It has been an amazing and eventful year for the UK pet industry with lots of companies making headline news (good and bad) as well as scores of exciting and innovative new products being launched. In this final Pet Trade Xtra bulletin of the year, what better way to look back on 2024 than through the Top 100 best-read stories?

The most read story in 2024 was the sale of the award-winning HOWND business, founded by Mark Hirschel and Jo Amit, to Pets Choice. Mark and Jo are pictured above in 2015.

To read any of the Top 100 stories just click on the link below and you'll be taken to the specific article.

1. Power Pet Brands Ltd announces sale of HOWND to Pets Choice – Issue 27

2. The story behind multi award-winning pet food firm – Issue 2

3. One in seven pet rabbits suffer with dental disease – Issue 10

4. Butternut Box’s game-changing partnership with the LTA – Issue 27

5. Pet industry mourns the sad passing of Derek Slater – Issue 27

6. YuMOVE owner Lintbells sold to US pet health firm – Issue 26

7. On-line pet food suppliers found to be selling illegal products – Issue 16

8. Cotswold RAW prepares for £1m relocation – Issue 26

9. Pedigree Wholesale appoints Julian Grindey as Managing Director – Issue 24

10. Pet industry expert launches 'most exciting brand' – Issue 20

11. Dog treat firm sniffs out Dragons' Den investment – Issue 7

12. Ex-pro footballer launches pet wellness brand – Issue 27

13. Thriving independent pet store doubles in size – Issue 31

14. Freeze-dried specialist IFD Group Ltd acquires COYA Pe– Issue 24 2024

15. Just for Pets owner acquires Pets & Friends from Kennelpak – Issue 29

16. Peter Roy joins The Nutriment Company as its new MD for UK – Issue 30

17. Sniffers Pet Care secures additional £850k in private equity backing – Issue 9

18. Welsh dog treat business secures £150,000 investment – Issue 2

19. Pet Remedy rebalanced – same effect but smells better – Issue 35

20. Walter Harrison's transitions into new Marriages range – Issue 31

21. Natures Menu launches Pet Pantry concept – Issue 24

22. Dragons’ Den investment winner to appear at PATS – Issue 32

23. Jollyes launches price war against main competitor – Issue 45

24. Pet industry saddened by death of pet nutritionist – Issue 3

25. Jollyes secures investment to supercharge growth – Issue 9

26. Retail group adds fast growing pet nutrition brand to – Issue 10

27. Charlie joins Belgian company as UK sales manager – Issue 2

28. Cat product inventor wins Dragons’ Den investment – Issue 6

29. Pet firms prove popular in the Dragons’ Den – Issue 9

30. Pet food producer on track to double its size – Issue 10

31. Annual Pet Survey shows rise in men adopting cats – Issue 12

32. Finalists for 2024 PetQuip Awards announced – Issue 29

33. Star billing for the new Aquatics Zone at PATS – Issue 31

34. Vet nurses secure £150,000 funding to acquire pet store  – Issue 20

35. Profits drop at Pets at Home despite revenues rise – Issue 22

36. Huge paws weigh in on The Cat Show Live – Issue 31

37. Tick and flea repellent wins PIF Innovation Award – Issue 23

38. First look inside Pets Corner’s new superstore  – Issue 33

39. Burns set to close one of its pet shops – Issue 10

40. Strong start for new family-run independent pet shop  – Issue 22

41. Burgess announces two key appointments  – Issue 4

42. ‘Wonderful World of Treats’ unveils exciting new range – Issue 14

43. Cornish pet business wins prestigious wholesale contracts – Issue 23

44. Appeal launched after car crashes into pet shop – Issue 5

45. Johnson’s launches first-ever National Pet Shop Day – Issue 21

46. Gerard O’Mahony steps down as Pedigree Wholesale MD – Issue 13

47. See the stars of Dragons’ Den at PATS 2024  – Issue 14

48. Expanding pet business gets name change – Issue 6

49. Popular pet shop for sale in prime seaside location – Issue 28

50. CCTV appeal following theft from Pets at Home store – Issue 4

51. Pedigree Wholesale acquires Collards Dog Food brand – Issue 30

52. Inspired Pet Nutrition breaks £200m sales mark – Issue 2

53. Growing dog food brand secures £900k funding – Issue 15

54. Small pet specialist moves into dog treat production  – Issue 1

55. Pet shop fails to sell at online auction – Issue 20

56. Marriage’s relaunches indoor and aviary bird products – Issue 31

57. JK Rowling joins in the fun of Bring Your Dog to Work Day – Issue 24

58. See inside the new Just for Pets superstore in Cambridge – Issue 14

59. Vet pricing under scrutiny as Jollyes gets set to open new store – Issue 17

60. Pet brand Furr Boost to appear on Dragons’ Den– Issue 13

61. Finalists revealed for PIF’s Innovation Award – Issue 20

62. HayPigs! causes a stir with April Fools hoax– Issue 14

63. Revolutionary ‘Yellow Space Zone’ from My Anxious Dog – Issue 15

64. Kennelpak establishes new partnership with US firm – Issue 18

65. MPM unveils major rebrand of Applaws cat food – Issue 12

66. CASCO Pet appoints Group Managing Director – Issue 14

67. US giant completes acquisition of Edgard & Cooper – Issue 18

68. PAWD DRINKS accepted onto NATWest Accelerator Programme – Issue 31

69. Daughter takes over at helm of Company of Animals – Issue 11

70. Petbuddy Group acquires Thrive Pet Foods – Issue 24

71. Natural alternative to traditional chemical flea control – Issue 24

72. Pet shop for sale at auction…for second time – Issue 2

73. HugglePets launches eco-friendly poop bag range – Issue 20

74. Woof and Brew appoints new Managing Director – Issue 24

75. Another pet business set to feature in the Den – Issue 6

76. Building a pet brand in a competitive market – Issue 20

77. Range extension to Doodle’s Deli pre-packed lines – Issue 24

78. Pet Business Disruptors debuts at No2 on Pet Podcast list – Issue 31

79. New research highlights common disorders in guinea pigs – Issue 13

80. PetQuip offers VIP treatment at SUPERZOO – Issue 22

81. Pointer’s Dog Treasure Hunt coming to park near you – Issue 24

82. Pets at Home appoints new Non-Executive Director – Issue 4

83. Norfolk Industries is a national level award winner – Issue 31

84. PATS adds new Aquatics Zone to the 2024 trade show – Issue 2

85. Just for Pets removes 'famous' aviary from Coventry store – Issue 21

86. More than just a Store: National Pet Shop Day – Issue 23

87. Pet shop closes doors for final time after 16 years – Issue 29

88. PATS acquired by leading global events company – Issue 42

89. Inspired Pet Nutrition announces £30+ million investment – Issue 11

90. UK Pet Food’s Pet Data Report 2024 now available  – Issue 15

91. IKEA creates cat-alogue for its first-ever pet range – Issue 21

92. Supreme introduces new product to popular range – Issue 20

93. Retailers urged to stock Natures Deli food and treats – Issue 2

94. Permission for pet shop at popular garden centre – Issue 4

95. Pets at Home appoints new Chief Operating Officer – Issue 8

96. New pet accessory business has story to tell – Issue 17

97. UK pet firms would benefit from more part-time working – Issue 23

98. Luxury pet care supplier set for Glee appearance – Issue 31

99. Small pet specialist moves into dog treat production – Issue 2

100. New manufacturing base for frozen treat firm – Issue 23