Beco Pets' Senior Field Sales Account Manager Becky Lambert drives 1,000 miles a week covering the east of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire. After 16 years in the pet trade, she’s just won welcome recognition of all her hard work – by scooping her first-ever award, the Pet Industry Federation Sales Representative of the Year 2016. In this exclusive interview with Pet Trade Xtra, she shares a few of her ‘Golden Rules’ which have helped her stand out from the pack and stay one step ahead...
Becky Lambert seen here with boss George Bramble and the Becomobile.
At Beco Pets, Senior Field Sales Account Manager Becky Lambert drives 1,000 miles a week covering her patch, the east of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire.
After 16 years in the pet trade, she’s just won welcome recognition of all her hard work – by scooping her first-ever award, the Pet Industry Federation Sales Representative of the Year 2016. The judges’ decision was said to have been “unanimous”.
In this exclusive interview with Pet Trade Xtra, she shares a few of her ‘Golden Rules’ which have helped her stand out from the pack and stay one step ahead...
How long have you worked in sales? I started off in sales 17 years ago when I landed a job as a Sales Admin assistant working in packaging. It meant I was selling bubble wrap and cardboard boxes.
When did you first get a job in the pet industry? That first job lasted a year, so I started in the pet trade 16 years ago. I have always been mad about animals and I've always had pets, so it was a no brainer. Certainly better than selling bubble wrap!
What did you do before joining Beco Pets? I worked for Armitage Pet Care, the biggest suppliers of pet treats and toys, based in Nottingham, which is where I was born. I started off as a Sales Admin for a year, then I went out on the road and ended up as Key Account Manager. Later, I took a sabbatical for a year and a half, when I left and managed six pet shops across the county, before then being enticed back to Armitage. There are not many sales reps who have had the experience of working on the other side of the counter. I grasped an understanding of how difficult it is when a delivery comes in incorrectly or when you are out of stock and worried about letting the customer down. That experience taught me a lot about the importance of putting the customer first.
What does this award mean to you? I was told that some of the judges knew my name from having been part of the industry for some years and that came as a great surprise to me. I give the job my all so it's fantastic to now receive this recognition from the Pet Industry Federation. When they read my name out, I was ‘chuffed to bits’ – a proper Nottingham saying that! The only other prize I have ever won is an award for designing a miniature garden in a competition at my primary school when I was aged six. This was my first award in the pet industry and I was very, very proud to get it. I wasn’t expecting the award at all. I’m very honoured. It comes from a lot of hard work and building relationships. But it’s easy to be a successful sales rep if you have a fantastic product range and a supportive company like Beco Pets to work with. I was absolutely blown away and this is a great early Christmas present for me that is already on my mantle piece.
What are the secrets of your success? I like to think of my customers as my friends. And over the years I have developed a few personal Golden Rules. Whenever I have trained other reps, I have always told them:
Golden Rule One: Do what you say you'll do.
Golden Rule Two: Always tell the truth.
I don't think there anything worse than a rep blagging it, because you always get found out. If you say you're going to send a price list, then send a price list. I do also enjoy doing admin and I think customers appreciate that things are done for them. I will do a personalised price list for a customer with their discount on it. If they request a credit I will make sure it's done right away so they aren't chasing it three months later. Another of my secrets is that I see my inbox as a ‘To Do’ list. If I have more than 30 emails in my inbox then I hate it. And when I hear people saying they have 7,000 emails in their inbox it really just makes me want to cry! I also keep account files for all my customers and always try to wish them a happy birthday if I know the date.
How do you stand out from the crowd? I think some sales reps, from what I hear, can just be about ‘talking the talk’. I don't mean that in a nasty way. A good friend of mine is a bit like that. I like to make sure I am very diligent with the admin so that I always do what I have promised to do.
What’s it like to work at Beco Pets? I love it. I love Beco Pets - it’s me. I’m selling stuff I believe in. My customers can see how much I enjoy it, how much I believe in Beco's ethos and products and that means they believe in it as well. Initially, I approached Beco and asked if they would like me to sell for them because of my sales track record and my eco ethos. We had a meeting and we took it from there. I felt fantastic when they offered me the job because it was absolutely what I wanted to do. The products are absolutely me. Beco’s ethos is all about being eco-friendly and at home, I also live the eco lifestyle. We recycle plastic soda bottles and hang them up as birdseed feeders (pictured right), I recycle old clothes as dusters, and use old pallets to build hedgehog houses in the garden.
Describe a typical working day My day begins daily at 6am when I get up and the first thing I do is check my emails. I then take the kids to school, and get out on the road. I plan my journeys on Google to drive the shortest distances between clients, which is better for the environment, and better for Beco’s petrol sales! I try to work smarter. I’m usually back home in time to sort out any admin for the day. I cover approximately 1,000 miles a week. My patch is a pretty large area geographically. It includes North Yorkshire and East Angelia, so it often means there is quite a lot of distance between pet shops. I travel in the ‘Becomobile’, a fully branded up saloon car. It always makes an impression and gets noticed. Putting in the quantity of mileage that I do, I always take care to get the right amount of sleep.
Do you own pets yourself? As a life-long animal lover (and a vegetarian since the age of 13) I grew up with pets and my parents had dogs, two Shetland sheep dogs. Now we have one rescue cat named Matilda, aged 4, and her two kittens; also three rescue guinea pigs, called Kwazii, Peso and Shellington, who are named after characters in Octonauts, a children's TV series on CBeebies.
How do you top this? Well, sales are very black and white. By that I mean that in sales the only way you get judged is by how much money you're bringing in. The way I top this is to continue working hard and try to sell more. On the night I won my award, somebody said to me: ‘Becky, this must be the pinnacle of your career.’ And I replied: ‘Yes... my career so far.’
What next for Becky Lambert? I am so excited to be working for a young, fast-growing company like Beco Pets that is set on such an exciting path. Now I just want to grow with them and be part of the amazing Beco story moving forward.
The Dogs Trust has issued a warning to pet owners following the release of John Lewis’ Christmas TV advert, which shows a pet dog bouncing around on a trampoline. The welfare charity says dogs should never be allowed onto such playthings…
The Dogs Trust has issued a warning to pet owners following the release of John Lewis’ Christmas TV advert, which shows a pet dog bouncing around on a trampoline. The welfare charity says dogs should never be allowed onto such playthings…
A spokesperson said: “The sentiment behind John Lewis’ advert is a reminder that Christmas is a time that brings people together and the charity knows only too well the joy a dog can bring to a family.
“Whilst dogs will thoroughly enjoy playing with their families, we advise owners to exercise caution and not allow their dog onto a trampoline, in case of injury.”
The Christmas TV advert focuses on Buster the Boxer dog’s Christmas Eve and morning.
The two-minute campaign, set to a cover version of One Day I’ll Fly Away by British band Vaults, tells the make-believe story of Buster the Boxer dog and his family.
The advert opens to a Christmas Eve scene of a little girl, called Bridget, bouncing on her bed as Buster looks on.
As Bridget sleeps, her parents assemble her Christmas present – a trampoline.
That night, Buster observes a cast of wildlife – including a pair of foxes, a badger, a squirrel and a hedgehog – discover the trampoline and begin to play on it.
On Christmas morning, as Bridget runs outside to see the trampoline, Buster leaps in front of her to bounce on it first, as she and her parents look in astonishment.
The advert has launched on social media, with the hashtag #BustertheBoxer, and on Sky TV.
Its first terrestrial TV screening will be aired this evening (Thursday) at about 9.15pm on ITV.
It was directed by Dougal Wilson, who also directed the previous John Lewis Christmas ads – 2011’s The Long Wait, 2012’s The Journey, and 2014’s Monty’s Christmas.
As the advert features some of Britain’s most well known wildlife, John Lewis has chosen The Wildlife Trust to be its Christmas campaign charity partner, and will donate a portion of its sales from the soft toy characters of the advert to the charity.
John Lewis customer director Craig Inglis said: “2016 has certainly been quite a year, so we hope our advert will make people smile. It really embraces a sense of fun and magic, reminding everyone what it feels to give the perfect gift at Christmas.
The retailer’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street will offer a virtual-reality Oculus Rift experience, while a 360 experience will also be available using 3D-viewer Google Cardboard.
On social media, John Lewis will partner with Snapchat to create a lens, available until midnight tonight, that will transform users into Buster the Boxer.
Throughout December, customers visiting any John Lewis store will be able to apply a Snapchat Buster the Boxer filter to any of the pictures they take in store.
And until this Sunday, Twitter users will be able to use bespoke stickers to customise photos.
Pets at Home has seen a huge surge in the number of visitors to its website using the search team ‘dog trampolines’ in the seven hours since Buster the Boxer made his John Lewis Christmas advert debut...
Pets at Home has seen a huge surge in the number of visitors to its website using the search team ‘dog trampolines’ in the seven hours since Buster the Boxer made his John Lewis Christmas advert debut.
It seems that the advert has also reminded pet owners not to leave their pets out when buying Christmas gifts this holiday season, as a surge in sales has been recorded, particularly on the specialist pet retailer’s website: www.petsathome.com.
The large dog stocking available at Pets at Home has seen a 350% rise in sales compared to yesterday’s sales (9 November) and the Reindeer Harness and Antler set has seen a 322% rise in sales over the same period. Dog toys also saw an uplift with sales of the Christmas Pudding Ball rising 130%.
In addition, it’s not only the dog Christmas range which has seen a spike, sales of cat Christmas teasers, including the Candy Cane Holly Teaser have seen a 120% rise in sales.
Scott Jefferson, marketing director at Pets at Home, said: "While we’re not sure we would ever sell a trampoline for dogs, we have seen a huge surge in people searching for fun gifts following the launch of the Buster the Boxer advert this morning.
"We have a huge variety of Christmas gifts for all pets and we hope that if anything, the John Lewis advert has encouraged owners to treat their pets this holiday season, after all, they are part of the family."
Pets at Home and Petplan have announced a new partnership, which will see the retail giant recommending Petplan policies to any new insurance customers. In return Petplan will add Pets at Home retail outlets to its extensive pet-focused distribution network...
Pets at Home and Petplan have announced a new partnership, which will see the retail giant recommending Petplan policies to any new insurance customers. In return Petplan will add Pets at Home retail outlets to its extensive pet-focused distribution network..
Jonny Armstrong, Head of Insurance for Pet’s at Home, said: “As pet lovers ourselves we share Petplan’s belief that pet insurance is an integral part of responsible pet ownership. It allows owners to seek veterinary advice at the earliest opportunity and undertake the necessary treatment to ensure the long term health of their pet, something we know pet owners prioritise. We are delighted to be working with the UK’s No. 1 pet insurance provider.”
James Barnes, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Petplan, comments: “Petplan has been helping look after the nation’s pets for the last 40 years. We understand the love that people have for their pets and as a result, safeguarding their health and welfare is – and always will be – our number one priority. We know that Pets at Home share this ethos and are equally committed to responsible pet ownership, making the partnership a natural move for us to help extend our reach into the retail sector.”
From today (November 10) current Pets At Home insurance customers will be invited to renew onto a new Pets At Home product underwritten by Petplan’s parent company Allianz Insurance plc.
As the nation’s No.1 pet insurer, Petplan offers a choice of products including its signature Covered for Life® policies which renew the annual veterinary fee benefit each year providing cover for ongoing conditions for the life of the pet and are recommended by thousands of pet professionals across the UK including vets, breeders and animal charities – and now Pets at Home as well.
The new partnership will see Pets at Home customers who take out a new Petplan policy benefitting from a unique 5% online premium discount as well as a free Pets at Home gift voucher worth £20 for dogs & cats, and £10 for rabbits for use in-store.
Steve Fowler stunned the pet industry earlier this year when he sold his PamPurredPets stores to rival Pets Corner. Following the presentation of a deserved Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pet Industry Federation Awards, we caught up with Steve to see what he's doing with his free time...
Steve Fowler stunned the pet industry earlier this year when he sold his PamPurredPets stores to rival Pets Corner.
To mark his remarkable career, Steve (above centre) was presented with Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pet Industry Federation Awards by Tom Page (above left), of sponsors Inspired Pet Nutrition, and actor and comedian Chris Barrie, who hosted the event.
This week Pet Trade Xtra caught up with Steve to see what he's doing with his free time...
What does this recognition mean to you? My wife Debbie and I opened our first PamPurredPets store in 1981 in Ferndown, Dorset with the aid of a £3,000 bank loan. There were many ups and downs over the years but we made many lifetime friends during that time. Neither of us had any relevant qualifications and learnt the hard way, solving problems as they arose and always planning for another branch.During the journey I had the opportunity, which I happily accepted, to contribute to our whole industry by working with the Pet Industry Federation over the past 17 years, so this award does mean a lot to me. I was very proud to receive it especially when former winners have included names, such as Anthony Preston, founder of Pets at Home, and also Margaret Ferris, who did such a great job in launching training programmes that improved standards within pet stores in the UK in the late 80s.
What are you doing with your time at the moment? I am currently catching up on gardening duties and trying to advance from crazy golf to the big course! In fact, improving my golf is proving to be more difficult than attending a PIF Board meeting.
Do you miss the pet trade? Yes I do miss the pet trade, particularly the people. Thirty-five years is a long time to have spent working hard and I must admit I am struggling with not going into work and do feel bored on some days.
Was it a wrench to leave the industry? Yes, Debbie and I spent a long time considering whether we really wanted to sell our business as it had become an integral part of our lives.
Will we see you back in some capacity? I have retained my position on the Board of The Pet Industry Federation and plan to continue helping with some events, including The Pet Industry Federation Forum & Awards. I am also trying to encourage our largest companies within the pet industry to work together in order that the benefits of keeping pets are given as much exposure in the press as the many negatives that are often printed. Looking ahead I will be seeking a non-exec or consultancy role within a pet trade company in order to keep me off the streets.
If you would like to contact Steve regarding consultancy opportunities email steve@crystalpoint.uk.com
Steve Fowler and Debbie Fowler, of PamPurredPets, after securing the deal to sell their company to Dean Richmond and Steven Charman, of Pets Corner.
Pedigree Wholesale was named Wholesaler of the Year at this year’s Pet Industry Federation Awards, following closely on similar success at the PetQuip Awards in September. So what makes this Nottingham-based company so successful? Pet Trade Xtra finds out....
Pedigree Wholesale was named Wholesaler of the Year at this year’s Pet Industry Federation Awards, following closely on similar success at the PetQuip Awards in September. So what makes this Nottingham-based company so successful? Pet Trade Xtra finds out....
What makes Pedigree Wholesale stand out from the rest? At Pedigree Wholesale we have a mission and set of values that we ask of ourselves and each other to ensure that we deliver our promise to customers. Our dedicated team are passionate about providing the very best service across all areas of the business. Focusing on supporting the specialist independent pet and aquatic sector Pedigree Wholesale also have an exceptional portfolio of market leading products ensuring customers can make the best choices for their individual business. Pedigree Wholesale also offer a frozen delivery service to satisfy the growing demand for frozen lines.
Do you supply any size of pet retailer, no matter how small? Pedigree Wholesale supply any size of pet retailer.
How do you manage to deliver an order to a pet store so quickly? Customers who have an account with Pedigree Wholesale can place their main order by 12.30pm, with additions up until 4pm, if their delivery day is the following day. Orders are delivered via Pedigree Wholesale’s own fleet of trucks, of which over 50% have been updated in the last 2 years, to models which offer greater fuel efficiency, cheaper running costs and are more environmentally friendly.
How is an order processed? A customer can place their order in a number of different ways; phone, fax, email, CSV or FTP. An increasing number of customers are placing their orders via Pedigree Wholesale’s online ordering system. Once received orders are then processed on the same day by our Customer Services Team, before flowing through into the warehouse and ultimately distribution.
Is there a minimum order size? Minimum order value to qualify for free delivery is £250.
How many exclusive brand labels to you now have? Being able to support independent retailers with exclusive product ranges is a key element of Pedigree Wholesale’s business. Pedigree Wholesale have an excellent selection of exclusive products including Alpha Spirit, SmartBones, Orbiloc, Chuckit!, All for Paws, Walter Harrison’s, Hurtta, Canidae, LitterLocker, PitPat and Hikari.
How important are industry awards like PIF and PetQuip? The awards are a fantastic endorsement and help differentiate us from our competitors. Alongside the publicity the awards generate for the business they also demonstrate to current and prospective customers, suppliers and employees our commitment to the industry and our credibility as a business.
What next for Pedigree Wholesale, for instance, how do you keep winning more awards? Going forward Pedigree Wholesale will continue to focus on improving both the service it offers to its customers and the efficiency of its operations to deliver the best possible service at the best possible price. To this end we will continue our ongoing investment and improvement in operating systems, supply chain management, transportation and human resources. The next stage of this improvement is a major investment in the IT infrastructure of the business which will see new operational systems, offering new ways of working, and a full upgrade of the entire IT infrastructure to harness the potential of the latest technology. This is a very significant project that will run into 2017 and will give Pedigree Wholesale a much improved operational and IT platform to provide firm foundations for the business for many years to come.
What’s the secret of you success? Pedigree Wholesale feel that their continued success can be attributed to putting customer service and satisfaction at the core of their business. Continuing to invest in people, systems and infrastructure helps ensure that this momentum can be built on ensuring a bright future for both the company, its customers and suppliers.
PATS Sandown is set to be a must-visit event for pet retailers and buyers as the industry’s leading companies show their commitment to the exhibition on March 21-22, 2017...
PATS Sandown is set to be a must-visit event for pet retailers and buyers as the industry’s leading companies show their commitment to the exhibition on March 21-22, 2017.
Bookings for the Sandown Park showpiece are impressive, and previous exhibitors, Beco Pets, Bern Pet Foods, Burns Pet Nutrition, Collarways, Danish Design, Flexi, Group55, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inspired Pet Nutrition, Johnsons Veterinary Products, Marriages, Merial, Nature’s Menu, Pedigree Wholesale, Royal Canin/James Wellbeloved, Symply Pet Foods, Trixie, and Vital Pet Products have already committed to the event. For a full list see the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk.
“It’s great to know that the pet industry continues to get right behind PATS Sandown,” said organiser Annie Foord. “Visitors to the show can be assured they will get to see and speak to the leading names in the industry. Early indications point towards lots of new products being launched at the show.”
Award-winning Beco Pets, who won Exporter of the Year at both the Pet Industry Federation and PetQuip Awards this year, admitted they were “really looking forward to the Sandown show.”
Toby Massey, co-founder and Beco’s design director, said: “At PATS, we’ve always tried to go the extra mile with our displays, whether they involve giant inflatable poop bags or eco-markets showcasing the fresh ingredients in our new dog food. At PATS Sandown, we’ll be looking to catch people’s eye once again and with Beco’s food for dogs being our biggest product ever, we have already started work on a few special Sandown surprises.”
One of PATS Sandown’s most popular features is the New Product Showcase, which continues to grow in size and because of its importance it will have a new and larger home in Surrey Hall’s Brasserie Bar in 2017.
All entries in the Showcase will be judged by a panel of pet retailers for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show. The results will be known and highlighted throughout the halls for the rest of the exhibition.
Supa Ltd is one company that knows the importance of winning a New Product Award, having won the Giftware Product category at both Sandown and Telford.
“Winning awards at PATS has proved very beneficial to us, and given our Garden Décor range a real boost,” said Chris Goodlad (pictured above), Managing Director of Supa Ltd. “We value the awards because they have been given by independent pet retailers. They know which products are going to sell well in their shops, and it’s great to hear their kind comments.”
PATS Sandown will see the return of the Grooming Workshops by popular demand after a two-year absence at the Surrey venue. Highly talented members of Groom Team England will be showing off their skills in the Esher Hall where visitors will be able to witness the expertise required to become an accomplished groomer. As well as being informative, each demonstration is also entertaining with the groomers pulling out all the stops to make their ‘models’ look stunning. Commentaries on the demonstrations will be provided by Diana North.
To help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, both the Surrey and Esher Halls have their own entrances and registration points, with visitors benefitting from free show entry, free parking, a free catalogue and many special offers. There will also be a full programme of free seminars.
To register for free entry to the show and to view the full list of exhibitors visit www.patshow.co.uk
The Pet Industry Federation has this week reminded pet retailers who sell livestock about the importance of joining its Primary Authority scheme – the government-backed initiative which helps to standardise inspections, overcome problems encountered by retailers and raise animal welfare standards...
The Pet Industry Federation has this week reminded pet retailers who sell livestock about the importance of joining its Primary Authority scheme – the government-backed initiative which helps to standardise inspections, overcome problems encountered by retailers and raise animal welfare standards.
PIF has partnered with the animal licensing experts at the City of London Corporation for its Primary Authority scheme, which supports retail members across England and Wales. Retail members of PIF can opt in to participate in the scheme at no further cost to themselves or their business.
Chief executive Nigel Baker said: "At this time of year, local authorities are busy renewing pet shop licences, so it’s the perfect opportunity for pet retailers to opt-in to our Primary Authority scheme.
"Primary Authority is there to help members. Recent research showed that less than half of local authorities are using the latest model conditions to inspect premises. By signing to PIF’s Primary Authority, retailers can be assured that the most up to date model conditions are used (so protecting animal welfare). If you believe the conditions have been incorrectly applied, you can get help.
"Primary Authority is simple to implement. Members opt-in to be inspected against PIF’s agreed inspection plan, which is based on the Model Licence Conditions for Pet Vending 2013, published by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
"If members within the scheme have any difficulties with their licence, they can phone PIF for support, and, if the inspection plan is not being followed or is being interpreted wrongly, we will liaise with the City of London Corporation to offer Assured Primary Authority Advice, which the local authority cannot ignore."
Nigel Baker continued: "The scheme is really simple for PIF members. Just let us know if you’d like to opt-in and we will send you the information you need to get signed up. If you’re not a member, speak to us today about joining and taking advantage of Primary Authority. 550 pet retailers have already signed to the scheme and PIF has already successfully responded to several questions arising from inspections."
The Primary Authority scheme is open to any current pet retail member of the Pet Industry Federation and does not incur any additional fees from PIF or the Local Authority responsible for the licence.
Further details are available at www.petfederation.co.uk. Contact the customer service team on 01234 273933 for details of how to become a PIF member.
The Hand in Hand in Wimbledon has been named Britain's Most Dog-friendly Pub Award 2016 in a competition organised by leading online dog-sitting platform, DogBuddy.com...
The Hand in Hand in Wimbledon has been named Britain's Most Dog-friendly Pub Award 2016 in a competition organised by leading online dog-sitting platform, DogBuddy.com.
The award, which was voted for by the dog-loving public and judged by a panel of judges from the RSCPA, The Morning Advertiser, Your Dog Magazine and Richard Setterwall, CEO of DogBuddy.com, recognises the deserving pubs across the UK that truly embrace ‘paw power’ and welcome four legs as well as two.
For hound-lovers and pup parents up and down the UK, a trip to the pub just isn’t the same without bringing along their furry friend and the Dogbuddy Dog-friendly Pub Awards are to show appreciation to the pubs that go that little bit further for our four-legged friends.
The nation’s favourite dog-friendly pub and the winner of the DogBuddy Dog-friendly Pub Awards 2016 is The Hand in Hand in Wimbledon. Christine Blackman took over The Hand in Hand back in 2014 and the team at the pub has been welcoming local dogs (and their owners) ever since.
“We were absolutely blown away when we found out that we had won this award, with many screams of delight and members of staff jumping around! This means a huge amount to us. We may be small but we are hugely community-focused and being dog-friendly is at the core of our business. We actively encourage all of our team to engage with our canine owning customers and so many of our customers are greeted by name – human and four-pawed.” says Christine Blackman from The Hand in Hand.
“We are launching a doggy ‘wall of fame’ with photos of our superstar pup visitors, and according to our customers, we should change our name to The Hand in Paw!”
In joint second place came The Caledonia in Liverpool and The Brandling Villa in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
The full list regional runners-up for the awards is as follows:
“We launched these awards to really find the cream of the crop when it comes to dog-friendly pubs and with these fantastic inns, we have done just that.” says Richard Setterwall, CEO and Founder of DogBuddy.
“We value dog welfare and care above all, and the winning pubs reflect these same values in their superb service – going the extra mile for the comfort of their canine visitors. We hope these awards inspire dog-lovers up and down the country to discover their local pubs – congratulations to The Hand in Hand – very well deserved.”
Two Midlands garden centres – Planters Garden Centre in Stafordshire and Garden King in Derbyshire – are hosting a special Santa's Grotto Just for Pets on Saturday...
Two Midlands garden centres – Planters Garden Centre in Stafordshire and Garden King in Derbyshire – are hosting a special Santa's Grotto Just for Pets on Saturday.
In 2015 the centres, which are part of the same group, made the local news, radio and TV with BBC East Midlands Today recording a feature at the quirky, yet popular pet grotto!
This Saturday marks the return of the 'Santa Paws Pet Grotto' and tickets are already selling fast.
The centres are both expecting to welcome over 100 dogs and maybe even a brave cat or two!
Santa will see a new pet or family of pets every five minutes - so there will be lots of opportunities to snap pictures/video and audio of happy pooches!
Collarways, importer and distributor of well known American brands such as Lupine West Paw Design and Pawz boots, is moving to new premises at the end of this month...
Collarways, importer and distributor of well known American brands such as Lupine West Paw Design and Pawz boots, is moving to new premises at the end of this month.
The company's new office and warehouse is just down the road from their current HQ, situated in Dorset countryside.
“We have been planning to relocate the office and warehouse for quite some time, but waiting for the ideal premises has taken longer than expected," said company director Katie Goldsmith.
"We are delighted to have found somewhere that suits our current needs and also for the future growth of the business.
“As always, customer service is the core of our business and everything has been arranged to ensure that we will be available to assist at this busy time of year.”
The new office address is 1A Whitebridge Industrial Estate, Semley, Dorset, SP7 9JT. The office telephone number (01747 832050) and email addresses will remain the same. The company website is www.collarways.com
Animal Instincts Snow Mates plush dog toys are available exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale Animal Instincts Snow Mates and are supplied on eye-catching hanging cards, making them easy to merchandise...
Pooches can be pampered this Christmas and beyond with Animal Instincts Snow Mates plush dog toys.
Perfectly themed for the festive season the range includes six characters in two sizes – Rodney Reindeer, Pedro Penguin, Winston Walrus, Annika Arctic Fox, Perdita Polar Bear and Sophia Snow Leopard.
The soft and squeaky fetch and retrieve plush toys are made from high quality, super soft fabric, making them great for dogs to snuggle up to. Perfect for stocking fillers each toy also features it’s own individual name and fun fact.
Available exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale Animal Instincts Snow Mates are supplied on eye catching hanging cards, making them easy to merchandise.
Let your customers spoil their dogs with a festive themed plush toy.
If you would like more information about Animal Instincts Snow Mates call 0115 982 3900 or email info@petproducts.co.uk.
Pet store retailers and veterinary surgeries are being urged to help owners take heed of their dog’s requirements, as unique dog bowl manufacturer, PetWeighter, asks them to think H2Ovember...
Pet store retailers and veterinary surgeries are being urged to help owners take heed of their dog’s requirements, as unique dog bowl manufacturer, PetWeighter, asks them to think H2Ovember.
PetWeighter has created this special motto for the calendar, to encourage dog owners to keep their beloved canine pals fully hydrated, by ensuring they have constant access to water.
While awareness of pet hydration during the hot summer months is high, it’s equally important to ensure dogs get the required level of fluids during the winter.
Many dogs do not drink sufficient water to keep them healthy, with a dog requiring around 0.5oz-1oz of water, per pound of body fat, each day. Water spillage is a major cause of insufficient hydration, with dogs just loving to nudge and tip their bowl, losing vital drinking supplies as they do.
PetWeighter helps this age-old canine conundrum evaporate, thanks to the efforts of ‘product developer’ – Charlie the Schnauzer. Charlie was the force behind what is a revolutionary dog bowl, due to his need for a constant source of hydration as a doggy diabetic.
The product is a robust, two-part bowl with a detachable base that can be filled with sand, water, or a combination of the two.This means that the high-strength plastic bowl will not move when a dog nudges it, or a human kicks it by accident, which eliminates the issue of spillage.
A full supply of water is essential for almost every canine bodily function, aiding a dog’s digestion, maintaining its body temperature at a normal level and preventing serious damage to organs.
As PetWeighter also boasts an elevated height, it has the additional benefit of reducing joint strain in a feeding or drinking dog, whilst also preventing neck discomfort.
Busy dog owners, who are out at work for much of the time, may not be aware of the fact that their faithful friend is missing out on the required level of hydration due to spillages.
PetWeighter removes this struggle and has already been praised by specialists like Sarah Fisher at Tilley Farm – a TTouch Instructor, behavioural counsellor, author and animal shelter consultant.
Sarah says: “I love the idea of PetWeighter. We used it as a water bowl on our recent dog clinics and it was brilliant – many fearful dogs are worried about lowering the head to drink from a bowl and easy access to water is so important when dogs are in a novel environment and/or learning new skills. It also stops people kicking over a water bowl on the ground.”
The run up to Christmas is the perfect time to stock PetWeighter and allow dog owners to give a little something special to man’s best friend as his or her festive gift. If pet stores heed the H2Ovember message, Christmas could even come early in terms of strong retail sales.
PetWeighter is available in pink, blue and red and has an RRP of £24.99. Pet stores wishing to find out more can contact info@petweighter.com, call Igloo Pets on 02392 474676, or fill in an enquiry form at www.petweighter.com
Arden Grange Pet Foods is celebrating 20 years of creating nutritionally complete and naturally hypoallergenic dog food...
Arden Grange Pet Foods is celebrating 20 years of creating nutritionally complete and naturally hypoallergenic dog food.
After having great success showing their Ardenburg German Shepherds, founders Graham and Wendy Stephens put this knowledge and experience in to practise when they started Arden Grange in 1996, combining their understanding of canine dietary needs with their passion to provide superior pet nutrition.
With a 20 year track record of creating innovative pet food diets, Arden Grange is still at the forefront of pet nutrition. After recently adding krill, an excellent new source of omega-3 and 6, to all of their dry dog food, it has also been added to all dry dog treat recipes.
Specific diets are catered for across the dog food range with sensitive light, senior and large breed varieties, as well as alternative protein sources such as lamb, salmon and pork, in addition to a variety of chicken recipes. Their grain free cat food range includes lifestage, sensitive and light varieties.
Co-founder Wendy Stephens said: “Our philosophy has always been nutrition without compromise, and to provide good value products our customers can rely on. We’re still going strong and with more developments in the pipeline, the next 12 months is going to be exciting. We’d also like to thank all our loyal customers for 20 incredible years. Here’s to another 20.”
Arden Grange are experts in pet nutrition with a wide range of wet and dry dog food, dry cat food and dog treats. All Arden Grange products are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, as well as beef, soya, wheat gluten and dairy products.
Agria Pet Insurance has appointed Janet Hughes to the position of Head of Veterinary Business...
Agria Pet Insurance has appointed Janet Hughes to the position of Head of Veterinary Business.
Janet will be responsible for ensuring that veterinary practices receive the support they need from Agria to grow their business and provide best quality care.
Janet is a well-known figure in the veterinary profession and a regional organiser for the VPMA. In her previous roles she has been instrumental in launching pet health plans in practices widely perceived to be one of the components that practice have to get right in order to drive client loyalty and practice profitability. Janets expertise in this area and her business acumen means that she has the ear of many practice owners and managers. She is very experienced in people management and is looking forward to enabling the Agria Sales team to deliver excellence in all they do.
Janet (above left) says she is excited to be remaining within the vibrant veterinary industry with a leading supplier.
"The move to Agria is extremely timely, as the company is at the forefront of the pet and vet sector and fully committed to investing and developing innovative new products. I've gained a good understanding of what veterinary practices need to be successful and have some strong relationships in this industry. Now Ill be demonstrating how working with Agria can help practices to sustain rapid growth."
Agria Managing Director Simon Wheeler (above right) says Janets appointment is a key one for the company. "Janet has the energy and enthusiasm we need to really communicate our innovative approach. This year, weve taken some big strides forward and were looking forward to gaining momentum to become the professions pet insurer of choice."
To find out more about what Agria has to offer practices go to www.agriapet.co.uk/veterinary or visit stand E15 at London Vet Show, London’s ExCeL, November 17-18.
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Pet store retailers and veterinary surgeries are being urged to help owners take heed of their dog’s requirements, as unique dog bowl manufacturer, PetWeighter, asks them to think H2Ovember.
