Cat product inventor Victor Carpio clinched an investment offer for his innovative Dental Wand when he appeared on BBC One’s hit programme Dragons’ Den. He accepted Deborah Meaden’s offer of £45,000 for 40% of his business.

Victor appeared in the Den last Thursday, demonstrating the Dental Wand to the Dragons and claiming his product was the cat-friendly way to brush a cat’s teeth.

He explained that he tried brushing his cat’s teeth with a tooth brush but it proved to be a disturbing experience for both. Victor realised that he wasn’t the only cat owner that struggled with cleaning his pet’s teeth, so he decided to create the Dental Wand.

Victor went into the Den and asked for £45,000 in return for 10% of the business. He received two offers of the full amount for 40% equity from both Deborah Meaden and Touker Suleyman before deciding to go with the former.

You can watch the Dragons’ Den featuring Victor on BBC iplayer by clicking here. Victor appears 14 minutes into the programme.

For more information about the Dental Wand visit www.inventorcat.co.uk

Tune in to Dragons' Den a week from today (8pm Thursday, 15 February) when multi award-winning pet business Scoff Paper features on the hit BBC One programme.

Gemma Connolly, founder of Scoff Paper, which supplies edible cards for dogs, will appear in episode 7 of the current series.

In its preview to the show, the programme makers said: “A volunteer guide dog trainer pitches her edible gift cards for our four-legged friends.” 

An award-winning pet business, which has experienced dramatic growth over the past seven years, has changed its name to The Pets Larder.

Natural Cornish Pet Shop has developed from a small store and doggy day-care centre to a business that now boasts large warehouse facilities, its own range of quality pet food and treats, plus a wholesale division.

The company built up a strong online presence during the pandemic, becoming a lifeline to pet owners through its door-to-door delivery service.  Its success is based on excellent customer service, an expanding range of quality products, subscription offers and loyalty schemes.

The Pets Larder is headed by Katy Peck, the founder of the Natural Cornish Pet Shop. She has been the creative side of the business and developing a product range which includes Alfora pet food, fish treats, chews and peanut butter.

Pictured: Natasha Long (Operations Manager), Sophie McCabe (Warehouse Manager), Alex Shaw (Customer Service & Dispatch) Katy Peck (Founder) and her son Merlin, Sadie Dalley (Customer Service & Dispatch).

Katy said: “The Pets Larder is to stand for all that the Natural Cornish Pet Shop began with. We will house all the same award-winning brands, and we will also expand our offering beyond that of just dogs and cats to include all companion animals and wildlife over the coming months. We see this as our opportunity to offer and grow our curated range of selected products to create a one stop shop for our loyal fan base, whilst using our knowledge of the pet industry to continue to deliver exceptional value for money in the products we choose to sell. Customers can be safe in the knowledge that no compromises have been taken when bringing them the best pet products.

“Many of our customers discover our range when needing to look outside the box when faced with dietary and health issues for their pets. We stock an extensive range of grain free foods, chews and treats. The products we stock are chosen for their simplistic transparent ingredient lists, (containing no nasties) and, using our knowledge of what to look for when shopping for our beloved companions. Many dogs, cats and companion animals like humans suffer from intolerances and variety is definitely the spice of life. 

“We have a mixture of dog friendly cafes, farm shops, groomers and independent pet shops stocking our range of Cornish treats. It is our aim to establish a core range of basic pet care products for all companion animals and, to become the one stop shop for owners’ care needs. Our team has extensive backgrounds in animal care, and firsthand experience with a range of pet health care issues.”

The business was awarded Pet Shop of the Year in 2021 at the PetQuip Awards and the Most Sustainable Pet Products Supplier in the South West Awards.

For further information visit: www.thepetslarder.co.uk

A car that crashed into a pet shop, forcing it to close, has finally been removed from the building…seven days after the incident.

The car smashed through the front of Feathers and in Wakefield on Sunday, January 28. It was only removed on Tuesday as repair work to the store started.

An online fundraising appeal was launched to help the pet shop recover from the car crashing through the store front.

Lindsay Ward, a friend of the pet shop owners Cassy Coldwell and Lily Barnes, launched the appeal on the GoFundMe website with a fundraising target of £500. Within hours that target had been smashed. The latest total is £1,605 from 86 donations.

Lindsay wrote on the GoFundMe page: “Running a business and been self-employed is difficult at the best of times. Feathers and tails is an amazing small business venture in Wakefield owned by two of the loveliest people I know.

“In the early hours of Sunday the 28th of January this business was forced to close it doors temporarily due to no fault of their own.

“The purpose of this go fund me is to help support Feathers & Tails in the care of the animals and themselves whilst they are sadly unable to trade. The community and their clients are devastated.”

The GoFundMe page can be visited by clicking here.

Owners Cassy and Lily posted on the pet shop’s Facebook page: “Thank you again for all your support and kind donations towards the rescue/sanctuary, the community is beautiful. We will be re-opening as soon as we can! This isn't going to stop us!!”

Pictures of the damage caused have also been posted on Facebook. They can be view by visiting https://www.facebook.com/feathers.and.tails.petshop

Dorwest Herbs Managing Director Jo Boughton-White has won a prestigious South West Award for ‘Business Leader of the Year’. 

Now in its fifth year, The South West Awards for Business & Community run by The Great British Expos recognises businesses, charities, and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution in the region.

Dorwest Herbs is the market leader in pet supplements, established in 1948 with the quality of herbs always having been key to its success. Celebrating 75 years in 2023, Dorwest is still family owned, with Jo’s grandparents Murray and Dorothy Ellis pulling together initial ideas for the business over seven decades ago.

Third generation Jo joined the business in the early 2000s, taking over as Managing Director in 2011, ensuring Dorwest is still the brand customers know and love today.

Jo was shortlisted for both ‘Business Leader of the Year’ and ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ categories, with nearly 100 nominees in each – so Jo is especially proud to have won.

The judges panel commented: “Your leadership is commendable. Your commitment to innovation, outstanding customer service and growth is inspiring!”

Over the past few years, Jo has single-handedly researched and developed new products that are now bestsellers, including: cognitive support supplement to help dogs with dementia, BrainCopa Tablets, and advanced joint care support for dogs MoveWellia Tablets – winning a silver award for ‘Best Content Marketing Campaign’ at the Ecommerce Awards 2023 and recently named ‘Best Overall Joint Supplement for dogs’ by the Evening Standard.

Dorwest has also recently won ‘Best B2C Performance for the Pet & Livestock’ category at the Direct Commerce Awards 2023, recognising the company’s growth over the past few years, with Jo key to the business’s success.

Jo said: “I’m so incredibly proud to have won! I grew up watching my parents lead the way with their business entrepreneurship and am proud to have taken Dorwest to the next level alongside my husband and fellow Director Ben. Dorwest is now a household name in pets’ wellbeing, being synonymous with quality and trust in every aspect of the business. I surround myself with the absolute best people in the Dorwest Team and this award would not be possible without their support.”

To find out more visit www.dorwest.com or for more info about the South West Awards winners, visit www.southwestbusinessawards.co.uk/latest-winners

The Pet Industry Federation is calling on the generosity of pet businesses once again to donate crucial pet supplies to the abandoned pets in Ukraine, as part of the 'Save the Pets of Ukraine' project.

UK pet businesses are being asked if they can donate items such as pet food and treats, flea and tick treatments or health and hygiene products. 

PIF will co-ordinate donations and arrange for a consignment to make its way to Ukraine. 

PIF CEO, Nigel Baker, commented: "The Ukraine war is far from over and many abandoned pets still live in shelters which rely on food and product donations to support the pets residing there. Pet businesses have dug deep in recent months and we hope we can rely on them once again to help the countless pets in Ukraine, deeply affected by the conflict, to have a fighting chance."

If you are interested in donating product, please contact daniel.everett@petfederation.co.uk with the details of the items you are able to supply and the weight. Please note that donated goods need to be supplied on pallets, although products can be mixed on the pallet.

GA Pet Food Partners has introduced a new look to its promotional materials that provide in-depth information about its ranges and recipes.

GA specialise in offering pet shops the unique opportunity to create their own brand of pet food in a few simple steps. Once their brand has been created, one of the many services that GA provides its partners is promotional materials that they can use in their pet shops.

The new promotional materials include Product Lists, Product Guides, Booklets, Leaflets, A1 wallcharts and much more. This is provided for each range, including Superfood 65, Grain Free, Super Premium, Goodness Grains and Connoisseur Cat.

Marketing executive Mathew Aiken said: “We have listened to feedback from our valued partners about our previous promotional materials and we recognise that for our partners to progress and showcase their own brand to their customers, there is an ongoing need for promotional materials to be more engaging, clear and appealing. The team here at GA have worked extremely hard to bring new and creative concepts to our partners, and early feedback from them has been excellent.”

In addition to physical copies of the promotional materials, which GA prints for its partners free of charge, partners can also now download each asset from an online platform that they have access to 24/7. These promotional materials can be utilised on their websites and social media channels if they wish to do so.

GA continues to work with its partners to develop new promotional materials that helps support the growth of their own brand.

PATS 2024 – the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – has launched a new and improved website www.patshow.co.ukin line with its plans for a THREE-DAY show at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024.

As well as being bright and colourful, the new website is more user-friendly and easy-to-navigate for both visitors and exhibitors. It is also a great resource for retailers searching for new products and suppliers.

Buyers can find everything they need to know about visiting PATS 2024 while exhibitors can post their latest news, including show offers and new products they’ll be launching at the show.

The new website features:

• Clear and easy navigation around the website for both visitors and exhibitors
• Simple click-through for visitors to register for free entry to the show 
• Exhibitor zone, allowing easy access to upload information.
• Full list of exhibitors
• Each listing has a national flag to symbolise the exhibitor’s home country
• Details of all visitor attractions and benefits
• A fresher overall look and feel to the whole site.

Show organiser Gordon Thomas said: “Our improved website is just one of many new features we have introduced this year. The new site is more user-friendly than before, helping both exhibitors and visitors to find everything they need to make their attendance at the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show even more enjoyable and profitable.”

The new website www.patshow.co.uk is now live, and buyers can register their interest in visiting PATS 2024.

Barton Grange Garden Centre has won the The Greatest Wild Bird Care & Pet Team award, sponsored by PATS 2024, in a prestigious Christmas competition.

The Greatest Christmas Awards are organised by Pet Trade Xtra’s sister publication Garden Trade News, and Barton Grange took gold with a stunning display. The garden centre received the award at a special presentation ceremony during Spring Fair on Monday.

The judges said: Barton Grange had amazing Christmas decorations in the Wild Bird Care area. The pet area was a lovely extension of Christmas between festive decorations and lighting. Clearly the Wild Bird Care and Pet teams were very much part of the overall Barton Grange Christmas team.”

The Greatest Wild Bird Care & Pet Team

GOLD AWARD: Barton Grange

SILVER AWARD: Bents

BRONZE AWARD: Old Railway Line

FINALISTS: Barton Grange, Bents, Blue Diamond Newbridge, Garsons Esher, Garsons Titchfield, Groves Bridport, Old Railway Line

For more pictures of Barton Grange's Christmas pet displays see gallery below...

Paleo Ridge has rebranded its premium product range Paleo Plus. The rebrand comes with a captivating new packaging design that perfectly reflects ‘optimum raw nutrition for dogs’.

While maintaining the same exceptional recipes and quality of ingredients that consumers have come to trust, Paleo Plus introduces a fresh and modern packaging aesthetic, elevating the brand's visual identity. The revamped design not only captures the essence of Paleo Ridge’s commitment to excellence but also enhances the overall customer experience.

One of the standout features of Paleo Plus is the unique blend of antioxidant superfoods incorporated into each recipe. This distinctive formula is specifically crafted to promote optimum health in dogs, ensuring they receive the finest nutrition in their diet.

Paleo Ridge remains steadfast in its commitment to sourcing premium, human-grade ingredients to create a balanced and nutritious diet for our four-legged friends. By combining a high-quality variety of meats with a thoughtfully selected mix of superfoods, Paleo Plus aims to provide a holistic approach to canine nutrition and provide prevention of health issues and diseases.

Will Green, Director of Sales and Marketing said: “We are delighted to unveil the next chapter in our journey with the rebranding of our premium raw dog food range Paleo Plus. Our new packaging not only reflects the premium quality of our dog food but also highlights the unique blend of antioxidant superfoods that sets Paleo Plus apart. We remain committed to providing optimum raw nutrition for dogs, ensuring they lead the healthiest and happiest life."

The rebranded products are now available to purchase, both in-store and online, with prices starting at £4.20 per 500g pack.

Kennelpak brand YAKERS has unveiled its latest innovation in dog chews: the Superfoods Blueberry YAKERS.

Following on from the success of the Cranberry Superfood YAKERS launch in November, this blend promises not only mouthwatering flavour but also a rich combination of health benefits for dogs.

The Superfoods Blueberry YAKERS retains all the excellent benefits of the original YAKERS flavours, keeping dogs occupied for hours on end, helping reduce plaque and tartar, packed full of protein and calcium and low in fat, plus the added blueberry helps bolster the immune system and promote healthy cognitive function.  

The Superfoods Blueberry YAKERS is also full of vitamins A, C & E to help support the immune system and contribute to overall health, keeping dogs feeling their best. The antioxidants in blueberries help support a normal inflammatory response in dogs and can help them recover from exercise, as well as being a great source of dietary fibre.  

“After the success of the Cranberry Superfoods, it was clear that pet parents really want a chew which offers more, so the natural decision was to extend the superfoods range and create a new flavour with some fantastic health benefits. Blueberry was the perfect choice as we know they benefit dogs in so many ways” says Ellie Hall, YAKERS brand manager at Kennelpak. 

The Superfoods Blueberry YAKERS are available now. For more information about YAKERS 100% natural dog chew and occupiers, visit Yakers.co.uk. 

We.pet, part of the Pet Family group in the UK, has announced the addition of Benebone, a US-based manufacturer of chew toys for dogs, to its wholesale portfolio.

“We’re thrilled to be adding the Benebone brand to the We.pet portfolio,” said We.pet Managing Director, Daniel Vander. “Many of our retailers are already familiar with the Benebone brand and we believe they will be happy to now have the option to purchase Benebone products from We.pet along with their regular orders of quality pet brands that We.pet offers.”

Benebone is a best-selling chew toy for dogs. They are made in the USA, with nothing but USA-sourced nylon and real flavours such as bacon, chicken, peanuts, salmon, beef tripe or maple wood. 

“We.pet and Benebone are a great fit. We are both privately owned businesses committed to the growth of pet specialty retailers,” said Benebone International CEO, Paul Nolan.

“We both foster a culture of delighting customers, creating unique products, and having fun doing it.  We know how important retailers are in building brands and sharing our story, and We.pet is perfectly positioned to showcase what Benebone can do for stores.”

There are six unique shapes led by Wishbone, their flagship product. Other shapes include the Dental Chew, Stick, Zaggler, Fishbone, Tripe Bone and The Ring. Benebone is available in five sizes from Tiny to Giant and offers a puppy range specially designed for teething pups.

Contact trade@we.pet or call 01342 710420 to discuss opening an account and to take advantage of the February-March opening offers on Benebone. 

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VAFO Group, a European producer of super premium pet foods, has acquired the Finnish company Dagsmark Petfood. 

Now part of VAFO Group, Dagsmark will continue its operations while retaining its existing workforce. Thanks to this acquisition, VAFO becomes the clear leader in the pet food market in the Nordic countries.

In Finland, VAFO Group is currently represented by its subsidiary Prima Pet Premium, which also operates a new dry food factory under the name of VAFO Finland. That facility opened last year and is the result of more than 20 million euros in investment. Dagsmark joins the two companies as they prepare to undertake further expansion of VAFO Group in the local market.

“This is a strategic move for the VAFO group and especially for Prima Pet Premium, the producer of the best-selling pet food in the local market, Hau-Hau Champion. Together with the wet food production of Dagsmark, we will strengthen our position, but it also creates opportunities to expand into other Nordic markets ,” says Timo Pärssinen, CEO of Prima Pet Premium.

Dagsmark primarily specializes in the development and production of wet pet foods, thus complementing VAFO Group’s production portfolio in the Finnish market. The acquisition includes Dagsmark’s production facility in the town of Mellilä, located approximately 60 km northeast of Turku. Riikka Koskenohi, CEO of Dagsmark Petfood, sees many positives in the acquisition: “This is a very good thing for us. With a new owner, we gain additional resources, expertise, and the opportunity to invest more in development”.

The products of the Finnish company, which was established in 2016, will remain unchanged, maximizing use of local ingredients for the production of both dry and wet pet foods together with treats for dogs and cats, all of which aligns with VAFO’s philosophy for its own production facilities. 

Petr Kříž, the recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Dagsmark and Head of M&A at VAFO Group, emphasizes, “Our commitment to locally sourcing and crafting premium pet food for regional markets is a fundamental pillar of VAFO’s sustainable strategy, differentiating us significantly from our global competitors. In this context, Dagsmark, with its expertise in wet food production, aligns perfectly with our vision.”

Marcel Bosch has been appointed as the new general manager of family business Farm Food Natural Dog Food in Nijverdal, The Netherlands.

“We are very grateful to Marcel for wanting to guide our company – together with all employees – into the next phase,” said founder Gerrit de Weerd.

Fifty-two-year-old Marcel, who studied Tax Law at Maastricht University and obtained an MBA at Nyenrode Business University, has assisted management and shareholders of (family) companies in recent years as an interim manager and interim director. Marcel had been involved with the De Weerd family and Farm Food for several years in the role of 'trusted advisor'.

Gerrit de Weerd added: “Now that our family business is spreading its wings further and gaining an increasing market share in 20 countries, additional knowledge and experience at management level is needed to guide our great company to the next phase.”

Marcel Bosch wants to continue to build on the foundation that Gerrit de Weerd laid with his wife Ingrid in 1982. 

“What is good remains good and what could be even better, we make better,” he said.

The philosophy ‘Dogs First!’ – on the basis of which Farm Food was ultimately built together with sons Maarten and Michiel and all employees – is and remains the starting point. In addition, Farm Food will always continue to take its social responsibility.

New eco conscious wellness and lifestyle brand DotDotPet is gearing up for its first-ever Crufts appearance on 7-10 March at Birmingham’s NEC (Hall 5 Stand 109). 

The brand was given a soft launch at PATS Telford in October and managed to walk away with a Best New Product award for its Eco Towels.

As well as appearing at Crufts it is also preparing for a full-scale launch to the international pet trade at Interzoo from 7-10 May in Nuremburg (Hall 3 Stand 515).

DotDotPet started trading in October 2023 with a team headed by Harry Chapman, whoworked for pharma, nutraceutical and food companies for over 15 years. The owner of a four-year-old cocker spaniel called Bramble has a background in animal health alongside other members of his team.

Harry said: “We identified an opportunity to create a strong pet wellness and lifestyle brand that offers new generation pet parents high quality products and solutions that align with their values across a range of categories. 

“Our customers may get joy from sharing their beauty regime with their pets or an active lifestyle and at DotDotPet we have a product to meet those needs. Our company values are pet first, eco conscious, fun and diversity. 

“Every DotDotPet product has been developed with the pet at its heart and has a great story and range of USPs unmatched in the market.”

Since launching, DotDotPet’s Dog Eco Towels have sold thousands of units. They are 100% natural, biodegradable, portable, disposable pet wipes. They are made from FSC certified materials, are super soft, durable and absorbent making them an ideal choice for pet parents whose pups love a swim, mud bath or roll in something suspicious. They are great to take out on life's adventures or simply keep them by the back door to reduce the need for wet smelly towels in a car or home.  The Eco Towels would also be useful for dog groomers, vets, dog walkers, doggy day-care centres, kennel owners, pet therapists and pet behaviourists to clean up the messes of their clients’ dogs or to towel down their coats and paws.

Soon to be added to the range will be pet shampoos which have been developed by a team of experts from the fragrance and cosmetic industries which are kind to pets and a new range of dog and cat treats which contain active ingredients that support the health and well being of pets. These have been developed with the help of top nutritionists. More on these in the coming weeks!

DotDotPet has already secured a number of online and retail partners geared up to support their full but are looking for retailers in the UK and across Europe who will align, display and promote the lifestyle principles of the brand in a fun way.

If you are interested in becoming a stockist then visit www.dotdotpet.com

A new study conducted by pet insurance provider, Petplan, has revealed the challenges Brits face when taking their dogs to the vet.

Two thirds of dog owners (65%) find it difficult to get their dogs to the vet due to their pet’s anxiety and nerves about what might happen during the visit. To combat this, Petplan’s research delves into the creative approaches dog owners use to ease veterinary visits - including the use of code words and having their own ‘doggy’ language when communicating with their pets. 

With 1 in 3 pets needing an unexpected trip to the vet each year, many owners have resorted to linguistic tactics to help navigate a stress-free vet visit. One third use a code word to ease their dogs fears - using phrases such as ‘a visit to Dr Barker’ or the ‘Dogters’, and others said they verbally spell out ‘V-E-T’.

A quarter of dog owners (25%) have even seen their dogs running away upon hearing the word ‘vet’ and 3 in 10 (30%) have actively avoided a visit to the vets due to stress. 

Whilst the biggest reason for stress stems from pets feeling too nervous (49%), they’re not the only ones. The research revealed that almost as many owners (43%) are equally as anxious about the visits as their pups - with 1 in 5 (21%) fearing that they might receive news that they didn’t want to hear.

However, it’s not just code words that Brits resort to when heading to the vets. Other creative tactics include the 47% of owners who choose to take their dogs out on a walk first - disguising the trip and making it feel like their normal routine, whilst 46% give their pets extra treats that day. 

The language we use around our dogs can certainly affect their behaviour, but it’s often not stress or anxiety that they’re feeling. Petplan’s recent survey additionally revealed that many pet owners had to lower their voice to prevent their dog from overhearing certain words which might lead to overexcitement. The nationwide study of 2,000 dog owners revealed the top ten words which owners whispered or disguised to prevent an overreaction to be: 

1. ‘Walkies’ 
2. ‘Treat’ 
3. ‘Going for a walk’ 
4. ‘Biscuits’
5. ‘Bathtime/bath’
6. ‘Dinnertime’
7. ‘Take him/her to the vet’
8. ‘Ball’
9. ‘Going to the park’
10. ‘Going in the car’

What’s more, a huge 54% of dog owners admit to using their own language to communicate with their furry friends. ‘Moon Moon’, ‘Tats’, and ‘Pitter Patter’, are amongst the weird and wonderful phrases that owners have creatively coined, and to celebrate these unique form of canine communication, Petplan has worked with lexicologist Tom Read Wilson to unveil its own doggy dictionary.

Tom Read Wilson, celebrity lexicologist, said, “Whilst I’m usually delving into the realm of human lexicon – there’s a whole world out there of alternative human/canine comms. Whilst each relationship between pet and owner is wonderfully unique, it’s been interesting to see crossover in some of the more unusual phrases that are frequently used by owners – and I have to say, I’m particularly taken with the portmanteau, ‘dogter’, to avoid canine ears pricking up at the ‘V’ word! I’m a huge advocate of all the creative ways we can use language and lexical choices to build deep rooted connections and relationships – and pets are no exception to this”.  

Petplan’s Trade Director Bella von Mesterhazy says, “Some dogs can be sensitive to certain words and tones so it’s interesting to see so many pet owners adopting playful code words and phrases to alleviate stress and overexcitement. We know visiting the vet can be an anxious time for both pets and owners so in addition to avoiding use of this word, it makes sense to try familiarisation techniques for your dog such as ‘pop in’ visits for a treat and a fuss.  Making sure you have financial support available to help to cover the cost of vet bills can help make it less worrying for you too.” 

Having Petplan insurance helps pets get the best care, so to boost awareness around the importance of choosing the right pet insurance, the leading provider has just unveiled its brand new TV advert showcasing how much our pets mean to us and how much getting them the best veterinary care matters. The advert can be viewed here.

Director Phil Rundle was again flying the flag for CSJ at The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally 2023.

The club was celebrating its 40th anniversary as mushers from the UK gathered in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British sled dog racing calendar.

As the UK’s specialists in working dog feed and supplements CSJ have been sponsors of the world-famous race since 2018 and since then Phil has been there each year it’s been held.

The race is run on forest trails around the beautiful Loch Morlich in the shadows of the Cairngorm mountains and features teams of between two and eight dogs pulling their musher on a sled around a four to seven mile trail. When there’s no snow at ground level for the event, the races still go on with mushers using a three or four-wheeled rigs. 

Along with the Siberian Huskies, race dogs include Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Greenland Dogs and Canadian Eskimo Dogs – the pedigree breeds of dogs first bred to pull sleds in Arctic conditions hundreds of years ago.

CSJ sent thanks to its amazing sponsored handlers Pete & Kaz Jones of Coldfeet Sibes who organised the Rally and congratulated them on their brilliant results:

• First place with Pete's 6 dog team 
• Highest placed homebred team
• Third place in Veteran team

Other brilliant CSJ sponsored teams included Vickie Pullin who said, “These dogs have not disappointed, extremely proud,” and finished with a stunning:

• First in 4 dog azora chino Mac mocha
• First in 2 dog Frappy and caramel 
• First in Bike Apollo 

Special awards: Fastest new comer, Fastest mum, Fastest female 2 dog, Fastest female 4 dog, Fastest time on the trail.

Phil said: “As ever there was an exciting atmosphere and for me it’s a great opportunity to get together with so many mushers and enthusiasts who use our products so successfully.  We are a truly grass roots brand which was born over 20 years ago of the necessity to find a great food at a sensible price for my wife Ceri’s and her father’s working dogs.”

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

The head of a leading veterinary business has called on the UK government to overhaul veterinary support and regulations to help address the major challenges within the industry.  

Duncan Phillips, UK & IE CEO of IVC Evidensia, said: “The veterinary sector has been transforming, with substantial investments in clinic networks, advances in treatment options, and customer service - but the regulatory regime and government approach have simply not kept pace.   

“Animal owners expect, and deserve, the most appropriate clinical care from highly qualified professionals who have the time and expertise to deliver it.”

Duncan has made three requests of the UK government: 

• to encourage overseas vets and specifically the return of EU vets 
• to increase funding for UK university veterinary courses 
• or the regulatory framework to be updated to enable vet nurses to expand their roles

Duncan’s full account can be viewed by clicking here.

IVC Evidensia is a global leader in veterinary care.

An equine congress uniting 120 delegates across first opinion ambulatory and hospital practices took place over the 16-17 January in Glasgow, celebrating “Excellence in Equine Practice” across the IVC Evidensia network. 

The congress had a distinctly Scottish theme, hosted by Nicky Kerbyson an Equine Clinical Director from Avondale Vets in Lanarkshire and Graham Hunter, a renowned equine practitioner who works across the IVC Evidensia Equine group as a Regional Head of Equine.  

The event was split into separate vet, nurse and practice manager streams, with relevant panel sessions featuring senior leaders such as Gayle Hallowell, Daniella Dos Santos and Liz Cox to name a few. 

Delegates were also treated to an appearance by keynote speaker Professor Derek Knottenbelt OBE, who reflected on his long and distinguished career in equine medicine. He talked about the changes he had seen in his career, and advised practitioners to stay strong, stay positive and never give up.

If that wasn’t enough, a ceremony entitled the ‘Good Yin Awards’ also took place, celebrating examples of excellence across the group and honouring those who had performed charitable or good deeds in the previous year.

Sponsorship was generously provided by IMV Imaging, Zoetis, MSD Animal Health and Dechra.

Mark Tabachnik, UK Head of Equine for IVC Evidensia, commented on the success of the event: “Our Congress brought together equine vets, nurses, practice managers and support staff from right across our network to learn and grow together.  We’ve created a really strong team feeling and sense of togetherness that will help us thrive in challenging times.”

Open and honest panel discussions

Panel discussions included a whole host of relevant topics to the equine profession, including the main issues affecting equine practices in the UK.

Nicky Kerbyson, Clinical Director of Avondale Veterinary Group, led the discussion and noted common answers including recruitment and retention, the cost-of-living crisis, work/life balance and profitability, amongst other factors.

Gayle Hallowell, Director of Professional Development for IVC Evidensia, said we can play a role in shaping a good positive future by giving good extramural studies experiences, and Daniella Dos Santos, Director of Professional Culture, added that it was time to think outside the box with our use of flexible working, so that requests were judged on the needs of the business and the individual.  

The underutilisation of nurses in equine practice was covered by Liz Cox, who said there is a real opportunity and a real appetite amongst the profession to upskill our nursing teams.  

Graham Hunter, an experienced equine practitioner and UK South-East Regional Equine Head added that we should be using our nurses as much as we can, and that vets don’t need to keep these jobs in their domain.  

'Good people' honoured at awards ceremony

The congress featured a novel way of celebrating personal successes with IVC Evidensia members invited to vote in the Good Yin Awards – an old Scottish phrase for 'Good People'.

This year there were two awards given. Mhairi Young, a Clinical Director from MBM Veterinary Group in Kilmarnock won the Inspirational Moments award. 

This was in recognition of her Charity fundraising efforts, submerging herself in freezing cold water for the first 24 days in December. Mhairi went swimming in the sea from Irving Beach in aid of Cancer Research, raising over £12,000 for charity in the process.

Similarly honoured, Forth Valley Equine Vets won the Practice Moment Good Yin awards for their teamwork in treating a horse with colic, involving a visit and examination in a field by vet Ian Rodger, in the dark at the side of a loch without electricity, and a referral in a lorry driven by Stacy Davies, the practice manager.

First-class conference

There was a great deal of positive feedback from delegates in attendance, who all benefitted from the equine specific CPD, panel discussions and networking elements.

Rhianna Petrie, Practice Manager from Cliffe Equine Hospital, said: “It was brilliant. I didn't realise quite how refreshing an equine focused CPD would be and have come away feeling re-energised, with a real sense of camaraderie.”  

Jamie Wallace, Clinical Director from MBM Vets in Kilmarnock, added: “This was a first-class conference with an amazing programme.”

If you would like to find out more about IVC Evidensia Equine Vets, you can head over to the website here.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and many people prepare for a day filled with love, some singletons may wonder how to meet someone new. Dogs may be known for being man’s best friend, but they’re also statistically proven to improve their owner's social life. Perhaps even leading to a paw-fect match, according to a recent study which found that one in three dog owners have met a new partner or friend through their pet.  

The research by leading animal insurer, Agria Pet Insurance, shows that pets can help to create strong, long-lasting relationships. Dogs are found to unleash love the most, with 38 per cent of owners admitting to finding companions, compared to just 22 per cent of cat owners – perhaps conforming to the stereotype that felines aren’t as compassionate as their canine counterparts. 

Dog walkers are the pet owners who most obviously routinely get to experience this wonderful social side of dog ownership. Whether it’s rambling through the park or strolling through the local neighbourhood, dog walking gives people the opportunity to meet one another. In some cases, friendships and even romantic relationships can blossom that otherwise wouldn’t occur if it wasn’t for their dogs. 

Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Advisor at Agria Pet Insurance, comments: “It’s undeniable that pets provide owners with an exciting social life full of wagging tails and new relationships. But this is not the only benefit our furry friends can offer. Pets enable us to significantly improve our mental health and reduce feelings of loneliness thanks to the increased number of social interactions that come hand-in-hand with pet ownership. A simple ‘hello!’ when walking your dog can go a long way and might even spark a new partnership.”  

Research suggests that being a pet owner is the third most common way humans meet new people. In fact, pet owners are 60 per cent more likely than non-pet owners to form new neighbourhood friendships.  

Agria Pet Insurance shares its five ‘pawsome’ tips for meeting new people while out and about with your dog: 

• Ensure your dog is well-trained to help ensure friendly encounters with other pups  
• Walk your dog at the same time each day and/or in the same place to see familiar, friendly faces 
• Offer a simple ‘hello’ or a wave when passing other owners. Asking about a dog’s breed is an easy conversation starter  
• Carry some healthy treats with you to share with other four-legged friends - but always remember to ask the owner’s permission! 
• Join a dog walking group to meet like-minded owners  

Agria Pet Insurance is a firm believer in creating and maintaining relationships through pet ownership. The annual Agria Dog Walk, which takes place every Spring, is a fantastic example of a community event where dog owners can meet up, exchange stories and form new friendships; all while raising funds to support animal charities across the UK.

More details to be announced soon. Follow @agriapetinsurance on Instagram for all the latest news.  

With temperatures set to drop again and snowstorms predicted for many parts of the country, PDSA vets have issued advice on spotting the signs of hypothermia in pets.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing explains: “Hypothermia is when a pet’s body temperature drops dangerously low. It can be very serious and, if not treated quickly, it can cause their body to shut down, which is fatal.”

Symptoms of hypothermia:

• Shivering – this is a natural response to help the body warm up. However, if they become too cold they may stop shivering
• Drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness
• Pale gums
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

First-aid for hypothermia:

• If they are wet, dry them with a towel
• Warm them with blankets underneath and over them
• If your pet is awake and able to drink, give them some lukewarm (not hot) water
• Slowly increase the temperature around them, but don’t warm them up too quickly, or burn them with anything hot such as a hot water bottle
• Call your vet

Nina added: “First aid is vital and can mean the difference between life and death. But even if your pet seems to recover, it’s important to contact your vet and get your pet properly checked over, in case of any long-term damage. It’s important for pet owners to know the symptoms of hypothermia, and to know what to do if they spot them, but prevention is also key.”

To help pet owners, Nina has put together some easy steps we can take to keep our pets safe during the freezing weather:

• Make sure your pets have a warm, comfy bed, in a draught free area of the house.
• Never leave pets locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth
• If your cat prefers to spend time outside, make sure they can always come inside when they want to. Providing an alternative option, in case cat flaps get frozen shut or blocked by snow, is also a good idea.
• Don’t leave pets in cars – the inside temperature can quickly became as cold as the outside, even if you’ve just been driving with the heating on.
• If your pet is very young, elderly, underweight or poorly then they are at higher risk of hypothermia. They can’t control their body temperature well so need extra care to keep them warm. High risk pets should only go outside for short times in cold weather, and should be closely supervised. Give them extra bedding and consider getting a pet-safe heat mat.
• Don’t forget small furries and bring their hutches inside – a car-free garage or shed with a window is ideal. Give them extra bedding and check their water frequently in case it freezes.

For dogs, it’s important that they still get daily walks for their physical and mental health, even during colder months. PDSA vets have published a new blog with tips on how to safely keep dogs active in cold weather. 

Every day across its 48 Pet Hospitals, PDSA protects the special bond between owners and their four-legged friends. The teams provide veterinary care to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment. The charity has been keeping people and pets together for over a hundred years. Find out more: pdsa.org.uk/learn-why-were-special

Pets at Home has revealed that its sales growth in the third quarter trading period fell 'below expectations'.

The UK’s largest pet retail group said growth in its retail business was not at the levels it had expected, and as a result expected underlying pre-tax profit to reach £132m for the year, down from its previous target of £136m.

Lyssa McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our colleagues came together over our peak trading period to deliver a record sales performance, growing against a very strong performance in the prior year. While a slower market over peak meant our sales growth didn’t quite hit the levels we expected, the business remains well positioned to benefit from long term growth in the sector as we continue to win share and grow volumes across food and deliver differentiated performance through our unique vets business. 

“Importantly, we will shortly follow up launching our new distribution centre with the launch of our new digital platform, in line with our target. Our new digital platform is a key foundation of our growth strategy, bringing vastly improved user experience to our consumers, and creating opportunities to improve cross-sell into accessories and further grow share of wallet. With these foundations now in place we are well positioned for the future.”

In its financial statement, the group reported: 

“Our balance sheet remains robust and we expect to finish the year in a net cash position, having returned over £100m to shareholders via ordinary dividends and our ongoing share buyback.

“Our new digital platform build has progressed well and we will launch it to consumers in the coming weeks, having successfully trialled and tested it with a group of colleagues. The new platform offers a much improved customer experience and functionality across our app and website and is a key foundation for future growth, enabling us to deliver a succession of improvements in the years ahead.

“Returning accessories to growth is a key priority for the business and innovation will play a central role in this. In Q3 we introduced new premium brands including Lords & Labradors and Cocopup, and launched extended lifestyle ranges from Pawsome Paws Boutique. Innovation and the introduction of new ranges that stretch our brand appeal will remain a focus over the coming year.

“We continue to drive innovation in food, introducing new raw dog food brands across the estate, and will soon commence the roll out of Butternut Box. The transfer to Cranswick has now successfully completed.

“Year to date we have now opened 4 new pet care centres, and completed 33 refits. Within vets, we have opened 3 new practices, completed 16 extensions and converted 8 company-owned practices to Joint Venture ownership.

“Strong progress within vet talent, with improvements in recruitment, vacancy rate (down 33% YoY), and vet turnover, all underpinning robust consumer revenue performance. Our third physical clinical academy hub is in progress and we have made significant strides in our international recruitment.

“We have selected our partner for our new PMS system, Provet, a leading, cloud-based system that will unlock productivity benefits for our practice partners and enable better integration of our vets into our pet care platform. Rollout of the PMS will begin in FY25, after an initial pilot, and take 2 years to complete.

“In the year, we have fed over 1m pets for a day through our foodbank partnership with Blue Cross, and raised over £6m for charities.”

Jollyes has confirmed its next three locations which will  see the completion of a major milestone, taking it beyond 100 stores for the first time.

The Pet Industry Federation’s current retail chain of the year will open stores in Belfast Connswater, Northern Ireland (23 February), Newport in Gwent (1 March) and Rotherham, South Yorkshire (22 March).

Since the beginning of 2022, Jollyes has doubled the size of its estate opening 34 new stores.

Jollyes’ new store in Newport will be its 100th location when it opens on St David’s Day. 

The Newport store underlines its continued commitment to South Wales following openings in Llanelli and Merthyr Tydfil and the creation of 36 new jobs at private label supplier facilities in Llangadog and Pencader.

Alongside the store opening programme, Jollyes today announced it had a record-breaking Christmas with like-for-like sales of 13% for the five weeks to 31 December 2023.

Total growth for the period was 25%, testament to Jollyes continued investment in value and services.

The final week before Christmas was Jollyes strongest seven-day trading period in its history with almost 45% more customers than the previous year and 26% on a like-for-like basis.

The strong Christmas trading has also led to a significant landmark in Jollyes’ Trustpilot scores – it has now seen over 50,000 reviews posted online with over 88% rating Jollyes as excellent.

Building a platform for future growth, Jollyes also confirmed that the first deliveries from its new Wincanton distribution centre in Middlewich, Cheshire would take place next week.

The new Wincanton location will provide Jollyes with a much larger space able to accommodate its rapid store growth.

The new hub will mean long-term partner Wincanton can pick and deliver up to 25 per cent more cases each year as it replenishes all Jollyes 100-plus stores, fulfilling over 10,000 deliveries each year.

Chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “Christmas saw us continue to fly, delivering market-leading trading both in stores and online as we brought our special combination of expertise, service and value to UK pet parents.

“A big thank you to our 1,000-strong team – I know these excellent results are powered by their hard work for customers in the communities they serve.

“We’re looking forward to trading from 100 stores for the first time and continuing to invest in 2024 in building a platform for even more growth in the months ahead.” 

Jollyes will announce other new store locations for 2024 in due course.

Award-winning pop culture collectables brand Funko took the spotlight at London Toy Fair with a number of exclusive features, including a guest appearance from TV personality Michael McIntyre.

Visitors to the Funoo stand stand were treated to a fashion show full of furry friends, a reveal of Michael McIntyre’s new Funko Pop! alongside a guest appearance from the comedian himself, and premiere of new products across. 

McIntyre said: “It’s been an amazing experience to become a Funko Pop and to see everyone’s reactions in person. There will be an opportunity for some lucky individuals to get their hands on it, so keep your eyes peeled as there’s more to come.”

Funko unveiled the new Backpacking Freddy Funko Pop – exclusive for European Funatics only through funkoeurope.com. The new addition to the Funko Pop! line is the second in a two-part series, following the launch of Travelling Freddy last October. Equipped with a signpost to show all the wonderful places Freddy has visited, and a special postcard that Freddy has written on his travels, the new addition to the brand is designed to inspire Funko fans to embark on travelling adventures of their own. 

Following Bitty Pop!’s hugely successful launch in 2023, the Funko category will be further expanding with brand-new display cases later this year – allowing fans to proudly show off and house their Bitty Pop! collections. 

Funko Chief Commercial Officer, Andy Oddie said: “It’s been a pleasure to see our industry friends and their reactions to Funko’s new innovations for 2024 across our Pop!, Bitty Pop!, Loungefly and Mondo categories. The warm reception and positive response has been brilliant to see.”

Business enquiries can be directed to NewTradeEnquiries.EMEA@funko.com.

Pawer Water, the new canine wellness supplement that is transforming the way dogs hydrate, is taking the pet care industry by storm. 

Since its soft launch at PATS, this ground-breaking wellness approach to dog rehydration has managed to captivate a wide range of professionals from dog groomers, dog walkers, behavioural therapists, agility specialists, breeders, to independent retailers and major chains. 

The product has attracted the attention of prestigious stockists that are renowned for their exclusive offerings and their commitment to cutting-edge wellness solutions. Among the list are the luxury grooming townhouse Love My Human, premium online marketplace WOOOF.co.uk and London pet hotel, Urban Mutts. 

“We're proud to be stocked in prestigious establishments that are wellness-focused and led by forward thinkers. What all those professionals have in common is their commitment to quality and innovative vision towards pet care," said Nathalie Ohana, founder of Pawer Water.

Nathalie isn't your typical entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience in innovation and branding, she's worked for leading wellness and beauty brands and is known to be a true trailblazer. She’s lived across the globe, from Paris to New York City, Cape Town to Amsterdam, and finally settled in London. This international journey immersed her in diverse wellness practices, enriching her understanding of holistic well-being. Now, drawing on her wealth of knowledge in the human wellness sector, Nathalie is on a mission to revolutionise how we care for our beloved furry companions. Her vision is clear: bring the same level of attention to pet wellness as human wellness. Her guiding principle? 'If it's good for us, it's good for our dogs.”

"Our pets deserve the same level of care and attention that we provide to ourselves,” she said. “Pawer Water bridges the gap between human and pet wellness innovations, making sure our pets live their happiest, healthiest lives."

Pawer Water was nominated for product innovation at both the PetQuip and PIF Awards in 2023.  

“From the beginning, we focused on creating a hassle-free, two-in-one soluble solution that would empower pet owners to effortlessly give their dogs a vital dose of well-being, anytime, anywhere,” added Nathalie. “Not surprisingly, our current customers are health-conscious pet owners who are going the extra mile for their dogs. We can see that they are, for now, mostly urban-based millennials with a cleaner, healthier, and greener shopping mindset. And most importantly our customers and retailers alike are big believers, like us, in preventive care.”

Developed in collaboration with leading nutritionist Tanya Cohen, Pawer Water formula is carefully crafted with a blend of pawerful human-grade ingredients _ electrolytes, collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants. This thoughtful two-in-one combination supports canine hydration and overall wellness needs, making it a game-changer in the pet supplement market. 

Pawer Water is looking to introduce three new products in 2024 and is looking to expand to Europe. 

For further information visit: www.pawerwater.com

For trade enquiries contact: Nathalie by email hello@pawerwater.com