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Natures Menu to break into the dry pet food market
Leading Raw pet food specialists Natures Menu is planning to break into the dry food market as the Norfolk-based company aims to double in size over the next few years...
Natures Menu MD Craig Taylor (left), pictured with business development director Peter Roy, told his local newspaper the Eastern Daily Press: "We want to be really good in dry food."
Leading Raw pet food specialists Natures Menu is planning to break into the dry food market as the Norfolk-based company aims to double in size over the next few years.
According to a report in the Eastern Daily Press, Natures Menu is investing £10.5m in a new factory to allow the firm to achieve such dramatic growth.
Plans include investing £3m in new machinery from Denmark, to produce a dry-food pet product, which managing director Craig Taylor said was new to the UK and would be produced at the new Snetterton factory.
“We will continue investing in new technology which will enable us to produce some new bespoke product which is innovative to the UK market,” Craig told the newspaper.
Due to be launched in September 2017, he added the new dry food followed on from a period of consolidation for the business, which moved away from selling commodity-based pet food components and private label products about five years ago.
“As a business if you tend not to be focused on the thing you are good at you can tend to waste a lot of energy trying to satisfy parts of the business maybe you are not so good at.
“We are really good in dog, we want to be really good in cat and now we want to be really good in dry food as well.”
When the new Snetterton factory is complete, it will add about 30 staff members to the 220-strong workforce.
Pictured: Natures Menu MD Craig Taylor with business development director Peter Roy.
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Chris Packham endorses Natures Menu Raw Food
TV Wildlife expert Chris Packham is Natures Menu’s latest fan, having witnessed a significant difference in the overall health of his 12-year-old poodles Itchy and Scratchy...
TV Wildlife expert Chris Packham is Natures Menu’s latest fan, having witnessed a significant difference in the overall health of his 12-year-old poodles Itchy and Scratchy.
“The difference I’ve seen in my dogs since switching to Natures Menu’s raw diet is incredible. They seem 10 years younger and the condition of their coats and teeth has improved dramatically," said Chris.
Chris’ poodles are massive fans of Natures Menu’s Country Hunter 80% Venison Superfood nuggets and Raw Duck Necks. Since noticing the difference the raw diet has made to his much loved pets he’s become a true convert to raw and is now acting as a brand advocate for Natures Menu.
TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham is a wildlife expert, photographer and author with a passionate concern for conservation and the environment. Chris comments that “Natures Menu’s ethos and ethics gives me the confidence I’m feeding them the best."
Natures Menu's head of marketing Emily Cannon comments: “Our mission has always been to create safe, convenient, complete and balanced raw meals and products for those wanting to prepare raw meals at home.
"We believe that real food is raw and with Chris Packham on board to help us spread the word, we’re very excited about increase in exposure this will give to diet."
Natures Menu have been gaining a growing, loyal fan base over the past few years and are delighted to be working with such a well-respected public figure. Other fans of Natures Menu include leading dog trainer and behaviorist Gwen Bailey and Agility Champion Stacey Irwin-Burns.
For more information on Natures Menu’s wide and varied range of complete and balanced raw meals visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk or contract trade@naturesmenu.co.uk.
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Award-winning PitPat has been launched in New Zealand with one of the country's leading pet retail stores Animates stocking the activity monitor for dogs.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, PitPat gives owners a fun and engaging way to ensure that their dog gets the exercise it needs by keeping track of its walking, running, playing and resting.
PitPat attaches to any collar and with its sleek, compact and lightweight design, it is the go-to gadget for dogs of any size or breed.
The device boasts best-in-breed technology with a year-long battery life and waterproof design, meaning it can stay attached and continue tracking all the time. Unlike other wearable technology products, there is no inconvenience or downtime for recharging.
Accompanying the PitPat device is a free iOS and Android app, which allows owners to keep an eye on their dog’s activity levels. The app compares the activity to a daily guideline based on its age, breed and weight and gives fun hints and tips on responsible dog ownership.
Speaking ahead of the launch, CEO Andrew Nowell said: “We are excited to launch PitPat in New Zealand, following a successful launch in the UK and across Europe. Wearable technology has revolutionised how we keep fit and exercise, and now dog owners are keen to use the same technology to help their pets stay happy and healthy.
“PitPat fuses technology with the joy and responsibility of pet ownership and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the PitPat pack.”
PitPat will re-tail at $119.00 and will be exclusive to Animates for a 3 month period, now available in over 30 stores.
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Goole-based Burgess Pet Care has added seven new staff members to its growing sales team over the last 12 months as part of an ongoing commitment to support the independent pet trade.
The sales team, which collectively covers a distance of around 7,000 miles a week across the entire country, has been expanded in an effort to educate retailers about its nutritious British-made and vet recommended pet food.
Its latest recruit, 22-year-old territory sales manager Sean Deere, has swapped engineering wind turbines and oilrigs for connecting with pet retailers in the North East and Scotland.
Deere, who has also brought experience from running a pet care department at a Pickering garden centre to bear on his new job, says he’s passionate about Burgess products. “I love showing customers what sets Burgess apart and it feels great to get behind such good quality products,” he says.
Peter Lancaster, category sales manager at Burgess Pet Care says the sales team forms an integral part of the business.
“The investment in our sales team is specifically targeted at the independent specialist pet trade as we believe that this is where pet owners go to get great advice about feeding their pets.
"The feedback we have had from the retailers has been fantastic, they really appreciate that we are one of the few companies still sending people through the door to talk to them.
"It has given us a great opportunity to work with retailers, helping them improve their sales, educate pet owners and understand the challenges they face.”
For more information visit www.burgesspetcare.com
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HOWND - the makers of ethical products for happy hounds - has announced that its full range of dog grooming products is now available at Scampers Natural Pet Store.
The company’s entire cruelty free range of conditioning shampoos, body mists, emergency dog wipes and natural fragrances are now stocked in Scampers Superstore in Soham, Cambridgeshire.
This deal with the award-winning retail outlet is another milestone for HOWND, which has become one of the UK’s leading premium brands for dog grooming.
“We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Scampers, which is without question one of the most reputable independent pet stores in the UK,” explains Jo Amit, co-founder of HOWND.
“As one of only a select few dog grooming brands to be certified by Cruelty Free International, we believe our products will be attractive to Scampers’ customers. Hopefully this arrangement will add to our already strong business growth - helping us advance new and ethical product development across a variety of pet applications.”
Piers Smart, managing director of Scampers, said: “We are delighted to have started our relationship with HOWND. We spent more than a year looking for right natural grooming range for our customers with all the right health and cruelty free credentials. We are already seeing the HOWND range gaining great sales traction with our very discerning clientele.”
In order to become certified by the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, companies are required to open their supply chain to monitoring and meet external audit requirements. The Hertfordshire company is the only dog grooming manufacturer in the UK to have such an accreditation.
HOWND’s range of 250ml conditioning shampoos consists of five products: Playful Pup Conditioning Shampoo, Keep Calm Conditioning Shampoo, Got An Itch? Conditioning Shampoo, Yup You Stink! Conditioning Shampoo, and Golden Oldies Conditioning Shampoo.
In addition, the company’s range of 250ml body mists consists of five products: Playful Pup Body Mist, Keep Calm Body Mist, Got An Itch? Body Mist, Yup You Stink! Body Mist, and Golden Oldies Body Mist.
Alcohol and paraben free, HOWND’s Emergency Dog Wipes contain five jumbo size (30cm x 20cm) PH-balanced wipes. Designed to be gentle on a dog’s skin and coat, each wipe is infused with orange (insect-repelling), coriander (antioxidant) and bergamot (deodorising) essential oils, aloe vera juice, and gentle odour control agents. The result is a durable wipe, that effectively cleans off fox poo, cow dung, mud, urine, slobber and anything else that’s grimey or smelly.
HOWND has also created a range of natural fragrances for Him and Her. Butch Leather is the must-have cologne for discerning man dogs, inspired by the scent of warm soft leather and lush woods. With head notes of vetiver and cedarwood, this scent can lift dogs to new levels of refined masculinity. Peach Bum is the perfume of love and romance created for lady pooches. It’s a supremely feminine fragrance with heart notes of sweet orange essential oils, jasmine and peach. Both fragrances are free from harsh chemicals such as alcohol, parabens, soap and dyes. They are safe to use with topical flea products too.
For further information about HOWND, visit www.dogslovehownd.com or call a member of the team on +44 (0)20 3004 5255.
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Relaunch of Walter Harrison's wild bird care range
Walter Harrison’s, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of wild bird foods and accessories, and a flagship brand of Pedigree Wholesale, is set to relaunch its complete wild bird care range at PATS Telford in September...
Walter Harrison’s, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of wild bird foods and accessories, and a flagship brand of Pedigree Wholesale, is set to relaunch its complete wild bird care range at PATS Telford in September.
The relaunch will see vibrant new eye-catching packaging, an extended range with many new and improved lines together with enhanced pricing.
The relaunch will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign targeting both the trade and end consumer, including advertising, PR, social media and a brand new website.
Walter Harrison’s have been supplying high quality wild bird foods since 1906 and their nutritionists are experts in the development and production of unique mixes for attracting a wide variety of birds into the garden.
Made from carefully selected ingredients, many of which are locally sourced from UK farms, they undergo a unique cleaning process and quality management checks to ensure optimum cleanliness and maximum nutritional value in every pack.
Pedigree Wholesale Managing Director Steve Brown states: “We are proud to be one of the market leaders in the wild bird food and complementary feeding accessories sector and are extremely excited to announce the relaunch of the complete range.
“We strongly believe that the new packaging designs, product offering and pricing structure together with a renewed focus on the quality of our mixes will revitalise sales and add range authority to the wild bird care category.”
For more information about this relaunch and to find out how we can help you maximise sales from your wild bird fixture visit the Pedigree Wholesale stand E5 at PATS Telford on September. 25-26.
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FELIWAY is renamed FELIWAY CLASSIC
Following the successful introduction of FELIWAY FRIENDS to the UK’s leading feline behaviour range, Ceva Animal Health has renamed its established FELIWAY product FELIWAY CLASSIC...
Following the successful introduction of FELIWAY FRIENDS to the UK’s leading feline behaviour range, Ceva Animal Health has renamed its established FELIWAY product FELIWAY CLASSIC.
The move will clearly differentiate FELIWAY CLASSIC (in purple packaging) from the new FELIWAY FRIENDS (red packaging) when new stocks filter through later in the year.
“By adding CLASSIC to the original FELIWAY we are helping cat owners differentiate between the different pheromone products, whilst enhancing the FELIWAY brand,” comments Claire Russell, pheromone product manager at Ceva Animal Health.
FELIWAY FRIENDS is the only cat pheromone clinically proven to help reduce tension and conflicts in multi-cat households which include fighting, chasing/stalking, blocking each other from resources, staring and hiding away1. It is a synthetic copy of the cat appeasing pheromone (CAP) naturally produced by the queen after giving birth, which helps cats feel safe and secure and maintains a harmonious bond between them.
FELIWAY FRIENDS and FELIWAY CLASSIC can be used at the same time if there is conflict between cats in the home alongside other stress-related behaviour problems such as urine marking, scratch marking and general anxiety.
Available as a 30-day diffuser and refill, FELIWAY FRIENDS lasts for up to 30 days and covers an area of up to 70m2. Its refill is convenient and easy to replace and comes with a peel off sticker as a reminder to renew the refill.
For information on the FELIWAY brand visit www.feliway.com/uk.
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One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of multi-purpose dog coats will be at Oxfordshire’s BBC Countryfile Live this coming weekend.
Dogrobes will exhibit their products and a specially created ‘Prize Wheel’ - where visitors can win gift vouchers, dog treats and goodie bags - at stand H020. The event starts today (Thursday) and runs until Sunday.
BBC Countryfile Live is a festival held at Blenheim Palace which celebrates the best of the British countryside. In addition to an array of exhibitors there’s a main arena show called ‘The Countryfile Calendar’, presented by John Craven, Adam Henson, Matt Baker, Tom Heap, Ellie Harrison, Anita Rani and Helen Skelton.
“We wanted to create something memorable and interactive for BBC Countryfile Live, so we decided to build our very own ‘Prize Wheel’ to get visitors engaged. Our stand visitors are welcome to spin the wheel and pick up a free prize from our stand,” explains Margaret Reynolds, director of Dogrobes.
Established in 2004 and proudly manufactured in Britain, Dogrobes are practical dog drying coats that are perfect to use after outdoor adventures, swimming, training, bathing and working.
The garments protect surroundings from wet and muddy shake off, helping to keep homes and cars clean. They also keep a dog’s muscles warm and are non-restrictive, allowing pooches to move freely while drying off.
“Simple to fit and more effective than a towel rub, dogs dry quicker in Dogrobes, making tedious towel drying and that unpleasant wet dog smell a thing of the past,” adds Margaret.
“Dogrobes can also be used to cool dogs in hot weather over the summer months. By regularly wetting the exclusive luxurious towelling fabric, owners can make it easier for their dogs to regulate their body temperature.”
Dogrobes come in all dog breed sizes - from Chihuahua to Newfoundland - and are available in three classic colours: red, navy and green. Customers can also choose from Limited Edition pink , grey and purple options.
For further information about Dogrobes visit www.dogrobes.co.uk or email info@dogrobes.co.uk
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Pet shop owners handed out food and blankets to homeless hounds on the streets of Oxford, after being inundated with donations.
Grove Pet Shop owners Sam and Darren Nobbs asked people to start leaving donations for the pets of homeless people at their shop, near Wantage, and were thrilled at the huge response.
With such an influx of items being sent in, they and other volunteers walked around the city centre all day yesterday to speak to homeless people and hand out the donations to their dogs.
Sam Nobbs said: "We didn't have a planned route so we just went out and we found two homeless men with dogs.
"Then we went to the O'Hanlon [Oxford Homeless Pathways] House and spoke to them and gave them some donations.
"We made little packages and took about two or three dozen out, and gave them all away. They had some dry food, wet food, a bag of treats and a toy in.
"We're going to ask for more donations and then come out again in about a month, maybe this time earlier in the morning."
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Pets at Home has launched a new mobile phone app to drive membership of its Very Important Pets card membership.
The app is now available free from iTunes.
The company says: “This fantastic new app puts Pets at Home on your phone and a bundle of benefits in your pocket. Download it for FREE and enjoy everything you’d expect from a Very Important Pets app.”
One happy customer commented: “I have a pet rabbit and two goldfish and when I got a letter saying there was an app I downloaded it and it was amazing because I could use my VIP card from my phone and access vouchers. They asked me to type my rabbits details in so they could send her a present for her birthday and found it so sweet. I highly recommend this app if you have a pet and support them all the way.”
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ProtectaPet partners with International Cat Care
ProtectaPet, the internationally acclaimed designer of pet safe territories, has partnered with International Cat Care, a UK based charity committed to enhancing cat welfare on an international scale...
 ProtectaPet, the internationally acclaimed designer of pet safe territories, has partnered with International Cat Care (iCatCare), a UK based charity committed to enhancing cat welfare on an international scale.
iCatCare has worked for over 50 years to enhance the lives of cats – whether feral or domesticated, UK or overseas.
Formerly known as the Feline Advisory Bureau, iCatCare has been raising the standard of treatment and care provided to cats by veterinary surgeons, boarding cattery operators, those involved in rescue work, breeders and, of course, cat owners by providing the best information possible.
International Cat Care offers free impartial advice on cat containment solutions for their owners who are looking to achieve the optimum quality of life and safety for their pets. Their advice section can be read here. ProtectaPet will be donating 10% of Online Shop Orders that derive from International Cat Care to the charity in order to support their invaluable advisory service.
Eve Davies, Director of Communications at ProtectaPet, says: “Feline Welfare is at the heart of both of our organisations’ ethos and we have shared aspirations to enhance feline health and quality of life, making us perfectly matched partners."
Pictured: Claire Bessant (left), CEO of iCatCare, and Eve Davies, Director at ProtectaPet.
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Weeks after council seized their dog for appearing to be a banned breed, a Belfast couple are overjoyed to have him home. Although an expert said he was a pit bull terrier type - currently outlawed in Northern Ireland - it was ruled that he could be released.
There was applause at Belfast Magistrates' Court after a judge ordered Hank's exemption from the list of banned breeds.
Owners Leonard Collins and Joanne Meadows spoke of their relief to have him back. Joanne said: "I missed him so much."
Earlier, she fought back tears after Judge Ken Nixon confirmed that the dog would not face destruction.
Hank was seized from his east Belfast home on July 14 by a team of eight police officers and four dog wardens.
The move followed a complaint from a member of the public. When officers attended, they identified the dog as a potential pit bull. It showed signs of "agitated behaviour", the court hearing was told.
Hank's owners were not present, but he was seized after a warrant was executed.
It prompted an enormous online campaign, with almost 300,000 people signing a petition to save the animal.
The pet was examined by canine behaviour expert Peter Tallack last week.
He concluded that while the dog was a pit bull terrier type and his behaviour was "boisterous", there was no evidence that he posed a threat.
In court yesterday, a lawyer for Belfast City Council applied to have Hank spared from destruction. Judge Nixon was told that the pet has already been microchipped and neutered and would be insured.
Supporters in the public gallery applauded as the judge agreed to make the order to allow Hank to be returned home.
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A sequel to animated hit The Secret Life of Pets has been given the go-ahead by Universal Pictures.
The release date for the film is scheduled for 13 July 2018.
Director Chris Renaud and writer Brian Lynch will return for the follow-up, which will be co-produced by Minions creators Illumination Entertainment.
The film, which imagines what household pets get up to when their owners are out, has made more than $400m (£310m) worldwide since being released.
It opened in June in the UK, July in the US and has just opened in China, with many more territories still to come.
Louis CK provides the voice of Max, a dog dismayed when his owner brings another pooch - voiced by Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet - home to live with them.
It is not yet known whether the two actors, or any other members of the voice cast, will return for the sequel.
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The team at Russell’s Country Store in Larbert, Stirlingshire is celebrating after winning the TopSpec retailer display competition.
TopSpec launched the promotion to highlight the benefits of feeding TopSpec AntiLam and new TopChop Zero with the best display winning tickets to Horse of the Year Show 2016, champagne and a host of other prizes.
A winner was chosen from each of the 11 regions across the UK who received a bottle of Prosecco with the overall winner chosen through a voting system on social media.
Said May Russell: “We were delighted to win the display competition the team put in a lot of effort to incorporate TopSpec AntiLam and TopChop Zero into the theme and very much enjoyed putting it all together.
“We are looking forward to our trip to the Horse of the Year Show and no doubt the champagne will go down well,”
Russell’s Country Store was established in 1986 as a farm diversification project by farmers Willie and May Russell under the name Woodside Farm Feeds based on the family farm near the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian.
The business concentrated on supplying animal feeds to the local area aiming at small farmers, pet owners and the equestrian sector.
As the business grew in 2001, the Russell’s took over another similar business in Larbert, Stirlingshire and the name Russell’s Country Store was adopted.
The larger premises allowed the company to expand into new product lines and provide a wider range. Hardware products, feed supplements, country clothing and a wide selection of equestrian goods were added.
Pictured (left to right): May Russell, Adam Ford, Suzi Law of TopSpec presenting the award and William Russell.
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 The CSJ-sponsored Wales team beat off strong competition to become top Retrievers in the Home International Team Competition at the Game Fair 2016. Team member Nigel Probert had a wonderful time, also winning not only Top Retriever but also Top Overall Gundog with his bitch Jenny. Held at Ragley Hall the team amassed 561 points - beating Ireland with 558, England with 556 and Scotland with 552 points. The winning team consisting of 3 Labrador dogs and two Labrador bitches and led by Captain Alan Rees comprised: - FTCh Jobeshill Ragnar of Flypatch - Lab D - A. Rees
- FTCh Skeviot Emerald - Lab B - S. Hagain
- FTCh Cynhinfa Laban - Lab D - M.Bettinson
- Stykes Boy Llangynidr - Lab D - H. Willmott
- Slipside Danzy Jones - Lab B - N. Probert
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