Kingfisher (Bonnington Plastics Ltd) is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of value-for-money products, with over 2,500 lines in key market sectors such as gardening, outdoor living, home wares, DIY, pet care, pest control, camping and leisure gear. 

The Kingfisher Pet Care range includes essential pet accessories such as toys, leads, collars, training and feeding aids, beds and hutches.

In October 2014, Team Kingfisher will expand their pet care range with the launch of nine tasty dog treats.  High in protein and full of flavour, they provide an exciting treat or reward for canines of all sizes, as well as helping to keep teeth clean.

Research has shown that where 8/10 consumers spend less on their grocery shopping when times are hard, only 10% of pet owners cut back on treats for their pets.  The Kingfisher dog treats range offers an affordable treat for the nation’s pet lovers, even during an economic downturn.

The Kingfisher Pet Treats range includes the following tantalising tastes:  Yummy Tripe, Tasty Lungs, Dried Paddywack, Shank Bone, Filled Bone, Yummy Ears, Smoked Ears, Tasty Liver and Tripe Filled Bones.   Each product (with the exception of the filled bone) is packaged in an eye catching re-sealable plastic bag for freshness, with euro hook opening for ease of display.

As an added incentive, customers are able to pre buy from 1st-31st August and receive a 10% discount, with deliveries from 1st October 2014.

To find out more about the Kingfisher Pet Care range, shop online at  www.bonningtonplastics.com, or call the Kingfisher sales team on 0115 985 4119.

"Duncan Bannatyne remarked 'It was possibly the best pitch I have seen in over 10 years of Dragons’ Den' while Peter Jones commented that 'You made dog food cool in the Den.'

"It was Deborah Meaden’s offer which we found ourselves most torn over. Her experience of the pet food industry and consumer products meant she was the best fit of all the Dragons, so her comments on the viability and potential of Pure were very encouraging. To sacrifice 30% of our business, which we have devoted so much time and energy over the past 18 months to, was a huge decision for us to make. 

"After much negotiation and deliberation, the terms of investment didn’t feel right for us and we ultimately turned down the offers that were made. We believe so much in the successful future of Pure; confidence derived from the positive feedback and loyalty received from our ever growing customer base, that our decision will prove to be one we will not regret.

"After direct sales growth of over 300% in our first quarter since March 2014 we experienced an overwhelming reaction since the show’s airing on Sunday night. The following 48 hours saw sales equivalent to the previous two months and hundreds of enquiries from owners and retailers.

"We have recently launched our new boxed packaging solution alongside an additional economical Chicken Dinner recipe, which we believe will improve our retail proposition tenfold. We hope to use these product developments together with the national coverage and huge interest which the appearance on Dragons’ Den has provided to take Pure to even greater heights."

Pure manufacture a range of dehydrated dog food, unique from any other product currently available in the UK. Pure surpassed current industry standards by gaining regulation by both the human and the animal food authorities. Using an innovative manufacturing technique, Pure have created a product which not only addresses current market trends to feed a low processed and high quality food, but avoids the inconvenience and expense which can prevent a significant number of owners from doing so.

Pure launched in August 2013, receiving fantastic coverage from both national and local press. This led to dog owners across the country purchasing Pure with resounding success. The versatility and convenience of Pure has been commended by owners, justifying Pure’s belief in the market for an innovative product of this kind.

Daniel added: "Pure has now achieved listings in over 100 pet specialist stores across the UK; a fantastic achievement in what is an incredibly competitive market. This positive introduction to the market culminated when Pure were awarded the Pet Product Innovation of the Year Award through world renowned industry body ‘PetQuip’, one of the biggest accolades a new pet product could hope to achieve."

Pictured above: Mathew and Daniel with their new packaging, and also in the Den (below).

Natural pet grooming product company Butch & Bess will make a brief appearance on Dragons’ Den on BBC Two on  Sunday, August 17.

Reflecting on the pitch, co-founder Mark Hirschel said: “It was quite a surreal experience. We were approached by a dog-loving researcher a few weeks before filming. They had already received over a thousand applicants, but they liked Butch & Bess and asked us to audition.

“We had only been trading for four months at that time, so at first we were reluctant. However, we prepared a good and honest pitch, which got us through to the final stage of filming.”

Butch & Bess was established in November 2013, and since that time the company has developed professional groomer and consumer product ranges. 

“Pitching in front of the Dragons was a terrifying, yet memorable experience," explains Jo Amit. “Hopefully, they broadcast the good parts – our paws are well and truly crossed."

The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund is launching a new initiative to highlight good and bad practice among pet retailers when it comes to welfare standards.

Rae Todd, of RWAF, says the organisation wants to prove to pet shops that good welfare means good business, and is prepared to highlight those retailers who take the matter seriously as well as those that don't.

For the past three years RWAF has been running a ‘Hutch and Run’ competition for retailers and manufacturers with a view to encouraging improvements in the standards of the products available for rabbits. 

"We now feel as if there are enough options available to pet shops to offer the correct products to their customers and there is certainly enough information out there for retailers to provide sound advice to their customers," said Rae.

"We may well return to the scheme in future because we know that we have to keep on top of how the industry considers welfare standards in its product ranges.

"But for now we want to try something different.  We understand from our members, social media, rabbit savvy vets and some rescues, that there are some retailers who are taking their welfare responsibilities seriously. 

"These responsiblities include selling accommodation that meets the rabbits’ needs, giving correct advice on bonding, neutering, vaccinations, and diet, linking up with their local vet and promoting the adoption of rescue rabbits. 

"We would like to hear about these retailers so we can use them as examples to other parts of the industry and show them that good welfare is good business, and that by considering welfare standards, knowledgeable, loyal and rabbit owners will become knowledgeable, loyal and profitable customers!  It may be that your retailer does a lot of things right but doesn't tick ALL of the welfare boxes.  We want to hear about them too so we can work with them to help them put the rest of their house in order.

"Sadly, we are also all too aware that there are still a huge amount of retailers who do not consider the long term welfare of the animals that they either sell, or sell products for.  It is still too common for a retailer to happily sell a single rabbit, a bag of muesli and a 3ft hutch and as we all know, this leads to misery, neglect and needless suffering.  We want to hear about these retailers too because, quite frankly, we want to let everybody know who they are so they can be avoided.  We want them to know that bad welfare is bad business."

Through its website www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk RWAF will be asking pet owners to nominate the good and bad retailers during August 2014.

Pet Trade Xtra has agreed to support the RWAF in this initiative and will be reporting on the findings.

"This only applies to licenced pet stores, not unlicenced online sellers," says Rae. "That's a whole different front of the welfare war that we're fighting."

"We use breeders local to our stores. This enables us to have a good rapport and get to know our breeders on a personal level. We are able to understand their practices and support them and their animals.

"Before we will consider buying livestock, we visit all breeders and check their facilities to ensure they meet our strict criteria. All of our pets are sold with a birth certificate which means we can guarantee and trace your pet’s origin."

Pooch and Mutt has won Gold in the European Design Awards 2014 after beating over 50 other entries from all over Europe with the outstanding packaging and design of its bestselling range of treats.

The seven hand-baked assortment of dog treats won the award based on their exceptionally designed products while promoting and raising the standards for communication design.

Pooch and Mutt is a natural and ethical company that successfully represented the pet industry and the UK with its coveted win that was awarded by a panel of prestigious, design experts in Copenhagen. T

he ethical company’s unique packaging has taken consumers by storm throughout the UK, as the treats are often recognised as the best premium product currently on the market. Pooch & Mutt treats successfully combine high quality, natural ingredients with distinctive and colourful packaging that has made the company a clear choice for dog owners.

The European Design Award has a varied range of criteria that recipients must demonstrate in order to be successful, such as a high design quality, creativity, and relevance in their field. The judges consist of representatives from leading communication and top design magazines throughout Europe.

There are three levels of distinction in each category, ranging from Bronze to the top-rated and sought-after Gold prize. A Gold award is only given if the jury believes that the specific work is of extremely high calibre. Pooch and Mutt’s Gold award demonstrates the company’s dedication to providing high quality products that are focused on creating the best results for their customers.

The full range of treats and other Pooch and Mutt products can be seen at www.poochandmutt.com. For more information email samantha@

poochandmutt.com.

Revenue has soared by 10% at Pets at Home with the growth mainly driven by new store openings.

The group posted sales of £210.8m for the 16 weeks to July 17, with a 4% rise in like-for-like sales during the same period.

Merchandise revenues were up to £192.5m while services revenue increased by more than a quarter to £18.3m.

During the period, the group opened 10 new stores, 16 veterinary practices and 19 Groom Rooms. This included the addition of 10 veterinary and nine Grooms Rooms to existing stores.

The business plans to open at least 25 new stores, 60 veterinary practices and 50 Groom Rooms during the full year.

Nick Wood (right), Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased with the start to our financial year, with first quarter like-for-like growth of 4.1%. Our differentiated offering in the pet retail market, an increasingly seamless approach to omni-channel, and growing customer participation and engagement in our VIP loyalty programme continues to drive strong returns.

"Looking ahead, we will continue to seize opportunities to grow and develop Pets At Home and focus on the delivery of our strategy. Given the strong first quarter performance, we remain confident in our expectations for the full financial year.”

In the Interim Management Statement, the company revealed:

"Our VIP Club is an important driver of like-for-like sales growth, through targeted marketing communications to our customers, and continues to underpin our differentiated product and services proposition. We saw excellent progress in membership growth, to 2.4 million members, adding 400,000 since year end. VIP card swipes also increased to 57% of store revenues, up from 52% during the final quarter of FY14.

"We continue to invest in PetsAtHome.com, extending our website functionality and increasing the range of products. Deliver To Store is in rollout and expected to be fully operational across our store portfolio by the end of August. We now offer over 9,800 SKUs online, which represents an extended range of over 2,900 SKUs when compared to the number of SKUs available in an average superstore.

"We also returned to national TV advertising during the quarter and have been pleased with the very positive reaction to ‘MyPetMoments’, with clips crowd sourced from our customers. The full length online advertisement has now been viewed over 1.2 million times.

"A key focus for FY15 remains the delivery of at least 25 new stores, 60 new veterinary practices and 50 new Groom Room salons. Given the strong first quarter performance, continued momentum in our VIP Club, the developing maturity of veterinary practices and Groom Rooms, and plans to further enhance our Advanced Nutrition offering in stores this Autumn, we remain confident in our expectations for the full financial year."

Summary

• Like-for-like sales growth of 4.1%, driven by VIP Club momentum, strength in Advanced Nutrition and Health & Hygiene, and continued growth of our veterinary practices and Groom Rooms.
• Like-for-like revenue growth of 18.3% within the Joint Venture veterinary practices, resulting in strong fee income growth within our Services revenues.
• Total revenue grew by 10.4% to £210.8m, driven by new store openings and continued strength across Food, Accessories and Services..
• Merchandise revenues grew by 9.0% to £192.5m, with 8.8% growth in Food revenues and 9.2% growth in Accessories revenues
• Services revenues grew by 27.3% to £18.3m, reflecting both new openings and the developing maturity of our veterinary practices and Groom Rooms
• VIP Club reached 2.4m members, up from 2m at FY14 end

In front of a potential global audience of 1 billion people, it was the Scottish Terriers that stole the show at the 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow...

And in preparation for her big night, Radley the Scottish Terrier (pictured) was prepared using Animology Back to Black shampoo before leading out Team England.

Radley had to undergo a quick costume change before leading Team England into the arena, as earlier in the evening she had also done the honours for the South African team, with her owner, Heather Hodgson.

Heather was so amazed with the results after using Animology as she explained: “I usually bath Radley using baby shampoo, but in light of this very special occasion I bathed her for the first time using Animology Back to Black shampoo and was amazed at the results not only in the soft texture of her coat, but the shine it gave her coat.  I was delighted with how she looked in preparation for her big moment.”

A vitamin and conditioner enriched shampoo that helps enhance the colour and radiance a black dog, Back to Black is just one of many that make up Animology’s Multi-Award winning portfolio of pet care products.

Group55’s Managing Director, Stephen Turner explained: “We were absolutely delighted to hear of Heather and Radley’s once in a lifetime experience, on what must have been an incredible evening in Glasgow. Of course, it was great to learn that Radley was helped to look her absolute best for the occasion using Animology products. We strive to develop the very best products that we can, and I think anyone who saw Radley on the night would agree that she was in tip top condition."

A new range of cat toys is available from Animal Instincts. Designed to keep cats busy and entertained, Animal Instincts Catnips will provide hours of interactive fun, helping keep cats healthy and active.

Filled with high quality catnip, the range includes a Bungee Mouse, Funky Fish, Chirping Bird and Chirping Cockerel.

The Bungee Mouse has a finger ring for interactive play whilst the Funky Fish has a flashing tail and makes an engaging bleeping sound for maximum fun.

Both the Chirping Bird and Chirping Cockerel make engaging sounds to keep cats interested.

The novel toys are supplied on high quality, eye catching merchandising cards with each card featuring a fabulous bespoke illustration of each toy.

Available from Pedigree Wholesale if you would like more information about Animal Instincts Catnips contact the Customer Services Team on 0115 982 3900 or e. info@petproducts.co.uk.

PATS Harrogate has secured a strong line-up of speakers for two days of seminars designed to give pet retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new approaches and new profit potential.

The talks, produced in association with Pedigree Wholesale, will take place in the Seminar Theatre in Hall B of Harrogate International Centre on both days of the show – Sunday and Monday, September 14-15.

The free-to-attend series of seminars will cover topics including: an insight into the life-saving abilities of medical detection dogs; pay-offs and penalties in the dog-human relationship; retailing RAW pet foods; driving sales in the small animal category; 30 ways to improve your business in 30 minutes; and what customers are saying about your pet business online.

There will also be a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for those people attending a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial. The CPD points will go towards the ongoing development of Suitably Qualified People (SQP) working in the pet industry.

Guy Blaskey (right), from Pooch and Mutt, has given talks at PATS for the past three years and he says: “At every show the audience seems to be full of people who are really interested in pushing their businesses forward and learning about modern marketing techniques.

“I always get some very interesting questions at the end of the talk and people often follow up with queries via email, twitter or facebook.”

At PATS Harrogate, Guy will be giving an introduction to condition-appropriate feeding for dogs.

“One of the easiest ways to discover new ideas that could help boost your business is to attend the free seminars at PATS,” said organiser Annie Foord.

“If there’s a subject that catches your eye then make a mental note of the time or write it down in your diary so you don’t miss it.

“Most seminars last half-an-hour so there’s no time to become bored. In fact, because of the time limit, there’s a lot of information packed into such a short session and often it’s a good idea to take notes or write down bullet points. Usually, the speaker will take questions at the end of the talk.”

PATS is delighted that Dr Roger Mugford from the Company of Animals has agreed to give a seminar at Harrogate. Well respected in the industry, Dr Mugford is a psychologist and farmer who introduced the concept of behavioural therapy to the veterinary profession by founding The Animal Behaviour Centre in 1979.

Alice Halstead, who suffers from a rare form of diabetes, will give a brief insight into the life-saving abilities of medical detection dogs in both chronic disease and cancer detection.

Natures Menu’s Craig Taylor will be offering advice on retailing RAW pet foods, while Oliver Humi, of the British Independent Retailers’ Association, will reveal 30 ways to improve your business in 30 minutes.

With 1.7million rabbits now owned across the UK, the small animal category represents a great opportunity to drive incremental sales across a range of products. Richard Rockett, from Burgess Petcare, will deliver a talk entitled ‘the long and the short of small furries’.

As well as this free programme of seminars there will be so much more to see on the exhibitor stands packing three halls at Harrogate. Visitors are now being urged to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk. 

The British love affair with pets shows no signs of slowing down. A recent survey* of 2,000 UK cat and dog owners conducted by global pet product expert, PetSafe®, has highlighted that the strong bond between pet owners and four legged friends is stronger than ever.

The survey revealed that almost five out of ten people (45%) said their cat or dog was more valuable to them than their house, car, jewellery or any other material possessions. 40% said they treasured them higher than most things they own.

Firmly placed at the heart of family life, the survey found that pets are widely regarded as family members - particularly by women - with nine out of ten women (91%), saying they are “one of the family”; for men, the figure was eight out of ten (80%). When asked, “How much do you love your pet?” over half the women quizzed (63%) gave the maximum scores (9/10 and 10 /10) and 40% of men gave the same responses.

Pet owners are also keen to make sure their pets have their fair share of creature comforts – even sharing their bed with them to make them cosy. One in five pet owners said they sleep with a pet every night and 60% said they often slept with their pets.

Trust and unconditional love for pets prompted a quarter of pet owners to describe them as “my best friend”.  The figure was even higher for young people, with a third of 18 to 25 year olds surveyed admitting that their pets are their best buddies.

A feel-good factor associated with pet ownership came across strongly in the survey. Almost 85% of people polled said having a cat or dog improves their quality of their life and overall health and wellbeing.

Making time to play with pets was also felt to be important. Despite busy lifestyles, pet owners are very generous with their time – often spending longer with pets than other family members. One in 15 people spent at least three to five hours a day playing with their cats or dogs. Over half the people (50%) spent between one to three hours playing with them. Only one in 20 spent less than half an hour playing with pets.

Angela Critchley, International Marketing Director at PetSafe, said: “It’s heartening to see how pets continue to enrich our lives and how, as a nation, we are devoted to them and enjoy spending our free time with them. The survey shows overwhelmingly that our love for them is unconditional and it’s important that we continue to value them and care for them to strengthen the bond.”

*Survey conducted by OnePoll in June 2014 with 1,000 cat owners and 1.000 dog owners interviewed.

Specialist brand 8in1 is introducing a new product into the fold in the form of 8in1 MINIS. Available from September, these bite size dog treats are available in three flavours: Lamb & Cranberry, Beef & Apple and Chicken & Carrots.

The low-in-fat treats have been created with a gluten-free formula and contain no added sugar.

Alex Hinton, Trade Marketing Manager at 8in1, said: “With 8in1 we aim to continuously produce high quality, speciality products, which deliver delicious yet healthy treats for dogs, all of which are designed with pets and their owners’ distinct needs in mind. 

"These new bite-size treats offer unique flavours and are a healthy supplement to the dog’s diet. As such, 8in1 MINIS are an exciting extension to the current our ever-expanding and innovative range.

"Now is the time for retailers to capitalise on the continuous growth within the treat sector by ensuring customers have a wide selection of products to choose from to indulge their pets."

The increasing premiumisation of the pet industry provides retailers with a key opportunity to increase their sales value of dog snacks and treats, as owners are willing to trade up to more premium and specialist products in order to meet both the health and indulgence needs.

The 8in1 range is consequently a great option for these owners who want to treat their dogs, while also keeping them fit, happy and healthy.

Available in September from Pedigree Wholesale and Vital Pet Products.

Pet Munchies has launched a new 100% Premium Wild Gourmet Salmon range. This products are 100% natural, made using the finest quality ingredients and without any artificial additives or preservatives..

‘So why salmon? Well, the high levels of Omega 3 & 6, Fatty acids and antioxidants found in salmon can provide dogs with an array of health benefits such as; increased joint mobility, optimal brain and eye function, healthy heart ,good oral hygiene and can help towards maintaining a healthy skin and coat.

Salmon is low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fats and easily digestible.

This new range of treats is naturally hypo-allergenic, so they’re ideal for dogs that suffer with intolerances to wheat, soya and gluten.

1.      Salmon Bites : Made from 100% Natural Quality Wild Salmon Skins.Rough texture can help towards plaque removal.

2.      Salmon Fillets. Made from 100% Natural Wild Salmon. Easy to break into suitable size for any dog. Chewing activity promotes healthy dental care. Easily digestible

British dog collar brand Oscar & Hooch will unveil its full complement of high quality point of sale at PATS Harrogate in September.

Oscar & Hooch already supplies floor standing display units along with header boards, and PATS Harrogate will see the arrival of a very stylish counter top display unit.

Managing director Paul Steckler commented: “The counter top display unit is carved out of solid wood and will really help retailers further promote our products, as with our collars and leads, all point of sale is manufactured here in Somerset.”

The latest counter top display is supplied free with all starter orders and will be on show at PATS along with the existing floor standing display units and header boards.

 For further information contact  01934 713667, email sales@oscarandhooch.com or visit Oscar & Hooch at PATS Harrogate on stand D18 in Hall C.

Holistic dog food manufacturer, Goodwyns, will be exclusively unveiling its new grain-free food range at PATS Harrogate in September.

Manufactured in the UK, Goodwyns offers a unique range of premium dog food that is free from wheat, gluten and additives; and is now proud to present grain-free alternatives. The range includes both, dry and moist food plus treats.

Tony Raeburn, chief executive at Goodwyns, comments: “Our fantastic new grain-free range contains natural antioxidants and prebiotics that are not only more digestible for your canine companions; but reduce the risk of food allergies.

“We look forward to showcasing all of our unique, holistic products and introducing the grain-free range at PATS.”

The Goodwyns grain-free dry food is available in: Chicken & Sweet Potato and Lamb & Vegetables whilst the moist range is available in ‘Chicken, vegetable and herbs’; ‘Lamb, vegetable and herbs’; and ‘Salmon, vegetables and herbs’; as well as chicken and lamb treats for adult dogs and chicken treats for puppies.

For further information on Goodwyns, visit www.dogsloveit.co.uk

Pet owners underestimate the cost of treatment for unexpected injuries by hundreds of pounds, according to research.

Treating cuts and bites can cost as much as £372 in some cases but a survey by Asda Money found that pet owners only expect to pay up to £100.

That's despite average claims data from suggesting that a snake bit can result in a vet bill of £461, breaking a limb £1,163 and retrieving swallowed items up to nearly £1,250.

Asda Money said owners had two pets on average and more than half them don't have pet insurance.

Of those without insurance, some 44% said the reason was because it is too expensive. In response, the insurer has launched a low-cost insurance plan that cover accidents only.

Compared to its standard pet insurance policy that would cover a three-year old Golden Retriever for £1,500 per illness at a cost of £27.58 a month or £330.94 a year with an excess of £85, the accident-only policy would cost £7.09 a month, £85 a year and cover treatment of up to £2,500 for the same excess.

Kirsty Ward, head of Asda Money, said: "We all want our pets to run free and enjoy themselves, but sometimes these adventures can result in injury for the animal and an unexpected bill for their owners.  

"We know budgets are tight and the thought of taking out pet insurance could be seen as a stretch too far for many families but we hope this new product allows for flexibility and offers protection against unavoidable treatment costs for injuries."

Dog food specialist CSJ is sponsoring the South Downs Show at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (on the A3 south of Petersfield),  Hampshire on August 23-24.

Billed as a Countryside and Environment show for all the family (including those with paws!),  the show encapsulates the many wonders of the South Downs, brought together in one huge exciting show.

Canine events include a pet dog show, pet agility competition, gundog and sheepdog events to either compete in or just watch and there will be Sheepdog and Retriever displays in the main arena.

The list of what’s happening is far too long to mention but includes archery, ferret racing, meet the Meercats, a funfair, Alpacas, Red Kites, battle games, miniature horses, an eco-store, a craft tent and lots of shopping and food and drink.

For more info visit  www.southdownsshow.co.uk and www.csjk9.com

FURminator, the popular and sought-after deShedding solution for pets, is launching an innovative, multipurpose product - Shed Control Cloths - for collecting loose hair and cleaning a pet’s coat.

Designed to complement the already well-trusted FURminator deShedding tools, the FURminator Shed Control Cloths provide a convenient daily solution to removing loose surface hair and cleaning pets’ coats.

The cloths are dual sided, offering two different benefits to owners and pets. The rough side uses loop technology to catch and hold on to loose surface hair, helping to prevent shedding around the home. The smooth side cleans the coat and produces a shiny gloss.

The wipes are three times thicker than traditional wipes and can be also be used on upholstery and clothes, offering consumers a convenient tool, which is value for money.

Alex Hinton, Trade Marketing Manager at FURminator, comments: “The addition of the Shed Control Cloths to FURminator's line-up of deShedding, care and hygiene solutions further enhances the FURminator grooming experience for both pet owners and their pets.

"We recommend a Daily, Weekly, Monthly routine for pets who shed their coats, which incorporates monthly use of cleaning products, weekly use of deShedding tools and daily use of brushes… and now the Shed Control Wipes.

“Simply put, there is no pet care solution on the market like the FURminator product range, which prides itself on providing professional and effective deShedding solutions for all pet lovers."

At RRP £4.40 for 12 wipes, FURminator Shed Control Wipes offer great value for your customers. They are available to retailers in cases of 6.

An Essex couple's daring dog sniffed out a 5ft snake that was coiled up in their kitchen cupboard.

James and Tina Gamble's Jack Russell, called Jack, alerted its owners to the snake by repeatedly barking at one of their kitchen cupboards.

James Gamble, 63, opened the door - and found a California kingsnake coiled up among the pots and pans.

The police and the RSPCA said that they couldn’t help, so Mr Gamble used a pole and some wire to make a 'snake catcher' pole which he used to pick up the snake and release it onto nearby grassland in Little Bentley, Essex.

Mr Gamble made the shock discovery after his seven-year-old Jack Russell started barking at a cupboard. 

James made a rudimentary 'snake catcher' out of a pole and some wire before gently lifting the snake out of a floorboard below the cupboard, which the snake had retreated into. 

His family have nicknamed him Bear - after intrepid TV presenter and survival expert Bear Grylls - in honour of his exploits on Sunday afternoon.

Sue Coleman, who runs a reptile sanctuary in Harwich, Essex, identified the reptile as a kingsnake, which originates from California and would probably have been an escaped or released pet.

A Tendring Council spokesman said residents would normally be pointed towards the direction of Colchester Zoo or the RSPCA. 

An RSPCA spokesman suggested there may have been 'crossed wires' after police contacted the charity.

California kingsnakes are not poisonous and mainly feed off other snakes.

The owner of a dog who was injured after slipping up on grass while chasing a cat is claiming compensation from the council.

Rebecca Richardson is blaming Brighton and Hove City Council for not cutting the grass after Scooby suffered a slipped disc.

"My dog chased after a cat and caught his leg in the grass and now he has a slipped disc," the 48-year-old from Brighton said.

"We’ve been complaining to the council for four weeks. All the tenants have been trying to get the grass cut because it is so long."

Rebecca was worried that she and her partner would not be able to afford Scooby’s medical bills, which would reportedly cost thousands of pounds.

The dog was said to need surgery so it would not become paralysed.

The couple are already both disabled themselves.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it would investigate the complaint.

The UK’s biggest consumer pet show returns this weekend with a packed programme and hundreds of attractions making for a fantastic family day out...and under 7s go free.

Learn how to care for pets with advice from industry experts and be awestruck by the amazing animal displays taking place in the indoor and outdoor arenas*.

Craft enthusiasts have the chance to make their own wicker ‘Bee Skep’ – the traditional ‘Winnie The Pooh-style bee hive – beeswax candles, willow balls and wild bird feeders at The Pet Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on August 2-3.

From minibeasts and micro-pigs to majestic horses, The Pet Show lets visitors young and old get up-close and personal with unique breeds from across the globe and promotes responsible pet ownership.

And with eight zones and habitats dedicated to different varieties of animals, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at The Pet Show.

Family tickets cost £48.50 but there’s a 20% discount for booking in advance: www.thepetshow.co.uk

*The welfare of all animals taking part in The Pet Show is monitored and assured by Animal Kind: http://animalkindltd.co.uk/

The UK’s Number 1* normal nutrition specialist brand is proud to announce the launch of the new BETA Breed Specific Range.  As dog breed groups have similar characteristics and needs, BETA Breed Specific products offer high quality and Complete Dry Dog nutrition tailored for the 4 most popular breed families – Spaniels, Shepherds and Setters, Terriers and Retrievers.

The Advanced Nutrition category is currently the only segment of the market offering tailored nutrition for a variety of different breed types.  Pet owners believe their dogs are special and those shopping for Normal Nutrition brands in the Specialist channel are likely to be looking for tailored, quality nutrition too.  PURINA, with its 85 years of expertise in dog nutrition and behaviour has carefully developed the Breed Group Specific range offering tailored nutrition for specific breed groups.

It is important for consumers to understand how each recipe is tailored to the individual needs of the different breed types and the new pack format allows simple communication of the benefits for each breed.  There is also a strong visual link on front of pack to the breeds they are developed for and the imagery used.

Here is a summary of how each recipe has been specifically formulated for each breed type:

• Spaniels are lively by nature which means they need a food that will sustain their energy needs throughout the day.  BETA Spaniels is specially formulated with high levels of protein and fat to help them maintain their extremely active nature and vitality for life.  Also suitable for hunting dogs.
• Shepherds and Setters are natural born explorers but they can be more prone to sensitive digestion.  BETA Shepherds and Setters is specially formulated with ingredients that are easy on dog’s intestines and contains all the right nutrients to help keep muscle mass in peak condition.
• Terriers are always on the lookout for adventure and love a good run around in the hope of finding it.  BETA Terriers formula is a balanced mix of nutrients designed to replenish energy, help maintain muscle mass and help keep bones strong and healthy.
• Retrievers love playtime – and they also love mealtimes.  BETA Retrievers is a specially balanced formula with all the nutrients needed for a healthy, active life but with reduced fat levels compared with BETA Adult to help keep optimal body condition.

For more information please contact your PURINA Business Development Manager or visit www.purina-beta.co.uk

*Reg. Trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

*IRI value share – Total pet specialist w/e 9^th Nov 2013 (excluding PAH)