Sneyd’s Wonderfeeds Ltd is recalling several pet food products because of the presence of salmonella in one of the ingredients used their manufacture.

The affected product are:

• Sneyd’s Wonderdog Active Light, pack size 15kg, batch code 57-58
• Sneyd’s Wonderdog Special, pack size 15kg, all batches from 1383 through to 1408
• Sneyd’s Wonderdog Original, pack size 15kg, all batches from 3239 through to 3264

Point of sale notices are being displayed in all retail stores that have sold these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

In a risk statement on its website the Food Standards Agency said: 

“The presence of salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The products could therefore carry a potential risk, because of the presence of salmonella, either through direct handling of the product, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals.

“In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.”

Its advice to pet owners is: “If you have bought any of the above products do not use them. Instead contact Sneyd’s Wonderfeeds for further advice: Call 01724 872 448 or email info@wonderdog.co.uk.”

The full FSA alert can be found here https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-15-2022

An Irish company called PARK LiFE aims to take the UK treats market by storm with its natural ‘guilt-free’ products.

The new business, based in the centre of Ireland in the town of Athlone, is set to exhibit at PATS Sandown on March 27-28, where it hopes to entice UK retailers to stock its range.

The treats are already proving popular in Jollyes stores in Ireland, and owner Richard Marles is confident the brand’s products will fly-off the shelves of other retail outlets.

The range includes frisbee-shaped biscuits, heart-shaped cookies and star-shaped treats, as well long-lasting chews made with human quality milk protein.

Here, Richard recalls how he started the business and why he believes his treats could become bestsellers in pet stores and garden centres across the UK and Ireland.

What was the inspiration behind setting up PARK LiFE?

Like many pet start-ups, the inspiration behind the brand came from becoming a ‘pet parent’. The lightbulb moment happened when my wife and I went away and left our  golden lab Penny with in-laws for the weekend. When we returned, Penny was bloated and appeared in discomfort from what she’d been eating. The cause of her discomfort was a major brand of dog biscuits. Upon reading the label, I remember feeling shocked by the long list of vague ingredients, and that’s when I thought: “We can make something far better than this.”  

There UK dog population has grown +28% from 9m pre-pandemic to 12.5m in 2021, equating to one in three British homes owning a dog. The dog treat and mixer market in the UK is worth €581m and since the pandemic there has been a steady increase, driven by a rise in dog ownership and the trends towards premiumisation and the ‘humanisation’ of pets. Three in four dog owners now see their pet as a part of the family. This presented us with a massive opportunity to meet growing market demand.

Who works in the business?

Since 2021 I’ve been working in the business full time. My wife Elizabeth is a great support and helps whenever she can. Our son is two-years-old, and we have baby #2 on the way so I love the thought of creating a business that could be handed down through generations. The star employee is Penny, who’s the CEO (Chief Eating Officer).

What did you do before setting up the business?

I’ve held several commercial FMCG marketing roles over the past 10-plus years, in brands such as Kellogg’s, Cadbury and Lindt, but most recently as head of marketing for Keogh’s Crisps, Ireland’s most loved hand-cooked crisp. 

Who comes up with the recipes for your treats?

Recipe development is done in-house. We get a lot of our inspiration from other categories, such as ‘human’ biscuits and the baby-food aisle. 

Do you bake the treats yourself?

Initially, all of our product development was done in our kitchen at home. I love to cook, but I was terrible at baking, so it was a steep learning curve. My wife was the one doing most of the baking, but together we developed a recipe that the dogs love, is allergen free and most importantly, is made with a few simple store-cupboard ingredients. 

How did you first get the treats to market?

After developing the recipe, I set my sights on finding a commercial bakery that could bake the biscuits at scale. I knew I needed this to be mass-produced to keep the costs to an acceptable level while allowing us to scale-up fast. But as an unproven start-up, there weren’t many bakeries willing to take a punt on us and the ones that were, in our eyes either were not up to the quality standards. So, with a brand concept and a recipe in hand, I flew to Germany to an international trade show and met with over a dozen biscuit manufacturers before I met one that could produce a quality biscuit, at scale, with MOQs within budget.  

When did Jollyes start stocking them and how did you feel when you did the deal?

Jollyes began to stock the Milk Bone range mid last year and early this year introduced the dog biscuit range. It’s amazing to be launching in such a well-established retail partner as Jollyes, in such an exciting moment in their store expansion plans. We can’t thank the Jollyes’ commercial and marketing team enough for seeing the potential in the PARK LiFE brand.  

Are most of your sales are currently in Ireland?

To date, it’s an even split between Ireland and the UK, but over time I expect the UK to become the bigger driver for our business.

What’s your bestselling product?

Our Large Chicken Milk Bone is currently our bestseller. Chicken is and always will be a popular flavour and with the huge rise in the trend toward Yak and Milk-based chews, our range is perfectly positioned to cater for those pet parents who want a long-lasting chew, but who don’t want to feed them animal bones, or raw-hide chews. When the biscuits hit the shelves, we expect Fris-Bix to be our number one seller. 

Do you hope to extend your distribution by exhibiting at PATS Sandown?

PATS will be our first in-person trade show and nothing beats meeting people face-to-face and being able to touch and feel a product. We’re confident that PATS Sandown will help drive our distribution growth in the UK, through meeting likeminded retail chain buyers, independent pet store owners, as well as new wholesale and distribution partners alike. We can’t wait to get the brand out there in person.

Is it true your packing is recyclable?

Yes, it’s true, all of our packaging is 100% recyclable. 

Tell us a bit about your branding.

All of our brand development is done in-house, and our design/artwork is done by our agency in Northern Ireland, Kaizen Brand Evolution. The brand name PARK LiFE took over six months to develop. I knew I wanted to develop a name that could stretch into any dog care category, whether it was treats, food, toys, or accessories. I also knew that I didn’t want to go down the cliché route of naming the brand after our dog/dogs, or to create a dog-related pun. When you rule out these two angles, it doesn’t leave you with many options. The idea came on a walk in Raheny Park, in Dublin. There were dozens of dogs chasing each other around the park, living their best life, and that’s when it clicked. 

What’s your ultimate goal with PARK LiFE?

My vision for PARK LiFE is to become the most loved brand of treats among pet parents and their fur-babies. In 10 years’ time, I’d love for PARK LiFE to be a household name on UK and Irish shelves and further afield.

For more information visit https://parklife.dog. PARK LiFE is exhibiting on stand S7 at PATS Sandown, which takes place on March 27-28. To register for free entry to PATS Sandown visit www.patshow.co.uk.

Su-Bridge Pet Supplies Ltd has sent three pallets of pet food to Ukraine to help feed the cats and dogs caught in the conflict with Russia.

Recognising the need for crucial support to anyone affected by the tragedy, Su-Bridge has supplied much-needed pet products to haulage company Waites & Stones Ltd, at its collection point for donations to Ukraine.

“We are glad to do our part for the Ukraine and support them through this difficult time,’ said Su-Bridge managing director Ian Manning.

Waites and Stones Ltd are still accepting donations – to find out more information visit https://www.facebook.com/waitesandstones

Just for Pets, voted UK Pet Retailer of the Year in the 2021 PetQuip Awards, is set to open its 21^st store in the Oxfordshire market town of Witney on Saturday, March 19.

The new store is located at the former H&M site at the Woolgate Centre, and follows the opening of Just for Pets’ 20^th store at Leamington Spa a month ago.

The store, specialising in natural treats and raw foods for cats and dogs, has already been well received by residents. One Facebook user said: “That’s great, we need a good pet shop in Witney, can’t wait for you to open” while another commented: “No more driving into Oxford for pet supplies – with 11 pets I need a decent pet shop nearby.” 

Just for Pets also stocks a wide range of well-known British brands, including Barbour, Joules, Hugo & Hudson and Sophie Allport. 

Last year the company launched a Best of British pledge to support smaller, up and coming UK pet product suppliers which has filled the store with some hidden gems that customers can’t find elsewhere.

A number of local people have already been employed and enrolled on a training programme developed by Hannah Molloy of Channel 4’s Puppy School. 

Store manager Declan Cronley said: “The team has been working and completing the training programme at Just for Pets for a number of months now and we can’t wait to offer the best and most up to date advice to our customers. 

 “While the store specialises in dog we will offer a strong selection for cat, small pets, birds, reptiles and even wildlife and we can’t wait to meet Witney’s pet owners when we open on March 19.”  

Pets are always welcome in store with free weighing scales and nutritious treat samples available.

Multi award-winning ethical pet care company HOWND launches new Knot a Care silicone-free Natural Detangler and Can You Hear Me? Natural Ear Cleaner at Crufts (Hall 5, stand 183b).  

Easily unleash knots and tangles with HOWND’s natural silicone-free pH balanced detangler. Knot a Care Natural Detangler with chicory prebiotic (naturally derived from inulin) and vegan keratin for silky, sleek, shiny results and scented with bergamot and patchouli essential oils. 

Can You Hear Me? Natural Ear Cleaner cleanses and soothes to help reduce itching and irritation by gently dislodging wax and grime. Made with Bamboo water, organic aloe vera, natural witch hazel water and botanical extracts including lavender and rosemary.  

Both products are certified by Cruelty Free International and the Vegetarian (vegan) society. They are pH-balanced and free from alcohol and parabens. Available from mid March from Dogsloveshownd.com and trade. RRP £9 for 250ml. 

HOWND co-founder Jo Amit said: “Everything we do at HOWND is rooted in maintaining optimal health in dogs while avoiding inflicting harm on other animals at all costs. These two new premium products carry the same accreditations as the rest of our cruelty-free and vegan certified pet care ranges.”

HOWND produces ethical products for happy hounds and is the pioneer of cruelty-free plant-based products for dogs in the UK.

Founded in 2015 by Mark Hirschel and Jo Amit, the company creates a multi-award-winning range of ethical health, wellness and hygiene products certified by Cruelty Free International, The Vegetarian (Vegan) Society, PETA Cruelty Free, PETA Not Tested on Animals, The Ethical Company Organisation and Nature Watch Foundation.

The company is also the mastermind behind national Bring Your Dog To Work Day and makers of the viral social brand movie When Harry Met Hero which has amassed more than 10 million views on Facebook.

The British Independent Retailers Association is calling on shoppers to support their independent shops with its new online trading site Neartoo. 

The website, which launched on Monday (March 7), is designed to not only be the latest in online shopping trends, but also help stores in hard hit High Streets recover from the pandemic. 

The platform allows shoppers to find out what they are ‘near to’ and encourage them to explore more local shops to where they live or are visiting, but also be able to shop further afield and know they are still supporting independent traders. 

Already with hundreds of independent shops onboard and dozens signing up weekly, the launch of neartoo.co.uk helps shoppers find the contact details and directions to every indie in the UK with many offering Home Deliver or Click & Collect directly within Neartoo. 

The platform, which has taken around 12 months to be developed, also will be offering shoppers rewards when they shop Indie with Neartoo Local Rewards for each purchase, creating points that can be redeemed with all Neartoo Sellers. 

Each Neartoo Seller has been carefully vetted by Bira to ensure only UK Independent Shops can use the service, offering peace of mind to those passionate about supporting their locals, that they are keeping Britain’s Small Independent Businesses trading. 

Developed in the wake of the pandemic, which resulted in at least one in five independents close for good, the nationally-advertised platform will be offering indies the chance to rebuild and grow their business on an easy to use platform designed for them. 

This platform, Neartoo.co.uk, will complement the shops physical store and help indies move to a ‘hybrid’ model of retailing. It also maximizes consumers’ growing thirst to shop locally and independently, guaranteeing that money spent within a community remains there. 

Every retailer has its own individual profile, enabling the consumer to know who they are buying from. This will retain that personal relationship independents retailers and consumers value. 

Shop owners are able to either sync their existing online sales platform, or create their own through the platform if they haven’t be able to afford to create an online presence yet. 

Janye Weldon, Ecommerce Manager for Neartoo said: “We are really thrilled to now be launching this to the UK today. It’s so important that we support the high street especially now restrictions have been lifted as it will give our local businesses that added boost they need to get back on their feet after what has been a very turbulent two years, so we are hoping to get plenty of shoppers taking a look and buying through the site.” 

Bira’s CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “The pandemic accelerated shopping behaviours, with more use of the internet and people also shopping more locally. 

"This platform, owned by independents, addresses both of those societal changes, and will allow these retailers to open up new ways of selling to customers, and more profitably. This is a really exciting opportunity for independents throughout the UK to be able to start selling online or increase their own visibility. It will get their products out to a wider audience and the fact so many of our members have already signed up and have seen the potential, is fantastic, we can’t wait to see the site grow.” 

“Bira wants to help independent retailers achieve their ambitions and be able to trade up against other multinational online trading stores such as Amazon. There is such a huge gap between indi’s not having an online presence and we believe they have been left behind for far too long with big tech companies taking over. This is the answer for thousands of indi stores across the UK to still maintain a bricks and mortar presence on the High Street, while also allowing them to sell online but at a lower cost.” 

Visit the new site at www.neartoo.co.uk

Jayne Weldon from Neartoo with Andrew Goodacre from Bira.

Burns Pet Nutrition has launched the Burns Pet Rescue initiative, a new support system that offers a helping paw to rescue pets and their new owners, as well as rescue centres and shelters.

Burns-supported shelters will offer a special Burns bundle to new pet parents, containing some of the necessities owners will need to start a new life with their rescue dog or cat. They’ll receive 2kg of healthy Burns food, a handy measuring cup alongside access to top tips, video content and training sessions from the Burns team of specialised nutritionists.

When it comes time for pet parents to restock their Burns Pet food, they’ll get a special voucher that gives them money off when they shop through the Burns website online. What’s more, Burns will also send a special food donation to the centre where each owner adopted their pet.

Burns will also be extending their support to independent pet stores, with a brand-new voucher scheme launch during the summer. Pet parents will be able to get money off Burns food when they visit their local independent stockist, which will help increase footfall to our local high streets.

John Burns, founder of Burns Pet Nutrition said: “We’ve always believed that our pets need good nutrition, but we also know that every pet deserves a kind owner, a loving home and plenty of head scratches along the way. That’s why we started our woofing great Burns Pet Rescue initiative, to help more pets find support in their new furever homes.”

The initiative has launched in the wake of a growing surge in abandoned puppies, following the huge increase in dog ownership over the past two years. Thousands of new pet owners gave up the pets they bought over the lockdowns because they struggled to train them, a study from last year showed. 

An astonishing one in four new pet owners were considering getting rid of their dogs last year because of problems controlling them, and rescue centres have since reported of record numbers in admissions. 

Burns Pet Nutrition has always strived to give pets the best start in life by creating healthy food using wholesome ingredients without any of the nasty stuff. They continuously support over 30 rescue centres, donating a large portion of profits and resources to charitable initiatives every year and even created their own in-house charity, the John Burns Foundation. With their new Pet Rescue initiative, Burns is making sure they take care of pets, even before they’ve arrived home.

For more information head over to https://burnspet.co.uk/burns-pet-rescue/

Award-winning dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas has recently given £30,000 to a variety of animal charities, many with limited fundraising resources, who have found the last two years especially difficult. This brings the total donated by PetsPyjamas to more than £132,000.

A percentage of the company’s booking revenue is donated to deserving charities all over the UK, nominated by the PetsPyjamas team. 

“Dogs are at the heart of our business, and I think it's important that we give something back to less fortunate animals,” said managing director James Williams.

Charities that have received donations from the recent £30,000 include Save Our Spaniels, which finds loving UK homes for abandoned Spaniels and Bretons, and UK German Shepherd Rescue, which rehomes hundreds of dogs and puppies every year. Previous beneficiaries of PetsPyjamas’ charitable giving have included The Fox Project, dedicated to the protection, rescue and rehabilitation of wild foxes, and the Oldies Club, run solely by volunteers, which specialises in rescuing and rehoming senior dogs.

Jasmes added: “At PetsPyjamas we believe dogs are part of the family and encourage them to holiday with their owners. However, we realise that not every pet or animal is as fortunate as our four-legged customers, which is why it’s so important that we give back in some way to animals that bring so much joy and value to the world.

 “With dog ownership at an all-time high in the UK, our customer pool is at the largest it’s ever been, so this year we hope to be able to make a much bigger difference to those smaller organisations who do the most fantastic work for our animal friends.”

PetsPyjamas has been at the forefront of dog-friendly travel since 2014 and now features more than 18,000 welcoming hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and overseas. PetsPyjamas offers exceptional and exclusive dog-friendly holiday packages where dogs stay free with almost all bookings. With just one booking, customers become members of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws loyalty programme, with benefits to the value of over £1,200 including access to their own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet line access for the duration of their trip, special discounts and exclusive deals. 

To find out more visit PetsPyjamas.com

Pet health and wellness brand PitPat has introduced a revolutionary new feeding system after carrying out a ground-breaking new study into dog obesity.

PitPat collected and analysed data from over 100,000 dogs in the UK to understand the calorific requirement of dogs of all shapes and sizes, and how their activity levels affect this. They found that traditional models of calculating feeding requirements have been limited due to the lack of available data.

In response to these findings, PitPat has launched its new feeding system, which consists of a dog activity monitor, app and weighing bowl. The app gives owners hyper-personalised feeding recommendations for their dog based on measured data from the activity monitor. 

Andrew Nowell, CEO at PitPat, said: “Every dog is an individual and has their own unique personality. For the first time in 30,000 years, pet parents are able to know exactly how much to feed their dog, rather than relying on the generic recommendations on the back of food bags.

“PitPat is on a mission to change the way the nation feeds their dogs. Any dog owner can now get a completely tailored feeding recommendation from our app and easily weigh the correct portion with our innovative dog bowl with integrated scales. That means less time spent decoding tables and more time enjoying life with your dog.”

Myra Forster-van Hijfte, fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, added: 

“Innovations like PitPat are going to be vital in supporting vets in changing pet owners’ behaviour, ensuring a proactive, informed approach to exercise, feeding and weight management.

“I’m thrilled to see a scientific approach to dog feeding made simple for pet parents.”

Pet technology is becoming increasingly popular, especially amongst new pet ownersstriving to do the best for their pups. The global pet tech market is expected to hit $20bn by 2027 and grow by 22% annually over this time.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has launched a breakthrough Weight Management & Active Mobility pet food – a nutritional solution that is clinically proven to help dogs reach and maintain ​a healthy weight, with additional mobility support. 

With half of pets reported to be overweight across the globe, and the excessive load obesity places on dog’s joints known to increase wear and tear, the new product has been developed to help tackle the obesity problem while simultaneously improving joint health and quality of life in dogs. 

Hill’s Science Plan Perfect Weight & Active Mobility is formulated with optimal levels of key nutrients to ensure nutritious and effective weight loss alongside clinically proven omega-3 rich fish oil ​to support joint mobility.​ Moreover, the product contains glucosamine and chondroitin, building blocks of joint cartilage, as well as antioxidants and vitamins to help reduce inflammation and support the immune system. 

The new range includes four SKUs to cater for small and mini, medium, and large dogs, and provides complete and balanced nutrition, formulated with decades of cutting-edge research to be a great-tasting meal. Furthermore, with its use of nutrigenomics technology, Hill’s has identified ingredients to help change overweight pets’ gene expression, naturally activating the metabolism to burn excess body fat.   

“Being a pet parent to a dog with mobility and weight challenges can be upsetting and stressful,” said Hillary Noyes, Hill’s Veterinary Affairs Manager, UK & Republic of Ireland. 

“At least 50% of pets in the UK are currently clinically overweight or obese, and this hasn’t been helped by periods of lockdown when exercise was often limited and bad food habits may have crept in. 

“Excessive weight can increase a dog’s chances of developing mobility issues which can have a hugely detrimental effect on the animal’s health and quality of life. Our new Science Plan Perfect Weight & Active Mobility is the perfect solution for those who want to help their best friend maintain a healthy weight and support joints at the same time. We’re really excited that we’re able to introduce this dual product to the market that will benefit dogs and dog owners everywhere.” 

Hill’s Science Plan Perfect Weight & Active Mobility is widely available online, and in retailers such as Pets at Home, Animed and Viovet. 

For more information speak to your local Territory Manager or visit https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/sp-canine-adult-perfect-weight-and-active-mobility-medium-chicken-dry  

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Welcoming over 20,000 dogs of all shapes and sizes under one roof, Crufts 2022 begins today (Thursday) and culminates with the prestigious Best in Show on Sunday.

This year will see a record-breaking 16 hours of the Crufts TV show broadcast for dog-lovers across the UK on Channel 4 and More4. There will be a new face of the TV show – Paralympics presenter Sophie Morgan.

Sophie said: “I’m so happy Crufts is back! Every dog has its day at this amazing event and these three breeds making history are among them. I can’t wait to be a part of it, and meet lots more dogs.”

There are 19 Harriers competing at Crufts 2022 – this historic hound will be vying for the ‘top dog’ Best in Show crown for the first time since 1898!

The Harrier is an ancient, medium-sized, British scenthound breed, like a small Foxhound, but larger than a Beagle. This specialist breed was recognised by The Kennel Club in 2020, after Harriers had all but disappeared in the UK in the 1920s.

In 2021, a revival year for the breed, The Kennel Club registered 38 Harrier puppies and there are 19 competing at Crufts 2022 for the Best in Show crown – for the first time in over 120 years.

The Pyrenean Sheepdog (Smooth Faced) is competing for the Best in Show title at Crufts for the first time ever, after being recognised as the 222nd breed by The Kennel Club last year. There are just two competing for Best in Show at Crufts 2022!

The Pyrenean Sheepdog (Smooth Faced) is a small breed of herding dog from the Pyrenees region of France. It is very closely related to the Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long Haired), recognised by The Kennel Club in 1988, although the Smooth Faced has a softer, shorter coat.

The Hungarian Pumi is a newcomer to the UK, recognised by The Kennel Club in 2015 and first seen at Crufts in 2016 in various import breed classes and activities, like agility.

This year, new for Crufts 2022, the 31 Hungarian Pumis competing will have their own breed classes for the first time and will be vying for the Best in Show title.

The Pumi was developed in the late 17th and 18th centuries by crossing herding dogs with terriers, and German Spitz. In Hungary, the Pumi are still used as herding dogs but their lively temperament and distinctively cute curly hair are gaining them growing popularity as pets.

These are just three of around 200 breeds vying for the Best in Show title at Crufts 2022. Elsewhere at the show is the Discover Dogs zone, where visitors can meet and greet over 200 different breeds, speak to experts about what they are like to live with and care for, and find out which four-legged friend might be best suited to their lifestyle.

More than just a dog show, Crufts celebrates the many diverse roles that dogs play in our lives, and sees competitions such as The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition, Obreedience, in which different breeds compete against each other in teams to prove who is the ‘goodest dog’, and the ever popular fast-paced agility and flyball competitions.

Qualified veterinary nurse Rachel Bean will appear at the Birmingham NEC show on Sunday (March 13) to give a demonstration of canine first aid. 

Rachel, who wrote the iPET Network's Ofqual regulated qualification in the subject and has travelled all over the world teaching the techniques, said: "I can't wait to show people the basics of canine first aid at Crufts. 

"Crufts is all about dogs and you wouldn't attend unless you really loved your dog, so I think we will have a captive audience of eager learners at our event." 

Alongside the likes of the RSPCA and the Street Paws charity, Rachel is showing her support for the national Safe Pets and People campaign, which is calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals. 

On the day visitors to Crufts will be invited to sign a petition calling for the Government to take action. 

Rachel, who will be on the Cambridge Institute of Dog Training and Behavior stand throughout the event, added: "Safe Pets and People is so important. I don't think a lot of pet owners realise that the dog walker, groomer or pet sitter at the moment do not have to know what to do in an emergency. 

"We believe that this should change, and it's not expensive to get the skills you need." 

The Crufts event takes place at the iPET Network stand in the NEC's Hall Five from 11am. 

Rachel will be joined at the event by demonstration dogs who have been rescued by the NoToDogMeat charity. 

To find out more about Safe Pets and People go to www.safepetsandpeople.org

To find out more about Rachel go to www.rachelbean.co.uk

Burns Pet Nutrition has announced the return of their Burns Charity of the Year Awards which recognise and reward the outstanding achievement of animal welfare organisations throughout the UK and Ireland.

Having run each year since 2015, Burns Pet Nutrition offers animal shelters and rescue centers the opportunity to showcase the great work they do by inviting them to apply for esteemed Burns Charity of the Year Award. 

Due to be announced in June 2022, Burns will once again select two charities, one for Ireland and one for mainland UK, to receive the gift of a lifechanging donation, alongside an ongoing supportive partnership with the pet food company, often within the form of a large donation, financial assistance, multiple promotional opportunities and a supportive partnership with the beloved natural pet food company.

John Burns, founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, said “Myself and the Burns Pet Nutrition team are extremely passionate about supporting and giving back to the community in any way, shape or form possible, and the same goes for charities in need of the support they aren’t currently receiving. We are looking forward to working with the selected charities throughout 2022 and, hopefully, they will feel the benefit of the support Burns Pet Nutrition can offer."

Alongside this initiative, Burns also continues to support over 30 charities long term, and contributes multiple one-off donations throughout the year. They also have their very own in-house charity, The John Burns Foundation, which runs multiple community initiatives, such as Burns by Your Side, a scheme that helps school children improve their literacy and communication skills with the aid of trained volunteers and reading dogs.

The previous Charity of the Year winners, Bedlington Terrier Rescue and West Cork Animal Welfare, were supported in 2020 with a donation that was invaluable through the COVID19 pandemic.

The West Cork Animal Welfare Group were delighted to be chosen as Charity of the Year Ireland in 2020, they said: “We at the West Cork Animal Welfare Group were so delighted to be chosen. It really gave us a great boost of confidence to know that a large company like Burns was willing to support a small rescue like ours”.

The Charity of the Year Award is now open for applications, and applicants are invited to apply throughhttps://burnspet.co.uk/2022burnspetcharityoftheyear/

iPET Network has launched the UK's first-ever Ofqual regulated dog breeding qualification, in bid to support animal welfare. The organisation collaborated with ethical dog breeder Rebecca Walters.

The ground-breaking course guides would-be and existing breeders on best practice and aims to stamp our poor welfare standards in UK dog breeding.

Rebecca Walters, who runs Pupstarts Breeders in Oswestry and championed the course, is passionate about breeding dogs in an ethical and welfare-driven way.

She said: "We are so excited to be offering this qualification, and aim to upskill the dog breeding world by providing quality education and training to benefit the dogs of the future."

Sarah Mackay, co-director of the iPET Network, said: "This course represents a sea-change in the world of dog breeding, and we think that it is change for the better.

"Dog breeding is a lucrative industry which can lead to poor process, but we believe that breeders should be trained in best practice, to ensure that all new puppies are happy and healthy."

Co-director Fern Gresty added: "There are lots of responsible dog breeders out there, and our course is perfect for anyone looking to refresh their skills and get up to date on new ideals around breeding for welfare.

"It's also perfect for anyone new who is looking to become a dog breeder, essential in fact."

Registrations for the qualification are now open and leaders have been heartened by a solid number of sign-ups.

Rebecca added: "Following the pandemic puppy boom dog breeding has become a growth industry, which obviously creates welfare concerns. 

"But we have been really pleased to see so many people expressing interest or signing up for our course, in an effort to put the rights of the dogs at the heart of what they do."

To find out more iPET Network and other available qualifications head to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

New research by fresh dog food brand Butternut Box has revealed that 67% of dog owners say they would be more likely to accept a new job if they could work from home with their pet pooch, while 61% say they’d be swayed if they could bring them into the office.

A further 51% want to see benefit packages which include options such as paid for doggy day care or dog sitting services, as well as health options which extend to their pet with private veterinary care (43%).

Interestingly, it appears puppy parents are keen to see pawternity leave as an office perk, as nearly 1 in 3 would be more likely to accept a job if they were given extra annual leave to bring their dog home.

It’s clear pet owners are putting their dogs first when considering employment and in fact, 34% would even accept longer working hours and a further 18% would take a less senior position if it meant they could spend more time with their four-legged friend.

When asked what the ideal working structure is for pet owners, a hybrid option came out on top (49%) as many offices across the nation have adapted to this new way of working.

Looking at the benefits of working with our four-legged friends, it’s clear there are plenty, as boosting overall mood (30%), reducing stress levels (26%) and encouraging a much healthier lifestyle thanks to lunchtime walks (17%) appeared at the top of the list.

With the pandemic seeing a huge spike in pet owners, it’s no wonder so many Brits are putting their dogs first when it comes to their working lifestyle - and it shows just how important it is that businesses move with the times and offer more flexible ways of working.

Claire Creedon, Head of People at Butternut Box says; “At Butternut, we love having dogs in the office. They remind us why we do what we do as a business. But dogs are also great at connecting people and help in building relationships across teams. Having them in the office creates a more relaxed and positive atmosphere - it's hard to feel stressed or overwhelmed when there are dogs doing dog things around you.

“We encourage squad members, when bringing their dogs in for the first time, to do so on a quiet day so they can get accustomed to the office. It's easy to forget sometimes that it can be overwhelming for the dogs and it's a better experience for everyone when they are comfortable, relaxed & at ease.

“For any business planning to switch up their policies to allow dogs in the office, it’s still important to do this in a safe and secure way. Our policy at Butternut Box stipulates that all dogs must be up to date on vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, and each owner must complete a profile of their pet pooch so the rest of the team knows how to interact with them – this will help support both employees’ and dogs’ enjoyment of being in the office space.”

For more information on Butternut Box please visit: https://butternutbox.com/

A digital dog-booking platform is the latest pet business to have featured on the hit BBC One series Dragons’ Den.

Wagit, which claims to make dog bookings easy at restaurants, pubs and bars, and groomers, pitched for investment in episode eight of the current series, which was aired last Thursday (February 24).

Wagit founder Nadia Leguel, with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lola, entered the Den and asked for £50,000 in return for 5.5% of the business.

An Italian living in London, Nadia explained she had worked in hospitality for years and had started Wagit because she found it difficult to find restaurants and other establishments that welcomed Lola.

Her chances of securing an investment in the Den seemed optimistic when Dragon Deborah Meaden tweeted before the show was aired: “Ooh…animal lover always makes my ears prick up @BBCDragonsDen.”

Unfortunately, Nadia failed to convince Deborah or any of her fellow Dragons to invest in the company.

The episode involving Nadia and Lola can be viewed on iplayer. Click her to view. The Wagit pitch starts 27 minutes into the programme.

An urgent call has gone out to the UK pet industry from Natural Cornish Pet to donate pet food, blankets, leads, treats and other supplies, which will be sent via convoy to the Poland/Ukraine border.

The award-winning pet store has teamed up with The Dog Groomery in Somerset, which is travelling to the Ukraine border to help animals in need.

The plan is to deliver a van full of animal food and aid to the Ukraine/Poland border. The team have planned to travel in convoy and in conjunction with Dogbus Transporting Paws, Saving Lives – a charity that rescues dogs and cats internationally. 

Maddie Peck, in charge of marketing at Natural Cornish Pet, said: “As we know, the Ukrainian people and animals are desperate and in need of help. Families are fleeing to safety with their pets with very few belongings and supplies. 

“The team will leave on Wednesday and meet their convoy at the euro tunnel to drive across Europe. One of the team’s vehicles will cross into Ukraine taking in supplies from the van. Please donate to this fundraiser, we want to aid in filling the van and help with the raising of the funds to enable the team to get there. 

“They are mainly asking for large bags (12-15kg) of dog/cat feed, which will go directly over the border into shelters. The other vehicles are taking smaller food bags to help families on the move feed and keep safe their beloved pets. 

“We can’t even imagine how scary life is for these people and pets right now and what uncertainties they might be facing. Many of us locally have wondered how we can help, now you can. 

“The team will be packing the van this coming Monday 7th March at The Dog Groomery & Dog Shop, Paulton. Any help sorting and loading help will of course be appreciated. 

We'd like to thank Kate & Clint from the Dog Groomery in Paulton in inviting us to be part of aiding our friends in Ukraine. “

To donate online visit https://donorbox.org/dogbus/fundraiser/kate-geernaert

To donate to the shop: Visit the store and it will happily accept donations which it will deliver to Paulton. All donations to be in by Friday (March 4).

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/199YKP68AN4O5.

Any manufacturers wanting to send supplies can do so by emailing Maddie at madeleine.elizabethpeck@gmail.com or phoning Natural Cornish Pet on 01736 317123.

Fish4Pets, the company behind the popular Fish4Dogs and Fish4Cats brands, has received a substantial business development fund, that will set the ‘champions of fish’ on a growth trajectory that will make waves in the petfood market. 

Principal shareholder FKRA has supported Fish4Pets since 2004, seeing the company through double-digit growth to an award-winning business, with its brands now selling in over 35 countries. 

The senior team in both Fish4Pets and FKRA identified opportunities to further accelerate the growth of the business around the world but recognised that the company needed to be re-financed to fully exploit these, therefore, sought a co-investor to provide additional financing to enable the company to step up to the next level. This new investment will facilitate accelerated growth and raise the profile of the company and its brands around the world.

The new investor is the Norwegian family-owned investment company DSD, based in Stavanger.  DSD is a company which invests in a wide range of sectors, with interests ranging from mobility and ocean-linked businesses, to medical and tourism.  The investment in Fish4Pets is its first in the pet food sector.

Ingvald Loyning, CEO at DSD, said: “As active owners, we have a strategic, dynamic company portfolio and Fish4Pets will be an exciting addition. DSD aims to join innovative companies with growth potential that work for more sustainable solutions. We believe in the ability of combining new and old wheels to work well together and move in the same direction.  In this way we develop sustainable values and generate good results together with the companies we are involved in.”

Graham Smith, CEO at Fish4Pets, said: “We are delighted to have secured investment from DSD, as well as increased financial support from FKRA, to drive our ambitious growth plans. DSD bring with them a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, and we hope to benefit from their experience in other industries, in particularly their commitment to Environmental and Social responsibility.

“This combined with the ongoing support and expertise of our parent company FKRA, means we have two strong shareholder partners, excellently positioned to help us move forward. We are extremely excited.

“Fish4Pets has an ambitious five-year plan, which includes product development, entering new markets and increasing operational efficiencies. At the forefront of these plans is environmental impact and responsibility, and our continued focus on putting the health of the companion animals we feed at the forefront of our business, all underpinned by our commitment to our customers and our people.”

Graham added: “Like many in the industry, it has been a very demanding couple of years for everyone, adapting to rapid change due to the pandemic, coupled with Brexit challenges. 

“Having successfully adapted to these challenges, we believe this investment is coming at an extremely good time for Fish4Pets, enabling us to drive forward with correctly funded growth plans, expert support, and enthusiastic colleagues. It’s a truly exciting prospect and we look forward to continued success and growth of our brands worldwide.”

Plymouth-based Redpaw Pet Supplies has earned another outstanding accolade after being voted Pet Shop of the Year in the South England Prestige Awards.

The Prestige Awards, organised by Corporate LiveWire, celebrate businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents.

Redpaw owner Sammie Hunt said: “This is huge recognition – we are very proud. We all work extremely hard to ensure all our customers receive an excellent service, to help their pets thrive through great nutrition.”

Established by Sammie in 2013, Redpaw is a pet food and accessories store with a great range of products. Based in Plymouth, with an online shop that delivers across the UK, Redpaw is focused on providing high-quality vet-approved pet foods, alongside a good selection of natural treats. 

Providing owners with guidance and products to ensure their pets’ health and wellbeing is what gives Redpaw its award-winning reputation. 

Since its establishment almost a decade ago, Sammie has begun producing her own range of pet foods and supplements under the name Redpaw.

The judges were impressed by the dedication Sammie has towards improving her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the pet industry. Sammie has 30 years of experience in the pet trade and continuously strives to develop her knowledge. She has successfully completed an Animal Health Management degree, whilst running her business. This has helped keep Redpaw up to date with current trends, by using the latest research. 

Her membership of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies gives Sammie a great insight into evidence based, natural medicine. Whether you are looking for expert advice on animal nutrition or a super cosy bed for your furry friends, Redpaw has everything you need.

Redpaw’s other many accolades include being a winner at the Pet Industry Federation Awards in 2018.

The popular Be:Loved brand is launching two lifestyle products for pets at PATS Sandown later this month – Be:SunSafe and Be:Bugfree.

Be:Loved is an all-natural range of lifestyle and wellness grooming products for pets, lovingly made in the UK with sustainably sourced ingredients and  packaging. Kind and gentle, they are great for both pets and their owners – ‘proper pampering from palm to paw’.

The inspiration for the Be:Loved range was an old farmhouse animal husbandry care book handed down through generations. This old family heirloom belonging to founder Carina Evans contained a treasure chest of natural recipes which have now been used and reimagined for today’s nature-loving pet owner. 

Be:Sunsafe is a sun protection balm packed with intensively nourishing ingredients. Ideal for pets that spend time in the sun, it also helps repel insects. Much like the much loved Be:Safe and Be:Soft Balms, this balm is perfect for paw pads and noses on dogs and cats alike, with an added joy of protection from the sun.

Be:Bugfree is natural flea, tick and bug repellent spray.

The new Be:Loved products can be viewed on the Podium Pet Products stand E4 at PATS Sandown, which takes place on March 27-28.

For more information contact sales@podiumpetproducts.com

The PFMA, alongside other food-related organisations, has revealed that the new Export Health Certificates (EHCs) requirements imposed on exports to the EU is estimated to have cost at least £60m in paperwork in just one year (to November 2021).

The organisations making up the SPS Certification Working Group are highlighting the continuing financial and human cost of post-Brexit red tape. 

The group, which includes food and feed trade associations, hauliers, farmers and veterinary and environmental health professional organisations, proposes an urgent new veterinary agreement and streamlined processes to resolve crippling restrictions to exports to the EU, Britain’s largest trading partner.

To cover these additional costs Great Britain’s food industry would have needed to generate around £3bn of total additional sales (assuming a 2% profit margin) in the first year of Brexit. However, as a result of these new costs many food businesses can no longer afford to export to the EU. This means that many companies have ceased to trade with their previous largest export market, which impacts on livelihoods and the GB economy.

The cross-industry, veterinary and environmental health group is chaired by Karin Goodburn MBE, director of the Chilled Food Association, who said: “These already disturbing figures are in fact an underestimate of the total cost to the industry as they exclude bulk orders of EHCs from the Animal and Plant Health Agency made in one request and the wider costs of Brexit SPS requirements.

“Without urgent action the situation is only set to deteriorate and there are no quick fixes. As an example it takes more than 5 years to train the vets required we need to certify the EHCs. However we are proposing solutions and call on Government to support us in ensuring the viability of our food businesses.”

The SPS Working Group is proposing:

• SPS/veterinary agreement with the EU to reduce administrative burden and therefore certification costs
• Digitisation of paper systems - and to be certain of their acceptance by receiving BCPs in Member States/Northern Ireland
• Certification workforce recruitment, planning, training and retention
• Certainty regarding implementation of EU-GB trade on introduction of veterinary checks by GB on 1 July and in a second wave on 1 November 2022 to ensure there is a level playing field between GB and the EU on both exports and imports.
• Clarity on cost implications/continued viability of imports from EU.  GB food security and availability of ingredients/finished products being threatened by lack of resources to check incoming food, coupled with EU exporters deciding not to attempt to supply GB owing to the additional admin burden and costs.