The Pet Industry Federation has launched a nationwide spring-themed pet window display competition – Paws in Spring – celebrating the creativity and dedication of UK pet retailers.

PIF is inviting pet shops across the UK to transform their shop windows into stunning seasonal displays that showcase their unique branding, alongside a selection of pet products and festive décor. The competition aims to highlight the importance of pet retailers while encouraging consumer engagement and footfall to local stores.

Retailers are encouraged to design eye-catching window displays incorporating Spring motifs, and a selection of leading pet brands. Thanks to the generosity of participating pet product manufacturers, fantastic prize bundles will be awarded to the top three winning displays and all entries will receive a voucher from Doodlebone. 

Participating manufacturers are:

• Furr Boost
• Cobbydog
• On Tha Moor
• The Holistic Hound
• The Barking Bakery
• VANDERPETS
• Doodlebone
• DotDotPet
• HayPigs!
• No Fuss Fill
• ANCOL
• Trinkety Paws
• Nutriment
• Natural Instinct
• Nova
• Dibo
• Aniforte
• The Dog Butcher
• Betty Miller
• Karnlea
• Big Dog Bed Company

PIF CEO Nigel Baker said: “The ‘Paws in Spring’ competition is a wonderful way to shine a spotlight on the incredible creativity of pet retailers. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers to showcase their products, for retailers to engage their local communities, and for pet owners to celebrate their favourite shops.”

Retailers are invited to submit photos of their decorated shop windows by Thursday 17 April. A panel of industry experts, including representatives from participating manufacturers, will judge the displays, with winners announced shortly after Easter.

For more details, visit https://petfederation.co.uk/paws-in-spring/ and follow #pawsinspring on PIF’s social media channels and dedicated competition landing page.

Manchester-based EHE Ventures has made a ‘significant’ six-figure investment via its AI Growth Fund into London AI-powered startup Scooch.

Scooch, which describes itself as an all-in-one subscription service designed to take the hassle out of pet healthcare, was founded by Baris Ozaydinli (pictured above).

EHE Venture Studio (made up of EHE Ventures and The Startup Factory) was founded in 2024 to support companies that are either AI-first or AI-enabled and plans to invest up to £5m this year exclusively in high-growth and early-stage AI companies via the fund.

News of the debut investment has coincided with the appointment of Neil Vose as the first CEO of EHE Venture Studio.

Vose said: “We’re really excited by this investment into Scooch and expect to announce three to four other deals in the coming weeks.

“We’re different to other investors because we don’t just provide funding. As a Venture Studio, we can also advise and build the tech through our engineering arm, known to many as The Startup Factory.

“So we’re building and investing in the tech that will define the next generation.

“We were really impressed by the quality of Scooch’s management team, which is why we chose to invest in them.

“Scooch is using an AI co-pilot to effectively build a data-driven tech health marketplace and we think it can become a really big player in the market.

“Scooch is our first, and currently, only planned direct-to-consumer investment. Most of them will be B2B.”

EHE Venture Studio, via the fund, intends to raise a total of £15m to focus on nurturing UK-based entrepreneurs at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages.

Vose, who has a background in commercialising technology and digital transformation, said: “A lot of founders can’t get the investment or the tech help needed to get an MVP to market. We can help with all of that.”

Baris Ozaydinli, founder and CEO of award-winning Scooch, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with EHE as it is a fund founded by inspirational exited founders who know how difficult it is to be a founder and there is also an expert team supporting the companies.

“We are on a mission to take the guesswork out of pet care with a vision to be the go-to pet health platform for the modern pet parent.

“We are going to use the investment for launching our brand new embedded pet insurance, Scooch Protect and AI-powered mobile app, Scooch Health.”

EHE Venture Studio forms part of the wider EHE Group, which was founded by serial entrepreneurs Guy Remond, founder and former CEO of Cake Solutions, and Gary Fletcher, founder of Forest Holidays.

EHE Venture Studio recently teamed up with venture capital firm, Praetura Ventures, to create an online platform called Founder Hub to help early-stage entrepreneurs in the North of England access scaling skills and navigate the startup ecosystem.

Brambles Pet and Wildlife owners David and Gail Tracey, pictured receiving a Highly Commended in the Supplier of the Year category at the 2023 PetQuip Awards, have sold their shares to pet food manufacturer Fold Hill Foods.

Brambles Pet and Wildlife was established in 2017 with David using his 30 years pet trade experience and Gail applying her scientific knowledge to develop a range of wildlife foods that has benefitted wildlife all over the UK. T

heir first customer was the RSPB who were impressed with their knowledge and, in particular with their approach of only ensuring nutritionally beneficial ingredients are used for the animals the food is designed for. Since then the brand has gone from strength to strength with large production runs, akin to major dog food brands, the norm. The brand is highly respected and recommended by wildlife rescues all over the UK.

David will be continuing to help develop the brand and will still be the first point of contact for customers. Gail will be helping during the handover period and is still on hand to help with her scientific knowledge and educational posts on social media. 

Lincolnshire based Fold Hill Foods, are also a family business that shares similar ethics to Brambles Pet and Wildlife with a commitment to producing nutritionally beneficial foods for animals and an ethos of putting the environment first in everything they do.

Gail and David commented: "Fold  Hill Foods have been producing Brambles wildlife food for a number of years now and we’re delighted with the food they produce. The team at Fold Hill are a pleasure to work with and Brambles is a natural fit within Fold Hill’s portfolio. It will be business as normal going forward and we can’t wait to see how the brand thrives under the new ownership."

Ben Mankertz, Managing Director of Fold Hill Foods said: “We’re delighted to complete the acquisition of Brambles Pet and Wildlife.  Having worked with David and Gail over the past few years producing some of the range, we’ve been hugely impressed by their dedication and expertise with regards to ensuring hedgehogs only receive the right nutrition for their diets.  Their knowledge has helped to grow Brambles to the number one brand in the sector today, so when the opportunity arose for us to acquire the business it was a perfect fit for us.  We’re also pleased that David will remain in place supporting the brand for the foreseeable future.  With our combined expertise and growth plans for the brand it is an exciting time for Brambles and Fold Hill.”

Award-winning pet retailer Jollyes has opened its two newest superstores in Chichester and Pontefract. The stores at Portfield Trade Centre, Chichester, and South Baileygate Retail Park, Pontefract, were officially opened by special guests.

Performing the red ribbon cutting at Chichester was Mayor Councillor Sarah Quail. Alongside The Mayor was Liberal Democrat MP Jess Brown-Fuller and her golden Labrador rescue dog Mellow, who bit through a string of sausages to declare the store open.

Meanwhile at Pontefract, the red ribbon cutting was done by Mayor of Wakefield Darren Byfield, a regular shopper at Jollyes. Retired service dog Kaydee has happy to oblige with the sausage-biting ceremony.

Both storers have created 10 new jobs for their areas.

Chichester store manager Chris Ratcliffe and Pontefract store manager Meg Percival said: “We’re delighted to have brought Jollyes to our towns. Both teams are excited to bring their pet expertise alongside the kind of value that’s been making a real difference to pet parents right across the UK.”

See gallery of pictures from both stores below…

PAWD DRINKS has reached agreement with Pets Corner that will see its full range of functional liquid supplement drinks on the shelves of the retail group’s 160 stores across the UK.

The deal with Pets Corner is a massive achievement by the two 28-year-old entrepreneurs and old school friends, Rory Hanna and Archie Wilson, who were looking for an easier way to administer supplements to dogs other than in pill or powder format. 

The idea for the drinks came from Rory’s family dog, Scrumpy, a Jack Russell/Patterdale Terrier that lived to 17, and despite remaining fairly healthy and loving life, he did from time to time face common health issues prone to dogs such as arthritis and anxiety.

“Scrumpy refused to take pills however hard we tried to hide them in his food, and this put the idea into my head that there must be a better way to administer supplements” says Rory. “Liquids are the most efficient and effective way of transporting vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into a body, whether it is human or dog.”

Their innovation PAWD DRINKS made the finals of 6 major industry awards in 2024 and in June last year they met and were accepted onto the NatWest Accelerator Programme.  The PAWD DRINKS team attended over 60 events last year to promote their products, they have shipped to 8 countries, have received over 120 5-star reviews for their products and have hosted a series of community dog walks. Their debut at PATS saw queues on their stand and interest from the major wholesalers and distributors.

PAWD DRINKS are the result of extensive research and development by world-leading animal nutritionists including Dr. Farshad Goodarzi Boroojeni and are veterinary-approved. Each formula has been carefully crafted to not only address specific health concerns but also contribute to the overall well-being of our four-legged friends.  PAWD DRINKS are pH neutral and contain no acidifiers or preservatives.

The drinks market for pets is relatively new but growing and PAWD DRINKS tackle a number of important areas. As well as hydration and wellness, PAWD DRINKS are absorbed more quickly and efficiently by a dog's body compared to pills, powders and chews.  This is important when addressing certain health or behavioural issues and when you need a fast result. Administering liquid supplements to dogs is easier than giving them pills or chews, especially for dogs that are finicky eaters or have difficulty swallowing. Liquid supplements can be mixed into their food or into an empty dog bowl and as dogs want to drink and love the taste of PAWD DRINKS, it makes them easier to administer. Dosage is 60 ml for all dogs per day. They are palatable, achieve faster results and are gentle on the digestive system. PAWD DRINKS are less likely to cause irritation or discomfort compared to some pill formulations.

Recently launched, PAWD DRINKS Wellness contains 100% natural active ingredients such as L-leucine,  L-Isoleucine and L-valine as well as Yeast Extract. These are all designed to aid muscle recovery, support the immune system and improve cognitive health.

Other supplements in the range include PAWD DRINKS Joints which has been formulated to address stiffness and joint mobility with up to 80% of all dogs suffering from some form of mobility issues over the age of 8. PAWD DRINKS Joints contains natural ingredients, such as ginger, acerola and devil’s claw to support joint mobility. 

PAWD DRINKS Calming will help to relax and soothe your dog in any anxious situations. This can be in the form of separation, social, travel or noise anxiety, with around 70% of dogs suffering with fear or anxiety.

So, as well as helping to keep your pet hydrated, you can tackle some of the many problems that affect dogs whilst helping to improve their overall wellness.

Commenting on their retail deal with Pets Corner, Rory said: “We are so excited to be selling PAWD DRINKS in such a prestigious pet chain as Pets Corner. We believe that our products fit with the ethos of Pets Corner in that we use natural, high quality ingredients in our liquid supplements and they are veterinary developed.”

For further information please visit: www.pawddrinks.com

PATS 2025 – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – will stage its biggest ever show as it moves to its new home of Hall 1 of the NEC Birmingham. The three-day event will take place from Sunday, 28th September to Tuesday, 30th September 2025, with pet & aquatics retailers and garden centres being invited to register for free entry.

More than 300 companies and brands have already booked stand space, and the final total is expected to be well over 400, which will be a PATS record.

“The demand for stand space at PATS has been phenomenal - PATS 2025 is already larger than when the doors opened on the show last year,” said PATS event director Gordon Thomas.

“Registration for visitors is now open on our website so all pet retailers and buyers can now sign up for their free show entry.”

Showcasing all the latest launches under one roof, the show’s reputation has grown impressively over the past 16 years since launching in 2009. With such a winning formula, PATS has become the ‘must-visit’ event for UK and international retailers and buyers.

If retailers and buyers need more encouragement to register now for free entry to the three-day exhibition, here’s just a quick summary of the popular visitor attractions:

• The biggest ever New Product Showcase
• The Aquatics Zone, a dedicated area for aquatics, watergardening and reptile exhibitors
• The New Starter Zone, a space hosting new businesses and start-ups
• Top groomers giving insightful demonstrations, workshops and talks
• Unrivalled show offers and competitions
• Free entry and free show catalogue

PATS 2025 is also being staged alongside BETA International, the leading equestrian trade show taking place in Hall 2 at the NEC on Sunday, 28^th September and Monday, 29^th September 2025. It means that retailers and buyers will be able to visit both shows, and to make things simple visitors will only have to register once, with BETA International visitors being given access to PATS and vice versa.

You can register now online at www.patshow.co.uk where you’ll also find a full list of exhibitors.

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Mars Incorporated has appointed two regional presidents for its Pet Nutrition division. Following five and a half years leading Pet Nutrition Europe, Deri Watkins has been appointed Regional President, Pet Nutrition Developed Asia Pacific (APAC). Whilst the previous General Manager of Pet Nutrition UK, Ireland & Nordics, Paolo Rigamonti, has been appointed Regional President, Pet Nutrition Europe. 

During his role as Regional President, Pet Nutrition Europe, Watkins steered the business through some of the most challenging times in recent history. He successfully navigated the impacts of the COVID pandemic and the subsequent Supply Chain shortages. In addition to the many pets and pet parents served during his time in the role, Deri played an instrumental part in supporting the business’ sustainability efforts, such as driving partnerships to support the regenerative agricultural transition across the European pet food Supply Chain. 

Speaking on his new role, Watkins said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time leading Pet Nutrition across the European region and seeing what we’ve achieved as a business for the pets and pet parents we serve. I feel fortunate to have worked with so many talented colleagues for over 20 years at Mars, and I look forward to meeting and working with many more of our dedicated Associates in my new role.” 

Paolo Rigamonti has led Pet Nutrition UK since 2022, expanding to lead the UK, Ireland and the Nordics cluster in 2024. Passionate about driving both performance and a people and purpose-driven business, in his role, Rigamonti championed rights for pet owners, securing progress in providing more pet-friendly tenancy options in the UK through Pet Nutrition’s Better Cities for Pets programme.  

He said: “I’m really excited to lead the truly diverse European region in my new position, working in close partnership with our customers to meet the needs of pets and pet parents. Deri has done an excellent job of leading this region for the last five and a half years, and I’m looking forward to continuing this progress, accelerating our goal to be the most pet parent centric organisation in the world.” 

Ikdeep Singh, Global President, Mars Pet Nutrition, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Deri and Paolo to their new roles. They are exceptional leaders with a passion for people, pets and pet parents. Their diverse experience across geographies will be invaluable as they work alongside key retailers and partners to continue growing and leading the petcare category as we accelerate our ambition to transform the pet parent experience and deliver our purpose: A Better World for Pets.”

A Californian pet company has recalled a number of cat products over fears they could contain bird flu.

Savage Pet of El Cajon, CA is recalling 66 Large Chicken Boxes 84 oz. and 74 Small Chicken Boxes 21 oz. with the lot code/best by date of 11152026 because it has the potential to contain H5N1, also known as bird flu .

Savage Cat Food Large Chicken Boxes and Small Chicken Boxes were distributed to retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Pet owners have been warned that if they fed cats the recalled products they should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination, or blindness. People with cats exhibiting these signs after feeding this product should immediately contact their veterinarian.

While no human infections have been identified among people handling raw pet food products, humans can become infected if live virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. People should wash their hands while handling raw products and sanitize contact surfaces. People who handled the recalled products should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting. People exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider and local health department.

In February, Savage Pet was made aware of one cat in Colorado who contracted H5N1, got sick and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1. The PCR test results were “non-negative”. The product with “non-negative” PCR results was sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for virus isolation testing.

The product in question was removed from the market while awaiting final test results. On 02/17/25 every retailer who may have received the lot code in question was contacted and informed to return it for proper destruction.

On 03/06/25 the NVSL virus isolation testing results confirmed the virus to be negative.

On 3/13/2025 Savage Pet was made aware of an additional case in New York of a kitten that was feeding lot 11152026 who contracted avian flu. Further testing is ongoing.

To ensure maximum safety we are modifying our market withdrawal to a recall.

The product with lot code/best by date of 11152026 was distributed in November 2024. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packets inside. The lot code/best by date is stamped on the bottom and on each packet.

Do not feed the recalled product to pets or animals. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Consumers who have purchased this lot code are urged to immediately return it to their retailer for proper destruction and a full refund.

More information can be found on the US Food & Drug Administration website. Click here to view

Agria Pet Insurance has welcomed Christina Almtun as the new head of the European business area, tasked with leading and developing the business in line with the company's goal of becoming the leading pet insurance company in Europe. 

In addition to being responsible for the existing markets in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland - Christina Almtun will also lead growth in future expansions into new countries – with millions of uninsured pets and horses in the European market creating enormous growth potential. 

Christina most recently comes from insurance company Svedea, where she was the commercial head for 13 years. Prior to that, she worked at If, where she held several leading positions focusing on business development, strategic integration, sales, and distribution. Christina will assume her new role at Agria on August 18, 2025. 

David Haak, CEO of Agria, said: "We are pleased to welcome Christina to Agria as part of our continued growth journey. With her extensive background in the insurance industry and proven track record in leading growth and building successful companies, Christina brings the experience, energy, and commitment needed for the role. We are confident that she will significantly strengthen our market position." 

Christina Almtun, new European Head at Agria commented: "It feels fantastic, challenging, and exciting to be part of building the European operations forward. I look forward to meeting all the competent colleagues and employees and making a difference moving forward."

Ceri Rundle, founder and owner of CSJ, who again sponsored the annual event said: “The sheep were difficult but everyone enjoyed the challenge on a super course at Griffe Walk Farm on Saturday 15th of March.

Such a lot of work goes on before and during and we applaud everyone who worked together to put on such an enjoyable day and Carol Mellin for livestreaming the event.”

The 40 dogs competed over a large course, with each National Team being made up of their top ten Nursery dogs and their handlers.

Along with the onlookers CSJ’s Ceri and Phil congratulated Kevin Evans with his dog Valley View Dan as the overall 4 Nations Champion and the Wales Team for winning Top Team – all amongst such strong competition.

Four Nations Nursery Champion – Kevin Evans and Dan

1. Kevin Evans Valley View Dan 154
2. Alastair MacKenzie Kim 149
3. Evan Christian glebe fort lynx 143
4. David Wood Crookhill Farm Cap 140
5. Mark O'Neill Henlian Tecwyn 140
6. David Howells Mick 138 

Wales won Top Team. 

Despite more than 30 objections, a new pet crematorium has been given the go-ahead to open in South Devon.

The company behind the project, Goodmans Pet Cremations, re-assured the local planning committee that the facility would be safe and odourless.

It argued there was a ‘concerning’ trend for people dumping animals in black bin bags or in wild areas. “This not only disrespects the memory of beloved pets but can also lead to environmental issues. This is a respectful and dignified option.”

Councillors were told the only emission from a chimney at the crematorium would be steam and there would be no smell issues.

The Nutriment Company (TNC), Europe’s leader in premium natural pet food, has announced its fourth acquisition of the year – BAF Petfood, the ‘first raw factory’ in Europe.

This marks the next step in TNC's rapid expansion in both Germany and across Europe and provides access to Fressnapf's extensive retail network of both own stores and franchisees. The acquisition also underlines TNC's ambitious growth targets and strengthens its leadership position in the natural premium pet food market further.

BAF Petfood is recognised as the 'first raw factory' in Germany and operates from a previous human food factory with over 9,000 square metres of production and storage space. The company specialises in the production of high-quality raw pet food in many formats such as blocks, sausages, nuggets and flakes and has established itself as a trusted supplier to many customers across Germany.

Through this acquisition, TNC will further expand its product range to include natural gently steamed sausages and Fresh frozen products, to meet the diverse needs of pet owners. In return, Fressnapf and its many franchisees will benefit from easier access to TNC's full brand portfolio, which covers all available formats and recipes for both dogs and cats.

Torsten Toeller, chairman, founder and majority owner of Fressnapf/Maxi Zoo, said: “Through this transaction, we offer our customers an even wider selection of high-quality products, ensuring that we continue to meet the diverse needs of pets and their owners. It strengthens our commitment to provide the best possible food for pets while supporting our franchisees with enhanced access to TNC's extensive range. Together with TNC, we want to consistently develop trends such as frozen raw and fresh cooked food.”

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company, added: ”Taking over BAF from Fressnapf is a landmark deal for TNC and shows the trust in our company from the most successful European pet specialty retailer. We now have capabilities to produce all different products and can thus truly offer a one-stop-shop offering to both Fressnapf and our many other valued customers on the continent.”

Julius Adrian, Managing Director Germany of The Nutriment Company: “The acquisition of BAF Petfood cements our leadership position in both Germany and across mainland Europe. While it is already our 4th acquisition in 2025, we still see many opportunities and will continue growing both organically and through further acquisitions across Europe.”

Pets at Home has opened its new Pet Care Centre at Manchester Fort shopping centre. Spanning an impressive 10,500 sq ft, the new superstore is designed to meet every need of pet owners and their animals. 

The retail group has invested over £928k into the centre, ensuring top-tier facilities and an enhanced shopping experience. As part of its commitment to the community, the store has hired locally, creating seven new job opportunities.

This new Pet Care Centre boasts a host of features and innovative spaces tailored to meet the evolving needs of pets and their families, such as:

• A dedicated Nutrition Hub with an increased range of fresh, frozen including Butternut Box and raw food options to reflect the diverse feeding choices adopted by pet owners today. The Hub will also feature increased fridge and freezer space, a pick-and-mix treat bar stocked with natural products, and a designated consultation area for help and advice across all life stages from puppy and kitten to senior.
• An expanded Health Centre making it easier for customers to manage their pets' everyday healthcare needs, including licensed medications such as flea, tick and worm treatment and easy access to free pet weighing scales.
• A team of highly trained pet care advisors who are on hand every day to support with free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, free weight checks and pet food consultations, as well as fitting services for dog coats and harnesses.
• A small animal pet village to inspire the next generation of pet owners and encourage face to face conversations on responsible pet ownership. The pet village, located in the centre will show off our small animals while the aquatics area will sit to the rear.

Coming this Summer, the Pet Care Centre will also open a purpose-built in-store Vets for Pets veterinary practice on the mezzanine floor, ensuring your pet receives high quality veterinary care. 

Store Manager, Stacey Revilles said: “We’re incredibly excited to open the Pet Care Centre right here at Manchester Fort Shopping Park. This isn’t just a store – it’s a haven for pet lovers and their furry friends. 

“With a range of top-tier services, and a shopping experience like no other, we’ve created a space that truly celebrates the joy of pet ownership. We can’t wait to welcome customers to explore, connect, and see how we’re raising the bar for pet care. 

“Whether you’re here for your dog’s next adventure, your cat’s favourite treat, or expert advice for your small animals, we’ve got everything you need to keep tails wagging, whiskers twitching and hearts full!”

The new Pets at Home Pet Care Centre is open seven days a week.

View the picture gallery below...

PATS 2025 is attracting an increasing number of new companies eager to showcase their product ranges to a bigger and wider audience of UK and international buyers.

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show takes place at its new home – Hall 1 of the NEC Birmingham – over three days from Sunday, 28th September to Tuesday, 30th September 2025, and already more than 300 exhibitors have confirmed stand space.

With six months still to go before the exhibition, an impressive list of leading companies has committed to the show, along with businesses exhibiting at a PATS event for the first time.

The New Starter Zone, supported by trade association PetQuip and media partner Pet Product Marketing, is again proving to be a popular feature as it provides a dedicated area for new businesses and start-ups.

Almost all of the stand space in the New Starter Zone has already been booked by over 33 exhibitors showcasing exciting new products, including Abbey England, Akela Pet Foods, Artemis, By Teddy, EzyWalkies, Hetty and Huxley, Tails & Bloom, and Woof and Snout. 

Jamie Sutherland, director at Woof and Snout, summed up the mood of the New Starter Zone exhibitors. “Woof and Snout cannot wait to exhibit at our first ever PATS show in 2025. Having the opportunity to showcase our dog apparel and grooming products to trade customers is something we are hugely excited about. Preparations are underway and we look forward to seeing you there.”

Hetty and Huxley is also excited to be exhibiting at PATS for the first time. Founder Meg Simkiss commented: “It’s such a big event and we’re really looking forward to meeting lots of potential new customers, saying a big hello to existing ones and showing off our bright and colourful products in a wonderful space.”

PATS 2025 will be the first-ever trade show for Artemis, producer of skin and coat care products for dogs. CEO Noël Duan said: “As a brand-new UK brand with direct-to-consumer success, we can't wait to showcase our innovations and meet the best of the best in the pet industry.”

Ishbel Watson, marketing manager at Abbey England, is looking forward to exploring new opportunities at PATS. “This event allows us to reconnect with our valued customers while also introducing our products to new businesses looking to supply high-quality pet accessories.”

Akela Pet Foods will be using PATS to showcase its relaunched Nutriwolds brand of raw pet food. Director James Wigby said: “It’s the perfect platform for Nutriwolds, which now comes with durable fully recyclable packaging and two new recipes using locally-sourced North Sea Herring. We balance to FEDIAF guidelines and beyond, which is quite unique for raw. PATS is ideal to network with potential stockists from across the country.”

EzyWalkies will be launching a world-first Zip2Lead Bag at the show. Director Nick Wake explained: “This patented innovation features two bags in one that zip onto your lead – one for poop bags and another for treats – making dog walks easier and more convenient while promoting responsible pet ownership. Visitors to PATS will be able to see it in action.”

Tails & Bloom owner Hannah Eastaff created her company with the aim of making every-day walks feel special for dog owners and their pets.  She said: “We’re so excited to bring our designs to PATS 2025. It’s an incredible opportunity to share our passion with a wider audience, meet fellow dog lovers, and introduce our walk-wear to the pet industry’s best. We truly can’t wait.”

And David Brown, co-founder and director of By Teddy, admitted: “We are thrilled to attend PATS for the first time as an exhibitor. After visiting in past years, we’re excited to connect, meet new people, and share our brand with the amazing dog community. We can’t wait to see you there and share everything we’ve been working on this year.”

If retailers and buyers need more encouragement to register now for free entry to the three-day exhibition, here’s just a quick summary of popular visitor attractions:

• The biggest ever showcase of new pet, aquatic, watergardening and reptile products
• Unrivalled show offers and competitions
• Top groomers giving insightful demonstrations, workshops and talks
• Fantastic networking opportunities
• Free entry and a free show catalogue

PATS 2025 is also being staged alongside BETA International, the leading equestrian trade show taking place in Hall 2 at the NEC.  It means that retailers and buyers will be able to visit both shows, and to make things simple visitors will only have to register once, with BETA International visitors being given access to PATS and vice versa.

You can register for free entry online at www.patshow.co.uk where you’ll also find a full list of exhibitors.