The winners of the AQUA 2019 New Product Awards were chosen by a panel of highly respected aquatic retail judges, and were presented with their honours at a special dinner attended by over 500 guests last night (Wednesday).

The judges chose the winners of seven categories from the highest number of products ever entered at an AQUA show ever – 110 in total.

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

The judges agreed that the New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, had produced a high calibre of entries with a tremendous variety of innovation.

The awards were presented by show organiser Gordon Thomas and OATA Impact chairman Dr David Pool.

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

Marine Food, Care, Accessories & Decor

Winner: Marine Lab Multi-Test Kit

Entered by: NT Labs

The judges said: The customer-friendly winning product had eye-catching packaging, which provided the consumer with some very important information about water testing. Any product that encourages fishkeepers to test the water in the their own tanks more often is a welcome addition to the market.

Marine Equipment & Aquaria

Winner: Dosetronic

Entered by: Aquarium Connections

The judges said: A lot of thought and time has gone into this product to suit people with busy lifestyles. It is a professional piece of equipment that is very user-friendly.

Freshwater Equipment & Aquaria

Winner: OakStyle 230 Urban Grey

Entered by: Aqua One

The judges said: This product offers great value for money, and will attract new customers into the market. It’s also looks good and will fit neatly into the home. It’s keeping up with lifestyle trends.

Aquarium Food, Care, Accessories & Decor

Winner: Waste-Away Gel Freshwater

Entered by: Aquarium Systems UK

The judges said: This product is very user-friendly and will encourage repeat sales.

Pond Equipment & Construction

Winner: Smart Lights

Entered by: Certikin

The judges said: This LED lighting system has some nice and attractive features, and will appeal in two sectors of the markets – ponds and gardens.

Pond Food, Care, Accessories & Decor

Winner: Deep Water Oxygenators

Entered by: Anglo Aquatic Plant Ltd

The judges said: Pre-packed in an aquatic basket, the winning product not only looks good it is also easy to handle. 

Reptile

Winner: Herptile Premium Reptile Food

Entered by: Hikari

The judges said: Attractive packaging made this product stand out.

The opening day of AQUA 2019 has been hailed a great success by exhibitors who unveiled an amazing array of products at Telford International Centre

The excitement has been building for months with over 80 companies planning their new launches around AQUA 2019, and it led to a constant buzz throughout the first day.

Ruth Low, a director of Gordon Low, summed up the mood of exhibitors when she said: "It has been a fantastic first day. I haven’t stopped talking to new and current customers and I’m really happy with how things have gone.

“I love this show because it has a real community feel about it. I love the set-up, it’s well organised and so professional, and everyone is very helpful. It’s a pleasure to be exhibiting here.”

And Andy Bond, national sales manager of OASE UK, said: “We’ve been flat-out all day, and it’s great to see so much interest being shown in our new products. AQUA is such a good exhibition because it gives retailers the chance to see all the new products first hand.”

AQUA 2019 is also an important date in the calendar for an impressive list of international exhibitors. Joey Abrahams, a director of Aquadip from The Netherlands, commented: “This event is crucial for our business and is the ideal opportunity to meet current and new UK customers. It’s always a good show, and is especially important for us this year because of all the uncertainty caused by Brexit.”

The first day of the show also got the thumbs-up from visiting retailers. Steve Warburton, of Ripples Waterlife, Nantwich, Cheshire, said: “This is such an important show for the industry. Being able to see so many new products, meet our suppliers face to face and talk to fellow retailers, is so valuable to us. There is nowhere else like it – it’s just fantastic.”

An exciting addition to this year’s exhibition is the aquascaping demonstrations by American-based Luis Navarro, who is producing four unique tank designs during the show. These inspiring designs have been designed to provide retailers with ideas on how they can inspire their customers to create something special in their own tanks.

Every visitor who attends the demonstrations, sponsored by ALF, is in with a chance to win one of the four fully aquascaped aquarium sets worth £700 (RRP) each.

Following the successful first day, the AQUA dinner turned out to be another memorable occasion with over 500 buyers and exhibitors in attendance. During the evening the New Product Awards, which produced a record number of entries this year, were being presented.

The show is open for a second day today (Thursday) from 9am to 4pm.

Mark Winter, managing director of Aqua Pacific UK whose brands include Aqua One, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from OATA.

Mark was presented with the award from Dr David Pool at the AQUA 2019 gala dinner last night (Wednesday).

He set up Aqua Pacific UK in 2004 after being sales manager at Oase for 12 years.

For many years, CASCO Pet has exhibited at AQUA and remain global leading experts in aquatics units for retail, educational facilities and rescue centres. It is no surprise that they chose the exhibition to launch their latest innovations – Value Engineered Aquatic Rack and Combination Island plus aquarium maintenance products.

New for 2019, the Value Engineered range is a high-end product with a sleek design and no compromise on quality.

What does Value Engineered mean?

CASCO Pet has engineered a range of units that provide the same quality as their professional units without compromising the design. The materials, plumbing and sump system are different to that of the professional range and provide a quality solution that is great value for money. The units are ready-made and in stock so, can be shipped immediately when ordered, ideal for if you’re running a busy store or a start up with no time to waste.

This new approach means CASCO Pet is able to offer a high-end, affordable solution that changes the face of commercial fish rack systems for small and medium independent store owners.

What else is new?  

Whilst the Value Engineered range was the biggest launch from CASCO Pet, the additional new products are not to be overlooked.

The all-new Titanium UV Sterilizer has challenged the traditional, labour intensive water sterilisation units on the market today. CASCO Pet’s Titanium UV Sterilizer has been manufactured to ensure the lamp does not degrade the body. This has been achieved with the use of a titanium sleeve encasing the polymer UV steriliser body. Ultimately, this and the upgrade to a 55W bulb result in a considerable reduction in parts, labour time and costs.

Finally, CASCO Pet launched an impressive Combination Island unit that can be used as a centre piece display in any aquatics store. This unit has been designed as a space saving, attractive feature that combines a cascading plant unit, 2 Coldwater aquariums and a 20-compartment nano tank. What’s particularly impressive about this island, is how compact it is. You have several selling points in one relatively small space whilst providing optimum heat, light and water quality for your fish.

Full information on all of these products can be found on the CASCO Pet website: www.cascopet.com

A survey of UK pet food manufacturers by the trade body for the sector, the PFMA, reveals that the last three and a half years of uncertainty and no-deal planning has damaged businesses.

Furthermore, urgent practical advice is needed to help smooth the bumps ahead as the UK prepares for a no-deal EU Exit by the 31 October deadline.

The survey highlighted:

• A high level of uncertainty about what will happen if the UK leaves the EU without a deal (83%)
• A strong view that Government is not doing enough to prepare industry (77%)
• Almost 60% of respondents confirmed that the decision to leave the EU, or planning for a No Deal, had damaged their business
• Over 60% of businesses have put off investing in the future with expenditure diverted to No Deal planning or managing the ongoing uncertainty   

In response to these findings, PFMA is hosting a webinar on 21 October to provide practical support and a step-by-step guide on what members need to do next.

Michael Bellingham (above), PFMA Chief Executive, advised: “Since 2016, PFMA has been guiding its members along this bumpy journey and whilst members have been planning for a no-deal EU Exit, guidance is still needed in a number of areas including tariffs, veterinary certificates, trading with the EU markets and even basic fundamentals such as filling out forms and documentation. We want to make sure we fill the knowledge gaps and help members continue their business operations as normally as possible.”

PFMA supports its members with a dedicated Brexit Task Force and digital Brexit Toolkit.

To find out more about PFMA membership, please visit: https://www.pfma.org.uk/about-membership

For more information, please contact nicole@pfma.org.uk or michael@pfma.org.uk

There have been celebrations at Company of Animals as HRH The Duke of Kent KG officially presented the business with its prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Company of Animals was granted the Queen’s Award in 2018 for its success in international trade. The business has now received the award, which will be on display at the company headquarters in Chertsey, Surrey.

HRH The Duke of Kent KG was given a tour of the company premises, which includes a working farm, equine facility  and the internationally renowned Animal Behaviour Centre.

Company of Animals is dedicated to developing and producing world leading products in training and behaviour, that work to enrich and improve the lives of pets. The company is best known for its HALTI range of dog walking products, that help to provide a comfortable and pleasant walking experience for owner and dog. 

Founder of Company of Animals and animal psychologist, Dr Roger Mugford, said: “We are extremely proud of what Company of Animals continues to achieve, which was recognised when we received the Queen’s Award back in 2018. It was an immense honour to welcome HRH The Duke of Kent for a Royal Visit at the company’s home.

“Company of Animals has always created leading pet training equipment and accessories for pet owners worldwide, and it’s fantastic to be recognised in this way. We have many new products in the pipeline, that will continue to make the lives of pets and their owners easier and more enjoyable.”

For more information on Company of Animals please visit: www.companyofanimals.com

Benyfit Natural has created a special raw Christmas dinner for pet owners who want their dog to join in with the season’s festivities in a healthy, dog-friendly way.

The lovingly prepared ‘complete’ meal, now available to buy direct from Benyfit Natural, is made up of human-grade British ingredients including 80% turkey crown, bone and offal, as well as vegetables including parsnips, sprouts, carrots, broccoli and even some cranberries, also flax seed oil, kelp and herbs, and presented in fun and festive Christmas packaging.

Greg Van Praagh, Lead UK Operations & Frozen R&D, Benyfit Natural, said: “We’re all aware that dogs enjoy being a part of the Christmas festivities but it’s also easy for them to eat poorly at this time of year where households tend to be naturally more relaxed with what they eat.

"We know that by providing our customers with a festive meal for their dogs that we’re not only giving them something convenient and fun, but also appropriate.

"Everyone can relax in the knowledge that they’re feeding their dog a nutritionally balanced and delicious festive feast!”

Benyfit Natural’s naturally and ethically sourced ingredients make it the perfect choice for dogs with allergies, digestive or gut issues or any sensitivities. Additionally, the packaging used is 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled material.

Benyfit Natural’s Turkey Christmas Dinner is available to buy direct from the team on 01892 770 188. The RRP is £2.75.

Billy + Margot has created special his and hers bauble treats for dogs this Christmas. The elegant baubles, designed to be hung on Christmas trees, aim to help pet parents include their dogs in the season’s festivities and reward them with a nourishing treat.

The baubles come in two distinctive flavours with each containing either a packet of air-dried Pheasant or air-dried Venison. The packaging is in the shape of a black diamond, with an attractive pink or blue snowflake design, attached with a matching ribbon.

Helen Ellwood, Head of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Billy + Margot said: “At Billy + Margot we believe treats play an important role in helping nurture the special bond between dogs and their owners. We also believe that giving a dog a treat shouldn’t have to compromise his or her overall health or nutrition.

"We’re offering these carefully crafted grain-free dog treats for Christmas which are not only designed to promote the connection between pet parents and their dog, but also help them reward their dog for positive behaviour and avoid the temptation of feeding unhealthy Christmas snacks.”

The Christmas baubles will be available to buy directly from Billy + Margot, 01892 770 188, or by email on orders@billyandmargot.com. RRP £4.99 (Venison) and £5.99 (Pheasant).

In 2020 the Companion Animal Nutrition (CAN) Conference, running in partnership with the Pet Food Manufacturers Association and the University of Northampton, will return on Thursday 13th February 2020 at the University of Northampton (Waterside Campus).

This conference brings together researchers, industry professionals and students to discuss a range of topics including nutrient requirements, diet formulation, feed production, feeding practices, feeding behaviour and enrichment and feed related health issues in pets.

The theme for the conference will be Feeding for Behavioural Enrichment with a keynote address by Dr Sandra Mccune in the morning, and a panel discussion in the afternoon.

Sarah Hormozi, PFMA Science & Education Manage,r advises: “CAN Conference is unique because it emphasises on all aspects of feeding and nutrition in companion animals only. Our 2016 CAN Conference was a real success with research presented on several species of small mammals, fish and exotic pets as well as cats and dogs. We look forward to seeing the latest science in pet nutrition at the CAN Conference 2020.”

Early Bird Registration

Online registration is now open, with an Early Bird Registration fee of £55 per person if registered by 20 December 2019 or £80 after that date. Please click here for online Registration and Payment.

Deadline for abstract submission is 15 November 2019 (23:59 GMT).

To submit a contribution for consideration delegates need to provide a title and abstract along with contributor names and affiliations, and a contact email address. It should be clearly indicated whether you are requesting an oral or poster presentation. All submissions will need to be in English (UK), with a maximum word limit of 300 words. All abstracts should be submitted by email to Dr Wanda McCormick via wanda.mccormick2@northampton.ac.uk. Time for oral presentations will be approximately 20 min (including questions). Posters will need to be provided in A1 size and portrait orientation and can demonstrate primary research, industry case studies or topic reviews.

For further updates please check the PFMA website on https://www.pfma.org.uk/news/companion-animal-nutrition-(can)-conference-2020---call-for-papers

Manchester-based luxury pet bed manufacturer Scruffs has re-designed and overhauled its website, to fit in with the company’s modern themes.

The Scruffs website is the beating heart of the company’s digital activity, and an area for consumers and retailers alike to discover the brand and its philosophy.

Using a combination of modern themes, fonts and effects, Scruffs has been able to align the website with its core values of providing pet bedding designed using modern fabrics and finishes.

Dubby Klyne, Trading Director at Scruffs, said: “Updating the Scruffs® website has been one of the biggest projects we’ve had this year. We are pleased to showcase the finished article to the industry, and invite our customers to have a look at what we’ve been working on over the previous months.”

For more information, please contact a member of the Scruffs marketing team using pr@petslovescruffs.com or via phone on +44 (0) 161 702 5060.

You can see the new-look website by visiting www.petslovescruffs.com

On World Mental Health Day (October 10), popular pet website Wamiz, which has just launched UK site www.wamiz.co.uk, advised of the improvements that pet ownership can bring to those suffering from poor mental health.

Wamiz produced an infographic based around various research studies that have looked into the benefits of having a pet.  This highlights how 62% of owners says that having a pet makes them feel happier and how 68% of older people feel better both mentally and physically when they have a dog or cat.  Additionally, 40% of people say pets make them less stressed].

There are good reasons.  Stroking an animal provides a feeling of well-being due to a molecule called oxytocin, which the body releases during this process, which encourages relaxation and calmness.  The warm welcome a pet provides is also uplifting and, as unconditional affection providers, pets lighten our mood and overcome our feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Wamiz’s expert vet and writer, Isabelle Vixege says: “As a vet, I get to see every day in my clinic the mutual bond between owners and their pets and it is hard to question that such unconditional love makes us feel good. In our super-competitive, ever-changing world, one thing that will be a constant is the place that dogs and cats have in our hearts and homes.  

“What’s more pleasant than a dog that comes running up to welcome you home, or a cat that rubs itself with delight against your legs?  Did you know the purr of a cat is a powerful way to reduce our stress levels, thanks to soothing vibrations that are able to lower human blood pressure and boost immunity. We and our pets really do offer each other some incredible health and wellbeing benefits.”

With, 30% of pet owners saying they have had a love encounter thanks to their pet, there really does seem to be good reason to ponder what breed to choose.

Wamiz can help dog seekers with this, thanks to a feature at www.wamiz.co.uk that helps you find your perfect canine match.  Head to the site to get all the information you could want on pets – and more.

The RSPB and its supporters are playing birdsong across the UK today (Thursday) to highlight the declines in UK wildlife, as the public call on their Government to address climate change and the environment as its legacy for future generations.

Following May’s surprise UK top 20 chart hit, Let Nature Sing, a music track of pure birdsong, the charity is hoping to once again bring birdsong back into everyone’s life as a reminder of what we all stand to lose if the crisis facing nature is not addressed.

New research from the RSPB has revealed that UK citizens aged 18-44 felt addressing climate change and the environment was the number one issue for today’s politicians looking to secure the long-term legacy of their Government. When respondents were asked to choose the top three issues, across all adults surveyed, climate change and the environment (38%) polled ahead of our future relationship with the EU (36%) as a long-term legacy issue for politicians to address, coming second just behind health (44%).

And more people are waking up to the crisis facing nature. When asked how they would describe the health of nature in the UK, almost six out of ten (59%) adults felt nature was not doing well or in crisis in the UK, with less than a quarter (24%) believing nature was doing well or thriving. When asked the same question in April 29% of people were confident that nature was doing well or thriving in the UK, with today’s stats highlighting the growing public understanding of the crisis facing nature.

Rebecca Munro, the RSPB’s director of communications said: “Earlier this year Let Nature Sing got the public talking about what birdsong means to them and the shocking fact that the UK has lost over 40 million birds in just half a century. We all need birdsong in our daily life, but our natural world is in crisis, our wildlife is falling silent.

“This summer there have been deeply concerning reports and warnings published by IPBES and the IPPC. And the State of Nature report has revealed that a quarter of our mammals and half of the UK’s bird species are threatened with extinction.

“When looking at the evidence it is no surprise to see that more people recognise that something is not right with our natural world, and that the public feel strongly that addressing climate change and the environment should be a top issue for today’s politicians looking to create a legacy future generations will be proud of.”

During the RSPB’s Let Nature Sing sound takeover, birdsong will be played in across the UK in offices and public places.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Let Nature Sing sound takeovers, hosting their own event or how to listen for free to RSPB’s birdsong radio should visit www.rspb.org.uk/letnaturesing

Picture credit Tom Wren, SWNS.

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Six in 10 Brits worry they are feeding their dogs the wrong kind of treats, according to new research. A poll of 2,000 dog devotees found the average family hound will consume 27 treats a week.

Behaving well for a photograph, acting really cute and performing a cool trick are among the reasons dogs get spoilt.  But three in 10 owners will also pamper their pooch if they’ve been home alone for too long while 16 per cent have fallen for the puppy dog eyes and given in when their pet begs. And 61 per cent admit they give their dog a treat or two when feeling guilty about not being a good ‘pet parent’.

Henrietta Morrison from Lily’s Kitchen, who commissioned the study, said: “We’re a nation of dog lovers and we believe our four-legged friends are an integral part of our family. So much so that we love to treat them just as much as our two-legged family members. In fact, nine in 10 owners admit getting real joy from treating their pets.

“Our pets treat us by giving us unconditional love, laughs and cuddles, so it only seems right that we want to spoil them whenever we can. The act of treating brings you closer together with your dog and helps you form a stronger bond with them, whether you’re giving them a treat for training or treating them just because.

“And there is nothing wrong with treating a pet often, as long as you’re doing it with healthy and nutritious, proper treats.”

Unfortunately, the poll suggests it’s not just dog treats that are getting scoffed by the handful – ice cream, bacon and cheese are among the unhealthy ‘human foods’ used as dog treats. Despite one half of pups preferring dog treats over other options, one in 10 owners admit to serving up grapes and chocolate to their pampered pets – despite them being highly toxic to dogs.

But food that isn’t specifically designed for pets can be bad news as three quarters of those polled found out, when they ended up taking their dog to the vet because they got poorly after eating something. In fact, one quarter have been advised by the vet to change their feeding habits for the sake of their dog’s health. Other than becoming unwell, feeding a pet the wrong thing or too much can cause problems for their weight and overall health.

More than half of the nation’s dog lovers worry about their furry friend’s weight and seven in 10 have limited their snacks when they’ve started to get too heavy.

It’s a difficult line to tread, as six in 10 believe treating their pet shows them how much they love them. And with a large majority of dogs having their owners wrapped around their little paws, it’s no surprise they end up going overboard sometimes.

But 38 per cent of adults polled via OnePoll.com admit that they regret treating their pet too much. While more than a third know to look at the back of food packets, research online or talk to their vet for nutritional information, one fifth don’t know what their dog should or shouldn’t be eating.

And two thirds of the nation’s pet lovers worry about the quality of ingredients in store-bought dog treats.

Henrietta Morrison from Lily’s Kitchen, maker of proper food for pets with natural ingredients like fresh meat and wholesome fruits and vegetables added: “As we have so much love for our four-legged family members, we obviously want to treat them, but it’s important that we treat them in the right way so they can live happy and healthy lives.  And there are so many wonderful guilt-free ways to treat your pets.

“Just like looking after our own health is important, we’re responsible for our pet’s health too.

“Feeding your dog the wrong things can cause a number of health problems for them, and the signs that they’re struggling may not be obvious.

“The best way to ensure your four-legged friend stays fit and healthy is to feed them proper treats and complete meals made with fresh ingredients that give them a well-rounded, balanced diet.”

Lily’s Kitchen has launched a new range of natural Proper Treats that are packed with freshly prepared meat and made to a grain free recipe. The range includes Chomp-Away Chicken Bites, Scrumptious Duck and Venison Mini Sausages, The Best Ever Mini Beef Burgers, The Mighty Duck Mini Jerky and Simply Glorious Chicken Jerky.  Available now at www.lilyskitchen.co.uk

FEDIAF, the European Pet Food Industry Federation, took part at the 23rd European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ESVCN) Congress in Turin last month and launched a new expert review paper on carbohydrates in pet food.

The paper was recently adopted by the Scientific Advisory Board which includes independent and renowned scientists from across Europe. The board also assists FEDIAF in updating the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dog.  

Dr Thomas Brenten, Chair of the FEDIAF Nutrition and Analytical Science Working Group advised:  “There is currently a lot of controversy surrounding carbohydrates and this expert review will help to debunk some myths and to shed some light on what the carbs are and their role in nutrition”.  

Free download 

The expert paper “Scientific Advisory Board Carbohydrate Expert Review” can be downloaded in the section on Nutritional Guidelines on FEDIAF’s website www.fediaf.org 

FEDIAF represents the European pet food industry with around 200 production sites. Serving as an umbrella organization of national pet food industry associations and five direct members, FEDIAF’s mission is to be the credible and responsible voice of the European pet food industry collaborating with authorities, regulators and academics for achieving favourable conditions for the supply of safe, nutritious and palatable products to pets and their owners.

Based in Brussels, FEDIAF is fully committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, to the wellbeing of pet animals, to their important social role and to the respect of sustainable development.

Just for Pets had plenty to celebrate this month, riding high on strong sales performance after the culmination of a two-year recovery plan and scooping a coveted Pet Retailer of the Year 2019 Award.

Having been saved from the brink of administration when the company was purchased by Pedigree Wholesale in 2017, the specialist pet retailer is now bucking the trend in a fiercely competitive retail sector and is now enjoying sustained double-digit growth.

Paul Lewis, General Manager at Just for Pets, attributes the success to a comprehensive store reimage programme and a renewed focus on the customer: “We have made significant investment into Just for Pets over the last two years by rebranding our stores, introducing a new grooming salon, improving staff training and changing our product ranges including new packaging free deli treats and a specialist raw feeding store.”

“Our customers have really responded well to these changes at their local stores and we can’t wait to celebrate our two-year anniversary and our pet retailer of the year award win with them in the coming weeks.”

At a time when so many retailers are struggling, Just for Pets have managed to implement a strong business model to drive the 16-store chain back to profitability again and safeguard over 100 jobs which were previously at risk. This has enabled Just for Pets to continue its rebranding investment with 9 of the 16 stores now having undergone a reimage with three more converting this year and the remaining four completing next year.

Paul added: “The last 12 months have been a learning curve for us all, but we are continually improving and responding to customer feedback. We know there are still plenty of opportunities out there for us to improve further and we’re grateful to our customers for their continued support.

“I’m overjoyed that the hard work and dedication of our store teams was recognised by the PetQuip Awards. They work incredibly hard day in, day out to give everyone that visits Just for Pets the very best customer experience.”

Just for Pets Pet Retailer of the Year status was awarded at The PetQuip awards held at the Telford international Centre alongside the pet industry’s largest trade show which saw thousands of specialist pet retailers attend.

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas as specialist dog food brand Autarky releases a berry festive recipe to make sure our four-legged friends feel included this howl-iday season.

The Limited-Edition Festive Turkey & Potato diet is a naturally hypoallergenic turkey dinner, featuring a sprinkling of Christmassy cranberries, so that all dogs, both pet and working, can enjoy a festive feed.

Specially formulated by one of Britain’s leading canine nutritionists, this seasonal meal is cereal free and features a unique joint-care package made up of olive extract, green lipped mussels, marine algae and glucosamine, and added prebiotics to aid digestion. Plus, Zinc and B vitamins promote a healthy coat and skin and natural antioxidants and beneficial herbs are included to support the immune system.

Ben Lewis-D’Anna, Communications & Events Manager at Autarky, said: “Christmas is about spending time with our loved ones, and that includes our dogs too! That’s why for a second year running we’re offering our limited-edition turkey recipe with seasonal cranberries, so our paw-some pals don’t miss out on the festivities!”

Available for a limited time only, the Festive Turkey & Potato with Cranberries is sold at an RRP of £3.75 per 2kg bag.

Ben adds: “Giving dogs everything they need to keep active, healthy and hard-working at every life stage is our top priority. While our Festive Turkey & Potato diet is only available for a limited time this winter, owners will find tasty and nutritionally balanced food across our whole range.”

To stock this festive diet, please call 01832 737400 and press option 1 – or get in touch directly with your Autarky sales rep.

For more information about Autarky dog food, visit: www.autarkyfoods.com

Ceva Animal Health, creators of the first UK Pet Anxiety Month, has released a list of the top five most distressing occasions for pets and Bonfire Night has been confirmed as the worst. 

Results from a survey of more than 1,000 pet owners across the UK confirm that 81 per cent believe Bonfire Night is a challenging night for their pet, due to the unpredictable and loud sounds of fireworks and the unusual smells from bonfires and sparklers.

Coming in at second place as an uneasy event for pets is Halloween. In fact, 77 per cent of pet owners admit the constant doorbell ringing causes their pet discomfort. Furthermore, 67 per cent fear the influx of people appearing at the door and the fact that they are wearing scary costumes and masks added to their pet’s distress.

Christmas has been revealed as the third most stressful time of year for our furry friends.  More than half are distressed by relatives staying over, 36 per cent of pets don’t like the fact their routine is interrupted and 33 per cent are suspicious of unusual objects in the house, such as Christmas trees and decorations.

Easter and the summer holidays have also been revealed as making our fur babies feel ill at ease, causing 50 per cent of owners to cancel or change plans due to concerns about their pet’s mental health.

According to Ceva’s research, tempting treats are also a significant cause of anxiety for pets during the festive period as 44 per cent of pet owners confirm their pets are frustrated by being surrounded by food they are not allowed to eat.

Abbie King, Product Manager from Ceva said: “While the end of summer marks an exciting period of events, such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s important that owners take their pet’s mental health into consideration and take the appropriate steps to make them feel as relaxed as possible.”

The research shows almost a third of pet owners are unable to calm their pets during nights such as Bonfire Night, while 76 per cent say their pet being upset distracts from the fun of the event.

Owners surveyed use a variety of techniques to combat their pet’s anxiety, including keeping them inside during nights such as Bonfire Night (69 per cent), giving them treats (41 per cent), or shutting them in a separate room (15 per cent).

Despite being scientifically proven to help cats and dogs handle stressful situations, only 13 per cent of pet owners invested in behavioural aids to help keep them calm, and 44 per cent googled advice rather than seeking the help of a professional.

Andrew Fullerton, Technical Manager for Behaviour at Ceva Animal Health, said: “These results are really interesting and show a level of education is still needed in understanding our pet’s behaviour and finding solutions and products that can help them during stressful situations and prevent unwanted behaviour.

“We wanted to conduct this research to support our #AreYouReady campaign, which we’ve launched to help educate per owners in the run up to the 5^th November – proven to be the most stressful night of the year for cats and dogs. If you’re concerned about your pet’s wellbeing over the next few months, we advise seeking help from a local vet or pet behavioural specialist.”

Ceva Animal Health are the creators of the Adaptil and Feliway pet behaviour products, produced to help dogs and cats handle stressful situations, such as being home alone, travelling, and loud noises.

Owners can access a step by step guide for preparing pets for Halloween, Bonfire Night, and the festive season by visitingwww.petanxiety.co.uk.

A Search and Rescue Dog from Dorset, who completed hundreds of searches during his exemplary ten-year career, has been honoured by the UK’s leading veterinary charity, PDSA.

Border Collie Charlie, who worked with his volunteer handler Matt Cooke, posthumously received the PDSA Order of Merit* – known as the animals’ OBE – for his outstanding devotion to duty and service to society.

Charlie, who passed away in 2017, is the 32nd recipient of the award since its institution in 2014. His medal was presented to canine colleague Zak** at a special presentation at Highcliffe Castle today (Tuesday 15 October 2019).

Commenting on the awards, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are pleased to announce Charlie as the latest recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit. Although we’re saddened that he was unable to receive his honour during his lifetime, we hope that Matt and his colleagues at Dorset Search Dogs see it as a fitting tribute to his incredible career.

“Our Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society.  Charlie’s long and dedicated career epitomises the reason we must continue our Founder’s tradition of honouring the contribution animals make to our lives.

“The PDSA Order of Merit was introduced to recognise animals for their exceptional devotion to duty and service to society. Charlie was a truly exceptional animal and an incredibly worthy recipient of this medal.”

Charlie’s story

Border Collie Charlie started training as a Search and Rescue Dog with his owner, volunteer handler Matt Cooke, when he was 14-weeks-old, qualifying in November 2005. He soon attained the highest level of qualification and subsequently spent ten years in service with Dorset Search Dogs and Lowlands Search and Rescue. In this time he completed hundreds of searches and amassed thousands of search hours.

Charlie was deployed to both domestic and international incidents, helping find missing people in boggy woodland, dense undergrowth, burnt-out buildings and landslide zones.

Renowned for his phenomenal scent detection, Charlie could cover large areas of ground quickly, freeing up valuable Emergency Service resources to deploy elsewhere. As well as locating missing people, Charlie’s work enabled areas to be eliminated from a search, thus narrowing the focus of the Emergency Services. His methodical and reliable approach to searching earned him an enviable reputation within the Search and Rescue community.

In addition to his search duties, Charlie helped recruit and train other dogs to work in specialist taskforces. He also represented Search and Rescue Dogs in the House of Lords, raising awareness around quarantine and pet passports for specialist dogs travelling abroad.

Charlie’s most notable work includes:

• Charlie located an elderly and vulnerable lady who had been missing for 14 hours in freezing temperatures. Police and ambulance services reported that had Charlie not found her when he did, she wouldn’t have survived.
• In May 2008, Charlie located a murder victim buried in a large field, leading to a conviction.
• Also in May 2008, Charlie located a missing 90-year-old dementia patient who had become disorientated and bogged down in mud.
• In February 2009, Charlie and Matt were sent to Ascension Island in the Southern Atlantic, to help search for a missing woman. Charlie, along with two Thames Valley Blood Detection dogs, searched the entire island in brutal conditions and terrain. Such was Charlie’s reputation, the fact that no one was located gave closure to the search. Clearing a search space in this way is often as important as making a positive find.
• Charlie was called to search a fire-damaged squat for fatalities. One homeless man was known to have lost his life in the blaze, which took 50 firefighters and 13 engines to put out. Charlie’s skills were called upon to ensure that there were no other fatalities in the building, which became structurally unsound. His subsequent search enabled the building to be cleared for demolition.

Charlie retired at the end of 2015, enjoying a full and happy retirement until he passed away in December 2017.

Award reaction

Charlie’s handler, Search and Rescue volunteer, Matt Cooke, said: “Charlie was my boy. My dog of a lifetime. He was a pleasure to train and work alongside, and I am immensely proud of everything he has achieved in his career. For him to receive the PDSA Order of Merit, even after he has left us, is such an incredible honour. I am thrilled to have Zak – his Hampshire Search and Rescue colleague – accept the medal on Charlie’s behalf.”

Leading pet retail boss Dean Richmond says he has no plans to retire even though he has been honoured by a PetQuip Lifetime Achievement Award. “They can’t get rid of me that easily,” he said. “I love the industry and I love working.”

Dean, the managing director of PetFamily whose brands include the Pets Corner chain of stores, was speaking after his Lifetime Achievement at the prestigious PetQuip Awards last month.

What does receiving an industry Lifetime Achievement Award mean to you?

I am extremely honoured to receive such an award from my industry peers.

Were you surprised by it being awarded, bearing in mind you’re only 46 years of age?

Haha, yes I was and comments from friends have been similar.  They suggested it might be the trade’s way of saying that they’ve had enough of me!

So there are no plans to retire yet?

Certainly not. I love the industry and love working.

Pets Corner is known for being a champion of animal welfare, has that always been the case?

The real change happened when I became manager of our Brighton store in 1992. It was our third opening and I implemented many industry firsts there including sealed, air regulated animal units, birth certificates and breeder checks. Lucy, our head of training, has taken this legacy and made us the industry leader in welfare. We lose money selling pets because of our welfare policies.  https://www.petscorner.co.uk/difference/#selling-pets-the-right-way

What are the other brands you’ve introduced into the PetFamily business?

Great & Small is our accessory brand and has been for many years. Dogwood, our Natural Grooming Spa, was started a few years ago, as well as McAdams, the world’s first pet food made from whole chicken. The most recent addition is Yora, which took us five years to develop. It’s been a real challenge, which makes me even more proud of it. I want this unique product to be for the independent trade and I hope they embrace it as it gives the trade something truly unique with which to fight the corporates.

You must have received offers for your business in the past, have you ever been tempted to sell it? 

I get offers all the time but I am not interested in selling.  When the time comes for me to final retire I’d hope the business will be bought by the staff and the business will remain family orientated as it has been for the past 51 years.

What motivates you every day?

Creating new brands, improving people’s lives by giving them a business that allows them to develop and grow, and turning ugly, desolate buildings into attractive, productive places of work.

What sets your brands apart from the rest? 

Each of our brands has a unique message and most of them have been world firsts. All are best and better and enhance pet health.

What do you like about the pet industry? 

I don’t like the pet industry, I love it!  I like the fact that we are selling to pet owners who (mostly) do it for love.  Buying for your pet is not a chore.  I also think that this positivity means that generally people working in the industry are nice, decent people – that certainly that is my experience and I have many friends in the trade whether retailer, supplier or manufacturer.

In the citation announcing Dean Richmond’s Lifetime Achievement, Amanda Sizer Barrett, director general of PetQuip, said:

“The winner of this year’s PetQuip Lifetime Achievement Award has lived less than half of what we hope will be a long and happy working lifespan, but he has already packed a lifetime of achievement into his career to date!

The winner works in a company that can trace its roots back to 1968 and today it employs a workforce of around 950 and operates as far North as Newcastle and as far South as Weymouth.

The privately-owned, family business achieves sales of over £50m annually and is investing £9m currently in new stores.

The chief executive believes that in a world where online shopping is increasingly important, there is still a place for businesses on the high street and via retail outlets where service still matters.

His career may not have appeared initially to be auspicious. He attended a business course at his local College, but left after six months, then worked as sales adviser then manager in his parents’ shops for 10 years before buying the business at age 25.

In a recent interview, he said: “I look at where I am now and sometimes cannot believe it. I was always very ambitious. I have never had any strategy, except to make each shop work, and go on to open the next one.”

When asked whether, when he had made his first million, did he want to slow down?, his response was:

“That figure did not make me feel any different. I could not slow down because I love working and we only had 61 shops at the time.“

He says the secret of his success early on was just sheer determination and hard graft. A typical day would start at 6.30am loading the van with stock then working in the shop until 6 or 7pm. “I would carry on working at home until late on projects to move the business forward. I used to get paranoid that my competition would be working when I wasn’t and forge ahead. I still do. I’m proud that our company leads our industry on promoting animal welfare, and improving how pets are sold and cared for.

“I hated school and as far as I could remember I just wanted to work for myself. I used to make bird-feeders in my bedroom and sell them at school, pet shops and garden centres, delivering them on my bike. I think my lack of academic ability early on was made up for by the sheer number of hours I worked.”

He intends to carry on working “until I drop” because he gets bored when not busy and would miss the stimulus of work.

He believes In giving something back to the community. Many of the company’s staff started with the firm very young and almost all of the senior management team has come from the shop floor and some of them had difficult starts in their lives. They give 2 per cent of the firm’s profit to charity, in particular Canine Partners, which trains assistance dogs. In addition, they give more than £100,000 worth of food and products to local charities each year.

In addition our winner is planning to support young people from underprivileged backgrounds to start their own businesses.”   

Lincolnshire police would like to speak with two men in connection with a theft from Pets at Home in Boston.

On October 4th one man entered the Queen Street store and took a variety of dog harnesses worth £366 from a display. A second male then placed the harnesses into a bag before both males left the store without paying.

The men are described below:

Suspect 1- between 60 to 70 years old, bald, wearing glasses, a white short sleeve shirt and a blue body warmer.

Suspect 2- middle aged, brown short hair, wearing a blue top.

"If you know who these men are or can assist with our investigation please contact us in one of the following ways," said a police spokesperson.

By calling 101 quoting the reference 329 of 4th October 2019.

By e-mailing control@lincs.pnn.police.uk - please remember to put the reference 329 of October 4th in the subject box;

You can also contact the police through the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

In 2017, Sir David Attenborough released Blue Planet 2, a powerful, beautiful and terrifying nature documentary. With this, he has placed the devastating impact of single-use plastic and climate change into the forefront of the nation's mind. In turn, creating an increased demand for sustainable and ethical products.

Environmental issues which were once brushed under the carpet have gone mainstream, with unprecedented media coverage. The build-up to this point was long, slow and arduous for anyone who campaigned for sustainability and against single-use plastic. These individuals played a huge part to get us to where we are today.

Now we walk along shop aisles to find disruptor brands using compostable packaging, filled with ethical and sustainable ingredients. They are battling it out for shelf space that was previously dominated by unsustainable products from industry dinosaurs. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s moving in the right direction.

While researching the launch of their wet food, Beco, the ethical and sustainable pet brand, found that the mass market now looking for the same when purchasing for their dogs.

A survey of Beco’s customers found that sustainably sourced ingredients were one of the top three elements owners looked when choosing their dog’s diet, along with grain free recipes and recyclable packaging. Over 40% of the dog parents involved in the survey consider these three features a top priority when choosing their dog’s food.

Beco is one of the challenger brands offering healthy, ethical and sustainable products, keeping dogs happy while reducing their impact on the planet.

In 2018, the UK spent £1.7 billion on dog food. With the majority of pet food manufactured using mystery meat or meat meal, this protein source tends to be made from untraceable meat and fish. The public is now demanding guarantees on the ethics and sustainability of their dog’s diet.

George, Beco’s founder, said “it’s always been difficult to tell what is in our dog’s food with industry specific terminology and carefully worded ingredients. It’s encouraging to see that people are now demanding more from their dog food manufacturers in terms of quality, traceability and sustainability. We are happy to be answering their call.”

Since 2013, there has been a 7.4% increase in premium pet foods in the UK. The global organisations who have dominated the pet food market for decades have been re-branding their catalogue in an attempt to stay relevant to this new wave of conscious pet owners.

Beco is one of the brands taking on the industry giants. In doing so, they have created a new category for healthy dog food that is based around the traceability, ethics and sustainability of ingredients.

What does ethical mean?

Ethical means wild where possible and farmed with respect. Longer lives in stress-free environments.

What does sustainable mean?

Sustainable means sourcing low-carbon ingredients as locally as possible and fishing responsibly without damaging marine eco-systems.

What is sustainable packaging?

Sustainable packaging harnesses the latest technologies to be made from renewable resources. It is 100% recyclable and can be transported efficiently to reduce the number of trucks on the road.

Beco Pets have expanded their current natural dog food range by launching a wet food. They only use healthy, ethical and sustainable ingredients packaged in tetra pack, one of the most sustainable forms of packaging available today. They have created a nutritious diet for dogs that reduces their impact on the planet.

Following a hugely successful show at Telford last month, PATS Sandown on 9-10 February 2020 looks set to be another must-visit event for pet retailers and buyers.

Bookings for the Sandown Park showpiece in Surrey are impressive, with many industry-leading exhibitors already committed to the event. These include previous exhibitors such as Anco, Beaphar UK, Danish Design, Dorwest Herbs, flexi, IPN, Johnson’s Veterinary Products, Kong, Marriages, Natures Menu, Petlife International, Pet Munchies, Pet Trade Innovations, Royal Canin, Sky Pet Products, Symply Pet Foods and Trixie, amongst many others.

For a full list see the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk.

“We are really excited about our exhibitions in 2020 after two wonderful events at Sandown and Telford this year,” said organiser Gordon Thomas.

“The new show dates for PATS Sandown in 2019 – a Sunday and Monday in February – allowed exhibitors to launch products to the trade early in the year, giving retailers the chance to stock them in time for major consumer events like Crufts. So we are pleased to announce we’ll be sticking to this winning formula.

“The major pet brands have already booked their stands along with a host of new suppliers, and visitors to this premier Spring show can be certain of seeing all the new launches under one roof. It’s reassuring to know that the pet industry continues to get right behind the UK’s number one pet retail show brand.”

Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) was the first company to book a stand at PATS Sandown when the exhibition was launched in 2009. It has showcased its popular Wagg and Harringtons brands at every show since.

IPN’s sales director Ben Anderson said: "PATS is always an extremely well-organised event and it’s great to see such a broad range of exhibitors across all sections of the pet trade.

“The show is the perfect platform for new product launches, and we are already looking forward to Sandown where we will be showcasing our new Harringtons treats.”

PATS prides itself on attracting the key decision-makers and buyers from UK and international companies. The recent winner of the PetQuip UK Pet Retailer of the Year - Just for Pets - is one of the many major retailers to make the PATS Sandown and PATS Telford shows key dates for its calendar.

The chain has 16 stores across the Midlands and Cambridgeshire. General manager Paul Lewis said: “PATS is a great showcase for everything that is available under one roof. It gives you the opportunity to build relationships not only with suppliers but also with other retailers, so you can continue to build your business, ask for advice and help each other out.”

Visitors to the show will be able to see an unrivalled array of new-launch products, watch demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers and listen to talks from prominent industry figures. For all the latest news on PATS visit www.patshow.co.uk