Social media sites Facebook and Twitter were bombarded with comments from disgruntled people who felt the message was at odds with responsible pet care.

On Facebook, Northern Ireland says "NO"  to Animal Cruelty remarked: “It was brought to our attention that Jollyes Petfood Superstores allegedly had the attached poster displayed in one of their stores, which as you can imagine caused outrage amongst people as it sends a wholly irresponsible message and at a time of year where there are many campaigns against this type of mentality.”

Another person wrote: “I work in a small independent pet shop I also have a degree in animal care and always the animals come first. And no pet should be bought just as a Christmas present.”

Other comments included: “Any animal is for life not just for xmas”; “This is nonsense, stop selling pets as gifts”; “Most animals bought as pets for Christmas are abused because of ignorance or simply because the person loses interest.”

The poster is believed to have been displayed in a Jollyes store in Bedford. Below ‘Pets make great Christmas presents’, it stated ‘Please note that last day you will be able to purchase any pets is 23^rd December. We do this in the interests of the pet’s health as they need 24 hours to settle in to a new home before being handled.’

On its Facebook page, Jollyes stated: “Anybody who knows Jollyes would understand that this is absolutely not company policy for what was printed. Jollyes has been in business for over 40 years and in all that time it has promoted responsible pet ownership.

“This was clearly an unauthorised, individual and isolated event which we do not endorse whatsoever.

“Each of our stores have their own printers, which allowed the poster to be produced without authorisation on blank marketing paper.

“We are very embarrassed and would like to apologise profusely to everyone once again.”

In another statement on Facebook, Glen from Jollyes Online Customer Service Team added: “After being notified by a customer via Facebook that a poster was on display in one of our stores that gave an irresponsible message and showed poor judgement we took immediate action in having it removed and have launched an internal investigation as to why this happened.

“The store intended to promote responsible pet ownership by highlighting that animals should be given time to settle into a new home, however the wording chosen to headline the notice certainly sends an incorrect message to our customers.

“Purchasing a new pet is not a decision that should be taken lightly, and throughout our website and our stores we offer advice and guidance to all new and potential pet owners so that our customers are able to make informed decisions regarding owning and purchasing a pet.

“Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention, we would like to reiterate that this was an isolated incident and again would also like to apologise for any upset this may have caused anyone.”

Natures Menu, crowned Exporter of the Year at the Pet Industry Awards, is set to continue its rapid expansion after joining forces with Spanish pet food giant Agrolimen.

The move is aimed at turning the Norfolk-based company into the leading provider of raw-inspired natural pet products throughout Europe.

“Agrolimen is the perfect business partner because the company is aligned with our vision and values," Craig Taylor, CEO of Natures Menu, pictured above left with Business Development Director Peter Roy.

"The partnership will allow Natures Menu to leverage the expertise of Nature's Variety from the USA, which Agrolimen co-owns.

"Both Natures Menu and Nature’s Variety are experts in providing raw-complete and balanced pet foods and are leaders in their respective markets. The opportunity to leverage Agrolimen’s know-how and expertise from Nature’s Variety will enable us to expand our production and develop new technologies for our trusted retailers and partners across Europe."

Natures Menu have seen excellent growth, exceeding expectations in the past three years with a company team of c.160 professionals.

It recently announced the construction of a new plant in Norfolk, which will include a £7 million investment to support future growth in the category. Further plans will be developed in partnership from within the new joint venture to develop new and exciting pet food strategies to benefit the pet specialist channel in the UK and through Natures Menu GmbH in Germany.

The UK is the third most important pet food market in the world, with estimated pet food sales of nearly £3 billion. The natural food segment, where Natures Menu operates, is growing at an annual rate of over 10% and the company is gaining a relevant share of the market.

“The opportunity to partner with Agrolimen, co-owner of Nature’s Variety, will enable us to develop the Natures Menu brand and product portfolio throughout Europe,” added Craig.

Natures Menu will continue operating as an independent company and Agrolimen will form a joint venture with the current owners of the company.

“This agreement is completely consistent with Agrolimen’s strategy, which includes the international expansion of its key divisions as one of its fundamental axes," said Joan Cornudella, CEO of Agrolimen.

"In addition, it is a huge step forward for the development of the pet food division, which builds on the operations carried out in recent years as well through Joint Ventures in the two largest pet food markets in the world – the USA and Brasil."

The TV advertisement for ADAPTIL focuses on Meg and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dude, who is anxious when Meg is away from home.

With the strapline ‘Best behaviour starts here’ the advertisement will help educate pet owners on the action they should take to keep their dogs happy when they are left at home alone and Dude’s experience taking ADAPTIL.

FELIWAY’s TV advertisement features the strapline ‘Experience the difference in your home’ and focuses on the real life story of Clare and her rescue cat, Mewsli, who was often scared and anxious, so much so that she would hide under the bed and scratch the side of the chair. It follows Mewsli’s progress while using FELIWAY and the remarkable difference in her behaviour.

The TV advertising campaign, which is aimed at ABC1 women, runs from Christmas Day until 10 January 2016 and the advertisements will air throughout the family films over the festive period with ADAPTIL featured during ad breaks for Paul O’Grady’s popular 'For the Love of Dogs' Christmas Specialon Boxing Day.

The advertisements will be aired on ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5, digital channels including E4, Film4, ITV2, ITV3 and ITVBe and London Live.

“The winter months and New Year celebrations can be a stressful time for the nation’s pets,” comments Claire Russell, product manager for ADAPTIL and FELIWAY at Ceva Animal Health.

“The investment in our biggest ever TV advertising campaign over the winter months will raise awareness of the benefits of ADAPTIL and FELIWAY during this challenging time while further enhancing our status as market leaders in behaviour.”

For further information on ADAPTIL or FELIWAY visit adaptil.co.uk or feliway.co.uk.

Plans are now well advanced for PATS Sandown, which takes place on March 22-23 2016, with over 140 leading companies within the industry having already secured their stand place. And while previous exhibitors have made sure they have re-booked early, a host of new and international exhibitors have chosen to unveil their 2016 launches at the show.

The second PATS Telford, being held on September 25-26 2016, is also taking shape in impressive style and is well set to attract a wide audience, including a growing number of buyers from overseas.

“We’re really excited about our two shows in 2016 after what has been a fantastic year,” said organiser Annie Foord. “PATS Sandown continues to be highly popular with both exhibitors and visitors while PATS Telford looks to build on its very successful launch.”

PATS Sandown attracted a total of 1,859 visitors in 2015, with the number of pet retailers attending the show increasing by 2% compared to the previous year. Visitors gave the event a ringing endorsement with comments like: “Without doubt this is the best trade event”; “I have attended many trade fairs and PATS creates the biggest buzz”; “It works so well because you get the chance to see all the latest pet products under one roof.”

Meanwhile, PATS Telford broke all records with 2,036 visitors attending, which was 6% higher than PATS Harrogate in 2014. The mood was one of great excitement as retailers admitted the move to Telford International Centre had taken the show on to the next level. One visitor summed it all up by saying: “You can’t afford to miss this exhibition.”

One of the biggest endorsements comes from Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of PetQuip,who says PATS has become a truly international show. “There’s now a tremendous amount of interest from overseas buyers, who are finding products that are very different from anywhere else in the world. PATS is a very exciting place for them to be.”

Both PATS Sandown and PATS Telford are packed with features to keep visitors busy all day. As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new pet products and speaking to top suppliers and manufacturers, retailers will also be able to pick up business boosting ideas from prominent industry figures.

Parking is free at both Sandown Park and the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.

To register for free entry to the show and to view the full list of exhibitors visit www.patshow.co.uk

Every year, Beaphar runs a health campaign to remind and encourage dog and cat owners to regularly worm their pets. With the help of retailers, social media and printed press, the 2015 campaign took place at the end of September, raising £5,316 for Hearing Dogs. This is sufficient to start a new puppy on the 18 month journey to becoming a Hearing Dog.

Rose, a dark blue roan Cocker Spaniel, already shows huge promise. When the Beaphar team met her, she was only 13 weeks old, and yet already behaved impeccably.

Cockers make great Hearing Dogs, as they are intelligent, loving and eager to please.

Rose had been with her socialiser, Malcolm for only four weeks, but was already responding well to his sit, stay and leave commands.

Rose’s training will continue until she is 18 months old, when she will be partnered with a deaf person, with whom she will live and work until she retires at around 11 years of age. Hearing Dogs enable people to lead full and active lives, giving them the independence to go about their lives without feeling alone or self-conscious.

They have even been known to save lives. Hearing Dogs already have 805 working partnerships; following her training, Rose will make this 806.

“We are delighted that we have been able to donate to Hearing Dogs in this way. Rose is a gorgeous, and is sure to make someone a fabulous companion,” commented Sue Huggett, Beaphar’s Business Manager.

The company will continue to follow Rose throughout her training, and will report on her progress via their Face Book account (www.facebook.com/beapharuk).

Meanwhile, Beaphar engaged with more than 30,000 people on social media during the campaign, using videos, competitions and the Hearing Dogs link. More than 70% of retail accounts used the point of sale materials produced for the campaign, and many stores received bespoke training in worms and wormers from their Sales Executive.

For further information on how to profit from worms, contact the Beaphar office on 0333 0066236, email info@uk.beaphar.com or visit the fully updated Worm Awareness website (www.wormawareness.co.uk).

• chocolate poisoning (seen by 69% of vets)
• raisins/sultanas (45%)
• Christmas decorations (10%)

• antifreeze (seen by 24% of vets)
• seasonal plants, such as poinsettia (12%)
• Christmas decorations (6%)

1. Protect your pet from poisons – a number of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.
2. Keep decorations out of reach – ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can all prove irresistible to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.
3. Forget festive food for pets – we all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared. They can trigger indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea or even conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Turkey bones should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
4. Give toys not treats – we all want our pets to share the fun and many of us include a gift for our pet on the shopping list. But too many treats can lead to fat, unhappy animals so consider opting for a new toy  or a long walk if you want to indulge your pet this Christmas.
5. Know where to go – even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. Make sure you’re prepared by checking your vet’s emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours or, if you are away from home, use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility at www.findavet.org.uk/

It is the third year running Arden Grange has been recognised by the readers of Your Cat Magazine after winning the Best Dry Cat Food Award 2014/15, and the Pet Industry Award Product of the Year in 2013, which was voted for by the readers of Your Cat. The generous helpings of fresh chicken in the adult diet make it highly palatable, even for the fussiest eaters.

The increasingly popular Sensitive – ocean white fish & potato gained its first award this year. This complete pet food for adult cats with particularly sensitive stomachs or skin is naturally higher in essential fatty acids than standard diets thanks to the highly digestible ocean white fish. As with all Arden Grange foods, it is naturally hypoallergenic and like all the cat food recipes it is free from grains and cereals to reflect a cat’s natural diet.

Wendy Stephens, co-Founder and Director of Arden Grange said: “Winning the Your Cat Magazine award for Best Dry Cat Food for our Adult Chicken is a great honour, and we really appreciate the public voting for us.

"Our winning the Best Specialist Food Award for our Sensitive diet shows that our customers and their pets are really benefiting from our super premium recipes.

"We are incredibly proud of our products and are really pleased to be able to pass on our knowledge and experience of pet nutrition to so many happy customers.”

In addition to these two awards, Arden Grange’s Tasty Liver Treat for cats and dogs was Highly Commended in the Best Cat Treat category. The irresistible grain free paste is the perfect reward or treat for adult cats, as well as being ideal for giving medication.

NutriRep is a complete calcium, vitamin and mineral-balancing supplement for reptiles with added D3. It can be dusted onto all food sources including insects, meats and Vegetables. No other supplement is required.

The unique formulation includes colour-enhancing Beta-Carotene through natural spinach and carrot powder. Fed to reptiles over a period of time, Beta-Carotene can help enhance reptiles’ optimum colours.

The new supplement is available in 65g and 130g Slim-line pots, ensuring minimum shelf space is required. It is available through wholesalers including Peregrine Livefoods, Monkfield Nutrition and Go Pet Suppliers.

Recommeded retail prices:

• 65g: £6.49
• 130g: £9.99

You can view the full range of products at www.whitepython.com.

You can also stay up to date with the latest developments on the company's facebook page: www.facebook.com/whitepython1

With experience working in the FMCG industry and managing accounts such as Ocado and Whole Foods, Hannah will add knowledge and insight to Pooch & Mutt’s sales team. With a Labradoodle of her own named Bella, Hannah cannot wait to get started.

The South London based natural, ethical dog food and treat manufacturer has been busy this past year, welcoming 3 full time staff to their growing team across online, production and sales departments.

Dave Latham who is also sponsored by Sneyd’s Wonderdog qualified 2 dogs for the finals.

John Halsted eventually won with F.T.CH. ASTERIX AGUZANNIS of CHATSWORTH. He also received a diploma of merit with F.T.CH. EMANNYGAN RAMBLE. 

Sneyd’s, proud sponsors of both handlers, are over the moon with such an achievement.

John Sneyd, Chairman of Sneyd’s Wonderdog, commented: “I was thrilled to hear Dave had 2 dogs in the finals but left speechless at the thought of John taking 5 dogs through to the final stages.”

Phil Judson, Managing Director of Sneyd’s, added: “I did not think John would ever upstage the success of coming first and second in the 2009 Championships but this was remarkable. Sneyd’s is one of the leading gundog brands in the country and we are proud to have sponsored John for 13 years. We and our products are now attracting other leading trailers such as Dave Latham, another multiple Retriever Championship winner. I cannot overstate what this means to our company, it makes all our hard work in producing first class affordable working dog foods worthwhile.”

Sneyd’s Wonderfeeds has over 42 years of experience of manufacturing and producing quality complete dog foods. The company offers a complete range of working dog, premium and super premium foods to suit all types of dogs, activity ranges and ages.

To find out more call 08000 778 846, email sales@wonderdog.co.uk or visit www.wonderdog.co.uk