One of the UK’s leading independent retailers has urged pet shops to make their premises spotlessly clean in a bid to win back customers from the big retail chains.

Piers Smart, of Scampers in Cambridgeshire, says that being clean, tidy and organized are the basics of retailing and that all independent pet retailers should make them a priority, no matter how big or small their businesses.

“A new mother wouldn’t buy baby food if the tin had dust on the lid. And it’s the same with owners of pets, who regard their animals as being important members of their family,” said Piers.

“So it’s important to ensure that your premises and stock are spotless. That first impression makes all the difference to customers.”

If his staff find they have a spare moment in between dealing with customers, they are encouraged to carry out cleaning duties.

“We vacuum clean the premises everyday, sometimes twice a day,” added Piers. “In fact we get through at least two vacuum cleaners every year.

“Cleanliness and tidiness are so important in business – in fact they are part of our marketing strategy. Everyone knows these are challenging times for small businesses so you have to do everything you can to make your shop stand out from the rest.

“We treat our shop like our home and that is reflected in our approach to keeping floors, shelves, surfaces and stock clean. We are very passionate about our business and proud of everything we do.

“We replace staff uniforms every year. We have hand sprays behind the tills because hygiene is crucial.

“They say a business can be judged by the cleanliness of its toilets. I can tell you that ours are spotless. In fact, go and check for yourself.” True to Piers’ word they were immaculate.”

Piers also advocates rotation of stock and this results in shelves and products being cleaned and dusted regularly. When shelves are restocked, new products go at the back with older items being brought to the front. 

For more information about Scampers visit www.scampers.co.uk

A buyer is being sought for an award-winning pets and garden centre, which has gone into administration.  

Whiteleys Garden Centre was voted Most Improved Garden Centre in the GCA North East Area Awards earlier this year, while its pets department also picked up an award at the same event.

Whiteleys, owned by Pippin Street Ltd, has been in business for more than 25 years and has an annual turnover estimated to be more than £2m.

There are no plans to make any of its 45 full and part-time staff redundant from the business in Leeds Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

Julian Pitts from the administrators said: “This is a well-established and viable business which has suffered from financial pressures that are not related to its day-to-day operations.

“We are continuing to trade the business and the garden centre will be running as usual while a buyer is sought.

“We want to reassure customers that the garden centre will be open as normal during the busy Christmas period and its full schedule of festive events will go ahead as planned.”

Whiteleys has raised thousands of pounds for charity, working closely with its neighbours at the Hollybank Trust.

Each Christmas the business has donated money raised from netting Christmas trees to the Trust, which cares for children and adults with complex disabilities.

Mr Pitts said: “This is a long established business with a loyal customer base and represents an excellent investment opportunity. We expect it to generate a high level of interest which we anticipate will result in securing a future for one of the area’s most popular garden centres.”

Pets at Home has launched a new customer scheme for pet lovers which enables shoppers to convert the points they receive into much needed support for a local or national animal charity of their choice. 

The retailer has named the scheme the Very Important Pets (VIP) Club and will be providing members with a card to use while shopping in store.

Every time a purchase is made and the card is swiped, the customer collects points, called VIP Lifelines, which can be redeemed by animal charities to provide essential supplies.

As a club member, customers will be able to access a string of benefits for their own pets as well as helping animals in need of a loving home.

Customers choose which charity they would like to partner with online from the following – the Dogs Trust, RSPCA, SSPCA, Cats Protection, Blue Cross and Retired Greyhound Trust, along with several charities based within a 12 mile radius of their local store.

Commercial director at Pets at Home, Peter Pritchard, said: “We have a very loyal customer base at Pets at Home and we wanted to reward their ‘VIPs’ along with pets in our customers’ communities that need some extra support.

“Every year, thousands of pets end up homeless through no fault of their own. Thanks to the tireless work of rescue and re-homing centres across the UK, many of these animals are given a new life in the loving home they deserve.

“These centres are almost completely reliant on donations and public support and customers collecting VIP Lifelines in store will be a great help in securing the future of vulnerable pets in need.”

Once signed up to the card, members will also receive a 10 per cent discount welcome voucher on their next purchase as well as a list of exclusive offers on food, toys, accessories, Groom Room services and Companion Care vets. In addition to this they will receive quarterly newsletters with useful information and advice specific to the type of pet they own.

Peter added: “Members will receive exclusive product and service discounts, but this will be based on customers' preferences to make sure we’re supporting them with relevant offers for their own VIPs.”

New pet food copmpany Lovejoys has appointed its first wholesaler, Bamfords Top Flight of Lancashire, in the North West.

"We are convinced that Lovejoys will be a real winner and agreeing a deal with Bamfords so quickly, proves that we’re definitely on the right track,” said Ian Manning, managing director of Lovejoys.

Alan Bamford, managing director of Bamfords Top Flight  added: “Lovejoys is a really exciting new brand and we feel it’s exactly what the market is looking for right now. That’s why we’ve decided to stock it and our customers are already placing orders, it’s all looking very positive.”

Designed for all breeds, Lovejoys Senior/Light has been specially formulated for senior dogs or those requiring a lighter diet.

The high quality food is available in four flavours, Turkey &Rice, Fish & Rice, Duck & Rice and Lamb & Rice. All are made using a single source protein and exclude many known allergens such as wheat, wheat gluten, dairy, beef, pork or soya. This makes them suitable for dogs with sensitive tummies too.

Other key ingredients include Seaweed Oil, a sustainable resource containing linolenic acid, DHA and EPA – Omega 3 fatty acids, important for the immune system, nervous system, reducing inflammation and helping to promote joint health. Glucosamine provides building blocks to synthesise new joint cartilage and together with chondroitin and MSM they promote mobility, longevity and the health of the joints.

Available in 2kg and 12 kg bags Lovejoys offer a healthy return for retailers too, with excellent margins in excess of 50%. Orders are now being taken for early December delivery. 

To find out more, or place an order visit www.lovejoyspetfood.co.uk or call Dawn on 01953 882485. Bamfords Top Flight can be contacted on 01772 456300 or email sales@bamfords.co.uk

Father Christmas arrived in style at a Somerset garden and pet centre accompanied by Del Boy and his Reliant Robin three-wheeler car.

Norma Moore, General Manager of the family-run Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, said: “We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year so thought it would be great to link our Santa’s arrival with the 1980s, the decade that the garden centre was launched.

“We decided on an ‘Only Fools and Horses’ theme as it was such a popular television programme in the 1980s. We thought grandparents, mums and dads would enjoy seeing Del Boy as much as the boys and girls would enjoy seeing Father Christmas."

Del Boy was played by lookalike Steve Rooney, and cast members from the Wayfarers Pantomime Society also joined in with the celebrations at thecentre. They were dressed as characters from their up and coming production of Dick Whittington.

For more information visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk

Arcadia Reptile are expecting huge demand for two new products and are urging retailers to place their order while stocks last.

Products manager John Courteney-Smith said: "Firstly we have the long awaited 45cm viv top canopy, which uses cutting-edge technology. The numbers available are very low, so please check with your chosen supply method to make sure they have them in stock.
 
"And our real game changer is the Arcadia Reptile UV flood. This smart 'plug and go' unit really does change the way we light reptiles. This is the perfect high strength 'flood' source.
 
"Fully assessed and passed by UV guide this is the perfect unit for providing upper index levels in shallow viv for desert species and in tall arboreal enclosures for more forest type species.
 
"This is pushing high outputT T5 another step further. Following on from the award winning Arcadia Reptile high UVB T5s this smart unit finally allows a keeper to flood a designated area with high quantities of light and UVB without unwanted heat.

For more information visit www.arcadia-reptile.com

The RSPCA has joined forces with Pets at Home to provide the first ever in-store adoption centre.

The centre located in the Pets at Home Stockport store will aim to find new homes for cruelly treated and neglected cats, dogs and rabbits.

It comes complete with a living room area for customers to seek advice on pet care and adoption and to meet pets in a relaxed setting.

The centre has space to house up to four cats and four rabbits until new homes can be found for them. Dogs looking for new homes will be brought in at the weekends.

This is the first of four centres planned across England and Wales.

Gavin Grant, CEO of the RSPCA, said: "The RSPCA and Pets at Home want to see happy and healthy pets. With ever more animals being abandoned and abused, there's so much we can do together.

"I'm excited by the prospect of more rescued pets being rehomed and many more people being educated about better animal care and welfare."

Nick Wood, CEO of Pets at Home, said: "At Pets at Home, we are passionate about pets and their welfare. We’ve been working hard to develop Pets at Home and RSPCA joint branded pet care literature and ensure customers are making the right decision when introducing a new pet to the family."

The store in Stockport already offers services such as grooming, microchipping, free nutrition consultations, weight checks and a Companion Care veterinary surgery.

Leading pet healthcare specialist Bob Martin is launching Felight, a new Cat Litter product which will go on sale early 2013.

This major product launch follows on from the success of FleaClear which hit the shelves earlier this year.

A new 10-litre pack of Felight weighs in at just 3kg, 2kg lighter than market leader Catsan. Felight is also cheaper at £4.49. Cat owners will be able to make further savings with strong promotional support throughout the year, including half price offers.

Not only offering cost savings, Felight is also super effective as it features the unique Stayfresh system, which locks in odours and absorbs moisture, outperforming budget cat litter products and performing as well as leading brands.

Bob Martin, experts in developing pet health and hygiene products since 1892, is also proud that Felight is manufactured and packed in the UK.

The company is putting considerable marketing support behind the Felight launch, with TV and PR campaigns planned for 2013.

The cat litter category has not seen any significant marketing support in recent years and Bob Martin is confident that Felight can gain significant market share in the first year.

The bright pink packaging will give Felight considerable standout on shelf and also an Anti-Bacterial Felight litter freshener will be available.

For more information or to view the full range of dog and cat products please visit www.bobmartin.co.uk.

Horse grooming products firm KBF99 has received a prestigious Lord Stafford Award, winning the top prize in the innovation category, which was presented at the awards dinner at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The awards celebrate and recognise collaborations between business and academia in developing innovative products, processes or services.

Managing Director Peter Wilkes said: “This is excellent news and we're delighted to see the partnership that brought this product to market recognised in this way.

“We know that grooming products can be a major cause of spreading skin and respiratory infections in horses which can be fatal.

“Coventry University approached us with the idea of an antimicrobial horse grooming kit and, using their scientific expertise and our manufacturing know-how, we have managed to develop the KBF99 range.”

Lord Stafford, Patron of the Awards, said: “This is a classic example of how a university, by collaborating with a business, can take a groundbreaking technology from concept to market.

“I congratulate both the company and the university for their achievement and for winning their Lord Stafford Award.”

For more information please visit www.kbf99.co.uk or contact Vale Brothers on 01239 614648.

Picture caption (left to right): Dr Stephen Coupe of Coventry University, Lord Stafford and Peter Wilkes of Vale Brothers.

The Kennel Club has welcomed the Welsh Government’s Control of Dogs Bill, which could help to protect the public better and improve the welfare of animals.

The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust recently lobbied Assembly Members on the issue of dangerous dogs, and the urgent need for new legislation to deal with the welfare and public safety concerns surrounding the issue.

The Bill will see action being taken where dogs attack people or other animals on any property and will promote responsible dog ownership with strong training and education requirements for dog owners.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “We are pleased to see a focus on prevention, concentrating on responsible ownership, through dog training and education.

“At the Kennel Club, we believe Dog Control Notices are a good preventative measure that place more responsibility on the owner to ensure they are controlling their dogs in an appropriate way; whether this be through training, keeping the dog on a lead, muzzling, refraining from entering certain areas and so on.

“We welcome the principle of making dog bites on private property an offence. However, the application of law to private property should include exemptions to cover certain circumstances, such as a bite as a result of provocation or whilst a person is committing an offence.

“With this Bill, Wales has shown its commitment to dog welfare, the government is taking decisive action to help tackle the problem of dangerous dogs in a sensible and proactive way.”

Peter Jones, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: “Once again the Welsh Government is taking a lead on canine issues by seeking a more preventive approach to dog control.

“The announcement clearly recognises that a dog’s behaviour is primarily the result of the way it is reared, socialised and trained and not the way it looks, and that irresponsible ownership needs to be tackled in a constructive manner before it becomes a problem.

“Many of the elements included in the draft Bill are changes that BVA has long campaigned for alongside dog welfare organisations, the police and others.

“The BVA has championed the use of Dog Control Notices and we support the extension of the law to cover private property and attacks on other animals.

“The Dangerous Dogs Act, which focuses on a dog’s breed, has failed and ultimately the BVA wants to see it repealed. We hope that these bold measures in Wales will be another step towards better dog control legislation across the UK.”

Three pet raccoons that escaped by gnawing their way out of a garage have been reunited with their owner.

The stripy mammals chewed through a wire mesh window at the home of pet shop worker Jamie Sumner, who lives in Tameside, Greater Manchester last month.

One of the pets, a male, travelled nearly 10 miles, eventually being found in a shed on a farm in Charlesworth, near Glossop.

The other two, both females, were a bit closer to home – with one being found two weeks later in Jamie’s back garden. The other female was found just minutes away from Jamie’s home.

Jamie, 23, said he received more than 30 phone calls from people who had seen the raccoons after a story of their disappearance was published in the Manchester Evening News.

He said: "It was a relief when one the females came back to my garden while the other turned up nearby within a couple of weeks. That just left the male who was spotted by a farmer who called the RSPCA. I went out to the countryside after work and the RSPCA helped me catch him."

The male – who at around two feet long is slightly larger than the 1.5ft females – amazingly seems to have gained weight while in the wild and had apparently walked to Charlestown along a railway track.

RSPCA experts who helped recover him reckon the survived by eating food off bird tables, berries – and possibly even animals who had been run over by cars.

Jamie, who works in a pet shop in Manchester city centre, has had the raccoons for two years and also owns two cocker spaniels, a parrot called George and a six-foot anaconda called Titan, which he keeps in a tank in his lounge.

He added: "I have had to improve security in the garage since I got them back – there’s no way I’m letting them escape again."

A pair of American dog lovers have held a £6,200 dog wedding for their pets.

Ann Carter, 70, and Ernie Rubin, 67, held the 'marriage' ceremony between their pets Snickers, a 3-year-old Lhasa Apso, and Scruffy, a 5-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross.

"Scruffy and Snickers fell in love with each other from the moment they met, and when Ernie and I shared a holiday apartment for a month over the summer, it was obviously how they felt about each other," said Ann.

"We decided to have a wedding and we just thought it would be a fun excuse to have a little party, but then we ended up sending out invitations and more and more people wanted to come, and in the end it turned into this massive event."

The $10,000 (£6,200) party was held at an exclusive Florida country club, and featured four-legged ushers, a personalised wedding cake, a live band and an open bar. A priest performed the wedding 'vows'.

Simon Cowell has recruited Sharon Osbourne to join the judging panel of his new talent show 'That Dog Can Dance'.

The showbiz legend is returning to the UK to join the judging panel of Simon Cowell's new show to help find agile-footed canines alongside comedian Bill Bailey and 'Britain's Got Talent' winner Ashleigh Butler, who won this year's competition with her dancing dog Pudsey.

Christine Bleakley will host the show after ITV1 bosses decided that original choice Alesha Dixon might be too risky due to 'BGT' schedule clashes.