UK pet wellness company HOWND has reached an agreement with Whole Foods Market, an upscale American multinational supermarket chain, which will help to accelerate the brand’s growth in the US.

The deal has been struck by HOWND’s US distributor Only An Ocean, which announced the brand's entry into Whole Foods Market’s pet segment this week.

“We are thrilled to work with Whole Foods Market by including HOWND in their pet care segment for 2023. This market expansion opportunity inspires our company and our brand partner, HOWND, to broaden our vision of making plant-based products available to a broader audience committed to ingredients and respect for our planet,” said Cheryl Pedersen, Co-Founder, Only An Ocean.

A selection of HOWND’s Conditioning Shampoos and Refreshing Body Mists of the ‘Keep Calm,’ ‘Yup You Stink!,’ and ‘Got An Itch?’ product lines will launch nationally in select Whole Foods Market stores.

Cindy Hwang, Assistant Category Merchant at Whole Foods Market, commented: “We are so excited to launch HOWND as our customers are always looking for fun ways to pamper their pets. Our shoppers will love the vegan options that are certified cruelty free.”

Since its inception in the UK, HOWND’s founders Mark Hirschel and Jo Amit have continued to grow the brand’s presence worldwide. From their love for dogs and respect for the planet, their commitment is to consistently offer global communities the most ethical, plant-based, and professional-grade products and packaging. 

Founders of the UK’s Bring Your Dog to Work Day since 2014, they create initiatives to benefit the planet and pet welfare with fundraising events, charitable contributions, and donation-based invitations to have like-minded companies be a member of their ‘Pawsome Partners’ family.

Mark said: “We have been working closely with Only an Ocean, our US distributor, for several years now and slowly finding ways to build our brand across the pond. Together, we identified Whole Foods as being a great fit for HOWND and prepared the deal alongside our distributor throughout most of 2022.

“Whole Foods is a fantastic retail chain and the fact they chose HOWND speaks volumes about our brand. It’s now our job to make sure we are successful in-store, and only when once we've achieved this will the real transformation begin with many more doors opening up for us.

“There's no denying that it’s a fantastic opportunity and one we feel has been earned. As a multi-channel brand, we are seeing growth from a variety of revenue streams and this goes some way to showing us that large volume retail trade is alive and well.”

Whole Foods Market is a subsidiary of Amazon and is an upscale American multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

UK pet product suppliers will get the chance to exhibit at one of the world’s leading trade exhibitions as PetQuip organises its first-ever British Pavilion at SuperZoo in Las Vegas on 16-18 August 2023.

The British Pavilion will be located in the heart of the show floor at this leading exhibition.

SuperZoo 2022 welcomed more than 16,000 pet professionals, representing over 25 countries and all 50 states, to engage in new product introductions, expert-led education sessions and peer-to-peer networking events. 

The 331,500 square foot show floor featured more than 1,000 exhibitors from every pet product category and 900+ products made their debut in SuperZoo’s sold-out New Product Showcase. 

SuperZoo continues to be the industry’s go-to trade show for the pet retail community, making it THE event to showcase your products to the US $123.6 billion industry.

For more information or to secure your place in the British Pavilion contact PetQuip’s Emma Brazier by email emma@petquip.com

Pets at Home has opened the doors to its new look pet care centre at Horsted Retail Park in Chatham, Kent, offering the ultimate experience for pet owners and their pets, all under one roof.    

The revamped store is now home to a brand-new grooming salon – The Groom Room – which has opened for the first time. It offers a wide range of grooming services for dogs, including full grooms, spa treatments, puppy grooming, bath, brush and blow-dry, and nail clipping. Customers can book appointments online at www.petsathome.com/groomroom. 

The rest of the store has also been refurbished, including a pet village, which has been designed with small animals in mind to ensure there is plenty of room for them to play, hide, eat, and sleep, as well as an aquatic centre, with a range of fish and accessories.

The Chatham store has a team of specialist pet care advisors on hand to support pet owners with free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, weight checks and nutritional consultations, as well as a coat and harness fitting service for dogs.

The store also has a Vets4Pets vet surgery, which was formerly Companion Care. They have a team of highly skilled vets, experienced nurses, and dedicated Client Care Advisors on hand to support pets with all of their important healthcare needs – from preventative care and welfare advice, to treating sick and injured animals.

All customers who were previously signed up to Companion Care will automatically have access to the new Vets4Pets surgery, with the team all remaining the same. 

Store manager, Sam Bickers, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our customers and their pets into our revamped pet care centre. 

“We really do offer everything you need to keep pets happy, healthy, and safe, all under one roof. Whether it’s help with fitting a harness or your pet’s diet, accessing our grooming services, or booking an appointment with the Vets4Pets team, our team are always on hand to offer expert pet care advice, support, and guidance.”

New customers can sign up to Pets at Home’s free VIP club to receive 10% off their first shop and 25% off their first full groom at The Groom Room*.

New puppy and kitten owners can also access the free VIP Puppy & Kitten club, joining the millions of pet owners already getting expert advice and tailored offers through their pet’s first year.

Pet owners in Chatham can keep up to date with the latest store news and offers with the store’s Facebook page. 

The British Independent Retailers Association has said the sharp rise in shop closures over the past 12 months is 'frightening'.

The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has remarked on the latest figures released by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) which has highlighted that 2022 saw 17,000 sites across the UK shut up shop as 'frightening' and 'toxic'.

The figures are the highest number seen in five years for UK high streets, shopping parades and out of town shopping parks - and are 50% higher than 2021. The number of jobs lost have also jumped significantly - with 150,000 posts closed, which has risen by 43% in the previous year.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA said: "The number of shops closing is frightening and has accelerated throughout the year. It is due to a toxic combination of reduced consumer spending and rising costs.

"I feel that after three years of dealing with Covid from lockdowns to trading restrictions, and now coupled with the cost of living crisis, that indie retailers are worn out and tired," he said.

However Mr Goodacre added: "We can look forward to lower business rates in England and Wales (but not in Scotland where rates are being increased) as from April this year, but that coincides with the end of the energy support scheme. This report shows the urgent need to retain the energy support or 2023 will see many more shops closing."

The Mayor of Basildon Borough, Cllr Luke Mackenzie, officially opened the doors to the new extension at Vets4Pets Basildon Hospital, increasing its services and care for pets across Essex.

The Vets4Pets extension, which has created seven jobs, now makes Vets4Pets Basildon Hospital (Pitsea) the only practice in the area to house an onsite MRI scanner, helping vets to better diagnose and treat pets.

Hydrotherapy has also been added to the list of specialist services the hospital now offers, along with a number of others it already provided, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner, advanced skills in keyhole surgery, soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics and laser therapy.

Established in 2010, Vets4Pets Basildon Hospital (Pitsea) provides emergency and out of hours veterinary care, along with inpatient care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from its site in Pets at Home at Old Market Retail Park.

The rest of the Pets at Home Basildon store has also been refurbished, including a new pet village, which has been designed with small animals in mind to ensure there is plenty of room for them to play, hide, eat and sleep, as well as an aquatic centre, with a range of fish and accessories.    

Customers can make use of the brand-new dog self-wash station where they can wash and blow dry their dog themselves without the hassle of cleaning up the bathroom at home.  

Nikki Idowu, Joint Venture Partner and Practice Manager at Vets4Pets Basildon (Pitsea), said: “We’d like to say thanks to Cllr Luke Mackenzie, Mayor of Basildon, for taking the time to officially open the new extension. It’s our priority to provide the very best possible care to our loyal community and our new and improved facilities and services mean we can do just that.”

Vets4Pets offers a full range of veterinary healthcare services from a team of highly skilled vets, experienced nurses and dedicated Client Care Advisors who are on hand to support pets with all of their important healthcare needs – from preventative care and welfare advice, to treating sick and injured animals.

Mr Bug has unveiled its colourful new counter display unit that will be heading out to discerning independent pet stores and nationwide pet food chains, pubs, delis, farm and coffee shops from the beginning of February 2023.

Pet store acolytes of Mr Bug’s all-natural Devon-baked treats will gain priority access to this all-singing shelf display by simply placing a minimum order of 10 units per flavour (40 units in total).

With significant numbers of leading dog treats still needlessly riddled with unwelcome calories, synthetic nasties, lazy fillers, Mr Bug was determined in 2022 to launch a sustainable offer of Devon-farmed mealworms baked with an array of beneficial nutritious ingredients: beetroot, parsnips, sweet potato honey, peanut butter and vegan cheese.

Historically entovegan thinking within the UK pet scene has been dominated by unsavoury black fly larvae which were originally grown very much with cattle feed in mind.  The only problem with championing black fly larvae is that the resulting taste is not only more bitter than a medium-sized bag of plump limes, it’s also awash with unwelcome saturated fats.

In stark contrast, Mr Bug’s epicurean-orientated dog treats made with nutritious mealworm powder offer an alluring nutty twang in conjunction with an array of highly prized nutritional benefits: more calcium than milk, more B12 than salmon, more iron than spinach and access to all 9 amino acids.  

Mr Bug comes as a: Veggie One, A Fruity One, A Nutty One & The Cheesy One.

To find out more about Mr Bug or their new counter display units contact bugme@mrbug.co.uk

Visit www.mrbug.co.uk

The Hurtta Eco range, distributed by Pedigree Wholesale, is growing in 2023 as the brand swaps many of its much loved and trusted lines for eco-versions made with recycled materials.

The Hurtta story began with a personal need and desire to protect dogs from the cold and ever-changing, extreme conditions of the North. Finland, the ''Wild North'', is known for its relentless winters, which is why Hurtta are a top advisor of tips and tricks to keep dogs safe and warm in the colder months.

Read on to discover the top ways to keep our furry friends all tucked up throughout the rest of winter.

Dogs love spending time with us, and shared hobbies and activities are a great way to enjoy more time together. A pet owner is responsible for caring for their dog's physical health. When exercising or doing activities, a dog's muscles must be warmed up and cooled down; much like humans, our bodies move better when our muscles are warm and supple, which is the same for dogs.

Layering is a familiar term for people who live in colder climates and those who spend a lot of time outdoors, but we forget the same logic applies to dogs too. Combining a warming layer with a weather protective overall is the best way to keep dogs warm and safe.

Thermal apparel such as a warming layer, jacket, or overall can help make warming up and cooling down more efficient; at Hurtta, they have a wide variety of layering options in the range, such as the Midlayer Overall and the Razzle-Dazzle Midlayer Jacket, these easy-on and easy-off jackets make them perfect throughout Autumn and Winter as the weather changes.

If owners have a short-haired or older dog who may struggle to retain their body heat, a thin overall or harness with a foil lining, such as the Weekend Warrior Warming Harness, that reflects body heat onto the dog can provide much-needed warmth and is great for layering under a jacket or thicker winter overall if needed, breathable layers also help prevent dogs from overheating.

Rain and colder temperatures can cause a dog's muscles to cool too quickly; this can be very dangerous and cause them to freeze, so a jacket that protects against rain and wind will help; the Drizzle Coat is an excellent option for this as it protects against rainy, windy, and muddy conditions. The Extreme Warmer is great for when temperatures plummet; this jacket helps protect dogs from harsher elements such as snow and ice.

In 2021 alone, Hurtta sold more than half a million clothing units, and about 400,000 were from their ECO range, contributing to removing tons of plastic from the environment.

Up-and-coming pet food business, Vale Pet Foods, based in Leicestershire, has added a new range of air dried natural dog training treats to its product range.

Vale Pet Foods was founded by two dog trainers, husband and wife Luke and Mairi Chapman who also run a busy little farm in the Northamptonshire countryside. As dog trainers they became very aware of the sensitivities and intolerances to food that many dogs had developed. They saw first-hand how diet can massively impact a dog’s behaviour, its appearance and also its development. Vale Dog Food was created to provide customers with a naturally wholesome diet, packed with a good healthy source of protein and the right oils and minerals to benefit skin and joints. They produce a range of grain and gluten free dry food recipes, raw food recipes and natural treats.

All products only use meat sourced from the human food chain and the finest ingredients and packed with vital nutrients that are needed to contribute to great overall health. 

Vale Pet Food’s dog training treats come in three varieties.  Tasty Training Treats with Duck and Ox Liver are gently air-dried and contain 44% UK sourced Duck and 16% Ox Liver. They are soft, small in size and easy to break apart which makes them perfect for use as training treats for dogs of all breeds and sizes.

Duck is a highly palatable, protein-rich meat that is also a great source of Vitamin A and B3, which both promote healthy skin, eyes, and coat, as well as helping to prevent inflammatory conditions.

Liver is an incredibly beneficial, nutrient-dense protein source that is rich in many vital minerals and vitamins that contribute to good overall health, including Selenium, Riboflavin and Iron. 

Calming Turkey Treats with Chamomile and Lavender treats are gently air-dried and are comprised of 65% UK sourced Turkey which is rich in protein and low in fat, and therefore provides enough energy without being high in calories.

The turkey content also ensures the treats are easily digestible and are also grain and wheat-free, which makes them suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs, intolerances or allergies. Subtle chamomile and lavender essential oils have been infused into the treats, which provide calming properties and therefore are a great choice of training treats for dogs that are particularly anxious.

Finally, the Super Sausage Treats with Lamb and Rosemary are gently air-dried and contain 70% UK sourced lamb which is extremely high in protein, minerals and vitamins that are essential to maintaining good overall health.

The treats are also highly palatable and are easy to digest which makes them suitable for fussy dogs, and those with sensitive stomachs or intolerances. The addition of rosemary essential oils aid in digestion, which in turn maintains a healthy gut and helps to prevent gastrointestinal problems.

All treat varieties contain sweet potato which is an excellent source of fibre and vitamins that help to promote healthy skin and coat.

For further information please visit. www.valepetfoods.com

Furr Boost, the healthy hydration smoothie drink that scooped the Best Product Innovation Awards at both PetQuip and the PIF Awards, has secured a distribution deal with leading pet wholesaler Pedigree Wholesale.

The smoothie drinks were created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal  after her Beagle, Phoebe at the age of 18 months became unwell with bladder problems which after investigations with her vet, were linked to the dog’s food. Using her technical background, Louise then started experimenting with protein shakes to help flush out Phoebe’s system and to provide her with the hydration that she needed when she was refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. This led to the creation of the Furr Boost range of smoothies.

Each of Furr Boost’s recipes contains a meat, fruit and vegetable, along with added oils and vitamins, so it’s more than a hydration drink, it supports the dog’s wellbeing in areas such as digestion, skin and coat, anxiety, metabolism and immunity.”

Furr Boost can be used in a variety of ways. Served frozen, it can be placed in a Kong Toy or lick mat for dog training or as a distraction, or simply given to a dog as a tasty icy treat. Unfrozen, it can be added as a topper to meals or on hot days, simply pour into a bowl for instant hydration.

Furr Boost is available in three tasty varieties which all use the best quality 100% natural human grade ingredients: Chicken, Butternut Squash & Cranberry, Pork, Apple & Sweet Potato and Beef, Broccoli & Blueberry. Other added ingredients include flaxseed, coconut and salmon oils, dried sea kelp, chicory root extract, yeast beta glucan, vitamins B&C and water.

Furr Boost is also a sustainable product using packaging materials which are recyclable avoiding single use plastic as each smoothie is available in a Tetra Pak Carton.

Since launching, Furr Boost has seen its customer base grow online with a healthy presence on e-commerce websites but it is also now looking to expand its retail operation. The business is receiving a high level of international enquiries for the drinks and is currently exploring export opportunities. There also plans to introduce new varieties in the near future. The brand is supported by a number of ambassadors and social media influencers and currently sponsors British Flyball Teams, Dog Agility competitors with interest also from the Canicross community who use the drinks to give their dogs instant hydration. 

Not only are the drinks ideal for active dogs but they are also great to give senior dogs when they are nearing the end of their lives as they provide comfort and balanced nutrition.

Commenting on the new distribution deal Louise said: “We are really excited that Pedigree Wholesale as seen the huge potential in our product range. The new deal will ensure nationwide distribution for our smoothie drinks and will allow more dog owners the opportunity to improve the hydration and wellbeing of their pets.”

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com 

You can order from Pedigree Wholesale | Pedigree (petproducts.co.uk)

For trade enquiries contact Louise Toal on Tel: 01746 785 410 email: customerservices@furrboost.com or visit the wholesale page: www.furrboost.com/wholesale

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Local councillors have been asked to approve plans that would turn a former museum into a new pet shop.

Forest Pet Supplies Ltd has submitted a planning application to New Forest District Council to change the old Ringwood Town and Country Experience unit at Gouldings Farm, in Hampshire, into a pet shop.

The company claims it would make “sustainable use of an otherwise derelict unit”.

Its plans are said to be “small scale within the existing building” and would involve no external alterations or ground works.

In its application, the company states: “The proposed change of use would create an additional benefit to local residents by providing a service to meet the needs of local livestock and pets.

“By bringing it back into use, the proposal would create an additional retail offer to local residents and help to grow a small-scale rural enterprise in keeping with the character and appearance of the street scene and surrounding area.”

Picture: Google maps.

Following the success of the PIF Export Scheme in 2022, the schedule for the first half of 2023 has recently been finalised and bookings are now being taken for the January consignment. 

To take part in January's consignment, bookings need to be confirmed by Friday January 13th. Pallets will then be despatched to the EU w/c Monday January 23rd (subject to EU BCP authorisation).

The PIF Export Scheme enables manufacturers and suppliers to export products to the EU containing animal protein in a cost effective and efficient way.

To book your pallets on to the January consignment, or to make enquiries, please email export@petfederation.co.uk 

For further details about the PIF Export Scheme, and to view the consignment dates for the first half of 2023, click here: Export – PIF (petfederation.co.uk).

Dark nights, wet weather, and chilly temperatures are sure signs that winter is well and truly upon us. When the weather turns, you might find your pet is less inclined to brave the outdoors – so how can we keep them entertained and ensure they get enough exercise during the colder months?

Nina Downing, vet nurse at the UK’s largest veterinary charity PDSA, has shared her five top tips for keeping your four-legged friend moving.

Nina said: “When pets don’t stay active, they are at risk of piling on extra pounds that could endanger their overall health – not to mention boredom, which can put them in mischief’s way! Luckily, there are lots of fun ways to keep furry friends entertained this winter, even on a rainy day.”

Snuffle roll

“This is a tried and tested favourite for any playful puss or pooch and is very easy to set up. All you need is a small towel or blanket, your pet’s normal dry food and a treat or two. Lay the material on the floor and scatter the food over the top. Then, roll the mat up, making sure the treats don’t fall out of either end. Now your pet can snuffle and sniff out their food, keeping their brain and nose active!

Practice training and agility

What better time to brush up on your pup’s obedience training than when you’re stuck inside? Whilst indoors you can teach your pup some new tricks or practice ones you both enjoy, using food or treats as a reward is a great way to keep them engaged and let them know they’ve mastered a trick. Another fun way to get them excited and build their fitness is to set up an indoor obstacle course. Whether it’s using chairs and a blanket to create a tunnel, a small foot stool for the perfect hurdle, or pairs of shoes for them to weave in and out of, the possibilities are endless and can provide furry and human family members alike hours of fun. 

Hide and seek

A childhood classic, this game also helps to train your dog, as they become attuned to listening out, as well as sniffing around for you in order to find the location where you’re hiding. Ask your dog to sit and stay before moving around or leaving the room. At first, stand or crouch in more obvious places and call your pooch to come find you. Not only will they use their eyes, ears and nose to seek you out, they will also engage their brain and employ mental energy. As your dog becomes better at finding you, you can start to hide in more difficult places, like behind a door or curtain.

Toys, toys, and more toys

All pets have a preference for their favourite toy, whether that be a squeaky ball or teaser on a stick. Utilising items that encourage their natural instincts is a great way of keeping your pet entertained – just make sure you swap the toy every few days so they don’t get bored of it!

DIY

Homemade toys work just as well as those available in shops. You can create a teaser with strips of fabric from old clothes, blankets, or towels - simply tie them together at one end, leaving the rest to trail behind for your pet to chase. The same technique can be used to make a tug toy – just make sure to knot all the pieces together every few centimetres from end to end, as this will add strength and provide something that you and your pet can both grip.

Boxes are another favourite as they can be used in many ways, from making hidey holes through to creating tunnels. You could even cut out holes and connect several boxes together to create a maze for your pet to find their way through.

For more ideas on how to keep your pet entertained this winter, visit https://www.pdsa.org.uk/catexercise

A well-known and highly rated pet supply business in Fareham, Hampshire, has been put up for sale with an asking price of £62,500.

The sale of Nelly's Woofers is being handled by agents Hilton Smythe, who state that the store’s current turnover is £146,500.

The business was initially established over seven years ago as a market stall, before moving into a bricks-and-mortar shop in 2017.

The agents said the company had built up an outstanding reputation and enjoyed a large number of repeat custom and word of mouth recommendations.

The shop currently offers the following range of pet supplies and accessories:

• Small and large bags of dry dog food 
• Wet dog food 
• Raw dog food ranges 
• Loose, bagged & packaged treats 
• Dog beds, toys & accessories 
• Dog harnesses, leads & collars 
• Range of treatments 
• Towels, brushes & shampoos

The business has huge scope for further development including embarking on an e-commerce website, deliveries, increasing opening hours, employing staff etc.

Hilton Smythe  added: “In our opinion, we very rarely see pet stores of this high standard come to the open market, the customer loyalty is extremely high. We therefore strongly recommend early enquiry to avoid disappointment.”

Nelly’s Woofers occupies a highly visible trading position in West Street in the centre of Fareham, Hampshire.

Details of the pet shop sale can be found by clicking here

Will Bushell, head of dog marketing at Inspired Pet Nutrition, was a recent guest on BBC Radio 5’s Big Green Money Podcast. Hosted by Dragon’s Den panellist, Deborah Meaden, the podcast delved into how some of the UK’s biggest companies are operating in today’s market. 

Bushell shared his expertise on how IPN is placing sustainability at the forefront of its business, as the brand continues to put people, pets, and the planet first.

Meaden wanted to find out what it means to be carbon negative?

Bushell: “Being carbon negative is something we are proud of, and we have been working towards that for a while now. As a result of this focus, IPN is the 1st major pet food manufacturer in the UK to be accredited as Carbon Negative for our operations (Scope 1 & 2). In the last 2 years we have reduced these emissions by 20%, by moving to 100% renewable electricity and improving efficiencies in our factories. We then offset the remainder - and enough for all our employees - through choiceful offsetting initiatives.”

What about ingredients/scope 3?

“We have just started a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with Leeds Beckett University where one of their students will come and implant in our business to analyse the carbon footprint of our full supply chain which will allow us to understand our scope 3 emissions more accurately. By looking into each supplier and each ingredient, we will be able to highlight key areas for improvement and allow us to set a meaningful & measurable target to help us to get to Net Zero for scopes 1, 2 & 3.

“In order to allow consumers to make their own informed choices on whether to buy more sustainable food, our plan is to introduce information on pack displaying the carbon emissions of every one of our products.”

Is meat bad? Is cheap meat better?

“It really is more nuanced than that. Sourcing meat ingredients involves using everything from premium cuts of meat to offcuts and offal, but each supplier will have different sustainability credentials and so we have to look at each ingredient in isolation. Most of the meat that we use, regardless of the type or cut, is a by-product of the human food industry, so it has less of an environmental impact than the equivalent meat in the human food industry. There is nothing wrong with it from a quality point of view, it’s just that pets don’t discriminate as much as humans. They love a bit of offal.”

As the rise of vegan food continues, the BVA (British Veterinary Association) don’t currently endorse it for pets. Meaden sought to find out IPN’s stance on whether a meat-free diet is really the way to go for your pet.

“While veganism is huge in the human world, for our furry friends, it is not recommended as an everyday staple. Our Barking Heads brand, however, does offer ‘Plant-Powered Pooches’ which is a vegetarian dog food that we recommend feeding your pet once or twice a week as a supplement to their usual meaty diet.

“Of course, the welfare of animals that enter the pet food chain is of utmost importance, but IPN mainly uses suppliers from the UK and therefore they have strict guidelines and regulations – meaning that the ingredients are coming from the same farmers and abattoirs as human food. We continue to drive high standards of welfare through supplier contracts and ethical standards that every supplier must stick to. As a way to do more to broaden their appeal and look to the future IPN aim to produce pet food that contains alternatives to meat along the lines of insect proteins which we are currently researching.”

The pet food pioneer pride themselves on their sustainable packaging, 98% of which is recyclable. Meaden wanted to find out what that actually means for pet owners.

“The majority of Harringtons and Wagg products come in paper bags, this packaging is fully recyclable at home. Bulk-buying pet food inevitably contains plastic packaging as it strong enough to hold the weight, but this is recyclable in large supermarkets and council recycling centres.”

To listen to the full podcast visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001f5nk

Tuft Global, the innovative app-integrated salon management software that gives dog groomers a convenient way to manage their business and reach new clients, has celebrated significant growth since the start of the year.

Since January, Tuft has welcomed over 13,000 new dog owners and 387 groomers. What’s more, the pet tech brand has expanded into Spain following a 9% month-on-month growth.

Supporting groomers to take control of their salon is a key focus for Tuft. One grooming business that has accelerated its bookings thanks to the software is Allbreeds Grooming. The Tonypandy-based grooming salon has been successfully operating for over 15 years with over 450 customers but has faced problems with no-shows to appointments.

Prior to Tuft, Allbreeds Grooming used its own bespoke solution to hinder no-shows, which involved manually booking appointments and responding to requests via phone calls, texts, emails, Google and Facebook. This exhausted vital operational time and led to customers missing appointments.

However, since implementing Tuft to its business in October 2022, the salon no longer worries about manually keeping track of its appointments as Tuft monitors the schedule and sends automatic SMS reminder texts to customers — giving groomers more time to focus on growing their business.

Commenting on the transformation of the business, Tom Horton — owner of Allbreeds — said: “We are live on the app and taking multiple requests, bookings and deposits. Hand on heart, I can say that implementing Tuft has been a real turning point for the business and the customers love the ease of requesting appointments and paying deposits.

“I couldn’t be happier with the impact Tuft has made on Allbreeds Grooming, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this will develop as we continue to use the software in 2023.”

Founder of Tuft, Chloe Smith, added: “I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved this year — from being shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards to expanding into Spain— 2022 has been a significant milestone for Tuft. It is particularly rewarding to hear the impact our innovative software has had on helping grooming salons.

“Our vision has always been helping groomers take control of their salon and streamline their business better than ever before. So, while Tuft does all the hard work, groomers can concentrate on what they do best: making pooches look pretty!

“We are excited to develop Tuft further in 2023 as we prepare to launch new innovations including an e-commerce shop to give groomers additional income streams as well as updating our capabilities by offering unlimited SMS and pet specific pricing. Watch this space!”

To find out more about what Tuft could do for your business, visit: https://tuftapp.com/

As costs continue to spiral, the UK’s largest canine charity, Dogs Trust, has announced that it has crossed the sad milestone of 50,000 requests this year from desperate owners asking the charity to take in their dog. This is the highest annual number of handover requests in the charity’s history. 

The charity’s CEO, Owen Sharp, has long warned that the animal welfare sector is facing into a crisis, with more animals being given up than it has space to look after, since the cost of living crisis started to bite.

The UK’s largest canine welfare charity is the most stretched it’s been in its 131 years, dealing with an influx of dogs whose owners can no longer afford them as bills continue to skyrocket. It has voiced grave concerns that a further 350,000 dogs may need to find new homes as the cost of living continues to rise. 

Meanwhile, a new poll carried out by YouGov on behalf of Dogs Trust has revealed that a third (33%) of the UK’s dog owners are worried that, as costs continue to rise in 2023, the crisis will impact on how well they’re able to care for their dog next year.

Asked what their biggest financial worry had been about looking after their dog in 2022, almost half of the respondents said it had been vet bills (46%), followed by the cost of dog food (18%) and pet insurance (16%).

2023 certainly looks to be an extremely worrying time for animal welfare charities such as Dogs Trust, which normally cares for around 14,000 dogs across its network of 21 rehoming centres in the UK and one in Dublin. 

The survey shows that more than six in ten (62%) of people who don’t currently own a dog think the rising cost of living would prevent them from getting a dog in 2023, with over a third (36%) saying it ‘definitely would’ prevent them, and a further quarter (25%) saying it ‘probably would’. 

In an effort to alleviate the pressure on dog owners, Dogs Trust has set up temporary dog food banks at six of its 21 centres, so that dogs won’t go hungry this Christmas.

Anybody who is struggling to feed their dog is invited to drop in and collect supplies. 

Fewer dog treats under the tree this year

It’s perhaps unsurprising that Dogs Trust’s December poll found many people’s Christmas plans will be impacted. More than two in ten (21%) respondents to Dogs Trust’s poll said their pooches will receive fewer presents than normal this year, and more than one in ten (13%) owners said they won’t give their dogs a present at all this Christmas, despite giving presents in previous years.

Meanwhile, fewer dog owners will be ‘driving home for Christmas’ - nearly one in ten (9%) said they’d be staying home instead of going away for Christmas or visiting family this year, because they won’t be able to afford a dog sitter.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says: “Although it was inevitable that we would reach 50,000 calls from owners no longer able to care for their dogs, it’s still a shock and a stark signifier of the animal welfare crisis the UK now finds itself in.

“Through our December poll, dog owners have told us they’re going to struggle this Christmas, and many more are really worried about what 2023 is going to bring.

“We’re doing as much as we can at Dogs Trust to reach out and help dog owners who have been worst hit by the crisis. We’re expanding our help and support all the time so, if you’re having a hard time looking after your dog, please reach out to us before it’s too late - there are lots of ways that we can help.

“Our utmost priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as we can – and stop people having to make that heart-breaking decision to give up their dog.”

Pets at Home is launching new community food donation points in stores across the UK to help support pets and owners as the cost of living continues to rise. 

Pets at Home’s store in Prestwich is one of the first eight stores to feature the community collection points for those who wish to donate pet food to pet owners in need. 

In partnership with national pet charity Blue Cross, Pets at Home is seeking donations of dog, cat, puppy and kitten food, as well as food for small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.

Donations will then be collected and distributed by Blue Cross to local food banks. 

The new initiative marks Pets at Home’s decade-long partnership with Blue Cross, which has seen the charity receive £471,703 through the retailer’s VIP Lifelines scheme. 

The donation points will be rolled out to all 450 Pets at Home stores over the coming months and will be kept in place for as long as they are needed. 

Lyssa McGowan, Pets at Home chief executive officer, said: “As the UK continues to experience a rapid rise in the cost of living, we know that pet owners will do everything they can to ensure their pets don’t miss out, but we also understand that some owners may be facing difficult choices as their finances become stretched. 

“Blue Cross and Pets at Home believe no-one should have to face the difficulty of struggling to feed their beloved pets, and we know that our customers are keen to help out wherever they can. This is why we are joining forces to install pet food donation points across all 450 Pets at Home stores in the coming months, working together to make sure no pet goes hungry and to help keep them at home where they belong, with their families.” 

Janine Madders, Pets at Home Prestwich Store Manager, said: “We’re excited to be one of the first stores in the UK to launch the customer donation points. I’m looking forward to raising awareness of the local causes we’ll be supporting, and I know our customers will donate whatever they can.” 

Chris Burghes, Chief Executive Officer at Blue Cross, said: “Pets are part of the family and we’re really proud to have partnered with Pets at Home on this scheme to have a positive impact on the local community in Hartlepool.

"We first launched our first pet food bank at our Sheffield rehoming centre in 2020, and now have pet food collection points at 33 of our sites. Over the coming months, we’ll be expanding this to cover all our 68 sites, and by teaming up with Pets at Home we hope we can reach even more pet owners who are in need across the UK as possible and keep families and their companions together.”