exhibitor. Entries are judged by a panel of independent retail experts across a number of categories and winners can proudly display their plaques on their stands.

These are just some of the comments from the many companies who have enjoyed success with new products thanks to their exposure at the UK’s No1 Pet Industry Exhibition:

“WildWash first exhibited at PATS when we launched the brand and it kickstarted our business. We return every year and meet existing and new clients in a wonderfully vibrant and friendly environment. We love PATS!”

Jane Cooper, Pet Revolution

“PATS has helped our company to grow and to give us the confidence to offer over 40 different varieties of treats. The diversity of visitors is fantastic, from small to large retailers, vet practices, groomers, garden centres and on-line retailers – all in a couple of days. It makes this such a great industry exhibition.” 

Suzanne Rothman, Pet Munchies

“We have chosen to release our new product at PATS Telford because it’s the perfect location to demonstrate it to both existing customers and potential new stockists.”

Ed Hoare, Ruff and Tumble

“PATS is the obvious choice for us as a company to launch new products - it's the perfect platform to reach existing and new customers from all areas of the pet and animal health industry.”

James Hancock, Petlife International Ltd

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.

Ground-breaking small animal accessories brand, HayPigs!, releases another World’s first; a highly innovative, 3-in-1, treat ball. This new product brings interaction, stimulation and play to a new level with its inventive multifunctionality and striking aesthetic.

Designed for guinea pigs and other small furries, the HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball consists of two uniquely designed hemispheres that can be joined together or used independently. As a complete ball, users can fill it with finally chopped vegetables and fruit (or portion-controlled pellet food) and let their small furries discover how to get at the treats. This usually involves them rolling the ball about with their noses until the treats drop out. This kind of food challenge is a great way of keeping your pets active and stimulated, and can actually reduce their stress levels while keeping them happy and healthy.

Split the ball in half and the two hemispheres can be used to hide treats underneath for small furries to find with their noses. This scent led game encourages foraging (a natural behaviour from their ancestors’ time in the wild), wonderful for the mental stimulation and enrichment of your pets.

The third feature of HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball is it’s arrangement of star-shaped holes on one side of the ball. These stars fulfil two purposes; to release treats when the ball is whole, and to allow users to wedge an array of vegetables and herbs into them to create an additional feeding challenge. This is another completely unique feature of HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball and is ideal for encouraging small furries to interact with one another. With 6 holes, the ball can be packed out, so there are plenty of treats for everyone.

The HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball - 3-in-1 Enrichment Toy retails at £9.99 and is part of the HayPigs! Guinea Pig Circus range. It is suitable for guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and other small animals.

The HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball has been shortlisted as a finalist for Pet Product of the Year in the Small Animals category at this years’ PetQuip Awards. It has also amassed some impressive pre-orders after its soft launch via social media a week ago.

The HayPigs! Circus Treat Ball will be showcased at PATS Telford in September.

Watch a video of it in action by clicking here.

Herbal experts Dorwest Herbs has yet again the perfect solution for keeping pets calm this firework season with their ‘Licensed to Chill’ campaign, which will be launched to the trade at PATS Telford.  

Licensed medicine Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and herbal supplement Valerian Compound are the ideal way to calm and relax dogs and cats naturally, so owners won’t have to worry about them being shaken or stirred, they’ll just be perfectly chilled!

Herbs are gentle yet effective and reduce anxiety by lessening activity in the nervous system rather than relaxing muscles, so pets can be relaxed and calm without it sedating or affecting their normal behaviour, resulting in a calm firework period for owners and pets alike. For trade stockists they have a special offer ‘Calming Product Pack’ containing the most popular sizes of Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound in a handy counter size display box. A free support kit is available, plus digital assets for your social pages.

They’ve gone balmy! Continuing to produce exceptional natural products to keep dogs and cats in perfect health, they have now extended their topical offering by launching two NEW beautiful balms.

Jo Boughton-White, MD, commented: “We often get asked for products for pets cracked paws & noses, and something soothing to put on sore skin. So, we’ve listened to our customers and produced a Paw & Nose Balm and reformulated our Skin Balm (previously called Comfrey & Calendula Skin Balm). We especially enjoyed trying out the recipes on ourselves and our dogs in the office, so they are definitely tried and tested!”

UK grown herbs are gently steeped in beneficial sunflower and jojoba oils in small batches and combined with beeswax and nourishing shea butter to produce these very high-quality balms. The Paw & Nose Balm features softening Calendula, calming Chickweed and protective Marshmallow. The reformulated Skin Balm contains moisturising Comfrey, softening Calendula and calming Chamomile, along with oils of lavender, rose geranium and mandarin.

These pots of natural shea goodness are lick-safe and will soothe and nurture problem areas and are perfect for sensitive skin, and the approaching winter season. Available in handy 50ml tins with an RRP of £9.95 each.

The Calming Product Pack which can normally be purchased for the very special offer price of £65 + vat, and which retails for £141.50 (inc vat), is further discounted at PATS as all orders placed at the show will receive an extra 5% off!  To order yours and find out more about their new beautiful balms pop along to Stand A40.

For further information email trade@dorwest.com, visit www.dorwest.com or call 01308 897272.

Frozzys has launched its new website, which is the final part of its exciting reposition and rebrand­. This activity and investment comes in response to feedback from a recent consumer research project carried out by the company.

Frozzys was established in 2013 when founder and director Noel Conlon struggled to find a healthy and nutritious, low calorie and long-lasting treat for his beloved dog Juno to enjoy.

Wanting to create a product which had many nutritional and practical benefits, Noel partnered with fellow director, Michael Hunt, and has since developed a portfolio of inspiring frozen yogurt products. The current portfolio consists of five great-tasting flavours: original, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry and peach.

Canine nutrition has always been of paramount importance to the brand, who formulate their frozen yogurt recipes with the support of Senior Food Technologists at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise). In order to effectively demonstrate the impressive nutritious profile of the products, the Frozzys team invested in an independent consumer research project to learn what features and benefits were priorities to consumers.

“The project produced some really interesting feedback on what matters to consumers and how they view the pet food industry,” comments Jackie Kirk, Marketing Manager at Frozzys.

“This included how extremely important calcium and calorie information on a pack was, how healthy and natural ingredients were of huge consideration and specific key drivers which make consumers purchase a treat.

"Based on this feedback, we’ve repositioned our branding, packaging and website to reflect and reinforce features and benefits of Frozzys which consumers agreed were important.”

It’s not just the branding and packaging that has been subject to a reposition: the Frozzys website has been redesigned and launched today. The new website has lots of new exciting features, whilst reinforcing and emphasising the key features of Frozzys which appeal highly to consumers. Specific features are: free of lactose, Rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, fat and sugar, rich in calcium, slow-to-consume/mentally stimulating, beneficial as a cooling aid and much more. The website also additionally features a new blog and meet the team section.

“Our new website gives more of an insight into who we are here at Frozzys and why we care so much about how nutritious and delicious Frozzys treats are. You’ll now get to meet our team (humans and dogs), read articles and insights from our experts and discover more about our commitment to quality,” Jackie adds.

It’s been a busy six months for Frozzys, having launched a new flavour to their portfolio earlier this year, whilst also revealing plans to extend into Europe. With an ongoing movement towards healthy treats for ever-conscious pet owners to give their dogs, it’s unsurprising that a treat like Frozzys, which ticks all the boxes in terms of nutrition and health, is receiving such attention in the marketplace.

For more information, visit www.frozzys.com

Purely Fish has celebrated its second anniversary as an international pet food brand, with a range of 100% natural treats, wet food, toppers and raw food for cats and dog, all made from fish!

Purely Fish was created in 2017 by its subsidiary, Ideal Foods. Ideal Foods is an international seafood trading and export company, selling fish and shellfish for human consumption to more than 40 countries.

Sustainability is very important to Ideal Foods and the company strives to use all parts of the fish to reduce wastage, by identifying and selling into multiple markets. 

By creating a pet food brand, the company was able to open up a new market for which they were able to use additional parts of the fish in the production of a range of healthy pet food and treats, packed full of the natural goodness of fish. 

Since its inception in 2017, Purely Fish has grown quickly, both across the UK and internationally.  Purely Fish products are now sold by more than 60 stockists across the UK including a combination of independent stockists and also the larger retail chains such as Pets Corner and TK Maxx.  Purely Fish is also exported to many countries around the world including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia and Poland.

Karen Scott, Head of Business Development at Purely Fish, comments: “Purely Fish has experienced encouraging growth in its first two years.  For a developing brand in a crowded industry, I am very proud that Purely Fish has been able to hold its own alongside far bigger pet food brands.

“Convincing the consumer to try Purely Fish over their regular brand of pet food has been one of our biggest challenges.

“Being able to offer British made, premium and natural products at affordable prices have been important factors in our success so far.  We are now looking to grow our range by introducing new products to the market place that will help us to stand out from the rest.”

Leading pet product wholesaler, Vital Pet Group, has announced that it will attend both PATS Telford and Glee this year. The company has a long history of attendance at PATS with an increasingly high-profile presence at the event in recent years. It is the first time it has attended Glee – the garden and outdoor living trade show attended by independent and online retailers and multiples. Find Vital at stand Hall 19, stand Q14-R15 at GLEE and at PATS.

The company will be bringing a blend of innovative products to both shows with a focus on the three major trends in retail for the next 12 to 18 months; namely entertaining the customer, wellbeing and reduction in plastics.  The Vital range at Glee offers exclusive brands such as the IClean Dog Wash and PetKit that provide specific solutions in these areas. 

Also at Glee there will be support for outlets looking to make a start with pet products, with advice on putting together a core range that reflects trends in the marketplace. For more established outlets there will be some recent product innovation to review and some suggestions about how retailers can appeal to customers by creating in-store theatre. There will be a focus on products with visual impact and those that specifically fit with the giftware sector to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

With relationships formed over many years or trading, the Vital team has a great deal of knowledge about best selling lines and what products generate repeat purchase. An in-house team is also available to support retailers with their promotional calendar, ensuring they stock the right products at the right time and at the right price.

At PATS the trade will be able to see the new autumn-winter ranges and preview the most innovative products and suppliers progressing through the on-boarding process with Vital that will be ready to feature on the website over the coming months.

Vital has become known for championing remarkable and boutique pet brands that bring a real point of difference to the sector.

Marketing Manager Paul Walker says it’s important that specialist retailers differentiate their offer, “By stocking appealing products, backed by expert knowledge, retailers are offering their customers something they can’t always access in main-stream retail. 

"Outlets need to compete on merchandising, in-store theatre and the customer experience and we think some of these products will help deliver that and ensure our customers create destination stores.

"We even have a section in our website dedicated just to new products so it’s easy to see where the new opportunities are and to help retailers select those that are the best fit for their local area and demographic.”

Retailers can find out the latest news and updates on activity at the trade shows at www.vitalpets.co.uk

Pioneering dog-food brand, Different Dog has launched plastic free, compostable posts and recyclable packaging across its range of hand-cooked recipes.

By highlighting the importance of canine nutrition, the Different Dog team aims to change the world, one dog at a time. All whilst ensuring their business’ environmental impact is as minimal as possible.

The new packaging format introduces a fresh redesign for the brand, which has been spotted at numerous dog-friendly festivals and family events throughout the summer. Out on the road, Different Dog have been showcasing the first ever pop-up doggy café - with specially trained chefs delivering live demos and sampling their hand prepared dishes to new-found fans who love to lap it up.

Feeding the family in a way that is nutritionally balanced and friendly to the planet is a goal most of us aspire to. Different Dog has applied this ethos to how they feed our four-legged friends. Every recipe is meticulously created by a vet and pet nutritionist, before being prepared using high quality, fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers including 100% British meat. Each recipe is lovingly cooked by hand, in the same traditional way as meals for other family members.

Commenting on the launch of the new packaging, Alex Thurstan Co-founder of Different Dog, comments: “We exist to make dogs healthy and happy. However, it’s not just what our pets eat that affects their wellbeing; it’s also the state of the environment that we all have live in. We believe it is important to operate as ethically as possible, which is why we’re minimising our environmental impact.

“As the nation becomes more aware of how our choices affect the planet, we’re noticing a growing appetite for dog food that’s produced in a much more healthy, natural way. Having a regular intake of fresh food really matters, so even small changes in a dog’s daily diet can make a visible difference to health in as little as a few weeks.”

All Different Dog’s recipes are grain-free, nutritionally balanced, full of superfoods and vet approved for the complete food solution that every dog deserves. What’s more they are packed in compostable pots which are super convenient and easy to use. To find out why Different Dog has tails and tongues wagging, please visit www.differentdog.com.

Leading pet food brand, Webbox Natural, has taken to the streets of the UK and compiled a list of the most pet-friendly places to visit.

From pubs and cafes to places to stay, the pet food brand has shared its findings on popular hot spots and hidden gems from across the UK on its new website, ‘Pets Are Welcome’ (P.A.W).

An evolving guide, P.A.W encourages urbanites to share their favourite places to take their furry friend, in addition to seeking out new and exciting locations to visit, including popular parks and walks to some more unusual suggestions, including secret gardens, record shops and hotels.

Utilising a simple map, city dwellers can plan a fun day out without having to leave their furry friend at home.

Venues featured on the guide will also receive a complimentary Webbox Natural treat pack including a selection of treats, dog food samples, and Webbox branded drinking bowls and treat jars.

Julie Butcher, head of marketing at Webbox Natural, comments: “Pets are firmly considered as one of the family and we’ve seen a huge rise in pet owners wanting to include their four-legged companion in their days out and even their holidays.

“We wanted to create the ultimate pet-friendly guide so people could instantly know where and when they can take their pet, especially in city centres where it is a fairly new concept.

“We encourage anyone to visit to our website to submit their recommendations to fellow pet lovers – whether that’s a special local, a P.A.W café or even a memorable city stroll.”

The initiative is sponsored by Webbox Natural, whose products are derived from 100 per cent natural ingredients. Suitable for all breeds of dogs and cats, no matter the size, they feature no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Visit www.webboxpaw.co.uk

The Gardenex export federation will be hosting the International Buyers’ Centre at Glee 2019, which is valued by the international buyers as a business hub within the show.  

The Centre will be located once again close to the entrance of Hall 6 on Stand N10-P11.

The PetQuip association, a sister division of Gardenex, will also be providing business services to pet product suppliers and buyers on its Stand 19R51 in the PetQuip Village section of the exhibition.

During the three day event, an important element of the Federation’s export business creating activities will be the staging of a series of International Buyers Connect sessions.  The 10-minute introductory meetings will be held each morning of the show and are available exclusively to exhibitors at the show.  The International Buyers Connect sessions have played an important part in generating new export leads and sales for many UK participants over the years.

Buyers are still being recruited by Gardenex and to date the following have confirmed their participation:

• A buyer from an Austrian internet shop that stocks quality tools and other practical, decorative and wildlife products will be looking for quality British products to complement its existing range.

• A Canadian buyer from a leading wholesaler and distributor to garden centres and landscapers on the east coast of Canada will be seeking practical gardening products to add to its range.

• Two buyers are taking part from an import company in China, whose CEO is also the President of the China Horticultural Society who visited Glee in 2018.

• Three garden product distributors/online retailers from the growing Romanian market will be attending the sessions.  Also visiting Glee is a leading media company on the Romanian DIY and garden markets which operates several e-newsletters across different retail categories.

• A buyer is taking part from a Swedish online store selling direct to the general public that also acts as importer and distributor for several UK companies.  The buyer is seeking to source new, innovative garden products to add to its B2C online store and is also hoping to widen its range of seeds and unusual plants.   

• An importer and distributor from The Netherlands is attending the meetings.  The firm supplies independent garden centres, landscape businesses and garden centre chains.  It also has a well-established B2C garden online store, as well as a wholesale distribution business specialising in high-end garden items. 

• A buyer from a specialist mail order company from the USA will be looking for greenhouse-related and other practical gardening products to complement its existing range.

In addition to the International Buyers Connect meetings, the Centre will provide a wide range of other facilities and information for both international visitors and for UK suppliers.  

As well as meeting with international buyers and addressing their UK product sourcing enquiries, the Gardenex and PetQuip teams will be available throughout the show to meet with existing member companies and potential members.  Export advice and details of the wide range of business-generating services provided by the two associations will be available from the association teams, as well as early notification of business initiatives, events and export government grant funding opportunities for UK businesses over the coming 12 months.  

To apply for membership of Gardenex or PetQuip contact:

telephone:  +44 (0) 44 1959 565995   or   fax:  +44 (0) 1959 565885

e-mail:  info@gardenex.com  or visit the Gardenex website on www.gardenex.com

          info@petquip.com     or visit the PetQuip website on www.petquip.com

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

Welsh firm Raw Treat Pet Food Ltd is recalling batches of frozen raw pet food because Salmonella has been found in the products. It follows another product recall reported by the Foods Standards Agency on July 30 because of fears that food contains Listeria monocytogenes...

In a risk statement issued on its website the Food Standards Agency said on Monday: "The presence of Salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk, because of the presence of Salmonella, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals. In humans, symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.

“Raw Treat Pet Food Ltd is recalling the above products from their customers. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notices.”

Its advice to consumers was:

“If you have bought any of the above products do not use them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. 

“When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls after use and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food (especially ready to eat foods). Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross contamination of foods and surfaces.”

The full FSA recall statement can be viewed at https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-38-2019

The Pet Health Club has crowned qualified medical alert dog, Clive as the winner of its national Pet Hero of the Year competition.

Clive helps his owner, Michelle Rust, manage a complex health problem. Michelle has Addison’s disease which Clive can detect through smell when her blood pressure or steroid levels drop. When this happens Clive alerts her by jumping up and down and he fetches her life saving medication. Before Clive, Michelle regularly called an ambulance for assistance but she hasn’t had to for three years.

Eager to help from an early age, Clive trained to become a medical alert dog aged one. Clive, now seven, works his paws off and accompanies Michelle to work each day in her role as a Logistics Officer at Humberside Police. He often pitches in around the workplace. Clive is well known around the office for his range of dog toys, bringing a different toy to work each day.

Michelle thought Clive would have to retire from his medical alert dog duties when he had to undergo surgery for a popped disc in his back. The operation took over five hours and he had part of his pelvis removed. But ever the helper, he was keen to start alerting again just eight days post-surgery.

Clive beat more than 200 cats, dogs and rabbits to be awarded the title of the UK’s Pet Hero of the Year. Despite the fierce competition, his story captivated the attention of the judges who were impressed by his caring attitude and commitment to helping his owner.

Clive’s owner, Michelle Rust, said: “I can’t imagine my life without Clive; he has spent the last six years by my side. He is such a wonderful companion and saves my life daily. When Clive had an operation I slept with him on the floor for seven weeks while he recovered. I did expect him to retire from his duties but he was so keen to start helping me again just a week after his surgery. He is my knight in shining armour. I am so proud that Clive has been voted as The Pet Health Club’s Pet Hero of the Year.”

TV Vet, Rory Cowlam said: “Pets love and support us through our lives and they hold a special place within our families. Clive is clearly a dog that goes the extra mile to help his owner. His friendly personality, keen intuition and determination to help make him the perfect pet for Michelle. Clive definitely deserves the title Pet Hero of the Year.”

The Pet Hero of the Year competition was ran by The Pet Health Club, a national pet healthcare plan available at over 500 vet practices in the UK.

A young dog’s taste for adventure ended in near-disaster when he tried to jump the garden fence and was left with a horrific wound to his paw. 

When owner Margaret Harkinson (77) let two-year-old Lurcher, Rocco, into the garden of their home in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, she had no idea that he would soon be heading for emergency treatment from PDSA vets with a freak injury.

“Rocco had only been outside for a few minutes when I heard a really loud howl which made my heart drop,” said Margaret. “I rushed to the window to see Rocco limping next to the fence. I brought him inside and saw his paw was bleeding badly. We knew we had to quickly put pressure on to stop the bleeding and call the vet. We called PDSA and they told us to bring him in straight away.”

Although Rocco is used to going out in the garden by himself, on this occasion he inexplicably tried to jump the fence into the neighbour’s garden. The poor dog got his leg caught on the fence and suffered a horrific injury to his front left paw, leaving his skin torn away.

Margaret continued: “When we got to the Pet Hospital they rushed straight through. I was in tears, I was so worried about him.” 

Registered Vet Nurse, Emma Lawson, from Glasgow East PDSA Pet Hospital, said: “Rocco came in with a severe wound to his left front paw. He had what’s known as a ‘de-gloving’ injury, which is where a section of skin is completely torn off from the underlying soft tissue, muscle or bone. We gave him painkillers to make him comfortable, and sedated him so we could clean and dress the wound to encourage it to heal. We also took x-rays to check he had no broken bones, but luckily there were no fractures.” 

After spending a day recovering at PDSA, Rocco returned home with painkillers and antibiotics, and returned regularly to the Pet Hospital for bandage changes, performed under sedation to keep him comfortable. 

“Rocco is improving every day”, said Margaret, “Although he can’t walk properly on his leg yet, he is already starting to get back to his normal bouncy self.”

Emma added: “Rocco has been coming into the Pet Hospital every few days for bandage changes and has been making good progress. Thankfully, his wound is healing nicely and we expect him to make a full recovery, though he will still need regular checks until he is out of the woods.”

Margaret said: “Rocco is such a lovely dog, we were heartbroken when he got injured. I know that his treatment so far has cost the charity over £275, with more treatment still needed. I would have struggled to afford that, so I am very grateful to PDSA for their help and have contributed what I can. They are wonderful and I think the work they do is brilliant.” 

Pets can get themselves into all sorts of scrapes and mishaps. Thanks to Margaret’s quick action, Rocco’s misadventure has a happy ending. Would you know what to do in a pet emergency? PDSA have produced a pet first aid guide with lots of helpful information and advice. You can get a free copy of the guide, and sign up for PDSA Pet First Aid courses, by visiting: www.pdsa.org.uk/firstaid

Petpals franchise owners across the UK are successfully completing the Ofqual Level 3 Professional Daycare and Boarding course. This new qualification will enable them to achieve the ‘Higher Standard’ in the Animal Activity Licensing Regulations, updated by DEFRA in 2018.

Licensing now requires that to meet the ‘Higher Standard’, a member of staff with a relevant Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, OFQUAL, regulated Level 3 qualification must be present during the working day at the Day Care or Boarding establishment. 

Petpals Buxton, Sefton, Leeds North, Hendon and Darlington West are now fully qualified and a further 15 franchise owners are currently taking the course and will qualify soon. 

Sharren Redmond ,who started up her Sefton Petpals business in November 2018, said: "What a great course; I feel so much more confident and professional in running my Petpals business now. It was a huge amount of work requiring large amounts of research, reading and writing but I loved it and am so glad I am now qualified to the Higher Standard for the benefit of my clients and their dogs.

"I will of course be sharing my new knowledge, passing on the relevant information to my team so we can all benefit from the course.

"Although I have been a dog owner myself for many years and thought I knew everything there was to know about caring for a dog, the course makes you look at things from a very different perspective.

"I had to learn about a wide variety of dog care subjects, from what different breeds of dog are like, how they play and interact with other dogs, to warning signs from a behavioural point of view. My customers often ask me ‘why does my dog do xyz..’ and now I can tell them.

"The course has really sparked my desire to know more and I wouldn’t rule out doing a dog-behaviourist qualification in the future."

Kevin Thackrah, MD of Petpals, said: "We are delighted that Sharren, Deborah, Lisa, Mike, Chrissy and Sallyann have completed their Ofqual Level 3 Professional Daycare and Boarding Course qualification.

"As an industry we are overrun with people starting up dog walking and dog boarding businesses on a whim, with no previous experience or qualifications and we embrace and welcome any and all efforts to raise the standards in our industry.

"Even before the new regulations, all of our franchises were, and always have been CRB checked, insured and have taken a Dog Handling Skills and Pet First Aid course.

"We are pleased that Petpals Sefton, Buxton, Leeds North, Hendon and Darlington Wet will now be qualified to the Higher Standard for boarding and dog care, with many others following on in the next few weeks."

WildWash is launching two new cat products at PATS Telford – Cat Shampoo and Cat Detangle.

Jane Cooper, from WildWash, said:  “All of our professional groomers love our pets and our planet. That’s why we used our 15 years of grooming experience to develop a range of natural pH balanced pet shampoos that are brilliantly effective and kind to our pets’ skin and coat.

“Our revolutionary blend of ingredients include Neem Oil, Aloe Vera and Sea Kelp which help nourish the coat and soothe the skin.

“Our natural products are used on all breeds of dogs and cats every day and give incredible results. Trusted by groomers, vets and pet owners worldwide, your pets will love you for it!!

“All our natural WildWash products contain No Parabens, No Phthalates, No Phosphates, No Petrochemicals, No Sulphates and No PEGs. We use 100% Pure Essential Oils – No Synthetic or Semi Synthetic Fragrances. We guarantee there is No Animal Testing on any of our products, nor on any of the ingredients they contain. All our products are made In England.”

Dogrobes has introduced a Rainbow design to its award-winning range of dog drying coats. The new coats form part of the brand’s Exclusive Collection and create a rainbow effect on the dog when worn.

The robes were designed in response from requests from the LGBT community and were officially launched at the Brighton & Hove Pride event recently.

Dogrobes provide the perfect answer for drying wet muddy dogs and surrounding from shake off as Margaret Reynolds, owner of Dogrobes explains: “Dogrobes dry the dogs quickly in around 30 minutes, depending on the breed of dog.

"They are made from an exclusive fabric, which has longer loops on the inside. The longer loops create a greater area for absorbing the moisture from the dog’s coat. Plus it traps the dog’s body heat, which also helps to dry the dog. There is NO Velcro, which spooks some dogs and gets clogged up with dog hair and debris during everyday use and it’s a nightmare to launder too!

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

"We are VERY proud that we’re MADE in Britain.  We have 1 large manufacturer and 2 other smaller manufacturers who are all based in Scotland. We also use a team of talented and up and coming designers to design our Exclusive Collection.”

The company also offer a range of complementary dog accessories to go with the Dogrobes including snoods to dry the dog’s head, neck and ears. They have also just recently introduced their new gauntlets which are worn on the hands and help to dry the dog’s feet and paws.

Dogrobes are available in a range of sizes to for dogs from Chihuahuas up to New Foundlands. Prices start from £31.95.

For further information on Dogrobes visit: www.dogrobes.co.uk

CSJ sponsor numerous canine sports in the UK, and have now spread their wings to Europe by sponsoring the Continental Sheepdog Championship 2019 on August 22-25.

To be held in Norden, Osterwittbekfield in Germany the 35^th Championship will be organised for the 5^th time by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Border Collie Deutschland.

The 2 judges are Aidan Gallagher from Northern Ireland and Johnny Robinson from Scotland.  Both are senior figures in the sheepdog world and respected for their own numerous trialling credentials.

Over the 3 days 100 of the best Border Collies from 18 European countries including Spain, Slovakia and Finland will compete against each other, and the best 6 teams of each day will qualify for the final.  Sunday will see an exciting competition between the 18 finalists to determine the European Champion 2019.

Results will be posted at https://continental2019.de/en/championship/results and at csjk9.com

CSJ’s Ceri Rundle says, “We supply a number of countries and felt we should support overseas events as well as those in the UK.  Our list of Champion sheepdog owners who feed CSJ food, herbs and treats grows ever longer and at the moment includes:

• 2019 Welsh National Brace Champion Kevin Evans
• 2019 English National Champion (and 2019 English National Brace Champion) Ricky Hutchinson
• 2019 Welsh National Champion –Alwyn Davies (whose father Bryn is competing in the next A Way With Dogs episode – released at midnight 14^th August on the CSJ’s own You Tube channel)

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

Budget-priced supermarket chain Aldi has launched its Pet Essential range, including a range of cosy plush pet beds and fun-filled toys.

Aldi claims that shoppers will be able to pick up the essentials at a fraction of the cost compared to leading competitors.

Shoppers can pick up products from as little as £1.99 including essentials like Pet Bowls (£3.99) pawsome Pet Treat Tins (£6.99) and even Toothbrush Kits (£5.99).

The company says that owners can help their pets sleep like a (fur) baby with its range of cosy pet beds. Choose either a comfy Plush Pet Bed, available in a variety of sizes from just £7.99 or one of the snug Cat Beds for feline friends (£8.99).

Playtime is great for exercise and bonding with furry companions. Dial up the fun with Aldi’s range of Tasty Dog Chews Toys from just £1.99 and the must-have Tennis & Sports Balls (£1.99) for hours of fun in the park.

The Pet Essential range also includes accessories such as Aldi’s Treatimat (£2.99) and the Dog Puzzle (£6.99).

House proud owners needn’t worry either as shoppers can pick up items to ensure the home is kept spic and span from mud, fur and spills with the help of Aldi’s Dust Bust Runner (£8.99), Dirt Buster Scrape Mat (£3.99) and a Washable Pet Feeding Mat for just £1.99.

The popular BBC2 TV programme Dragons’ Den starts its 17th series on Sunday and among the budding entrepreneurs are a husband-and-wife pet food business.

The identity of the couple is still under wraps but according to the BBC’s website they take along their four-legged friend to help them achieve their ambition for their pet food business.

Will any of the Dragons, including newcomer Sara Davies, invest in the pet food market? Find out at 8pm on BBC2 on Sunday.

Supreme Petfoods has surveyed more than 500 independent pet retailers* and found that over half (54%) report that in the small pet category they have experienced an adverse impact on sales as a result of brands moving into mass grocery channels. Stores that experienced the greatest decline in sales were those located close to mass grocery or discount stores.

It's perhaps no surprise that retailers are taking these factors into account when selecting the brands they support. The respondents say that specialist manufacturer, Supreme, is the most recommended small pet food brand, with the Tiny Friends Farm and Science Selective ranges accounting for over a third of all recommendations.

The company is also given the most shelf space in their store, with 36% of retailers reporting they allocate most of their facings to the company's products, while another 27% give even facings for all brands stocked.

The survey identified that the top three most valued sources of information include manufacturer emails, wholesaler magazines and trade magazines and 40% of stores say they visit PATS. Some 80% also say they take advantage of promotions in wholesaler magazines to preserve sales and their bottom line.

Retailers reported that consumer demand around the top trends is focused on grain-free, natural and eco-friendly products. In many cases, they say brand selection is driven by consumers who are already looking for a specific product but breeder, vet and retailer recommendation can all have an influence on the choice.

Claire Hamblion, Marketing Manager at Supreme Petfoods, says, "It's disappointing that retailers are feeling the impact of multichannel brands and their distribution. Clearly this means they need to be very careful about stocking and recommending products that are widely available in mass consumer outlets.

"We're giving a lot of focus to educating pet owners about the benefits of specialist brands and the value that an expert retailer can bring to their shopping experience. It's important to match consumer expectation by ensuring specialist brands are stocked and that the fixture is easy for them to navigate.

"Our research shows that the small pet category is often the gateway to other purchases made by multi-pet owners, so it's especially critical to the success of an outlet."

To find out more about promotional offers and products specific to the independent pet trade, contact Supreme on 01473 823296 or visit www.supremepetfoods.com.

*The survey was carried out by telephone by Supreme Petfoods during July 2019 and is based on responses from 507 independent retailers.

• 95% of dog foods owned by big brands don't reveal their exact ingredients
• 85% of supermarket own-label dog food contains "meat and animal derivatives"
• Over HALF of big brand dog food contains vegetable derivatives

New research from Paws.com looks at over a thousand wet and dry dog foods across Britain's supermarkets and Amazon's bestseller list and found that a staggering 95% of dog foods owned by big brands don't reveal their exact ingredients.

This research found four common trends in a lot of dog food that lead to hard to decipher dog food labels.

1. Mystery meats
85% of supermarket own-label dog foods and almost two-thirds of big brand dog foods list "meat and animal derivatives" as an ingredient. This ambiguous term doesn't really tell you what part of the animal your pet is eating and could include feathers, beaks, wool and even hooves. These are unsurprisingly harder for your pup to digest.

2. Vague vegetables
Over half of of big brand dog food labels and two-thirds of supermarket own label dog food lists 'derivatives of vegetable origin’ as an ingredient. This does not inform you as to what vegetables are being used and may even contain byproducts from human food production such as seed and corn husks, twigs and leaves which are obviously not a nutritious treat for your dog.

3. Fuzzy fats
"Oils and fats" is another vague term found on dog food products. When this appears it is unclear exactly what is being used. Dogs need fats in their diet, but get more nutrients from fats that are rich in healthy omega 3 and 6. The generic term of 'oils and fats' may be leaving your dog open to eating highly processed fats from any animal. 68% of big brand dog food lists unspecified 'oils and fats' as an ingredient.

4. Unclear carbs
Many dog food labels list "cereals" as an ingredient which could refer to any food that contains any number of grains in any form. Highly processed flours have very little nutritional value and can cause your dog’s blood glucose levels to massively fluctuate. This increases the risk of diabetes, weight issues and inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Steph Wenban, Paws.com's vet and pet wellbeing specialist, offers the following commentary:

"Many owners want to treat their pet like a family member and give it the best food possible, but a lot of  people are unaware of exactly what is in their dog's food. Confusing labels with ambiguous ingredients make it difficult for people to ensure that their furry friend is getting the essential nutrients to help them develop and grow.

"At Paws.com we recognise this trend and ensure that all of our food comes with our innovative traffic light labelling, this tells pet owners exactly what is in their loved animal's food so they can be sure that they are feeding their dog the best ingredients."

If you would be interested in any more information or further commentary, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

A pet shop owner has said that government red tape has forced him to stop selling pets after four decades in the business, according to the Eastern Daily Press.

To read the full story click here