Natural pet supplements business Lintbells, whose brands include the popular YuMove, has expanded its operation by acquiring US company Walkin' Pets.

Established by Mark Robinson in New Hampshire in 2001, the company offers a range of support products designed to extend an active and quality life to pets, including wheelchairs, harnesses and braces. 

Lintbells announced the acquisition was part of its global growth strategy.

Lintbells chief executive Fiona Hope said: “The Lintbells mission and values align perfectly with Walkin’ Pets, so I’m delighted to welcome the brand and team into the Lintbells family.  We both share a deep commitment to helping pets stay ‘active for life’ and are well-known for the efficacy and science behind our products as well as the highest levels of customer care and educational support.

“Lintbells is an ambitious business, and this acquisition moves us into a completely new but aligned sector and supports our global growth strategy as we move towards becoming a global pet healthcare company.”

The addition of Walkin' Pets will enable Lintbells to extend the breadth of its support in the UK from pet supplements into physical support products. 

Lintbells plans to grow sales not only by expanding its newly acquired mobility aids business, but also introducing YuMOVE supplements to the Walkin’ Pets community.

A leading pet superstore has won the 2022 Business Growth Award at the New Forest Brilliance Awards. 

Healthy Pet Store based in Hampshire was awarded the Business Growth accolade for its incredible sales growth since launching in 2014.

The pet store was recognised for its expansion, just two years after moving into its current and newly refurbished store in Totton. 

During 2021, the growing pet store reached its £1 million revenue target and has become one of the county’s leading independent pet retailers of frozen meals for dogs and cats and unique accessories. 

To support the growth of the business Healthy Pet Store expanded its team, including appointing a new Operations Manager to oversee fundamental departments of the business such as purchasing, logistics and warehousing. 

Managing Director Deborah Burrows said: “Winning this award is a huge milestone for Healthy Pet Store. Since 2014, our vision has been to be the most approachable and most knowledgeable pet food and accessories retailer. We are very excited to continue building this vision. 

“2023 is going to be a really exciting year for us and I can’t wait to grow our brand, the team and our variety of products.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to the other finalists. We are all operating in an incredibly challenging environment and this is something all businesses should recognise and be hugely proud of.

“I am very excited for Healthy Pet Store to continue on this rollercoaster of a journey.”

Sponsor of the Business Growth category Phill Morgan from GetSet Solent presented the team with its award.

Healthy Pet Store is the biggest of its kind in the country by square footage and is recognised as the home of waggy tails across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

Pictured: Healthy Pet Store team celebrating with Phil Morgan (middle) sponsor of the Business Growth category. (Photo credit: Dave Dodge Photography)

PATS Sandown has chosen welfare group Animal Rescue and Care (ARC) as its chosen charity for 2023.

The UK’s Spring pet industry exhibition takes place on 26-27 March 2023 when an impressive list of suppliers and manufacturers will take the opportunity to showcase hundreds of next products.

The New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, will be a major attraction at the exhibition as it gives visiting retailers and buyers a first look at what’s new and innovative in the market.

Once the show has finished items from the Showcase will be donated to ARC.

ARC spokesperson Victoria Patterson said: “Animal Rescue and Care is delighted that PATS has chosen us as its exhibition’s charity again in 2023.

“Given the current cost of living crisis, your support is more needed than ever. 

“As in previous years, all the goods donated to us will be used by animals in our care or sold to raise money that goes directly to helping them. We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Launched in 2001, ARC has grown from small beginnings to a local charity that has helped over 8,000 animals. The charity’s priority is to rescue, foster and rehome animals in the Richmond upon Thames area.

Visitors can register online for free entry now at www.patshow.co.uk where there is also a full list of exhibitors and information on how to reach the venue.

More about ARC can be found on the charity’s website www.animalrescueandcare.org.uk

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has announced a new partnership today with Fuel Card Services to help PIF members save money on petrol and diesel.  

Fuel Card Services offers a large range of fuel cards from leading brands such as BP, Shell, Esso and UK Fuels; PIF members will be able to decide which card best suits their business. 

Fuel cards will help PIF members on a daily basis in terms of : 

• Cutting fuel costs - saving up to 10p per litre 
• Increased security - fuel cards are a safer alternative to carrying cash and eliminate fraud
• Streamline admin - HMRC compliant invoices, no receipts, one neat invoice and a dedicated account manager
• Tighter control of business expenses - transactions and reports available online 24/7
• Increased flexibility for refuelling across a huge network

PIF CEO, Nigel Baker, commented: “Here at PIF we are always looking at new benefits for our members. We are extremely aware of how difficult the economic climate is at the moment, particularly with fuel costs at such a high level. 

“Partnering with Fuel Card Services will enable PIF members to choose the best fuel card for their business and start saving money on a daily basis, whether they run one vehicle or a whole fleet.”

PIF members will be emailed details on how to apply for their fuel card. To join PIF today, visit www.petfederation.co.uk

An RSPCA charity shop in Worcester is one of the latest outlets to set up a pet food bank as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the UK.

Manager Sam Fredericks set up the food bank to help pet owners struggling financially.

Sam said: “I've been brought to tears with how bad people are struggling. It has all been made possible by our rehoming centre where donations for the pet food bank and for the shop can be dropped off.”

The rehoming centre supplied the food for the bank initially as they were not able to use some donated products in time, and didn’t want it to go to waste.

Sam, who is hoping to make the food bank a permanent fixture in the shop, added: “So far the it has been a real success for people in desperate need of help.

“It would be great to continue it after the New Year and if we could get some pet stores, however big or small, to get behind us that would be fantastic.

“We would also like to encourage people to donate anything that owners might need for their pets.”

Any shops wishing to support the RSPCA food bank in Worcester can contact Sam on 07411593324 or sam@rspcaworcester.org.uk.

Elsewhere, a pet owner in Melksham has also set up a food bank. Wendy Isaacs, who used to own a pet shop in the Wiltshire town, runs the service through a Facebook page.

Wendy told the Melksham Independent News website: “Many people are struggling to feed their families at the moment, let alone their pets and as a result, people’s pets are hungry, or they are having to get rid of them.”

• Two-thirds (66%) of dog owners are spending up to £480 more a year on their pet due to rising costs  
• The average dog owner spends £348 each month on their pooch 
• Popular breeds cost owners up to 202% more compared to the national average  

As the cost-of-living crisis stretches household finances, new research from MoneySuperMarket reveals that more than three-quarters (76%) of dog owners have seen an increase in maintenance costs for their four-legged friends. Two-thirds (66%) of UK dog owners now spend up to £480 more on their furry friends each year.   

Pet owners confessed they expected average monthly costs for their dogs to stand at £157, which explains why 40% are shocked at actual costs. Average monthly spend on pooches now stands at £348, more than double the anticipated amount. 

Dog food and treats are the monthly expenses that have the biggest impact on wallets, with the average owner purchasing £68 worth of food for their pup. Coming in second place are vet bills and treatments, which average £67 each month. In some extreme situations, as many as one in 20 (5%) are worried they’ll have to give up their dog because they cannot afford the monthly expenses. 

Data from the Association for British Insurers (ABI) shows that the average trip to the vets cost a hefty £848 in 2021. With more than a quarter (27%) of dog owners not having pet insurance and one-fifth (20%) saying their dog has health issues, many could be at risk of forking out thousands if their pet falls ill.  

When it comes to pet expenses, the breed of dog can have a big impact. Topping the list of pricey pooches are Beagles, whose owners report spending 202% more on their pups each month compared to the national average (£348), at a whopping £1,050.  

When looking at the five most popular breeds in the UK by pet insurance enquiries, MoneySuperMarket’s internal data reveals Labradors came out on top in 2022, with 107,643 enquiries. At a monthly cost of £337, Labrador owners spend slightly below average for pet essentials. In contrast, the fourth most popular breed for pet insurance enquiries, the French Bulldog, costs owners £212 more than the national average each month, as expenses hit £549.  

The reason why costs for each breed differ so widely can be partly attributed to varying pet insurance prices for different breeds. A third (33%) of Brits choose to buy their dog from a registered breeder and some popular breeds are prone to experience health problems. Owners of these breeds see this reflected in pricing for their pet insurance. For example, Frenchie owners pay the highest pet insurance premiums for their beloved companions at an average monthly cost of £114, according to MoneySuperMarket’s survey of UK pet owners. This may be due to the fact the breed has a significantly higher risk of 20 common disorders – including narrowed nostrils and obstructive airways syndrome – according to the Royal Veterinary College. 

Saarrah Mussa, pet insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket said: “We don’t like to think about our pets getting sick or being hurt, but vet appointments and treatment can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, especially if your pet needs out of hours emergency care. 

“Pet insurance isn’t one size fits all. The cost depends on factors such as cover, breed, age and previous conditions, so it’s important to compare policies to find the right cover at the best price. When you’re comparing policies check the extra benefits that are included, for instance free video vet consultations, dental cover or pet travel insurance, to see what could add the most value for your pet. 

“There are three tips to try when you’re comparing policies to get the best price for your pet insurance. Number one is to pay annually, if you can, because overall it can be cheaper than paying monthly. Secondly, think about the excess - this is the amount you pay towards a vet’s bill if you need to make a claim. The higher the excess, the lower the cost of the policy. Just make sure you can afford to pay a higher excess if you do need to make a claim. Thirdly, if your finances are stretched, consider reducing the level of cover or changing the type of policy to help bring the cost down.” 

Find out more about pet insurance via the MoneySuperMarket website.  

Award-winning brand Furr Boost has seen its smoothie drinks products for pets profiled in the Raye The Store in Regents Street, London.

Nicole Compen, founder of Raye, said: “Raye The Store is on a mission to support innovative and emerging food, drink and wellness brands in building awareness via experiential retail. 

“It is a travelling showcase championing brands with honesty of intention, natural ingredients and quality design. Over the past 5+ years Raye has been supporting small businesses building strong brand and marketing strategies from Antwerp to New York, and now London. Shoppers are able to experience a handpicked range of new brands, often seen in-store for the very first time, and learn about the stories that built them.”

Furr Boost was created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal. Louise’s Beagle, Phoebe at the age of 18 months became unwell with bladder problems which after investigations with her vet, were linked to the dog’s food. Using her technical background, Louise then started experimenting with protein shakes to help flush out Phoebe’s system and to provide her with the hydration that she needed when she was refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. This led to the creation of the Furr Boost range of smoothies.

Louise said: “There is no one else making a product like ours. Yes, there are drinks on the market that are botanical, broth based and electrolyte based etc, but none that are like a natural smoothie. Each of our recipes contains a meat, fruit and vegetable, along with added oils and vitamins, so it’s more than a hydration drink, it supports the dog’s wellbeing in areas such as digestion, skin and coat, anxiety, metabolism and immunity.”

Furr Boost can be used in a variety of ways. Served frozen, it can be placed in a Kong Toy or lick mat for dog training or as a distraction, or simply given to a dog as a tasty icy treat. Unfrozen, it can be added as a topper to meals or on hot days, simply pour into a bowl for instant hydration. In the winter, it provides a comforting nutritious drink for dogs and is particularly good for senior dogs when they need help with their digestion and diet.

Furr Boost is available in three tasty varieties which all use the best quality 100% natural human grade ingredients: Chicken, Butternut Squash & Cranberry, Pork, Apple & Sweet Potato and Beef, Broccoli & Blueberry. Other added ingredients include flaxseed, coconut and salmon oils, dried sea kelp, chicory root extract, yeast beta glucan, vitamins B&C and water.

Furr Boost is also a sustainable product using packaging materials which are recyclable avoiding single use plastic as each smoothie is available in a Tetra Pak Carton.

The brand recently did the double for pet product innovation by winning the Best Dog Product at the PIF Awards and Best Pet Product of the Year (Food and Treats) at the PetQuip Awards

For further information visit: www.furrboost.com

For trade enquiries contact Louise Toal on Tel: 01746 785 410 email: customerservices@furrboost.com or visit the wholesale page: www.furrboost.com/wholesale

Suffering burns from a fireplace, swallowing pine needles and drinking alcohol are some of the accident’s British pets have endured over previous festive seasons, reveals new research by Vester.

Over half of British pet owners (54%) admitted that their animals have been injured over holidays past, as vets urge owners to be on guard this year. 

The findings by the digital platform which connects licensed veterinarians with pet owners, virtually, showed that top injuries over the festive season included pets playing and eating baubles (17%), followed by fur babies eating food they shouldn't (14%). Pets getting distressed by too many guests were also top of the list, followed by pets climbing Christmas trees (11%) and ripping open presents under the Christmas tree (11%). 

Moreover, 5% of owners have caught their animal’s drinking alcohol, (5%) of pets have been burnt by an open fire and 4% said their animal had swallowed pine needles from the Christmas tree. 16% of pet owners had to take their animal to the vet after it was injured over the festive period.

Dr Jo Myers, a practicing veterinarian at Vetster, said: “It’s really important to keep an extra eye on pets over Christmas. Many will find the period quite stressful with new faces in and out of the house and lots of noise as excitement levels start to escalate.

“Ensuring pets are supervised and have a safe place to retreat to when it all gets too much will help reduce the risk of accidents. It’s also vital that harmful foods such as chocolate are well out of reach, along with candles which may catch a waggy tail.

“Pet owners should also tell their guests not to feed an animal unless they ask first to not only reduce the problem of ingesting something bad, but also to ensure the animal sticks to its usual diet which is key to managing their stress.”

While keeping a dog out of harm’s way at Christmas can be stressful, the research showed some owners are only too happy to have the animal around and use them as excuses for their own Christmas mishaps.

Almost one third (28%) admit to walking the dog to take a break from Christmas guests and more than one in 10 (12%) have opened a present early and then blamed it on the dog.

If your pet needs a veterinarian over the festive period, Vetster offers 24/7 online appointments and can help with dermatology, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract, ophthalmology and musculoskeletal issues, to name a few. Visit www.vetster.com  

Pictured: Dixie, a 2-year-old Standard Dachshund, got his paws on chocolate and ingested too much and became incredibly sick.

Burns Pet Nutrition has announced the winner of its Charity of the Year Award. Of the six charities nominated, Makants Greyhound Rescue NW in Mort Lane Tyldesley was chosen as the winning charity.

The prize is tailored to the needs of the charity and as such, Makants Greyhound Rescue will receive an ongoing supportive partnership with the natural pet food company, which includes meeting all feeding needs for the charity for an entire year, typically the largest overhead for an animal welfare charity.  It also includes staff training, dog training and all the feed for rehoming packs and multiple promotional opportunities.

Makants main objectives is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome retired and injured greyhounds. They are supported by a great team of volunteers who help fundraise, foster and care for their greyhounds.

They are a completely independent self-funded charity and, being a single breed rescue they care solely for greyhounds. Their rehoming teams also remain in contact with the adoptive family during the first few months to offer any help or advice that is needed.

The charity also takes their greyhounds on visits to Care Homes for older people and to schools and youth groups such as Cubs. They have become well respected in their local community and have attended many community events such as Christmas light 'switch ons' and other charity events.

Everyone connected with the rescue is a volunteer and many have been with the charity since the rescue center was founded.

The scheme, which recognises and rewards the outstanding achievement of animal welfare organisations throughout the UK has run each year since 2015.

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

The founder of Makants Greyhound Rescue, Siobhan Hoppley said: “Being awarded the Burns Charity of the Year Award for outstanding achievement is a great honour. To be recognised for the work we do, and to have a supportive partnership with a company such as Burns Pet Nutrition, can only be hugely beneficial. Having all our feeding needs net for a year is especially very welcome in these economically challenging times.

“We will be secure in the knowledge that our greyhounds, being fed on Burns products, will thrive in our care before ultimately finding their forever homes.

We very much look forward to working with Burns Pet Nutrition over the coming year and, with their support, we believe we can help even more greyhounds into homes”.

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

In light of the significant growth in treating patients, Highland Vet Referrals have taken steps to rebrand and relocate. 

Formerly known as Crown Vet Referrals, Highland Vet Referrals offer an extensive referral service in Inverness. The referral team, led by Clinical Director, Bruce Nevill, has seen an uprise in patients in recent years. 

Having opened to referred patients on Monday 21 November 2022, the new state-of the-art referral centre, Highland Vet Referrals, provides advanced referral veterinary care to patients across the Highlands and the North of Scotland. 

Sandra Campbell, Practice Director at Crown Vet Referrals, said: 

“Due to the significant number of referral patients we’ve treated in recent years, we’ve now outgrown our first opinion and referrals practice at Argyle Street – It is therefore important that we move sites to continue to deliver exceptional veterinary referral care. 

“Our dedicated team of vets and nurses are driven to achieve the best outcomes for patients while maintaining the highest standards of care for patients.”

To support the growth in referred patient cases, the new 3,000sq ft referral practice includes state-of-the-art equipment and extended clinical services including two new dedicated operating theatres, three consulting rooms, a laboratory, separate cat and dog wards, and a new CT scanner enabling the team to perform a variety of surgical procedures, including spinal surgery. 

Given the relocation, there are future plans to create several job opportunities for new roles at the new centre. 

Highland Vet Referrals opened to referred patients on Monday 21^st November 2022. For more information, visit highlandvetreferrals.co.uk.

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An expert at a leading dog training app has revealed the surprising thing that dog owners should do to help pooches prepare for New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks.

While celebrating one year ending and welcoming in a new year is cause for jubilation in most people’s calendars, the associated celebratory fireworks can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for both new and even experienced dog owners.

Fireworks can often cause dogs across the UK to feel frightened and stressed, and in extreme circumstances can even make them bolt or run away.

In 2021, the RSCPA received a staggering 11,785 responses, each detailing the fear responses demonstrated by animals towards fireworks1, showing the impact this has on pets, and how critical it is for owners to help their dogs prepare. 

It’s important for owners to plan ahead of this annual event, so to lend a helping hand, Annie Mae-Levy, dog behaviour expert at Woofz, the first truly dog-centric app, has revealed the exact thing owners should be doing, and you may be surprised:

“We’re often told that we should avoid the sound of fireworks and mask it with classical music or the TV, but masking the sound of fireworks does not actually prepare your dog to cope with the sound if they were to hear it on a walk or in their own home or garden – where they should always feel safe and relaxed. My advice instead is to tackle the issue head-on, by playing gentle firework sounds on a music speaker in the house well before the lead-up to New Year’s Eve.

“Not only does this help to prepare your dog, and familiarise them with the sound, but by having greater control of the noise and being with them as you play it, you can help them to feel more relaxed and learn to cope with it. The aim is to start at a really low volume and watch your dog. If they’re showing any signs of stress, lower the volume! If they can be distracted with toys/ food / affection, then you might be able to try a higher volume. This is what we call gradual desensitisation! With enough time and practice your dog will learn that these noises are just a part of everyday life. Try building up the volume you play the firework sounds at, adding a couple of minutes each time, as well as playing it at various times throughout the day so they become used to its unpredictability.

“It’s important not to panic and show fear in your own tone of voice, but actually a really common misconception that we cannot comfort our dogs. Calm, long strokes and a relaxed tone of voice can be comforting in this context (regardless of the phrase we use!) If you show your dog that you are worried or concerned for them, they will pick up on these signs and think there is something to fear.”

Other tips recommended by Woofz to help owners support their dogs through New Year celebrations include:

• If you haven’t had time to prepare this year, you may be best getting in touch with your vet to see if they can prescribe you some temporary medication which will help your dog to relax.

• Double check that your dog is microchipped, wearing a tag and your garden is secure. Fireworks night is the most common time that dogs will spook and run away! I would suggest always having a lead on after dark for toilet breaks and never leaving the dog outside unsupervised.

• Create a den-like safe space for your dog to go into and hide in should they want to. Essential lavender oil can be really calming for dogs, so I tend to rub this into any blankets or bedding inside the den too.

• Draw blinds / curtains closed so that the dog cannot observe the flashing of light from the fireworks.

• Walk your dog during the day when it’s light outside to avoid the times when fireworks are most likely to go off
• Keep all windows and doors closed to reduce the sound of the fireworks
• When your dog needs to go to the bathroom, go outside with them so they feel safer and calmer
• Keep your dog distracted with a treat dispenser or brain stimulation toy so they focus on the activity as opposed to the noise of the fireworks

Woofz is a tried and tested dog app that helps you unlock the secrets to what makes your pet tick and create a more harmonious pet-person relationship with dog training lessons, pet tracker functionality, a puppy log, and a handy pet clicker tool all in one app.

Woofz is available on both iOS and Android devices via the App store or Google Play Store.

For more information, visit www.woofz.com or search ‘Woofz’ in the app store.

The British Independent Retailers Association has thanked the Welsh Government for its recent announcement it will be supporting independent retailers into 2023.

The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, recently wrote to the Welsh leaders, highlighting the struggle independent retailers and the high street have suffered since 2020 and the pandemic - and has asked leaders to offer extra support for them.

Today it was announced that there would be a package worth more than £460m over the next two years.

The package will provide a boost to businesses across Wales which are struggling to cope with the impacts of high inflation and surging energy costs. It operates in addition to permanent relief schemes from the Welsh Government which are already providing £240m of relief to ratepayers across Wales this year.

The non-domestic rates multiplier has been frozen for 2023-24, at a cost of more than £200m over the next 2 years. This ensures there will again be no inflationary increase in the amount of rates businesses and other ratepayers are paying.

Andrew Goodacre (pictured), CEO of BIRA said: "This month we wrote to the Welsh government asking for the same approach to business rates that we have seen announced in England. I am delighted that we have been listened to today the Welsh government announced that the business rates multiplier will be frozen, and the retail discount will be increased to 75% (from 50%) for eligible businesses.

"This is good news and these changes will be implemented as from April 2023. We now hope the Scottish government follow suit in its budget announcement later this week.”

There are many reasons why you should introduce fish into your dog’s diet. Fish is a great source of Omega 3 which is an essential fatty acid. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help to condition the coat and skin and aid in joint mobility and cardiac health. The omega oils contained in fish are also good for brain development as well.

If you feed your dogs some types of fish treats, you will find that they are great for their dental health as the rough texture of dried fish skin encourages dogs to chew and remove any tartar from their teeth. It aids in digestion as fish protein reduces the growth of unwanted gut bacteria and is a help for dogs with sensitive tummies and older dogs with slower digestive systems. Fish is also low in fat so it is perfect as a tasty treat, avoiding any obesity issue which is so important in aging dogs.

Specialising in natural pet foods, treats and quality pet accessories, Natural Cornish Pet based in St Erth, Cornwall voted UK Pet Retailer of the Year in 2021 at the PetQuip Awards has a tasty range of fish-based toppers and treats to reward your dog with as well as cold-pressed food range, Aflora, that contains fish.

The fish treat range includes bags of natural dried sprats, fish finger chews, big fish salmon potato cookies and white fish cubes plus many others (visit website to see current offerings.)  All are available to buy in a range of bag sizes from small treat pouch size up to 5kg bags.

Natural Cornish Pet’s Boost and Nourish range consists of meal toppers in Cornish Salmon, Cornish Whitefish and Cornish Redfish varieties. These are ideal for adding that fishy goodness to any meal. 

Natural Cornish Pet’s Salmon Oil Made from 100% fresh, ethically and sustainably sourced quality Scottish Salmon. Packed with long and short chain Omega 3 & 6 to deliver a wide range of health benefits to your dogs. Older dogs will benefit from anti-inflammatory properties that should help aid in the reduction of any pains from the onset of arthritis.

For further information visit www.naturalcornishpet.co.uk. For trade enquiries visit: Natural Pet Wholesale — Natural Cornish Pet Wholesale

Rain, sleet and snow fell throughout the day in really cold temperatures at the All Wales Nursery Final on Saturday 10^th December, 2022 at Rhosgoch, Anglesey.

With Suffolk lambs truly testing the skills of 30 handlers and dogs from the 2 teams of 15 from North and South Wales who had had to qualify at their respective finals.

Having battled it out over a large, difficult course in adverse weather conditions the ultimate winner and Champion was Kevin Evans from Libanus, South Wales with his North Wales bred dog, Hendre Sam dropping just 6 points.   

Reserve Champion was Dewi Jenkins, Taly bont, Ceredigion with his young bitch, Holly, losing just 9 points and South Wales won the Top Team award.

Both Kevin and Dewi are sponsored by CSJ and feed their dogs on CSJ’s CP30 and Salmon Oil.

There’s more on www.csjk9.com

Asda has become the first UK supermarket to launch a multi-partner frozen raw pet food proposition.

The supermarket has teamed up with several pet food partners, including Poppy’s Picnic, Wilsons Pet Food, Billy & Margot and Nurture Them Naturally.

The new frozen bays have been implemented in six Asda stores.

Pet owners in Minworth, Queslett, West Bridgford, Gateshead, Eastlands and Caerphilly, will be able to pick up products such as Bubble & Squeak, Turkey Dinner, Pork & Beef Complete and Duck for their furry friends.

If customers are considering exploring raw food for the first time, Asda will also be stocking frozen ‘Power Balls’ from Poppy’s Picnic, perfectly portioned balls of meat which are ideal for embarking on a raw diet with their pet.  

As well as introducing the new frozen bay to its stores, Asda is also expanding its ambient ranges, including new partners YuMove, who offer joint supplements for dogs, and a selection of treats and rewards from leading pet food brands.

Strategic Pet Care Partnerships Lead at Asda, Chris Richards, said: “The launch marks a significant innovation milestone in the evolution of ASDA Pet Care. As more customers look for high quality and nutritious alternatives for their pets, we're delighted to be collaborating with our partners to offer an exciting range of frozen raw pet food. Along with YuMove, the UKs leading Pet supplement brand, usually only available to be purchased from specialist retailers.”

The new multi-partner freezer bay will stock frozen raw pet food starting from £1.95.

Pets at Home has joined forces with leading product discovery platform, RangeMe, as it bids to find the bestsellers of tomorrow.

RangeMe will give Pets at Home faster and easier access to thousands of new brands and suppliers from across the world – inviting any business, of any size, to submit their product suggestions.

Not only will it streamline the process of sourcing new suppliers and open the door for new relationships, RangeMe will also ensure these suppliers meet the high standards set out in Pets at Home’s Supplier Code of Conduct, against criteria including animal welfare, ethical and technical practices and sustainability.

Pets at Home says this new partnership will mean the process of finding new products and making them available to customers will be quicker than ever, and it is also optimistic the platform will enable them to give even more opportunity to smaller businesses in the sector.

Kate Robinson, Concept Development & Innovation Manager at Pets at Home, said: “Partnering with RangeMe helps us to take our buying process to the next level, giving us access to a larger variety of innovative and on-trend pet products.

"It also gives our potential future suppliers an easier route to showcase their products directly to the relevant category team.

"Ultimately, it enables us to make more informed decisions on suppliers quicker and bring exciting new pet products that put pets’ wellbeing and happiness first, to our customers in a matter of weeks.” 

Nicky Jackson, CEO at RangeMe, said: “As the leading pet retailer in the UK, we are thrilled to add Pets at Home as another of the large UK retailers we support. RangeMe makes the process easier for retailers and suppliers to connect and simultaneously continue to grow their businesses. Currently we have more than 200,000 suppliers signed up, providing an incredible amount of choice in products for retailers.”    

The Bug Factory, which claims to provide a sustainable future for pet food, is launching its line of environmentally-friendly hardware for pet owners across the world. 

The Bug Factory manufactures eco-growing pods designed for people’s homes that harness insect power to recycle food waste and convert it into pet food and plant fertiliser. 

The pods are manufactured from recycled British fridge and freezers and aim to empower consumers to create their own affordable, sustainable and continuous source of animal feed while recycling their uneaten fruit. 

Founded in 2019, The Bug Factory was born after British entrepreneur Thomas Constant received a School Design Award at Loughborough University for the initial concept in 2018. Two years later, the company successfully launched on Kickstarter, receiving 420% funding. The past two years have been spent conducting extensive research through customer data, global trends, retailer interest and market validation.

Thomas Constant (pictured right), CEO and Founder of The Bug Factory, said: “In the pandemic, pet ownership went through the roof as the country pivoted to working from home and simultaneously, we as a nation have shown an increasing interest in sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions to our everyday lives. Insects are incredibly sustainable – they use a fraction of the land, energy and resources that traditional livestock do. Our ecosystems provide a constant supply of fresh, juicy mealworms perfect for pets and we’re super excited to launch our solution to pet owners today in the comfort of their own home.”

Pet YouTuber Emzotic was one of the first people to try out the new line. The verdict: “The Bug Factory products are simply a must-have for anyone who spends far too much money on live pet feed. Having the ability to harvest my own mealworms has cut my monthly mealworm expenses down from $30 to zero. All I need to do now is throw in some of my suitable scraps, rotate a few trays and enjoy the harvest – would highly recommend.”

The Bug Factory’s products will be rolled out in stores across the UK and US, and will be available online internationally. This launch comes after an extensive beta testing period conducted on over 400 customers, with an array of industry-leading awards on The Bug Factory and Thomas’ roster, including Innovate UK Awards 21/22, Barclays Bank Entrepreneur of the Year 21/22, Top 30 UK Founders Award and Top Five Global Insect Start-Up Award. 

Michael White, Director of The Incubator Shop, said: “As a retailer of poultry and livestock breeding, we’re hugely excited to introduce The Bug Factory to our customer-base. The product range fits perfectly with the sustainability and self-sufficiency goals of our customers – providing an affordable, eco-friendly source of protein for their birds and animals. The Bug Factory is a much-needed solution in today’s economic climate.”

Product information:

Starting at £29.99, the hardware solution is a closed loop system that turns consumer’s food waste into protein as well as plant fertiliser. The first step is to recycle uneaten fruit and vegetables into The Bug Factory pods, users can then start producing insect protein into their own home and use the insect waste as plant fertiliser.

User-guide:

• The Mealworm Growing Pod consists of 3 x white mealworm trays and 1 x blue beetle bray
• Users must add mealworms to a mealworm tray, starting with 120-180g
• Over the following few weeks the mealworms will turn into pupae, as they do this, move the pupae from the mealworm tray to the raised centre of the blue beetle tray
• The pupae will then turn into beetles and start laying eggs – users should continue with Step 3 until all the mealworms have been pupated. Once all mealworm has pupate, users should leave beetles in the tray
• After four weeks, users will move the blue beetle tray into another tray leaving the initial tray filled with eggs
• Once left for a few weeks, the mealworms will be visible and ready for users to feed their pets – users can now repeat Step 5 on a different tray for a continuous supply of pet feed

The Bug Factory describes mealworms as the future of sustainable protein due to the insects using a fraction of the land, energy and resources that traditional livestock use. Mealworms are 54% protein and have a low fat content while being packed full of essential vitamins, providing a fantastic source of protein for poultry, reptiles, wild birds and fish in particular.

Over the next few years, The Bug Factory aims to remove over 125,000,000 kg of CO2 and help hit the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals – specifically addressing: Goal 2 ‘zero hunger’, Goal 12 ‘responsible consumption and production’ and Goal 13 ‘climate change’.

To find out more visit: https://bugfactory.co.uk/

Pets & Friends, part of Kennelpak Limited, has expanded its consumer offering with a new refill station at its Shrewsbury store, as part of an ongoing push for sustainable shopping.

Perfect for pockets, pets and the planet, the new refill station is an ideal solution for pet parents who are more budget and planet-conscious, but don’t want to compromise on the quality of their pes wellbeing. 

 “It’s about convenience and value, customers can top up and only pay for what they need, minimizing both packaging and food waste,” says Steve Collard, head of retail at Pets & Friends.

“We’ve had a fantastic response to the trial in Shrewsbury and can’t wait to expand, as we know this will also help customers who have tighter budgets and can’t always bulk buy.”

Customers can take their own containers to stock up or use a complimentary paper bag available in-store, helping to eliminate both product and packaging waste.

Right now, customers can refill their Collards dry dog food, Wellness CORE dry cat food, natural cat litter and wild bird seed based on price per 100g. 

With the Shrewsbury trial going well so far, the plan is to roll out the refill station concept across a number of Pets & Friend stores.