6 million pets at risk of deadly diseases
PDSA reveals a dramatic decline in vaccinations
Leading vet charity PDSA is warning that an estimated third of UK dogs, cats and rabbits could be at serious risk of deadly diseases after a shocking decline in the number of owners vaccinating their pets when young...
Leading vet charity PDSA is warning that an estimated third of UK dogs, cats and rabbits could be at serious risk of deadly diseases after a shocking decline in the number of owners vaccinating their pets when young.
The charity’s seventh PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, which monitors pet welfare issues across the UK, revealed that just 75% of dogs (7.0 million) and 65% of cats (6.7 million) received a primary vaccination course when young. These are the lowest levels ever recorded by the Report – a worrying decline from 82% of dogs and 72% of cats in 2011.
In addition, only 66% of owners (5.6 million cats, 7.3 million dogs, 500,000 rabbits) surveyed protect their pet with annual booster vaccinations, which are vital to ensure pets remain protected.
Vaccinations: The Stats
- 2.3 million dogs (25%) received no vaccinations when they were young - a significant increase from just 18% in 2011
- 3.6 million cats (35%) received no vaccinations when they were young – an increase from 28% in 2011.
- Rabbits remain the most neglected with 550,000 (50%) receiving no vaccinations when young.
Commenting on the troubling new findings, PDSA Head of Pet Health and Welfare, Nicola Martin, said: “The decreasing number of dogs, cats and rabbits receiving vaccinations is a great concern for the health and welfare of the nation’s pets. Vaccinations protect pets from infectious diseases, which can severely impact their health, and can often be fatal. An initial vaccination course, and regular boosters help prevent diseases such as parvovirus, cat flu and myxomatosis.”
Reasons behind the decrease
Of those surveyed, owners expressed ‘cost’ as one of the top reasons for not vaccinating their pet: with 20% of both dog and cat owners and 10% of rabbit owners giving ‘too expensive’ as their reason for not vaccinating.
Nicola added: “We are a nation of animal lovers, but the latest PAW Report highlights how many owners continue to seriously underestimate the costs of owning a pet. Despite potential lifetime costs of dog ownership easily rising to £21,000, the Report revealed 98% of dog owners underestimate the true lifetime cost of caring for their pet*****.
In addition to cost, the Report also revealed that 14% of dog owners, 22% of cat owners and 32% of rabbit owners who hadn’t vaccinated their pet felt vaccinations were unnecessary. 24% of pet owners claimed they hadn’t vaccinated their pet because they didn’t come into contact with other animals – which shows a lack of understanding of how these diseases can spread, and would indicate a wider issue for dogs, who need to be socialised with other dogs.
Nicola continues: “These findings show there’s a real lack of knowledge of the devastating diseases pets are susceptible to if they’re not protected through vaccination. It’s important we improve vaccination levels before we see a rise in pets suffering from preventable and often fatal diseases.”
Owners can find out the facts about vaccinations, and the diseases they protect pets from, at www.pdsa.org.uk/vaccinations.
‘Spread the word, not the disease’
In response to the worrying increase of unvaccinated pets, PDSA is launching a campaign to help raise awareness and spread the word about preventable deadly diseases. The charity is encouraging pet owners to get their pets vaccinated and ensure their boosters are up-to-date.
PDSA is asking people to pledge their support and #spreadtheword not the disease at www.pdsa.org.uk/spreadtheword
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The consequences of not vaccinating pets
Twelve-week-old Trevor had only been with his new owner, Courtney Laird, for a few days before she took him to be vaccinated. After booking the appointment, she became worried about him. He seemed subdued, but Courtney put this down to unfamiliar surroundings. Trevor then started being sick and had diarrhoea. Courtney was devastated when the vets said he was too ill to be vaccinated and diagnosed the potentially deadly disease parvovirus...
Trevor – dog – Nottingham
Twelve-week-old Trevor had only been with his new owner, Courtney Laird, for a few days before she took him to be vaccinated. After booking the appointment, she became worried about him. He seemed subdued, but Courtney put this down to unfamiliar surroundings.
Trevor then started being sick and had diarrhoea. Courtney was devastated when the vets said he was too ill to be vaccinated and diagnosed the potentially deadly disease parvovirus.
He was admitted to Nottingham PDSA Pet Hospital for emergency treatment, where vets gave a grave prognosis.
Courtney said: “Trevor was bought as a gift for me and my eight-year-old son, Jayden. Looking back, he didn’t seem right from day one. I’d made an appointment for his vaccinations, and by the time I got him there, he’d gone downhill very quickly; I knew something was seriously wrong.
The vet team battled to save the young pup’s life. His condition deteriorated further as the disease took hold. Trevor was placed in an isolation kennel to prevent spreading the disease to other pets, and needed intensive nursing. He was suffering from dehydration and a dangerously high temperature, as the sickness and bloody diarrhoea continued to take its toll. Trevor was put on a drip and given fluids, and other medication including pain relief, to support him while his immune system fought the virus.
PDSA Senior Vet Flo Morrison said: “Sadly there is no cure for parvovirus and it was touch-and-go for Trevor. He received intensive care for four days. As parvo is highly contagious, barrier nursing techniques were used to prevent the virus from spreading to other pets. He was syringe-fed to help to keep his strength up – and despite being so desperately ill, he always managed to wag his tail when staff tended to him.
“Thankfully, Trevor’s condition started to improve and he was able to go home once he was eating normally and his symptoms had subsided. He is very lucky to still be here – tragically not all dogs make it. A simple vaccination is the answer, and can be the difference between life and death.”
Odin – cat – Liverpool
In some cases, Cat Flu may only cause flu-like symptoms, but the severest strains of the virus can quickly develop into potentially deadly cases, especially for young kittens and geriatric cats.
A tiny kitten nicknamed Odin was left fighting the disease, suffering with painful, ulcerated eyes and a snotty nose.
Odin and the rest of his litter were infected with cat flu, and Odin’s eye was so badly affected, it ruptured. He was just 8 weeks old and had to be taken to surgery for a delicate operation to remove his eye.
PDSA Vet Karla Lemmer says, “Odin was a very sad case and despite our best efforts, we were unable to save his eye. Thankfully, he was strong enough to survive the surgery and is adapting well. Had his mum been vaccinated, his suffering, and the suffering of the rest of the litter, would have likely been prevented. This is why we’re so passionate about vaccination at PDSA.”
Thankfully, Odin overcame the worst of the disease but sadly, he will remain a carrier of cat flu for life. Stressful events such as moving house, new pets coming into the home, or other illnesses could trigger a relapse. PDSA is urging owners to vaccinate their pets and protect them from suffering from preventable diseases.
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Growth at The Company of Animals sees warehouse expansion
After a period of sustained business growth both at home in the UK and across the world, The Company of Animals, which specialises in training and behaviour products and services for pets, has taken the decision to expand its warehouse distribution facilities...
After a period of sustained business growth both at home in the UK and across the world, The Company of Animals, which specialises in training and behaviour products and services for pets, has taken the decision to expand its warehouse distribution facilities.
The expansion reflects the continued growth of the business and will see the firm move its entire warehouse distribution operation from its current location in Bolton to a new facility in Gosport.
The planned move, in July 2017, will support the development of the business operation both in the UK and abroad. The change of facilities will also assist in the evolution of the company’s e-commerce offering. The Company of Animals is looking to introduce additional supply chain efficiencies into its warehouse operations. Over the next few months the firm will be looking at introducing a number of packaging efficiencies such as carton sizing and pallet utilisation. Jaeden Iddon, Operations Manager at The Company of Animals, said: “When we moved to Bolton in 2014, it suited our UK order and customer profile at the time. Over the last three years we have seen fantastic growth for the business and the move to Gosport is an important step for us.” To view a full range of The Company of Animals products, visit www.companyofanimals.co.uk
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Natures Menu has launched its own Track and Trace service for online deliveries, making it the first pet food company in the UK to do so.
Available to both consumers and trade customers, the service will mean online orders can be tracked easily and conveniently through the website and on mobile devices, as soon as the order is placed.
Once the order is on its way via one of Natures Menu’s own fleet of freezer vans from one of four local depots across the country, the customer will be able to see their allocated delivery slot, the name of their delivery driver and any important updates on their order.
Craig Taylor, Managing Director of Natures Menu, said: “Following feedback from both customers and retailers, being able to track and trace when their delivery will be arriving is something that they value hugely.
"The service has been introduced as part of Natures Menu’s overall control and traceability within its full supply chain - from the field to the pet’s bowl.
“Customer service is of utmost importance to us, as reflected through our recent Feefo Gold Award, and this is just another addition to ensure a convenient and good value offering for our customers.”
The service is live as of today and will be available on all orders made through the main website for consumers and the Natures Menu trade area for trade customers and retailers.
Retailers wanting to find out more information about the new service, or the full Natures Menu range can email trade@naturesmenu.co.uk or phone 0800 0183770. By registering for a trade account, retailers can gain access to hassle-free online ordering, great value freezer deals and point of sale, plus free training and the option to become a qualified Raw Advisor.
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Wynnstay reports trading loss at Just for Pets
Agriculture services supplier Wynnstay Group PLC reported this week that interim profits declined due to a trading loss at the Just for Pets business, although revenues rose and it increased its dividend...
Agriculture services supplier Wynnstay Group PLC reported this week that interim profits declined due to a trading loss at the Just for Pets business, although revenues rose and it increased its dividend.
For the six months ended April 30, profit before tax fell to GBP130,000 from GBP4.0 million in the same period the previous year, due to an impairment charge of GBP3.9 million attributed to Just for Pets.
Wynnstay said that performance of Just for Pets stores, which sells supplies for pet owners, was "subdued" in the period and resulted in a loss, but that the business "remains a relatively small part of the group" compared to its core agricultural activities. The company is reviewing options for Just for Pets and said it will implement restructuring measures in the second half of the financial year.
Group revenue rose to GBP205.3 million from GBP193.2 million, which Wynnstay said was partly due to higher commodity prices after three years of sustained deflation.
Net assets at the end of April was unchanged from last year at GBP85.0 million.
The company declared an interim dividend of 4.20 pence per share, up from 4.0p.
"The recovery in farmgate prices drove an improvement in demand for many agricultural inputs over the winter period. Wynnstay’s agriculture-related activities, including Wynnstay Stores, have benefited as a result over the first half and show year-on-year progress," Chief Executive Ken Greetham said.
"However, the trading loss at our Just for Pets chain has impacted the group's overall results and, given this unit's performance, we have recognised a non-cash goodwill and investment impairment charge and are restructuring the operations and reviewing our options for the business," he said.
Greetham said that looking forward, the company is "encouraged by the improvement in farmgate prices for our farmer customers but believe that the rate of recovery for the agricultural supply sector will remain tempered.
Nonetheless, Wynnstay is well-positioned to continue its organic and acquisitive growth strategy. The breadth of the group's activities and strong balance sheet provide a solid foundation for further development over the coming years."
Shares in Wynnstay were up 1.2% to 575.50p on Wednesday.
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Bring Your Dog To Work Day is set to take place tomorrow (Friday 23rd June). To celebrate, the event founder HOWND has released the day's first official movie. Click here to view.
The piece - which was put together by award-winning video collaboration tool Seenit - encourages dog lovers across the UK to donate and get involved in Britain's favourite day at the office.
"It's a joy to watch Bring Your Dog To Work Day's first official movie. People have been more than happy to share why they support the event," says Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND.
"We hope it encourages even more businesses and employees to take part - as we’re seeing new businesses sign up daily. We’re encouraging employees to submit their ‘pooch selfies’ on the official website – with £100s worth of prizes from the sponsors up for grabs for the best ‘Dog with a Job'."
These selfies are published in the ‘Dog With A Job Hall Of Fame’. Employees can simply donate a minimum of £2, upload their selfie and describe their dog’s work duties.
Individuals that donate £5 or more will be automatically entered into the annual mega prize draw to win £100s of goodies from our business sponsors.
Raising money for animal welfare and promoting the benefits of bringing dogs into safe work environments are both aims of the event.
The two official charities for 2017 are All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia. All money raised this year will be split equally between these two charities. However. HOWND also encourage companies to raise funds for their chosen charities too.
Businesses that still wish to take part can register on the Bring Your Dog to Work Day website.
"This year we’ve got a wide range of businesses from across many industries on board – and we’re expecting many more to sign up as official sponsors this Friday," explains Jo.
"These include large corporates such as Norton Rose Fulbright, Miele and Vets4Pets as well as Trainline, Private Fly, Henry Schein, Flexi as well as a host of well known UK pet businesses.
“If you own or run a business, it’s easy to become an official business sponsor. The official website receives thousands of unique visitors daily with the sponsor logos rotating randomly for fair exposure. For a small donation, the exposure for any business involved is tremendous.
"In return for a minimum donation of £50, your company’s logo, business description, and URL are displayed on the Bring Your Dog to Work Day website homepage, as well as on a dedicated sponsors page."
Both official charities also give every sponsor a 'shout out' on social media. In addition, HOWND reshares all sponsor activity, providing they use the hashtag #BringYourDogToWorkDay - which since the initiative’s inception in 2014 has trended every year on Twitter.
Bring Your Dog To Work Day has become a recognised calendar event, taking the national press and social media by storm over the past three years.
This has led to the initiative claiming bronze and silver ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year’ accolades at the annual PetQuip Awards.
“We’ve enjoyed incredible results on a shoestring budget. The day has been featured on national television and been the focus of a number of radio talking points around the country,” adds Jo.
“There’s also been national coverage from the likes of The Guardian, Daily Mirror, Metro, Daily Express, The Telegraph, Waitrose Weekend, Sunday Post, The Times, Mashable and Fast Company.”
Celebrities have got involved too, with the likes of Ricky Gervais and ITV’s Loose Women tweeting their support. This has helped the #BringYourDogToWorkDay hashtag trend on Twitter in both 2015 and 2016.
For further information about Bring Your Dog To Work Day visit the official website or email hello@bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk.
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International interest grows in PATS Telford
Plus: New Product Awards to be presented at PetQuip Awards Dinner
PATS Telford in September is set to have a strong international presence with a growing number of pet buyers and exhibitors from around the world expected to attend the autumn showpiece...
PATS Telford in September is set to have a strong international presence with a growing number of pet buyers and exhibitors from around the world expected to attend the autumn showpiece.
The PATS team had a stand at the recent Zoomark show and huge interest was shown in the UK’s national pet trade exhibition.
PATS has been exhibiting in the PetQuip-organised British Pavilion at both Zoomark and Interzoo in recent years and interest in the show has grown significantly with each visit.
“We were primarily at Zoomark to raise the awareness of PATS internationally and to encourage large European retailers and distributors to visit and, of course, do business with our exhibitors who are interested in exporting,” said Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions, organisers of PATS. “We will have over 180 exhibitors at Telford, and 22 of them will be international companies based overseas.”
With its proximity to both Birmingham and Manchester airports, Telford International Centre – the home of PATS in September – is an ideal location for international visitors.
PATS is working closely with PetQuip to ensure that international buyers are flown in to the show, and already buyers from Spain, Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands have committed to attend.
“UK pet products are very popular and representatives from international pet companies can see the advantage of meeting up with British suppliers all under one roof,” added Gordon.
“They agree that PATS is the perfect venue to discover what’s new in the market for the year ahead, and an ideal opportunity to talk to UK-based manufacturers and suppliers.
“In spite of the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, it’s great to know that PATS can still command such a huge international presence, both from an exhibitor and visitor point of view.”
PATS organises a package for International visitors that includes an invitation to the prestigious PetQuip Awards dinner on the evening of Sunday, September 24th. At the show itself there will be an International Business Centre, where visitors will be able to hold meetings with UK suppliers. PetQuip team members will also be available to provide business services, sourcing advice and arrange introductions to UK pet companies.
One of the major successes at PATS shows over the years has been the New Product Showcase. Last year at Telford a record number new products – over 300 in total – were on show in the designated area. All the products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers on the first day of the show.
For the first time the New Product Awards will be presented at the PetQuip Awards Dinner, which will be held in Telford International Centre’s Ludlow Suite.
“PetQuip is really pleased that the PATS New Product Awards will be presented during our Awards dinner on Sunday, 24th September,” said Pat Flynn, PetQuip Trade Association Manager.
“The evening promises to be yet another memorable event especially with the addition of one of the key elements from the show. New Product Awards are so important for underlining the strength of a product for retailers."
PATS Telford is already shaping up to be one of the most successful events in the show’s nine-year history. A full list of exhibitors can be found on the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk where visitors can register to attend for free.
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MistKing quality misting systems have partnered with the UK’s largest specialist reptile wholesaler, Peregrine Livefoods.
For the last decade, MistKing have engineered the worlds most advanced misting systems which have enhanced the keeping and breeding of reptile and amphibians for hobbyists and zoos across the globe.
Dr. Lauren O’Connell, Harvard University, said: “I ordered a MistKing misting system for my frog research facility at Harvard University. I chose MistKing based on many exceptional reviews and the system works beautifully.
"We now have four systems keeping hundreds of poison frogs happy in nearly 300 tanks. MistKing helped us design a custom system and were very fast and helpful in answering our many questions.
"I fully recommend a MistKing system not only for large-scale operations like our research facility, but also for smaller private collections.”
The new deal secures a wider distribution network across the UK & Ireland for MistKing products and ensures Peregrine Livefoods continue to offer exceptional products and brands to specialist reptile shops.
Chris Jones, Sales & Marketing Director at Peregrine Livefoods, comments: “We are delighted to have secured this exclusive partnership with MistKing. Their products are world renowned and we feel represent a crucial segment of the reptile industry’s growth, in particular with the growing ‘Bio-Active’ sector.”
MistKing products will be available to trade pet shops and zoos from July 2017.
For information and pricing, please contact Peregrine Livefoods on 01279 438 459. You can also request full information by submitting your details at: www.peregrine-livefoods.co.uk/mistking
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King British launches new 'health benefits' video
King British has launched a new video to share with customers through social media channels, explaining what ingredients are used in its fish foods, the health benefits, and why its uses a unique ingredient called IHB...
King British has launched a new video to share with customers through social media channels, explaining what ingredients are used in its fish foods, the health benefits, and why its uses a unique ingredient called IHB.
You can view the King British video here: https://youtu.be/1o2Hd_Cd9_U “All of our fish flake foods are made using only the finest ingredients, such as hydrolysed fish protein (as supposed to fishmeal),” said a King British spokesperson. “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 its 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 fishkeepers reported improvements in vitality, general health or an inclination to breed after feeding with King British flake foods. If you would like to stock King British products, contact your local Sales Executive, call 0333 0066 236 or email hello@kingbritish.co.uk. The new King British Product Guide is also available – ask for a copy when you speak to the company.
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TV presenter supports Pet Parasite Action campaign
Throughout June and July hundreds of vet practices up and down the country are backing the Pet Parasite Action campaign to encourage people to help protect their pet (and their family) against harmful parasites inside and out. The campaign is being supported by TV presenter Jenni Falconer...
 Throughout June and July hundreds of vet practices up and down the country, including Nethan Valley Vet Centre Ltd, Armac Veterinary Group (Biggar) and Two Rivers Veterinary Practice are backing the Pet Parasite Action campaign to encourage people to help protect their pet (and their family) against harmful parasites inside and out.
The campaign is being supported by TV presenter Jenni Falconer.
“As a dog owner and a mum I want to be sure I do the best thing for my pet and my family," said Jenni.
"During the Pet Parasite Action campaign I’m encouraging all pet owners to visit their vet for a simple way to help protect their pet against parasites inside and out, including those that might be harmful to rest of the family. Let’s act now to protect all the members of our family, furry or otherwise.
"After conducting a nationwide survey of over 1,000 dog owners, Pet Parasite Action says the findings confirm that dogs are important members of the family and most owners say that losing their pet would be devastating.
"The most important reason for owning a pet is to keep active but other reasons, such as non-judgemental love and an ability to give comfort, become more important across the regions.*
The survey also discovered that 85% of us happily hug our dogs and the majority let their dog sleep on their bed, sit on their sofa or lap, lick their faces and give them kisses. But 28% said they have found parasites on carpets, 26% have spotted a parasite on themselves and a shocking 4% have even found one on their child. Despite this, over a third of people say they never think about the parasites their pet might be hosting when they hug them.
When it comes to pet parasites, most dog owners don’t have an accurate view of which are the most risky to them or their family. It’s lungworm that worries owners most with 74% saying it is the pet parasite they are most concerned about, with the only exceptions being the North East where fleas were the most concerning parasite and Scotland where ticks were of equal concern.
While 82% of dog owners are able to correctly identify that lungworm could be fatal to their pets, 43% say they think dog lungworm is the parasite that poses the greatest risk to human health, when actually it’s harmless to people. Furthermore, despite concern about its effects, 23% say that they don’t know when their pet was last treated for lungworm. This is worrying because cases of this deadly parasite are increasing, and spreading throughout the country into previously unaffected areas.
Just 48% realise that ticks can cause fatalities in dogs because they can transmit diseases such as babesiosis. Only 28% recognise that ticks (as a transmitter of Lyme disease in people) are a risk to human health. Ticks should be a concern to pet owners because the threat from this parasite to pets and people is growing: in recent years there has been an increase in tick numbers across the UK due to changing weather patterns and an increasing population of deer, which host ticks. Plus a recent study showed 1 in 3 dogs is infested with ticks.
The least worried about parasite is probably one of the most concerning. Just 15% say they are most worried about roundworms and a mere 7% correctly say they think it could threaten human health. Yet, if accidentally eaten, eggs from the roundworm Toxocara pose a significant threat to human health, potentially causing blindness or neurological disease – especially in children.
One in four people don’t realise that their pet could have parasites but they might not be visible, as is often the case with lungworms, hard to find ticks and microscopic roundworm eggs.
Around 1 in 6 say that it’s been about a year since they last treated their pet for ticks, lungworm or roundworms.
The benefits of pet ownership are considerable and pet owners do not need to be alarmed. They just need to be aware of the risks of parasites and the fact that simple, regular treatment will help to reduce these risks for all.
During the Pet Parasite Action campaign throughout June and July, dog and cat owners in and around Carluke can contact Nethan Valley Vet Centre Ltd, Armac Veterinary Group (Biggar) and Two Rivers Veterinary Practice for advice on protecting their pet against parasites inside and out.
More information about pet parasites is also available from the Pet Parasite Action website www.petparasiteaction.co.uk.
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Dogs made welcome at heritage attractions
A group of 36 heritage attractions has taken the lead in providing British dogs with opportunities to accompany their owners on visits to great houses, gardens and museums...
Cumbrian heritage champion, Cumbria’s Living Heritage, is telling the UK’s dog owners there’s no need to ‘Sitter Twitter’ if they find themselves enjoying a staycation in the stunning county.
The group of 36 different heritage attractions has taken the lead in providing British canines with opportunities to accompany their owners on visits to great houses, gardens and museums, where the present interprets the past.
Owners and their ‘wags’ can enjoy an idyllic ‘pooch mooch’ at a ‘Doggy’s Dozen’ of Cumbria’s Living Heritage venues, meaning owners have no need to hit social media, hashtagging furiously for a dog sitter.
Grizedale
Grizedale Forest is helping to demonstrate the group’s dog-friendly nature through a new exhibition that opened on June 7 and which explores the bonds between dogs and their companions.Photographer, Karen Shepherdson, took portraits of dogs and owners over three days in April and has now selected shots for her Welcome Rest exhibition at the Grizedale Visitors’ Centre, which runs to October 31. Grizedale Forest also has an abundance of living heritage, with must-see woodland sculptures providing marvellous moments for both pooches and people.
Brantwood
At Brantwood, John Ruskin’s former home on Coniston, dogs and their owners can explore a 250-acre estate and even venture into the on-site café, which has an outdoor terrace overlooking the lake.From cultivated areas, to shaded glades in woodland, it’s an ideal dog and owner venue, where water bowls are provided for those visitors cannot use a cup or glass.
Brockhole – The Lake District Visitor Centre
Freedom to roam is also very much order of the day at Brockhole – The Lake District Visitor Centre – where a lakeshore path is sure to go down well with Fido.If he’s seen it all before, try a short route through Birkett Wood, opposite a new jetty. Dogs can even go on board Windermere Lake Cruises boats, if they can keep their owners under control!
Allan Bank
At the National Trust property, Allan Bank, the whole of the grounds and house are dog-friendly, but furry friends usually like to let off steam on the woodland walk, where both dogs and owners can ‘paws for thought’ and enjoy wonderful views of Grasmere Lake. Doggy bowls and even biscuits can be found and there’s a wonderful fire in Wordsworth’s study, to take the chill off the paws.
Hutton-in-the-Forest
The walled garden at Hutton-in-the-Forest near Penrith, is somewhere that Lottie the Staffy is willing to share with visiting friends.Rumour has it that she will even divulge her tip of diving under the seat for a bit of cooling down on hot summer days and perhaps also reveal the Arthurian legend associated with Hutton-in-the-Forest.
Mirehouse
The same sort of tranquillity is on offer at Mirehouse, north of Keswick, where dogs can watch bees and butterflies hard at work in the sheltered walled Bee Garden, making the most of the special planting that encourages the nectar seekers to visit.
Holker Hall
At Holker Hall near Cartmel, there are 125 acres to welcome well-behaved dogs on leads, but the top tip is to look across the parkland, to the Lakeland hills, from just inside the gated entrance to the Estate.Keen-eyed pooches will even be able to spot the Hoad Monument in Ulverston.Once the thirst has been worked up, it can be quenched by heading to the water bowls in the Café Courtyard.
Dove Cottage
Other places at which dogs can lap up their water are the dog-friendly Dove Cottage Tearooms in Grasmere, where they might hear talk of Wordsworth’s dog ‘Pepper’, if they prick up their ears. Pepper was actually a gift from Sir Walter Scott and resulted in Wordsworth having a portrait of his pet, but not of his wife, Mary.
Askham Hall/The George & Dragon
If it’s a good old walk your dog relishes, Askham Hall near Penrith is a great place to head to, with suggested walks available at www.askhamhall.co.uk/surrounding-area/ You can also enjoy some great walks round Clifton village and the George and Dragon pub and eatery, particularly if you relish Jacobite history and wish to see the famous Rebel Oak Tree, close to where the rebel army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated and driven out of England. The oak is right behind the pub, so easy to find.
Brougham Castle
English Heritage’s top tip for where to head for a pooch mooch is the riverside walk close to Brougham Castle, where you can enjoy views of the Eden Valley and perhaps start to get on the trail of one of the castle’s former owners, Lady Anne Clifford.
Stott Park Bobbin Mill
Stott Park Bobbin Mill near Ulverston is a dog-friendly site that even welcomes dogs on its guided tours of a 19th century bobbin mill. There are also plenty of walks around, for both you and your dog to bob along.
Lakeland Motor Museum
Last but not least, is the Lakeland Motor Museum near Haverthwaite, where well-behaved dogs are very welcome and treated to plenty of water bowls and a good-sized exercise area immediately adjacent to the main car parking area.Dogs are allowed in both the museum and exhibition, if they wish to dream about which classic car they would have most liked to own, feel the wind in their fur, or ponder what the scent of Dolly Blue brightening agent might have been like.
Head to www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk to start your pooch mooch and remember that you don’t have to ‘bitter Twitter’ about having to leave your best friend stuck indoors on your staycation, or ‘sitter Twitter’ in the slim hope of finding someone who can look after them.
A Cumbria’s Living Heritage dog-friendly venue is never far away from you and if you want some titbits to accompany your day out, there’s a Heritage Past-Port to download that will give you lots to feed on.
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Cotswold RAW walks on the Wild Side
When you epitomise ‘countryside common sense’ it seems only sensible to have a ‘Wild’ (venison & rabbit) recipe within your award-winning flavour larder...
 When you epitomise ‘countryside common sense’ it seems only sensible to have a ‘Wild’ (venison & rabbit) recipe within your award-winning flavour larder.
With game-keeping fast becoming a ‘lost art’ and Cotswold RAW’s unshakeable commitment to source truly wild ingredients, it’s taken the company a little longer than they’d have liked to include a rural ‘game changer’ within their ever-expanding flavour deck; a true ‘hero’ recipe that will certainly enjoy top billing at Cotswold RAW’s forthcoming Countryfile live show debut.
For many 2016 was the year Cotswold RAW came of age, offering a nationwide solution of award-winning goodies. And yet, it’s 2017 when significant investment (£500k raised) has enabled the Worcestershire-based, state-of-the-art production facility to expand by 30%, which means 20 tonnes of top-notch pet food can now be manufactured each and every week.
According to MD Mark Lewis, ‘We remain absolutely focused on being a proud rural provider of premium, biologically appropriate raw food, an organically expanding operation that champions rural sustainability and the local farming community. Our bustling business has the appetite to provide something a little different from the usual ‘closed box’ raw offerings, adding a little extra discernment and ‘foodie wow’ to an always appreciative pet shop fraternity.’
The bedding down of a full nationwide distribution network also takes a another significant stride courtesy of a selected store roll out across the Countrywide stores estate, Just for Pets and a ‘step change’ alliance with frozen food specialist Eden Farm, a frozen wholesaler luminary that already looks after the interests of such frozen food icons Ben & Jerry’s, Linda McCartney and Richmond.
Info: www.cotswoldraw.com, 01386 426 335.
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Dog Photography of the Year winners announced
The Kennel Club has announced the winners of its annual Dog Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 12th year, the competition received almost 10,000 entries from 74 different countries, including Canada, Russia, Brazil and New Zealand...
The Kennel Club has announced the winners of its annual Dog Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 12th year, the competition received almost 10,000 entries from 74 different countries, including Canada, Russia, Brazil and New Zealand.
This image of Yzma, a golden retriever cross, was taken by Maria Davison from Portugal, and came first in the ‘Man’s Best Friend’ category.
See all the winning images here
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Skinneeez stuffing-free dog toys are the latest addition to the Collarways portfolio.
 Designed for high energy dogs, the Skinneeez range are fantastic to chase and shake providing hours of entertainment for both owner and pet.
A wide range of SKU’s are on offer including Skinneeez Flat, Crinklers, Durable, Elastic and the Extreme range.
Each range has different features, so there really is a product suitable for all breeds.
All Skinneeez contain squeakers and for those dogs who just can’t resist the “sound of the kill” the Multi-squeaker Rabbit has 18.
Attractive, fun designs and great margins make these a must stock product.
For more information contact Collarways Limited on 01747 832050 or visit the website www.collarways.com
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A dog owner who failed to register her pet's microchip details has been forced to pay out more than £350 after being successfully prosecuted by Chelmsford City Council.
Charlotte Ward, of Kings Road, Chelmsford, came to the attention of the council after her German Shepherd-Husky cross went missing.
The pooch was brought to the council's out-of-hours dog service and scanned for a chip but its details were not registered.
Ward was only reunited with her canine companion when she called to report the loss - her failure to properly register the dog resulted in her being taken to court.
The case, which is the first prosecution the council has brought for failure to microchip a dog, was heard at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
Although the dog was microchipped and registered with the Petlog database before being sold by a breeder, the transfer of keepership was never completed.
Petlog sent out forms and gave the new owners 28 days to update their details - however, Ward did not return these forms and Petlog removed the details from their database.
Ward, who did not attend court, has been fined £220, ordered to pay costs of £125 and a victim surcharge of £30.
Councillor Susan Sullivan, cabinet member for safer communities, said: "Dog microchipping helps to reunite owners with lost or stolen dogs.
"It prevents them from being left on the streets or in kennels because owners can't be traced.
"When you buy a dog, ask for proof that a chip has been fitted and make sure you update the database with your details as the new owner."
By law, dogs in England must be microchipped by a trained professional before they are eight weeks old.
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 A breath of fresh air for dog owners, Chuckit! launches the innovative Breathe Right Fetch Ball into retailers across the country - just in time for summer fun.
Uniquely designed to facilitate breathing for dogs carrying toys whilst running and fetching, the Breathe Right provides greater airflow than more solid toy designs - brilliant for all dogs, but particularly breeds with shorter snouts.
Boasting the same high pawformance and tough build quality Chuckit! is famed for, the Breathe Right features Chuckit!’s first ever open lattice rubber design, which allows air to pass straight through - keeping airways clear and allowing dogs to play safely for even longer.
Compatible with all Chuckit! launchers, the Breathe Right is designed to be the pawfect addition to the existing Chuckit! range of fetch-tastic toys too, giving Chuckit! fans old and new even more ways to play.
The Breathe Right Fetch Ball is available in Small Two Pack (RRP £8.99), Medium (RRP £6.99) and Large (RRP £8.99) sizes to suit all breeds and consumer needs, and comes in a vibrant orange rubber finish to ensure dogs never lose sight of their new favourite toy.
Will Baggaley, Brand Manager for Chuckit!, comments: “Although Chuckit! toys are famed for their fun factor, we also know the importance of fetch toys that aid dog’s health and well-being. As consumers look to update their Chuckit! collection with innovative and health-focused new toys, the Breathe Right is the perfect choice for retailers and will ensure dogs and owners can stay and play with confidence all day.”
The new range will be available from June 2017 in retailers across the country. For more information on Chuckit, visit: http://chuckit-toys.co.uk/.
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Skinner’s Pet Foods has announced it will be sponsoring The Field magazine’s first-ever Gundog Awards.
The name Skinner’s has long been associated with working dogs, particularly gundogs, and their Field & Trial range has been the number one working dog food for around 25 years.
William Delamore, Skinner’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: "Skinner’s are already renowned throughout the gundog sector because of our absolute passion for making sure we provide the dogs with the best possible nutrition, so it really was the perfect fit to team up with The Field on their inaugural Gun Dog awards.
"The main aim of our food has always been to produce happy, healthy working dogs – and these awards are a great celebration of what can be achieved by gun dogs in tip top condition as a result of excellent nutrition."
The aim of the awards is to encourage gundog work throughout all sections of the shooting world.
The awards will be judged by an experienced panel, with years of fieldsports knowledge and expertise between them. The categories are as follows and entries close on 1st August 2017;
- Outstanding retrieve by any retrieving breed during the 2016/17 season.
- Outstanding work by a spaniel (springer or cocker) during the 2016/17 season.
- Outstanding work by any pointing breed during the 2016/17 season.
- Outstanding work by any rare breed during the 2016/17 season.
- The best amateur picker-up.
- The best family gundog.
- The naughtiest gundog.
- The best gun dog that does not belong to a gundog breed
The winners will each win a year's worth of Skinner's dog food and will be invited to a special celebratory lunch at Burghley Horse Trials on Thursday 31st August 2017.
Skinner’s many years of experience in producing high quality food for working dogs has given them a unique understanding of dogs and the role good nutrition plays in maintaining optimum health. Earlier this year they also launched their Life range for pets to make sure that their experience in producing high quality premium foods could be enjoyed by all dogs.
More information on the Gun Dog Awards can be found here http://www.thefield.co.uk/gundog-awards
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A team of canine health experts have returned “enlightened” from a nine-day educational trip to India.
Julia Robertson, founder of Galen Myotherapy – a pioneering unique hands-on muscle remedy used to treat dogs with arthritis and underlying pain – planned and led the visit, taking her ‘hands on’ practice to Bangalore to assist the vast number of street and pet dogs currently living in India.
Julia, accompanied by her Therapy Centre Manager Lucie Armstrong, Hannah Capon – Vet and Myotherapist and Cushla Lamen – Senior Tutor and Myotherapist undertook the following during the course of the trip:
 Conducted a study of 40 street dogs, measuring posture, and noting their behaviour in a ‘natural’ environment. These results will later be compared with that of dogs living in a domestic environment.- Provided 20 one-to-one treatments for dogs with owners.
- Hosted two days of workshops teaching the techniques of Galen Myotherapy for pet owners to give them a better understanding of their dog’s anatomy.
- Delivered a very well received Seminar to the Vets of Bangalore, prompting further enquiries from them for our training
- Held a seminar entitled ‘The dog is as strong as its weakest part’ which was attended by around 150 people including behaviourists, vets, students, dog owners, street dog feeders and dog rescuers.
- Delivered practical training sessions for diploma student Sindhoor Pangal who is set to qualify as a Galen Myotherapist in September.
- Gave hands-on treatment to a purpose-bred laboratory testing beagle (known as Free-gles) who had only known a small cage for the first seven years of his life.
Julia, who has a background in farming and veterinary nursing, said: “The trip was incredible. India has a large population of Community Dogs, and people are using their own money to feed and help these animals who act as an important role within the community in helping to clear up and guard their surrounding area.
"Even vets offer special discounts if they know a street dog needs assistance. The wonderful aspect of my extensive travel is wherever I go I meet people who love dogs and love their own dogs as much as we do here.
“The interest expressed in our work was phenomenal. We are already planning to do it again next year to continue to help street dogs, and educate veterinary practitioners and pet owners.”
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One-stop shop for all things pet
Following the recent acquisition of Spike's World, Pets Choice Chief Executive Tony Raeburn says the ultimate goal for the company is to be the 'one-stop shop for all things pet'.
Following the recent acquisition of Spike's World, Pets Choice Chief Executive Tony Raeburn says the ultimate goal for the company is to be the 'one-stop shop for all things pet'.
Pets Choice undertook responsibility for the Spike’s World brands – Spike’s, Wildthings and Feathers & Beaky – on Monday (19th June), including sales and invoicing.
Tony said: “Spike’s World takes Pets Choice into a new sector and it's a great move for us as a business. However, it will be very much business as usual for customers who currently purchase these brands and orders can be made with our sales team from June.”
Founder and owner of the Spike’s Group, Marian Horscroft (pictured above with Tony, commented: “Pets Choice acquiring Spike’s World is a significant step for the brand, and I have complete trust that Tony and the Pets Choice team will continue to build upon the hard work that has gone into creating the brand and products.”
Meanwhile, Tony Raeburn found time to speak to Pet Trade Xtra about Pets Choice, a company he took control of in 2013 in a management buy-out.
What was it about Spike’s World that impressed you enough to go and acquire the business?
Spike’s World is a great brand with a strong story to tell within a niche sector. It was a similar feeling with TastyBone, strong branding and unique products. We are also very passionate about UK manufacturing, particularly in the Blackburn area, and have been producing some of the Spike’s World products for several years, so it is a natural fit for us.
What will the new brands bring to your current portfolio?
The new brands take Pets Choice into sectors that we are currently not trading in however they blend nicely into our total portfolio. Marion, the former owner of Spike’s World, has done a fantastic job growing the business, so Pets Choice are keen to build on the hard work that has already been put into creating innovative products for animals. This is your second acquisition within a short space of time, have you got your sights on buying more pet companies?
TastyBone has been an excellent acquisition for us and a great addition to the Pets Choice portfolio and I think that Spike’s will be just as great. At the moment we are focusing on fine-tuning our offering across all brands, but I think bringing further brands on board is something that we will always consider as long as they are the right fit and at the right time. Is acquisition easier than launching new brands?
I think both have their pros and cons. Launching a new brand requires a considerable amount of time, research and investment in marketing and sales, however acquiring an outside brand also requires incredible time and effort to successfully integrate within the business without losing focus or customer sales. Either way, to successfully acquire or launch brands it takes a tremendous amount of dedication, hard work, and sometimes good luck to have a successful branded portfolio. As a business, we know that there are opportunities in both areas and we will continue to consider all options as part of our growth plans. You took control of Pets Choice in 2013 following a management buy-out, are you please with the progress you’ve made since then? Are you ahead of your targets?
We have managed to turn around a business that was struggling to find its place in the market to seeing considerable and sustained growth over the last three years. In that time we have not only acquired brands but also considerably grown our existing products and have successfully launched the Webbox Natural range into the market. We have built a new Head Office with fantastic facilities which have enabled us to bring many jobs in-house. For instance, our Marketing team has grown from one person to a whole team, including Brand Management, Design, PR and Social Media. Which is your biggest and best-selling brand?
Our largest brand is Webbox; we have such a full breadth of products including the Webbox Natural range which has seen tremendous growth since we launched last year. Webbox has seen consistent growth since 2013 despite the slight decline in the overall pet category. As a privately owned medium size manufacturer, we can respond quickly to the opportunities in the market and launch new products to maximise sales. What’s your ambition for Pets Choice?
Our ultimate goal is to be the one-stop shop for all things pet and we have been investing in all areas of the business over the last three years to ensure that we can reach this. Pets Choice has seen a considerable amount of growth so far. However, we still have a long way to go to drive the business to the next level. What are the biggest challenges facing you?
There can be many problems that we face at any one time, often changing on a weekly basis. At the moment it is the result of the EU referendum and the after effects of Brexit combined with the recent General Election results that bring uncertainty. Pets Choice import several lines from our European factories, any weakening of currency will increase the cost of these goods and will create some uncertainty, but on the whole, we know that we are in a better position than many to deal with the outcome. Is the intention to sell the business when it gets to a certain size? Selling isn't even on the radar for Pets Choice, we are very much a family-run business and we want to keep it that way, continuing to expand across the pet sector and looking at new innovative products that animals love.
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Owning a dog increases the likelihood of staying active in older people, a study has found.
The study found that among people aged 65 and over, those who owned dogs walked more.
Dog owners walked over 20 minutes more per day than non-dog owners - and this difference could help dog owners maintain good health.
According to the study, conducted by researchers at The University of Lincoln and Glasgow Caledonian University, owning a dog indicates a large, potentially health improving average effect of 22 minutes additional time spent walking.
Dog owners also had significantly fewer sitting events.
Physical activity is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, multiple cancers and depression, and the study adds to other research showing that owning a dog can help support health as people age.
'We all know that as we get older we tend to slow down a little,' says Dr Daniel Mills, a Professor of Veterinary behavioral medicine at the University of Lincoln and the project leaders.
'By staying active we can improve our health and other aspects of our quality of life.
'Factors driving higher levels of physical activity in adults are not well defined.
'We were interested in assessing whether dog ownership has the potential to improve the health of older adults though increased activity.'
To conduct the study, the researchers measured the physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) of 43 pairs of dog owners and non dog owners over the age of 65.
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Hospitals should let more dogs and other animals on to wards and even into operating theatres to help patients, the Royal College of Nursing says.
The call comes after the RCN collected scores of anecdotes of therapy-animals, and sometimes pets, helping recovery.
Some young patients found having trained dogs accompany them to the anaesthetic room reduced their anxiety before and after surgery.
The RCN is working on national advice to encourage more animal visitors.
In a recent RCN survey of 750 nursing staff, 82% said animals could help patients be more physically active and 60% said they believed animals improved physical recovery.
But many nurses said animals were not allowed where they worked.
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Team engagement and perks for pets are just two reasons why employees at Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Ltd (RSPEL) - owner of PetSafe Brand - choose to go to work each day. There are many other reasons too, according to Great Place to Work, which has recognised the business as one of “The Best Workplaces in Europe”, ranking it in 9th place.
The accolade follows on from RSPEL achieving 2nd place in the Best Workplaces in Ireland 2017 list in February where it scored a high 93 per cent in its culture, trust and employee experience assessment. RSPEL specialises in innovative companion pet and sport and hunting products. Through PetSafe Brand it offers comprehensive pet training, health and wellness, waste management and play product solutions and via its global SportDOG Brand it offers superior training and tracking products for professional trainers and hunters. Business has grown by 14% since it opened its Dundalk office in 2012 and the team has increased by 33% to 30 staff. In January 2016 RSPEL started a project to build even better working practices, setting out to improve the company’s organisation, policies and communication to help inspire and motivate its team. It set-up a six-strong taskforce, each representing an area of the business, to support and drive a range of beneficial projects such as ‘teammate engagement’ and ‘reducing environmental impact’. With pets at the heart of its business, RSPEL is also passionate about employees’ pets and all staff are entitled to a number of pet perks. These include being allowed to bring dogs into the office, eight hours’ ‘paw-rental’ leave to help new pets settle and three days’ paid pet bereavement leave. RSPEL also helps to cover the cost of pet care, including microchipping, insurance and health check-ups.
David Verdon, General Manager at RSPEL said: “Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and to be recognised on the international stage by such a prestigious organisation is just fantastic.
"What makes these awards extra special is that they rest almost entirely on employees’ opinions and it’s them that put companies like us on the list. We wouldn’t have won our place without the amazing feedback from all who work at RSPEL and the dedication, passion and brilliance they bring to their jobs daily. We hope that winning this accolade further inspires and motivates employees to continue our mission to deliver the best products and customer experience in the industry.”
The Best Workplaces in Europe is the largest annual survey in the region and this year over 2,000 companies from 19 countries participated. The unique awards recognise organisations that are dedicated to sustaining high-trust cultures for their employees and winners are decided by evaluating employee and management feedback on areas including trust, culture and policies. The accolade was presented to the RSPEL team at an awards ceremony in Paris. www.radiosystemscorporation.com
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To mark World Blood Donor Day yesterday (June 14), a pet owner appealed to other dog lovers to allow their animals to donate blood to help other pets in need.
Romeo, a Natures Menu sponsored Staffordshire Bull Terrier aged 5 from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, has been giving his blood for the past three years to help dogs dealing with life-endangering illnesses or injuries.
Much like human blood donation, every three months, Romeo makes a visit to the Royal Veterinary College to donate a pint of his own blood and has helped to save 22 dogs in desperate need of a blood transfusion, over the past three years. Not only does Romeo help fellow furry friends, he is also used a ‘pets as therapy’ dog, providing comfort and affection for patients in hospital, and dementia sufferers in care homes and has won a prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his amazing work. Steph Hartley, Romeo’s owner, said: “Romeo really is a super dog. He’s always been very in touch with his emotions and as part of this was a very picky eater as a puppy.
"However, since eating a raw diet on Natures Menu, he is always full of lots of energy, and is free of the skin allergies he kept on suffering from. He can’t get enough of the stuff! He now has a balanced and nutritional diet in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and so can help others out in the process.”
Romeo’s owner, Steph, has been a human blood donor for a number of years, but it wasn’t until a family member’s dog became ill with cancer, and required a blood transfusion, that she found out about pet blood donation.
“Pet blood donation is much like human donation, Romeo arrives at the Veterinary College and is given a check-up from the vet before a small bit of blood is taken from his back leg to check his iron levels. Once he’s given the go ahead, he jumps up onto the table ready to donate. Unlike most dogs, who lie down on their side, Romeo actually stays sat up whilst he donates and enjoys trying to give the vets a lick whilst he does so! Once it’s over he gets a big bowl of food and lots of attention. He loves his donations and gets more excited each time we go. “Ever since he was a puppy he has had a natural way with people and could become extremely calm around the ill or elderly. As a qualified ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog, he has made such a difference to the lives of so many humans, it just made sense for him to help out a few dogs too. “I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about blood donation themselves this World Blood Donor Day to do the same for their dog too, it could really make such a massive difference.” For dog owners wanting to find out more about their dog donating blood, visit the Royal Veterinary College website: www.rvc.ac.uk
For more information on Natures Menu visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk
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Friday, June 23 - it's Bring Your Dog To Work Day
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