The winners of the PATS Telford 2022 New Product Awards, sponsored by pbwnews, were chosen by a team of independent retailers and retail experts, who arrived at the show before 9.30am on Sunday, September 25th, in order to make their choices from a record number of over 340 new products entered. 

Their decisions took into account a number of criteria such as product innovation, design, quality, packaging, value for money and sustainability.

The judges agreed that the New Product Showcase had produced a high calibre of entries with a tremendous amount of innovation. They were pleased to see such a wide range of products, and felt the majority of items on display showed some great innovation.

The Awards were presented to the winners at 1pm on Sunday by David Rees, editor of pbwnews, and show organiser Gordon Thomas.

Here is a full list of the winners together with the judges’ comments:

PATS Telford 2022

New Product Award Winners (sponsored by pbwnews)

Cat Food and Products

Naturea Grain Free Cat Wet Food

BYMiT (stand M24)

Judges said: Good price point, good choice of flavours and it is nice to see good quality cat food with a high meat content.

Dog Food Products

Naturaw Forage

Naturaw (stand F32)

Judges said: Attractive packaging, well thought-out ingredients, great price point and compostable packaging.

Dog Treat Products

Odourless Braided & Straight Bull Pizzle

JR Pet Products (stand G50/G60)

Judges said: Great option for tough chewers without the smell. An amazing long-lasting chew.

Dog Accessories and Toys

Sotnos Earth Aware Natural Rubber Dog Toys

James & Steel (stand D64)

Judges said: This product uses renewable materials at a good price point. It also has lovely packaging.

Dog Harnesses, Leads and Dog Wear

Adventure Lead With Close Control

Twiggy Tags (stand M30)

Judges said: Great to see an adaptable lead with a locking clip, at a good price point.

Small Animal and Bird Products

Pig ‘n’ Mix Treats Range

HayPigs! (Stand A16)

Judges said: A sweet shop of goodies for guinea pigs that supports health and wellbeing in a fun way.

Pet Care Products

Doughnut Recovery Collar

Dirty Little Paws (stand J70)

Judges said: This recovery support is a great innovation for pets and softer to use than a traditional cone.

Grooming Products

Tropiclean Enticers Dental Care Products

Pedigree Wholesale (stand D10)

Judges said: These easy-to-use dental products will help to remove plaque and bacteria.

The opening day of PATS Telford was buzzing with excitement as visitors flocked to see the record number of trade stands and pet industry innovations on show.

Exhibitors were delighted by the number of enquiries and orders generated on Sunday, with many rushed off their feet for the entire day.

The two-day event is the biggest in PATS history with all three halls of Telford International Centre being used for the first time.

More than 240 companies and brands are showcasing their products, with many start-up businesses taking advantage of the New Starter Zone in Hall 3, which is new for this year. 

Gerard O'Mahoney, Managing Director of Pedigree Wholesale, summed up the mood of exhibitors, saying: “There is a great buzz in the exhibition halls. I love this show because the whole industry comes together as one. The time flies by because we are always so busy.”

Huskaloo coconut cat litter founder Tracey Voss, a regular at PATS since she attended the  first show at Sandown in 2009, said Telford 2022 had been “buzzing…the best first day I’ve had at PATS for many years”.

It was a similar story for Becky Davies, Sales Director of JR Pet Products, who said: “We absolutely love PATS and everything about it. It gives us the opportunity to meet our customers old and new and to showcase everything that we do. In fact, we love it so much we were determined to come even though we had a big warehouse fire just days before. It’s definitely worth it.”

One of the highlights of the show is the New Products Showcase where a record number of more than 340 items are displayed in Halls 1 and 2.

First-time exhibitor Lois Saunders, Director of Twiggy Tags, said: “I am bowled over by PATS. We are a new start-up so this is our first time and I’m over the moon. The show gives me the opportunity to really show retailers the quality of our products and the energy and effort that has gone into designing every detail. To win a New Product Award is just the icing on the cake.”

HayPigs! was another exhibitor to win a New Product Award, and co-founder Rik Cridland said: “It’s invigorating, it’s exciting. We haven’t landed a whole new range like this since 2017, and we won a New Product Award then as well. It really gives you a boost. We’ve had lots of retail interest plus some international inquiries and new leads. Lots of opportunities are opening up.”

The first day of the show also got the thumbs-up from visitors. 

Claire Gavin, former director of Pets at Home and now a retail consultant, said: “PATS is so important for the UK pet industry. Being able to see all the latest new products under one roof is what makes this show so special.”

And David Gunn, of Darwin’s Pet Supplies, Stoke-on-Trent, added: “It’s a great show that keeps getting bigger. There’s so much to see and I’m struck by the level of innovations coming to the market. I’m enjoying every moment at this fabulous event.”

The second day of the show – Monday, September 26 – will open at 9.30am.

Swedish-based Petbuddy Group has made its second acquisition of a UK company in 2022 following a deal to buy British premium pet food brand Little BigPaw. The group had acquired MediPaws, a producer of natural pet supplements in February.

Little Big Paw co-founders David Alton and Jim Weston, who will continuing with the new owners, said: “Petbuddy Group came to us with the ambition to accelerate growth by launching more products and entering new markets. That felt like an exciting journey to be part of. Together we will be able to exploit synergies within distribution, product development and logistics. In addition, it will allow simpler access of Little BigPaw products to the EU.”

Petbuddy, whose other brands include Buddy, WAP Dog Care and Nutrolin, is backed by strong Swedish investors.

The company’s CEO Alex Baumann said: “We are delighted to welcome David and Jim to PBG and our exciting journey ahead. They have built a modern and highly appreciated brand that is sold to over 45 markets worldwide. In addition, they offer over 50 years of combined pet food experience that will open many doors for us as a group.

“PBG’s goal is to become the leading group of premium and sustainable pet food companies in Europe within five years. An ambitious M&A strategy together with strong organic growth is the recipe.”

He added: “We have great investors backing us on our journey. This is our fourth acquisition in 18 months and many of our investors have been part of every deal. We’re humble to build PBG together with great investors.

“We’re building a vertically integrated group of pet food brands; from factory to consumer. Synergies can be found within distribution, production, ecommerce/tech,

as well as within logistics.”

Nelly’s Woofers, a well-established pet store in a town centre location in Hampshire, has been put up for sale with an asking price of £69,995 plus stock at valuation.

According to the agents, the store in West Street Fareham generates a turnover of circa £150,000.

The business was initially established over seven years ago as a market stall before establishing itself as a bricks-and-mortar shop in 2017. Since then the company has built up an outstanding reputation and enjoys a large number of repeat custom and word-of-mouth recommendations.

The sale is being handled by Hilton Smythe, which states in its marketing material: “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 Moss, owner of Nelly’s Woofers said: “I have loved every minute of being part of such a wonderful shop and community but unfortunately, I am relocating for personal reasons.

“A highlight of owning the shop has been seeing the growth and development of the woofers over the years and I’m glad that as a shop, we can be part of their journey.”

Aaron Roberts, sales director at Hilton Smythe said: “Nelly’s Woofers is at the heart of Fareham’s community. The shop’s close relationship with customers makes it more attractive than other dog shops.

“We believe that the shop would be a perfect opportunity for an individual or couple who are enthusiastic dog lovers that are looking to own their first business.”

More details of the sale of the pet store can be found on the Hilton Smythe website https://hiltonsmythe.com/businesses-for-sale/well-established-pet-store-for-sale-7002/

JR Pet Products, a leading producer of natural dog treats and chews, has revealed it’s ‘business as normal’ following a huge warehouse blaze at the weekend. The company also said it still intends to exhibit at the forthcoming PATS Telford exhibition.

Sales director Becky Davies issued the following statement on behalf of the South Wales-based company:

“Sadly, in the early hours of Sunday morning a significant fire destroyed two of our storage warehouses and packing facility in Llandovery. Multiple fire crews have been working round the clock to get the fire under control. I'm pleased to say that nobody has been injured and the fire crew have now left the scene after many days of burning. We anticipate the loss of stock alone to be well in excess of £1m and over 900 pallets of finished goods.

“Naturally this will have an impact on our operations but our disaster recovery plan is fully underway and we are ‘business as normal’ in less than 48 hours from the start of the fire – or as close to as possible! 

“Our HQ in Brecon and other sites in Llandovery were not affected, we have stock in other locations and predict minimal out of stocks and little to no disruption in our turnaround times. We fully intend to come to PATS and are very much looking forward to seeing you all...we will not be defeated!

“We have an amazing team of people and the surrounding community has been hugely supportive. The fire crews are TRULY INCREDIBLE and we simply can't thank them enough. They have been with us since 6am Sunday and have not long left. A particular thank you to the brave firefighter who moved our new 18 tonne lorrywhilst the cab was melting from the heat. His bravery was immense and we are truly grateful. The local community has been incredibly supportive, we have had some wonderful offers of help and many have given up their own time to help in any way they can – thank you!

“Apologies to the residents of Llandovery for covering them in thick smoke and ash, we are so sorry that it had a negative impact on the ‘Sheep Festival’ that was running this weekend, we know how hard the community has worked preparing for this event.

We would like to publicly reassure our 50+ colleagues that there is no risk of any job losses due to the fire and the business remains in a strong trading position. We cannot thank our team enough for the ‘we will not be defeated attitude’ in dealing with the fall out of the fire, we are blessed to be working with them.

“Thank you so much to all of you who have sent such wonderful and supportive messages to us, it means so much.”

A digital version of the Red Book containing a sneak preview of show offers and new products at PATS Telford in now available online. Click here to view.

This handy guide will help you plan your trip around the show and make the most of your visit to the UK’s National Pet Trade Exhibition. 

In the Red Book there are more than 100 exclusive offers from exhibitors and a selection of the latest new products to be launched on to the market.

Award-winning communications specialist and pet expert spottydog communications has announced the launch of ‘Pet Shop Pal’ ahead of PATS 2022.

Having worked with leading pet brands for over a decade, spottydog communications is delighted to launch a unique new service, Pet Shop Pal, to provide a helping paw to pet shops across the UK. 

Pet Shop Pal is an exciting programme launched to help pet shop owners reach more pet owners. Each month, those involved will receive a pack filled with helpful resources to help increase their brand awareness. From social media posts and content hooks to top marketing tips, there’s everything a business owner needs to share their story. 

Using their expert industry knowledge, having worked with the likes of Earth Animal, Arden Grange and HiLife to develop award-winning communication strategies, spottydog communications will be sharing their top secrets to success.

Pet Shop Pal will also come with a host of benefits, a key one being regional exclusivity, meaning spottydog communications will only work with one pet shop within a postcode. 

Commenting on the exciting new programme, Emily Wardle, Associate Director at spottydog communications told us: “We’re thrilled to be able to exclusively launch Pet Shop Pal at PATS Telford 2022, and use our expertise and knowledge within the pet sector to make a real difference to pet shops across the UK.

“Having worked with a host of independent retailers over the years with our clients, we’ve seen firsthand how impactful and truly life-changing the right communication output can be.”

It certainly won’t be the first time spottydog communications has experienced PATS as it’s been supporting leading pet brands for many years. However, it will be the first time the team is stepping out from behind the brands and taking to the floor themselves, bringing their pet expertise to shop owners with Pet Shop Pal.

For those heading to PATS Telford you can find the spottydog team on stand N25 from 25^th-26^th September. There will be a fun game, sweet treats, and a special introductory rate. 

The ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ campaign has launched in the UK as a rallying cry for the pet-loving population to come together to help thousands of animals in war-torn Ukraine. 

U-Hearts was launched early this year in response to the Ukraine war, providing abandoned pets with the food and vaccinations needed for survival. The non-profit has  distributed 414,600 tons of pet food to date, as well as procured 1,000 vaccines.

U-Hearts is now calling on the support of businesses, individuals or fellow charities to provide the all-important aid they’re in desperate need of.

Uniting forces U-Hearts, the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) and spottydog communications have teamed up to bring the ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ campaign to the UK and raise awareness of these needs for the pets of Ukraine.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of U-Hearts, Yuriy Tokarski, explained: “With an increasing cry for help in Ukraine, our collective aim is to source as many donations as possible to see see the pets of Ukraine through the harsh winter and provide them with the necessitites they require for survival.

“We hope this campaign can unite the UK’s pet industry and raise awareness of what’s still a major ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Pets can’t save themselves from the war, but you can!”

There are many different ways that businesses can get involved with ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’, whether that’s through an ongoing commitment, a one-off donation or simply spreading the word. 

sottydog communications will be representing the campaign at PATS Telford 2022, the UK's number one pet industry exhibition, spreading awareness of ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ and welcoming any donations from exhibitors. PATS is also kindly donating all products showcased within the new product area. 

Any donations made over these two days will be collected by leading same-day courier, Crown SDS, who has kindly agreed to safely store any donations within its warehouses, free of charge, before these can be collected and transported to Ukraine. 

Find out more here about how you can donate here or speak to the team on stand M19 at PATS 2022 for more details.

Tillymint Communications is aiming to be on the lips of PATS Telford visitors this weekend with a delicious minty giveaway. 

The company, which specialises in pet PR, has the strapline: ‘full of minty goodness’ and is cooking up a ‘swap shop’ challenge by asking visitors to leave their business card in exchange for tasty treats.

It will be handing out freshly baked chocolate mint Aero brownie bites from its N14 stand at the Telford International Centre during the industry trade show which starts on Sunday (25 September).

Tillymint is ideally located next to the refreshment area in Hall 3 – so visitors can grab a delicious bite as they head to buy a coffee.

Said Tillymint’s founder Alison Gallagher-Hughes: “We know that walking the halls at PATS can be energy sapping. What better than a delicious sweet treat to re-energise and keep us going. For our part, we hope that encourages people to say hello and introduce themselves and make our stand ‘sticky’ in the best possible way.”

For more information on Tillymint service visit: www.tillymint.co.uk or email: info@tillymint.co.uk

Why do some pet companies grab all the headlines? When you flick through the pet press you may see the same names crop up again and again.

This isn’t necessarily because they are bigger, more innovative or creative - they simply use the power of public relations (PR) to promote their offer, enhance their brand credentials and increase their visibility.

All businesses all have a story to tell but sometimes the people behind them are so busy with day-to-day operations that they forget to shout about their growth and achievements.

Alison Gallagher-Hughes, founder of Tillymint Communications, which specialises in pet industry PR, says that business leaders have to be both “farmers and hunters”.

“The mechanics of business must be balanced with proactive opportunities for growth, customer acquisition and retention. ‘Tending’ the operational side of business to the detriment of its development will see it remain at best, static. Look over your shoulder and there will be a more noisy competitor making giant strides in your direction.

“It’s vital that wider marketing activity is supported with a bed of communication that heightens awareness of the brand, its developments and achievements. Developing trust between a brand and its audiences is especially important within the pet industry, as the very nature of the business, is one that is close to customers’ hearts.”

Tillymint Communications has significant experience working within the pet industry, with an understanding of market segments, burning issues and emerging topics – the pegs on which stories hang.

It nurtures great relationships with journalists and editors to harness opportunities for involvement in features, competitions and giveaways to ensure companies keep heighten their profiles and stay in the spotlight.

In addition to PR, Tillymint Communications offers wider marketing support including: creative design, web development, advertising, print management and content creation services.

Visit Tillymint Communications on Stand N14 at PATS Telford (25-26 September 2022) to discuss your needs and get a free ‘Minty’ goodie when you leave your business card.

www.tillymint.co.uk

Slow feeding prevents the pet from gulping down the food, slows down the food intake and makes it more interesting for velvet paws. 

At the same time, slow feeding can counteract many health problems such as e.g. acidification, flatulence and cramps. 

Along with numerous feeding mats, Trixie has introduced plastic (non-slip) and ceramic bowls that are suitable for all types of food and come in various shapes and colours. The non-gulping-down-the-food items offer variety and are dishwasher suitable.    

Synomics, the biological insights technology start-up, has confirmed a new partnership with Mars Petcare to produce canine disease risk prediction models.

The new partnership will see Synomics utilise its proprietary technology to analyse Mars Petcare’s multi-layer anonymised datasets to develop scoring models for prediction of an individual pet’s risk of developing a condition.

The scoring models developed by Synomics will ultimately help improve the wellbeing of pets by enabling deeper insight into a pet’s genetic health and predispositions and its risk factor towards a variety of common diseases, enabling owners to monitor and manage conditions more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Rebecca Chodroff Foran, head of R&D at Wisdom Panel, the world leader in pet genetics, said: “Similar to humans, pets suffer from many chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and arthritis that affect their wellbeing on a daily basis.  Early understanding of an individual animal’s risk may enable proactive monitoring by veterinary professionals as well as supporting pet owners with decisions on diet, lifestyle and management.”

Peter Kristensen, Synomics’ CEO, said: “We’re delighted Mars Petcare recognise the value Synomics and its technology can bring to further enhance the great work already happening at Mars. 

“This is a breakthrough announcement for Synomics and we look forward to working with the team at Mars Petcare in the coming months.”

The Herbal Dog Co, based in the North East of England, has launched its winter festive fragrances in time for the Christmas season.

These new fragrance options, which are available to buy as shampoos, dry shampoos and fragrance sprays, evoke all the nostalgic autumn and winter spices to make any dog smell wonderful throughout the festivities.

Pumpkin Spice is one of Herbal Dog Co’s autumnal fragrances. This iconic spice blend is a mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and ginger and will leave you and any dog both feeling warm and enveloped in pumpkin sweetness and spice. 

The new seasonal Candy Cane fragrance is the scent that will take you down memory lane during the festive season. Sugary mint and vanilla will have any pooch smelling fresh and warm. 

Naughty but nice is the best way to describe Herbal Dog Co’s Christmas fragrance. This seasonal fragrance will envelop any dog with its spicy notes. It’s literally Christmas in a bottle.

Gingerbread which is an old timey fragrance hits all the right notes with its roasted biscuit and warm spicy scent. Gingerbread is sure to be an autumnal aroma both dog and owner will  just want to sink into.

Each product from Herbal Dog Co has been created in the UK using natural ingredients and contains no harsh chemicals or Palm Oil.  The range is designed to cater for a variety of skin conditions and provides grooming solutions for different types of coat while the herbal powders and tonics are designed to cater for a wide range of common ailments and wellbeing issues. 

All the packaging is sustainable, compostable, reusable and recyclable.

Herbal Dog is a recent finalist in the PetQuip 2022 Awards being nominated across four categories, including Best Grooming Product, Green and Organic, Sustainability and Supplier of the Year.

Herbal Dog Co is now being stocked by Natural Cornish Pet Shop who won the Best Independent Retailer of the Year at the 2021 PetQuip Awards.

Fragrance RRP £12,95

Dry Shampoo RRP £12.95

Shampoo RRP £9.50

For further information on Herbal Dog Co’s products visit: www.herbaldogco.com

The Pet Industry Federation has announced the 2022 finalists for the PIF Awards. Following a record number of entries, the judges were particularly impressed by the standard of submissions this year and congratulate all those businesses shortlisted as finalists.

Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, commented: “The standard and volume of entries for the PIF Awards this year has been quite staggering and we thank everyone who took the time to enter. All businesses shortlisted as finalists deserve sincere congratulations and we very much look forward to welcoming everyone to the PIF Awards this November. Tickets and accommodation sold out in 2021 so we’d encourage early booking this year.”

The 2022 PIF Awards take place on Thursday November 17 at Whittlebury Hall in Northamptonshire. Tickets to the black tie event include a complementary drinks reception, three course meal with wine and live entertainment. Individual tickets can be purchased at www.petfederation.co.uk with savings for tables of ten and a discount code available for accommodation at Whittlebury Hall. 

The PIF Awards are supported by headline sponsors Cliverton, Collar, Naturo Pet Foods and Tuft, plus strategic partner DHL Supply Chain, drinks sponsor Pedigree Wholesale and 20 category sponsors.

Product Innovation Award – Dog (sponsored by Spottydog Communications)

Finalists: Furr Boost, Pawdaw of London, Kompact9, Karnlea, No Fuss Fill, ParkLiFE    

Product Innovation Award – Cat (sponsored by Pedigree Wholesale)

Finalists: Wrapsio, Huskaloo, Weenect, Closer Pet, Moodify Pet, Bio PetActive

Product Innovation Award – Small Mammal/Bird (sponsored by Pedigree Wholesale)

Finalists: Secure Bunny, Marriages

Manufacturer of the Year (sponsored by Jollyes)

Finalists: Burns Pet Nutrition, Herbal Dog, Harvest Pet Products, Life of Riley Bakery, GHS Direct, Gold Line Feeds

Wholesaler of the Year (sponsored by Teddys Treats)

Finalists: Pedigree Wholesale, Bestpets, Su-Bridge, Trust Pet Products, Vital, We.pet

Supplier of the Year (sponsored by PIF Telecom)

Finalists: Dorwest Herbs, Mutneys, Adios Plastic, The Dog Doctors, Christies Direct, Barking Bags

New Business of the Year (sponsored by The Pet Accountant)

Finalists: Furr Boost, Pet Database.com, Scoff Paper, Park LiFE, Paw Daw of London, Moodify Pet

Grooming Business of the Year (sponsored by Tuft)

Finalists: The Dog House Leicester Ltd, Vanity Fur Barry, Spruce Cricklade Dog Grooming, Palmers Dog Grooming, Ayrshire Grooming Salon, Happy Hounds Grooming Academy

Kennel of the Year (sponsored by Naturo Pet Food)

Finalists: Rose Cottage Doggy Hotel, Milin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding, Royvon Dog Training & Hotels, Glyntawel Luxury Dog Boarding & Pets Hotel, Greendale Farm Kennels, Foxbridge Animal Hotel

Cattery of the Year (sponsored by PBW News)

Finalists: Alloa Cattery, Hawthorn Boarding Kennels & Cattery, Furr Cottage Kennels & Cattery

Home Boarding Business of the Year (sponsored by Rose Cottage)

Finalists: Jessie’s Dog B&B Ltd, Barkmoral, Walking Woofs, Country Dog Hotel, Poochee Care, Extremus Dog Training

Dog Daycare Business of the Year (sponsored by Collar App)

Finalists: Tom and Toto Pet Care, Doggy Daycare Cornwall, The K9 Club, Rose Cottage Daycare, Ipswich Dog Daycare Creche, Canine Countryside Escape

Dog Walking Business of the Year (sponsored by Barking Bags)

Finalists: Percy In The Park, DD’s Dogcare, Ambleside Dog Walker, PadPaws, Good Dog Walking Ltd, Shropshire Canine

Pet Service Business of the Year (sponsored by Cliverton)

Finalists: Canine Dip and Dive, Pup Talk, Pippin Pets Dog Training, Fit4Dogs UK Rehabilitation Centre, Pets & Friends Dog Training Centre Litchfield, Animal Talent Ltd

Online Business of the Year (sponsored by Viaduct Generation)

Finalists: Pup Talk, Dorwest Herbs, Christies Direct, Butternut Box, Weenect, Herbal Dog

Export Business Award (sponsored by DHL Supply Chain)                

Finalists: Little BigPaw, Christies Global, Huskaloo, 3P Enterprise Ltd, Burns Pet Nutrition

Sustainability Award (sponsored by PetFace)                  

Finalists: Doglyness, Green Poop Bag, Wildwash, Huskaloo, Bag and Boops, Life of Riley Bakery 

Pet Retail Chain of the Year (sponsored by Christies Global)

Finalists: Jollyes, Just For Pets, Pets & Friends, Pets At Home, Pets Corner, Petzone (Kuwait)

Independent Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Natures Menu)

Finalists: Natural Cornish Pet, Primal Raw Ltd, Hoofs & Paws, Browns Natural Pet Store, Trusty Pet Supplies Superstore, The Dog’s Deli

Special Achievement – Pet Professional Award (sponsored by Aspin)

Finalists: Daniel Allen, Colin Christie, John Burns, Sam Marriage, Kerry Chapman, Max Randall

Special Achievement – Student Award (sponsored by The National Pet College)

Finalists: Ali Chogbanbaz, Billie Jo Harwicke, Georgia Harle, Claire Loizos, Siobhan Smith, Marianne Dickens

Lifetime Achievement Award (to be announced at the Awards)

Karnlea Bone Broth has given its website a digital facelift to better highlight the health benefits of its collagen and mineral-packed supplement range.

The site features improved design and layout – enhancing the user journey for pet owners and trade customers alike. Health benefits and application are conveyed with greater impact using easy-to-understand infographics.

Brand development has been applied to support the introduction of new flavours and promotional bundles.

www.karnlea.com has also undergone optimisation for various browsers and devices – making it easier for customers to access on desktop, tablet or phone.

Managing Director Lara McCullough said that she was thrilled with the result.

“Our original site was developed during the company’s launch to create an online presence and provide a transactional platform for consumer sales and trade enquiries. As our range and brand identity continues to grow, it felt it appropriate to give our website a makeover to reflect this and draw greater attention to Karnlea’s health benefits for dogs and cats.

“We will continue to enhance and improve the site with new products and features over the coming months. We are keen to provide our customers with ‘added value’ content, news and offers.”

Karnlea Bone Broth is the first ‘ambient’ liquid bone broth for cats and dogs. Made from 100 per cent natural ingredients, it is slow cooked for up to 14 hours to extract high levels of protein, collagen and minerals.

It can be served as a liquid, straight from the carton, chilled for use as a jelly topper, frozen into treats/convenient portions, or used in home cooking and bakes.

For more information contact lara@karnlea.com or visit www.karnlea.com

The British Independent Retailers Association has welcomed the announcement by the government that it will help cut energy bills for businesses.

Having campaigned tirelessly for clarification from the government for almost a year, the association which helps represent independent businesses, has said the decisive action has been much needed.

The announcement by the government has outlined plans to help cut energy bills by working with suppliers to reduce wholesale energy costs and rises in bills that businesses have seen. This is in addition to the Energy Price Guarantee for households.

The government has promised to provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (which also includes UK businesses, the voluntary sector and public sector) whose current gas and electricity prices have been inflated. This is to be applied to fixed contracts agreed on, or after April 1 2022. It will also apply to energy usage from October 1 until 31 March 2023 and will run for a period of six months. Savings will first ben seen in the October bills and be automatically applied to bills.

Bira's CEO Andrew Goodacre said: "It will be a relief to all independent retailers on the high street as they can now focus on the very important final quarter of the year.

"Our focus also now turns to helping the government determine which businesses are vulnerable due the energy increases as we feel indie retailers fall into this category. BIRA has been very vocal in asking for the details of this support and independent retailers can look forward to lower than expected energy bills. We now want to turn our focus on determining the businesses classed as vulnerable as we know they will receive longer term support. Rather than individual businesses, we need to show that the high street is a collection of businesses that support each other to make the place successful. No high street wants to see lots of empty shops so we need to focus on the vulnerability of the ‘place’.”

Mr Goodacre added: “We now turn our attention to Friday’s mini budget and urge the government to take decisive action to restore consumer confidence and consumer expenditure. Furthermore we need longer term plans to address other taxation issues impacting businesses, especially business rates."

In a survey conducted at the end of August to Bira members, 65% of business owners had said the original predicted price rise would force them to reduce the number of staff they had or reduce wages, while 40% were considering limiting opening hours, while 23% were looking to permanently or temporarily close their business once the proposed price hike came in October.

Digestive Probiotics and Advanced Probiotics from leading natural pet supplement company, All About Pet Health, are soft chews designed  for optimal utilisation of nutrients  and are ideal for sensitive stomachs. 

Veterinarian formulated these digestive supplements provide a healthy level of probiotics and essential enzymes to help your dog break down food.

Joint Health which is available in moderate and advanced formulas are chews which supply important joint support for adult pets, including large breeds and overweight pets. The chews provide important antioxidants and help to support the structural integrity of joints and connective tissues and contain Glucosamine, MSM and Chondroitin as well as a range of botanicals and other natural ingredients. Senior dogs are more likely to suffer from joint health problems and arthritis than younger dogs.

Omega-Gold Plus Salmon Oil supports healthy skin and a glossy coat. This formula is an excellent source of DHA and EPA and rich in omega oils to maintain normal moisture in dry skin and will help to keep an aging coat in tip top condition.

All About Pet Health’s All in One supplement product consisting of soft chews which are the ideal product for your pet’s essential needs: digestion, skin and coat and contain all the vitamins and minerals that they need to support overall health. They also contain glucosamine and chondroitin for added joint support in dogs.

All products are distributed in the UK and throughout Europe by All About Pet Health. All products are manufactured in the USA in an FDA audited, cGMP compliant facility and veterinary formulated.

To download brochure visit: Overby Farm Brochure (adobe.com)

For further information on Overby Farm visit: www.overbyfarm.co.uk

Email: Dan@allaboutpethealth.co.uk  

Phone: +44 (0)1892 281007. 

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Peter Pritchard, the former boss of Pets at Home has joined the board of online electrical retailer AO World.

Peter will be an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Greater Manchester group from October 1.

Commenting on his appointment, Geoff Cooper, Chairman of AO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Peter as a Non-Executive Director. We set out to appoint an individual with suitable experience to continue to develop the Board's skill set and Peter brings with him a strong mix of knowledge of consumer-focused businesses, as well as experience of transforming businesses.”

Peter was until recently Chief Executive Officer at Pets at Home plc, leading its transformation into the UK's largest and fastest growing pet care provider. He has over 35 years' consumer and broad operational experience, having worked for many of the UK's best-known retail brands, including Wilkinson Stores Limited, Asda/Walmart stores Inc, J Sainsbury plc and M&S plc. He also holds a non-executive position at Motability Operations Group plc.

The garden industry has been paying its own tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her sad passing on Thursday, September 8.

Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of PetQuip, said: “Everyone at PetQuip was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. For over 70years she dedicated her life to service for her country and the Commonwealth, and has been a figurehead of national unity and stability at a time of enormous change. She will be hugely missed, not just in our country but across the world. We offer the Royal Family our heartfelt condolences.”

Jan McLoughlin, PDSA Director General, commented: “We are truly saddened to hear the news released by Buckingham Palace this afternoon, announcing the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of everyone at PDSA, I send our condolences to our Patron, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, KG, GCVO and the rest of the Royal Family. We have a long and proud association with the Royal Family, having received Royal patronage since 1919. Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and the rest of the Royal Family at this difficult time.”

And Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, added: “Everyone here at PIF was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.”

The UK’s leading pet retail group, Pets at Home, paid its own tribute, stating: “It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of everyone at Pets at Home, we send our sincere and heartfelt condolences. Her Majesty The Queen was an inspiration to our nation with a life full of service, generosity and lifelong love of animals.”

Pet retailers throughout the country will be closing their stores on the day of the Queen's state funeral – Monday, September 19 – as a mark of respect.

Pets Corner (above) and Jollyes (below) informed customers of the decision to close stores on Monday, September 19.

The hot summer this year saw sales of a new healthy hydration smoothie drink called Furr Boost soar. This has led to the brand now being stocked by two further major retailers in the sector, Jollyes and Viovet.

The smoothie drinks were created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal and the success of the brand has also meant that they have made the finals in four categories at this year’s PetQuip Awards for Product Innovation Green and Organic, Sustainability and Supplier of the Year.

Louise’s 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.

Louise said: “There is no one else making a product like ours. Yes, there are drinks on the market that are botanical, broth based and electrolyte based etc, but none that are like a natural smoothie. Each of our 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.

“Our ultimate aim is to be a global business and a household brand that people can trust.  Using Furr Boost as part of a dog’s daily nutrition and diet can help to keep the vets bills down for unnecessary health issues associated with food and lack of hydration, which was exactly where I started with my first dog,” said Louise.

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com

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

Goodchap’s has won a prestigious New Product Award at the leading equestrian trade exhibition, BETA International, for its Tricks & Trivia card game.

The company was exhibiting at BETA International for the first time and picked up the award on the first day of the show which took place at the NAEC Stoneleigh from Sunday to Monday.

The Tricks & Trivia card game is designed as a bonding tool for owners and their dogs, and the New Product Award judges loved its concept.

“As it helps owners bond with their pets, this card game is ingenious. It’s also a great gifting idea at a fantastic price,” said the judges.

Goodchap’s sales associate Mark Peake received the award from BETA’s director general Claire Williams. He said: “It’s fantastic to see this innovative idea be recognised at a leading industry event.”