In This Issue
Dragons' Den winner launches bestselling iced treats in Australia
Barking Heads donates 75,000 meals to animal charities
Expert warns of domestic dangers to pets
Vet charity PDSA launches annual writing competition
Record attempt by award-winning natural pet store
OATA offers alternatives for pond plants no longer for sale
MaxWax now available in clamshell packaging
Danish Design to unveil new products at PATS
Bogar range of dental products set for trade show
Pet store excels at raw food training programme
Get your own copy of Pet Trade Xtra
Cyril ‘back on track’ thanks to PDSA after going loco with toy
Arden Grange window display competition continues until March 31
Natures Menu wins prestigious service award
Lifestyle brand Henry Wag going to Crufts
New recruit strengthens pet firm's sales team
Laurence Pearman awarded Fellowship of the Society of Master Saddlers
Computer giant Acer enters UK pet market
King British launches product guide
Company offers new dog owners a week off to look after pets
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Contact neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk for all editorial matters.

Pictured: There are some advantages of working from home...Neil gets instant hugs from Billie-Jean, the Lancashire Heeler.

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Dragons' Den winner launches bestselling iced treats in Australia


Just five years ago, Marie Sawle-Jones made a successful appearance on BBC Dragon's Den with her unique Billy + Margot 'doggy ice cream'. Fast forward to today and the company's Iced treats are hitting the headlines again, having just been launched to wide acclaim in Australia...



Just five years ago, Marie Sawle-Jones made a successful appearance on BBC Dragon's Den with her unique Billy + Margot 'doggy ice cream'.

Deborah Meaden saw massive potential in the brand, went into partnership with Marie and quickly helped Billy + Margot grow to become a premium supplier of dog treats and food throughout the UK.

Others obviously saw the potential too as The Real Pet Food company, the biggest pet food manufacturer in Australia, bought the company just four months ago with plans to take Billy + Margot 'global'.

Step one was the launch of the Iced Treats in Australia and this has been perfectly timed as the country has been hit by heat waves with Sydney sweltering under soaring temperatures of 43C.

And while humans can lose heat easily by sweating or turning up the air conditioning dogs only have very small sweat glands located in their paws. This of course is why you see dogs panting heavily as it is their main means of losing heat.

So it's Billy + Margot Iced treats to the rescue! And what pooch could possibly resist any of the three flavours - Banana & Honey; Apple, Banana & Carrot or Strawberry & Apple?

There's no doubt that Australian dogs are going to be really 'cool' this summer!

Barking Heads donates 75,000 meals to animal charities


Hertfordshire-based pet food brands, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, are donating over 75,000 meals of their premium dog and cat food to a number of animal charities across the UK this month...



Hertfordshire-based pet food brands, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, are donating over 75,000 meals of their premium dog and cat food to a number of animal charities across the UK this month.

Named after their canine mascot, ‘Bailey’s wet food giveaway’ hopes to raise awareness for the many pets bought as Christmas gifts who are abandoned early in the year and the pressure this puts on animal rescue shelters, dubbed the annual ‘Christmas throw-out’.

Barking Heads & Meowing Heads have visited several charities in their local area to hand over their donations, including Appledown Animal Rescue in Eaton Bray and the Hemel Hempstead & Berkhamsted branch of Cats Protection.

Amanda Broome, who volunteers for the Hemel Hempstead & Berkhamsted branch of Cats Protection, explained: “January and February are the worst months for rescue centres; we call it the ‘Christmas throw-out’ as many people that aren’t used to the hard work involved in caring for cats or kittens make the difficult decision to give them away.

"At the moment we have 31 cats in our care, but we have a long list of more waiting to be taken in”.

Julie Shelton, centre manager of Appledown Rescue who has been taking in stray dogs for over 18 years, has said, “Our team are really pleased to receive this wonderful donation we received from Barking Heads. The dogs are going to enjoy their dinner tonight!”

Barking Heads & Meowing Heads are now asking their fans to nominate charities on social media for their final two deliveries. For the two selected charities, they will then donate one meal for every ‘Like’ received on special Facebook posts next week.

The campaign follows a series of charity giveaways in December, when the brand decided to give something back to those caring for animals over the festive season.

Through contact with charities since this campaign, they have found that while the Christmas period is always a busy time, the hard work increases for these charities in the months following Christmas.

Paul Hunter, co-founder of Barking Heads, has commented: “After organising a series of charity giveaways in December, the incredible response compelled us to continue our charitable work into 2017, especially as we learned more about the increases in abandoned pets post-Christmas.

“We hope our efforts will shed light on this phenomenon, encouraging others to donate and also think carefully about welcoming a pet into their lives.”

You can nominate a charity for the final two donations to go to by visiting the Barking Heads, Meowing Heads Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BarkingHeadsandMeowingHeads), or by tweeting them at @BarkingHeads or @MeowingHeads.
 
Expert warns of domestic dangers to pets
A canine expert is calling on dog owners to assess their homes for domestic dangers that can cause devastating damage to their four-legged residents...


A canine expert is calling on dog owners to assess their homes for domestic dangers that can cause devastating damage to their four-legged residents.

Slippery floors, stairs and sitting room furniture are among the hazards Julia Robertson is warning dog owners to be aware of, as their overuse by man’s best friend can result in them suffering crippling pain.

The former veterinary nurse, who now treats dogs suffering from chronic pain, arthritis and musculoskeletal problems using her muscle treatment Galen Myotherapy, is pointing out the everyday dangers as so many of her four-legged patients have been left in agony by unassuming activities, such as climbing onto the sofa.

Julia, who has worked with animals her entire life, said: “Dogs have been living in our homes for years but they were never designed for our modern environments, which I believe are detrimental to their health and can prematurely impact on their longevity.

“Going up and down stairs, climbing repeatedly onto furniture for a snooze and running on slippery floors can all result in repetitive strain injuries (RSI), which can have a devastating impact on their limbs, joints and muscles over time.

“In the 15 years I have been using Galen Myotherapy I have treated thousands of dogs with serious physical damage and the majority are suffering because of RSI.”

Julia’s tips for improving your dog’s environment
  • Don’t let them get on the furniture. “The impact of jumping up and down onto sofas and chairs can be hugely damaging to their joints.”
  • If you have slippery floors in rooms well-used by your dog, consider putting down non-slip mats. “A dog can easily over-extend its limbs while running across such floors.”
  • Examine where your dog sleeps. Their bed should be big enough so they can lay flat out, stretch and easily alter their position.
  • Give them a pillow so they can fully support their neck when sleeping.
  • Let them sniff! “The natural position dogs adopt when they sniff around in the bushes is great exercise, allowing them to stretch their necks and spine while working leg muscles.”
  • Galen Myotherapy is a hands-on treatment - derived from massage - that treats dogs suffering from underlying conditions, such as RSI, and is used by Julia and her network of therapists across the UK and abroad.
She and her team will be demonstrating the treatment at Crufts this year and discussing such dangers with dog owners – which can also include routines outside the home, such as jumping out of car boots and playing too much fetch.

She says ball/stick throws should be limited to around two or three on walks and pooches should warm-up before they take part in such vigorous exercise.

She also advises using a ramp to help your dog get in and out of the car as leaping from boots and back seats has an enormous impact on their joints.

Julia said: “No dog owner wants to intentionally hurt their pet but unfortunately our homes and the activities we enjoy with them can cause them damage, which bit by bit, builds up to become chronic, often crippling, pain.

“This doesn’t mean we have to change our relationship with our four-legged pals but rather adapt our environments so they are more suited to them.

“Dogs have always been man’s best friend and by making a few changes in our homes we can ensure we are theirs.”

Julia and her team will be in Hall 3 Stand 28A at Crufts. For more information about Galen Myotherapy visit www.caninetherapy.co.uk
Vet charity PDSA launches annual writing competition


To celebrate World Book Day’s 20th anniversary (2 March) vet charity PDSA has teamed up with award-winning children’s writer Hilary Robinson to launch its annual writing competition...



To celebrate World Book Day’s 20th anniversary (2 March) vet charity PDSA has teamed up with award-winning children’s writer Hilary Robinson to launch its annual writing competition.

The competition is open to budding young writers, aged 16 or under, and this year’s theme is Animal Heroes. This coincides with Hilary’s latest book Flo of the Somme, which tells the story of a heroic dog who worked in the WW1 battlefields, delivering medical supplies to injured soldiers.

To help this year’s entrants, Hilary has started the story of Buddy: a pet who comes to live with twins Jess and James when their grandma moves into a care home. It’s now up to the young writers to complete the story – more details can be found at www.petprotectors.org.uk/writing.  

The winner – judged by Hilary – will receive an Amazon Kindle, a signed set of Hilary’s books, and a VIP tour with Hilary at a PDSA Pet Hospital. Three runners-up will each win a signed copy of Hilary’s latest book Flo of the Somme and a special PDSA Pet Protectors goodie bag.

Hilary commented: "I'm delighted to be taking part in the PDSA animal heroes writing competition, it's so important we do everything we can to look after our furry and four-legged friends. They've done so much for us - going all the way back to when they went to war for us 100 years ago! And one of the best things you can do, as well as support fantastic charities such as PDSA, is write about them and tell their stories for them, so please do send in your wonderful entries."

Hilary, who is an author, radio producer, broadcaster and feature writer, has written over 50 books for children and is perhaps best known for Mixed Up Fairytales as well as her WWI picture book series, created with War Horse illustrator Martin Impey.

Entries should be around 1,000 words and can be emailed to petprotectors@pdsa.org.uk or posted to: Young Writers Competition, PDSA Head Office, Whitechapel Way, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 9PQ. The closing date is 26 May 2017 and entrants should give their full name, date of birth, email address, plus their membership number if they are already a Pet Protector.

World Book Day is designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of and is observed in over 100 countries. It is the biggest celebration of its kind and helps to encourage millions of children to explore the pleasure of books and reading.

For more information on Hilary Robinson, visit www.hilaryrobinson.co.uk.
Record attempt by award-winning natural pet store


Award-winning Scampers Natural Pet Store is attempting to set a new record – to get the most French Bulldogs ever in one photograph.



Award-winning Scampers Natural Pet Store is attempting to set a new record – to get the most French Bulldogs ever in one photograph.

It’s all part of managing director Piers Smart’s attempt to bring to the public’s attention the wonderful work carried out by welfare charity Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue.

The picture will be taken by award-winning pet photographer Dion Gallichan and Piers will be donating £2.50 to the charity for every French Bulldog in the picture

Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue is run by volunteers dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming ‘Frenchies’ in need or at risk.

Phoenix will be running an open day at Scampers on Sunday, April 9, from 10am to 4pm, to talk about their mission and to find new foster homes and full time adopters, volunteers and fundraising events.

The charity will also be giving advice to new or potential owners of French Bulldogs, including health issues, behaviour and training.

For more information visit http://www.scampers.co.uk/phoenix-french-bulldog-rescue-open-day.asp
OATA offers alternatives for pond plants no longer for sale


As the pond season approaches, the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association is reminding retailers that they can no longer sell four popular pond plants – unless they already have a contract in place with their suppliers...



As the pond season approaches, the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association is reminding retailers that they can no longer sell four popular pond plants – unless they already have a contract in place with their suppliers.

American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana), Lagarosiphon major and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were banned from sale by the EU last year and retailers were given 12 months to sell their stock.

So unless retailers put in an order with plant suppliers before 31 August 2016 they must not sell them this year. None of these plants can be sold from August 2017 onwards.

OATA is also offering guidance to retailers to help them find suitable alternatives for the future. These are:

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), a floating pond plant
Alternatives include Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) (a British native plant)

Curly Waterweed (sometimes incorrectly labeled Elodea crispa) (Lagarosiphon major), a submerged pond plant
Best alternatives are any British native submerged aquatic plants

Yellow Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), a marginal/bog plant
A
lternative includes White Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis)

Cabomba caroliniana, a popular aquarium plant
Alternatives include Cabomba aquatica

Retailers should always check that their suppliers have correctly named plants to ensure they are not inadvertently selling plants they should not have on display.

OATA is also concerned that retailers may be offered Myriophyllum heterophyllum (a North American Water Milfoil) as an alternative submerged pond plant. This plant is known to be causing issues in other parts of Northern Europe and there is already a voluntary ban on selling this plant in Holland. The trade association is therefore calling on the UK industry to refrain from supplying and selling this plant to British pond owners.

“We do need to take care about selling plants that are causing an issue in Northern Europe where we have similar climate conditions – such as Myriophyllum heterophyllum,” explained OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“This is not a big seller in the UK so we’d ask the industry to act responsibly and not seek to replace any of the banned plants with one that has been flagged up as causing an issue. We have suggested some alternative plants to help industry replace those that can no longer be sold.”

Another concern is that retailers may turn to aquarium plant Egeria densa (which can sometimes be sold under the incorrect name Elodea densa). This plant should never be sold for use in ponds because of its potential to become invasive. This plant should only be sold for aquariums.

“This is another example of where the industry can act responsibly by not selling this tropical plant for ponds. It is not suitable for use in garden ponds because it tolerates cooler water too readily and it should only be sold for aquariums.”
 
MaxWax now available in clamshell packaging
When it comes to protecting dog paws, the inventors of the excellent Pawz Dog Boots know their stuff and now MaxWax has been repackaged into an easy display clamshell packaging...


When it comes to protecting dog paws, the inventors of the excellent Pawz Dog Boots know their stuff and now MaxWax has been repackaged into an easy display clamshell packaging.

MaxWax is 100% natural, made with beeswax, lanolin and vitamin E and creates a hydrophobic barrier for protecting the paw area. MaxWax can be used all year round to promote paw health and is perfect for moisturising dry and cracked pads. It is also ideal for protecting against pesticides, hot pavements and sand as well as snow and ice build- up between the pads.

As MaxWax is all natural and with human grade ingredients it is non-toxic and simple to apply.

MaxWax is available in a 60g round tin and a 200g tub.

For more information and pricing, either visit Collarways on stand T17 in the Esher Hall at PATS Sandown or contact the copapny now via www.collarways.com
Danish Design to unveil new products at PATS


Danish Design is excited to be exhibiting at PATS Sandown again this year and the company has lots of new products to showcase...



Danish Design is excited to be exhibiting at PATS Sandown again this year and the company has lots of new products to showcase.

The new Lumberjack range offers rustic style and comfort, in a characteristic check design available in three classic colour-ways.

In addition, Danish Design will be launching its new pet cooling mattress, which contains a non-toxic cooling gel to give pets instant relief in the warmer months.

And finally, the company has some new friendly faces to add to its Toystore and a new luxurious design in the ever-popular Cat Cosy.

You can see new products from Danish Design on stand L1, together with the full range. The company will be offering 10% discount for any orders placed at the show.

 
Bogar range of dental products set for trade show
C&T Pet Products, importers and distributors for the Bogar range of dental and wellbeing products, will be exhibiting at PATS Sandown for the first time.


C&T Pet Products, importers and distributors for the Bogar range of dental and wellbeing products, will be exhibiting at PATS Sandown for the first time.

Bogar products are natural with a purpose. 80% of dogs and cats in the UK having some dental issues. Bogar dental range is designed to avoid those costly visits to the vet and prevent revisits.

The whole range of products available in the UK will be on display with some floor and counter displays on offer at 20% off trade.

More information is available at PATS or from the sales office on 01539 624541.
Pet store excels at raw food training programme


The expert raw team at Scampers have set the standard in the natural pet retailing category with seven of their Pet Care Advisors passing the Natures Menu raw advisor training module...



The expert raw team at Scampers have set the standard in the natural pet retailing category with seven of their Pet Care Advisors passing the Natures Menu raw advisor training module!

Natures Menu is the only provider of specialist education and CPD in the raw sector and in conjunction with their veterinary team has also created a specialist pet store training programme including raw advisor, raw expert and raw consultant which is being exclusively offered to specialist natural pet stores who promote professional raw pet products.

Craig Taylor, Managing Director at Natures Menu, said: “The team at Scampers are totally dedicated to offering professional product advice and it’s a fantastic achievement for the team to have seven raw experts on hand to deal with consumers who want professional advice about switching to raw, raw products and raw safety.”

Craig went on to highlight that the increasing trend towards natural, raw feeding continues to rise, with raw feeding as the pinnacle of natural nutrition for pets. More and more pet parents who are interested in raw feeding want to know about transitioning their pet to raw, food safety, ingredients and how to feed the raw diet and the raw advisor course deals with these basic entry enquiries.

Sophie Maliszewski, who recently completed the course, said: "It was a little harder than I thought, but the questions guide you through very well and it has been really beneficial and helps in discussing raw food with customers, which is a huge, developing part of our business."

Sophie has already used her newly gleaned knowledge to advise customers with dogs with specific needs and feels the training has given her a higher supported level of knowledge. She said: "Knowledge and understanding is key to selling great and honest products, we get constant positive feedback from our customers too."

 
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Cyril ‘back on track’ thanks to PDSA after going loco with toy
A Plymouth pooch who swallowed a toy train has survived thanks to emergency surgery by vet charity PDSA...


A Plymouth pooch who swallowed a toy train has survived thanks to emergency surgery by vet charity PDSA.

Nine-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cyril, got his paws on a ‘Clarabel’ toy – the famous character from Thomas the Tank Engine at the family home in Torpoint.

The family realised something was wrong when their beloved pet stopped eating and started vomiting. Worried owner Lesley Mellor (40) rushed him in to Plymouth PDSA Pet Hospital, where x-rays revealed the cause of poor Cyril’s plight.

He was taken straight to the operating theatre, where PDSA vet David Jones carried out the life-saving surgery.

David said: “Whenever a dog swallows a foreign object, there is a very real risk of a blockage in the intestines, which could be fatal. So once we’d x-rayed Cyril we took him straight into theatre to operate. Surgery like this is very risky, because you never know what you might find, or what damage the object might have caused.”

Once the toy train carriage was removed, Cyril quickly recovered and was well enough to return home to Lesley and her son, Cameron, the next day.

Lesley added: “We were really worried about Cyril because he was so poorly, and needed a big operation. But I knew he was in the best place and would be taken care of. We were all relieved when we received the phone call to say the operation had gone well. I can’t thank PDSA enough for getting Cyril back home to his family.”

Every year, PDSA vets see hundreds of dogs who have eaten things they shouldn’t, including golf balls, tent pegs, rubber ducks and even knives, as vet David explained:

“As well as using their mouths to eat, dogs also use them to investigate objects. But in doing so they can swallow an item by mistake. This behaviour is known as ‘pica’ and can have disastrous consequences, which is why it’s important to keep small items away from hungry dogs.

“Cyril is just one of the lucky pets to benefit from PDSA’s emergency service which has received generous funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Thanks to their support we’re able to provide thousands of life-saving treatments across the UK.”
 
Arden Grange window display competition continues until March 31
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Arden Grange is inviting independent stockists of their products to take part in a product display competition with the chance of winning £1,000 in holiday vouchers...
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Arden Grange is inviting independent stockists of their products to take part in a product display competition with the chance of winning £1,000 in holiday vouchers.

Retailers simply need to create a memorable Arden Grange-themed display either in their window or store, take a picture of it and send it to competitions@ardengrange.com by March 31 2017. There will be four lucky winners each winning £1000 each.

To request a 20th Anniversary point of sale pack email marketing@ardengrange.com

For full terms and conditions visit www.ardengrange.com
 
Natures Menu wins prestigious service award
Natures Menu has won a Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, rated by real customers...
Natures Menu has won a Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, rated by real customers.

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded to businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine ratings and reviews. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique as all the awards are based purely on the interactions with verified customers. This feedback has been collated by the Feefo review platform, with the accolades being awarded based upon performance.

Natures Menu met the criteria of collecting at least 50 reviews last year, and achieved a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 5.0. In fact, the number of our satisfied customers excelled the Feefo threshold!

Bev Page, Sales & Customer Service Manager, at Natures Menu, commented: “It’s a pleasure to receive this award from Feefo. To be recognised for delivering exceptional experiences to our customers is a great achievement.

"Having been here for over 35 years, Natures Menu have always worked hard to ensure our customers receive the best service possible.

"Our team of trained advisors, all qualified in Raw Advisor training, listen, understand and respond to their customer needs and constantly strive to make the whole customer experience as enjoyable and effortless as possible.

"We have achieved the Feefo gold last year and now look forward to another successful year ahead.”

“We would like to offer our congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Feefo Trusted Service award. We are so proud that so many businesses are putting customer service first.,” said Andrew Mabbutt, CEO at Feefo.

“We have been working closely with all our customers to build trust and transparency online, and ultimately helping shoppers buy with confidence and make better decisions.” 
 
Lifestyle brand Henry Wag going to Crufts
The lifestyle brand, Henry Wag, creator of exciting and innovative life enhancing pet accessories, has teamed up with Petcetera to take the growing range to Crufts...



The lifestyle brand, Henry Wag, creator of exciting and innovative life enhancing pet accessories, has teamed up with Petcetera to take the growing range to Crufts.

Visitors will be able to view the Henry Wag product range on the Petcetera stand in Hall 5.

Henry Wag manufactures lifestyle products to influence attitudes to pet care and provide a better more caring lifestyle for pets. It does this by developing a unique range of lifestyle products to nurture and enhance the close partnership between pet and pet parent and simplify the tasks associated with this close relationship.

"As a lifestyle brand which prides itself on innovation, it is vital for us to interact with the users or our products," said a spokesman.

"Crufts gives us a great platform to engage with consumers for whom their dog forms a large part of their life and who form a large part of our target market. Part of our long term strategy to build closer relationships with the consumers who use our products and to understand their needs and requirements.

"As a long term supplier to Petcetera we are really grateful for the opportunity to work with them to promote the Henry Wag brand and present the product range to a large consumer audience."

The Henry Wag product range consists of Elevated beds, The Cool Mat, the Pet Ramp, an in-car travel range plus a range of crates and pens.

Further information on Henry Wag can be obtained at www.henrywag.com or by calling 01594 810990.

 
New recruit strengthens pet firm's sales team
Natures Menu has appointed Tina Byrne in a new role of UK Sales Trade Manager responsible for sales, education and merchandising in the trade and vet sectors..
Natures Menu has appointed Tina Byrne in a new role of UK Sales Trade Manager responsible for sales, education and merchandising in the trade and vet sectors, to help drive and manage the rapid growth within the RAW sector.

Tina has had a career within the pet trade spanning 30 years and brings with her a wealth of experience having worked in senior roles in Nestle Purina, Golden Acres, Tetra Aquatics and Arden Grange.

She said: “I am delighted to have been given this exciting opportunity to help continue to drive Natures Menu significant growth and future sales plans within the independent and vet sectors."

Natures Menu has seen a rapid uptake in sales and stockists of its raw and raw inspired meals within the trade and veterinary sectors and has appointed a number of senior managers to the business over recent months.

The company will open a new multi-million site at Snetterton in Autumn 2017 to create further capacity for its existing portfolio as well as the operational capability to deliver new and innovative products into the market.

As Natures Menu continues its exponential growth, the company is seeking to recruit further Area Sales Managers for the South East, North and Midlands. Interested parties should contact Tina by email t.byrne@naturesmenu.co.uk
 
Laurence Pearman awarded Fellowship of the Society of Master Saddlers
This year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition saw a prestigious Fellowship awarded to one of the leading figures in the industry...


This year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition saw a prestigious Fellowship awarded to one of the leading figures in the industry.

Held at Saddlers’ Hall in London and supported by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the event provided the ideal occasion to present Laurence Pearman with his Fellowship and this was presented by the guest of honour HRH The Princess Royal.

Society of Master Saddlers’ Chief Executive, Hazel Morley described Laurence as a man who has saddlery running through his veins.

Said Hazel: “He is one of only a handful of people who have served as President on two occasions, in 2004 and 2012.

“Laurence is a Liveryman of the Saddlers’ Company, Chairman of the South West Region of the SMS and gives up his time to sit on many committees to help develop saddlery and saddle fitting.

“He is a great supporter of the apprenticeships having trained many of them over the years.  He regularly lectures and assesses for the Society’s saddle fitting course as well as assisting with the saddlery skill assessments and flocking qualification.”

Added a delighted Laurence, owner of Cirencester Saddlery: “I couldn’t believe it when I realised Hazel was talking about me.  It is just fantastic and a very special honour to receive.

“I knew absolutely nothing about it.  The award was a very well-kept secret and is just brilliant.”
 
Computer giant Acer enters UK pet market
The team behind world-leading Acer computers has launched a revolutionary pet care product called Pawbo, a web camera which enables pet owners to interact with their animals even if they're not in the same room. The camera features two-way communication and even contains a treat dispenser...


Products that offer pet owners peace of mind, and increase their pets’ happiness and wellbeing, are without doubt bestsellers within the retail environment.

The growth of pets as family members has far outstripped expectation in recent years, leading to this ongoing trend within pet products – from organic foods to accessories that drive better quality of life building strong profitability for retailers. This year, retailers need to look no further for the ‘next big thing’: introducing the Pawbo - a revolutionary pet care innovation.

Created by the team behind world-leading Acer computers, the Pawbo packs a lot of technology into one sleek unit. Taking the concept of a web camera, the Pawbo offers so much more.

The interactive camera features two-way communication, live games for direct pet/owner interaction, a treat dispenser, video/ imagery storage via DropBox as well as social media link-up routes, and multi-user compatibility. 

All of this comes as a single robust product that is designed to withstand the inevitable wear and tear that unattended pets can create.

A spokesperson for Pawbo said: “No matter where we look, it has become clear that the role of a pet has changed greatly in recent years.

"Many cats and dogs are now viewed as a part of the family, and as such the annual expenditure on pet-related products – particularly those that focus on happiness and wellbeing – has risen significantly.

"We therefore felt that now was the perfect time to bring the Pawbo to the marketplace. Offering peace of mind, the product is set to revolutionise the lives of both pet owners and pets.”

Not only does the Pawbo offer an unrivalled opportunity for pet owners, but it is also set to help retailers drive profits in the year ahead.

Each unit comes complete in compact packaging, that includes everything consumers need to set the unit up at home. This specially designed packaging means more unit per shelf, and ultimately more money in the tills. 

Additionally, for e-commerce sites, the packaging is designed for easy and low cost shipment, keeping the profitable margin healthy.

The Pawbo team has also created some great video content that can be used to support sales in the retail environment whether in person or online. Demonstrating how the Pawbois used, the video is an eye catching and aspirational sales tool.

Add-on sales complete the Pawbo offering. A whole family of Pawbo interactive tools and accessories will shortly be made available, offering retailers a great opportunity for repeat sales and increased brand loyalty.

At a glance to Pawbo

  • Treat dispensing camera designed for small dogs and cats
  • 720P HD live video and 130° Wide-Angle Lens, supported by high-quality sound
  • Allows up to eight users to chat with your pet through Pawbo at one time, with all users able to operate the interactive functions simultaneously
  • Six built-in ringtones to attract your pet’s attention
  • Built-in games for interacting with your pet, with the capability of extending functions via wireless connection
  • Push-to-Talk function allows your pet to hear your voice at the touch of a button
  • Via the Pawbo Life app users are able to to control multiple Pawbo devices and operate multiple Pawbo accessories
  • The Pawbo Life app is also compatible with social media platforms, enabling users to instantly upload images of their pets
  • Supports video storage via Dropbox, allowing a maximum 15 minutes of video recording.

 To find out more about Pawbo please visit www.pawbo.com.

 
King British launches product guide
The new King British Product Guide provides retailers with a comprehensive guide to the company's extensive range...

The new King British Product Guide provides retailers with a comprehensive guide to the company's extensive range.

It also lists handy ‘go-to’ product data, training opportunities and marketing support such as in-store material and online digital support.

A spokesperson said: "We have carried out extensive research, into developing nutritionally advanced formulas with optimum vitamin levels and amino acid profiles. Our sophisticated delivery formats (such as stabilised Vitamin C) ensure that King British foods are ideal for feeding continuously to ensure healthy, colourful and active fish.

"All King British fish foods are made using only the finest ingredients, such as hydrolysed fish protein (as supposed to fishmeal). Enzymatic hydrolysis is used in the processing of the fish protein. This increases protein digestibility, therefore increasing the amount of protein available to the fish and reducing the amount of waste produced. This ensures good water quality, which is so vital in maintaining fish health.

"Unique, only to King British, is our Immuno Health Booster (IHB). IHB is an ‘immunomodulator’ and a major breakthrough in nutritional science. It regulates the immune system, producing immunostimulants as well as suppressing them when necessary, helping to avoid auto-immune diseases or infections. This naturally helps fish to reduce stress to optimise their health and longevity. IHB is suitable for all coldwater, tropical and marine fish that will eat prepared dry food.

"All King British flake foods and some of our specialist foods contain IHB including King British Goldfish Flake, King British Tropical Flake and King British Cichlid Flake, King British Cichlid Sticks and King British Algae Wafers. In trials, 97% of fish keepers reported improvements in vitality, general health or an inclination to breed after feeding with King British flake foods.

"To complement our King British fish foods, our water treatments and medicines, will provide all types of fish keeper; from the first timer to the hobbyist, with a fully comprehensive range to ensure that they maintain healthy, happy fish.

"King British Safe Home is a single application treatment which has been specially formulated to aid fish health during times of stress. Stressful situations include being netted, travelling, exposure to poor water quality, introduction to a new environment and water changes.

"King British offer aquatic retailers a neat and compact safe home station for use in-store, which comes complete with King British Safe Home and King British Fish Bags, allowing your customers to take their new fish home with the peace of mind that they will travel safely and be introduce to their new environment without stress."

If you would like to request a King British Product Guide call 0333 0066236 or visit kingbritish.co.uk.
 
Company offers new dog owners a week off to look after pets
Brewdog, Scotland's largest craft brewer, is now giving employees a week's paid holiday to look after a new dog...
Brewdog, Scotland's largest craft brewer, is now giving employees a week's paid holiday to look after a new dog.

It allows staff to make sure their four-legged friend gets comfortable in its new home without being left alone for long periods of time.

Once the week is over, the company encourages staff to bring their dogs with them to work.

Brewdog co-founder, James Watt, hopes the initiative reflects the company's commitment to a great benefit scheme, as well as a love of dogs.

"It's not easy trying to juggle work and settle a new dog into your life, and many members of our crew have four-legged friends at home," Watt said in a statement.

"So we wanted to take the stress out of the situation and let our teams take the time they need to welcome their new puppy or dog into their family.

"We always want to raise the bar when it comes to offering our staff the best possible benefits; at BrewDog, we care about two things above all else. People and beer. We also just really really like dogs."

The company's Aberdeen HQ currently has around 50 office dogs, but this new bonus will be available to all BrewDog employees around the world, including the brewery's new base in Columbus, Ohio.
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