Pet shops in Surrey have been hit by a spate of burglaries within the last month and in the latest incident on Sunday night four charity boxes were stolen after a window was smashed.

The most recent burglary took place at the Two by Two pet shop in Frimley, when charity boxes for Arthritis Research UK, Cats Protection, RSPCA and Chimney Farm Rescue charity boxes were taken.

A man has been arrested by the police in connection with the Two by Two burglary.

It was the third reported instance of a pet shop being broken into in Surrey Heath in less than a month. Petfood Kingdom in Windlesham was broken into on May 26, and  a neighbouring pet food store, Pets Corner in Hillier Garden Centre Sunningdale , was burgled on the same night.

After the latest attack, owner Andrew Backhurst was reported as saying: "It's just so low. It's not even proper theft is it?" He admitted to being bewildered as to why anyone would want to break the law for such a low amount of "change and shrapnel."

Staff believe the cash value inside of the Chimney Farm Rescue box was around £80, with no substantial amounts of money in the other boxes.

Surrey Police boarded up the broken window that was used to gain entry to the Frimley store and no other lasting damage was done to the shop. Some items were strewn across the floor when staff entered on Monday morning.

Picture taken from the Facebook page of Backhurst Animal Feeds.

Pets at Home has re-emphasised its pledge to future expansion of the business despite recent setbacks, which has seen the pet retailer halt plans for two new superstores and report a 16.6% decline in pre-tax profits in the year to March 29.

When announcing its financial figures last month Pets at Home stated it would open up to five superstores, 20-25 vet practices and 10-20 grooming salons this year.

But then news leaked out that the retail chain had halted plans for new superstores in Skegness, Lincolnshire, and Guisborough in the North-East, blaming a volatile property market for both decisions.

A spokesperson for Pets at Home told Pet Trade Xtra last week that the retail giant was committed to future expansion, stating: “When we announced our results on 22 May we said we would open up to five superstores in the current financial year.  While we keep the details under careful review that is our plan.”

It has been a difficult period for the UK’s largest pet retailer. Profits fell last year as the group counted the cost of an investment drive, although revenues grew 7.8% to £898.9 million.

New chief executive Peter Pritchard, who is overseeing a turnaround at the group, said: "Our plans to reposition retail are working, more customers are coming back to shop with us, and we are committed to returning the business to profit growth. But it hasn't been easy.

"We took decisive action, threw passion and energy into it, and delivered targeted pricing changes to give customers the products that mattered most to them, with the service and value they expect from us."

Norfolk-based Natures Menu has been named as one of the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 companies.  

Placing at 101 of 200 of Britain’s companies with the fastest growing international sales and one of just two pet food manufacturers listed in the whole of the UK, this accolade marks another successful milestone for Natures Menu.

Following the recent launch of its new innovative and premium product range True Instinct and the opening of its state of the art £12.5million factory in Snetterton, the company continues to go from strength to strength particularly on the back of the introduction of its German subsidiary.

The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 is an annual award which ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales, measured over their latest two years of available accounts.

Natures Menu specialises in raw dog and cat food made with fully-traceable quality meats and fish, blended vegetables, fruits and healthy carbohydrates, and uses British suppliers and ethical product sources wherever possible.

DEFRA approved and developed with vets, the products range from raw meaty bones to natural treats, as well as cans and pouches which all aim to satisfy the nutritional needs of pets and provide them with a healthy diet that’s packed full of pure, natural goodness.

Craig Taylor, Natures Menu Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this accolade. We started out in 1981 as a small family run business and we now deliver hundreds of tonnes of raw and natural pet food every month to satisfied customers across Europe.

"The recent launch of our new super-premium brand True Instinct marks an exciting milestone for the company and we’re thrilled with the feedback so far.

“Our success is testament to our fantastic team both here in the UK and in Europe who work tirelessly to ensure we offer an unrivalled range of raw and raw inspired pet foods for cats and dogs. Healthy nutrition and proper food made from proper ingredients is at the heart of everything we do.”

Retailers wanting to find out more information about Natures Menu and the range can email trade@naturesmenu.co.uk, phone 0800 0183770 or visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk. 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.

The BBC featured Frozzys when broadcasting a piece in the sunshine at Castle Howard in Yorkshire.

BBC Radio York posted a video on its facebook page entitled Castle Howard give frozen yogurt to dogs.

Watch the video at https://www.facebook.com/BBCYork/videos/1909631285736781/

The Pet Industry Federation has announced the launch of a new card-processing solution to add to the range of business benefits already available to its members.

PIF Payment Services is powered by PaymentPlus, whose buying power with multiple UK acquirers enables them to deliver highly competitive card processing rates to PIF members.

The system will offer PIF members secure card payment solutions using the latest generation of payment terminals, with colour screens and contactless payment options to ensure pet businesses are able to support the latest payment services.

In addition, because PIF Payment Services works with the majority of online payment gateways, online merchants can benefit from competitive merchant service charges, even providing businesses with their own preferred solution if they do not have one.

PIF Payment Services has been launched in conjunction with PIF’s established and successful affinity partnership with PIF Telecom, providing further saving to PIF members who use PIF Telecom for their telephone line and broadband.

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO said: "Implementing a suitable card-processing solution is becoming increasingly important for businesses and we are delighted to have extended our member benefits package by working with the experts at PaymentPlus to offer this genuinely valuable benefit to our members.

"We were so impressed with the work PaymentPlus did to improve PIF’s processing rates, that we have switched our card processing system over to PaymentPlus within our own office and across our dog grooming sites at Hadlow College and Greenwich."

 If you would like further information about how to access these great card-processing rates as a PIF member, contact the customer service team on 01234 273933 or visit www.pifpayment.co.uk for more details.

The UK’s leading manufacturer of nylon chews and play toys for dogs, TastyBone, is back with a new dual coloured, four-pronged bone that boasts four new world flavour varieties.

Proudly produced in Great Britain, the newest addition to the pack ‘QuattroBone’ is the toughest and tastiest bone yet.

Made with 100% virgin nylon the brightly coloured chews come in four mouth-watering World Flavours; Fish & Chips, Hoisin Duck, Chorizo and Chicken Tikka.

QuattroBone is infused with irresistible flavours from the inside out. Unlike many nylon bones that are sprayed with flavouring, this long-lasting bone is injected with flavour to maintain it’s delicious taste.

The nylon chew is made with human grade synthetic flavouring and colourings, which contains no extra additives, so is perfect for dogs on a calorie restricted diet.

“The fresh new design accompanied by the exciting new World flavours are a great addition to our current nylon range,” said TastyBone brand manager, Camille Ashforth.

“The QuattroBone has all the same dental benefits as our nylon and dental range, and we’re certain the bone will be a favourite amongst dogs across the globe.”

QuattroBone is available in two sizes, with RRP ranging from £15 to £18 and are available to order from June. For more information contact your Area Sales Manager, call 01254 54545 or visit tastybone.com.

The Cotswold RAW exhibition team are already unfurling their display tents, counting their pegs and building up their sample supplies because: Dog Fest July 23-24) The Game Fair (July 27-29) and Countryfile (August 2-5) are three significant dates in this rural business’s annual calendar.

According to Co-founder, Chris Brierley, "As a vocal champion of the local farming community and the wider rural economy, these are just the sorts of gatherings that truly reflect everything we hold dear. 

"Today’s dog owners are increasingly interested in naturalness, free-from diets and best-in class ingredients; vigorously championing our ongoing commitment to feeding dogs in the most natural, species appropriate manner possible."

Cotswold RAW thinking harks back to a time long before commercial pet food options had taken root, a time when raw fresh meats, offal, bone, veg seeds and nuts were the central constituents in the production of nutritious, well-rounded pet recipes.

Chris continues: "Whetherwe’re talking finely-tuned working dogs or more easy-going urban hounds, every dog deserves a healthy, nutritious balanced diet devoid of meaningless filler grains, meat derivatives or artificial nasties.  

"For a while pet food mirrored human priorities for speed and convenience which led to a myriad of unwanted obesity headlines.  Thankfully today, we’re returning to a mindset that recognizes that you are what you eat, which has led to a welcome renaissance in  low-carb, high protein recipes for both humans and their pets."

Cotswold RAW takes immense pride actively shopping on its doorstep to ensure it gets behind the local farming community in a meaningful way; maintaining a firm grip on quality assurance whilst keeping food miles to an absolute minimum. 

"Our local community outlook’,"concludes Chris, "means our veg comes from local Cotswold providers; our meat from the revered SW farming community whilst our free-range eggs are collected from Gloucestershire."

Please ‘seek out’ the Cotswold RAW team should you be attending any of the aforementioned shows. 

Following the successful launch of The Innocent Pet’s new packaging, the luxury treat manufacturer is now offering retailers a stunning free-standing display unit to showcase its products. 

Available as either single or double sided, the slatted stand is made from reclaimed wood which has been sourced from a local supplier. 

With enough space to carry the entire range of Innocent Pet products, this mobile stand offers a colourful display which attracts customers to the premium treats.

The first stand was delivered to Yorkshire’s popular garden centre, Langlands in Leeds, who are keen to grow their premium treats range.  Since then, several stands have been snapped up by a variety of retailers.

For more information contact The Innocent Pet. hello@theinnocentpet.co.uk 01937 841175.                                                            

Forthglade has teamed up with the South West Coast Path Association to help protect one of the region’s favourite dog walking spots.

The South West Coast Path is the longest of the country’s 15 National Trails and enables walkers and their dogs to explore 630 miles of stunning coastline from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Over 70% of the path is in either a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it one of the world’s best walks and winner of the ‘Best in the Great Outdoors’ category in the Dog Friendly Awards for two years running.

To kick off the new partnership, Forthglade has made a generous donation to the Association’s #40FOR40 campaign, an ambitious project to raise £40,000 this year, as the path celebrates its 40th anniversary.  

Forthglade will also be supporting the South West Coast Path Challenge month in October with a sponsored dog walk to help raise money for the charity and also later in the year, dog lovers will get the chance to win Forthglade goodies as part of a ‘Top Dog Walks’ photo competition, sponsored by Forthglade.

Gerard Lovell, Joint MD from Forthglade, said: “We’re lucky enough to have regularly enjoyed the South West Coast Path, it’s a truly beautiful area for dog walking.

"Looking after 630 miles of Path is an enormous task and as a Devon based business we’re keen to help protect one of our region’s most important natural assets.

"We hope our support will help the Association continue their great work repairing and improving the Path so that many can continue to enjoy it in the future.”

Ken Carter, Chairman of the South West Coast Path Association, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Forthglade as we believe the key to a happy, healthy dog is to give them naturally nutritious food and plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. This is a natural partnership for us and we look forward to working together.”

According to recent dog population statistics, one in four people living in the South West have a dog. With over 600 circular walks available online, there is something for everyone on the path.

The South West Coast Path Association provides lots of useful information to help dog owners enjoy the Path safely and responsibly with tips and advice on the best dog friendly walks, beaches, hotels and restaurants, how to keep dogs safe around grazing livestock and cliff edges.  

For more information visit: https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walk-coast-path/days-out/dogs-coastpath/

Photo caption: Barnaby, the Welsh Springer Spaniel enjoying the walk from East Soar to Salcombe, South Devon. Photographer: Lindsay Russell

Pooch & Mutt is speaking to customers in a new way with the launch of its latest newsletter “Pepper’s Picks”.

The newsletter is researched and produced by Pooch & Mutt’s very own office dog, Pepper, who wants to bring some fun back into email marketing.

“Email marketing plays a key part in any business - we wanted to try something new, so people can really enjoy the content. Newsletters are used for marketing purposes, but there aren’t many brands who go out of their way to create something that is ‘just fun’ for their customers," says founder, Guy Blaskey.

Now in its third edition, the light-hearted newsletter is appealing to a wider audience.

The curated content consists of Pepper's top picks to entertain readers, combining heartwarming articles, fun quizzes and lists. Content so far has included '20 Pets Who Have Melted Into Pancakes', 'Everyone Is A Mix Of Two Dog Breeds - Here's Yours' and 'Meet The Tubby Animals In The Running To Win A Pet-Slimming Competition'.

New EU rules on the import of Caudata amphibians such as newts and salamanders are being introduced on 1 July in the UK.

The new rules seek to stop the spread of the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal).

The European Commission had initially proposed introducing a complete ban on the movement and sale of the species some time ago.

Both OATA and the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade (REPTA) made representations that preventative measures could be introduced first and have welcomed the new regime.

“While we accept the new regulations are more onerous for importers, we do believe these are still better than the outright ban initially proposed by the EU several years ago,” explained OATA’s Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“We worked with Defra to come up with an approach and, while it has taken some time to reach an agreement on how to deal with the imports of these animals, we are pleased that we now have a situation which enables the industry to continue to sell Caudata species.

“However, these are temporary measures to see if this regime will work. So it really is now up to our industry to demonstrate that we can be responsible about our biosecurity. We need to show these kinds of preventative measures can work and kneejerk bans are not always the only way to tackle an issue.”

To import Caudata into the UK or move between EU countries importers will need to:

• Use the custom code 0106900000
• Pre-notify FHI or APHA about movements
• Quarantine animals at a Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) approved establishment
• Have the appropriate health certificates

Find out more on the OATA website at https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/set-standards/biosecurity/caudata-rules/

Only eight days to go until Britain's best loved charity day out for dogs - sign up your four-legged friend now for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Next Friday (June 22) is Bring Your Dog To Work Day, Britain's best day out for dogs. Now in its fifth year the annual fun fundraising event is a fantastic day out for dogs and owners. It is great fun, boosts staff morale and raises much needed funds for animal welfare charities.
 
Now in its fifth year, Bring Your Dog To Work Day is embraced by dog lovers and their employers throughout the UK with thousands of businesses and employees taking part.
 
To take part, dog owners simply need to sign up and make a minimum of £5 donation. They can then upload a picture of their beloved dog and simply describe their dog's work duties (this can be licking the dishwasher, attending a board meeting or just making you smile) to our Dog With A Job Hall Of Fame.
 

 
Here's the pawsome Oreo - busy at work cleaning up crumbs from under the desks.
 
If dog owners donate £10 or more they will also be in with a chance to win some pawtastic prizes donated by our business sponsors in our competition. This year, all money raised goes to the charity All Dog's Matter and other animal welfare organisations.
 
Bring Your Dog To Work day always attract a lot of attention from celebrities and media including Ricky Gervais, the Top Gear team, ITV's Loose Women, Tennis TV, Shrek the Musical, Coronation Street and many more, all showing their support last year by posting on social media.
 
Since 2014, the hashtag #BringYourDogToWorkDay has trended at number 1 on Twitter, so it's a great chance for dog owners to show off their pooches. Last year, the hashtag reached over 13 million users in one hour.
 
Prizes this year include goodies from HOWND, Lily's Kitchen, Pet Remedy, Woof Advisor, Dogrobes, Nature's Menu, The Office Dog, Ruff and Tumble, Webbox Natural, Dog Buddy, Butternut Box, Cotswold Raw, Hilife Pet Food, Frontline, Vitalin, Flexi, Tails.com and many more signing up every day.
 
Founded and organised by multi-award winning ethical pet care brand HOWND. Jo Amit of HOWND says: "Bring Your Dog To Work Day has really taken off over the last five years.  We have some incredible sponsors on board and the goodwill and support is tremendous.

"People have really taken the day to heart and organise some great workplace events to celebrate bringing their dogs to work, it's such a treat for dogs and their owners alike and great fun for everyone!".
 
This year, the organisers are also encouraging businesses to come on board as official sponsors and raise funds for their own animal welfare charities too.

Bring Your Dog To Work Day's social pages, as well as the official charity's, will share all Bring Your Dog To Work Day official sponsors' in-house fundraising events, competitions and activities in their social feeds. 
 
In return for a business making a minimum £100 donation, its company logo and website link will be displayed on the homepage, and they will receive a thank you shout out from All Dogs Matter on social media and has proved to be a great opportunity to amplify brands.

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Mars Petcare is to buy European animal hospital operator AniCura, as it expands its veterinary business amid a boom in pet-related spending.

Mars said on Monday it was buying the Swedish company from private investment firms Nordic Capital, Fidelio and other minority shareholders.

The deal is worth 1 billion to 2 billion euros (0.74 billion to 1.49 billion pounds), according to a source familiar with the matter.

The acquisition comes the week after Mars agreed to buy British veterinary services provider Linnaeus Group.

It is the latest in a string of petcare deals by Mars and others looking to capitalise on consumers’ increased spending on pets.

A new ‘super-food’ for humans should not be neglected in the diet of hedgehogs, animal experts have said.

Mealworms, which are being advocated for human consumption at the dinner table, will also boost a hedgehog’s development when fed in moderation, according to nutritionists.

Containing a high level of fat, they support hedgehogs to get the balanced intake they need all year round, including during the crucial autumn into winter feeding stage.

Experts at leading manufacturer Spike’s World say mealworms, which are in fact the larval form of the mealworm beetle, should not be fed in isolation but as part of a balanced diet.

They can be found in Spike’s World Insect Crumble and WildThings Hedgehog Food products, which are widely available in stores across the UK.

Animal nutritionist Jennifer Dean said: “Mealworms have been getting a bad press in isolated quarters, but they have a lot going for them as part of a hedgehog’s balanced diet.

“They are high in both fat and protein, meaning they contain many of the essential nutrients needed for good hedgehog health across all four seasons.

“Mealworms are a treat food for hedgehogs and should not be given in excess as not to encourage them to refuse the rest of the ration, which could cause mineral imbalance.

“But our carefully created formula means that the level of mealworms should not cause any such imbalance.”

Spike’s World guarantee the content of Insect Crumble and WildThings Hedgehog Food is in line with recommendations around the calcium-phosphorus ratio.

“In fact, it is widely regarded that the nutritional needs of hedgehogs in terms of minerals is similar to cats, hence the recommendation of feeding cat food to hedgehogs.

Both have a ratio of 1.5:1, mid-way between the minimum and maximum levels advocated by FEDIAF, the European Pet Food Agency for cats and dogs.

Jennifer said: “The calcium phosphorous ratio is very similar in all mammals, and that applies to hedgehogs as much as to cats and dogs.

“Our products sit perfectly between the upper and lower levels recommended by FEDIAF.”

Available hedgehog food includes Spike’s Dinner, Spike’s Meaty Feast, Spike’s Tasty Semi-Moist and Spike’s Dinner – Food for Pet Hedgehogs.

Since 2015, mealworms have raised their heads as a potential super-food for humans and a replacement for meat.

At least one specialist company has been established to popularise their breeding at home for consumption at the dinner table.

Those behind the Hong Kong venture say production of mealworms requires only 10% of the equivalent land compared to that of beef.

It is also estimated to require less water and less feed for the same amount of end product.

Spike’s World is part of Pets Choice, which has been producing quality pet food since 1861, and today specialises in delicious, highly nutritious and healthy food for dogs, cats, hedgehogs, chickens, ducks, swans and small animals such as hamsters and rabbits.

A West Yorkshire pet shop is promoting its home town of Wetherby as a dog-friendly place to visit.

The Barking Lot, located in Horsefair, Wetherby, is sponsoring an initiative to identify and promote all of the dog-friendly shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation in the town.

Vicki Lister, of The Barking Lot, said: “We are hoping this initiative brings more visitors.”

The Barking Lot is a small, independent, family-run pet shop specialising in only natural pet food and treats since 2009.

Leaflets listing all the dog-friendly shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs and accommodation are being distributed among businesses and will also be available at the town hall.

www.thebarkinglot.co.uk

The brand behind the first ever ball launcher, Chuckit!, is again bringing innovation to the game of fetch with the launch of a new toy for Summer 2018 − the RingChaser.

Inspired by the best-selling Ultra Ball, The RingChaser puts the thrill of the chase at the heart of outdoor play for consumers this Summer, combining the ease and popularity of launchers with more grounded games in one product for the first time.

Featuring an ergonomic handle and robust ring for launching, the RingChaser set has been designed with dogs’ natural instincts in mind. From the unique topspin infused action of the RingChaser to the erratic bounce, zig zag and hop of the UltraRing, this unique combination mimics the movement of game and is guaranteed to engage the ‘chase’ instinct in every dog.

Ensuring owners still benefit from the convenience of easy, hands-free pick up and the far flung throws that Chuckit! launchers are famed for, the RingChaser also features a long handle with easy throwing motion built into the design − so all consumers have to do is flick it for the fast action fetch games that their dogs demand.  

Will Baggaley, Brand Manager for Chuckit!, comments: “We’re excited to be launching the RingChaser toy this year, especially because the ‘grounded roll action’ is a first for Chuckit! and offers consumers something completely unique within the launcher collection.

“While the UltraRing is also adding a brand new dimension to our compatibles range, customers and consumers can rest assured that they will be getting the same robust build and high quality materials that Chuckit! is famed for. The UltraRing is actually inspired by the design of the best-selling Ultra Ball, so we’re sure it will be firm favourite this year for new and existing consumers alike.”

The RingChaser, RRP £14.99, is available from June 2018 along with the UltraRing, RRP £6.99.

For more information about Chuckit!, visit: http://chuckit-toys.co.uk/.

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced the award of a licence to Agros Trading GmbH, a leader for many years in the manufacturing and marketing of wild bird feed, for a comprehensive range of high-quality wild bird food – the first-ever range of bird feed fully licensed by the RHS.

The RHS wild bird feed range includes:

• High Energy Suet Balls
• High Energy Suet Cakes
• High Energy Suet Nibbles
• Premium Brown Peanut
• Oil Rich Black Sunflower Seeds
• No Mess Sunflower Hearts
• High Energy No Mess Seed Mix
• Everyday Seed Mix
• Finches Favourite Nyjer Seeds
• Protein Rich Mealworms

The packaging for the range will make use of imagery from the RHS Lindley Library, the world’s finest collection of botanical art, containing more than 25,000 superb images.

The range went on sale at over 200 The Original Factory Shop stores on 15 May and will be available at RHS shops both physical and online very soon. A number of garden centres and some supermarket chains are also expected to stock the range in the coming months.

The target market is enormous and takes in all ages and backgrounds. Feeding wild birds is becoming more and more popular in the UK with both young and old alike. The wild bird feed market in the UK is worth in excess of £200m a year.

Agros Trading GmbH has been a leader for many years in the manufacturing and marketing of wild bird food. It sources raw materials exclusively from selected and certified suppliers with which it has long-term partnerships or from local farmers. For wild bird seed only GMO-free raw materials are used where available.
 

John Molyneux, UK Manager, Agros Trading GmbH, says: “The enormous and growing popularity of feeding wild birds in the UK makes this an important market in which we have a strong reputation.” He continues: “Adding the much sought-after RHS brand to these new products will bring another level of credibility to an already quality offering. We are thrilled to be working with the RHS on this range.”

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “This is the first RHS-branded range of bird feed we have fully licensed and a very important step into this category for us. In the event, we couldn’t have hoped for a better partner. I’m certain that this will be a very productive partnership and popular product range.”

Believe in yourself and keep looking forward... that's the message from Steve Pointon, who is celebrating 20 years with OSCAR Pet Foods.

“In my previous career I found myself caught up in the politics of the banking industry and a lifetime of sales,” Steve says.

“We were a happy family with two children. Jacqui and I enjoyed life to the full while I continued to work, but we had always planned to run our own business in the future.

“Only when the family were old enough did we find the confidence to branch out, take the plunge and look at self-employment – the key to give us more time together. With a blank sheet of paper, we firstly considered the fast food chain for a fast turnaround – during which time we bumped into OSCAR and pet food.

"The principle of an OSCAR business was clearly filling a unique gap in the market, while my background fulfilled the criteria of the business – sales and people. Pets were a bonus.

“From the start, OSCAR showed us the way, giving us a product and service we had faith in. And over time we built a community. We were hands on with everything until our family life had to endure a sadness and I and my children had to move forward and find an inner strength.

"OSCAR was our life and it had to continue. I found comfort in the community – bringing people together to express their feelings. And where better can you find comfort than in owning a pet?

“There's nothing like having a cuppa and a chat, and working to maintain my own personal well-being takes me to all walks of life where there is always a new customer with a story to tell.

"In time I met Jean, who was more than happy to climb on board with OSCAR and is my right hand in technology.

"Having passed the COAPE course in animal nutrition she also keeps all the administration up to date while I continue to take full advantage of being able to work to suit my lifestyle and my belief in our future"

Pets at Home has halted plans to open a new store for the second time within the space of a month. The latest move sees the UK’s largest pet retail chain pulling out of a newly-developed Guisborough retail park, following a similar decision in Skegness last month.

The company has blamed a volatile property market for both decisions.

A spokesperson for Pets at Home told Pet Trade Xtra the retail giant was committed to future expansion, stating: “When we announced our results on 22 May we said we would open up to five superstores in the current financial year.  While we keep the details under careful review that is our plan.”

The decision to withdraw from a planned new store at Cleveland Gate Retail Park, Guisborough, was reported by the Teeside Gazette.

The newspaper stated Pets at Home had recruited staff for the new store.

Pets at Home said: “We keep our opening plans under regular review as store openings can take some time to come to fruition and both the retail environment and the property market can be volatile.

“At a recent review of our store opening plans we decided, with regret, not to progress with our plan to open a store in Guisborough.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing to customers who were looking forward to a new store and apologise for the change in our plans.

“Colleagues who have started training with us will be offered alternative positions in one of our nearby stores.”

Similar comments were made after the decision not to open a store in Skegness in May.

The full story on the Cleveland Gate Retail Park decision can be read by clicking here

The Just for Pets retail business, rescued by Pedigree Wholesale eight months ago, has been given a fantastic new look thanks to a £1 million investment fund. A first glimpse of the new branding was seen at the grand opening of the flagship Coventry store at the weekend.

The exciting rebrand is part of a Just for Pets strategy to re-engage with pet owners. The specialist pet retailer is putting knowledge and an energised customer experience top of its agenda.

Signalling the start of a two-year, initial £1million investment strategy, Just for Pets has overhauled its market offer, placing focus on giving its loyal customers a five-star experience, coupled with attracting a wider audience.

At the opening of the Coventry store on Saturday and Sunday customers experienced the new look first hand.

Cementing its new brand proposition of passionate pet people, the rebrand will also see the roll out of a suite of new visuals, including a dedicated palette of colours, logo and even the introduction of a family of illustrated characters, Doodle the Dog, Bonnie the Bird, Rascal the Rabbit and friends – set to help engage and educate parents and their children in the wellbeing of pets.

Enlisting the help of specialist marketing and design consultancies to bring a fresh perspective to its existing market proposition − the company went through a series of extensive testing with consumer groups to map long-term trends in people’s purchasing habits and tailor and enhance the shopping experience of Just for Pets to make sure its product offer meets demand.

Further dedicated to energising its retail offer, the brand also engaged the expertise of renowned pet store owner Scott Hendry, of Natural World Syston, to guide Just for Pets, as it shaped its new strategy and proposition.

Commenting on the rebrand Steve Brown, Managing Director, said: “The Just for Pets proposition has always put passion for pets at the heart of our business and we’ve worked diligently to maintain this ethos. Our challenge is to create an exciting, engaging and evolving experience that keeps our customers coming back and this in turn drives us to bring great products, service and advice that will enhance the wellbeing of pets and their owners.

“We’ve tackled the rebrand passionately and feel our new offer delicately meets familiarity with a new energy that turns the page on the next chapter in the Just for Pets story.”

Unveiled just eight months after Just for Pets was rescued by established pet sector business Pedigree Wholesale, the start of this two-year store roll out reinforces the dedication to supporting a strong pet retail market offer for consumers and maintaining the presence of specialist pet retailers on the high street and in retail locations across the country.

The growing stature of PATS Telford in September has resulted in 43 companies taking stand space at Telford International Centre for the first time.

They will be joining a long list of regular exhibitors on Sunday 23^rd September and Monday 24^th September as the UK’s national pet trade exhibition shapes up to be another epic event. Currently, 160 manufacturers and suppliers have already booked their place at the show.

PATS Telford, now in its fourth year, has quickly established itself as the number one showpiece for UK and international companies to launch pet products and secure new business.

New to PATS Telford, Four Legged Fancies summed up how the exhibition can help a new company to grow. Victoria Rough, managing director of the natural treat firm, said: “We have a strong presence locally at shows and events in the South West, which has allowed us to secure a number of stockists in the area. However, PATS can showcase us to retailers from across the whole of the UK and beyond.”

It’s a similar story for Barney’s Biscuit Boxes, whose Matthew Stanley said: “Exhibiting at Telford is the best way for us to speak with a great range of potential buyers from small independent retailers to larger pet organisations about our handmade natural dog treats. Fingers crossed our biscuits, which contain fresh fruit, fresh vegetables or fresh meat, will be a real hit.”

And Stuart Malcolmson, of Arctic Wolf Ltd, commented: “We chose to exhibit at PATS as it allows us to meet with a large number of potential new retail partners in a central location.”

“Hugo & Hudson had such a fantastic response from PATS Sandown in March that we decided to exhibit at PATS Telford, where we’ll be showcasing our new designs of collars, leads and harnesses,” said the company’s Katie Berkeley.

Likewise for Slurps, whose Susan Gregory commented: “We launched the brand to the trade at PATS Sandown and were blown away by the response. At PATS Telford, we’re looking forward to showing our new Slurps concentrates and ready to present our products to an even bigger group of customers.”

Simon Freear, of Josera dog, cat and horse foods, was so impressed with the pet exhibition after visiting PATS Sandown that he decided to book a stand at Telford. “Our InsectDog and VeggieDog complete foods will be there after a successful Interzoo. We are looking to recruit professional pet partners across the UK and Ireland,” said Simon.

After six years of trading Oscar & Hooch has chosen PATS Telford as its show of choice to launch new dog accessory ranges, including dog collars, leads, dog bandanas and dog coats. “The new ranges will extend Oscar & Hooch’s consumer reach and reinvigorate its offering to the pet trade. We are excited to see faces old and new,” said Paul Steckler.

Wilsons, one of the country's longest established pet food manufacturers, will be unveiling its new range of Cold Pressed dog food, while Faithful Friends Collectables will be showcasing new ranges of soft toys for dogs and cats.

PATS Telford is also attracting international companies like Thai Inaba Foods Co Ltd, whose Nukanda Jettanachaiyada said: “We would like to show our quality treats and wet foods for cats and dogs that reached number one in Japan, and gain recognition from customers in UK.”

Chinese company Sunner Pet Products will be at Telford for the first time with Ivy Sun stating: “We hope that our pet products will be popular among European customers. Dog poop bag is our main product, and we also want our new cat litter scoop to be known among people.”

GoldPaw is an American brand looking to establish itself in the UK and owner Rebecca Gadd said: “We've shown at other international fairs but we decided to attend PATS because we wanted to focus our efforts on Britain this year.”

Vital Pet Trade Specialist had a major presence at Sandown and the company will be repeating the exercise in September. Director Sunny Sharma said: “Turnout at the Vital Grandstand and our enlarged stand in the Surrey Hall at PATS Sandown was beyond expectations. We couldn’t have been more pleased with the response from existing and prospective customers and suppliers. We’re excited to be building on this success at Telford, where we will have even more opportunities to partner with major suppliers offering exclusive products and promotions.”

PATS Telford will also again play host to popular visitor attractions like The New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, demonstrations and workshops from top dog groomers, and free-to-attend seminars from leading industry figures.

Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

Pets at Home is supporting Rabbit Awareness Week by continuing its ban on selling rabbit muesli, an initiative that has been in place since April 2013.

As a result of ground-breaking new industry research, Pets at Home immediately ceased the sale of rabbit muesli in all of its stores, calling on other retailers to follow its lead.

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), which runs until Sunday, is an annual event, where experts such as vets, pet retailers, welfare charities and manufacturers work together to educate people on how to give owned rabbits the best care possible.

This year’s theme is ‘Move Away from Muesli’, which is raising awareness around the dangers of selective feeding, encouraging owners to use a high-quality, hay based diet.

Dr. Maeve Moorcroft, Head of Pets for Pets at Home, said: “Rabbits fed on a muesli diet are more likely to suffer from dental and digestive problems, and these health issues can have a detrimental effect on rabbits – so we haven’t sold rabbit muesli in our stores and online for five years now.

"It’s great that RAW is continuing to draw attention to this issue and we hope that ‘Move Away from Muesli’ helps make a real difference to the welfare of all rabbits, by ensuring that they are fed the right diet to keep them healthy and happy.”

Earlier this year, Pets at Home suspended the sale and adoption of rabbits during the Easter bank holiday.

Pets at Home has also shared a list of considerations for prospective rabbit owners:

• Rabbits are sociable creatures that can make wonderful pets for experienced pet owners, and are naturally social, intelligent and inquisitive animals
• Rabbits can become friendly and confident around people if gently handled from a young age
• Housing will take up a significant area of your house and garden - you’ll need to make sure they have a large area at home
• Initial set-up costs for their hutch and accessories can be expensive at first
• Rabbits have very distinctive personalities and, once tamed, love spending time with you and other compatible rabbits (rabbits should ideally live in pairs)
• Rabbits can enrich your children’s learning environment, helping them to understand more about animals and the natural world. They make suitable pets for older children, with adult supervision
• Rabbits take time to clean out, feed and health check every day
• Owners must consider the costs of vet bills, bedding and food costs throughout the rabbits’ lives and must be able to commit to these on-going costs
• Rabbits must also be vaccinated and neutered. It’s worth noting that unneutered rabbits can become aggressive when they mature and are prone to cancer of the reproductive tract – so neutering is not just to avoid unwanted babies
• A decision to get a rabbit should not be taken lightly; rabbits can live up to 12 years so are a long-term commitment

Rabbits prefer the company of other rabbits – the temperament of any other pets you currently have, such as cats and dogs, should be considered when welcoming a rabbit into your home.

Rabbits shouldn’t be housed with guinea pigs as they have opposing diets and communicate in different ways.