Pets at Home has this week announced the appointment of Rachel Mooney as Chief People Officer.

Prior to joining Pets at Home, Rachel held senior roles at global brands, including Google and Vodafone, and was Chief People Officer at digitally-led organisations Monzo and Snow Software.

Throughout her career, Rachel has been instrumental in developing talent acquisition strategies, upskilling leadership, and shaping organisational effectiveness, whilst also ensuring a strong sense of purpose and people engagement remain central to building a meaningful employer brand.

Rachel has held several board roles, including previously as a Non-Executive Board Member at Vodafone Group Services, and at Women’s Aid (Ireland). She has a BA (Hons) in Psychology, an MSc in Applied Neuroscience as well as an MBA in Organisational Change and Innovation.

Rachel is married to Ciaran and has two sons. She is also the proud owner of 13-year-old Westie, Lily, and Ari the cat.

Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home, commented: “I am incredibly excited that Rachel is joining our Executive leadership team and I know she will quickly become a huge asset to our business. She is an outstanding leader who brings with her vast experience leading best in class People functions across globally recognised brands, as well as within smaller, more agile and digitally-led organisations. 

“We are incredibly lucky to have amazing colleagues across the business who live and breathe our special Pets culture and with Rachel’s guidance we will continue to build a supportive and inclusive environment where our colleagues can truly thrive.”

Rachel Mooney commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Pets At Home team and being part of an exciting and growing business that is centred on the well-being and welfare of our wonderful animal friends and their owners.”

PATS has broken all records with the two-day show at Telford in Shropshire recording its highest ever attendance figures since the event was launch in 2009.

A total of 2,185 retailers and buyers came through the doors of The Telford International Centre, which was 6% higher than PATS Telford last year. It beats the previous record attendance of 2,148 recorded in 2017.

The largest-ever PATS show, staged in three halls for the first time, closed with visitors and exhibitors agreeing it had been a huge success, with the event delivering an unrivalled platform for the launch of hundreds of exciting new pet product innovations. 

Organiser Gordon Thomas said many of the companies exhibiting at PATS Telford were eager to point out the quality of people visiting their stands had been of the highest standard.

“Exhibitors told us they met with the key decision makers and buyers, and that was good to hear because we put in place measures that ensured the right people attended. 

“Overall, the response to PATS Telford 2017 has been excellent and positive, and proves that the pet industry is firmly behind this show.”

Rob Newsome, director of sales and operations at Danish Design, said: “We’ve attended every exhibition and this year’s event was the busiest ever. It was also the biggest with lots more exhibitors spreading through to three halls, which was great to see in these challenging times. We had a super busy two days and saw so many people looking to place orders and seeking out new products. We look forward to many more shows like this one.”

Assisi Pet Care was exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time and was delighted with the outcome. Product manager Suzy Broughton said: “It was a great opportunity to showcase the natural brands that make up our UK portfolio. To talk directly to and listen to the wide variety of businesses that make up our industry under one roof made for a great two days of interaction.”

Benebone exhibited in the New Starter Zone, and the company’s international and marketing manager Victoria Lowe said: “We had a great time at PATS Telford – it was our first time exhibiting and it didn’t disappoint. We were really pleased with the level of interest in our brand.”

Visitors were attracted in their droves to the WHM Pet Group stand, which took on a Wild West theme to signify the launch of new wild bird products. Brand manager Emily Scruton commented: “We like to have a bit of fun at the show and people keep returning to our stand every year just to see what the theme is. We love being part of this event and it was great to see the addition of an extra hall and the New Starter Zone.”

Mealberry travelled from Germany to exhibit, and sales and marketing manager Doreen Werner agreed it had been a worthwhile trip. “This year’s Telford event was great! The show had a lovely atmosphere and visitors were super excited about new products. We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback and reactions to our new RIO-for-birds launch.”

And Charlie Williams, commercial director of Canagan Group, agreed it was “a fantastic show, meeting many existing and new customers.”

PATS Telford also got the thumbs up from visitors.

Emma Smith, director of The Ark Pet Centres in Devon, crowned UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the PetQuip Awards, said: “We thought PATS Telford was great this year. Lots of exhibitors, lots of new products and everyone was genuinely happy to see you on their stands and really wanted to do business with you.”

Rosemary Roberts, of Petals & Pets in the West Midlands, commented: “Two of us attended the show and it took us the full two days to get around all three halls. We found a lot of good contacts and a fantastic range of products.”

The final word was left to pet retail consultant Claire Gavin, a former director of Pets at Home. “It was great to see the thriving UK pet industry come together at PATS Telford and fantastic that so many innovative ideas focused on the health, wellbeing, bonding and enrichment benefits for the pets themselves. I’m already looking forward to PATS Sandown in March next year.”

Dates for the diary

PATS Sandown 2023: 26-27 March

PATS Telford 2023: 1-2 October

The UK’s largest pet retail group Pets at Home, which has more than 450 outlets across the country, has revamped a number of its stores in Derby, Huntingdon, Wolverhampton and High Wycombe.  

The company opened the doors to its new look pet care centre at Meteor Centre Retail Park in Derby. The revamped store is now home to a brand-new grooming salon – The Groom Room – which has opened for the first time. 

The rest of the store has also been refurbished, including a pet village, which has been designed with small animals in mind to ensure there is plenty of room for them to play, hide, eat and sleep, as well as an aquatic centre, with a range of fish and accessories.

The Derby Meteor store has a team of specialist pet care advisors on hand to support pet owners with free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, weight checks and nutritional consultations, as well as a coat and harness fitting services for dogs.

The store also has a Vets4Pets surgery, formerly Companion Care, which has been extended.  They have a team of highly skilled vets, experienced nurses, and dedicated Client Care Advisors on hand to support pets with all of their important healthcare needs – from preventative care and welfare advice, to treating sick and injured animals.

Store manager Deb Wyld, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our customers and their pets into our revamped pet care centre.

“We really do offer everything you need to keep pets happy, healthy and safe, all under one roof. Whether it’s help with fitting a harness or your pet’s diet, accessing our grooming services, or booking an appointment with the vet team, our team are always on hand to offer expert pet care advice, support and guidance.”

The stores at Huntingdon Retail Park, Wycombe Retail Park and St John’s Retail Park (Wolverhampton) have all had similar facelifts (see gallery of pictures below).

PetQuip has produced a special digital magazine showcasing all the winners of the PetQuip Awards 2022 and gauging their reaction to picking up such a prestigious honour.

Click on the link below to view the digital magazine

https://issuu.com/gardenex-petquip/docs/petquip_awards_2022_winners_issue

The ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ campaign received donations from more than 30 brands at PATS Telford to support thousands of animals in war-torn Ukraine.

U-Hearts joined forces with spottydog communications and the Pet Industry Federation to bring the ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ campaign to the UK, encouraging brands to donate to support the pets of Ukraine.

The team receiving and collecting donations from pet brands Butcher’s, Forthglade and Earth Animal.

The trade show was a huge success, showcasing the magic that can happen when the industry comes together for such an important cause. Thanks to the incredible brands, the ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ campaign has so far collected donations from over 30 brands including over 500 cans of food, 300 treats and 40 coats to help see the pets of Ukraine through the harsh winter.

Chief Executive Officer of U-Hearts, Yuriy Tokarski, explained: “The whole team at U-Hearts have been overwhelmed by the support and love ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’ received at PATS 2022. 

“With an increasing cry for help in Ukraine, our collective aim is to source as many donations as possible to provide the pets of Ukraine with the necessities they require for survival. I can’t thank the UK pet industry enough for the support they’ve show to date.”

Non-profit U-Hearts was launched early this year in response to the Ukraine war, providing abandoned pets with the food and vaccinations needed for survival. The non-profit has distributed 414,600 tons of pet food to date, as well as procured 1,000 vaccines.

Brands that donated across PATS included Digby and Fox (Shires), Symply Pet Foods, Burns, Naturediet, Autarky and Chudleys (Gold Line Feeds), Forthglade, Natures Menu, Danish Design, Butcher’s, Earth Animal, Naturo, Pedigree Wholesale, Park Life, Pet Face, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Pet Remedy, Uniwipe, Oralade, Dogsee and Burgess. 

Emily Wardle, Associate Director at spottydog communications, said: “The donations just kept on coming! We expected a few boxes, but we were completely overwhelmed with the generosity of the industry. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

With the war in Ukraine still being an ongoing issue, the concern for these pets continues to grow. 

There are many ways that businesses can get involved with ‘Save Pets of Ukraine’, whether that’s through an ongoing commitment, a one-off donation or simply spreading the word. Find out more about how you can donate here. 

Introducing the brand-new Max Glow lines from Chuckit!, the Max Glow Ultra Squeaker and the Max Glow Ultra Fetch Stick. 

Following the success of the current Chuckit! Max Glow lines, Pedigree Wholesale is now stocking two new Chuckit! Max Glow products, perfect for extending playtime into the darker late nights and early mornings. 

Chuckit! Max Glow dog toys have been developed to create more ways to play during the colder months – fetch time doesn’t have to stop just because it is darker for longer! The Chuckit! Max Glow range is exclusively available to the specialist pet trade via Pedigree Wholesale. 

The new Chuckit! Max Glow Ultra Squeaker and the Max Glow Ultra Fetch Stick are made from the same high-quality, durable materials as the popular Chuckit! Ultra range – with a difference! Made from a safe, photoluminescent material, both fetch toys glow in the dark and can be recharged under a bright light source for as little as five minutes to give around 30 minutes of playtime. The Max Glow Ultra Squeaker contains a patented squeaker to keep dogs engaged in play. The new toys retail from £10.99 to £14.99.

The exciting Chuckit! Max Glow range is the perfect addition to stores during the colder months and is available for order now, exclusively to the specialist pet trade through Pedigree Wholesale.

New and exclusive to Pedigree Wholesale for Hurtta is the Autumn/Winter 2022 range. From harnesses with fashionable designs and great features to warming and weatherproof coats and even a range of all-new ECO leashes, the range has you covered with all the essentials needed for the colder and darker months.

The Hurtta Weekend Warrior Warming Harness ECO features an innovative foil lining that reflects a dog’s body heat to the dog. The harness is suitable as an additional heat generator for dogs that become too cold quickly, especially short-haired and elderly dogs. Perfect for the darker morning and evening walks this winter is the Hurtta Weekend Warrior Neon Harness, boasting a large reflective surface area to ensure high visibility.

The Hurtta Mudventure Overall ECO is waterproof and dirt-resistant, with lots of details such as the rain-stopper inner collar that will keep dogs dry and mud-free in any weather. The Mudventure Overall covers approximately 90% of the dog and has multiple reflectors. Another great coat in the collection is the Midlayer Overall. This coat will keep dogs warm and protected against cooler temperatures. Made of lightweight, functional jersey-jacquard fleece mix, this midseason and winter staple is soft, flexible, and comfortable.

The range of leashes in the Autumn Winter Collection is made with 100% recycled polyester. They are adjustable with a comfortable padded grip and a convenient secret pocket for storing dog poop bags. A woven, high visibility strip runs the entire length, and it has a controlled loop near the carabiner that allows for freedom and ensures safety and control. There is also a clever, multifunctional, adjustable-length leash that offers a variety of uses, including stepless length adjustment 100-300cm, waist or shoulder jogging, leashing two dogs at the same time and includes a front ring attachment for no-pull harnesses.

See gallery of pictures from the range below...

The Somerset Toiletry Company has launched a new luxury pet care collection called Doggy Styling. 

Made in the UK, the mild PH balanced formulations cater for canine sensitive skin. The range is also said to be cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. 

The range contains four products suitable for all breeds of dogs.

Conditioning Dog Shampoo is amild and gentle formula for effective all over cleaning. The olive and walnut scented dog shampoo has deodorising and conditioning properties suitable for all coat and skin types. 

The Conditioning Puppy Shampoo offers a mild formulation suitable for dogs’ delicate skin. This Baby Powder scented shampoo is ideal for cleaning, deodorising and conditioning and the easy rinse formula helps to reduce washing time.

A vitamin enriched Rinse Free Deodorising Dog Spray helps to reduce odour without the fuss. The Tutti Frutti scent will keep a dog’s coat fresh, clean and healthy in between washes.

Infused with Aloe Vera, the vitamin and conditioner enriched no-rinse dog shampoo spray removes dirt and odour on the go. The mild and pH balanced formulation for Rinse Free Dog Shampoo is suitable for all dog breeds.

The RSPCA has launched its annual Adoptober campaign, encouraging prospective pet owners to consider giving a rescued animal a new home. The campaign comes as new figures raise concerns that more animals are being relinquished to charities at a time when rehoming has slowed.

The animal welfare charity – which operates 14 national rehoming centres across England and Wales, while supporting a network of branches with an additional 45 animal shelters – has released new figures that show rehoming has dropped 8% while animal intake is up 8.4% year-on-year. 

The RSPCA's annual Adoptober rehoming drive has kicked off today - coinciding with World Animal Day (4 October) - and will run throughout October, promoting adoption and highlighting the many animals the charity has waiting to find their perfect match.

The charity fears that the cost of living crisis means more animals are coming into its care while fewer people are considering taking on a new pet. 

Releasing new figures today, the RSPCA has highlighted a potential animal rescue crisis as more animals come into care, and stay in rescue centres for longer, with fewer people coming forward to adopt.

In 2021, the RSPCA's network of centres and branches rehomed 26,945 animals. This is an 8% drop compared to the previous year when 29,358 animals were rehomed and a huge 31% drop from 2019 (39,178), despite the Covid pandemic affecting the way in which charities across the nation could rehome. 

The number of dogs rehomed by the charity also fell 6% from 4,877 in 2020 to 4,567 in 2021; while cats dropped 12% from 17,868 in 2020 to 15,579 in 2021. 

At the same time, the average stay for an animal (the number of days they spend in RSPCA care from being ready to rehome to leaving for their new home) also increased for dogs by 9.4% - from 85 days in 2020 to 93 days in 2021 - and for rabbits - from 104 in 2020 to 117 in 2021, an increase of 12.5%. Cats' length of stay remained the same at 67 days.

Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA's pet welfare expert, said: “It's really concerning to see that animals are staying in our care for longer and that fewer are being rehomed year-on-year. Unfortunately, we believe we're really starting to see the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

“Many of the animals - particularly dogs - who are coming into our care have behavioural challenges which could be linked to how they were bred as well as lockdown limiting the amount of training, socialising and outside world experience they had. 

“We're also beginning to see more animals coming into our care because their owners simply couldn't afford to care for them anymore; or, in the most extreme cases, having been neglected or abandoned due to the rising cost of pet care.

“Sadly, this is coming at the same time that potential pet owners are deciding now isn't the best time to take on an animal due to the soaring cost of living, and feel they can't financially commit to adding a pet to their family at such a worrying time.

For those who are able to bring a pet into their home, we're urging them to really consider adopting rather than buying. Many of our animals will already be neutered, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms - making it much more cost-effective - and we'll work with them to make sure they find their perfect match.

In 2021, the RSPCA saw more dogs, rabbits and other pets (including small furries, pet birds, farm animals and exotics) coming into its care than in 2020. Intake for cats and horses fell by 1.7% and 18.1%, respectively.

Last year, the charity rescued:

• 7,412 dogs - 11.9% more than the 6,624 in 2020
• 7.1% more rabbits (2,731 compared to 2,549)
• 6% more other pets (5,900 compared to 5,566)

The RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index - released earlier this year - highlighted the impact the cost of living crisis is having on pet owners. The survey found that 68% of pet owners were concerned about the increasing cost of pet care while 19% were worried about being able to afford to feed their pets.

Figures released by the charity in August revealed that its cruelty line was receiving more than 100 reports a day of animals being abandoned throughout 2021 and the concern is that the cost of living crisis could lead to this rising even higher.

McAdams, the ultra-premium pet food made using ethically sourced whole free-range meats, has become the official pet food partner to the RSPCA. 

Available exclusively to the independent pet trade, the McAdams partnership will see dogs and cats within the care of the RSPCA’s UK rehoming centres, being fed the McAdams food, at no extra cost to the charity. Furthermore, the new owners of every adopted dog and cat from the charity’s centres, will be offered a free bag of dry food to take home with them, and a donation will be made to the charity for every bag purchased by members of the public. 

Emma Slawinski, director of policy, prevention and campaigns at the RSPCA said: “With animals now spending longer than ever in our care, we are doing everything we can to ensure they stand the best chance in life and in finding a forever home, such as beautiful Mastiff Crossbreed Bonnie (pictured above) who’s been waiting for her forever home for six months. 

Emma continued: “Along with specialist behavioural and training support for our rescue animals, a key focus for us is their nutrition, so our partnership with McAdams could not have come at a more ideal time and we are thrilled to be working with them as our official pet food partner. The company shares our values including a passion for higher-welfare farming and traceability, and we have worked together to create a partnership designed to set the standards in animal wellbeing in the pet trade. It’s not only benefiting domestic animals, but ensuring a better life for farm animals too.”

Neil McAdam, founder of McAdams Pet Food, added: “Our intention through this partnership with the RSPCA is to improve the lives of dogs and cats in their care, at a time when rehoming charities need our support more than ever.

“McAdams, which is available exclusively to the independent pet trade, is the only dry pet food sourced from RSPCA Assured certified farms, and we are proud to be offering our foods to the charity to be fed to the cats and dogs within their rehoming centres, at no extra cost to them. We will also make a donation to the RSPCA for every bag of McAdams cat or dog food purchased by the public, with a minimum donation in the first year of £80,000. Furthermore, we will provide every RSPCA adopter a bag of food to take home with their new pet.”

The partnership comes during the month of Adoptober, the RSPCA's rehoming drive promoting adoption of long-stay rescue animals and encouraging people to adopt and not shop. Sadly, it comes at a time when the charity is braced for an animal rescue crisis as more pets come into its care while less people are considering taking on a new pet due to the rocketing cost of living. 

New figures released by the RSPCA this month reveal that the charity's centres and branches across England & Wales rehomed almost 27,000 animals last year (2021), 8% less than the previous year.

At the same time, more animals arrived in the charity's care and the average length of stay increased, resulting in long waiting lists for spaces in rehoming centres.

The charity is urging people who can commit to the lifelong responsibility of a pet to consider rescuing instead of buying, and is also asking the public to help them rescue more animals by donating online.

The Animal Instincts Flashing Range has landed at Pedigree Wholesale, and this Winter, there are some new lines to add to the range.

The AI Flashing Range is designed to increase visibility on those late-night and early morning walks as the days get shorter. The range features an array of accessories that are super easy and even fun to use. All USB Chargeable and innovatively designed, this range is something pets, and pet parents will love.

The range has four blinkers: the Sunflower, Nut and Clip, and the all-new Waterproof Rectangle Blinker. These lines are perfect for attaching to harnesses and collars or even on backpacks for visibility for pet parents. The range also features the Nylon Harness, Safety Leashes and Collars, putting an illuminating spin on collars that are more suited to brighter conditions. 

For that increased level of safety, the AI Flashing range hosts the Reflective Vest and LED Loop, perfect for longer journeys in more built-up areas. 

Brand New for 2022 is the Reflective Bandana, which won a Silver Award at the PetQuip Awards at PATS Telford 2022! Easy and convenient to use, the bandana is an excellent addition to the Flashing Collection. 

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Burglars, who ransacked a pet shop in the Scottish town of Paisley, escaped with cash and equipment from the overnight raid.

Staff at Proexotics discovered the break-in the following morning, and were heartbroken to find the shop in a state of disarray.

Equipment, including heat lamps, to the value of £2,000 was stolen along with a similar amount of cash.

On its Facebook page, the store posted: “Hey guys, unfortunately our shop in Paisley was broken with the thieves taking a large amount of stock. Fortunately, all of our animals are accounted for, which is great news.”

A fireworks den can help a pet to feel safe and secure.

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is urging pet owners to take steps to help prevent their furry family members from becoming anxious this fireworks season.

Many of our pets’ senses are far more acute than ours, so loud noises and bright flashes can be overwhelming, making fireworks season a potentially traumatic and anxious time. In fact, the 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that 41 per cent of dog owners and 30 per cent of cat owners said their pets were afraid of fireworks*.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “In 2021, in our 48 Pet Hospitals across the country we saw 1,200 animals with firework related issues such as phobias and injuries, highlighting the real impact on our furry friends. November can be an especially scary period for our pets because of this, but taking the time to prepare them for our celebrations can make a huge difference. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help four-legged family members feel more comfortable this November. 

1. Start early

“Talk to your vet if you know your pet becomes distressed by fireworks – they may be able to prescribe medication to help. The earlier you begin desensitising pets to the sounds that come with Bonfire Night, the less likely they are to have a negative association with them. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and reward your pet with praise and a healthy treat when they remain calm. Gradually increase the noise but stop immediately if they begin to show any signs of distress – try again at a lower volume once they feel at ease. It’s important to go at your pet’s pace - remember some animals may have a lower tolerance to loud noises than others.

2. Use music and pheromones

“Music can be really helpful to drown out the sound of bangs, but if your pet isn’t used to the tunes, that could be a surprise in itself. Use your own playlist, or try one we’ve created, and play it around the house in the days leading up to Bonfire Night, then when you need the music to mask the noise, your pet should be used to it. Remember that plug-in pheromone diffusers can also help to relax your pet – for the best results these need to be set up as far in advance of Bonfire night as possible.

3. Keep them safe

“Make sure dogs have been to the toilet and cats are indoors well before dark – you can offer their dinner a bit earlier so they know what time to come home. Remember, cats will need litter trays, so they can stay safely indoors. Frightened pets can go into fight or flight mode and may try to escape when they hear loud bangs, so make sure windows, doors, cat flaps, and doggy doors are secure so that your pet stays safely inside. Check for any small holes or gaps in fence panels that your pet may be able to squeeze through in a panic if the worst happens and they escape from the house, and make sure your microchip details are up to date!

4. Set up a retreat

“Creating a space where your pet feels safe and secure will give them somewhere to go if they feel anxious. Choose a quiet room where they feel comfortable. Create a ‘den’ they can retreat into that has thick blankets, bedding, and pillows which can help to muffle the sound of loud bangs - cats may prefer these up on high shelves. Their favourite toys may also help take their mind off the noise.

5. Plan ahead

“Writing the dates and times of any local displays in your calendar or setting a reminder on your phone means you can plan to be home to provide reassurance. Knowing what’s on in advance also allow you to ensure your pet is safely indoors before fireworks begin, and gives you plenty of time to prepare their safe space.”

For more advice on how to prepare for Bonfire Night with your pets visit

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworksready

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, launched in 2020 by Dorset-based artisanal ice cream maker Baboo Gelato, has been recognised at the PetQuip Awards. They were finalists in four categories and won Highly Commended in the Celebrating Green and Organic category.

The latest honours follow a Best New Product of the Year in 2021, awarded by Pedigree Wholesale Ltd.

Sam and Annie Hanbury, the husband-and-wife team behind Baboo ice cream found that lots of their customers were buying ice cream for their dogs. Realising that lactose is bad for dogs’ tummies, they saw a gap in the market for the first fully organic, dairy free premium frozen treat for dogs, and so Doggy Doggy Yum Yum was born.

Annie, who trained as a professional gelatiere in Bologna, has brought the same care to the formulation of Doggy Doggy Yum Yum as she brings to her ice cream, so it uses the very best organic ingredients. 

Made with peanut butter and bananas, which dogs find hard to resist, this frozen treat uses coconut milk instead of dairy so it is kinder to dogs’ tummies. The ice cream is 100% organic, natural and contains probiotics which come from the live yoghurt, vitamins C and B, iron, magnesium, copper and potassium from the coconut and bananas. 

If given as an occasional treat after a long walk in the countryside, the park or on the beach this tasty treat is perfect way to reward your dog. The peanut butter is pure and so does not contain sugar, xylitol or palm oil. Doggy Doggy contains no artificial flavourings, colours or refined sugars.

The product is now in 200 stockists nationwide including some prestigious pet stores such as Pet Pavilion in London and the chain of Just for Pets Stores in the Midlands. 

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum is also available to buy in selected, cafes restaurants and pubs around the country. The hot summer saw sales soar by a further 40% this year.

New recipes are set to be launched in 2023.

For further information visit www.doggydoggyyumyum.com

Rawgeous Pet Food has been recognised for its sustainability, winning Silver at the PetQuip Awards.

Rawgeous has developed a range of recipes to help keep a dog fit and healthy during the winter months. 

Lorraine Sweeney, co founder of Rawgeous Pet Food alongside business partner Eoin Sweeny, said: “We believe that one of the best ways to feed your dog is on a raw diet because not only are you feeding it what it would have eaten in the wild you are also controlling the protein content and portion size.”

Rawgeous raw dog food recipes include only the highest quality human grade, cuts of tasty Irish prime meat together with the freshest veggies, seaweed, an organic Kefir probiotic, which works to maintain a healthy gut and six different omega oils. 

Rawgeous Pet Food was the first in Ireland to be 100% traceable from the farm of origin to the dogs bowl. It is still the only pet food  in Ireland that tests every single batch before it leaves its licensed premises to ensure its products exceed the standard required. 

“At Rawgeous we are proud of our environmental credentials,” added Lorraine. “Our packaging is sustainable and 100% plastic free and we use Woolcool; an incredible insulating material made from 100% wool; a natural ‘smart fibre’. 

“We also have a next-day returns service of the Woolcool packaging which is also collected straight from your door free of charge. 

‘Our new Enshield Kraft boxes are grease and leak resistant, allowing them to be kept safely in the fridge (and freezer) and planet-friendly thanks to their biodegradable material. It is nice to know that by feeding your dogs Rawgeous you are not just feeding them the best raw diet but also helping the planet at the same time.”

Rawgeous is now being stocked by Natural Cornish Pet Shop who were winners of the Independent Pet Retailer of the Year Award at the 2021 PetQuip Awards.

For further information visit: www.rawgeouspetfood.com

“Wow, wow, wow!” was CSJ’s Ceri Rundle’s reaction as she watched from her sick-bed the live-streaming of a gripping 2022 International Sheepdog Championships held at Castle Howard. “What a great final to watch.”

Along with so many top handlers in the sport feeding CSJ, it was Dewi Jenkins (Wales) with his dog Jock who claimed the International Supreme Champions title and Aled Owen (Wales) with Llangwm Bud becoming Reserve International Supreme Champions.

Jack Howells, with Cydros Boss (Wales) was the well-deserved International Young Handler Champion and Wales (captained by Aled Owen) were International Team Champions with 3909 points, putting Ireland second, England third and Scotland fourth.

Ceri commented: “A great showcase for our sport. Thoroughly enjoyed watching all the action. Thank you Rhys for the live-streaming and to Carol Mellin for keeping us all right up-to-date with the happenings.”

P.S.  Ceri’s up and about and feeling better now …

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

… and follow CSJ winners on Facebook: https://facebook.com/specialistcaninefeeds/

Devon-based The Ark Pet Stores has been named UK Pet Retailer of the Year in the prestigious PetQuip Industry Awards 2022. Director Emma Smith reveals the secrets of her company’s success.

What does this award mean to you and your team?

It’s clear that our stores are loved for their atmosphere and the way they are presented. To be recognised in this way gives our hard-working team a real boost. Whilst we praise and reward, when it comes from an outside source it has a real positive impact on morale. 

Who works in the business?

I am a director along with my colleague Sarah Passmore. My daughter Lilly Burgess is head of sales, and she looks after all of our team members, especially their training and well-being. We have a company ethos of ‘Our Stores, Our Pets and Our People’, and following a recent restructure we now have four senior managers covering these principles – Karl Howells and Kim Fortune Hill for the stores, Luke Elliott for the pets, and Lilly for the people.

Do you hold special events and initiatives?

We have instore pets across our group and hold birthday parties for them – Charlie, our resident micro pig, is the most popular by far! We attend local fairs and schools where possible and hold awareness events to help and advise customers on specific issues.

What makes your store so special?

I believe we offer an experience rather than just being a standard store. We are big advocates for animal welfare and our stores have received 5-stars in recent licencing inspections. 

We are always striving to ‘do better’ and this is reflected in sales and feedback from our customers. We have a specific ‘parrot room’ for our hand reared birds with a walk-in aviary for the larger birds such as Macaws and Cockatoos which is also used for enriching. We have a consultation room for customers wishing to buy a parrot so they can really consider the purchase. This enables us to discuss their lifestyle etc to ensure they are matched with the right bird. 

It is important to us that our animals are in their homes for their lifetime entirety. If a customer doesn't buy the full set up from us, we ask for photos of the enclosure they have at home so we can be sure the environment they're moving to is right. 

We are an ethical company and believe we are responsible for every animal we sell; therefore, we offer a return service which enables the customer to return any animal to us during its lifetime if they can no longer care for it. Sometimes they are rehomed to other customers, team members or they become shop pets and live in one of our stores. This means we are not burdening rehoming centres who (in our area specifically) already have very negative views of ‘pet shops. 

All of our animal food prep is done on the shop floor in a kitchen-style area, complete with microwave, blender and an array of fresh fruit and vegetables. We have displayed menus so our customers can see the thought and work that goes into looking after our animals before they are sold. Saturday mornings is porridge and Sundays are roast days! All of this encourages our customers to try things to enrich their own animals with things they haven't tried before. 

We offer education to our younger customers in the way of our very popular kid's club dog wash – they come in with their dogs and with a team member will learn what to look for when washing their pets. We are very passionate about instilling the importance of being kind to animals at a very young age. We offer a school support service where we go out to schools, check enclosures, equipment (UV/Filters if they have reptiles and aquatics) and do a broad health check on the animals and advise as necessary. 

Our self-serve and service wash dog wash is very popular, hosting four baths including a floor-based one for extra-large dogs or customers who have mobility issues so they can wash their dogs with ease. 

Do you offer a delivery service?

We try to make our stores accessible for everyone but for those who can't visit, we go to them, seven days a week with four local vans on the road covering Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Online, we have a live chat so customers can speak to us and get advice before making a purchase if needed. 

What training do you give your staff?

Our team members are trained to a very high standard to be able to offer the very best service to our customers and are encouraged to progress and learn more wherever they can. PIF courses are readily available and many of our team members have completed these, along with external courses such as Reptile Diplomas, Parrot Studies & Behaviour Diplomas, SQPs, Dog/Cat nutrition - I could go on! 

Our people are the backbone of our business, and it is important to us that they are happy not only at work but at home too so we offer a full employee assistance programme so they can get support for free if they are having personal struggles. 

All of our managers are trained in aspects of mental health to support them if needed or they are guided to the EAP if not. We are a very diverse team and have an age range of employees from 16-79 and this means we can relate to all of our customers regardless of age. 

My colleagues Sarah and Lilly and myself are in stores regularly to ensure our policies of a ‘safe place’ environment is always at the forefront of everyone’s minds so every team member and customer can be themselves in our stores without fear of judgement or discrimination. 

What sets you apart from the rest?

All of the above is what makes our stores so special. We’re so much more than just a pet shop – I think we are traditional (still selling pets) but with a modern twist! 

How do you keep your regulars coming back for more?

By ensuring we stay on trend, changing displays and stock seasonally and offering a service that they wouldn't get anywhere else. Knowing our customers, their pets and their needs is fundamental and so they keep visiting. They know we genuinely care. 

For a walk-through video of The Ark click here

See below a gallery of pictures from the award-winning pet stores...

The UK pet industry celebrated in style during the announcement of the PetQuip Awards 2022 on Sunday (25^th September) when companies were honoured for their outstanding performance during the past year.

A packed gathering of retailers and suppliers attended the awards presentations which were held after the first day of PATS Telford.

The event, presented by Pat Flynn, PetQuip trade association manager, and Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of the PetQuip association, included 12 gold and 10 silver awards, plus six highly commended awards and a special Lifetime Achievement Award for PATS organiser Gordon Thomas.

Two new categories – ‘Celebrating Green & Organic’ and ‘Sustainability Award’ – were introduced this year to reflect on how an increasing number of businesses have embraced ‘eco’ initiatives. 

At the close of the event, Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “The enjoyment evident on the faces of so many people from the industry at our event has made it all worthwhile. The association is proud to recognise all the hard work, innovation and teamwork demonstrated by our industry.

“In addition to seeing so many happy winners, it was really rewarding to witness everyone enjoying the fruits of their labours and the positive networking that took place between suppliers and buyers during the evening.”

Here is a full list of the award winners:

Exporter of the Year (Theresa Swann Trophy)

Gold Award: Tailor-Grace    

Silver Award: Podium Pet Products

Highly Commended: Little Big Paw

The judges praised Tailor-Grace for providing strong back-up support to its overseas distributors, and with the incentives it offered, including percentage rebates on each sale.

Celebrating Green & Organic

Gold Award: Podium Pet Products  

Silver Award: Tailor-Grace

Highly Commended: Doggy Doggy Yum Yum

The judges loved the idea that the inspiration for Podium’s natural care range came from an old family recipe book for farmhouse animal husbandry, using hedgerow and nature’s harvest ingredients. Packaging of the products is limited to as little as possible and is completely recyclable.

Supplier of the Year

Joint Gold Award – Butcher’s Pet Care and Mutneys Professional Pet Care

Silver Award: Pet Trade Innovations

The judges agreed there should be joint gold winners in this category, celebrating service from a small company trading under £1m in turnover, to a larger one trading over £1m. Both provide exemplary service and customer satisfaction. 

Business Service of the Year

Joint Gold Award: Pedigree Wholesale and Bruce’s Doggy Day Care

Silver Award: Tuft App

Highly Commended: Shropshire Canine

The judges felt that the joint gold winners were passionately driven businesses, based on old family principles and delivered by experienced personnel.

Sustainability Award

Gold Award: Butcher’s Pet Care

Silver Award: Rawgeous Pet Food Co

Highly Commended: The Green Poop Bag

The judges described the gold winner as a family business doing things its way and getting it right. The company specialises in no-waste farming to bring naturally nourishing dog food to the market. It uses natural ingredients, British and Irish in origin, to reduce the carbon footprint, and all packaging is recyclable.

Product of the Year – Accessories/Technical

Gold Award: Concept Research – Pest Controller

Silver Award: Pedigree Wholesale – AI Flashing Bandana

The judges awarded gold to a UK-manufactured product which deters mice in a humane way. It’s a cost effective and excellent alternative to poisons.

Product of the Year – Food/Treats

Gold Award: Furr Boost – Smoothie Drinks

Silver Award: Tailor-Grace – Oggi’s Bake at Home Dog Treat Mix for healthy dogs

Highly Commended: Akela Pet Foods – Free Range Chicken Complete Working Dog/Puppy Dry Food

The judges felt the gold award winner deserved recognition with an idea based upon a dog which had bladder problems, refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. Through research and product development a totally new idea has been brought to market, not seen before – smoothies for dogs.

Product of the Year – Healthcare/Grooming

Gold Award: Watermans – PH balanced formulated pet wash

Silver Award: For All Dogkind – Range of Calming Spray, Breath Freshner and Leave-In Conditioner

Highly Commended: GWF Nutrition – Raw Aid for cats and dogs

In the words of the judges, the gold award winner has formulated a product that looks different and smells amazing.

International Retailer, Wholesaler or Distributor of the Year

Gold Award: Eye4Pets, The Netherlands

Silver Award: Wanimo, France

The judges were impressed by the fact this Dutch business is always on the look-out for equipment and accessories that are truly different and of excellent quality. The company likes to work with family businesses that understand it takes time to establish a brand in a new market.

UK Retailer of the Year

Gold Award: The Ark, Devon

Silver Award: Trusty Pet Supplies, Derbyshire

The gold award winner was praised for its fantastic and colourful displays, friendly and knowledgeable staff, the efficiency of service plus excellent and innovative new ideas such as its Kids Club Dog Wash.

Lifetime Achievement 

Gordon Thomas, Organiser of PATS Telford/Sandown, AQUA and BETA International

The judges felt Gordon deserved this high accolade for his outstanding service to the pet industry, organising the successful PATS and AQUA exhibitions. After an illustrious career of working on international exhibitions like Glee, Gordon launched his own business, Impact Exhibitions & Events, with friend and colleague Annie Foord. The first PATS show took place at Sandown Park in 2009 and was swiftly followed by a second event in Harrogate the same year. The move from Harrogate to Telford came in 2015. Gordon and his team also launched the biennial AQUA show in association with OATA, and this year took on the organisation of BETA International equestrian exhibition. Described as being hard-working, incredibly fair and a fun person to be with, Gordon is a worthy recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 2022 PetQuip Awards were supported by APPA (American Pet Products Association), Global Pet Expo, Zoomark International, Pedigree Wholesale, Petface, Canagan, Group55, James & Steel, pbwnews and PATS Telford.

Zoomark International presented Katy Rehm, of the Pawfume Shop, with the special prize of a trip to Italy in time for the show on 15-17 May 2023, including air fare and hotel accommodation.

At the awards dinner following the presentations, the following guests won a digital edition of the Pet Owners Survey produced by APPA: John James of James & Steel, Julie Butcher from Group 55, and Martin Hodson, of ChickenGuard. Gemma Connolly, of Scoff Paper, won a bottle of champagne, also from APPA.

Rising energy bills have been blamed for the closure of a pet shop in Worcester.

Aquatics and Reptiles is closing after 14 years in the city with owner Clive Longstaff telling Worcester News: “We had our electricity bill go up from £883 a month to £2,190 a month in April. There’s also been a 30% drop in sales as people don’t have the money in their pocket to go out and shop.”

Clive added the cost of heating aquariums and vivariums was also hitting pet owners hard.

Having worked in the pet industry for 37 years, Clive will be offering pond and aquarium maintenence services from his home in Malvern.

You can read the whole story on the Worcester News website. Click here to view

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/22572490.cost-living-crisis-st-johns-pet-shop-aquatics-reptiles-close/

Yorkshire-based Private Equity House, Traditum, has this week announced a £1.75m investment in Halifax-based Sniffers Pet Care.

The funding will allow Sniffers to build on its established relationships, support the rollout of new brands and product ranges and will enable them to invest in new manufacturing and distribution roles at its Halifax (Elland) site.

Sniffers is an award-winning family-owned business with over 40 years of experience in the pet industry across retail and distribution.  Specialising in natural pet treats and supplying the likes of Pets at Home, Jollyes and hundreds of independent retailers with its brands including Walter Smith, Buffalo Natural Dog and Monster Chocs.

Simon Brown, (pictured) Sniffer’s Pet Care CEO, said: “We have transformed our business over the past three years, focusing on new, high-quality product lines which cater for dog owners looking for a more natural product for their pet.

“I’m hugely proud of the business my family and team have built, and it’s been exhilarating to see such a rapid increase in sales with household name retailers.”

“The investment from Traditum will allow us to roll out a new brand proposition and continue our growth in an increasingly fast-moving sector.  The team brings in-depth knowledge of managing scaling businesses, and I look forward to working with them to build on our success.”

Iain Marlow, Head of Investments at Traditum, said: “The UK is a nation of pet lovers who care about the quality of what they feed their pets.  Simon and his team have established Sniffers as one of the leading suppliers of natural pet food in the highly competitive UK market.”

“Their dedication to quality, innovation and reliability has enabled them to secure relationships with some of the largest retailers in the UK. Our investment will enable the business to build on its established position, expand operational capabilities and deliver new brand and product propositions.”

In 2022 the UK pet food industry is worth £3.3bn*, with dog ownership in the UK growing significantly during the pandemic.  According to recent figures from the PDSA*, the dog population in the UK is estimated at 10.2 million, with 27% of adults owning one or more dogs.

Traditum was supported with legal advice from Paul Johnson and Nina Latham of law firm Mills and Reeve.

Richard Wilson of RSM provided tax advice to Traditum. Nigel Hoyle from Blacks provided legal advice to the vendors, and Sara Whitton from My Management Accountant provided financial support to Sniffers.

There was so much to see and do over the two days of PATS Telford exhibition. If you weren't lucky enough to make it, here's a picture round-up from Telford International Centre...

Picture gallery below...