Pet food company Walker & Drake, launched after the first lockdown in 2020, has invested in a new £900,000 production facility in Barnsley.

Director David Taylor said: “The requirement for continuing growth driven expansion, and the increased complexities around exporting into Europe, meant we really had to take all production and packing in-house, and build something bespoke to us that future proofed our production capacity.

 “We must be one of very few companies currently building a new pet food facility in the UK but we’re passionate about keeping our production here and having control over all aspects of it. Just like the ingredients we use in our products we’ve sourced the equipment, fabrication, and installation from UK companies wherever possible. In fact, apart from one item, all the major components, the design, and installation team are from within a 25-mile radius of our site.”

The company moved to larger premises last year to facilitate the extra space required for the new factory and warehousing. 

Fellow director Tim Matthews added: “By starting with an empty space we’ve been able to create an efficient workflow from goods-in, through the production process to bagging, warehousing and then back out the door as finished product.”

Walker and Drake’s range of cold pressed food for dogs is made from the highest quality ingredients. The meat and majority of vegetables are sourced from British farms and quality producers, and the fish from traceable fisheries.

Cold pressed dog food is a dry dog food which is pressed at a lower temperature of 55-65°C compared to ‘kibbled’ dry dog food which is extruded at a temperature of approximately 145°C. Cold pressing minimises the impact of temperature damage and produces a food with greater digestibility and superior nutritional value. 

Tim said: “We have developed great products with clear nutritional advantages, we strive to create a culture of integrity, to communicate clearly and honestly with our customers, and to educate and support our stockists.

“Our cold pressed dog food is a premium product focussed on gut health, and we are constantly talking with our customers to understand what they want for their dogs. The ability to develop new products in a dynamic fashion is fantastic, and the relationships we have already nurtured with our suppliers mean we get the access to the best ingredients available at any time.”

Walker & Drake currently produce three ranges of cold pressed dog food that includes All Life Stages, Small Breed and Puppy, in addition to their range of soft baked dog treats. These have proven a real hit within households with multiple dogs of different ages.

In a short space of time Walker & Drake has received industry recognition. It was voted by Yorkshire Insider Magazine as one of the top 50 companies to watch, and was a finalist in 2021 in both the PetQuip and PIF Awards.

For further information visit www.walkeranddrake.com

Hundreds of pet owners across the region could be at risk of being hit with a £500 fine if they fall foul of a new microchipping law coming into play in 2024.  

New legislation has been outlined by the government, as part of its wider action plan for animal welfare, that means it will be a legal requirement for cat caregivers to microchip their pets. Failure to do so could end with a large fine. 

Deborah Burrows, managing director of Healthy Pet Store in Southampton, has welcomed the new legislation because she said it will play a vital role in keeping cats safe. 

Under the law, cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks. Owners who are caught out will be given 21 days to microchip their cat or risk facing a fine of up to £500.

Since 2016, it has been compulsory for dogs to be microchipped, but there have been no requirements for cats until now. 

The new law has been brought in to help return lost or stolen cats to their homes and families. Currently, there are as many as 2.3 million unchipped cats in the UK. 

Deborah added: “We know of many cats going missing from home. These are loved family members and it is upsetting to not be aware of when and if they have been found. We are urging cat caregivers to take pre-emptive action.

“Microchipping gives cats the best chance of returning home quickly and safely. The new law makes perfect sense and should deter owners from leaving their cat vulnerable.”

Healthy Pet Store is an independent pet retailer based in Totton and is renowned for being an advocate for pet wellbeing across the South coast. 

To find out more about Healthy Pet Store, visit healthypetstore.co.uk

The Be:Loved range of pet wellness & lifestyle products from Podium Pet Products has won a prestigious UK small business award.

The popular brand beat off 11 other regional finalists to pick up the Business & Product Innovation honour at the Federation of Small Businesses Awards.

Be:Loved had early triumphed in the South East regional to qualify for the UK final of the awards.

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards recognise and celebrate the huge contribution that smaller businesses and the self-employed make to the UK.

Carina Evans, CEO of Podium Pet Products, said: “I’m really pleased to report that the Be:Loved range has won another national award.

“It’s a huge achievement and a real accolade for the whole team, and testament to their tireless commitment.”

It has been a successful time for Podium Pet Products, which became one of the first companies to be honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise 2023.

With so many exciting plans for 2023, PATS Telford is certain to be an unmissable show with more stand space being allocated in three packed halls at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire.

With still over four months to the show on Sunday, 1^st October, and Monday, 2^nd October 2023, more than 200 companies have already booked their stand space.

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place.

An increasing number of companies are exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time as they grasp the opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors. 

Companies like ROGZ UK acknowledge the importance of exhibiting at the UK’s National Pet Industry Event. “We are super excited to be exhibiting at Telford this year,” said Sallie-Ann Reed from ROGZ UK. “After visiting the show in 2022 we saw just how vibrant and busy it was. With PATS Telford being THE national pet trade event for the UK and as a business with so much to share, it was a natural decision to exhibit this year. We are really looking forward to welcoming customers at the show in October.”

More international exhibitors are also using PATS as a platform to launch their products on to the UK market.

Italian company IMAC Pet Products is looking forward to introducing its brand, and export sales manager Ileana Zambelli said: “After regular visits to the show, finally the time has come for IMAC to exhibit at PATS. It’s the ideal show in UK for us to showcase our pet products and we can’t wait to be there.”

So why should retailers register now for entry to the two-day exhibition? Here’s just a quick summary of popular visitor attractions:

• The New Product Showcase, the biggest-ever platform for new pet products
• New Starter Zone, a space entirely dedicated to new businesses and start-ups
• Unrivalled show offers and competitions
• Top groomers giving insightful demonstrations, workshops and talks
• Free show entry, free parking and free catalogue
• Complimentary lunch voucher in addition to tea/coffee voucher.

Leading trade association PetQuip will be working with PATS to tempt international pet retail chains and distributors to the Autumn showpiece. The association’s involvement doesn’t end there because it will be staging its prestigious PetQuip Awards after the first day of the exhibition. 

To register for entry to the show and to view the full list of exhibitors visit www.patshow.co.uk

Fish-based pet treat supplier Skippers Pet Products has relocated to new premises and increased capacity following a cash injection.

The company, located in Grimsby, approached Finance For Enterprise and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund for funding after outgrowing its existing facility.

It had seen turnover increase by 500% and its workforce grow from eight staff to more than 20 employees in the past year.

Skippers was launched by experienced fish merchant Steve Moore in 2013, after he spotted an opportunity to re-purpose co-products from high quality fish destined for the dinner table.

Finance For Enterprise helped the business secure an investment package worth £150,000.

With funds in place, Skippers relocated to larger premises at South Humberside Industrial Estate, allowing the company to improve efficiencies in its manufacturing processes as well as creating additional working space needed to recruit up to 10 members of staff.

Steve Moore said: “Having firmly established ourselves as a market leader in our industry, we knew that it was important to cement this position.

“The funds and help we’ve received have been transformational for our business, and through the support we’ve received from Finance For Enterprise, we’re not just helping to improve the lives of much loved pets across the world, but we’re also doing our bit to improve sustainability, as well as creating additional new jobs within Grimsby’s fishing industry.”

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes opened its first Warrington store – its 90th in the UK – on Saturday (May 27).

The store, at Unit 1, Winwick Road, Warrington, WA2 8HQ was officially opened by Ted and Chewy, two alpacas from Woodland Alpaca Farm in Thelwall who run regular educational walks to teach about Alpaca farming in support of Guillain-Barre Syndrome charity, Gain.

Joining the Jollyes team was a very special guest – the real Felix the Cat mascot who also helped open the store.

Jollyes also launched its “Jumbo Pet” – a giant airship featuring a dog and cat raised 150ft to tell Warrington that the store had opened.

The first 100 customers received a free goody-bag and every customer over the weekend will have the chance to spin Jollyes’ iconic ‘Wheel of Fur-tune’ to win prizes.

The opening of the new Warrington store is part of Jollyes’ ambitious expansion plans which will see it hit £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ 1,000 colleagues this year and have 100 stores within 18 months.

A Gloucestershire animal hospital has completed a £2m expansion which will see it treat thousands of animals a year. 

The 18-month long refurbishment at Vale Referrals and Vale Vets in Dursley has seen the hospital and first opinion practice expand its footprint by 30%, adding three new operating theatres, six new consult rooms and gold standard feline facilities, including a cat-only waiting room, consult room and treatment area. 

Driven in part by the pet ownership boom of the last few years and increased demand for the hospital’s services, the investment from hospital owners IVC Evidensia has also enabled the team to create 10 new jobs on site. 

Vale Referrals provides specialist veterinary referral services to pets and owners across the Southwest of England, the Midlands and Wales and is open 24/7 for referrals, supporting colleagues from surrounding vet practices. The specialist team works closely with Vale Vets, its first opinion partner practice which shares the premises, enabling a quick internal referral process for pets. 

The investment saw the hospital’s previous layout transformed to facilitate the refurbishment, expanding on existing office space for the administrative team and adding desk space for a further 25 vets, as well as a welcoming new reception and waiting room. Bespoke ultrasound and cardiology rooms and a dental suite with a state-of-the-art digital x ray machine were created and prep and recovery areas enlarged, enabling the team to treat more patients in specialist surroundings. 

The existing kennel area doubled in size with the addition of nine new walk-in kennels, a bespoke isolation ward and secure outdoor runs. 

The expansion has also benefited the 90-strong team at Vale Referrals and Vale Vets, with a new kitchen area, an outdoor sun balcony, enlarged car park and revamped bee-friendly landscaping surrounding the hospital. 

Richard Artingstall, clinical director at Vale Referrals, said: “We’ve been working on this expansion for a long time and it’s incredible to see it complete. Our new and improved facilities mean we can give even more pets across the Southwest the gold standard treatment that they deserve and support our colleagues from neighbouring vet practices with extensive referral services. The feedback from pets and owners so far has been very rewarding to hear.”

Laura Escolme, Practice Director at Vale Vets, said: “After a year and a half of working in challenging conditions, we are incredibly proud of the team here at Vale Vets and Vale Referrals for their hard work and are absolutely delighted to see everyone making the most of our new facilities.”

Vale Referrals is fully operational and open for referrals from surrounding first opinion vet practices and Vale Vets is open for first opinion services. For more information, please visit www.valereferrals.co.uk and www.valevets.co.uk. 

Mr Bug is one of 50 successful projects to have been announced from four key competitions in the latest Farming Innovation Programme milestones.

Following the completion of four substantial competitions under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme, 50 projects have secured valuable funding.

This will allow them to advance their innovations that aim to address some of the key issues facing the farmers and growers in England.

The competitions, which were again delivered by Innovate UK’s Transforming Food Production challenge, covered a range of important innovation areas, including climate-focused solutions, farming technology and smaller research and development (R&D) concepts still at their early stages.

In each case, the ability to demonstrate a project’s role in meeting net zero, productivity and sustainability ambitions across the food space was key to their success.

For all its light-hearted messaging and whimsical brand identity, the fact remains that Mr Bug is operating in a cutting-edge farming environment offering significant sustainable upsides.  

The irrefutable evidence is that farming insect protein offers the planet an altogether lighter touch on the environment (using less land, feed and water) than traditional farming, the reality remains that there is still plenty of wiggle room for further feedstock improvements; namely avoiding feed that could be used for human consumption OR optimizing the best feeds which supports optimum mealworm growth and protein counts.

The successful pitch put forward by the Devon-based Mr Bug team revolved around solving the key bottlenecks that continue to stifle a significant reduction in mealworm protein production costs; such as feedstock and labour by introducing invaluable, time-saving automation.

The invaluable Innovate award will enable Mr Bug to dig deeper into mealworm behaviour, developing ‘self-cleaning’ rearing trays that use the movement of the mealworms to clear waste coupled with robotic cameras and heat sensors to not only identify optimal feeding, but act as an ‘early warning’ system with regards disease or unwelcome pests.

“We’re very proud of our pioneering work with the University of West England,’ explains Mr Bug co-founder, Conal Cunningham. “However, cutting-edge AI and robotics monitoring doesn’t come cheap, so we’re very appreciative of our prestigious Innovate grant.”

Pedigree Wholesale is now stocking the Mad Cat toy range, featuring unique and fun designs. These fun plush cat toys are filled with a powerful combination of premium Catnip and Silvervine that have maximum potency, are pure, and are grown in the USA.

The range features 9 lines designed to entice cats to play! The plush characters feature a Cactus Kicker, Sloth and Avocado duo and a Kitty Carrot, to name a few. These are filled with a powerful combination of Catnip and Silvervine. Silvervine is ideal for cats normally unaffected by Catnip because it contains two cat attractants, making it super potent!

The Kicker toys come in a cactus and sloth character, which are the perfect size for those bunny kicks; kicking is an instinctual behaviour for cats when they catch their prey. There are also two wands available; one in a bright green featuring a monkey and the Safari Squeak Wand, which contains Catnip and Silvervine, plus a real mouse sound! The frequency of the sound matches an actual mouse, mimicking natural prey.

The Catty Whack plays hide & seek with cats! A feather randomly rotates between 6 different entries designed to encourage independent play, plus it features an authentic mouse sound to stimulate cats’ natural hunting instincts.

These wild and wacky toys will drive cats mad, and the range retails from £6.99 to £29.99.

The Mad Cat toy range is exclusively available to the Specialist Pet Trade via Pedigree Wholesale and is available for order now.

Sustainability-focused pet food pioneer Grub Club is celebrating after being crowned winner of the second Impact HERE Award.

The event is run by sustainability and ESG management and reporting platform FuturePlus, and London’s new media and culture district featuring the world’s most advanced immersive screens, Outernet.

The awards showcase the work that small and medium-sized businesses are doing to embed sustainability into their businesses, and through using Outernet’s immersive entertainment district, it brings communities together to experience content and technology in new ways. The award’s mission is to get the expertise, support and exposure required for their sustainability journeys.

The human food space has seen an incredible transformation in the last few years with the rise of dairy alternatives and alternative proteins, giving humans much needed choice and helping reduce the impact of animal agriculture on our environment. Grub Club believes the pet food market is due a similar transformation.

Grub Club estimates that each dog that switches to its products from traditional meat-based food can save up to 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year for each dog that it feeds. Its insect protein requires a fraction of the land and water, and produces significantly less CO2 emissions than animal agriculture. The insects are fed on clean organic waste products like unused fruit, vegetables and spent grains, which they upcycle in a completely circular and zero-waste system. The company’s ambition is to make the pet food industry carbon neutral, and turn every pet into a planet-saver.

Mike Penrose, Co-Founder and Partner at FuturePlus, comments: “At FuturePlus, we love to see young businesses putting sustainability at the heart of everything they do. When it came to Grub Club, it’s clear the company is on a mission to revolutionise the pet food industry through their innovative approach to ingredients and sourcing - and they’re also starting to track and measure the impact they’re having on the planet and society. We’re proud to support Grub Club on its mission and can’t wait to witness their continued success in the coming months.”

Designed to celebrate ingenuity in sustainability practices and product development, the panel of judges selected Grub Club for demonstrating huge environmental and social impact in its industry. Grub Club’s prize includes:

• £100k worth of promotional screen time aired to hundreds of thousands of people at Outernet venues
• An event for partners, customers and investors
• A year’s subscription and consultancy with FuturePlus sustainability management platform worth £2,300

Robert Butters, Partner Outernet Venues, adds: “The Outernet Venues, as part of the Outernet District, are committed to helping amplify messages of businesses making a positive impact on the future of the communities in which we live and work, as well as the larger national and global sustainability of our planet. We see the Impact HERE Award as an important step in assisting entrepreneurs bridge the challenges a start-up company faces making social impact while becoming self-sustainable. We are delighted to congratulate Grub Club on their innovative approach to revolutionising the sustainability of the pet food market and wish them continued success as they begin their positive impact journey.”

Alesandro Di Trapani, Co-Founder and CEO at Grub Club, says: “Pets play such an amazing role in many of our lives – whether that’s emotional support animals, best friends, members of the family, police K9s, guide dogs, and much more. They help us so much and at Grub Club we’re committed to adding Planet Savers to the list of roles pets play in our lives as humans. We've worked so hard to create a fun and exciting brand to breathe some much needed life into the pet food aisle, and this award will be an amazing platform for us to showcase that and give pet parents out there insights into how they can do their bit to help us achieve net zero.”

The public can expect to enjoy the brand activation of the winning company on Outernet’s visually immersive screens in the coming months.

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The British Independent Retailers Association has reviewed recent figures from the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index and has said they are struggling to understand why non-food inflation is so low compared to food inflation.

Speaking about the report, which can be downloaded here, BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said that inflation was proving to be very 'stubborn'.

The report shows shop Price annual inflation accelerated to 9.0% in May, up slightly from 8.8% in April. This is above the 3-month average rate of 8.9%. This brings shop price growth to a fresh high.

Also reported:

• Non-Food inflation accelerated to 5.8% in May, up from 5.5% in April. This is above the 3-month average rate of 5.7%.
• Food inflation decelerated to 15.4% in May, down from 15.7% in April. This is the same as the 3-month average rate of 15.4%, and is the second highest inflation rate in the food category on record.
• Fresh Food inflation decelerated in May, to 17.2%, down from 17.8% in April. This is below the 3-month average rate of 17.3% and is the second highest inflation rate in the fresh food category on record.
• Ambient Food inflation accelerated to 13.1% in May, up from 12.9% in April. This is above the 3-month average rate of 12.8% and is the fastest rate of increase in the ambient food category on record.

Andrew Goodacre, BIRA CEO said: "Inflation is proving to be very stubborn and clearly not falling as quickly as expected. I still find it hard to understand why non-food inflation is so low compared to food inflation, even though the non-food retailers and suppliers are facing the same cost pressures, and arguably higher in some cases.

"High food inflation is very damaging to consumer confidence as it makes people make less discretionary expenditure on non-food items. Talk of capping prices is interesting but not really addressing the issue of high overheads such as energy costs which are not reducing for businesses as quickly as they should. Government focus must be on reducing the overheads for businesses which in turn will result in lower prices."

The British Independent Retailers Association has said it will be standing in solidarity with the Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) as it addresses critical concerns faced by the retail sector in Scotland.

Bira says it fully supports the letter recently sent to Shona Robinson, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, urging the Scottish Government to take immediate action to safeguard the future of independent retailers across the nation.

In the letter, the SGF highlights the challenges posed by rising business rates, increasing costs, and evolving consumer behaviours that have significantly impacted independent retailers. These issues have been further exacerbated by the economic uncertainties arising from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Pete Cheema, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers' Federation highlights in his letter: "We believe that it is essential that the Scottish Government offer comparable rates relief to retail and hospitality to that available in England and Wales.

"We firmly believe that the Scottish Government should act now and provide, at the very least, similar assistance in Scotland while at the same time ensuring that current supports and reliefs available are not impacted, or other business-related rates increased."

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, responded to the letter and said: "We fully support the Scottish Grocers' Federation's efforts to raise awareness of the pressing issues faced by independent retailers in Scotland. The survival and prosperity of these businesses are vital not only to the economy but also to the local communities they serve.

"Bira recognises the immense contribution of independent retailers to Scotland's retail landscape, offering unique products, personalised service, and a distinct shopping experience. However, these businesses are operating under immense pressure, struggling to navigate the economic challenges while maintaining their competitive edge.

"It is crucial for the Scottish Government to listen and respond to the concerns raised in this letter. We urge Deputy First Minister Shona Robinson to prioritise the needs of independent retailers and take decisive action to address the burdensome business rates and other financial challenges that threaten their sustainability."

Bira is committed to supporting independent retailers across the United Kingdom and advocating for their best interests. The association believes that a thriving independent retail sector not only fosters economic growth but also strengthens the social fabric of local communities.

Research from the Royal Veterinary College has found the most common health conditions in UK Boxer dogs are ear problems, tumours and eye ulcers.

These results will help owners and vets provide breed-focused targeted preventative healthcare and better inform and prepare potential owners for what to expect from the unique breed.

The Boxer dog has long been a popular dog breed in the UK, with this study finding that one in every 100 dogs in the UK are Boxers. Previous to this study, there were concerns that their relatively flattened faces (moderate brachycephaly) might mean Boxers were more likely to suffer from the problems commonly associated with flat face breeds such as breathing problems and skin fold infections. However, despite these concerns, until now, there has been limited evidence on the overall health status of Boxers.

This study, led by the RVC’s VetCompass programme, aimed to explore these and other important health concerns in Boxers. They did so via analysis of the clinical records of a random sample of 3,219 Boxer dogs who received veterinary care in 2016.

Disproving some false narratives about the breed’s health risks, the study found that many of the common disorders that Boxers experience are typical of all dog breeds, including ear infections, dental problems and obesity. So in that sense, many of the health issues of Boxers are just typical dog problems overall. However, the study did identify some specific conditions that Boxers were at a substantially higher risk of developing. These included tumours/cancers (neoplasia), gum mass (epulis) and eye ulceration. These show that the Boxer also has some important health concerns that are specific to the breed.

The study found that 14.2 per cent (one in seven) of Boxers were diagnosed with cancer (neoplasia) each year. Cancer was also found to be the most common cause of death (12.43% of all deaths), suggesting cancer should be considered a health priority for the breed. Following neoplasia, the next most common causes of death identified were brain disorders (9.54%) and mass lesions (lumps) (8.38%). The most commonly reported overall groups of disorders alongside neoplasia, were skin disorders (17.74%) and ear disorders (10.41%).

The most commonly recorded specific disorders of Boxers included otitis externa (ear infection, being diagnosed in 7.15% of Boxers in 2016), epulis (fleshy lump on the gum) (5.84%); corneal ulceration (eye ulcer) (5.00%); periodontal disease (gum disease) (4.63%); heart murmur (abnormal sound in heartbeat) (4.29%); and skin mass (abnormal skin growth/lump) (4.29%).

Boxers were shown to be quite large dogs, weighing on average 30.4kg, which owners should take into account when considering acquiring a Boxer dog (eg. cost of feeding, issues around handling). Female Boxers (27.6kg) on average weighed quite a bit less than males (33.0kg).

Additional findings include:

• The most common colours of Boxer dogs were brindle (23%) and dark red (23%) but 11% of Boxer dogs were white. Despite previous concerns, there was little evidence of major health differences between white and non-white Boxers.
• Among the 34 most common specific disorders, females had a higher risk of periodontal disease, skin masses, and urinary incontinence than males, while males had a higher probability of heart murmurs, aggression and aural (ear) discharge than females.
• Among the 22 most common groups of disorders, females were more likely to be diagnosed with mass lesions (lumps), dental disorders, and urinary system disorders, while males were more likely to be diagnosed with behavioural disorders.
• White and non-white dogs did not differ in the risk for any of the 34 most common specific disorders.
• The average lifespan of Boxer dogs overall was 10.46 years. There was no difference in the average lifespan of females (10.41 years) and males (10.53 years).

These results will assist veterinary surgeons to identify preventative health priorities for Boxers and provide prospective and current Boxer owners with information on health issues to look out for.

Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, and lead author of the paper, said: “Boxer dogs are an iconic breed with a long and rich history. This study provides modern evidence to help owners to choose and care for their Boxer dogs today based on a solid scientific grounding that that should ensure better lives for both the  dogs and their owners.”

Alison Skipper, Researcher in Canine Health Research at the RVC, and co- author of the paper, said: “This study provides useful evidence that the Boxer, which is a moderately brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, has fewer common health problems directly related to its body shape than the extreme brachycephalic breeds investigated by previous VetCompass studies. This both suggests that less extreme brachycephalic conformation has less impact on health and also shows how disease patterns may vary considerably between breeds, supporting the value of breed-specific health data.”

Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeding Services Executive at The Kennel Club, added: “This widescale research, supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, enables better understanding of breed-specific health concerns, and these findings will feed into the breed’s Health and Conservation Plans, managed by The Kennel Club to identify and monitor any concerns, and continue to improve health.

“We’re pleased this study indicates that most disorders faced by Boxers are fairly common for all dogs, and that there don’t seem to be any prevalent extreme health conditions, including those which can be associated with other Brachycephalic breeds. It remains crucial that puppy buyers do thorough research regarding breed health and go to a responsible breeder; this plays an important part in improving the health and welfare of all breeds, now and in generations to come.”

During IVC Evidensia’s UK Leaders’ Forum, CEO Duncan Phillips named StreetVet as the first official charity partner for the leading veterinary group.

Over 1000 attendees gathered at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham to the hear the news at the two-day event, which also included presentations, discussions and collaborative workshops. Delegates in attendance included clinical directors, practice managers and head nurses, amongst many other support staff representatives.

The annual summit is now the flagship event in IVC Evidensia’s calendar and continues to be a great opportunity for veterinary teams from across the country to celebrate past endeavours, as well as look optimistically to the future of the profession.

This charity partnership will initially entail providing fundraising toolkits to practices and the creation of a coordinated charity events calendar, allowing the entire practice network to raise money for StreetVet at once, with the aim of raising £100,000 in the first 12 months.

And the fundraising got off to the best possible start, as over £10,000 was raised during the Gala dinner alone, which took place on the first evening of the event.

Jade Statt, Clinical Director and co-founder of StreetVet, commented on the announcement: “We are delighted that IVC Evidensia have not only chosen StreetVet as their charity partner, but also that they have made a commitment to helping pets belonging to those experiencing homelessness across the UK. 

“StreetVet is a multi-award-winning veterinary charity that recognises the magnitude and impact of the human animal bond, and wherever possible, aims to protect it. By helping pets, we are helping their owners too, a value shared with IVC Evidensia. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exciting partnership."

Connecting for the future

This year was the second UK Leaders’ Forum that had taken place and promised to be bigger and better than the first, with a mixture of insightful talks and collaborative workshops for attendees to indulge in.

Since the inaugural event in May 2022 there has been major investment into the IVC Evidensia network as well as pay and reward for clinical colleagues, plus an emphasis on UK evolution, which has hugely increased the operational support team providing more responsive assistance to all clinics. 

Duncan Phillips, UK CEO at IVC Evidensia, emphasised the importance of ‘Connecting for the Future’, which was this year’s theme at the event: “Twelve months on from our first national Leaders’ Forum, it is amazing to acknowledge our incredible teams and celebrate our successes alongside making new connections for the future, which includes our charity partnership with StreetVet. 

“In every part of our strategy, we have seen immense progress and the leadership through our practice teams has been incredible. As the network gets more ‘connected’ the potential for growth and collaboration within the group only gets larger, which is so exciting to see.”

Daniella Dos Santos, Director of Professional Culture at IVC Evidensia, added to this sentiment of connection: “Connecting with people during the Leaders’ Forum was so valuable and I’m so glad to see that we could shine a spotlight on so many wonderful individuals.  

"The wellbeing of colleagues is paramount to nurturing their talent and ensuring that we can progress as individuals, teams and as a group. We shared what we as a business are doing, and worked together to discuss what our leaders can also do to protect and enhance wellbeing across our network. I can’t wait to see what we have achieved by the next forum and look forward to surpassing new milestones on our journey there.”

Brilliant people

Alongside the charity partner announcement, two keynote speakers in the form of Sarah Furness and Ruby Wax also took to the stage. 

Sarah Furness spoke about the importance of leadership, drawing on her extensive career as an RAF helicopter pilot, spoke about becoming an empowered leader and the importance of multilateral decision making within a team, leading to better outcomes, especially if you have a group of leaders all working well together.

She emphasised the need to embrace discomfort as it is specifically when you end up doing your best learning and will ultimately drive you forward to bigger and better career decisions.

Ruby Wax, on the other hand, brought her comic wit and incredible knowledge in the field of mental health.

And this is not to mention the Brilliant People Awards ceremony, which allowed colleagues from up and down the UK to gather and celebrate individual and collective achievements from across the group.

Over 850 nominations were whittled down to twelve winners that were handed out to deserving colleagues, including awards for sustainability, quality improvement and client hero, amongst many others split between clinical and non-clinical roles. 

Sonia Billingham, Practice Director at Oakmount Veterinary Centre, who won the We Care (Non-Clinical) award, commented: “I felt both humbled and honoured to be nominated for the 'We Care' brilliant people awards and to go on to win this award feels absolutely amazing!

“Reading the nominations blew me away and I would like to thank each and every one of the team that nominated me. 

“I feel extremely privileged to work alongside the awesome team that I do and receive the support they give; I would not be where I am today without them... so this award is for them too!”

Lubos Kustra, Clinical Director at Eastbourne Vets and winner of the ‘We Share’ (Clinical) award, commented: “To receive the award itself was a massive surprise, as I was already happy just to be one of the nominees. 

“I would say, this award is not individual from my point of view, as I would have achieved very little without trust and support of my team. It is a good thing that hard work did not go unnoticed.”

Sustainability and support

Amongst the headline events in a packed schedule there was an exhibition space that included 29 partner companies from across the veterinary industry, who all had a hand in funding the superb event. 

There was also a support zone representing internal departments such as Welfare and Quality Improvement, offering vital information and support to attendees.

Accessibility was a huge consideration in the planning of the Leaders’ Forum, with new additions to the format including a Quiet Room, a dedicated section on the internal intranet and guided tours of the venue. 

Any sessions on the main stage were also recorded for those who would prefer to watch the keynote speakers in their own time.

The location of the Hilton was chosen specifically due to its accessibility but also sustainability, with easy links via train, plane or car. Visitors would not have to stay in one location and travel to another for the event in this iteration of the event, and reusable stands were also deployed to cut down on waste.

Aligned with values from the Positive Pawprint report published back in January, the events team have aimed to offset 100% of the event's emissions to make it a Carbon Neutral event. Stay tuned for more updates on this. 

For more information about the IVC Evidensia Leaders’ Forum, head to the group’s website here, or to find out more about StreetVet, head to their website here

Petello has launched an extension to its Yak Cheese Dog Chew range – the new Yak Cheese Peanut Butter dog chews.

These long-lasting boredom busters are not only a delicious and healthy chew but cater for all sizes and breeds of dogs as they come in Small, Medium and Large, with an Extra-Large sized chew coming very soon.

The chews are 100% natural, low fat and calcium-rich treats that are made using a special vegetarian recipe containing human-grade ingredients. They are handcrafted from authentic and rare yak milk from the Himalayas. Not only are they air-dried, but they are smoked to absolute perfection, completely nutritious, natural, and do not contain any artificial flavouring or preservatives.

Yak Cheese Peanut Butter Dog Chews are perfect for feeding as a treat or a reward as part of a dog’s balanced diet! They are made with three ingredients: Yak and Cow’s Milk, Roasted Peanuts and Lime Juice.

This brand-new flavour is the perfect addition to stores and is exclusively available to the Specialist Pet Trade through Pedigree Wholesale.

Yak Cheese Dog Chews are part of the umbrella brand Petello which offers food for happy dogs and includes other delicious brands such as Natures Deli and Doodles Deli.

Heelwork To Music TEAM GB returned jubilant from Denmark after competing in the FCI World Dog Dancing Championships.

Kath Hardman, HTM TEAM GB’s Manager, sent huge thanks to CSJ for their support once again and said: “I am very happy to report the Team worked really well and in competition we had the following results:

In Heelwork to Music – the Great Britain Team took 4^th place out of 14 countries competing! 

Nicci Hindson and her dog Elsa also achieved a place in the Top Ten Individual Final - reaching 7^th place out of 46 competitors.

In Freestyle – a wonderful 2^nd place for the Great Britain Team from 16 countries competing!

Nicci Hindson and her dog Elsa also achieved a 2^nd place in the Individual Top Ten Final and Lucy Creek, with her dog Jingle, also achieved a 7^th place against 52 competitors.

Kath ended by saying: “The team is now safely back home and recovering from a long 10 days away, with 5 full days driving to and from the venue in Denmark.”

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com

The Walter Harrison’s Small Animal range features a variety of essentials that are important for the overall health and well-being of small animals such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

Walter Harrison’s has everything needed to care for even the smallest of furry friends, from food, bedding, accessories and even hutches and cages. 

Walter Harrison’s hutches range from one-bedroom compartments to two-tiered hutches and hutches with runs, meaning there is something for all types of small animals. The Walter Harrison’s small animal cages are an ideal run and exercise area for small animals and even chickens. They have multiple doors for easy access and are easy to extend or link to other runs. The right bedding and environment are important for small animals; owners must know what their pets will need. Walter Harrison’s offers a selection of bedding and home accessories that will keep small animals warm and safe. 

We love a hot summer in the UK, but warm temperatures can be dangerous for our furry friends! Walter Harrison’s has assembled a few top tips to keep rabbits, hamsters and other small mammals cool and happy this summer.

Lots of shade!

It may seem simple, but keeping small animals in shaded spots will prevent them from overheating. Position outdoor hutches in sheltered areas away from direct sunlight, or if inside, make sure the home is at ambient temperature, and sunshine does not filter straight onto small animals.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Small animals need more water in warmer weather, so fill up those bowls and bottles with fresh, clean water daily and refill them as required.

Shelter from winds

Small animals are very sensitive to temperature changes, and a cool draught can make them cold! When positioning their hutch or finding an indoor area for them to run around, make sure they are sheltered from windy spots!

Passionate about rabbits and other furry friends? Have small animal lovers coming to your store, but you don’t have what they need? Pedigree Wholesale have many great brands, including Walter Harrison’s – a heritage wild bird and small animal company founded in 1906 that offers a variety of food, bedding, homes and enrichment for retailers and their customers.

ITV is investing in pet health and wellness company PitPat and adding the company to its Media for Equity portfolio in its second investment of 2023.

As part of ITV Adventures Invest, its Media for Equity investment fund, ITV has agreed to invest up to £4 million of advertising inventory across ITV’s channels and ITVX in return for a minority equity stake in the Company. It follows ITV’s recent Media for Equity investment in architectural design company Resi announced earlier this year.

PitPat helps pet parents keep their dogs happy, healthy and safe with their subscription-free GPS tracker, award-winning dog activity monitor and perfectly-portioned dog food. The company is disrupting the traditional pet industry worth over $250 billion globally with its innovative technology, unrivalled data and super-personalised services.

ITV’s investment will help PitPat build mass market brand awareness by bringing the brand to millions of viewers.

Sheena Amin, Director of ITV AdVentures, said “PitPat is a truly innovative, customer centric brand bringing the insights of data, monitoring and tracking to help pet owners and I’m thrilled that the company is becoming part of ITV’s Media for Equity investment portfolio.

PitPat is at an important inflection point in its scaling journey, having created a market-leading product for both dog activity monitors and GPS trackers. We know that ITV viewers index highly as pet owners and I’m confident that we can help drive category awareness for pet GPS trackers and put PitPat on the map at the same time. I’ve always been thoroughly impressed by Andy and his team and have full faith in their ability to go after a huge market opportunity and win in this space.”

Founder & CEO of PitPat, Andy Nowell, said “We're delighted to welcome ITV AdVentures as an investor at this exciting growth stage for the business. Their extensive viewership and strategic media expertise will enable us to reach a nation of dog lovers and drive significant category awareness, cementing PitPat as the go-to brand for pet parents. We have been thoroughly impressed by their collaborative approach and are confident they will be an instrumental partner in our growth.”

PitPat’s complete Dog Care Platform is changing the way humans approach pet care - because guesswork and the current one-size-fits-all approach lead to unhealthy pets, expensive vet treatments and excessively high insurance premiums. With rich data and insights from over a hundred thousand dogs, PitPat is at the forefront of pet tech, creating products that help pet parents take away the guesswork and provide the best possible care for their individual pets. Based in Cambridge, the company has a multidisciplinary team of technologists, vets and dog-lovers and delivers its services to dog owners directly and through partnerships with leading pet insurers, food brands and other pet businesses.

Launched in 2021, ITV AdVentures Invest is a Media for Equity programme which sees ITV take minority stakes in early stage digital and direct-to-consumer businesses, alongside venture capital investment, in return for advertising inventory across ITV’s range of market-leading channels and ITVX. The initiative represents an innovative opportunity for consumer businesses seeking to build scale through TV advertising, alongside a strategic media partner. ITV’s diverse portfolio of successful Media for Equity investments include location app what3words, online menswear brand Spoke, wellness brand Feel and Europe’s biggest new car buying marketplace Carwow.

A popular pet shop in Beccles, Norfolk, has announced it is closing down at the end of July due to retirement.

Cracks Pet Foods in Blyburgate, Beccles, informed customers on its Facebook page that 31 July would be its final day of trading.

“Cracks Pet Foods with be closing down due to retirement. We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years and hope you can keep supporting us in our final two months,” said the social media post.

Customers responded on social media with comments like:

• “Sorry to lose you, hope you have a happy retirement.”
• “Another Beccles fav from my childhood going…”
• “Oh no, love this shop and staff are great, will be sad to see crack shop close.”
• “Nooooooo!!! Love shopping at Cracks.”
• “That’s sad, had my first ‘Saturday’ job there in the early 70s. Lovely owners to work for.”

Photograph taken from Google Maps (Streetview).

Lancashire-based VetPlus has revealed that its sales in the Indian region have more than doubled following action from the Department of Business and Trade.

VetPlus is a family-owned business founded in 1995 in Lytham, Lancashire. A global leader in veterinary nutraceuticals, the company has distributors in over 40 countries and a presence on every continent, with more than 90% of its products produced in-house at its facility in Lytham.

VetPlus’ pet feed supplements were able to continue being sold in India after a bureaucratic trade barrier blocking exports of British pet feed supplements to India was lifted. The resolution of the barrier was estimated £1.4 million in sales to the company over the next five years in 2022.

Market research firm Market Decipher estimate that the Indian pet food industry was worth $498 million in 2021 and is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, expected to grow by an average of 19% each year over the next decade.

VetPlus is now well placed to meet demands for its products from the growth in global pet ownership. According to Pet Secure, there are approximately 10.2 million pet dogs and an expected 2.4 million pet cats in India, so ensuring that uninterrupted availability of VetPlus’ nutraceuticals – which form part of multi-modal treatment plans for a range of companion animal conditions – is important.

Removing obstacles to UK companies selling their products around the world is a top priority for Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, with recent analysis revealing barriers to markets worth more than £2.2 billion to UK businesses were knocked down in her first 200 days in the job – equivalent to over £11 million every day.

The Business and Trade secretary has committed to unlocking 100 unnecessary barriers to trade to help businesses across the UK sell more, grow more, create new jobs and pay higher wages.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “India is a massive market for UK companies and I am delighted to see VetPlus reaping the rewards after decisive action from the Department meant their pet feed supplements could be stocked on Indian shelves.

“As we remove barriers to trade around the world, we create more opportunities for British businesses to export their excellent products, create more jobs, and unlock billions for the UK economy.”

Founder and Chairman of VetPlus David Haythornthwaite said: “As an international business operating on every continent, it’s important that we can uphold the varied regulatory and compliance requirements in place across our markets.

“It has been great to work with the Department for Business and Trade to meet the change in requirements for the Indian market which meant that we could ensure the consistent supply and availability of our products for pet owners through their veterinary practices.”

The UK is currently in talks with India on a new Free Trade Agreement to boost our current trading relationship, already worth £36 billion in 2022.

UK businesses sold goods and services worth around £15 billion to India in 2022. A trade deal could bring down even more barriers to trading with India, like high tariffs and red tape, and make it easier for UK companies such as VetPlus to sell into India’s market of 1.4 billion people.

TV personality and entrepreneur Jess Wright, who appeared in ‘The Only Way is Essex’, has launched her debut pet collection. The range will be exclusively stocked in Poundland stores.

Designed and curated with her beloved Yorkshire Terrier Bella in mind, Jess has created an affordable collection of stylish and practical doggy essentials.

After searching for months to find the right kind of accessories for Bella; Jess decided to bring her own vision to life with an aesthetic and sense of fun that she just couldn't find anywhere else.

The 15-piece collection brings an air of sophistication; teaming neutral, understated tonal shades and subtle leopard print, to bring a sense of fun and femininity.

The quality range with quirky highlights including fun milestone cards - to celebrate those special dates in your canine calendar including birthdays and first grooming session, as well as dapper doggy slogan bandanas.

Other heroes include stylish padded dog leads with sleek metallic trims, super-soft squeaky toys - in the shape of a bone or fun 'puppuccino' cup, stylish melamine double dog bowls and a selection of luxurious grooming products. Prices start from just £1.50.

Jess says: "A dog collection is the perfect addition to my Poundland ranges and I couldn’t be happier about it. Bella is my little best friend and providing products that she, and others can use, makes me smile. 

"It’s affordable, fun, adorable and such good quality. I’m so excited for Bella by Jess Wright and I hope you guys love it too! 

"I want to help keep your furry friends happy, healthy and stylish all at the same time."

The full Bella by Jess Wright collection is available in Poundland stores nationwide.