Sheffield-based retail analyst Owen Passey has seen a dramatic rise in interest in his SmartBarf dehydrated powder which can be used to supplement a raw food diet.

This week Owen explains the benefits of the product and why it has a growing fan base.

SmartBarf was developed for those raw feeders who find it difficult to prepare a sufficiently varied mix of vegetables and supplements in small quantities. It also saves time and effort for those who require large quantities on a daily basis.

How did SmartBarf come about?

Having been introduced to raw feeding in about 1990, I used to spend an evening once a month making up ready meals. This involved trips to butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers and processing my purchases in blenders, mincers and juicers.

When I got a second dog I had to carry this out every fortnight - my wife wasn't happy with the mess and I kept burning out the motors in our kitchen appliances! I was committed to including fruit and vegetables with their meats and carcasses and knew that I had to find an alternative.

I dabbled in sprouting seeds but didn't feel they added enough in the way of nutrients for the effort involved and then, in about 1995, I had my eureka moment – dehydrated ingredients.

I developed a recipe that I was happy with and which contained a good mix of different fruits and vegetables and it looked attractive as you could see the individual ingredients.

The current recipe is a powder as all raw feeders will tell you that plant matter has to be finely chopped if a dog is to absorb the nutrients. While the product was primarily for my own dogs I did start to sell bags to friends and family and even set up a web site to promote it under the name SmartBarf.

However, I had to cease production as some ingredients became unavailable and I felt the product no longer contained a good range of fruits, greens and root crops.

For a while I reverted to just a meat, bone and offal diet but couldn't shake the belief I had in the power of plants to add vital vitamins and necessary nutrients to an already good diet.

I trawled the internet, visited trade shows, spoke to people involved in food production and used the contacts I had when I worked for a speciality food ingredient company and eventually developed the current, and much improved Smartbarf recipe. Some of the ingredients are fair trade and some are used in human foods. I have to buy from a number of different suppliers and before processing them together.

My first customer was the local barf meat specialist that I was buying my meats from. They are still buying from me, and in increasingly large quantities. This gave me the confidence to set up a new website that allowed online purchases...and it only cost £100 - the only debt the "company" has had.

Things were bubbling along quite nicely and then I had a surprisingly large order, one that was too good. I spoke to the buyer and we agreed on a smaller more realistic quantity, and two months later, they placed another order, and have done so every other month since. It was their first order that necessitated, and paid for, new and larger equipment.

As demand for SmartBarf has grown, I have had to invest in new equipment and in new methods of processing in order to speed up production. All this was achieved by reinvesting the income that the hobby business was generating.

With sales to vets, breeders and retailers coming in and an invitation to a Pets at Home Innovation Day, I decided to enter a Business Competition run by our regional newspaper. The judges included a banker, the business editor and a senior officer of the Chamber of Commerce and they felt that SmartBarf showed the greatest promise. With this backing and having won a mentor for a year, I decided I had to take the business to the next level and made it a limited company during 2013.

Around this time I also developed a new website that now encompassed social networks as this is an important resource for the raw feeding community.

Since changing the packaging, we have taken on more stockists which should result in significant growth. We also have samples out with other major players in the raw feeding community.

What are is background?

I studied pharmacy in Aberdeen and this included pharmacognosy, the study of medicines derived from natural sources which clearly has similarities with the use of nutrient rich plants as a source of vitamins and minerals in food. I also had many years working for speciality chemical companies where researching new suppliers was an important requirement. More recently I have been employed as a data and forecasting analyst.

 
Is this now your full-time job?

At present, I run SmartBarf UK Ltd while employed as an analyst for a major retailer

 
How would you describe your business?

We are a one-product company manufacturing a natural multi-ingredient supplement aimed at dogs on a raw diet (barf).

Where do you sell your products?

SmartBarf is available from our own web site (www.SmartBarf.co.uk) and from a small number of retailers. We have new retailers lined up. The retailers who do best with our product are businesses (including a vets' practice) that believe whole heartedly in natural feeding methods.

Are there more products on the way?

We have an idea of where we want to take SmartBarf and it will involve developing the product.

For more information visit www.SmartBarf.co.uk

The Pet Industry Federation is to partially refresh its board of directors, after two directors – Pam Gee (above left) and Heidi Anderton –  stepped down from their positions this month.

Pam Gee is moving on after almost 15 years on the trade association’s board. As proprietor of the successful and well established Daisy Bank Kennels Cattery and Grooming centre based in Felmersham, Bedfordshire, Pam first became a director of the trade association (then called the Pet Care Trust) in 1999, and has headed up the UK Kennel and Cattery Association for many years.

Heidi Anderton, who runs Absolutely Animals, has been the Federation’s Grooming Director since 2012, chairing the British Dog Groomers’ Association.

"As PIF’s longest serving board member, Pam has been diligent and supportive," said Keith Aldis, Pet Industry Federation board chairman.

"In more recent years, her tenacious contributions to the stakeholder group which wrote the new model licence conditions for boarding dogs has ensured PIF members’ interests are represented at the core of policy making.

"We were delighted when Pam agreed to help us trial the Quality Assurance Standard for Groomers, as she was keen to help improve the safety and experience of pets in grooming salons UK wide. Daisy Bank was awarded the top four stars and is now flying the flag for the Standard in Bedfordshire.

"Pam was instrumental in the recruitment of Nigel Baker, PIF’s CEO in 2012, and been supportive of the progress he has made in restructuring the association and building stakeholder relationships to benefit the whole industry.

"Together, Pam and Heidi ran the highlight of the grooming competition calendar, the British Dog Grooming Championship, in 2013. We are very grateful to both for their hard work over the years and wish them well for the future."

Ideal Balance is an exciting new brand of canine and feline petfood from Hill’s and their biggest brand launch since Science Plan broke the mould in 1968. Until now, there has been no petfood brand which fully captures the potential of ‘natural’ while also offering advanced nutrition credentials. This is a tremendous opportunity to give your customers exactly what they want.

With Ideal Balance, there’s no need for pet owners to compromise on nutrition or their desire for fresh, natural ingredients. With fresh chicken as the first ingredient, it’s a brand that appeals to both the head and the heart and it occupies a new and exciting space in the petfood category.

Sales of natural petfood brands are growing from strength to strength, making it a trend that retailers cannot afford to ignore. And humanisation of petfoods is another strong driver: we want our pets to eat food of the same quality that we do.

Hill’s is perfectly positioned to combine this drive for high quality, wholesome and healthy ingredients with nutritional excellence that avoids nutrient deficiencies and excesses. Nutritional expertise and an ingrained rigorous approach to quality, means Ideal Balance is a brand that will deliver in every respect.

With brown rice as the main carbohydrate source, the range contains no wheat, maize or soy and ingredients like apples and flax seed feature in the nutritious recipe.  All of this and the attractive ‘fresh meat first’ proposition too!

Again picking up on humanisation of petfoods as a major influence on consumers’ purchasing habits, Ideal Balance ‘No Grain’ dry is a show-stopping option within the range. As well as being the ideal choice for pets with individual dietary requirements, ‘No Grain’ will resonate with consumers that demand cereal-free recipes. 

So if Hill’s has hit the shoppers’ sweet spot with fresh meat first, naturals, no grain and three flavours in the canned product, how excited should retailer be about the profit potential? Priced to reflect a high-end premium proposition, Ideal Balance* starts at £4.99 for 700 gram Canine dry (or £5.49 for the ‘No Grain’ option) and £3.89 for 300 gram Feline dry (£4.29 for No Grain). 

Avoid the rush and take advantage of your ‘heard it first status’: pre-order by calling Barry (01923 814539) or Helen (01923 814596) in our telesales team.

*Retail selling prices are recommendations only and there is no obligation on the customer/retailer to comply with these recommendations

The sad plight of many thousands of pet rabbits given up to rescue each year, often within a few short months after Easter, has been revealed by Make Mine Chocolate! UK in one of the largest UK-wide survey of rabbits entering rescue ever carried out.

“Around 60% of all rabbits entering rescue in the UK have been owned for less than a year." reported campaign spokesperson Jo Wills. “This just goes to show how ill-prepared for a long term commitment many owners are when they decide to get a rabbit.

"With approximately 67,000 rabbits passing through rescues each year according to recent Rabbit Welfare Association figures, we estimate that around 42,000 rabbits annually have a home for less than a year before being given up to rescue. Clearly this is very wrong, and something has to change.”

The pet trade can do much to help improve rabbit welfare this Easter, and Make Mine Chocolate! is urging all pet retailers to join this years’ Easter Rabbit Sale Amnesty, and suspend the sale of rabbits during the Easter holidays.

“We are asking all pet shops to get involved this Easter, and we’ve already received a great deal of interest. However great or small an individual shops’ rabbit welfare activities are this Easter, the overall effect can be massive across the entire retail sector,” said Jo.

The 2014 customers message, ‘Get Wise to Rabbit Welfare’ is designed to help customers learn about the needs of a pet rabbit before they commit to buy, and the message to the trade is to ‘Be Wise to Rabbit Welfare’ and help educate customers so the number of rabbits being given up to rescue can be reduced.

“Many customers do not appreciate that rabbits don’t actually make a good pet for children, or appreciate that they can be very expensive to care for and need a carefully controlled diet and healthcare by a rabbit specialist vet. The point of purchase is the last opportunity to educate before the rabbit is bought and then subject to a short life of misery, set free to face almost certain death, or given up to rescue," said Jo.

“It actually makes great business sense to ensure a customer obtains the right pet; their owners tend to spend more to help ensure a happy and healthy life, and the pet often has a longer life span. So everyone wins – including the rabbit,” concluded Jo.

The Make Mine Chocolate! Rabbit Welfare campaign has put together a list of activities that shops can adopt and get involved with this year’s Rabbit Welfare Easter campaign, including:

• Suspend the sale of rabbits during Easter
• Hold a cooling off period before the rabbit is taken to the new home
• Provide a detailed questionnaire covering accommodation, diet and health care for completion before a sale can take place (available free of charge from Make Mine Chocolate! Rabbit Welfare)
• Increase the price of rabbits to help deter impulse purchases
• Remove rabbits from the public pet areas for the Easter period
• Provide handouts covering all the key factors new owners need to consider before purchase (available free of charge from Make Mine Chocolate! Rabbit Welfare)
• Invite local rescue groups to hold events in-store through the Easter holidays.
• Provide toy or chocolate rabbits for those not yet ready to commit!

There’s still time to get involved this Easter so get in touch with Make Mine Chocolate! For further details visit www.MakeMineChocolate.org.uk or email info@makeminechocolate.org.uk 

Pets at Home has launched a new retail chain for dogs offering grooming services and a range of accessories.

The dogs-only store is called Barkers and the first shop has opened in Wilmslow in Cheshire.

Dogs are now more popular than cats in the UK and Barkers is designed to capitalise on consumers desire to splash out on their pet.

Barkers will offer a food hall, accessory shop and dog spa. It will also sell bespoke bedding and a range of grooming services, including massages.

Peter Pritchard, commercial director of Pets, said: “Our objective was to create the best dog shop in the world and I think we’ve done it.

"This is different from any store we have created before, with an environment which is for discerning dogs and the people who love them.

"We’ve had a really warm welcome from the dog owners of Wilmslow and while it’s very early days, we’re excited by the potential of the brand.”

Pets at Home was floated on the stock market in early March with a valuation of just over £1.2bn.

The company says it will monitor the success of the Barkers store before deciding whether to open further sites. The Wilmslow stores includes interactive toys, running fresh water and sensory zones so dogs and their owners are encouraged to spend time in the shop.

Visit barkersfordogs.com for more information.

There’s now a revolutionary and fun way for owners to treat their dogs, with the new Coachies Lick Treat from The Company of Animals.

Ideal for fun-packed walks and perfectly sized to fit in a pocket, the Coachies Lick Treat is a lickable version of the much-loved original Coachies Training Treats. It’s so simple to use – you simply shake the bottle, remove the lid and get the dog to lick the roller ball.

When licked, the rollerball releases the 100% natural flavour of either chicken or bacon for a low calorie treat. With 500 licks per bottle and only one calorie per eight licks the Coachies Lick Treat is not only a healthy way to reward a pooch but is also great value for money!

Perfect for reward-based training, once sealed it can’t be smelt – helping owners avoid a pocket full of smelly and broken up treats and nosey dogs poking around in their pockets. The 100% natural ingredients include chicken, brewer’s yeast, glucose and green tea extract so there are no nasty surprises, and owners can treat away without worrying about weight gain.

They retail at £4.99 and are available to order now.

Coachies Training Treats: For those who prefer traditional treats, Coachies Training Treats use high quality, natural ingredients and are oven baked to lock in nutrition and flavour. They have no artificial colours, flavours or added sugars and are the healthiest way to train your dog. Treats available in the range include: 

Puppy Training Treats: These treats can be fed from eight weeks old and have added calcium for healthy teeth and bones. Natural yoghurt on chicken provides the perfect tasty reward which is ideal for a puppy’s sensitive tummy. Coachies Puppy Training Treats are available in 75g or 200g bags and retail at £1.19 and £2.69 respectively.

Adult Training Treats: These treats are supplemented with vitamins, minerals and calcium, making treat time truly healthy. They are made with beef, chicken and lamb for added variety and excitement, keeping dogs motivated during training.  Coachies Adult Training Treats are available in 75g or 200g bags and retail at £1.19 and £2.69 respectively. 

Natural Training Treats: These treats are wheat free and packed with added omega 3 & 6. Preserved with natural antioxidants and plant extracts to support a healthy immune system. Rice and oats are a substitute for the wheat flower used in the other varieties of Coachies. Chicken with yoghurt makes the perfect natural treat for all dogs, even those with wheat allergies or sensitive stomachs.  Coachies Natural Training Treats are available in 75g or 200g bags and retail at £1.50 and £3.49 respectively.

For more information visit www.companyofanimals.co.uk

Natures Menu is set to wow visitors to Interzoo in Germany at the end of May with a traditional English-looking stand.

Among its natural peaceful grassy meadow look and quaint vintage picnic theme will nestle samples of the company's range of new products, allowing retailers to discover the value and benefits of the raw diet as well as how easy, fun and commercially brilliant the diet can be.

Visitors can also discover Natures Menu's range of natural cans and pouches created to be as close to the raw diet as possible. All the cans and pouches are literally filled raw and gently steamed only once.

Their new award winning Country Hunter range of products has been created from traditional English country meats of venison, rabbit, duck and salmon. Products such as complete and balanced ready-made raw meals and meaty 600gram size wholesome cans offer consumers something new and nourishing for their pet, and they give retailers great margin opportunities.

The new gently baked Oaty mixer has also been a huge hit in UK pet stores this year and is set to be just as popular at Interzoo. Oats have great nutritional properties for dogs, including calming B vitamins and magnesium. They are also easy for dogs to digest and can be served to support a raw diet.

For further information call 0800 018 3770 or visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk

Pooch & Mutt has launched a human version of its ‘Digestion & Wind’ dog treat, the company announced on Tuesday (April Fool's Day).

Owner Guy Blaskey said: "Since the dog was first domesticated by humans, up to 20,000 years ago, we have not only used them as hunting partners, protectors and companions, we have also let them take them blame when we have accidentally ‘let one go’.

"For millennia dogs have suffered and been humiliated as the scapegoats for our flatulent faux pas. However this trend has been diminishing over the last year, as more and more dog owners turn to Pooch & Mutt’s ‘Digestion & Wind’ dog treats – ethical, natural, wheat-free, low calorie, baked treats that help stop your pooch from parping.

"Until now there has been no similar solution for humans, other than ‘sticking a cork in it’, but Pooch & Mutt have now rectified this with their new ‘Digestion & Wind for Humans’.

"Pooch & Mutt are hoping to have these available soon from their usual stockists including Waitrose, Pets at Home and the best vets and pet stores."

When asked by Pet Trade Xtra whether this product was for real, Guy refused to confirm or deny it was an April Fool's Day ruse. We'll let you make up your mind.

"The charities are really pleased, it was a brilliant promotion for Kong to do, and I know they are all really grateful."

Just For Pets in Tallow Hill, Worcester, gave its allocation of toys to Ombersley-based PUPS (Protection of Unwanted Puppies Society).

Store manager Mark Ross said the store had supported the charity for 10 years. "We supply food and Shelia Tremellen, who runs the charity, regularly shops with us so it is great to see her finding homes for unwanted puppies."

Shelia Tremellen said: "I am extremely grateful to the Kong manufacturers because they really are such wonderful toys and are totally indestructible. They are safe for me to give to puppies to play with - you haven't got to worry about eyes coming out or the puppies eating the stuffing."

Pictured: Jessica Garwood-Gowers from Just for Pets, store manager Mark Ross and Sheila Tremellen with Staffordshire bull terrier puppies Sally and Snowy. (Photo: Worcester News).

The 2014 awards are now open for entries in all seven categories, which are:

 1)     UK Pet Retailer of the Year

2)     International Retailer of the Year

3)     Supplier of the Year

4)     Wholesaler of the Year

5)     Pet Product Innovation of the Year

6)     Pet Product Exporter of the Year

7)     Lifetime Achievement Award

Entry for the awards is completely free of charge and companies or persons can enter as many categories as they wish.  Nominations need to be emailed to pat@petquip.com by 30th June 2014.  Nominations can come directly from the entrant or be submitted by another party.  The application needs to provide full contact details of the entrant and stipulate which category they wish to enter.  Applications need to include brief information on the reason for the entry and why the particular product, company or person qualifies for an award.  On receipt of an entry, PetQuip will forward a simple form for the entrant to complete that will provide entry information for the judges.  The form will be accompanied by the Terms and Conditions.

The entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges during August and the winners will be announced at the PetQuip Awards Party on 14 September 2014, which is being staged in association with Impact Exhibitions, the organiser of PATS Harrogate.

Pat Flynn commented: ‘”PATS has proved to be a fantastic trade show for the industry, and our awards are intended to recognise  some of the major achievements of the past season, whilst also bring an element of fun to the event.  We have been fortunate to recruit The Rockits, the resident band from the Cavern Club in Liverpool, to provide the entertainment at the event, which is being held in the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.  The Rockits are a fantastic group, and their performance at a recent industry event resulted in eight encores!”

Further information on these prestigious awards, details of how to enter and the booking form to secure Early Bird Discount tickets for the awards and party night are available from Pat Flynn on telephone (+44) 07778 313623 or e-mail:  pat@petquip.com; or from the PetQuip secretariat on 01959 565995 or e-mail: info@petquip.com 

Companies wishing to explore the commercial and publicity opportunities available in sponsoring an award should contact Pat Flynn.

Pictured: Jo Lapidge of Litter Kwitter receives the Exporter of the Year gold award from Amanda Sizer Barrett, PetQuip’s director general at last year’s awards.

With still over five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Harrogate is set to be another ‘sell out’ event with 86% of stand space already booked.

It will be the third successive year that PATS Harrogate takes place on a Sunday and Monday in September, and already 122 exhibitors have confirmed they will be attending.

Organiser Annie Dyke said: “This year we’re finding that companies have wanted to book their Harrogate stands early to avoid disappointment. A number of exhibitors have told us they’ve signed up because of the success they had at Sandown in March. The feedback we received was tremendous and it just proves the pet industry is right behind the PATS exhibitions.”

The feeling of optimism in the pet trade is summed up by Catrina Evans for Dog Rocks, who says: “There was a real buzz throughout the exhibition halls at Sandown. PATS is THE place to meet retailers, who are my bread and butter. I love meeting and speaking to them, and this is the best show to do that. I know it’s five months away but I can’t wait for Harrogate.”

And for Suzanne Rothman of Pet Munchies, the response she gets from visitors to PATS gets better with every show. “This year’s Sandown exceeded all my expectations. If that trend continues at Harrogate in September, then I will be very happy,” she says.

Meanwhile Charlotte Nash, of Precious Pets London, admits: “PATS has been fantastic for building awareness of our brand and for establishing new business relationships. We couldn't have asked for more from the show or its organisers, and we’re confident that will continue at Harrogate.”

An increasing number of companies are recognising PATS as an essential place to showcase their product ranges and services, and the Harrogate showpiece will see a host of new exhibitors.

Bartholomews Agri Food Ltd will join other newcomers Silver Pet Prints, Countryside Products, Scanbio Marine and AmPet Products at PATS Harrogate on September 14-15.

“Bartholomews are looking forward to exhibiting at PATS this year because it’s an ideal opportunity to meet customers old and new,” said Michelle Baker. “We will be showing our established range of ‘Colonels’ Bird Food and are also excited to be launching our new Pre Packed Wild Bird Food.”

Silver Pet Prints, a company which enables owners to capture their pets’ paw prints in fine silver, will use the Harrogate show to introduce their products to pet retailers and vets. “We learned about PATS by reputation because a few people said it was a really good show. So we felt it was the ideal opportunity to showcase our services there,” explains the company’s Amy Hobson.

The Sunday opening day has also become a firm favourite with exhibitors, and Colin Rodger from Bern Pet Food says: “For many independent retailers it is the only day they can get away to visit a show. And the September date gives us a great advantage – the opportunity to launch new products during the autumn. Last year some of our southern customers travelled to Harrogate especially to see us for that reason, as well as many retailers from the north of England.”

Last year’s PATS Harrogate attracted 1,969 visitors, which was an 8.6% increase on the 2012 show.

PATS Harrogate will also be full of popular visitor features, including the New Products Showcase and Awards, a full programme of free seminars, and the Grooming Workshop.

For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk

Ceva Animal Health has launched a series of Adaptil puppy training films to educate dog owners on new puppy ownership, from purchasing through to training.

The three films, which are available to view in the puppy section of the Adaptil website - www.adaptil.co.uk - are presented by the leading dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith and senior veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, Sarah Endersby. 

Covering a variety of interesting topics the films, which range in length from 5 to 25 minutes, are entitled ‘How to pick the right puppy’, ‘General healthcare of your puppy’ and a ‘Practical guide to basic training with your puppy’.

The first film - ‘How to pick the right puppy’ - features information on how to look for a puppy using adoption centres and Kennel Club registered breeders and the considerations to take into account when choosing a dog.  These include how much exercise different breeds require, grooming (for example would an owner like a long or short haired dog) and whether a particular breed of dog is good with children.  The first film also advises new dog owners on preparing a home for a new puppy and the equipment that they may wish to buy.

Covering the general healthcare of a puppy once it is home, the second film – ‘General healthcare of your puppy’ – consists of information on how to settle a puppy when it is brought home and how to choose puppy classes.  It also features details on vaccinations, keeping control of fleas and worms and diet, together with educating dog owners about toilet training their new pet and the importance of socialisation and habituation.

With guidance on basic puppy training, the third film – a ‘Practical guide to basic training with your puppy’ - features practical demonstrations on how to start training a puppy including teaching a dog to sit, go down, recall and walk on a lead.  It also advises owners on what to look for in a puppy class and the importance of training a puppy in a variety of locations, not just at home.

“The puppy training films are ideal tools for animal health professionals to utilise to help educate puppy owners on every aspect of new puppy ownership,” comments Emma Jackson, Adaptil product manager at Ceva Animal Health.  “They can even be embedded into your own website via YouTube.”

To view the films visit www.adaptil.co.uk.

All 33 of Best Friends Veterinary Group’s practices are participating in the Dogs Trust’s Microchipping Through Vets Scheme and will be offering free microchipping to all dogs for the next 12 months.

Any dog owner can contact these vets to have their dog chipped for free. Implantation takes just a few moments and is done using a special type of syringe to place the microchip, which is smaller than a grain of rice, under the loose skin of a dog’s neck.

Microchipping of dogs is set to become compulsory in England from April 2016, so this is a great opportunity for anyone with a non-microchipped dog to get it done for free, ensuring that should they be parted with their dog at any point, they can be reunited as quickly as possible.

Elvira Meucci-Lyons, Head of Campaigns & Community at Dogs Trust, explains: “Last year 111,986 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by Local Authorities across the UK, with only 40% reunited with their owners. We hope this initiative will help to reduce the number of dogs put to sleep in council pounds because their owners cannot be traced. We are therefore delighted that so many Vets in the Peterborough area have joined the Microchipping Through Vets Campaign.”

Pets can go missing for a many reasons; they can become scared by fireworks, thunderstorms and even road works invoking their animal fight or flight instincts, they can be injured and not be able to get home, or simply wander too far from home and get lost.

If microchipped vets and local authorities can quickly identify a pet’s owner and return the pet home with least stress to the animal caused. When pets are not microchipped they usually end up in a re-homing centre or worse, as due to a lack of space some centres are forced with the heartbreaking reality of having to put healthy animals to sleep, and no pet lover ever wants that.

For more information visit http://www.bestfriendsgroup.com

Irish company Seahorse Atlantic, who have gained great success with their seaweed nutrition for animals and pets, are now branching out into the gardening market with the launch of  Kelp Care Organic Plant Food.

The company was founded by zoologist and marine biologist Sarah O'Sullivan. Kelp Care products are scientifically proven but 100% natural and formulated from different species of kelp and seaweed.

Kelp Care Olant Food Sprinkles for plants are 100% certified organic seaweed harvested in the purest of the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Ireland. The product has been scientifically proven for increasing:

• Crop yield (fruit of up to 47%)
• Microbial activity in the soil
• Resistance to pests and frost
• Ideal NPK ratio
• Contain natural plant growth hormones

Kelp Care Organic Plant Food has been launched with one of Irelands leading garden centres 'The Pavilion' in Cork. The Pavilion Garden Centre specialises in ornamental and specimen trees and shrubs which are sourced from specialist nurseries across Europe. The team includes six horticulturalists, including celebrity gardener Peter Dowdall and landscape architect Alan Wildes.

For more information visit the website www.seahorseatlantic.ie or send an email to info@seahorseatlantic.ie

The owners of Davies Tropicals pet shop in Middlewich, Cheshire, have decided to retire from the business after 37 years so they can go travelling.

Ken Davies, 66, who ran the shop with his wife Shirley, 65, said: "We have enjoyed our time here very much, and overall it has been very successful. We’ve met many people and built up some great relationships.

“We would like to thank our customers over the years for being loyal to us and I hope they continue coming to the shop and after we’ve gone.”

The shop will remain open with the couple’s understudy Genna Bennett taking over the reins.

Genna, who has worked in the shop for seven years, will be taking on the manager role at the shop and with her business knowledge, Ken is confident she will do well for the shop.

Ken added: “We have been successful but I think Genna will be able to do better. I hope she does and goes on to increase trade.

“I’m sure she will love running the shop and I hope she does enjoy it just as much as we did."

Ken added: “I’m looking forward to retirement now and we intend to travel around the world to see places we haven’t seen before and revisit the ones we have enjoyed in the past, like Scandinavia.”

Pictured: Ken and Shirley Davies with new manager Genna Bennett (centre).

Scotts has announced that it is no longer in negotiations to join forces with Solus Garden & Leisure, whose brands include Bermuda aquatic products.

The proposed deal announced earlier this year, will now not go ahead.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Managing Director, Martin Breddy, said: “Our distribution agreement with Solus has expired. Stock is available via Decco, Stax or Scotts. Customers should contact a Scotts representative to agree new arrangements that suit them best. Our single-minded focus is on delivering outstanding service to all our customers for the balance of the 2014 season.”

Martin told Pet Trade Xtra: "The Scotts sales team are in contact with our customers to ensure continued supply of all products."

The statement from Scotts went on to say:  "No further stock will be dispatched to Solus. No further Growing Media orders will be invoiced by Solus."

Solus Garden and Leisure issued a statement late on Wednesday afternoon saying that "regretfully" it was no longer in negotiations to join forces with the Scotts Company (UK) Ltd.

Solus CEO Mark Pearson said: “We are disappointed that our discussions with Scotts have not been fruitful but remain positive about the future of the company.

"The Board and the Shareholders are pursuing a number of other options for the business and we will communicate our plans in due course.’’

Growing demand for pet grooming has spurred a businesswoman to take on a former Hertfordshire pet shop.

Sarah Allen, 45, has taken her pet grooming business out of her home and into Buntingford High Street, in the former Animal Attraction unit.

It all began after the Buntingford resident, whose business is named Sarah Allen Grooming, tried to book her King Charles spaniel in for some grooming, only to find there was a three-month waiting list.

Sarah said: “I have always loved animals and for a while I wanted to be a vet but didn’t think re-training for years at university would be a good idea.

“When I couldn’t get my dog a booking I thought, why not start my own dog grooming business?”

Having worked for years in marketing, Sarah said she was interested in doing something different which would get her out of office work.

She has been running the business from her home since January last year.

Sarah said: “Things really took off by September and since the start of the year I’ve been looking for a permanent place to set up shop."

If things go well, Sarah said she was planning to provide work experience and possibly an apprenticeship for youngsters in the town.

The American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association have announced that Global Pet Expo 2014 was a huge success, reporting record-breaking numbers in exhibitors, buyer and media attendance and total booths sold.

Experiencing an increase in growth on all fronts, the 10th Annual Show featured 5,597 buyers in attendance, a 5% increase over last year, more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 985 exhibitors and 2,896 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers to date.

Total show attendance came to nearly 14,000 people, with 289,600 square footage of exhibit space. To put those numbers in perspective, Global Pet Expo ranks  No. 72 in size out of the 10,000 shows that take place annually in the US.

"Over the past several years hosting this show in Orlando, our numbers have consistently grown at an impressive rate," said Andrew Darmohraj, APPA executive vice president. "So it was fitting that our 10th Annual Global Pet Expo once again demonstrated record-breaking numbers across the board. It was the perfect time to announce that Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center will be the official home to our show until 2019."

On a truly global front, 16% of exhibitors were international, making up 156 of the 985 exhibitors. An impressive 27% of buyers were from outside of the US, coming from 76 countries – another clear indication that Global Pet Expo has once again proved itself as a key trading opportunity for companies from around the world.

The Pet Industry Federation has announced the dates of two forthcoming workshops on Companion Animal Nutrition:

• Monday 19 May 2014 - Bridgwater College, Somerset
• Monday 7 July 2014 - Sheffield College, Sheffield

The Companion Animal Nutrition seminar has been developed for pet retailers and any pet specialists interested in pet nutrition and will be delivered by independent nutrition expert, John Murray.

The course content comprises:

• Basic nutrition (nutrient groups, balance, digestability, palatability)
• Understanding pet foods (commercial pet food comparisons, special diets, calculating feed costs)
• Feeding dogs, cats and rabbits (lifestage, lifestyle, body condition score, energy requirements)
• Question and answer session

The nutrition course costs £75 to members and £100 to non-members and includes comprehensive course notes, lunch and refreshments, Pet Industry Federation branded certificate of attendance and an exclusive £60 discount on membership registration for attendees joining the Federation on the day.

Further details about the course are available on the Federation’s website at www.petfederation.co.uk, where you can also book your place. You can also call 01234 273933.

A foul-mouthed parrot has been kicked out of a Notcutts garden centre's pet store after customers complained she was turning the air blue with a string of rude words.

Ruby the African Grey was put on display at the Notcutts Garden Centre in Ashton, Greater Manchester - but came under fire for her non-stop swearing, which staff say is getting much worse.

They have had to remove Ruby from the shop floor for fears her profane language could offend more customers or be picked up by children.

All is not lost, however - as they are hoping to re-educate Ruby with a more polite vocabulary and return her to public display so she can find a loving home.

A spokesman for Notcutts said: "We decided to remove her from the centre after receiving a number of complaints about her repeating rude words, and her content was getting much worse.

"We've no idea where she's learned it from, but we felt it would be best to take her off the shop floor.

"It's a very funny incident, but hopefully Ruby can soon return."

For more information contact info@hollings.uk.com

An increase in demand for the Sneyd’s Wonderdog range as well as their small animal feeds has led to the appointment of Simon Le Jeune to the company’s sales department.

John Sneyd (Chairman) said: “This is the first of a number of announcements we will make in the near future. We developed a two year expansion plan during Q4 last year and have started a substantial investment in the business to enable our strategy to come to fruition during 2014/2015.”

Phil Judson (Managing Director) commented: “We are delighted to be in such a good business position and furthermore to have Simon joining our team. He has spent the last two years gaining new product sales experience in the Pet Food Industry. In addition, his track record selling new products to a wide range of trade marketplaces, presents us with a perfect fit for our desire to look after our existing loyal and other potential customers.”

Simon Le Jeune admitted: “Opportunities to work for a family business with such integrity, values and principles are rare. Sneyd’s expansion plans are the most exciting I have seen for quite a while and I am delighted to have the chance to play a part in their implementation. The team at Sneyd’s is second to none and they have made me more welcome than any company I have ever worked for in the past.”

Sneyd’s is a family owned and operated company incorporating three generations of the same family and over 30 years experience in producing pet food products. We continue to maintain our values of delivering a high quality product priced well under the national average for equivalent feeds. By investing in the latest equipment we have been able to keep pace with the leading manufactures while providing you a superior quality product.

For more information visit www.wonderdog.co.uk

The Pet Show 2014 has announced two more sponsorship deals ahead of the UK’s largest family pet event, which is to take place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on August 2 and 3, 2014.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Pet Show, leading pet food manufacturers Burgess Excel return as the sponsors of The Hutch & Run, an area dedicated to small animals of all breeds including rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

Bacteria-busting disinfectant Zoflora, which in 2012 celebrated 90 years of home hygiene, will be sponsoring the Cat Breed Village where visitors will be able to meet over 25 different types of cats from around the world.

Visitors to the Zoflora stand will also be able to pick up a free sample of the disinfectant and enter an amazing competition to win a year’s free professional cleaning service from MOLLY MAID.

Carly Jackson, director of The Pet Show, said: “We are thrilled that Burgess Excel are returning to sponsor The Hutch & Run after such a successful event last year.

“We are also delighted to welcome on board Zoflora to the Pet Show family.

“Our first show attracted over 200 exhibitors, a wide range of animal and pet charities and over 17,000 visitors. We are looking to build on that to make The Pet Show 2014 an even bigger opportunity for our commercial partners and an even more dynamic show for our visitors and guests.”

For more information on The Pet Show 2014, or to buy tickets, head to www.thepetshow.co.uk

One company to come up with a natural formula for treating ticks and fleas in both cats and dogs is Petzlife.

Tickz is an herbal pet tick and flea treatment which does not contain any chemical insecticides and is safe for dogs of all ages and cats.

It is particularly ideal for pets or owners who are allergic to chemical sprays. You simply sprinkle on the animal’s moist food twice a day for five days and you can protect your pet for up to 2-3 months. It takes effect in as little as 5-10 days and dosage can be repeated if needed. The product comes in convenient 113 g  (4oz) sized plastic containers.

This special formula contains active herbal ingredients such as Larrea mexicana, Syzigium (Chapparel Leaf) Aromatica, Berberis aquifolium (Oregon Grape Root) Quassia amara, Picrasma (Quassia) Excels Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) Urtica capitata and Thymus (Thyme) Vulgarus which have been safely used over many years for the treatment of parasites.

For further information on this product visit: www.petzlife.co.uk or telephone 0208 424 2701 or 0794 975 4791. 

Following consultation with the Tibetan Terrier breed health coordinator, on behalf of the breed clubs, the Kennel Club has approved two new official DNA testing schemes for progressive retinal atrophy in this breed – PRA 3 and  PRA (rcd-4).

The PRA 3 DNA test is offered by the Animal Health Trust (www.aht.org.uk) and PRA (rcd-4) test is offered by the AHT, Laboklin (www.laboklin.co.uk) and OptiGen (www.optigen.com). Further details can be obtained directly from them.

Copies of all future test certificate results issued by these laboratories will be sent directly to the Kennel Club, where the test result will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the test result in the next available Breed Records Supplement. The result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog and on the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also on the Health Test Results Finder on the Kennel Club website.  Results for dogs already tested can also be recorded, but owners will need to submit copies of the DNA certificates themselves.

If the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge.  Please send any DNA test certificates to Health & Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, 1 – 5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB or scan and email copies of the certificates to hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.

The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs. The Kennel Club is happy to accommodate a club's request to add a new DNA test to its lists and would normally need a formal request from the breed's health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs.

More than half of UK MEPs have been contacted about the #handsofmyhobby campaign in its first month, the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) estimates.

OATA called on those working in the ornamental fish industry and hobbyists who love their aquariums to write to their local MEP in the run-up to the European elections, which happen on 22 May in the UK. Other pet-keeping groups, from reptiles to birds, also followed suit.

Through emails and posts on OATA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, the trade association has collated information about people’s activities to estimate that 39 MEPs could have been contacted so far.

But with just seven weeks to go until the European elections, OATA’s chief executive Keith Davenport says it’s vital to keep up the pressure on MEPs after two more signed the Eurogroup for Animals’ pledge.

So far, the industry body has seen the replies of 12 MEPs which show a mix of responses. Those who have signed the Eurogroup for Animals Votes for Animal pledge, which includes a call to work towards a ban on the import of wild caught and exotic species, are standing by their signature, although some acknowledge that they did not think it would cover fish. Other MEPs have confirmed they will not be signing the pledge.

“By our estimates, it looks as if nearly 40 of the 73 UK MEPs have had some kind of correspondence from hobbyists or people working in the industry which is fantastic and we have to say thanks for such a speedy and supportive response to our campaign,” said OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

“But the more the merrier, so if you feel strongly about this and haven’t been in touch with your MEP yet please take some time to drop them an email because we need to keep up the pressure. The more constituents that contact them – particularly as they campaign for your vote in the May elections – the more impact this campaign will have.

“It’s vital we raise awareness about what it means to sign up to this Eurogroup for Animals pledge. Its inclusion of ‘exotic species’ is particularly worrying. Many popular aquarium fish – such as guppies, clownfish and even goldfish – are captive bred. But we’re concerned that might not ‘save’ them for the provisions of this pledge because they’d still be classed as ‘exotic’ since they’re not native to Europe.

“It’s been interesting to see the responses of MEPs who’ve signed the pledge because it doesn’t look as if they all realise how it could affect ornamental fish. We’ve even seen one response that went on about African lions. But we’re really keen to build up a full picture of what MEPs are saying so if you’d had a response please email it to us at info@ornamentalfish.org.” 

The responses received so far have been captured in a document that can be read here http://www.ornamentalfish.org/what-meps-are-saying-about-handsoffmyhobby-campaign 

The trade association will also be writing to all UK MEPs explaining its position.

With the largest dog library and collection of dog paintings in Europe and a history that spans more than 140 years, the Kennel Club can rival London’s most popular museums and is offering free tours to all dog lovers.

The Kennel Club has occupied 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, for 140 years but due to redevelopment work in the area it will be moving to another site next year, so this is one of the last chances to see the Club’s long-standing home.

The Kennel Club is offering free guided tours to members of the public, breed clubs and canine societies. Anyone who is interested in finding out all about the Kennel Club, how it started, its growth and its continuing efforts to improve the health and welfare of millions of dogs in the UK is welcome.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity of viewing the world famous Keddell Memorial Trophy, awarded to Crufts Best in Show, and the famous painting ‘A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society’ by Sir Edwin Landseer, that is currently on loan to the Kennel Club from the Tate. They will also be invited to peruse the world’s biggest canine library.

The Kennel Club Art Gallery’s current exhibition, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier and its Ancestors, which runs until 20th June can be seen as part of the tour.

Ciara Farrell, Kennel Club Library and Collections Manager, said: “As the largest of their kind in Europe, the Kennel Club’s art and library collections are a must see for any dog lover. We have a famous painting on loan from the Tate, the famed Crufts Best in Show trophy and regularly changing art exhibitions.

"The tours that the Kennel Club runs offer a fascinating insight into the history of the Club and all of the work it does that impacts on the future of dogs. Any dog lover or lover of art wanting to come on one of the pre-arranged group tours, a private tour or who wants to see the library and gallery should get in touch.”

All tour places must be booked in advance. Private group tours are available on request for a small charge of £5 per person, or open tours will take place free of charge on the following dates:

• April 10
• April 23
• May 7
• May 16
• June 4
• June 19

If you would like to attend one of the tours, contact the Kennel Club on 020 7518 1064 or email artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk. For more information visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/artgallery

Denplan, the dental payment plan specialist, has extended its reach into the pet insurance market with the acquisition of pet health plan provider Practice Plan for Vets.

The acquisition of Practice Plan for Vets has been made though Simplyhealth, which  acquired Denplan itself just over two years ago.

Denplan already currently owns the Pet Health Plans brand covering 30,000 animals across the UK and the acquisition of Practice Plan for Vets, the current market leader among independent vet practices, adds an additional 68,000 pets to that sum.

A spokesman for Denplan said that there would be a strategic review of both business operations over the next six months. However, both brands are likely be operated out of Denplan’s offices in Winchester “when the time is right”, he said.

Steve Gates, managing director of Denplan, said he was “especially pleased” to note that not only has the dental side of the organisation continued to grow under Simplyhealth’s ownership, but it is now able to invest and expand further into new markets. 

He said: “As Denplan is flourishing within Simplyhealth we are delighted to acquire Practice Plan for Vets as this greatly strengthens the support we offer to healthcare professionals in the veterinary marketplace. This acquisition will also give us both huge opportunities, in time, to explore some exciting new offerings and enhancements to meet growing demand.”

Simplyhealth CEO Romana Abdin said: “At Simplyhealth we look for opportunities to expand into areas where we have the expertise and experience to add value and enhance our services.”

The half-yearly survey from the Shop and Display Equipment Association reveals there is tangible evidence of a positive upwards climb within the retail display industry.

The survey found that 57% of respondents benefited from an increase in sales during the second half of 2013 compared with the first half of the year, while a further 24% registered similar results.

Many shopfitting and display companies expect to do more business in the second half of the year, so the survey also compared sales with the same period the previous year. These figures too were encouraging with 43% of respondents reporting increased sales year on year and a further 33% indicating no change. The average increase reported was 18.6%.

The future too looks promising. Over 50% of respondents expect sales to increase during the next six months and the figure rises to 76% for the long range, 12-month forecast.

Other indicators, such as employment, also suggest high levels of confidence.  19% of respondents had taken on additional employees during the last six months and some 52% said they expected to take on more staff over the next six months.

“There has been a real turn around with genuine growth of 26 per cent compared with our last six monthly survey and 18% growth year on year," said SDEA Director Lawrence Cutler.

“Overall, these figures reveal a degree of business confidence not witnessed in the UK shopfittings and display industry for several years."