New owners have intervened to prevent the closure of a popular pet shop.

Cracks Pet Foods in Beccles, Norfolk, was due to close at the end of July because of retirement of current owners.

But thanks to a change of ownership the store in Blyburgate will continue to operate, much to the delight of its local customers.

In a post on social media, Tracy Tustin, who has announced the closure in an earlier Facebook message, said: “I am pleased to announce that Cracks Pet Foods will no longer be closing on the 31st July, but will from the 1st August be under new ownership.  

“Myself and Ann Riches will still be there to help with anything you need. Thank you also for all the lovely messages and good wishes. And we hope that you will continue to support the business and new owner.”

Customers responded on social media with comments like:

• “Fabulous news, congratulations to you and Anne, so pleased that the town is keeping this lovely shop.”
• “That's absolutely wonderful.”
• “Great news, well done to you both.”
• “The best news.”

Photograph of Tracy Tustin and Ann Riches in Cracks Pet Foods, courtesy of Blyburgate Independent Shops & Restaurants’ Facebook page.

Pet brand Years.com is calling for compulsory NHS-style annual health checks for dogs when they reach middle age.

Writing on the company’s website, CEO Darren Beale said: “We are committed to making sure our beloved pet dogs are with us for as long as possible – that means ensuring they live their maximum lifespan. Diet and exercise are, of course, key to helping our companion animals stay healthy and lead a long life.

“But diet and exercise are only part of the answer. We have to make sure that dogs stay healthy by doing our absolute best for them when it comes to health care.

“That’s why Years.com is calling for compulsory NHS style annual health checks for dogs when they reach middle age.

“Humans are offered health checks on the NHS when they reach the age of 50 and we believe dogs deserve the same level of health care when they hit seven.

“After all, to millions of us dogs are so much more than just pets, they are beloved family members – and there are an estimated 11m of them in the UK.

“But unlike humans, dogs aren’t able to tell their family members when they feel unwell and even the most attentive owners can miss the signs of sickness and disease until it’s reached an advanced stage.

“We believe dogs already save the NHS millions every year by giving their owners a reason for regular exercise and making their lives happier and more joyful.

“That’s why we think dogs are worth investing in. So we are calling on the UK’s major political parties to show they care by adopting this policy proposal into their manifestos for the next general election.”

The health checks would be carried out by a local vet who will be looking to spot the early signs of illness or disease.

“With 11m dogs in the UK we estimate that around 4m are aged seven and above. A veterinary health check costs an average of £50,” added Darren. “So we believe the total cost a future Government would need to dedicate to this initiative would be £200m a year.

“Some of this cost could be recouped from vets, with over half of all vets in the UK now being owned by six companies, who many complain charge too much for basic services.

“If you support our campaign for NHS style health checks for middle aged dogs, and want to get involved please let us know by emailing nhs4dogs@years.com.”

For more information visit https://www.years.com/pages/nhsfordogs

On Friday, June 23 it will be the ninth Bring Your Dog To Work Day, founded and organised ethical pet brand HOWND. The viral event promises to be a dogtastic day whether pet parents are working from home or in the office.

The day is a big fundraiser for animal welfare charities and include the Bring Your Dog To Work Day official charities – All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia and the Surge Sanctuary.  

This year businesses can become ‘Pawsome Partners’ by donating a minimum of £100 directly to one of the official chariites. They will receive a thank you shout out on social and details can be found on the official website. It’s a great opportunity for pet brands to raise their profiles while giving to charities in desperate need of funds. 

The website receives tens of thousands of hits in the lead up to the big day, and over the years the event has had coverage in The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, Lad Bible, Waitrose Weekend, The Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and hundreds of media titles, with ITV The Lorraine Show, BBC and other broadcasters and media outlets covering the nation’s favourite day out for dogs.

Jo Amit, co-founder of Bring Your Dog To Work Day and HOWND, the ethical pet care brand says: “As a nation of dog lovers it’s so exciting to see how this has captured the imagination of dog owners and companies and is growing every year. It is well known that having a dog at work has great mental health benefits and more and more companies are becoming dog friendly. Each year more companies sign up and we’re proud to be involved in something that is doing good and also bringing a lot of joy to the workplace.”

There’s still time to join in the fun - just head over to www.bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk

Top picture credit: @JoSowry (Pet Pride Photography)

Pedigree Wholesale has relaunched its portfolio of Natures Deli and PPI rawhide lines into a new brand destination – Bingham Farms.

The old rawhide lines have been rebranded with a new look and feel, including a new logo and fresh packaging to ensure the products look strong and consistent in-store. Only the branding has changed, so all rawhide lines are made from the same delicious recipes as before, and all lines will keep the same codes, barcodes, pack formats, and pricing under the new repackaged brand.

New lines will transition from the old Natures Deli and PPI branding into the new Bingham Farms branding throughout June and July. All new lines will be available through Pedigree Wholesale who are aiming to complete this transition by the end of July. The range features 35 varieties of treats consisting of 9 pouches, 24 bulk bags and 2 display cases, so there is plenty of variety and choice for retailers and customers.

Natures Deli, an exclusive brand to Pedigree Wholesale, will turn completely rawhide-free thanks to this transition, the destination for natural healthy food and treats for happy dogs! 

The Bingham Farms dog treat rawhide range is exclusively available to the Specialist Pet Trade via Pedigree Wholesale. There are already over 19 lines available on the petproducts.co.uk website ready to order in the new brand and packaging.

The Agria Dog Walk raised over £50,000 for animal charities across the continent. The international initiative saw walks taking place across Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, with more than 30,000 dogs taking part.  

Announcing a new three-year partnership with English Heritage, the UK element of the annual charitable event marks the beginning of Agria’s support for the trust’s dog-friendly days out and took place in five locations, including: Dover Castle, Kent; Witley Court and Gardens, Worcestershire; Pendennis Castle, Cornwall; Wrest Park, Bedfordshire and Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria.  

Here in the UK, Brits raised just over £18,500 for a selection of rescues, including Retired Greyhounds Canterbury, Help4Hounds Rescue, Daybreaks Trust, Spaniel Aid UK and Dogs First Animal Rescue. With over 1,500 dogs and their families taking part, the fundraiser welcomed internationally recognised animal rights activist and model, Jodie Kidd, along with her Dachshund, Sausage, to the walk at Dover Castle, one of the country’s most scenic English Heritage sites.  

Jodie Kidd, animal activist and supporter of Agria Dog Walk, said: “Unfortunately, it’s thought that there’s 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK and with a really sharp rise of dogs being left in shelters after lockdown and especially now we have the cost of living crisis, we’re trying to grow awareness and raise funds for these amazing animal rescues and to encourage people that might like to own a dog, to go down to a shelter and rehome a gorgeous dog that’s homeless at the moment.” 

Each event was packed with entertainment for the whole family, including dog-friendly ice cream, local artists hosting children’s art sessions, face painters, plus demonstrations illustrating how to teach dogs tricks or how to whizz around an agility course.  

Vicki Wentworth, CEO at Agria Pet Insurance, says: "We are so grateful to have been joined by so many adorable dogs and their families, united in our collective endeavour to raise funds for remarkable charitable causes. As we continue to see widespread economic pressure, we’re proud to be able to continue our support for animals that have been abandoned due to no fault of their own. Both the Agria and English Heritage teams have created fantastic events and we can’t wait to repeat this success next year!" 

Emma Atherton from Spaniel Aid UK, says: “As a small self-funding charity, we rely on donations and fundraising events to help us to pay for our huge vet bills and to buy supplies for our foster dogs. Our vet bills from the 1st January to 21st April 2023 were at £121,765.97, and this is now a lot more, so Agria selecting Spaniel Aid UK to be one of their chosen charities for this event will really help us to keep caring for all dogs in foster with us.” 

Ruth Price from Daybreaks Trust, says: “We are constantly inundated with requests to take dogs for rehoming and we currently have a waiting list for greyhounds retiring from racing, that are waiting for a space at Daybreaks in order for us to find them a home. Along with trying to raise funds to keep running, we are constantly under other pressures, so this event is a great help.” 

For more information, visit: agriapet.co.uk/agria-dog-walk/ and to learn more about English Heritage dog-friendly days out, visit: english-heritage.org.uk

Veterinary marketing and PR agency Companion Consultancy has, this week, launched a new graphic design company. Companion Design Studio will provide veterinary companies and practices with all forms of graphic, video and digital design from magazines, logos, leaflets, and posters, to websites, emailers, photography, filming, podcasts, and animations. It can be found at www.companiondesignstudio.co.uk.

Companion Consultancy Director, Susan McKay explains how it all started. “We added a design team to the agency two years ago and it’s been fantastic to have this resource available in-house. In the digital space people increasingly consume their content as images and sound as much as the written word and it has become key to delivering communication projects that really work.”

The Companion team developed new ways to work collaboratively with the designers, “For complex projects we can have one or more of our vets working alongside the designer to get all the technical nuances exactly right. Infographics for instance are a great way to overcome language barriers but explaining the complexities of how vaccines work in pictures needs veterinary input and our designers then come up with visual ways to represent those concepts so we can work through those together. On simpler projects, clients don’t have to waste time explaining why they don’t want to show a dog wearing a choke chain or carrying a stick, because our designers already bring an additional level of understanding to their work. We wanted to make it clear that you don’t have to be a Companion Consultancy client to benefit from this great resource.”

Lead designer, Tom Sanderson, started his career in copywriting before specialising in design and has 15 years’ experience in creative and art direction, including magazine production, website design, packaging, and all aspects of graphics. Senior Designer, Jenny Silventoinen, has been working in design for 29 years, including seven years working with the Royal Society of Chemistry, and was the creative brain behind the new British Veterinary Receptionist Association logo and associated assets. As well as being immersed in all things animal every working day, both are keen pet owners. 

Tom said: “When I joined Companion two years ago I didn’t know anything about the veterinary industry. One steep learning curve later I can honestly say I love my job, not just for the sheer variety of projects but the community of genuinely lovely people who we work with in a very collaborative way.” Tom is also a professional musician and has composed and recorded original music for use in podcasts and video. 

To celebrate its launch, Companion Design Studio is offering a free, no obligation 30 minute design consultation to the first 10 applicants from the veterinary community who want expert input on their existing branding and how it has been applied, or to gather ideas for new design projects. 

To find out more visit www.companiondesignstudio.co.uk or call Tom on 07925 133302.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the popular British dog toy brand PetLove has launched its first ever consumer-focused website www.petlove-europe.com

Featuring a comprehensive listing of the brand’s portfolio which includes favourite ranges such as Mighty Mutts, Nuzzle Puzzle, and Resploot Tuffles & Cuddlers, the new website has a clean, uncluttered design that includes a drop-down menu with suggestions for toys that suit different dog play types and strengths. 

Commenting on the new website Adrian Exell, Interpet’s Commercial Director said: “The PetLove brand has been part of our business for forty years and we are very proud of its continued development and contribution to Central Interpet’s expansive pet industry offering.”  

He continued; “Even in these challenging business times, we acknowledge the importance of investing in our brands. We are extremely excited to launch the new PetLove website which for the first time will enable consumers to view the full breadth of our extensive range whilst enforcing our ‘every pet has its play’ brand ethos.”

The website has been launched in conjunction with a social media marketing campaign, and forms part of PetLove’s ongoing brand development strategy. 

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Pets at Home has announced the appointment of Steve Shirley as Operations Director - Retail.

Steve, 46, has extensive retail experience, having spent nearly 30 years with supermarket chain Asda, most recently as Vice-President Wholesale and Convenience where he had responsibility for the end-to-end operating model and proposition of Asda Express Stores.

Steve will report to Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, with the appointment completing the senior retail leadership team. Taking responsibility for all Pets at Home’s 457 stores, Steve will lead the retail operations and field teams as the business continues to develop its estate across the UK.

Steve, who is married with two children and a pet Labrador, Cooper, held senior roles during his time with Asda including five years as Vice-President of Retail Operations with responsibility for all Asda supermarket stores. Prior to that he held numerous positions as a senior retail director, running stores across Manchester and Lancashire, and later Yorkshire.

Steve, who is a Liverpool FC fan, is particularly proud of the teams and colleagues that he helped develop during his time with Asda and of the retailer’s introduction into smaller format stores.

Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, said: “It is great to welcome Steve to the team. He is a very experienced, results-driven and respected retailer and hasdeveloped a wealth of experience across end-to-end retail operations, including establishing a broad range of store formats.”

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “I’m very excited to be joining Pets – not many businesses can provide such a rich offer - combining health, grooming and retail all under one brand.

“I was also very struck by the collaborative culture that seems to be such a key component of Pets at Home’s continuing success story. I can’t wait to get started and meet as many of my new colleagues as possible.”

Frozzys, renowned for its nutritious frozen yogurts for dogs, has launched a limited-edition Celebration Pack. 

Frozzys is celebrating its 10^th birthday and is inviting dogs and their owners to join in the celebrations with a fun and bright celebration pack that boasts two new flavours.

Dog owners choose Frozzys frozen yogurts because they are lactose-free, low-calorie and contain prebiotic fibre to aid digestion and boost immune health.

Perfect for marking special occasions, Frozzys’ Celebration Pack consists of two new frozen yogurt flavours –Mixed Berry and Banana and Honey. Made with the same great recipe as the original Frozzys flavours, the new Mixed Berry and Banana and Honey flavour Frozzys are loaded with antioxidants and are also lactose free, virtually fat free and natural with no added artificial preservatives.

Find out where to order and download your FREE online marketing pack at frozzys.com

The British Independent Retailers Association has said May's Retail Sales Monitor (RSM) report is of 'real concern' for stores across the UK.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said the report shows that sales growth has slowed to its lowest level in six month.

The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for May 2023, revealed:

• UK Total retail sales increased by 3.9% in May, against a decline of 1.1% in May 2022. This is below the 3-month average growth of 4.7% and above the 12-month average growth of 3.4%.
• UK Like-for-like retail sales increased by 3.7% in May, against a decline of 1.5% in May 2022. This was below the 3-month average growth of 4.6% and above the 12-month average growth of 3.1%.
• Food sales increased 9.6% on a Total basis and 9.8% on a Like-for-like basis over the three months to May. This is above the 12-month Total average growth of 6.9%. For the month of May, Food was in growth year-on-year.
• Non-Food sales increased 0.7% on a Total basis and 0.5% on a like-for-like basis over the three-months to May. This is above the 12-month Total average growth of 0.5%. For the month of May, Non-Food was in growth year-on-year.
• Over the three months to May, In-store Non-Food sales increased 2.9% on a Total basis and 2.2% on a Like-for-like basis since May 2022. This is below the Total 12-month average growth of 3.7%.
• Online Non-Food sales decreased by 3.0% in May, against a decline of 8.5% in May 2022. This is steeper than the 3-month average decline of 2.8% and shallower than the 12-month decline of 4.0%.
• The proportion of Non-Food items bought online (penetration rate) decreased to 36.3% in May from 37.1% in May 2022.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre (pictured above) said: "These latest retail sales figures from BRC/ KPMG are a real concern for independent retailers, especially those in the non-food sectors. Inflation is coming down slower that expected and the threat of even higher interest rates will again damage consumer confidence.

"Discretionary expenditure, the lifeblood of the thousands of business in the non-food sectors, is falling and this will put even more pressure on already hard pressed retailers. Not only do we need to see a reduction in overhead costs for these businesses, we do not need more costly regulations and the government needs to find a way of growing the economy.

"The only good news for shops in these figures is the further decline in the penetration rate of non-food on-line sales. This trend has been there now for many months and shows that consumers prefer the high streets to do their shopping. The small retailer needs the opportunity and support to benefit from this," he added.

WildWash is achieving remarkable results with its revolutionary tear stain remover products for cats and dogs. 

As a pioneering force in the field of natural pet care, WildWash has garnered global recognition for the unparalleled effectiveness and gentle care offered by its tear stain remover, as well as the tear-free facial wash. This innovative product line has transformed the landscape of pet care, empowering pet owners worldwide to provide their furry friends with the utmost care and attention they deserve.

Tear stains can be a common and frustrating issue for pet owners. These unsightly marks around the eyes not only mar the natural beauty of our pets but can also indicate underlying health concerns. Recognising this challenge, WildWash embarked on a mission to develop a tear stain remover that not only tackles the problem at its root but also embraces the power of nature.

At the heart of WildWash's Tear Stain Remover is a commitment to harnessing the potency of natural ingredients. Infused with carefully selected botanicals and enriched with vitamins, WildWash products offer a holistic approach to pet care. By avoiding harsh chemicals and artificial additives, WildWash ensures the gentlest care for both your dogs and cats while effectively removing tear stains.

One of the standout products in the WildWash tear stain remover range is their Tear-Free Facial Wash. This innovative formulation is designed to clean and refresh your dog's delicate facial area without causing any discomfort or irritation. The tear-free formula gently washes away tear stains, dirt, and debris, leaving behind a clean and radiant appearance.

WildWash tear stain remover products have garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from pet owners and industry professionals over the world. The unique blend of natural ingredients, coupled with extensive research and development, has resulted in a revolutionary solution that tackles tear stains effectively and safely.

Pet owners who have incorporated WildWash tear stain remover products into their grooming routines have witnessed remarkable transformations. Countless testimonials praise the remarkable reduction in tear stains and the overall improvement in their pet's eye health. The efficacy of WildWash products has made them an essential choice for pet owners seeking natural and effective solutions.

For more information visit www.wildwash.co.uk

Those are the words of Chelsea-Anne Lee whose Ystwyth Racing kennel of rescue dogs (Kai, Nero, Bud, Wallace, Peps, Ted, Nala and Tide) has again had multiple wins in the sled-dog 2022/2023 season.

The focus this season was the Newnham Bark series held in Devon - known for its technical trails. 

Chelsea achieved:

• Reserve Champion open rig with Wal, Nero & Kai 
• Champion female short course bikejor with Kai

Tony achieved: 

• Reserve champion male 2 dog canix with Peps and Buddy
• Reserve champion male short course bikejor with Buddy
• Champion open rig with Wal, Nero, Nala and Ted
• Champion male bikejor with Ted

As well as the exciting wins detailed above and top placings at other events Chelsea-Anne and Tony are working on getting Kai and Nero back into the agility scene over summer.

Then, without pausing for breath, their youngest addition, Riptide, a 9month old Malinois is also working towards his BH title in IGP and the hoping to progress with further titles. 

Chelsea said: “He's our first puppy in a long time and we have exciting goals for IGP but also for heading to the Belgian Malinois World Championships (FMBB) to compete in bikejor when old enough too. It's big goals but we believe he has the potential to get there!

"We found that recently many multi dog households like ours that compete in sled dog sports in particular have really found switching CSJ cost effective for them without compromising on quality.”

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

Pet food company Walker & Drake, launched after the first lockdown in 2020, has invested in a new £900,000 production facility in Barnsley.

Director David Taylor said: “The requirement for continuing growth driven expansion, and the increased complexities around exporting into Europe, meant we really had to take all production and packing in-house, and build something bespoke to us that future proofed our production capacity.

 “We must be one of very few companies currently building a new pet food facility in the UK but we’re passionate about keeping our production here and having control over all aspects of it. Just like the ingredients we use in our products we’ve sourced the equipment, fabrication, and installation from UK companies wherever possible. In fact, apart from one item, all the major components, the design, and installation team are from within a 25-mile radius of our site.”

The company moved to larger premises last year to facilitate the extra space required for the new factory and warehousing. 

Fellow director Tim Matthews added: “By starting with an empty space we’ve been able to create an efficient workflow from goods-in, through the production process to bagging, warehousing and then back out the door as finished product.”

Walker and Drake’s range of cold pressed food for dogs is made from the highest quality ingredients. The meat and majority of vegetables are sourced from British farms and quality producers, and the fish from traceable fisheries.

Cold pressed dog food is a dry dog food which is pressed at a lower temperature of 55-65°C compared to ‘kibbled’ dry dog food which is extruded at a temperature of approximately 145°C. Cold pressing minimises the impact of temperature damage and produces a food with greater digestibility and superior nutritional value. 

Tim said: “We have developed great products with clear nutritional advantages, we strive to create a culture of integrity, to communicate clearly and honestly with our customers, and to educate and support our stockists.

“Our cold pressed dog food is a premium product focussed on gut health, and we are constantly talking with our customers to understand what they want for their dogs. The ability to develop new products in a dynamic fashion is fantastic, and the relationships we have already nurtured with our suppliers mean we get the access to the best ingredients available at any time.”

Walker & Drake currently produce three ranges of cold pressed dog food that includes All Life Stages, Small Breed and Puppy, in addition to their range of soft baked dog treats. These have proven a real hit within households with multiple dogs of different ages.

In a short space of time Walker & Drake has received industry recognition. It was voted by Yorkshire Insider Magazine as one of the top 50 companies to watch, and was a finalist in 2021 in both the PetQuip and PIF Awards.

For further information visit www.walkeranddrake.com

Fish-based pet treat supplier Skippers Pet Products has relocated to new premises and increased capacity following a cash injection.

The company, located in Grimsby, approached Finance For Enterprise and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund for funding after outgrowing its existing facility.

It had seen turnover increase by 500% and its workforce grow from eight staff to more than 20 employees in the past year.

Skippers was launched by experienced fish merchant Steve Moore in 2013, after he spotted an opportunity to re-purpose co-products from high quality fish destined for the dinner table.

Finance For Enterprise helped the business secure an investment package worth £150,000.

With funds in place, Skippers relocated to larger premises at South Humberside Industrial Estate, allowing the company to improve efficiencies in its manufacturing processes as well as creating additional working space needed to recruit up to 10 members of staff.

Steve Moore said: “Having firmly established ourselves as a market leader in our industry, we knew that it was important to cement this position.

“The funds and help we’ve received have been transformational for our business, and through the support we’ve received from Finance For Enterprise, we’re not just helping to improve the lives of much loved pets across the world, but we’re also doing our bit to improve sustainability, as well as creating additional new jobs within Grimsby’s fishing industry.”

Sustainability-focused pet food pioneer Grub Club is celebrating after being crowned winner of the second Impact HERE Award.

The event is run by sustainability and ESG management and reporting platform FuturePlus, and London’s new media and culture district featuring the world’s most advanced immersive screens, Outernet.

The awards showcase the work that small and medium-sized businesses are doing to embed sustainability into their businesses, and through using Outernet’s immersive entertainment district, it brings communities together to experience content and technology in new ways. The award’s mission is to get the expertise, support and exposure required for their sustainability journeys.

The human food space has seen an incredible transformation in the last few years with the rise of dairy alternatives and alternative proteins, giving humans much needed choice and helping reduce the impact of animal agriculture on our environment. Grub Club believes the pet food market is due a similar transformation.

Grub Club estimates that each dog that switches to its products from traditional meat-based food can save up to 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year for each dog that it feeds. Its insect protein requires a fraction of the land and water, and produces significantly less CO2 emissions than animal agriculture. The insects are fed on clean organic waste products like unused fruit, vegetables and spent grains, which they upcycle in a completely circular and zero-waste system. The company’s ambition is to make the pet food industry carbon neutral, and turn every pet into a planet-saver.

Mike Penrose, Co-Founder and Partner at FuturePlus, comments: “At FuturePlus, we love to see young businesses putting sustainability at the heart of everything they do. When it came to Grub Club, it’s clear the company is on a mission to revolutionise the pet food industry through their innovative approach to ingredients and sourcing - and they’re also starting to track and measure the impact they’re having on the planet and society. We’re proud to support Grub Club on its mission and can’t wait to witness their continued success in the coming months.”

Designed to celebrate ingenuity in sustainability practices and product development, the panel of judges selected Grub Club for demonstrating huge environmental and social impact in its industry. Grub Club’s prize includes:

• £100k worth of promotional screen time aired to hundreds of thousands of people at Outernet venues
• An event for partners, customers and investors
• A year’s subscription and consultancy with FuturePlus sustainability management platform worth £2,300

Robert Butters, Partner Outernet Venues, adds: “The Outernet Venues, as part of the Outernet District, are committed to helping amplify messages of businesses making a positive impact on the future of the communities in which we live and work, as well as the larger national and global sustainability of our planet. We see the Impact HERE Award as an important step in assisting entrepreneurs bridge the challenges a start-up company faces making social impact while becoming self-sustainable. We are delighted to congratulate Grub Club on their innovative approach to revolutionising the sustainability of the pet food market and wish them continued success as they begin their positive impact journey.”

Alesandro Di Trapani, Co-Founder and CEO at Grub Club, says: “Pets play such an amazing role in many of our lives – whether that’s emotional support animals, best friends, members of the family, police K9s, guide dogs, and much more. They help us so much and at Grub Club we’re committed to adding Planet Savers to the list of roles pets play in our lives as humans. We've worked so hard to create a fun and exciting brand to breathe some much needed life into the pet food aisle, and this award will be an amazing platform for us to showcase that and give pet parents out there insights into how they can do their bit to help us achieve net zero.”

The public can expect to enjoy the brand activation of the winning company on Outernet’s visually immersive screens in the coming months.

Hundreds of pet owners across the region could be at risk of being hit with a £500 fine if they fall foul of a new microchipping law coming into play in 2024.  

New legislation has been outlined by the government, as part of its wider action plan for animal welfare, that means it will be a legal requirement for cat caregivers to microchip their pets. Failure to do so could end with a large fine. 

Deborah Burrows, managing director of Healthy Pet Store in Southampton, has welcomed the new legislation because she said it will play a vital role in keeping cats safe. 

Under the law, cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks. Owners who are caught out will be given 21 days to microchip their cat or risk facing a fine of up to £500.

Since 2016, it has been compulsory for dogs to be microchipped, but there have been no requirements for cats until now. 

The new law has been brought in to help return lost or stolen cats to their homes and families. Currently, there are as many as 2.3 million unchipped cats in the UK. 

Deborah added: “We know of many cats going missing from home. These are loved family members and it is upsetting to not be aware of when and if they have been found. We are urging cat caregivers to take pre-emptive action.

“Microchipping gives cats the best chance of returning home quickly and safely. The new law makes perfect sense and should deter owners from leaving their cat vulnerable.”

Healthy Pet Store is an independent pet retailer based in Totton and is renowned for being an advocate for pet wellbeing across the South coast. 

To find out more about Healthy Pet Store, visit healthypetstore.co.uk