A popular independent pet store with a turnover of £370,000 has been put up for sale as the owners have decided to retire.

The asking price for Northumbria Pets in Alnwick is £179,995 plus Stock at Valuation.

The business is being marketed by Hilton Smythe Business Advisors, a national firm that assists with the buying and selling of businesses. Its marketing material states:

“Offered for sale is a long-established independent pet supplies business, based in the Northumberland market town of Alnwick, that has been under the meticulous ownership of the current owners since 1992 and is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Located in a busy trading location, the business sells a comprehensive range of premium pet products, and caters to a wide variety of pets, including dogs, birds, cats, rodents and reptiles.”

The agents added: “The shop aims to bring a friendly face to the pet supplies market, and benefits from both a local loyal customer base and thousands of tourists, attracted by the natural beauty and historical interest of the area. The shop prides itself on providing informed and impartial advice to customers, as well as offering free deliveries to local destinations. Within recent years, the shop has also introduced a premium key-cutting service that has proved popular with the locals.”

Owner Keith Nichols said: “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the sale of Northumbria Pets. We have poured our heart and soul into this business for over three decades, and it has been an absolute privilege to serve our loyal customers and their beloved pets. We are immensely grateful for the trust and support we have received throughout the years.”

Northumbria Pets has been a member of the British Independent Retailers Association for 16 years. Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre expressed his admiration for the pet store and its invaluable contribution to the independent retail sector.

He said: “Northumbria Pets has been a longstanding and esteemed member of Bira, and we are incredibly proud to have had them as part of our association. Their commitment to providing excellent customer service and their passion for the welfare of pets has made a significant impact on their community. We wish the owners all the best in their future endeavours, and we are confident that their legacy will endure.”

More details on the pet store sale can be found by CLICKING HERE

As the number of exhibitors at PATS Telford in September surpasses the 200-stand mark, emerging businesses have revealed why they feel it’s the BEST place to launch new pet products.

Plans are well advanced for the UK’s National Pet Industry Event, which takes place on Sunday, 1^st October, and Monday 2^nd October 2023, at Telford International Centre in Shropshire.

The New Starter Zone, supported by PetQuip with media partner PPM, is one of the most exciting additions to the show with start-up companies taking advantage of the dedicated area in Hall 3. Already 18 companies have signed up to exhibit in the Zone, where companies launched in the past three years are being given the chance to showcase their product ranges and services. 

Tangle, a new company that collects end-of-life fishing nets from ports and recycles them into sustainable dog products, will be taking a stand in the Zone. The company’s Sam Cartwright said: ““After speaking with a ton of retailers and being told that PATS Telford was the go-to trade event, we knew we had to attend. We’re excited to showcase our products and connect with buyers. We’ll be debuting some new products and really look forward to getting them into the industry’s hands.”

Another New Starter Zone exhibitor is No Fuss Fill, an enrichment toy filler. “As the leading UK pet exhibition, PATS was the obvious choice for us to showcase the popular No Fuss Fill range,” said Tracey Powiesnik. “We are looking forward to meeting potential customers whilst unveiling exciting new products that enable retailers to boost their revenue and delight their customers.”

It's a similar story for Paws in Earnest, whose owner Melissa Smith revealed: “We have regularly attended as a visitor, and it’s always been our goal to exhibit. This year we are launching an exciting new pet enrichment product and felt that now was the perfect time. We hope to meet lots of businesses that are looking to expand their enrichment range.”

Pettle Pets is taking advantage of the New Starter Zone to introduce its new range of luxury pet care products. “We chose PATS to showcase our products because of the quality and range of buyers attending the show and we look forward to seeing everyone at our stand,” said the company’s Nick Salter.

Other companies exhibiting in the New Starter Zone include: Dernier and Hamlyn, Dot Dot Pet Co, Extreme Lounging, Furr Boost, Injoya, Ralph & Co, Simon’s Kitchen, Snif Snax, Snoots & Sploots, Walker & Drake and Wyld Cub.

Irish company Borvo Nutrients, which manufactures a range of superfoods for dogs, will be travelling from its County Wicklow base to exhibit at PATS Telford for the first time. Tom Shearer said: “We’re excited to exhibit at PATS Telford 2023. The UK is a key market for our business and PATS is the leading pet show in this market. We will be launching three new, innovative, supplements for dogs targeting dental, joint and gut health.”

Many other pets brands are new to exhibiting at PATS Telford, including: Aloise & Co, Aniforte, Bona, Cocopup, Coveris, COYA Pet, Fetched, Fountasia, Inspired, Kittilitt Cat Litter, Pooch & Hound, Poorly-Paws, ProTrainings, Rogz, Rosetta Brands, Star Pets Wholesale, Sure Petcare & Home Again, and The Animal People Recruitment Company.

PATS Telford is also attracting a host of international companies like Italian business Di Fillippo Legnami. Sale Di Filippo commented: “We decided to take part in the exhibition because of its importance in the British pet care sector. We believe it will fulfil our purpose of finding reliable distributors in the UK market. We are going to present new natural and biodegradable litters for cats and small animals.”

Di Fillippo Legnami will be joined at the show by another Italian brand Imac Pet Products, as well as companies from further afield like Earthz Pet from New Zealand, and Zoo Med Laboratories from the US

“It is great to see so many new companies at PATS Telford, both from the UK and overseas,” said show director Gordon Thomas. “They will be joining an impressive line-up of regular exhibitors at the biggest show we’ve ever staged. The exhibition will now fill three halls at the Telford International Centre so visitors can be certain of seeing the most comprehensive collection of new products from the industry’s best brands.”

Pet product retailers and buyers can now register for free entry to PATS Telford at the new look website www.patshow.co.uk where a full list of exhibitors can also be found.

The Pet Industry Federation announced Huskaloo as the winner of its Innovation of the Year Award in front of attendees gathered at its Business of Pets conference at Cranfield Management Development Centre.

Huskaloo fought off competition from a finalist pool of 10 innovative products and services, all of whom had to deliver a presentation about their innovation to those attending the event. CompanionPass and HayPigs Pig n’ Mix treats range came in joint second place. 

Huskaloo, from company Tailor-Grace, is the world’s first eco-friendly cat litter and is made from coconut husks, a by-product of the coconut industry. CompanionPass is a dog access solution to allow dogs into more public premises and HayPigs Pig n’ Mix treats are confectionary-themed foraging treats for small animals. 

The Business of Pets conference was a new event aimed at pet businesses that wanted to find out about the various types of finance and investment and learn about a range of issues such as Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies, intellectual property, legal pitfalls when running a company and the trends to look out for in the UK pet industry. 

The conference was supported by MHA, with Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, MHA Partner, co-chairing the event, with Nigel Baker, PIF CEO. 

Nigel said: “The 10 finalists delivered fantastic presentations over the course of yesterday and today to persuade conference attendees that their product/service was the most innovative. The knowledge, passion and creativity shone through from each of the finalists and many had clearly worked hard to ensure their innovation had strong sustainable credentials which were central to its values.

“The presentations provided an excellent backdrop and context for the brilliant talks which followed over the two days and covered the different types of funding options, intellectual property, pet industry data insights and innovations in the UK. The industry clearly welcomed this unique event and we look forward to delivering something similar in the future.”

Jollyes has completed a record-breaking financial year and intends to accelerate growth as it brings its offer to more communities across the UK.

Sales in FY23 broke through the £100m threshold, rising 33% from £87m in FY22 to £115.5m in the year to 29 May 2023.

Like-for-like sales also grew by 17% over the full year, over double the market which grew at eight per cent.  Sixty per cent of the like-for-like increase has come from transaction growth not inflation – an indication of how Jollyes has protected customers from rising prices.

The increase in turnover continues through a mix of higher sales at existing stores, new openings and acquisitions, and rising digital demand for home delivery and click and collect services.

Stores

Now trading from 90 stores across the UK, Jollyes opened 13 new locations in the financial year and today confirmed it had secured a new £3m facility from HSBC that will allow it to open at least 10 additional stores in the balance of calendar 2023.

Store openings already agreed for the coming months include Belfast Boucher Road (July), Swindon (July), Merthyr Tydfil (August), Harrogate (September) and Swadlincote (November). 

Subject to successful lease negotiations, it also has plans to open at least five additional new stores this calendar year in central Scotland, Northern Ireland, Berkshire, Kent and Somerset, putting Jollyes on course to reach its 100-store target ahead of schedule.

Jobs

As Jollyes has rapidly developed its reach, it has been able to deliver more dream jobs to those looking to work with animals. 

Over the financial year it has added over 160 people across the UK, employing its 1,000th colleague in April at its new Christchurch store and ending the year with 1,021 on the Jollyes team. 

During the year it has given colleagues £600 to help support them through the cost-of-living crisis and enhanced staff discounts of up to 60 per cent. 

It has also continued with its SQP training programme in FY23 through Vetpol, and after 45 colleagues passed their exams in H2, Jollyes now has 131 suitably qualified colleagues trained to dispense veterinary medicines.  One of its team – Paul Cartledge from Cannock – was named Companion Animal SQP of the Year.

Services

As well as investing in its colleagues and new stores, Jollyes has invested in its existing estate, giving significant makeovers to an additional 10 stores across the UK.

As well as introducing new branding, it is investing £1m over the current financial year to supercharge the provision of vet clinics, grooming parlours, and other pet services in its stores.

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes is doubling the number of stores that offer community pet clinics and doubling opening hours for those clinics.

Jollyes is also doubling the number of grooming locations and by the end of June, all its pet spas will be re-branded, refurbished and re-launched as “The Jolly Groomer”.

Private Label

Jollyes is investing in its pet food ranges to deliver its promise to be the best value pet shop in town.

As more and more pet owners switch on to the health and wellbeing benefits of raw frozen food, it has rolled out five full raw ‘shop-in-shops’ in Edinburgh, Llanelli, Milton Keynes, Newport (Isle of Wight) and Romford.

It has also invested significantly in high quality private label pet food such as its own Lifestage, K9 and Rileys brands which offer a premium experience without a big brand price tag. 

Over the course of the financial year, private label sales have grown by 64 per cent as customers take advantage of the value and quality its in-house brands provide.  Now over half of all dog food sold in Jollyes is an in-house brand, approximately 25 per cent better value than its branded equivalent.

Jollyes chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “The value we provide, the local service we offer and the ranges we’ve developed are proving to be a powerful combination in the growing number of communities we serve.

“Fundamental to our continued outperformance of the market has been the deep pet expertise of our own people. 

“I’d like to thank the whole team – colleagues old and new - for their efforts over the last 12 months.

“But like them, I’m excited about what more we can achieve in the years ahead.

“Today, fewer than one in five potential customers lives within five miles of one of our stores.  With the right team, the right backing and the right ambition, we have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us to bring the value and service that’s already making an impact, to significantly more UK communities.”

Other key FY23 highlights:

• Opened new stores in 2022/3 at Edinburgh, Glenrothes, Port Glasgow and Stirling in Scotland, Llanelli and Wrexham in Wales, and Christchurch, Southport, Peterborough, Poole, Scunthorpe, Stockton-on-Tees and Warrington in England.
• Brought Midlands-based Penparc into the Jollyes family in July 2022, with five stores in Cannock, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, West Bromwich and Telford.
• Gave makeovers to stores at Lurgan, Newry and Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, Bedford, Dartford, Gosport, Newport (Isle of Wight), Romford and St Helens in England and Clydebank in Scotland as part of its investment and modernisation of its estate.
• During the financial year added 30 community pet clinics to stores and launched a partnership with Leeds-based Eville & Jones to provide in-store veterinary services from fully trained and Royal Veterinary College-accredited vets.
• Introduced Jolly Groomer rebrands to Bedford, Dartford, Eccles, Edinburgh, Gosport, Halifax, Scunthorpe, Skegness, Stevenage, St Helens, Tonbridge and Wrexham.
• Grew its total PetCLUB membership to over 1m, with over 700,000 active users helping footfall in store reach a record 6.3m.
• Validating the commitment of its people to top-notch customer service, added 20,000 five-star customer service reviews on Trustpilot.
• During the year Jollyes has also strengthened its leadership team through the appointment of fresh talent to help drive its ambitious growth plans.  Recent hires include estates director Warren Bester from Topps Tiles, chief financial officer Ross Chester from Primrose and retail director Craig Smith from Pets at Home.

New research has highlighted just how reliant Brits are on the emotional sup-paw-t of their pets with almost three quarters (71%) saying they’ve been helped through the toughest times of their lives by their companions. The research comes as Petplan announces the launch of its annual Pet Awards to celebrate the nation’s most heroic, entertaining and loving pets.

Over half of the nation (55 per cent) said their pet was the most empathetic person in their life, with 53% saying their pet is more intuitive at knowing when they’re sad than their own partner. 45% of Brits even admitted they get more emotional comfort from their pets than their partners.

And it’s not just pets over partners that the nation is prioritising in times of need. Whilst two thirds (66 per cent) of the nation said their pet is their best friend, in emotional situations such as break-ups, 54% of Brits wanted their pets by their side more so than their human best friends (21%).

The research is announced as Petplan joins forces with rescue dog owner and Strictly Come Dancing dancer, Karen Hauer, to launch nominations for the 2023 Petplan Pet Awards. Owners around the country can nominate their furry friends to win the ultimate accolade across five categories - ‘Hero Pet of the Year’, ‘Best Friend Pet of the Year’, ‘Rescue Pet of the Year’, ‘Survivor Pet of the Year’ and ‘Pet Performer of the Year’.

Dogs and puppies were considered the pets most likely to provide emotional comfort (86%) followed by cats and kittens (52%), and then horses (14%). Snakes, tortoises and lizards were even considered to offer the strongest emotional support by 6% of the nation!

Regardless of Brits’ pet of choice, a whopping 9 in 10  said being around their pets was therapeutic, and around 8 in 10 (85%) said their pet has a calming effect. When feeling anxious, 58% said they wanted to be around their pet, more so than friends and family, and our pets are so attuned to our emotions that almost 6 in 10 of us (59%) believe that if we’re sad, our pet is too.

With so much love for our pet pals, it’s little surprise that over half of the nation (54%) want to celebrate with pets during the happiest times of their lives. 45% said they’d like their pet to be involved in their engagement, and 46% even said their pet would play a part in their wedding day!

Pet Awards ambassador Karen Hauer said: “I’ve always said that my dogs rescued me. They've been with me through heartbreak, when I was at my lowest in my life, and they gave me the strength to get up and take a walk and smell the fresh air again. The Petplan Pet Awards really resonate with me, as there's nothing I want more than to celebrate my dogs who have all helped me emotionally during my times of need and my happiest moments. They all deserve a nomination but especially Phoebe, who I'll be nominating as Survivor Pet of the Year as she's overcome the adversity of losing her leg after being hit by a car - she's a trooper and like so many other incredible pets, deserves to be recognised."

Petplan’s Sales & Marketing Director, Bella von Mesterhazy added: “The Petplan Pet Awards are now in their 4th year, and are there to celebrate and recognise exceptional pets who help enrich our lives, bringing unconditional love, fun and companionship.. There are so many emotional benefits of owning a pet and we want to dedicate a moment to the nation’s animals, reflecting on the joy they bring us through the tough times as well as the good.”

Pet owners can nominate their pets across this year’s five categories by clicking here. Nominations close on 31.07.23 and the winners announcement will follow on Facebook.

One online retailer for all things canine has raised the woof with its latest announcement: maternity photoshoots for dogs.

This unique ‘pupternity’ offering caters to every doggie mum-to-be and their proud pet parents who wish to immortalise the moments before their fur baby welcomes their own little ones into the world. 

Dog owners can simply book time with experienced professional photographers, who’ll travel anywhere in the UK to photograph expecting dogs.

The pupternity concept is the brainchild of Caroline Stronkhorst, the founder of one of the UK’s leading online retailers and manufacturers of products for dogs, Fetch Club Shop. She came up with the idea while pregnant with her daughter, Eloise. 

The photographers come armed not just with cameras, but also plenty of dog treats and squeaky toys, ensuring the pup’s maternity shoot will be a relaxed, fun-filled day that would make any diva pooch wag their tail in delight.

The company has pledged its commitment to work with photographers who are not only professionals behind the lens, but also possess an innate love for dogs, ensuring that the entire process will be as comfortable and enjoyable for our four-legged models as possible.

Interested owners who would like to schedule a maternity shoot for their expecting furry friends can book their photoshoot here: https://www.fetchclubshop.co.uk/blogs/news/maternity-photoshoots-for-dogs 

Caroline Stronkhorst, founder of Fetch Club Shop, said:"We're really excited about this light-hearted service. Dogs are not just our pets, they're family. Capturing their journey into motherhood is just another way for us to express our love and admiration for them, and remember these special moments.

“The idea came to me while pregnant with my own little one - and as the company goes from strength to strength, I want to ensure we’re having fun and offering unique products and services to our existing community of dog lovers!”

With Glee just weeks away (27th-29th June 2023, NEC Birmingham), the show’s sector PAW (Pet and Animal Wellbeing) will bring pet care to the forefront with suppliers presenting the latest products to garden centre buyers who are looking to capitalise on the ‘pet pound’.

This June, leading companies and brands are expected to make their home within PAW with product categories on show that tap into the latest domestic animal ownership trends.  The major sectors within the market include natural pet food, pet accessories, clothing, luxury gifts and garden wildlife.  And with pet ownership on the rise and a rediscovered connection with nature, well-stocked retailers could well reap the benefits.

Newcomers to PAW include Sabre Pet Food (stand 7A54) promoting its Alpha Spirit brand and Nutritient (stand 7C41) with its Leo & Wild meatball treats for dogs that contain premium, raw ingredients.  Also making its Glee debut is Mr Bug (stand 7C50), which breeds its own mealworms in Devon for protein-packed foods that improve digestion, absorption, and muscle growth whilst other natural treats include The Cinnamuncher's (stand 7B51) Ceylon cinnamon-wood dog chew sticks which are packed with flavour, clean teeth, and calm dogs.

Eden’s Holistic Pet Foods (stand 7B50) will give retailers an introduction to its dry and semi-moist pet food and JR Pet Products (stand 7B60-C61) will be on hand with its Pure meat, naturally unique food range for dogs.  Kennelpak (stand 7B44) will be making its first appearance at the Glee with its YAKERS, Collards, Duchess, and Dylan food brands and Pecuro (stand 7B46) will be aiming to start the insect protein dog food revolution in garden centres on its stand.

In a world where consumers are so willing to spend on their pets a number of accessories brands will be a must-see for retailers at Glee. Look out for The Lovely Gift Group (stand 7D29) who will have on stand the most innovative keepsakes and creative gifts for pets whilst Hem & Boo (stand 7C43) will represent the highest quality of pet clothing, debuting at Glee in 2023 with a selection of collars, leads and beds.

Trinkety Paws (stand 7C45) – the brand behind The Canine Cottage boutique - will be on hand to show retailers its on-trend UK-made dog collars and dog leads in the latest on-trend colours. Another new exhibitor will be Twiggy Tags (stand 7C47) who will be on site with its practical and hard-wearing dog gear designed for outdoors owners seeking an adorable outfit for their pets.

Pet technology and smart feeding bowl for animal parents includes PAWBBY (stand 7C53), Shandong XiaoGo Pet Supplies (stand

7B49), Zhejiang Hangkong Technology Co (stand 7D33) and MRC (stand 7C51).

And for retailers with a large bird care department, PAW will be home to a vast array of wild bird food, treats, wild bird feeders, tables, dining stations and accessories. A new name for garden centre buyers is Unipet International (stand 7C55), which will stock the latest suet-based treats with its Suet-To-Go collection.

Returning names already confirmed for PAW in 2023 include Benchmark Kennels Ltd, Goodchap's, Green Feathers and WHM Pet Group with its Honeyfield Wild Bird brand.

Find out more

Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation​. Entry to Glee is free of charge to all pre-registered visitors. Register at http://www.gleebirmingham.com/register

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.

Furr Boost, the healthy hydration smoothie drink that scooped the Best Product Innovation Awards at both PetQuip and the PIF Awards in 2022, has been awarded a SME Business Elite Award.

The SME Business Elite Awards 2023 are handpicked by SME News Magazine and are based purely on comprehensive analysis and research undertaken by the wider group to identify those deserving to be recognised each year.

The brand was also one of only 10 companies to make the finals of the Pet Industry Federation’s New Pet Innovation of the Year Award recently held at the PIF Business Conference. They also made the finals of the Start-Up Awards where they were nominated for Innovative Start-Up and On-line Retailer Start-Up for the Midlands Region.

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 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.

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com

Manchester-based entrepreneur Felix Robinson, whose business makes the buying of dogs online safer, has reached the finals of the Trailblazing Tech Awards.

Felix, who set up the business with son Tom, said: “We are proud to be recognised for our dedication to creating a transparent and secure marketplace for pet owners.

“As a finalist, we were able to present our groundbreaking solutions to a panel of esteemed judges. This platform allowed us to showcase the transformative impact of Pet Trust UK and demonstrate how we are revolutionising how pets are bought and sold online.”

Felix, who has previously worked in the skincare industry and prior to this, was a representative for Snowboarding for England, was inspired to set up her business, Pet Trust UK following the puppy boom which was generated by the Covid pandemic.

During the lockdown periods, the collective mental health of the UK population suffered. Around 3.2 million households felt that adding a puppy to their family would have a positive impact on their lives but this came at a cost. There were an untold number of reports of puppies being inhumanely bred, breeders being attacked and their beloved dogs being stolen, and families losing their savings to scammers.

Felix believes that the current system for buying and selling dogs online is broken and leaves users vulnerable with the welfare of the public and animals clearly not the top priority.  The Pet Trust UK secure platform provides the following benefits:

• Pet Trust UK will include a dog family tree for all breeds so users can research the heredity of the dogs.
• Pet Trust UK will be doing health certificate checks to reduce the incidence of inherited disorders.
• Pet Trust UK will hold breeders accountable, ensuring the Licences are legitimate.
• All images will have a transparent logo and look at ai technology to recognise when a photo has been copied and if so, will be flagged.
• By introducing the UK's 1st Mandatory ID bank clearance checks, this new online platform ensures that the breeder and potential buyer know that the person messaging them is genuine, their details accurate and they are traceable.
• All potential dog owners will complete a questionnaire, which will be forwarded to the breeder on enquiry.
• All breeders who do not have a licence are to be vetted by zoom with a preset list of questions to ensure the user is not a puppy farmer and is breeding responsibly.

“By ensuring that breeding dogs are healthy, we will contribute to the welfare of all dogs. This will create a trustworthy and safe environment for all users,” says Felix who is the proud owner of a 5 year old rescue Boxer called Sammi.

As well as providing a safe environment to buy pets, Pet Trust UK also intends to give something back by working with rescue centres and giving a percentage of profits to partner centres. They have already partneredup with DNA Protected, and are working closely with Councils, and The Police to make their platform the most secure place to purchase pets. They also hope to link up with the Kennel Club and Laboratories to validate health results, vets, insurance companies, retailers and pet food manufacturers to give added benefits to customers. The business will be launching an Ecommerce site in September and also intends to provide educational courses and qualifications and resource material on various aspects of pet care.

Felix cadded: “I see Pet Trust UK becoming a one stop shop for dog breeders, breeding equipment and new puppy owners as we aim to offer something special to our customers. Our focus will also be on promoting licenced breeders and showcasing their profiles.”

For more information visit www.pettrustuk.com  

UK raw dog food brand Paleo Ridge is now available to purchase in 25 Pets at Home stores across the UK.

The raw dog food producer prides itself on its high quality, high welfare ingredients and its vision of promoting healthy dogs to a wider audience continues to develop. 

Raw dog food is one of the fastest-growing segments of the pet food industry. The latest industry research suggests that raw dog food holds a share of 15-20%, and one in four dog owners have fed raw to their dog.

The additive-free, species-appropriate meals are available in many independent stores across the UK. Paleo Ridge will continue to support their stockists and have created a ‘Paleo Pledge’ which includes guaranteed deals, promotions, and tools to support their business.

Gill Synnuck, Trade Account Manager, said: “Our stockists are extremely important to us and we are immensely proud of the relationships we have grown. The Paleo Pledge is there to show our ongoing commitment and dedication to all trades and continue to give them something back.”

Will Green, Director of Sales and Marketing, commented: “We are thrilled by the growing popularity of Paleo Ridge and want to encourage more dog owners to make the switch to raw-feeding. We are incredibly proud to be in Pets at Home stores, signifying a significant step in making our products more widely accessible for dog owners in the UK.”

A Christmas campaign that gave thousands of animals in Ukraine the Christmas they deserved, has been recognised with an international marketing award.

Midlands PR agency spottydog communications and leading Ukrainian charity U-Hearts Foundation launched Operation Paw-pose in 2022.

Receiving over 1,700 votes and surpassing all other entries, Operation Paw-pose won the X-Ray Award for the Best Marketing Project in the International Company category.

The award-winning initiative called upon the UK pet-loving population to purchase a festive hamper made up of essential items for the abandoned pets living in war-torn Ukraine. At the face of the campaign was TV dog groomer, Verity Hardcastle.

In addition, the campaign called upon the pet industry to lend a helping paw by donating unused stock from the 2022 PATS trade show and a whopping £12,000 worth of pet products was successfully collected by spottydog communications from over 30 brands.

Commenting on the award win, Emily Wardle, associate director at spottydog communications, said: “It has been a busy but rewarding year so far for the spottydog pack and we’re delighted our work in supporting the incredible charity U-Hearts has been recognised by the X-Ray Awards — adding to our collection of over 30 industry awards.

“Due to the devasting war in Ukraine, thousands of pets were left without homes and proper care and U-Hearts was founded in 2022 to provide a lifeline to the animals and their families.

“Through our deep understanding of the pet market and experience supporting not-for-profit organisations, we were perfectly placed to help U-Hearts with their important cause and we are so proud that our communications helped make a positive difference to hundreds of homeless pets.”

Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of U-Hearts Foundation, added: “Our collaboration with spottydog communications has been instrumental in galvanizing support in the UK for our foundation’s programmes, helping pets and animals suffering from the war in Ukraine. We are glad that our campaign ran by the great team at spottydog was duly recognised”.

If you are looking for support with your communications activity, whether it’s PR, digital marketing, social or internal communications, get in touch with spottydog today to find out how they can help you.

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Ceva Animal Health has appointed Roy Geary as regional director and Peter Dunkley as director of companion animal strategy and key accounts in the Northern Europe region, which comprises the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Roy will lead the company in each of the Northern Europe territories to drive business development and innovative health solutions by delivering a wide range of products, equipment and services, while building and leading high-performing teams that are focused, productive and engaged.  This will include a focus on Ceva’s ‘One Health’ initiative in the company’s fight against zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and security and the essential human-animal bond.

He has extensive tactical animal health experience and has a proven track record of delivering results in the region having spent the last 10 years at Zoetis in a variety of roles including general manager for the Nordic region and Ireland and international customer experience lead.  Roy has also spent 10 years at Pfizer Animal Health and six years at Dairygold AI and Farm Services.  He has an MBA from University College Cork in Ireland.

Peter has joined Roy’s team with a remit to to build Ceva’s Northern Europe territories into a leading force for change in the companion animal sector.  He will carry out a comprehensive review of the companion animal business within the UK to drive growth and performance and identify new entrepreneurial business opportunities.  Peter is also tasked with building exemplary mutally beneficial relationships with all corporate key accounts across the region.

He has 18 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within the human pharmaceutical market and most recently spent five years as companion animal director at Zoetis in the UK.  Peter has robust mergers and acquisitions and intergration experience within the animal health sector and has an MBA from Kingston Business School in London.

“While it is a challenging period for the veterinary and animal health industry as a whole, Peter and I have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and our industry partners,” comments Roy Geary.  “With this being said, it is an exciting time to join Ceva, which has vast potential to become even more successful, and has ambitious growth plans for the future.”

Ceva Animal Health is a subsidiary of Ceva Santé Animale, the fifth largest animal health company in the world, operating in 110 countries worldwide.  For further information visit www.ceva.com.

Fast-growing pet food manufacturer, Sniffers Pet Care, has appointed a new chief financial officer to support its rapid growth trajectory.

West Yorkshire-based Sniffers, which manufactures natural pet treats for customers including Pets at Home and Jollyes and hundreds of independent retailers, has recruited Peter Harrison to head up its finance department.

The appointment follows a £1.75m investment Sniffers secured last September from Yorkshire-based private equity house Traditum to support the rollout of new brands and product ranges, as well as invest in manufacturing and distribution roles at its site in Elland.

Peter brings with him over 15 years of FMCG and manufacturing industry experience, having held senior positions with Morrisons, Asda and Victoria Plum. He joins from Aviva Bus where he was head of commercial finance. His experience of both Plc retail and private equity backed firms will play a crucial role in scaling Sniffers and its own recently launched natural dog food brand, NAW.

His responsibilities at Sniffers will include strategic and financial planning, working across all areas of the business to provide financial and commercial support to help Sniffers build on its established position and continue its growth.

Peter said: "After spending several years in large corporations, I am excited to apply my knowledge and expertise in food retail to a high growth, PE-backed SME once again.

“The UK pet food sector is an exciting place to be right now, and Sniffers is ideally placed to achieve significant growth and deliver new product propositions. Our newly launched NAW brand, offers all-natural, no additives, and recyclable dog treats and aligns perfectly with the needs of the market, and I am eager to contribute to its success."

Simon Brown, CEO of Sniffers Pet Care, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Peter on board as our new chief financial officer. With the calibre of his financial and commercial experience, coupled with his deep understanding of the FMCG and retail industry, we believe he will help us propel forward our vision for Sniffers to become one of the UK’s leading natural pet treat manufacturers."

Pet product suppliers and retailers who haven’t already entered this year’s PetQuip Awards are being urged by the organisers to start preparing their entries, with the deadline of Friday 30 June fast approaching.

Bringing suppliers, buyers and retailers together, these prestigious awards are the annual industry celebration of product innovation, business success and individual achievement. With nine categories, there is an opportunity for every company to take part.

Running alongside PATS Telford, the awards will take place on Sunday 1 October 2023.

The awards are free to enter. Entrants should complete and return the entry form and send with their full entry, in conjunction with the awards’ guidelines and Terms and Conditions.

Judging will take place in early autumn, with finalists’ names announced shortly afterwards.

The award categories are:

• Supplier of the Year
• Business Service of the Year
• New Starter Award
• Celebrating Green and Organic
• Product of the Year – three categories:
  Accessories/Technical; Food/Treats; Healthcare/Animal Grooming
• International Retailer, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
• The Theresa Swann Exporter of the Year Award
• UK Retailer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

The PetQuip Awards include a drinks reception, sit-down dinner and the awards ceremony, followed by a bar, networking and entertainment.  It is the annual opportunity for the whole trade to celebrate, mix with colleagues and relax after the first day of the PATS exhibition.

For more information on entering or getting involved as a sponsor visit the PetQuip website or contact the PetQuip team at info@petquip.com.

In celebration of World Blood Donor Day (14 June), the Royal Veterinary College has announced its Pet Blood Donors of the Year.

These awards honour cats and dogs that participate in its vital blood donor programme to help other furry friends in need.

The RVC’s registered charity, the RVC Animal Care Trust, has awarded the families of one canine and two feline blood donor a ‘Blood Donor of the Year’ award in recognition of their generosity and participation in its life saving programme. 

Each year, those involved in the blood donor programme save and treat hundreds of other pets by donating their blood to be used in operations and procedures at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. The RVC Animal Care Trust fund both vital equipment and research to support the RVC Blood Donor service.

The feline Blood Donor of the Year is awarded to Paul Downey from Hatfield in Hertfordshire and his two cats Gru and Mitzi. These seven-year-old domestic shorthairs have been donating since 2016. Since then, Gru has donated eight times and Mitzi six times, collectively helping as many as 28 cats receive treatment.

Both cats have Type B blood, a rare blood type only found in 20 per cent of cats. Due to the difficulty finding Type B donors, cats with this blood type who will need a transfusion during treatment are referred to the RVC. Having cats like Gru and Mitzi as participants in the blood donor programme is particularly useful as they remain on call to donate as needed.

Paul, owner and recipient of the Feline Donor of the Year award, said: “We had a cat a few years ago who came to the RVC for cancer treatment. Until then, we had no idea about pet blood donors and how vital they are for treating sick pets. Initially, our dog Gizmo became a donor – and then the staff were so friendly and fantastic with him that we started to bring our cats too! As well as doing something good, our cats get a healthcheck every time they donate so that’s very reassuring”

The canine Blood Donor of the Year is Oliver, an eight-year-old Lurcher who belongs to Jeffrey Kenyon from Chipping near Buntingford in Hertfordshire. Oliver has donated 18 units of blood since he joined in 2018, helping at least 36 dogs in addition to several cats.

Jeffrey Kenyon owner of Oliver and recipient of the Canine Donor of the Year award, said: “We had a seriously ill German Shepherd called Saffron who was admitted to RVC Queen Mother Hospital. We saw the request for new pet blood donors on the screen in reception area and decided there and then we would apply for our other dog – Oliver to donate.

Oliver is short for ‘Oliver Twist’ as we acquired him from a local vet. He was a rescue dog – found tied up and abandoned and was severely malnourished. He had an insatiable appetite and always ‘asked for more’ hence his name. Oliver went in for an eligibility and health assessment and was so good with the nurses that they decided to take a blood donation there and then. We are delighted he has been given this award”.

Since its conception in 2005, thanks to the brave feline and canine donors, the RVC’s blood donor programme has helped save hundreds of critically ill animals, with 684 transfusions in the last year. Feline blood product transfusions hit an annual record number with 135 feline transfusions in the last 12 months and the team have also conducted 549 canine blood product transfusions and 55 xenotransfusions (canine blood being given to cats in emergencies).

The generosity of all blood donor families allows the RVC’s animal hospitals to continue accessing the essential blood needed to perform a wide range of complex and life-saving operations and treatments that take place at the RVC every day.

Charlotte Russo, Head of Transfusion Medicine Nurse at the RVC, explained: “Our voluntary donation programme is totally reliant on the goodwill of local pet owners who bring their pets to donate blood. All donors are given health checks prior to donating and receive a full blood screening annually free of charge. All donors are also gifted a special blood donor tag in recognition of their support and receive a special gift when they retire”

The RVC blood transfusion team is always looking for more dogs and cats to begin donating and saving lives through the programme. If you think your pet could be an RVC superhero, please contact the RVC Blood Donor team for further information: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/pet-blood-donations

An adorable bulldog who used to keep his owner up all night with hyperactive behaviour is feeling cool, calm and collected after his owner tried him with a supplement made from a traditional roast dinner herb.

Shona Gordon, 44 ,and two-year-old Cwtch are inseparable, and the adorable pooch is far from living up to the English Bulldog breed's unfair lazy stereotype.

And Shona found that some nights she was getting less than three hours of sleep, due to the pup's constant hyperactivity.

The pup loves to go for long walks with Shona at Burntisland Beach, Burntisland Links and loves running and playing at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn Loch where he loves to meet people and other dogs.

But when he gets home the placid dog has a different side, and his rambunctious and highly strung behaviour led Shona to have to get up in the night to take him out for a walk.

Shona, a  supermarket assistant store manager who lives with partner Fiona in Burntisland, Fife, said: "Cwtch is definitely not your stereotypical bulldog, where they are described as wanting to sleep all the time, no not our Cwtch, he has this side, and it may just be his age, a teenager growing up,  but like clockwork you can bet your last dollar how he is going to be, and it's not good.

"It usually happens after a walk, a walk seems to invigorate and energise him and he can’t come down once he gets going.  

"No matter how long a walk he has been on or how long you’ve played with him with his tug toy or a ball, he will just keep going and going and bouncing and jumping all over you.  We always say ‘oh, he’s on one!’ But it really is too much for him, and for us too.

"Some nights I was having to get up and take him out for a walk. It was getting beyond a joke."

To help tame Cwtch's evening tantrums, Shona tried a number of products, including a calming milk mixture which was supposed to help him get ready for sleep.

But nothing was helping, until she came across a solution, Calming by Pawable, which contains thyme, a herb which is usually found to enhance the flavours in a traditional roast dinner.

Shona explained: "When I saw Calming advertised, I thought I’m going to give that a try, see if that will help settle him down for the evening. We purchased it and when it came, I was a bit hesitant and unsure if he would eat his food with it in as it’s such a strong smell, but nonetheless we put it in his dinner and he ate it straight away.  

"After an hour or so, when he usually starts his nonsense, we definitely noticed a difference. 

"He wasn’t as boisterous as normal and his nonsense did not last as long.  He was soon snoring away and fast asleep.  It has definitely helped with his hyperactivity and his boisterousness.  

We give him it in his dinner every night, and it really does help, if for any reason we haven’t put it in his dinner, we can totally tell that he hasn’t had it. We like the fact that it’s 100% natural and has so many ways in which we can help our boy."

Heavy breathing and panting is one of the main signs a dog is stressed, which over time puts pressure on its breathing.

A stressed or anxious dog will see its heart rate increase, this means that more oxygenated blood is pumping through the body, demanding more oxygen from the system.

Thyme, one of the main ingredients in Calming by Pawable, is a superfood herb when it comes to increasing your dog’s respiratory function, and helping them cope and feel more relaxed.

Thymus vulgaris, usually known as thyme, is a genus name for a large variety of flowering herbs and shrubs, numbering over 350 in total, that have medicinal, culinary, and decorative properties.

Thyme includes thymol, which is the primary active component that’s been shown to have potent antibacterial effects. The substance is effective against bacterial and fungal infections that are known to infect dogs and other pets.

The herb is also packed with vitamins and minerals: Thyme is rich in vitamins A, C, and K. These offer antioxidant properties, which can help the immune system and reduce free radicals in the body. Thyme also contains manganese, iron, and calcium, which benefit your dog's skeletal system, and helps energise your dog at a cellular level.

Shona added: "Before taking Calming,  Cwtch was such a live wire and there were times I’ve had to get up out of bed and take him out on a walk, in the pitch black as he was just hyper beyond belief and wouldn’t settle, or he would be jumping around the bed with a toy in his mouth wanting to play.  

"Now, he has his dinner, had a bit of a play, and as I said, takes himself away to bed and is soon snoring his head off! It’s made my partners and I’s quality of sleep so much better, and in a roundabout way, it’s calmed us down too!"

To find out more about Calming by Pawable go to www.pawable.co.uk

New owners have intervened to prevent the closure of a popular pet shop.

Cracks Pet Foods in Beccles, Norfolk, was due to close at the end of July because of retirement of current owners.

But thanks to a change of ownership the store in Blyburgate will continue to operate, much to the delight of its local customers.

In a post on social media, Tracy Tustin, who has announced the closure in an earlier Facebook message, said: “I am pleased to announce that Cracks Pet Foods will no longer be closing on the 31st July, but will from the 1st August be under new ownership.  

“Myself and Ann Riches will still be there to help with anything you need. Thank you also for all the lovely messages and good wishes. And we hope that you will continue to support the business and new owner.”

Customers responded on social media with comments like:

• “Fabulous news, congratulations to you and Anne, so pleased that the town is keeping this lovely shop.”
• “That's absolutely wonderful.”
• “Great news, well done to you both.”
• “The best news.”

Photograph of Tracy Tustin and Ann Riches in Cracks Pet Foods, courtesy of Blyburgate Independent Shops & Restaurants’ Facebook page.

Pet brand Years.com is calling for compulsory NHS-style annual health checks for dogs when they reach middle age.

Writing on the company’s website, CEO Darren Beale said: “We are committed to making sure our beloved pet dogs are with us for as long as possible – that means ensuring they live their maximum lifespan. Diet and exercise are, of course, key to helping our companion animals stay healthy and lead a long life.

“But diet and exercise are only part of the answer. We have to make sure that dogs stay healthy by doing our absolute best for them when it comes to health care.

“That’s why Years.com is calling for compulsory NHS style annual health checks for dogs when they reach middle age.

“Humans are offered health checks on the NHS when they reach the age of 50 and we believe dogs deserve the same level of health care when they hit seven.

“After all, to millions of us dogs are so much more than just pets, they are beloved family members – and there are an estimated 11m of them in the UK.

“But unlike humans, dogs aren’t able to tell their family members when they feel unwell and even the most attentive owners can miss the signs of sickness and disease until it’s reached an advanced stage.

“We believe dogs already save the NHS millions every year by giving their owners a reason for regular exercise and making their lives happier and more joyful.

“That’s why we think dogs are worth investing in. So we are calling on the UK’s major political parties to show they care by adopting this policy proposal into their manifestos for the next general election.”

The health checks would be carried out by a local vet who will be looking to spot the early signs of illness or disease.

“With 11m dogs in the UK we estimate that around 4m are aged seven and above. A veterinary health check costs an average of £50,” added Darren. “So we believe the total cost a future Government would need to dedicate to this initiative would be £200m a year.

“Some of this cost could be recouped from vets, with over half of all vets in the UK now being owned by six companies, who many complain charge too much for basic services.

“If you support our campaign for NHS style health checks for middle aged dogs, and want to get involved please let us know by emailing nhs4dogs@years.com.”

For more information visit https://www.years.com/pages/nhsfordogs

On Friday, June 23 it will be the ninth Bring Your Dog To Work Day, founded and organised ethical pet brand HOWND. The viral event promises to be a dogtastic day whether pet parents are working from home or in the office.

The day is a big fundraiser for animal welfare charities and include the Bring Your Dog To Work Day official charities – All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia and the Surge Sanctuary.  

This year businesses can become ‘Pawsome Partners’ by donating a minimum of £100 directly to one of the official chariites. They will receive a thank you shout out on social and details can be found on the official website. It’s a great opportunity for pet brands to raise their profiles while giving to charities in desperate need of funds. 

The website receives tens of thousands of hits in the lead up to the big day, and over the years the event has had coverage in The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, Lad Bible, Waitrose Weekend, The Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and hundreds of media titles, with ITV The Lorraine Show, BBC and other broadcasters and media outlets covering the nation’s favourite day out for dogs.

Jo Amit, co-founder of Bring Your Dog To Work Day and HOWND, the ethical pet care brand says: “As a nation of dog lovers it’s so exciting to see how this has captured the imagination of dog owners and companies and is growing every year. It is well known that having a dog at work has great mental health benefits and more and more companies are becoming dog friendly. Each year more companies sign up and we’re proud to be involved in something that is doing good and also bringing a lot of joy to the workplace.”

There’s still time to join in the fun - just head over to www.bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk

Top picture credit: @JoSowry (Pet Pride Photography)

Pets at Home has announced the appointment of Steve Shirley as Operations Director - Retail.

Steve, 46, has extensive retail experience, having spent nearly 30 years with supermarket chain Asda, most recently as Vice-President Wholesale and Convenience where he had responsibility for the end-to-end operating model and proposition of Asda Express Stores.

Steve will report to Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, with the appointment completing the senior retail leadership team. Taking responsibility for all Pets at Home’s 457 stores, Steve will lead the retail operations and field teams as the business continues to develop its estate across the UK.

Steve, who is married with two children and a pet Labrador, Cooper, held senior roles during his time with Asda including five years as Vice-President of Retail Operations with responsibility for all Asda supermarket stores. Prior to that he held numerous positions as a senior retail director, running stores across Manchester and Lancashire, and later Yorkshire.

Steve, who is a Liverpool FC fan, is particularly proud of the teams and colleagues that he helped develop during his time with Asda and of the retailer’s introduction into smaller format stores.

Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, said: “It is great to welcome Steve to the team. He is a very experienced, results-driven and respected retailer and hasdeveloped a wealth of experience across end-to-end retail operations, including establishing a broad range of store formats.”

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “I’m very excited to be joining Pets – not many businesses can provide such a rich offer - combining health, grooming and retail all under one brand.

“I was also very struck by the collaborative culture that seems to be such a key component of Pets at Home’s continuing success story. I can’t wait to get started and meet as many of my new colleagues as possible.”