Pets Choice Chief Executive Tony Raeburn admits that bringing further brands on board is something that the company would consider. Following the recent acquisition of Spike's World he said the ultimate goal was to be the 'one-stop shop for all things pet'.

Pets Choice will undertake responsibility for the Spike’s World brands – Spike’s, Wildthings and Feathers & Beaky – as of Monday (19th June), including sales and invoicing.

After agreeing the deal, Tony said: “Spike’s World takes Pets Choice into a new sector and it's a great move for us as a business. However, it will be very much business as usual for customers who currently purchase these brands and orders can be made with our sales team from June.”

Founder and owner of the Spike’s Group, Marian Horscroft (pictured above with Tony, commented: “Pets Choice acquiring Spike’s World is a significant step for the brand, and I have complete trust that Tony and the Pets Choice team will continue to build upon the hard work that has gone into creating the brand and products.”

Meanwhile, Tony Raeburn found time to speak to Pet Trade Xtra about Pets Choice, a company he took control of in 2013 in a management buy-out.

What was it about Spike’s World that impressed you enough to go and acquire the business?
Spike’s World is a great brand with a strong story to tell within a niche sector.  It was a similar feeling with TastyBone, strong branding and unique products. We are also very passionate about UK manufacturing, particularly in the Blackburn area, and have been producing some of the Spike’s World products for several years, so it is a natural fit for us.

What will the new brands bring to your current portfolio?
The new brands take Pets Choice into sectors that we are currently not trading in however they blend nicely into our total portfolio.  Marion, the former owner of Spike’s World, has done a fantastic job growing the business, so Pets Choice are keen to build on the hard work that has already been put into creating innovative products for animals.

This is your second acquisition within a short space of time, have you got your sights on buying more pet companies?
TastyBone has been an excellent acquisition for us and a great addition to the Pets Choice portfolio and I think that Spike’s will be just as great. At the moment we are focusing on fine-tuning our offering across all brands, but I think bringing further brands on board is something that we will always consider as long as they are the right fit and at the right time.

Is acquisition easier than launching new brands?
I think both have their pros and cons. Launching a new brand requires a considerable amount of time, research and investment in marketing and sales, however acquiring an outside brand also requires incredible time and effort to successfully integrate within the business without losing focus or customer sales. Either way, to successfully acquire or launch brands it takes a tremendous amount of dedication, hard work, and sometimes good luck to have a successful branded portfolio. As a business, we know that there are opportunities in both areas and we will continue to consider all options as part of our growth plans.

You took control of Pets Choice in 2013 following a management buy-out, are you please with the progress you’ve made since then? Are you ahead of your targets?
We have managed to turn around a business that was struggling to find its place in the market to seeing considerable and sustained growth over the last three years. In that time we have not only acquired brands but also considerably grown our existing products and have successfully launched the Webbox Natural range into the market.  We have built a new Head Office with fantastic facilities which have enabled us to bring many jobs in-house. For instance, our Marketing team has grown from one person to a whole team, including Brand Management, Design, PR and Social Media.

Which is your biggest and best-selling brand?
Our largest brand is Webbox; we have such a full breadth of products including the Webbox Natural range which has seen tremendous growth since we launched last year. Webbox has seen consistent growth since 2013 despite the slight decline in the overall pet category. As a privately owned medium size manufacturer, we can respond quickly to the opportunities in the market and launch new products to maximise sales.

What’s your ambition for Pets Choice?
Our ultimate goal is to be the one-stop shop for all things pet and we have been investing in all areas of the business over the last three years to ensure that we can reach this. Pets Choice has seen a considerable amount of growth so far. However, we still have a long way to go to drive the business to the next level.

What are the biggest challenges facing you?
There can be many problems that we face at any one time, often changing on a weekly basis. At the moment it is the result of the EU referendum and the after effects of Brexit combined with the recent General Election results that bring uncertainty. Pets Choice import several lines from our European factories, any weakening of currency will increase the cost of these goods and will create some uncertainty, but on the whole, we know that we are in a better position than many to deal with the outcome.

Is the intention to sell the business when it gets to a certain size?

 Selling isn't even on the radar for Pets Choice, we are very much a family-run business and we want to keep it that way, continuing to expand across the pet sector and looking at new innovative products that animals love.

 
The accolade follows on from RSPEL achieving 2^nd place in the Best Workplaces in Ireland 2017 list in February where it scored a high 93 per cent in its culture, trust and employee experience assessment.

RSPEL specialises in innovative companion pet and sport and hunting products. Through PetSafe Brand it offers comprehensive pet training, health and wellness, waste management and play product solutions and via its global SportDOG Brand it offers superior training and tracking products for professional trainers and hunters.

Business has grown by 14% since it opened its Dundalk office in 2012 and the team has increased by 33% to 30 staff.  In January 2016 RSPEL started a project to build even better working practices, setting out to improve the company’s organisation, policies and communication to help inspire and motivate its team. It set-up a six-strong taskforce, each representing an area of the business, to support and drive a range of beneficial projects such as ‘teammate engagement’ and ‘reducing environmental impact’.

With pets at the heart of its business, RSPEL is also passionate about employees’ pets and all staff are entitled to a number of pet perks. These include being allowed to bring dogs into the office, eight hours’ ‘paw-rental’ leave to help new pets settle and three days’ paid pet bereavement leave. RSPEL also helps to cover the cost of pet care, including microchipping, insurance and health check-ups.

David Verdon, General Manager at RSPEL said: “Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and to be recognised on the international stage by such a prestigious organisation is just fantastic. 

"What makes these awards extra special is that they rest almost entirely on employees’ opinions and it’s them that put companies like us on the list.  We wouldn’t have won our place without the amazing feedback from all who work at RSPEL and the dedication, passion and brilliance they bring to their jobs daily. We hope that winning this accolade further inspires and motivates employees to continue our mission to deliver the best products and customer experience in the industry.”

The Best Workplaces in Europe is the largest annual survey in the region and this year over 2,000 companies from 19 countries participated.  The unique awards recognise organisations that are dedicated to sustaining high-trust cultures for their employees and winners are decided by evaluating employee and management feedback on areas including trust, culture and policies.

The accolade was presented to the RSPEL team at an awards ceremony in Paris.

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• Friday 23^rd June is national Bring Your Dog To Work Day - founded and organised by natural pet product manufacturer HOWND
• Day raises money for All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia
• Thousands of people shared ‘Pooch Selfies’ last year on social media
• Academic research suggests dogs at work can reduce staff stress
• The event has the support of celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Rachel Riley

There’s just over one week until Bring Your Dog To Work Day. But Britain’s favourite day at the office is raising an interesting question: do dogs belong in the workplace?

On Friday 23^th June, businesses from across the UK will welcome their dog loving employees into the workplace along with their loyal (and well-behaved!) four-legged companions.

As well as promoting the benefits of bringing dogs into safe work environments, the goal of the event is to raise money for animal welfare. The two official charities for 2017 are All Dogs Matter, which rescues and rehomes hundreds of dogs each year in the UK and Animals Asia, a charity foundation that saves dogs and cats from the corrupt meat trade in China and Vietnam.

This year’s event has already seen a number of different organisations support the initiative - including pet product businesses, marketing agencies, a private jet company, a housing association and even a regional police force.

Celebrities have got involved too, with the likes of Ricky Gervais and ITV’s Loose Women tweeting their support. This has helped the #BringYourDogToWorkDay hashtag trend on Twitter in both 2015 and 2016. It also scooped an acclaimed pet industry marketing award for its traction and reach.

But let’s get serious - are dogs suitable to have in work environments?

Since its conception four years ago, Bring Your Dog To Work Day has become a regular staple in the national calendar. Recent figures support this thinking, with employment website Reed.co.uk estimating that 8% of employees in Britain have permission to bring their dogs to work.

Plus, an American study published in 2012 summarised that dogs at work may make a positive difference by reducing stress levels in staff and increasing their levels of job satisfaction.

This a view shared by the company BorrowMyDoggy, which regularly welcomes numerous canines into its headquarters in London. Instead of causing distraction in the workplace, the company believe a dog-friendly environment leads to happy staff.

“There are so many studies that show the benefits of having dogs in the workplace and we have definitely experienced those benefits first hand,” explains Lynn Unick from BorrowMyDoggy.

“They make us laugh, they make us smile and their contribution to the overall atmosphere in the office is wonderful. I would absolutely encourage other companies to introduce a pet friendly policy. It’s fantastic for company morale and brings so much happiness into the working day.”



HR Guidance

It was a ‘no dogs allowed’ work policy - coupled with the benefits of dogs in the workplace - that led to the creation of Bring Your Dog To Work Day by Mark Hirschel and Jo Amit, the co-founders of pet product company HOWND.

“We have always brought our dogs Roxy and Laila to work with us, but when we moved into new offices back in 2014 we discovered that they weren’t allowed in the premises,” explains Jo Amit.

“This inspired us to create an event that publicised why dogs can make a positive difference in safe work environments, in attempt to encourage companies across the UK to adopt dog friendly policies.”

Ahead of this year’s event - HOWND has published ‘7 HR Guidelines’ after being asked for advice from a number of office-based organisations:

1. Written consent should be obtained from every office employee ahead of Bring Your Dog to Work Day.
2. An accurate record of all dogs in the workplace should be kept
3. Each dog coming to the workplace should be kept on a leash while walking in the building as well as outside, and should have an identity tag with the owner’s contact details.
4. Dogs must be clean and well-groomed ahead of their day at work.
5. Dogs should be well socialised i.e. good natured and comfortable around dogs and people.
6. Each participating employee should bring a ‘Dog Packed Lunch’ - including treats, toys, a lead, water bowl, and food.
7. Each participating employee should also bring appropriate bedding for their dog, i.e. dog basket, mat or rug. Just so the working day is as comfortable as possible!

“We’re overwhelmed with how successful Bring Your Dog To Work Day has become. It’s been amazing to see how many people have posted their dogs at work across all social media in 2014, 2015 and 2016,” adds Jo.

“Most importantly, it’s fantastic to raise money for All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia. We’re hopeful that this year will prove even more popular, building on the momentum of 2016.”

Jobs & Roles

One interesting dynamic of dogs at work is the way they can help establish routines and work roles. PetsPyjamas is a company that has experienced this first hand.

As advocates of dogs in the workplace, PetsPyjamas has a comprehensive four-legged workforce put to task with roles such as product-tes4ng from the 10,000 pet accessories listed to their online marketplace, as well as inspecting some of the 2,000+ truly pet-welcoming hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs around the UK and Europe.

Gracia Amico, CEO of PetsPyjamas, says: “We’re thrilled to be part of Bring Your Dog To Work Day. As true advocates for dogs at work and champions of all dog lifestyle, we hope to spread awareness of this fantastic initiative to raise money for animal charities.”

Winning New Business

But the benefits of dogs in the workplace extend beyond employee wellbeing. According to jet hire company PrivateFly, their office labradoodle Tex has proven to be an effective tool for winning new business and communicating with colleagues.

“You can meet some great contacts on a dog walk. It’s a natural icebreaker and you can find yourself striking up conversations with strangers in a park, that would simply not happen otherwise. I met a new private jet client recently while on a run,” explains Adam Twidell from PrivateFly.

“Tex gets me – or someone else in the team – out of the office, even on the busiest days. I’ve had some of my best meetings with colleagues when walking to the park, getting a breath of fresh air. You can’t be chained to your desk when your dog needs a walk.”

For further information about Bring Your Dog To Work Day please visit the official website, or email hello@bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk.

 
PetQuip is working with the CIPS organisers in order to offer an attractive exhibiting package to UK suppliers that will also include the opportunity of direct meetings with Chinese distributors of pet products.  

British companies that are interested in expanding their export sales into the Chinese and other Far Eastern markets and are keen to have a presence at the CIPS show should register their interest by contacting either Theresa@petquip.com or Eleanor@petquip.com

The exhibition package being formulated by PetQuip will include a prime location for the British exhibitors within the show, including space and a shell scheme arrangement that will enable exhibitors to simply turn up and display their products.  

Other elements of the PetQuip service will include shared use of interpreters, a shared meeting facility, help with freight, travel and accommodation and other logistics.  

Prior to the show, the association will offer advice and information on how to prepare for and make the most of the exhibitors’ presence at the show, as well as promoting the British exhibitors’ products via the media and sending a special British exhibitor preview to key buyers around the world.

 
The CIPS show has grown rapidly in recent years and has become a gateway to enter the fast growing Chinese and Asian markets. In 2016, the show attracted 1,221 exhibitors from 24 countries, including a number of European participants.  

The total number of visitors in 2016 was 46,800, representing 78 countries, with a particularly strong attendance from other Asian countries.  An additional attraction of the show is that the GlobalPETS Forum Asia takes place on the day before the show’s opening.

The Chinese market for pet products has scope for considerable expansion, with Euromonitor estimating that it will reach US$2.6 billion by 2019.  China’s population of 1.35 billion includes a growing middle class that choose to spend money on their pets.

Commenting on this latest export opportunity for British pet product firms, the director general of PetQuip, Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “This exciting new venture from PetQuip will help open up the lucrative Chinese pet product market to UK suppliers.  

"The rapid growth of the pet market in China and the resulting expansion of pet retail chains in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, many of whose buyers are seeking to source quality products from Europe, positions the CIPS pet trade show as an important shop window for UK products.  

"Recognising that the Chinese market will be new to many UK suppliers, the PetQuip’s exhibition management team will be putting every effort into producing a package that will make exhibiting straightforward for the British group.”

To mark World Blood Donor Day yesterday (June 14), a pet owner appealed to other dog lovers to allow their animals to donate blood to help other pets in need.

Romeo, a Natures Menu sponsored Staffordshire Bull Terrier aged 5 from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, has been giving his blood for the past three years to help dogs dealing with life-endangering illnesses or injuries.

Much like human blood donation, every three months, Romeo makes a visit to the Royal Veterinary College to donate a pint of his own blood and has helped to save 22 dogs in desperate need of a blood transfusion, over the past three years.

Not only does Romeo help fellow furry friends, he is also used a ‘pets as therapy’ dog, providing comfort and affection for patients in hospital, and dementia sufferers in care homes and has won a prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his amazing work. 

Steph Hartley, Romeo’s owner, said: “Romeo really is a super dog. He’s always been very in touch with his emotions and as part of this was a very picky eater as a puppy.

"However, since eating a raw diet on Natures Menu, he is always full of lots of energy, and is free of the skin allergies he kept on suffering from. He can’t get enough of the stuff! He now has a balanced and nutritional diet in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and so can help others out in the process.”

Romeo’s owner, Steph, has been a human blood donor for a number of years, but it wasn’t until a family member’s dog became ill with cancer, and required a blood transfusion, that she found out about pet blood donation.

 
“Pet blood donation is much like human donation, Romeo arrives at the Veterinary College and is given a check-up from the vet before a small bit of blood is taken from his back leg to check his iron levels. Once he’s given the go ahead, he jumps up onto the table ready to donate. Unlike most dogs, who lie down on their side, Romeo actually stays sat up whilst he donates and enjoys trying to give the vets a lick whilst he does so! Once it’s over he gets a big bowl of food and lots of attention. He loves his donations and gets more excited each time we go. 

“Ever since he was a puppy he has had a natural way with people and could become extremely calm around the ill or elderly. As a qualified ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog, he has made such a difference to the lives of so many humans, it just made sense for him to help out a few dogs too.

“I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about blood donation themselves this World Blood Donor Day to do the same for their dog too, it could really make such a massive difference.”

For dog owners wanting to find out more about their dog donating blood, visit the Royal Veterinary College website: www.rvc.ac.uk

For more information on Natures Menu visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk

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• A pet friendly basket adjustable seat catering for any size dog, to ensure dogs both big and small can be seen on the camerw;
• A speaker which will play a variety of noises such as dogs barking and whistles being blown to alert the dogs to the camera
• Peep holes next to the camera containing squeaky balls which owners can squeeze to get their dog’s attention, and raw meat to heighten their senses
• A drawn curtain to give the dog privacy prior to being snapped;
• A viewing window to help owners encourage their pets to look at the camera;
• Toys and treats on hand for distraction;
• Touch screen camera capability which dog owners can control with the ability to post pictures to social media directly from the booth.
• Resulting photos which will be available in squares of four for owners to take home and use in their pet’s passport.

Special offers within the summer 2017 issue of My VIP include:

• £5 off Royal Canin Dry Cat Food
• £1 off Purina Bakers Complete Dry Dog Food
• £1 off Purina Beta Dry Dog Food
• £5 off Selective Rabbit Food

Many other offers are also available, with vouchers and discounts suitable for owners of all types of pets and VIP members are able to redeem these coupons in-store.

These vouchers and offers are exclusively available in the latest issue of Pets at Home’s My VIP magazine, free to VIP club members. The VIP club is also free to join and offers its members a whole host of benefits, including special offers, discounts and lifelines.

Every time a VIP club member swipes their card in-store, at the vets or Groom Room salon, they collect points, which are converted into VIP Lifelines for a pet charity of their choice.

The summer 2017 issue also features an exclusive interview with Julian Clary, a round-up of pet friendly summer events, the latest in pet care advice and much more.  

For more information about Pets at Home’s VIP club, visit: vip.petsathome.com.  

Whilst many people will rejoice when they hear we are enjoying milder weather conditions, sadly in the equine industry this is actually causing more problems and creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Competition horses need the very best environment to live in, keeping them healthy so they can be trained to the best of their ability. It is therefore extremely important to take every possible precaution against the spread of bugs and bacteria.

The team at Stable Shield has approached this by tackling prevention rather than cure. This removes the emphasis on drugs and antibiotics, instead focusing on reducing the initial spread of bacteria within the equine world.

In doing so, they have developed Stable Shield Antibacterial Paint, a water-based non-toxic paint that can be applied to stables to create a fully disinfected yard. The paint prevents the growth of bacteria by up to 99.8% on all applied surfaces. This in turn creates a clean environment which is crucial to help horses with their respiratory system and overall wellbeing.

It is easy to apply on walls and ceilings, and the paint is adhesive to most surfaces including wood, steel, plastic, concrete and brick. Stable Shield is ideal for all yards including stables, tack rooms, feed rooms, newly built yards and hay barns.

For the best results, first use Stable Shield BASE, which offers a high quality, high coverage undercoat for interior application on concrete and stone. BASE then provides the perfect surface for over coating with Stable Shield Paint.

Stable Shield Paint is water-based and non-toxic. It is hard wearing and durable. Not only is it long lasting, but it is easy to apply in the first instance. It is available in white, black and clear.

Stable Shield PLUS has a component A and component B (A is the paint and B is the mixer that makes the paint harder and more durable). Once again, it is water-based and non-toxic. Stable Shield PLUS should be used for damp and extreme conditions as it is extremely hard wearing and durable. Again, it is easy to apply and long lasting. It too is available in white, black and clear.

The dry film of Stable Shield Anti-Bacterial Stable Paint and Stable Shield PLUS protects against the spread and growth of harmful bacteria by up to 99.8% and the active ingredients last up to three and five years plus depending on the environment.

For further information about Stable Shield products contact 01386 423999 or visit www.stableshield.co.uk.

Eukanuba’s Veterinary Expert Kellie Ceccarelli shares her top tips to support new puppy owners...

The summer months are officially the most popular time of the year when it comes to puppy registrations with the Kennel Club providing a huge opportunity for retailers to educate new owners on the lifelong impact and care of dog ownership to ensure pet wellbeing, cement relationships with consumers, boost sales and encourage repeat visits.

For those consumers who may be thinking about getting a puppy but still haven’t decided on the best breed for them, retailers can offer their advice to ensure potential owners select a breed which is suited to their lifestyle.

Asking questions about your consumers’ living arrangements, work hours, social life and experience of keeping pets will help you to advise on a suitable breed.

If you or your staff don’t feel 100% comfortable with your knowledge on the various breeds available Eukanuba recently launched Breed-o-pedia, an online tool which provides a wealth of options from those most suited to smaller homes and families with children to owners with limited mobility. 

Once your consumer is confident with the breed that’s right for them you can help ensure their puppy receives a great start to life by covering off the following areas:

Providing premium nutrition for visible benefits with a lifelong impact

Many factors in a puppy’s life will have an effect on their overall well-being and future with nutrition being one of the key factors that needs to be considered. That’s why it’s crucial that retailers provide pet owners with the advice they need in order to help give puppies a strong nutritional foundation.

Eukanuba’s Puppy range provides a 100% complete and balanced diet with high-quality animal protein so there is no need for any additional products or supplements. The special formula nurtures smooth digestion through natural fibres, contains tailored levels of calcium to encourage healthy growth for all breeds and through the inclusion of DHA from fish oils supports brain development. In addition, the natural blend of antioxidants helps to build a puppy’s natural defenses, and omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids promote a healthy skin and coat.

For new owners who chose their puppy from a Eukanuba Breeder Club member, they’ll also receive a special Eukanuba Puppy pack which includes a 1kg bag of puppy food together with a measuring cup, puppy information book and money off voucher.

Microchipping with Petlog
It is now the law for all dogs to be microchipped and the correct contact details regularly updated helping owners to be quickly reunited with their pet should they lose them. Remind consumers this needs to be done by the time their puppy is eight weeks old to avoid being fined. Microchipping is available for free through Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross centres and Dogs Trust but encourage pet owners to seek advice from their vet if they have any questions.

Creating a safe and comfortable environment

This will help to settle a puppy into its new home whilst allowing you to boost sales in store by highlighting the equipment needed. Puppies always need to have fresh water available so encourage new owners to purchase feeding bowls which are not easily tipped over during a puppy’s more playful moments. A comfortable dog bed is also essential as it’s important for owners to ensure their puppy feels happy and safe when they are not around.

Choosing a name

This can be the most exciting part of owning a new puppy however, there are a few tips you can provide owners with to ensure they select a name that won’t confuse their pet. Encourage owners to pick a short, two-syllable name and instruct the rest of the family to be consistent with the same name to avoid any confusion.

Visit your local vet

Providing pets with the appropriate care they need to live an extraordinary life is an important part of ownership. That’s why it’s hugely important to encourage pet owners to visit their local vet with their new puppy as soon as possible. Not only will this introduce veterinary visits to puppies from an early age but also gives the vet the opportunity to check for any health issues, abnormalities, or birth defects.

Overall, getting a new puppy is extremely exciting but during this time new owners can quickly become distracted causing them to forget some of the more important steps of responsible pet ownership. This is where it’s crucial for retailers to share expert insight and advice to ensure owners have all the information they need to keep puppies happy and healthy right from the very start and throughout their life. 

For more information on Eukanuba please visit: www.eukanuba.co.uk