UK pet firms honoured with Queen's Award
Leading UK pet brands – TastyBone, Fish4Dogs and Symply Pet Foods – have all been honoured with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category...
TastyBone is part of Pets Choice, and CEO Tony Raeburn (pictured) said: “We are honoured to have been awarded such a prestigious accolade.”
Leading UK pet brands – TastyBone, Fish4Dogs and Symply Pet Foods – have all been honoured with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.
Part of the Lancashire based pet food manufacturer, Pets Choice, TastyBone is the UK’s leading manufacturer of nylon, edible, rubber chew and play toys for dogs. Focused on export as the core growth strategy, TastyBone has expanded from humble beginnings into worldwide distribution in a very short period of time. Bestowed with the UK’s highest accolade for business, this award is a fantastic achievement for the brand.
CEO, Tony Raeburn (above) said: “Winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise is an incredible achievement and we are honoured to have been awarded such a prestigious accolade."
The TastyBone brand has seen success throughout many different export countries through country specific consumer marketing, tailoring relevant flavours or products dependent on demand and performance.
Tony Raeburn continued: “Starting as a UK sales based brand, it was soon found that there was a demand for premium pet accessories in other countries. Following further quests by retailers, TastyBone could see the potential of launching into the export market and has since expanded into 18 countries worldwide.”
TastyBone became part of Pet’s Choice in 2016 with export sales continuing to grow since joining the pet food manufacturer’s group of brands.
Since its launch in 2009, Symply Pet Food has enjoyed eight years selling high quality products to over 35 countries, with a particular stronghold in European and Asian markets. Its brands now include Canagan, Symply, Piccolo and the Cheshire Cat’s Garden.
Symply Pet Foods Director James Milbourne said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award for our achievements in overseas markets, which is testament to the dedication, hard work and collective focus of our team, distributors and suppliers."
At Fish4Dogs overseas sales have grown 267% over the last six years and the proportion of sales exported has increased to 60% of total sales.
Fish4Dogs CEO Graham Smith said: ‘This is a fantastic award and testimony to a world-class product and the work of our passionate teams in the UK and internationally. It shows that we are punching well above our weight.
"Reasons for our success include our excellent customer service, inventory and export management and our new product development pipeline where we create at least one new product per year to further meet our customers’ needs."
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IAMS reveals formula for happy and healthy pets
IAMS has conducted a study to reveal the formula for a perfect pet parent relationship...
Exercise and play, divided by diet, multiplied by affection, balanced with veterinary support and care, will give you a happy, healthy pet.
- Survey of 200 UK pet owners reveals that 7.43am is the most popular time for breakfast, and dinner is typically served exactly 10 hours and 55 minutes later at 6.38pm
- Owners spend up to 49 minutes playing with their pets every day
- Less than one in five UK pets sleep in their own bed
- 76% of pet owners see their pet as their own child
The nutrition experts at IAMS have put the nation’s pet parenting skills to the test to find out what makes our furry family members purr with delight, and the results reveal that we aren’t as animal savvy as we could be…
The survey of 200 UK pet owners reveals there is an art to mealtimes. The typical UK dog or cat will enjoy breakfast at 7.43am with dinner being served 10 hours and 55 minutes later, at precisely 6.28pm. 94% of dog owners will give their pet a daily treat, with almost a third (27%) admitting to feeding human snacks. Whilst cats are treated less often, they enjoy the finer things in life, such as tuna and chicken as snacks.
What’s more, 30% exercise their dog for less than 30 minutes each day and considering that 49% of dogs are considered overweight, perhaps it’s us as owners who need putting in the dog house! For those who do walk their dogs daily, the average dog walk takes just over one hour (one hour and four minutes to be exact) for most medium sized breeds, such as Collies, Cocker Spaniels and Siberian Huskies.
When it comes to cats, they enjoy 34 minutes of play each day, often playing on their own and chasing things such as string or toys. Clearly this is very exhausting as according to UK cat owners almost all pet cats nap more than twice per day, with the sweet spot being five naps - in their owner’s bed of course! Shockingly, only one in five UK pets sleep in their own bed, with over half (54%) seeking slumber in their owner’s bed or on the family sofa.
Dogs seem to be much more demanding on their owner’s time, requiring up to 61 minutes of play and 64 minutes of cuddles daily; that’s an additional 41 minutes of play and cuddles than the average cat requires each day! Despite their demanding nature, dog owners love spending time with their companions as 53% claim dogs are the perfect companion versus only 23% in favour of cats.
Caring for your pet requires regular veterinary care; something that can be a challenge for UK cat owners. Just over a quarter of cat owners (29%) regularly visit the vet to have their cat’s teeth scaled and polished. As dental disease is a common condition in our pets perhaps this is something we need to lift the ‘lip’ on and start to look into our pet’s, mostly closed, mouths more often.
Recent reports show that 76% of pet owners see their pet as their own child, however, this new research reveals that we may need to fine tune our pet parenting styles to ensure that our pets are as happy and healthy as possible.
According to IAMS Nutrition Expert and Veterinary Training Manager, Kellie Ceccarelli, there is a careful balance between what we think our pets want, and what they need to help them live a long healthy and active life:
“Showering our pets with love and affection is natural, and when faced with puppy-dog eyes, or an adorable cat brushing up against you, it can be hard not to give in to their demands. Giving in by feeding human foods, or foregoing a daily dog walk due to bad weather, may seem to please your pet, but in the long-term it can have damaging health implications, such as increasing the risk of heart problems, obesity and joint issues – particularly in older cats and dogs.
“The secret to perfect pet parenting is understanding what your pet needs to be happy and healthy. Providing a 100% complete and balanced diet rich in high quality proteins offering proven health benefits will be one less thing for you to worry about. Look out for diets containing high quality animal protein as the number one and therefore most plentiful ingredient.”
Kellie reveals her pet parenting formula to help keep your pets happy and healthy:
Exercise and play, divided by diet, multiplied by affection, balanced with veterinary support and care, will give you a happy, healthy pet.
- Make sure you are giving your pet the nutrients they need. A diet rich in high quality animal proteins, such as chicken and turkey, will help in maintaining optimal overall health for your pet, supporting a strong immune system, healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Provide flavour and variety as this can be important for cats. Most cats love an irresistible meaty taste so introduce a mixture of wet and dry foods to give them different flavours and textures.
- Encourage exercise in your furry friend as this is a great way of controlling weight, building and maintaining strong muscles and, as with us, keeping active and at a regular weight, will help maintain a healthy body.
- Playtime is a great way to bond with your pet and help keep them active. Whether it’s playing with toys or chasing things, find something that works for both you and your pet. And remember the joy of having a pet is the two-way affection you share so make time for cuddles and tummy tickles!
- Go to the vet for preventative health checks. A visit to the vet shouldn’t always equal ill health, it can be a social occasion for your pet, meeting other pets in the waiting room while they wait. Should any issues be identified remember it’s so much easier to deal with health issues early on.
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Recruitment expert Lynda Ward, of Pet Trade Solutions founder, says businesses should capitalise on the value of their representatives.
She points out: “No matter what job title or status the firm’s sales people or customer services employees have, they are all ‘representing’ the company.”
In such a congested marketplace as ours, a brand whose staff build strong relationships and are happy to ‘go the extra mile’ will do well...and having a great representative becomes a USP (unique selling point) in effect.
"Walking around trade shows and dog shows it is noticeable that some stands have welcoming staff, eager to inform and help people to make a buying decision, whilst others have staff who appear to lack confidence, knowledge or interest in the job at hand. Guess which stands will be the most busy," says Lynda.
“Likewise, representatives who visit or contact retailers on a regular basis with something worthwhile to discuss make customers feel valued so nurturing a solid working partnership, whilst spasmodic or no visits and poor communication reflects badly - incubating resentfulness and a consequent bias towards those brands which show a real interest in them.
"The answer – ensure that your company is one with a reputation for having a great ‘rep’ and not the one that loses business through poor support."
Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com
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Pet shops crowned winners in window display contest
Four pet shops – A Coombs in Hove (pictured below); Aarons Pet Shop in Portishead; Creature Comforts in Rugeley; and M&L Pets World in Wrexham – have been judged as the winners of Arden Grange's 20th Anniversary retailer competition...
Four pet shops – A Coombs in Hove; Aarons Pet Shop in Portishead; Creature Comforts in Rugeley; and M&L Pets World in Wrexham – have been judged as the winners of Arden Grange's 20th Anniversary retailer competition.
The competition was part of the ongoing Arden Grange celebrations. It ran throughout January, February and March and saw dozens of entries from around the country.
Each of the four main winners will receive £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers from Arden Grange. In addition, every entrant will also receive two bottles of bubbly as a thank you for taking part.
Arden Grange Director Wendy Stephens said: “We were thrilled by the number of people who took part and the creativity and visuals were outstanding.
"We wanted to find a fun way to say thank you to all the independent retailers who have supported us for the last 20 years, and we are happy that so many got involved.”
A special mention also goes to Sweeps Pet Supplies in Westward Ho!, who knitted their very own Arden Grange mascot and champagne bottle.
For more images of the amazing displays visit the Arden Grange Facebook page.
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Naturo make natural pet food more accessible
Naturo Pet Foods is aiming to make natural pet food more accessible to pet owners with the introduction of a new range of 100% natural canned foods for dogs, at a competitive £1 per can price point...
 Naturo Pet Foods is aiming to make natural pet food more accessible to pet owners with the introduction of a new range of 100% natural canned foods for dogs, at a competitive £1 per can price point.
The Northern Ireland-based pet food company has introduced three grain and gluten free flavour varieties, each containing 50% high quality meat chunks plus fruit and vegetables in a herb gravy: Chicken with sweet potato, mixed peppers and green beans; Turkey with Cranberry, Broccoli and Carrot; and Duck with Blueberry, Pumpkin and Courgette.
Each variety also includes a number of superfoods, along with the addition of certain ingredients specifically added for their health benefits such as nettle, green tea, rosehip and marigold. Plus Omega 3 and 6 and Glucosamine and Chondroitin are also added to promote healthy cartilage and to keep joints supple and strong.
The 390g cans come with an RRP of £1.00, a price point which is deemed affordable by dog owners who are looking to make the switch to more natural, high quality pet food.
Comments Claire McCann, Naturo brand manager: “Our new canned range of grain free and gluten free dog food is designed to respond to demand from pet owners who are increasingly looking for more natural food choices for their pets, but don’t want to pay a premium price. Plus, because it is grain and gluten free, it appeals to dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.
“We hope to attract new customers with an interest in canned, grain free pet food whilst giving existing Naturo customers an additional option within the range. The competitive price point also presents retailers with a huge opportunity to promote the benefits of natural pet food to their customers.”
According to a recent Mintel report (June 2016), 38% of pet food buyers report an interest in grain or gluten free pet food, with more than 50% wanting pet foods which contain superfoods.
Everything in the Naturo range is made with 100% natural ingredients and up to 60% high quality meat using predominantly Irish and British meats which are world-renowned for quality. The range contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
A high level of care and attention is given to the manufacture of Naturo dog food throughout every stage; from sourcing raw materials to delivery to customers. The process is audited externally by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Naturo’s quality systems comply with the best as their “A grade” status confirms. This investment also echoes Naturo’s commitment to strive to provide an excellent level of service to existing and new customers.
Retailers can visit www.naturopetfoods.com for more information, email enquiries@naturopetfoods.com or call 0800 433 4522.
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Owners can clean up properly after scooping the poop
An award-winning new product called PooGuard is helping to destroy millions of viruses and bacteria left behind after dog owners have scooped their animals' poop...
PooGuard was awarded pet product innovation of the year by PetQuip.
 Most dog owners believe they are acting responsibly by cleaning up after their pet but actually each time they scoop the poop they can leave behind millions of viruses and bacteria – around 25 million per poo, in fact – some of which can pose significant risks to dogs and people.
These bugs can be responsible for digestive upsets and more serious conditions. One rugby player almost lost his foot after a wound sustained on the pitch became infected by bacteria from dog faeces and this isn’t uncommon. Dogs themselves can also become victim too – there are over 20,000 cases of Parvovirus and hundreds of canine deaths reported by PDSA hospitals alone.
British inventor Kevan Norton says the problem is underestimated because pet owners can’t see the millions of germs left behind after scooping and don’t understand the risks, “It’s very much out of sight, out of mind until something goes wrong.”
Kevan’s response to the problem was to develop a new product called PooGuard™ which aims to help pet owners Pick Up Properly.
PooGuard is a foaming disinfectant that is simply sprayed onto the ground after pick-up to destroy 99.99% of viruses and bacteria found in dog faeces and it’s tough enough to kill Parvovirus, Giardia, Salmonella, Enterobacter and Streptococcus.
A bitter repellent discourages the pet from approaching treated poo, also helping to prevent spread while the product gets to work. It’s safe to use around children and pets, can be used indoors and out and doesn’t harm the environment.
PooGuard was awarded pet product innovation of the year by PetQuip in 2016 and is available from Pedigree Wholesale as a handy 50 ml carry size to use during walks and a 300 ml can to use in and around the home, in parks, or on sports pitches. It takes up little shelf space and offers great opportunities to generate repeat sales.
For further information visit www.poo-guard.com.
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Retailers urged to support fishkeepers during summer
As a retailer, there are a number of things you can do to not only put your consumers’ minds at ease whilst helping to boost sales during the warmer months, says Simon Strode, Key Account Manager at Tetra...
Simon Strode, Key Account Manager at Tetra shares his top tips
With the weather warming up summer feels only a few weeks away which means holiday season is on the horizon.
Although this can fill many of us with joy it can be a nerve wracking time for fishkeepers, especially those new to the hobby, who may be worried about leaving their fish for a period of time.
Despite this, fish are a great pet as unlike fluffier companions they can be left during holidays as long as you provide them with the right care.
As a retailer, there are a number of things you can do to not only put your consumers’ minds at ease whilst helping to boost sales during the warmer months.
The main concerns fishkeepers are likely to have is how they ensure their fish are fed regularly, with the right amount of food, and whether water quality will suffer for the week or two they are away.
To help support retailers on the run up to summer, Simon Strode, Tetra’s Key Account Manager, shares his top tips on advising fishkeepers on the products available which will help during holiday season.
Feeding Fish
For those fishkeepers who don’t have anyone available to check in on their fish while they’re away there are options for ensuring that fish are still fed on a regular basis and that excess food isn’t left in the aquarium as overtime this will break down and negatively affect water quality.
Recommending a product such as the Tetra myFeeder offers a great solution to this common concern. This is an automatic feeder which contains unique technology to maintain food quality by protecting it against light, air and moisture.
Providing a reliable and safe way to feed aquarium fish, fishkeepers are able to quickly and easily check the fill level and using the clear digital display, programme feeding for up to three times a day with the food quantity per feed being adjusted mechanically.
If your shoppers have any concerns they can easily do a test run to make sure they are happy with the feed dosage.
If your consumer doesn’t want to purchase an automatic feeder then Tetra Weekend and Tetra Holiday are self-sufficient and offer 100% of the nutrition fish need in a specially formulated feed which lasts for up to 6 and 14 days respectively. Available in both Goldfish and tropical variants these diets are easy to use and won’t affect water quality. Alternatively, if your consumer has pond fish, Tetra Pond Holiday is offers healthy nutrition for up to 14 days.
If your customer is lucky enough to have someone checking in on their fish, it can be safer to use one of the above options if that person is not familiar with fishkeeping and the risks associated with over feeding. However, if they feel confident in this person’s abilities it’s always worth encouraging customers to show their happy helper the right amount of food to feed fish to avoid water quality issues.
Water Quality
It’s crucial to advise fishkeepers to check their waters before they go on holiday and to use feeds such as the above to prevent waters becoming cloudy or contaminated during the time they are away.
In addition, using Tetra EasyBalance optimises water quality by stabilising important water values such as KH and pH for up to 6 months and can help keep nitrates low. Encourage fishkeepers to use this to help keep fish and plants in top condition.
Caring for Fish
There are other tips you can provide fishkeepers to ensure their fish remain happy and healthy while they are away. For example, encourage fishkeepers to check the weather for home before they go. Will their fish be comfortable or are we in for a heatwave?
If the temperature is due to soar remind them to ensure their aquarium room is kept at an ambient temperature with curtains shut to help prevent overheating and stress in the fish.
Holiday season provides a great opportunity to boost sales so make sure you group all of our products together highlighting how they can support fishkeepers whilst they are away. If you are running any promotions, make sure these are clear to see and ensure your staff are confident talking about the various products you have on offer and their benefits.
By making the hobby easier for fishkeepers you will not only position yourself as a trusted advisor, but you will boost sales in your store by encouraging repeat visits, and ensure fishkeepers enjoy their experience helping to grow the industry.
For more information about Tetra visit http://www.tetra.net/en or check out Tetra UK on Facebook.
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A nationwide search by performance dog food experts Alpha Feeds offering a year’s sponsorship has seen Notts Supadogs Flyball Club chosen as the lucky winners.
The club now join other esteemed groups sponsored by Alpha Feeds, including Husky Rally champions, Retriever Clubs, Working Test and Gundog Scurry experts, and Sheepdog Trainers.
Notts Supadogs Flyball Club began in 2008 and regularly competes at tournaments all over the country.
They host two large competitions at Epworth showground each year as well as at Retford Rugby club, their training venue.
Their dogs consist of a variety of breeds from various backgrounds, as Flyball is a very diverse canine sport.
As winners of the Alpha Feeds search the club won £500 sponsorship, 36 bags of the Alpha Feeds variety of their choice and branded clothing.
Said Martyn Bonner of Notts Supadogs Flyball Club: “This sponsorship is a great opportunity for us; it will help us to promote the sport we feel so passionate about.
“Our aim as a club is to grow and develop and we would like to attract some new members.
“It is really important to us that our dogs enjoy what they do and their health and welfare is paramount to us, so we are really looking forward to this sponsorship which will help get our dogs in great shape for the year ahead.”
For further information visit www.alphafeeds.com
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New-look Feline Care Nutrition dry packs from Royal Canin
Royal Canin's Feline Care Nutrition dry range will have a new look instore from late April, bringing the six Feline Care dry products in line with the design of the new packs in the Feline Health Nutrition dry range which rolled out last year, and the more recent Feline Health Nutrition and Feline Care Nutrition wet packs...
Royal Canin's Feline Care Nutrition dry range will have a new look instore from late April, bringing the six Feline Care dry products in line with the design of the new packs in the Feline Health Nutrition dry range which rolled out last year, and the more recent Feline Health Nutrition and Feline Care Nutrition wet packs.
Gemma Duffield, Royal Canin retail marketing manager, says: “How the packs look, and their identity within the range, are so important.
"Having uniformity of design across the range increases brand recognition in store, creating a strong and eyecatching Royal Canin zone, but we’ve also worked very hard on ensuring that differentiation between products is clear so that customers can find what they want easily. Of course this is also a benefit for specialist pet shop staff too.”
Owners clearly see a need for specialist diets for their cats – 58% of cats are estimated to be overweight*, and a cat will spontaneously ingest two thirds of the hair it has shed**.
The Feline Care Nutrition dry range comprises six products: Light Weight Care, Hairball Care, Urinary Care, Hair & Skin Care, Oral Care and Digestive Care.
The Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition range is a major opportunity for the specialist pet trade to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise to help direct owners to the right food for their cat.
For more information about the Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition range, contact your Royal Canin business manager, call 0845 606 9980 or visit www.royalcanin.com.
*Association of Pet Obesity Prevention 2016
** Hendricks et al. Seasonal hair loss in adult domestic cats. J. Anim. Physiol; a.Anim; Nutr; 79, 92 -101
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A serial flasher who targeted young girls in the street for more than a year has been jailed.
Mark Beveridge had previously been convicted of sexually assaulting a female customer in his Cowdenbeath pet shop.
Despite that court appearance, Beveridge repeatedly went out into the streets of Cowdenbeath, exposing himself to girls as young as 11.
Some of the victims became upset when they had to re-live their frightening experiences during a seven-day jury trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court in March.
Beveridge was found guilty and when he returned to court for sentencing, he was jailed for 21 months.
Sheriff Charles MacNair also imposed an extended sentence of 12 months to protect the public when Beveridge is released.
He has also been placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.
The court heard Beveridge’s business had since failed and he was now acting as a full-time carer for his partner’s father.
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Calls for changes in pet trade law
Dorset Rescue centre Monkey World is at “bursting point” dealing with rescued primates, and is now calling for changes in the pet trade law...
Dorset Rescue centre Monkey World is at “bursting point” dealing with rescued primates, and is now calling for changes in the pet trade law.
The issue was discussed in Parliament this week after a petition was presented to Downing Street by the director of the Purbeck attraction Alison Cronin, alongside South Dorset MP Richard Drax who called the adjournment debate.
The ‘Welfare for Wildlife’ petition, which seeks to improve regulation of pet ownership, has garnered 110,000 signatures, and is backed by musician Peter Gabriel.
In a statement, Monkey World said it has rescued 106 primates from private homes, more than half of which were within the past five years.
“Modifying existing laws will also protect well-meaning animal owners,” conservation experts at the international primate rescue centre said.
“With the Dorset rescue centre already at bursting point with victims of the pet trade, the change cannot come soon enough.”
UK law currently allows more than 66 species of monkey to be kept as pets without the need to register or acquire a licence.
Dorset Rescue centre Monkey World is at “bursting point” dealing with rescued primates, and is now calling for changes in the pet trade law.
According to Monkey World these primates, which include all species of tamarin, squirrel monkey and marmosets, can be bought as easily as goldfish, often by well-meaning animal lovers from unscrupulous breeders.
Dr Cronin said: “Every week, Monkey World is contacted to rescue more victims of the legal trade in monkeys as ‘pets’ in the UK.
“For a nation of animal lovers, this uncontrolled trade is causing suffering for both animals and people. The current laws need to change.”
Due to the unregulated trade, social media sales are rife and primates are not the only victims, as scams are on the rise.
Some scammers posing online as breeders have sold the same monkey several times for huge sums, up to £1700 in some cases.
Many others claim to need deposits for vet checks and transport, with no monkey forthcoming after the unsuspecting buyer parts with their money.
Not knowing the specialist diets, social needs and appropriate environments these primates require, owners are unwittingly neglecting the monkeys.
Some animals rescued by Monkey World have been found suffering from rickets or with aggression and mobility issues, often from being kept alone in unsuitable pens such as bird cages.
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AATU launches new addition to its range
Evolutionary dog food brand, AATU, is launching a new addition to its range. Known for its ultra premium and high protein diets, AATU has expanded its popular 80/20 line, which now includes the latest edition, free run turkey...
Evolutionary dog food brand, AATU, is launching a new addition to its range. Known for its ultra premium and high protein diets, AATU has expanded its popular 80/20 line, which now includes the latest edition, free run turkey.
This single source protein recipe contains a whopping 80% fresh, raw and dehydrated British turkey together with Pet Food UK’s ‘Super 8’- a bespoke combination of 8 fruits, 8 herbs, 8 vegetables, 8 botanicals & spices for all healthy hounds.
Handcrafted in small batch recipes, AATU for dogs Turkey is pre-cooked using Pet Food UK’s special ‘low & slow’ method to ensure a tender mouth-watering meal.
Made using only the best natural ingredients, this veterinary approved food is also free from grains, white potato and gluten.
Previously awarded an esteemed 5/5 stars by dog food comparison website, Allaboutdogfood.com, this tasty turkey diet can be fed on its own or enjoyed alongside AATU for Dogs canned meats.
- RRP: £18.49 – 1.5kg
- RRP: £41.99 – 5kg
- RRP: £72.99 – 10kg
More info: www.aatu.com 01442 212 392 Available direct or through Pet Food UK’s wholesale and distributor network.
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 The Dog Treat Company took the unprecedented step to choose the UK’s most influential fine food exhibition for top-drawer artisanal food & drink fayre for humans to showcase its next generation of dog treats and branded pouches.
Having only recently moved into its purpose-built pet treat bakery nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, DTC has been working to create a top-notch dog treats range that can build upon its online and independent pet store success, establishing a significant ‘pawhold’ in alternative food and drinks venues where food-loving dog lovers congregate.
According to DTC founder, Joe Halliwell, "As a brand that already enjoys significant exposure across a number of dog- friendly pubs and boutique hotels, garden centres, farm shops and distinguished fine food emporiums like Fortnum & Mason, we felt now was the perfect moment to present our new look product portfolio to an inquisitive yet well-informed foodie audience: small batches, best-in-class ingredients, intriguing flavour liaisons formats and better-for-you recipes.
"After only two days we’re pleased to declare this alternative outing an unprecedented success with sales already mirroring what we achieved at PATS (Sandown).’Earlier in 2017 The Dog Treat Company became the first dog food company to be showcased in both Speciality Food magazine, the leading trade title for the thriving independent fine food scene.
More info: www.dogtreatcompany.co.uk
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Kizzy 'calms down' and passes KC Bronze test
CSJ receive testimonials every day from delighted customers but the message from Donna Waring about her stressed and barking puppy Kizzy stood out as dog training classes had refused to help because Donna is totally blind...
 CSJ receive testimonials every day from delighted customers but the message from Donna Waring about her stressed and barking puppy Kizzy stood out as dog training classes had refused to help because Donna is totally blind.
Other dogs barking at Kizzy had caused her to retaliate and bark back, which then escalated into a fear of small dogs and she would bark every time she passed one.
Donna worked hard with her by introducing her to dogs of various sizes and putting her on CSJ’s acclaimed Calm Down! herbal supplement.
When she finally found a dog club willing to allow them to attend Donna told CSJ: “I took her along and all my hard work and Calm Down had done its stuff. She was absolutely fine and just barked twice the whole of the time we were there.”
The following week the group were doing a Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze test and Donna entered Kizzy just for practice…but she passed!
Donna told CSJ: “This is the best calming product I have ever tried. Don’t get me wrong, you have to put the work in. But if you work hard and use the product in conjunction, you can achieve a lot.”
Pictured: Donna Waring with Kizzy.
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Laura Cooper has joined TopSpec, the leading equine feed balancer company, as Business Development Manager for Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.
Based in Leicestershire, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge in customer relations, having previously specialised in this area in the world of banking.
Horses and riding have been Laura’s passion for many years having ridden from an early age and she is delighted to combine all her equestrian skills and expertise with her customer care and relationship building knowledge.
Laura has recently bought a new horse, Roxy, who is out of a Woodlander mare and who she will be focusing on affiliated dressage competitions.
Said Laura: “I really enjoy all aspects of the job from meeting owners and riders during yard visits to provide advice on feeding, and supporting the many retailers I call to see. In many ways it is so different to my previous role but I am thoroughly enjoying it.”
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'Large tortoise’ blamed for road hold-up
AA Travel said traffic was ‘at a crawl’ after it was reported that the reptile was obstructing both the A24 and the A283 coming off the roundabout on Tuesday morning...
AA Travel said traffic was ‘at a crawl’ after it was reported that the reptile was obstructing both the A24 and the A283 coming off the roundabout on Tuesday morning.
Sussex Police said they received a call regarding the incident at 7.45 am but could find no trace of the tortoise when they inspected the area half an hour later.
Meanwhile, scores of people took to social media about the incident querying the size of the ‘large tortoise’ and others came forward worried that the reptile could be their lost pet.
A man living near Washington roundabout said his tortoise had gone missing last year and feared it could be him.
And another Washington couple - owners of eight tortoises - feared the straying reptile could be one of theirs.
A spokesman for AA Travel said: “Traffic was at a crawl on the A24 in Worthing yesterday morning. We heard reports of a large tortoise blocking the road.
“There was a slowdown of traffic in the area at the time, although this is consistent with the time of week and the cause is not conclusive.
“Drivers could have been shelling out for repairs had a large tortoise been slowly crossing.
“The rumour has ‘tortoise’ all a valuable lesson on checking traffic for your journey before you travel and listening for updates en route.”
Leading animal charity, the Southwater-based RSPCA, said they had no direct reports of a tortoise on the A24.
A spokesman added: “People often think that tortoises are slow moving animals - but you’d be surprised how far they can travel in a short amount of time.
“It’s important that any tortoise enclosures are secure, as they can and do escape, and sadly we take in a lot of stray tortoises that are likely to be escaped pets. If anyone spots this tortoise they can contact our hotline on 0300 123 4999.”
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Mystery campaigner gives out free poop bags
A mystery campaigner is behind a one-man mission to clean up a path covered in dog mess by appealing to owners' better nature with a home-made sign, and even supplying them with free bags to clear up after their pets...
A mystery campaigner is behind a one-man mission to clean up a path covered in dog mess by appealing to owners' better nature with a home-made sign, and even supplying them with free bags to clear up after their pets.
The campaigner, thought to be a fed-up local, has created the home-made sign, complete with free bags for pet owners to clear up after their dogs in the village of Overseal, South Derbyshire.
The path off Woodville Road in the village has been a well-known hot spot for problems with dog mess, but the mystery sign is thought to be having an impact as problems there have started to improve, say locals.
The sign, mounted on a pole, has wire threaded through which has a role of black bags for dog owners to use to clear up after their pet if they get caught without one.
The sign, printed on a large white board, and its friendly wording has certainly struck a chord with pet owners who use the path. It invites pet owners to 'please take a poo bag' having warned about the dangers of dog mess causing worms and other nasties for other pooches.
And there is even a message to dogs which reads: "Attention dogs: grr, bark, woof."
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Two Dutch groups have launched the Happy Rabbit project which encourages staff at pet shops and garden centres to tell potential owners how to take better care of their pets.
The organisations – animal welfare group Dierenbescherming and pet trade association Dibevo – say better information could also prevent people buying a rabbit on impulse, they say.
Rabbits are currently the fourth most popular pet in the Netherlands – there are some 1.2 million of them living in Dutch households – but owners are often unaware of their needs, the organisations say. According to their research, some 63% of rabbits are living alone.
The groups call their cooperation with the pet shop industry ‘quite unique’. But in the end the health and well-being of animals is an interest both partners have in common.
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