A pet shop owner has spoken of the moment he helped tackle an armed robber who burst into the store and demanded cash from the till.Dan Hambling, joint owner of Grimsby's Victor Aquatics, described the moment a man entered the store, holding what is believed to be a BB gun hidden in a carrier bag and threatening to shoot if his demands weren’t met. One member of staff suffered an assault in the attack, although he was not badly injured. The man was tackled to the ground by Dan, another member of staff and a customer. Police attended immediately and helped detain the man. The incident happened at the Victor Street store around 5.15pm on Monday. “The armed robber shouted ‘I am going to shoot’ at people in the store,” said Dan. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, assault causing actual bodily harm and attempted armed robbery. Detective Chief Inspector Nicki Miller said: "I would like to commend the staff and member of the public for their brave actions which led to a man being apprehended at the scene. "I would ask that anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have any knowledge of this incident to contact the police. I would like to reassure the public that incidents like this are not common." Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 400 of February 15. BB guns are a type of air gun designed to fire spherical projectiles similar to shot pellets of approximately the same size.
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Ten British pet product suppliers will be exhibiting in the PetQuip-organised group at Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida next month (March 16-18).
This follows the successes of the PetQuip group at the last five editions of the show.
Seven of this year’s exhibitors will be receiving cash grants to help them exhibit, that the PetQuip association has secured for them from the British government.
New products on show that demonstrate the diversity of the UK pet sector will include flying discs for dogs, bedding, feeding bowls, dog poo sprays, herbal supplements, dog chews and toys, veterinary products, poultry accessories, indoor and outdoor dog toilets, wild bird accessories and various aquatic decor items.
The British companies and their products are as follows: Armitage Pet Care (Booth 4471) will be exhibiting a large range of seasonal confectionery and toys for pets. The company’s Christmas for Pets range includes a number of seasonal treats and toys for dogs, cats and small animals. The selection includes chocolates, boxes of biscuits and chews for dogs, as well as Christmas stockings for dogs, cats and small animals. Among the range of dog apparel are Santa coats, jumpers and a hat. Advent calendars for dogs will also be shown. Beco Pets (Booth 4081) is one of Britain’s biggest manufacturers of eco-friendly pet products, and will be exhibiting alongside its distributor Pet Product Innovations. Completely new for the show is The Beco Flyer, a flying disc dog toy that whizzes through the air to the delight of its canine catchers. All of Beco Pets' products on show are designed in Great Britain and provide long-lasting fun. The company’s range covers all four main life activities of dogs and cats i.e. ‘Fetch’, ‘Eat’, ‘Poop’ and ‘Sleep’. The products comprise toys, bowls, poop bags and beds. Beco’s dog and cat bowls are made with bamboo fibres taken from off-cuts from chopsticks. The beds contain stuffing made from recycled plastic soda bottles, and the toy- like bones are made from 100 per cent natural rubber. Hilton Herbs (Booth 651) is a leading manufacturer of pure herbal supplements for animals. All products are formulated by the firm's medical herbalist and manufactured in the UK using European human grade herbs and tinctures. The company prides itself on providing pet, horse, poultry and bird owners with an extensive, unique range of effective, palatable, easily administered top quality herbal supplements, healing creams, shampoos and lotions. Hilton Herbs holds the UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme) accreditation which guarantees traceability of all product ingredients from field to feed. Two new dog products will be launched at Global Pet Expo. They are a Canine Adrenal Support and Canine DeTox Support. Hugo Kamishi (Booth 4478) has added a range of new decor and accessories to its aquatic product range. Newly introduced items include bonsai, matting plants, moss balls and a premium range of bushy plants. The range caters for all tastes from green, very realistic options to brightly coloured fun elements. The newest addition to the range is the silicon plant range which adds a floaty dimension to an aquarium that plastic is unable to achieve. There are also new plant and rock packs that are similar to ‘paint by numbers’. They allow anyone to turn their aquarium into a fully aquascaped display within a few minutes. The addition of synthetic corals will help fish keepers to achieve a marine feel to their aquarium. Petface (Booth 4470) is one of the UK’s leading pet accessories suppliers, and will be showcasing a variety of new innovative dog toys and wild bird accessories on its booth. A key aspect of Petface’s success has been its continuous programme of new product launches. Some of the latest products in the dog toys sector are super-tough ‘plush’ toys that have triple layer construction, comprising a plush outer fabric, a chew resistant mid layer and a semi-ridged inner rubber frame. This technology is combined with quilting stitch work on the outer layer designed to help prevent any tears ‘running’. Also new is a selection of rubber and nylon chew toys. Also being exhibited are wild bird feeders, which feature the company’s LokTop system that uses the feeder wire hanger to lock the lid closed. This feature helps to protect against the elements and keeps the food drier and fresher. It also deters unwanted visitors from opening and stealing feed. Also new are bird-friendly perches, easy clean accessories and seed feeder port designs. PetQuip (Booth 4467) is the International Trade Association of Pet Equipment Suppliers. The PetQuip team assists and promotes the development of international trade in the pet equipment sector, providing a catalyst for business contact between manufacturers, suppliers and international buyers. The PetQuip Buyers’ Guide, which includes a directory of members’ product ranges, will be available to all buyers visiting the PetQuip booth. UK exhibitors in the PetQuip-organised group will be located in a prime position within a British-branded and themed pavilion area as part of the organiser’s international pavilion. POO Guard (Booth 4474) will be showing its spray product that will kill bacteria and viruses, including Parvovirus that remains on the ground after dog poo has been bagged. The product addresses an ongoing health issue with dog poop. Whenever dog mess is bagged, millions of harmful bacteria and viruses are unavoidably left on the ground. In high footfall areas these can be spread quickly and can include E-Coli and Salmonellosis which infect humans and dogs alike, and viruses such as Parvovirus which can kill puppies in particular. The spray can be used anywhere outdoors and is particularly beneficial for locations where young children and dogs share the same play areas. Other areas where the use of POO Guard is essential are communal parks, campsites, picnic spots, beaches and pavements. Although highly effective, the spray is harmless to the environment and is veterinary practitioner -approved in the UK.
Spike’s World (Booth 4469) will be showing its premium poultry accessories and wild and African pygmy hedgehog foods. For the backyard poultry sector, there is the Feathers & Beaky range of premium innovative accessories. It includes a Feeder and Top-fill Drinker that offers many benefits not seen in cheaper products and due to the robust materials used will last many years longer. Another poultry item is The Veg Holder and Peck-It Treat Dispenser that helps to deter vermin and to prevent poultry from becoming bored. Spike’s Hedgehog Food for pet African pygmy hedgehogs is new to the market and is specially formulated to provide optimum nutrition for this increasingly popular pet.
The TastyBone Company Ltd (Booth 2701) is a leading UK manufacturer of nylon chew and play toys, and will be exhibiting alongside its distributor Rolf C Hagen. TastyBone is adding six new brand lines to its popular ‘Dental’ range of dog chews that include two flavours to stimulate a dog’s taste-buds. All bones are designed and manufactured in TastyBone’s own UK factory, using only the finest quality materials and human grade flavouring. The company’s aim is to lead the way into the next generation of pet products by creating new and innovative premium products that provide fun, are flavoursome and promote good oral hygiene.
Vetbed® (Booth 4472) will be exhibiting its bedding, healthcare and hygiene products for pets. Vetbed’s manufacturer, Petlife International Ltd, has manufactured and exclusively distributed a wide range of quality pet care and veterinary products for dogs, cats, small animals and pigeons for the past twenty years, and a number of new products are being introduced to the US market at the show. These include the Original Vetbed®, which has been used, trusted and recommended by leading vets and pet professionals for 20 years. There is also a range of Flexabed thermally insulated bedding, together with a range of Safebed disposable paper based bedding products for small animals. A range of high visibility clothing for dogs and cats, and a microwavable Hotties heatpad for dogs, cats and other small animals will be shown to US buyers for the first time. Also on the Vetbed® booth is the water-resistant antibacterial KarmaWrap that induces a sense of security and calm when worn by a dog. Woofaloo (Booth 4476) is a convenient and easy-to-use indoor or outdoor dog toilet for puppies and small to medium sized dogs. Woofaloo has been developed to match a dog’s natural behaviour to wee near trees and shrubs. The toilet consists of a plastic litter tray that has rubber feet to prevent slipping. The tray contains an upright plastic tree-shape that has a branch pattern to channel urine into the tray. The tree assembly can be laid flat in the tray for ease of travelling. It is a modern product that suits busy lifestyles, and is both functional and easy to clean. PetQuip is the International Trade Association of Pet Equipment Suppliers. The PetQuip team assists and promotes the development of international trade in the pet equipment sector, providing a catalyst for business contact between manufacturers, suppliers and international buyers. Contact details: telephone +44 (0) 44 1959 565995; fax +44 (0) 1959 565885; email info@petquip.com; website www.petquip.com
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Pets Choice get on the trail of brand awareness
Pets Choice Ltd has teamed up with haulage company, Earl Transport Ltd, to promote its portfolio of brands. The leading pet food manufacturer, who owns brands such as Webbox, Goodwyns and Davies has commissioned a number of new trailer designs which will be seen on 10 of Earl Transport’s fleet, promoting the popular pet food brands across the UK...
Pets Choice Ltd has teamed up with haulage company, Earl Transport Ltd, to promote its portfolio of brands. The leading pet food manufacturer, who owns brands such as Webbox, Goodwyns and Davies has commissioned a number of new trailer designs which will be seen on 10 of Earl Transport’s fleet, promoting the popular pet food brands across the UK.
Based in Blackburn, Lancashire, Pets Choice also has the UK distribution rights to pet food brands Vitakraft and Dreambone which will also be promoted on the livery. Manufactured by Tiger Trailers, each design displays a humorous message or a clever safety warning on the back of each trailer.
Julie Butcher, head of marketing at Pets Choice, commented: “We are delighted to unveil the branded trailers which will soon be seen on the UK and European motorway networks.
“Earl Transport have delivered our haulage solutions for over 25 years and they provide a fantastic service year on year. The Pets Choice portfolio is going from strength to strength and we saw this as a great opportunity to work with Earl Transport to reinforce our brand message.”
Established in 1978 and with over 30 vehicles, Earl Transport Ltd provides quality logistics services.
Owner and managing director of Earl Transport Ltd, Peter Hughes, explains: “By teaming up with Pets Choice to create the new trailer livery we are strengthening our relationship, while helping them to further promote and expand as a business. We have a great relationship with Pets Choice and see this commitment by both parties as an investment in to the development of our partnership.”
To celebrate, Pets Choice brands Webbox and Goodwyns are also running a social media campaign which will coincide with the launch of the new designs.
The national campaign encourages Facebook and Twitter fans to spot the new trailers while travelling around the UK, with the first 50 people to post a picture on social media of the trailers winning a voucher!
For further information on Pets Choice, visit www.petschoice.co.uk.
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Collarways introduces paw-protection MaxWax to UK
When it comes to protecting dog paws, the inventors of the excellent Pawz Dog Boots know their stuff and have just released their newest paw care product, Max Wax, to be distributed in the UK by Collarways...
 When it comes to protecting dog paws, the inventors of the excellent Pawz Dog Boots know their stuff and have just released their newest paw care product, Max Wax, to be distributed in the UK by Collarways.Max Wax is 100% natural, made with beeswax, lanolin and vitamin E and creates a hydrophobic barrier for protecting the paw area. Ideal for protecting against snow and ice build-up between the pads as well as chemical burn from snow melting chemicals, pesticides, hot pavements and sand. It is also perfect for moisturising dry and cracked pads and can be used year-round to promote paw health. As Max Wax is all natural it’s also non-toxic and simple to apply. Max Wax is available in a 60g round tin and a 200g jar.
For more information and pricing, either visit Collarways on stand T17 at PATS Sandown or contact them via www.collarways.com
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The launchpad for the next bestselling pet products
Winning a New Product Award at the UK’s No1 pet trade show can have a tremendous impact on the fortunes of a PATS exhibitor. Here five companies who triumphed in the New Product Awards at PATS Sandown in 2015 reveal what the accolade has done for their business.
Winning a New Product Award at the UK’s No1 pet trade show can have a tremendous impact on the fortunes of a PATS exhibitor. It can help turn a new launch into a bestselling item in pet stores around the country and clinch that all-important export deal.
One of the main reasons why the Award is held in such high esteem is the fact it is decided be a panel of independent retailers, who know what it takes for a product to fly on the shelves.
But don’t take our word for it. Here five companies who triumphed in the New Product Awards at PATS Sandown in 2015 reveal what the accolade has done for their business.
Case Study No 1
Collarways – Winner of Dog Accessory Product with Zogoflex Toppl, PATS Sandown 2015
How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown?
We were very pleased that West Paw Design's Toppl treat toy won the Dog Accessory Product. There was a high standard of entries but we were confident in entering the new toy as we, and all of our dogs, know it’s a great product.
Has the award helped your business?
Winning the award had an instant impact for both the winning product and for interest in Collarways. We were incredibly busy at the show and have seen a great increase in sales and interest in the brand as a result.
How have you used the win to promote the product?
The press coverage after PATS Sandown was excellent and we reaped the benefits from publishing our own press release. We used the graphic supplied by PATS, stating that we were a winner, on our website and in our marketing material. We proudly display our winning plaque in our showroom.  Case Study No 2
Group 55 – Winner of Grooming Product with Animology Mane Tamed, PATS Sandown 2015 How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown?
There is always a great sense of achievement when a product that you work so hard to get right, is recognised for its quality. There is some really impressive product development within the UK pet market and we know the products are put through a tough judging process and we also know the quality of the other products in the category, so to come out on top was a great feeling. Has the award helped your business?
Our new product development programme is extremely thorough so before any product launch we are always confident that the product delivers advancements within its particular category; we avoid ‘me too’ products. Winning a new product award at PATS signifies recognition from industry experts which adds further credibility to the products and the business as a whole. This in turn gives our customers complete faith in the product both domestically and throughout our network of international distributors. How have you used the win to promote the product?
From the moment the product won, we were proud to be displaying the award on our trade stand at PATS Sandown. The week following PATS, we launched press releases to trade and consumer magazines around the world. We also secured editorial space in the two main equine trade magazines, and having won the award, there was no better way to launch the product to the trade. We also include the award on all point of sale and promotional material that we send out to customers, as well as making our Animologists aware of the achievement through our website and social media sites. 
Case Study No 3
Marriages Specialist Foods – Winner of Bird Product with ‘Carry Home’ Poultry Range, PATS Sandown 2015
How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown?
It was a great feeling. We had worked so hard on the 7.5kg carry home bags, to have a range that would work for the consumer, who only had a few birds in their garden and also for the retailer to have striking packaging that looked great on shelf selling itself. It meant so much to us as a company that the judges, having a retail background, picked our product for the reasons we were striving for. Has the award helped your business?
It is the perfect selling tool for marketing whether advertising or as a sales rep going into a call. It is always a great talking point when you have an award-winning product to be proud of. Marriages prides itself on being innovative and offering quality and value, meaning more sales and profits for our retailers. How have you used the win to promote the product?
Our advertising campaign post PATS was designed around the award. We’re working on an advert now that carries both our PATS awards. I feel it gives retailers a confidence when dealing with an award winning company. 
Case Study No 4
Cambrian Petfoods – Winner of Dog Food and Treats with Gelert Country Choice Dog Trays, PATS Sandown 2015
How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown?
We were delighted with our award for Best New Dog Food product at the PATS Sandown show. It was the perfect result following months of hard work by the product development team. Has the award helped your business?
The award has been a fantastic platform from which to accelerate distribution and sales of the new Gelert Country Choice range within the specialist pet trade, and regularly features in “what to stock” features in trade publications. Country Choice sales are going from strength to strength, and we look forward to another successful PATS show at Sandown in March.
 Case Study No 5
Mr Johnson’s – Winner of Small Animal Products with Niblets Range, PATS Sandown 2015 How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown?
We were delighted to have won and really appreciated the complimentary comments of the judges and the fact they understood what we were trying to achieve from our packaging and product presentation. Has the award helped your business?
Yes winning the award was of great benefit – it highlighted the product to retailers, supported the brand and resulted in many enquiries about the product following the show. How have you used the win to promote the product?
We have used the winning presentation photos, the logo and award in our POS and in presentations.
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Lily’s Kitchen is relaunching its popular dry dog food range in March with re-designed packaging and new recipes with a host of extra health benefits.
The re-launch at PATS Sandown (stand A5) is part of the brand’s With Goodness Comes Greatness campaign, designed to educate consumers on everyday dog health issues and that there is a great tasting, natural alternative in dry pet food that can help solve common problems such as flaky and dry skin, poor appetite and bad breath.
RECIPE BENEFITS - NEW - added vitamins and minerals for older dogs such as zinc and vitamin c to support vision, cardiac health and immune system
- NEW - added chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM for joint care
- NEW - prebiotics to encourage growth of good bacteria for a healthy digestive system
- NEW - essential nutrients omega 3 and 6, and chelated minerals to maximise nutrient absorption
- Gluten-free for less bloating
- Freshly prepared meat which is easier to digest (never meat-meal)
- Crunchier kibble for cleaner teeth and fresher breath
- Smaller kibble with smoother edges for easier eating
- Botanical herbs for healthy digestion - good for sensitive tummies
NEW PACKAGING - HIGHLIGHTS - Clearer packaging, tested by consumers, to help shoppers understand the Lily’s Kitchen offer and benefits of the food
- Improved tailored ranges showing life stage suitability (ie Puppy, Adult, Adult 8+)
- Greater detail on feeding guidelines, particularly helpful for first time dog owners
Like all Lily’s Kitchen’s recipes, the dry food range has been created alongside vets and nutritionists with carefully crafted recipes and high quality proteins to create a complete and nutritionally balanced food for dogs. With vets often citing poor quality protein as the cause for many of the common complaints they see in their surgeries, including dry and flaky skin and poor appetite, the new Lily’s Kitchen packaging will also focus on the high quality protein and other functional benefits of its products to make them easier to see. All Lily’s Kitchen foods contain freshly prepared, high quality meat specifically chosen for its high digestibility and complete nature. They’re also free of meat meal and artificial fillers that are commonly found in pet foods and that can be of lower quality and more difficult to digest than the freshly prepared meats such as venison, salmon, lamb and chicken used in Lily’s Kitchen recipes. The dry food range includes Organic Complete Nutrition Adult Chicken and Vegetable Bake with Botanicals & Herbs, A Day in the Country Adult Free Run Chicken and Duck with Sweet Potatoes & Peas, Wild Woodland walk Adult Highland Venison and Duck with Scottish Salmon and Wise & Wonderful Adult 8+ Scottish Salmon and Trout with Turkey & Herbs that are also grain-free, so suitable for dogs with wheat and gluten sensitivity. Lovely and Luscious Adult Grass Feb Lamb with Peas and Parsley is the lowest fat recipe in the range and is also grain-free. The relaunch will include sample sizes to encourage trial and new point of sale to highlight the packaging and recipe changes and benefits to customers. Following its launch at PATS in March, the dry food range will be rolled out across independent pet shops, health food shops, Ocado, Amazon and on the
Lily’s Kitchen website (www.lilyskitchen.co.uk).
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The latest member to join the AmPet Products team has certainly made her mark on this go-getting business with her pet knowledge and prowess at Championship level dog shows.
Since joining the company as Marketing and PR Manager, Debbie Fitton has gained National success in her new hoby with her German Pinscher, Tala - Brintala’s Athena at Fourfitz (Bred by Karen and Colin Wakefield) and been awarded Top Puppy in 2015 (Working Group/Rare Breeds Register).
Debbie is now preparing to show Tala for the first time at Crufts next month and has high expectations for her ‘dream dog’.
“So much has happened over the past few months and it has all been very positive,” said Debbie. “To join such a forward-looking company like AmPet and work in the pet industry is just amazing.”
Debbie (pictured above with Tala) has a passion for all animals but especially dogs. She has shared her life with mainly working breeds and currently she has a rescue Gambian beach dog called Omar as well as her star puppy Tala. She also cares for rare breed chickens, fish and a cat called Ronnie.
As well as showing Tala at the highest level, Debbie supports Companion and Charity dog shows with Omar. She is an active member of The German Pinscher Club UK and a member of the Pet Professional Guild. Alex Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director of AmPet, is delighted to have someone of Debbie’s calibre as a member of the team.
“Coming from a background in sales, marketing and PR and previously running a family business, Debbie brings enthusiasm, energy and proactive approach to our business,” said Alex.
“She is a great supporter of our Xtra Dog harnesses and a believer in our ethical concepts and training.”
Debbie added: “The AmPet guys are very supportive of my dog showing, and that’s a great help. I’m eager to help the team grow the business in the future and excited about the road ahead.”
Debbie can be contacted at 0330 088 1673.
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Pooch & Mutt has been accredited with the Gold Trusted Merchant award from Feefo, an independent customer review provider.
With an unsurpassed reputation for delivering genuine customer feedback, Feefo produces honest consumer generated ratings and reviews for companies such as The White Company and Expedia.
The Gold Trusted Merchant award recognises the hard-work and excellent customer service that Pooch & Mutt consistently delivers, in the eyes of their customers. To receive a Gold Trusted Merchant award, Pooch & Mutt needed to display an average Service Rating of between 95% and 100%. With a 99% service rating, it is clear how much Pooch & Mutt value their customers and the experience they have.
The ratings and reviews collated by Feefo are verified via sales data, which ensures that only those customers that have genuinely completed a transaction with a business are invited to provide feedback. This makes the annual Gold Trusted Merchant accreditation highly desirable and well respected, as it is based upon the views of customers and not industry judges.
Samantha Southwell, head of Communications for Pooch & Mutt, states: “We are so pleased to have won the Gold Trusted Merchant award from Feefo. It highlights how much we value and respect our customers. With over 58,000 fans on Facebook, it is clear our customers are just as passionate about our products as we are.”
Pooch & Mutt products are available through Pedigree Wholesale, Vital Pet Products, Armstrong Richardson and Best Pets as well as direct.
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Pets at Home are rumoured to be interested in acquiring a number of Brantano stores following the collapse of the discount shoe retailer.According to reports in Retail Week, the pet retail chain is among five interested parties – the others being Poundworld, Tapi, Iceland and Carpetright. Brantano went into administration in January, about four months after the chain was bought by an investment firm. Trading continued while a buyer was sought. Administrators PwC announced that the majority of the UK-wide business had been sold to Alteri, preserving 1,372 jobs and 140 stores and concessions. However, 58 stores and concessions were not included in the Alteri acquisition. Lead administrator Tony Barrell said: "We continue to trade the remaining Brantano business whilst discussions with interested parties continue. "Unfortunately, in the event further sales are not possible, redundancies will become inevitable. "We are working closely with Brantano employees and offering every support possible through this difficult period."
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K9 Dog Wash is returning to PATS Sandown after a highly successful launch at the show last year.
The company officially launched the K9000 self-service dog wash at the PATS Sandown 2015 trade show.
The innovative machine provides a low cost and convenient way for dog owners to keep their pets clean.
This year K9 Dog Wash is offering a choice of two models; the standard and deluxe versions.
Typically customers see a return on investment within 18 months, based on just 10 to 15 users per week.
Ken MacKinnon, Business Development Manager at K9 Dog Wash (pictured below), said: “PATS Sandown gave us the perfect platform to launch the K9000. We are back this year offering a choice of two units as well as competitive pricing and finance options.”
Self-service dog washes offer a high level of profitability from a very small footprint and minimum of staff involvement.
The K9000 takes up less than five square metres for the entire enclosure and machine. Installation requires a 32A single phase electricity supply, standard mains water connection and foul water waste access.
The dog wash is easy to run and maintain, constructed from stainless steel and components used in the valet and car wash industries.
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Vet practices win £4,000 cheques for pet health schemes
Independent Vetcare Ltd surprised five of its practices earlier this month with cheques for £4,000 each. In conjunction with Bayer Animal Health, the company had been running a practice competition to drive penetration rates of their Pet Health Club – a preventative healthcare scheme...
Independent Vetcare Ltd surprised five of its practices earlier this month with cheques for £4,000 each.
In conjunction with Bayer Animal Health, the company had been running a practice competition to drive penetration rates of their Pet Health Club – a preventative healthcare scheme. Participating practices were spit into 4 categories based on their Pet Health Club penetration rate at the start of the competition, with the winning practices increasing penetration rates between 14% – 26% from July to December 2015. On top of this there was also a fifth prize on offer to the practice that decreased their cancellation rate by the most, during the same period, bringing the total prize fund to £20,000, thanks to the support of key supplier Bayer Animal Health. The winning practices were surprised with the news and a cheque for their share of the prize fund by their IVC Business Support Manager and local Bayer territory manager, before the news was released to the network of Independent Vetcare practices across the England, Wales and Scotland. True to the diversity of the practices that make up Independent Vetcare, the winning practices varied in size, geographic locations and client base demographics, demonstrating the wide appeal of preventative healthcare schemes across the UK pet market. And the winners are: - Well House Vets, a small two vet practice in East Sussex
- New Malden Vets (pictured above), large single site practice with a team of eight vets, in Surrey (who actually chose to share their winnings with the runner up practice in this category Linc Vets as they were so close)
- Northdale Vets (pictured below), Lancing branch which is the smallest of Northdales’ three sites in West Sussex
- Cater Veterinary’s Craig-y-Don Surgery which is the main branch of this two site group, which houses four vets whose special interests include acupuncture, dentistry and soft tissue surgery, in addition to GP treatment for their clients in Llandudno
- The Rowe Veterinary Group’s, Bradley Stoke Hospital in Bristol, a main referral centre for the area as well as offering GP services
As is the IVC culture of locally run practices, the teams now just have to decide how to spend their winnings as they have full authority to use it in any way they see fit, from investing in new equipment, sprucing up staff facilities or simply dividing amongst the staff.
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Microchip your dog to prevent losing your much loved pet, was the message issued by vets on Valentine’s Day.
To help get the message out, The British Veterinary Association (BVA) created some infographics to show the importance of microchipping and how many vets are unable to reunite lost dogs with owners annually due to a lack of identifier or microchip, or due to out-of-date contact details on the microchip database.
From 6 April microchipping will be compulsory for all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales.
It is already law in Northern Ireland. The statistics used in these infographics come from BVA’s Autumn 2015 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey. For more information on microchipping and the incoming legislation please visit bva.co.uk/microchipping.
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Pets At Home has invested £200,000 in a makeover project at its King's Lynn store in Norfolk, which will see the opening a new facility and creation of more jobs.
The refurbished store on Campbells Meadow Retail Park, will be officially opened on Friday, February 26, by West Norfolk Mayor Colin Manning.
Included in the project is a new Groom Room which has resulted in the creation of four new grooming positions, bringing the total number of people employed at the store to more than 15 in both full and part-time roles.
The Groom Room will offer a wide range of services including full grooming, bath and blow dry, puppy grooming and nail clipping, which are all important to a pet’s health and wellbeing.
Store manager, Nev Wakefield, said: “We’ve listened carefully to what our customers have been telling us and we’re confident the store’s improved layout and new Groom Room will be just what they want. Our mission is to ensure pets live a happy and healthy life, and by investing in our store and services we hope to achieve this.”
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Three animal lovers have launched a revolutionary new way for dog owners to find a home-from-home for their beloved pets.
Dublin brothers Timothy and James McElroy and business partner Igor Ferreira have created HouseMyDog, which aims to connect pet owners with ‘minders’ who offer quality home boarding.
As the first online service of its kind in Ireland, HouseMyDog aims to replicate the popular Airbnb website, where people can list, find and rent lodging.
Since establishing the business in 2014, providing safe and loving homes to dogs so that owners can travel with peace of mind, the trio are bringing their creation to the British market.
This month, HouseMyDog launches in London and Liverpool, following the service being rolled out in Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh last November.
To date 350 British dog sitters use the service, which plans to extend further into Birmingham, Brighton and Leeds.
A lifelong dog owner, 29-year-old Timothy said that the idea was born out of a need for convenience, after he realised that he had no family members available to look after his pet while he travelled.
Speaking to The Irish Post, he said: “I’ve always had a dog and finding somewhere safe to leave him whilst we went away as a family was always a problem. It’s when I was working in Berlin that I came across the idea, and that’s how the business began.
“We’re really excited to enter the UK market now and grow the business here, and we’re looking to target dog owners in cities where there is a large urban population.”
Based in Dun Laoghaire Enterprise Centre, the team have already established connections with dog minders in Belfast, Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway.
To date the business has 12,000 active users, 80 per cent of whom are dog owners, and the remainder dog minders.
At an average cost of £18 per night, pet owners across Britain will not only benefit from a tailored housing service for their dogs, but will also be able to receive photo updates of their dog’s stay, a 24/7 support service and emergency vet care.
For more information visit https://housemydog.com
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A pet owner was left distraught after her beloved dog was cremated before precious keepsakes could be made.
Twelve-year-old greyhound JJ was put to sleep by a vet on Wednesday last week.
His owner Janine Hayes ordered mementoes of him from Surrey Pet Cemetery in South Godstone, where JJ was to be cremated.
But her grief was made worse when JJ was cremated without the framed paw print and clay paw print being produced that she wanted to remember him by.
Staff at the cemetery in Byers Lane blamed the oversight on "human error".
She has since been given a bronze urn containing his ashes, and paid £90 for a pendant in which a little of JJ's ashes were placed.
Mrs Hayes, of Henfold Lane, Newdigate, said: "I was distressed enough at losing JJ, without this adding to it. I'm absolutely gutted. I didn't have any kids so dogs have been a big part of my life. JJ was very much part of the family."
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Pets with popular Instagram accounts are commanding huge fees to appear at events, according to reports.
Celebrities, including pets, can make $2,000 and more once they have broken the 100,000 follower mark.
Those with between 150,000 and 200,000 followers can ask for more than $3,000, according to Create&Cultivate, an online platform.
The most popular Instagram pets have much higher followings.
Managing followers can become such a busy job that some owners decide to quit their daily job to concentrate full-time on their pet.
Jiff the Pomeranian has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. He is also considered a ‘public figure’ on Facebook with more than 1 million likes on his page.
New starter at Hollings
Denise Wylie has recently joined Hollings in a new role of sales coordinator, growing existing accounts and looking after customer requirements...
Denise Wylie has recently joined Hollings in a new role of sales coordinator, growing existing accounts and looking after customer requirements.Denise has a lot of sales experience after previously working in the paint industry. She is office based and looks forward to speaking to customers old and new.
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