To find out about our latest news, peruse the summary below. To find out more about any item, click on the link provided.
Search for news
Supreme Petfoods is helping to drive up sales of small animal products by backing an educational TV programme, supported by a TV advertising campaign.
Leading dry pet food manufacturer Wagg is sponsoring a student at Liverpool University through her veterinary science degree.
Verm-X for Garden Birds is the latest addition to the avian range, designed to meet the growing demand for caring for garden wildlife using only herbal ingredients.
The Company of Animals is looking to focus on its core products following the elimination of the FURminator brand from its range this month.
Britain’s 26 million pet owners now spend £14.9 billion a year on the care and welfare of their animals, an average of £11.04 each week.
Trixie is introducing two new treat lines in its popular soft snack range.
The deadline is approaching for pet food companies to comply with new marketing rules introduced in September last year.
The Dumfries & Galloway Canine Rescue has won a valuable donation of £500 from UK pet insurance provider Petplan for the second time after being the first -charity to win this donation six years ago.
This year’s Crufts, the last to be sponsored by DFS, was the second largest visitor event at the National Exhibition Centre so far this year, with 138,000 visitors and 28,000 dogs attending over the four days and millions tuning in to watch on television.
CEVA Animal Health has launched a new Cat Stress iPhone App to help measure the stress levels of cats.
Abbey has announced it will now be known as ‘Abbey England Ltd’ and the change is accompanied with a new logo and soon to follow, an innovative new website.
Wild bird care foods and accessories supplier Walter Harrisons has launched a new range of merchandising solutions.
British businesses ended the last financial year stronger than they started it, according to the latest Business Insolvency Index from Experian.
Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition range has been expanded with the launch of Maltese 24 for adult Maltese Terriers.
A man and woman were collared after a theft from an Egham pet shop last week.
PATS Harrogate will next year be held in September, and the two-day trade show will open on Sunday, September 16.
After a hard-fought campaign, KC Dog, the Kennel Club’s campaign to protect and promote dog owners’ rights, has welcomed a decision by Natural England to overturn a five-year long dog ban on Gittisham Hill, Devon.
A pet shop owner has pleaded guilty to more than 30 offences, and has been warned he could face jail.
The Quiet Kennel is a “doghouse” with a difference – soundproofed walls and a triple-glazed polycarbonate door mean it cancels out 85 per cent of all noise.
Police in Surrey are appealing to pet shops to be on the lookout after two separate thefts of exotic animals from Beaver Water World in Tatsfield.
Muppet, a cocker spaniel who brings peace and calm to sick children at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, has been chosen as Pets As Therapy’s HiLife PAT Dog of the Year 20010/11.
Barbara Stanier of Thetford, Norfolk, could never have dreamed that her 18 beloved dogs could eat their way to a cash fortune, winning her £5,000 after she found a golden ticket in their bag of Supadog Beef Casserole.
Sharples N Grant has brought out new fun carriers for small pets, from hamsters to cats.
Mars Petcare has introduced Marine Stewardship Council-endorsed pet food products in UK stores. Selected packs from Mars’ Sheba and Whiskas lines are now MSC-certified, offering consumers a choice of more sustainable pet food products for the first time.
Scottish pet store chain Acorn Pets has entered administration for the second time in less than two years, with the loss of more than 120 jobs.
Move over Aleksandr Meerkat because two outspoken new characters have just hit cyber-space.
Hilton Herbs, a leading UK manufacturer of herbal and complementary healthcare products for animals, will soon be launching a range of herbal supplements formulated specifically for cats.
BETA has updated its Guide to Riding Holidays in Great Britain – a glossy, A5 publication containing key contacts and information needed for booking an equestrian holiday.
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two peregrine falcons were poisoned with a banned pesticide in Motherwell.
There are those pet-lovers for whom a cat is too conventional and a mutt simply too mundane. But it appears they wouldn’t turn up their nose at a skunk!
Performance dog food expert Alpha Feeds has launched new 3kg size bags in its Alpha Sporting Puppy and Alpha Sensitive varieties.
Dogs barking through the night, cats using the lawn as their personal toilet and finding the garden has been dug up are just some of the annoyances caused by rogue pets, according to a new survey.
Cats Protection is urgently calling for compulsory microchipping of all pet cats after figures released last month reveal that only a quarter of the UK’s eight million cats are microchipped.
KONG Genius, the company’s newest interactive treat-dispensing dog toy, is available in two interlinking shapes – Leo and Mike – designed to stimulate a dog’s curiosity and hold their attention.
More and more people are contacting The Blue Cross because they have to give up their horse or pony, figures have revealed.
Lintbells, the Hertfordshire-based company behind some of the leading natural health products for dogs, is celebrating being short-listed for a regional business award.
Sharples n Grant has added six new types of cat scratcher to its existing range.
The 15th China International Pet Show (CIPS’11) is to be held on November 16-19 at the Guangzhou China Import & Export Fair Pazhou Complex.
Pet crematorium CPC has launched a conducted funeral service, performed by an accredited celebrant from the British Humanist Association, to provide its veterinary practice clients with a further option for their bereaved customers.
The Blue Cross is urging people not to abandon their animals in the street after seeing a spate of dumped cats and dogs in just one week.
Nylabone has relaunched its extensive range of dog and puppy chews with new packaging.
The Garden Centre Group is launching pet shops at 30 of its outlets nationwide this month.
Nurtured Pets has added two new products to its range.
Nine UK animal charities are benefiting from Almo Nature’s Love Food campaign, sharing 18,668 free meals, helping them to care for abused or abandoned pets.
The owner of a Canadian pet grooming business has adopted a puppy that was dropped off for a bath and a nail clipping, and never picked up.
The Blue Cross has received £25,000 from Support Adoption For Pets, a charity established and supported by Pets at Home.
Pet Trade Solutions is reporting a large number of ‘top level’ sales people seeking positions in the pet industry.
Molar has added a new product to its PlaqueOff range of pet feed supplements.
A Dogs Trust re-homing centre in Telford has received a surprise donation of £25,000 from retailer Pets at Home towards a new puppy block. Roden, one of the Dogs Trust's oldest centres, is undergoing a £5m re-build.
Eighty-five per cent of employees who have dogs would like to be able to take them to work.
A teenage burglar allegedly poisoned three goldfish in a house he broke into because, according to the police, he ‘didn’t want to leave any witnesses’.
Police have arrested three people on suspicion of stealing a snake from an aqauatics and reptile shop in the Midlands.
In celebration of reaching 4,000 fans on facebook, Pooch & Mutt has launched a competition with a wide range of pet and equine prizes.
David Cameron and his helpers are set to travel around the UK to find out how happy we are as a nation. The Prime Minister’s Big Idea is the National Happiness Index, which will gauge the nation’s fluctuating mood year by year.
Groomers Limited has launched its ultimate online encyclopaedia containing all of the essential dog breed information groomers and dog owners need, as well as everything from grooming tips to puppy care and nutrition advice to training guidelines.
As a nation of pet lovers, we all know that the unconditional love of our furry friends is more than enough return on the investment to keep them happy and healthy.
The Kennel Club has announced a selection of dates in 2011 when visitors will have the opportunity to take a tour of its head office in London’s Piccadilly and its extensive art collection.
Debbie Connolly, dog behaviourist and star of BBC’s Dog Borstal aims to offer straight talking advice on avoiding buying your puppy from dealers, puppy farmers and backyard breeders with the launch of her new book, Better Dog Behaviour.
Dolittle Pet and Aquatic Superstore, in Wolverhampton, has invested in a new system from global information technology services company Episys to produce point-of-sale signage quickly across the store, to save the retailer both time and money.
Royal Canin is the Platinum sponsor for this year’s National Pet Month, held from April 2-May 2. Also joining the team for another year is the veterinary chain Companion Care Vets.
Top-selling dog care brand Pedigree has launched a ‘playful’ new campaign to tackle gum disease in dogs.
Collarways, distributor of the Zogoflex interactive range of dog toys, has launched a limited edition in pink and lilac, including the new Mini Zisc and Mini Hurley for toy breeds and small puppies.
Global animal nutrition business the Provimi Group has reached agreement to sell its pet food activities, Provimi Pet Food (PPF), to private equity firm Advent International for an enterprise value of €188m.
The Whistler ball is now available in the UK from Mines for Pets. This Chuckit speciality ball whistles in the air, which is made naturally in flight due to the internal moulding of the rubber.
Three halls of Harrogate’s International Centre were populated by an enthusiastic pet trade yesterday as the UK’s dedicated pet trade show made its annual visit to the much-loved northern town.
UK-based dog grooming franchise operation Dial A Dog Wash has revolutionised Irish pet grooming by making micro-chipping available to all pet owners at an affordable cost.
Supreme Products has introduced a product for applying the final touches before entering the equestrian show ring or arena.
Reports that the prevalence of ticks in dogs in Great Britain is higher than expected is a timely reminder of the vital importance of tick treatment in pets, the British Veterinary Association says.
Owners of working dogs are being offered the chance to help keep both their working animals and family pets healthy with a special discount offer on vaccination to ease strains on household bills during the economic downturn.
Dengie is running a Total Laminitis Care (TLC) campaign to increase awareness of all the products in the Dengie range that are suitable for horses and ponies that are prone to the condition.
News that the Welsh Assembly Government will not be carrying forward legislation within this term to tighten controls on dog breeding and bring to an end the practice of puppy farming has been met with grave disappointment by the British Veterinary Association.
Digital mapping expert Memory-Map has launched a new, free-to-use route planning and sharing website, which it says it ideal for dog walkers.
Veterinary group Vets4Pets has partnered with NCI Insurance Services to launch a new pet insurance product through its practices.
Leicestershire-based Darian Lifestyle has launched the first range of pet products under its own Pets love-it! brand.
Natural feeding pioneer Anglian Meat Products is celebrating its 30th birthday this year by encouraging more pet owners embrace raw food.
New research has shown that, when given the choice, cats will consistently select food that is nutritionally similar to their natural prey, such as mice and birds.
Wagg Foods is giving away 150,000 rope dog toys worth a whopping £500,000, with every ‘big bag’ sold.
A new company is looking to set up partnerships with pet retailers to sell non-prescription veterinary products.
No grooming range is complete without a flea shampoo to keep these common pests out of a pet’s coat. Johnson’s Veterinary Products is one of only a couple of manufacturers in the UK with a fully (VMD) licensed insecticidal flea-killing shampoo available on general sales.
A prolific burglar has been blamed for the closure of a long-running family business after targeting it twice in just a few weeks.
The Companion range by Battles showcases over 175 years experience in animal care, with a range of skilfully formulated products using only the finest ingredients for the day-to-day care of your canine.
Monkfield Nutrition has been appointed as the official distribution partner for the Australian-based brand for everything reptilian Reptile One.
Essex-based pet and aquatics wholesaler Harlings has ceased trading. The company went into liquidation on February 22, after ‘financial difficulties’.
The millionaire owner of London’s Pet Pavilion has been fined after his dog bit a jogger on the bottom.
Aesculap has announced a spring promotion for its Favorita range of clippers, which runs from March 1 to May 31.
MARS Petcare has added Duck flavour to its Dreamies range. This means Dreamies crunchy squares with soft centres are now available in five flavours: Beef, Cheese, Chicken and Salmon and now, Duck.
The traditional PATS buzz began soon after the show opened; and the pet trade was busy, busy, busy!
Kennel Club figures for dfs Crufts, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, revealed that over 21,400 dogs competed at the NEC, Birmingham, over the four days from March 10-13. The Golden Retriever was the most well represented breed at the show with 491 dogs and bitches, beating the Labrador Retriever into the top spot after its entry dropped from 507 to 481.
Staff at a grooming salon were gutted when thieves stole a nearly-full charity collection tin from their premises. However, determined not to let the charity down, they are now organising a sponsored walk up Snowdon!
Burglars ram-raided a retail outlet and returned later the same night to set it alight.
With about 4,400 trade visitors from 51 countries, spoga, the International Trade Fair for Equestrian Sports, increased its visitor figures by seven per cent on last year.
A new initiative from PATS organisers actively encourages PATS exhibitors to show off! The Activity Point is a product demonstration area that has been created to give PATS’ visitors additional opportunities to see a selection of the show’s products in action.
Pet retail chain Pets Corner, which currently operates 62 stores, plans to open a further 20 a year to bring its total to 200 UK outlets.
Robert and Jill Angell have been appointed to develop the Pet and Vet Division of Byotrol Technology Plc.
Robinson Animal Healthcare have more than 140 Seasonal Mud Kits to equine charities to support them in their battle with mud fever over the winter months.
A Labour Party spokesman is supporting The Blue Cross in pushing for government action on animal welfare.
Herbs can play a valuable role, alone or alongside conventional medicine, holistic vet Nick Thompson told delegates at the annual AHDA conference.
The JW Pet Company has introduced six new lines into its Natural Rubber Dog Toy Range, including the Arachnoid Ball which won the Best In Show Award at Global Pet Expo in Florida last year.
Two animal charities have each been given £500 by insurer Petplan.
Burgess Pet Care and the University of Edinburgh have launched a joint initiative to understand the true benefits of correct nutrition for rabbits, in what marks the start of a long-term relationship to raise the profile and health of the UK’s third most popular pet.
A pet retailer is to close this month after trading for nearly 50 years in Basildon town centre. Ray Hyland, owner of Aquatic and Pet Shop, in Southernhay, attributed the closure to a massive rent hike (up £5,000 to £25,000), fewer customers, the recession and Internet shopping.
Interquell has appointed Happy Dog Toys Ltd as its sole wholesale distribution partner in the UK.
Jackie McLean and Alison Brady of Southside Pets in Cardonald, Glasgow, have won a new laptop computer courtesy of Petplan.
Politicians, councils and groups campaigning for the rights of dog owners during 2010 were celebrated in London’s Mayfair at a prize-giving ceremony to honour the winners of the annual KC Dog Awards 2011.
Burgess Pet Care has signed up as sponsor of the Discover Small Furries section of the London Pet Show, which takes place at Olympia in London on May 7-8.
Aesculap has announced a spring promotion for its Favorita range of clippers, which runs from March 1 to May 31.
The Kennel Club has repeated its call for the Dangerous Dogs Act to be repealed in the wake of the BBC Wales X-Ray programme covering the rise in dog attacks in the principality.
Interpet has relaunched its website – interpet.co.uk.
CASCO Europe has completed its latest aquatic shopfitting installation in Halle Saale, Germany.
Beaphar has recalled a Cat Spot on product that repels fleas, and has placed advertisements today (March 11) in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and Daily Express.
dfs Crufts opens today at the NEC, Birmingham, with more than 21,000 dogs entered.
Hatchwell’s Easter Eggs will be in new packaging this year and now include a carob and peppermint easter egg for horses!
Poultry enthusiasts and sisters, Rosie (10) and Olivia (12) Parsons were delighted at the National Poultry Show when their Gold Partridge Dutch Bantams won ‘Best Pair in Show’.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a pet shop in Gateshead, Tyne and Weir.
With a combination of biodegradable ingredients, including natural bacterial cultures and fermentation extracts, BUST-IT Pet Stain & Odour Buster is specially formulated to remove nasty pet stains and odours from all types of surfaces.
Healthy Paws has launched a Game and Millet complete food for adult dogs.
Banks and mobile phone companies are planning to have payment by mobile phone facilities available in a large number of London stores by 2012. They see the Olympics as the perfect event to publicise the new technology and expect it to be fully available across Europe by 2015.
The Blue Cross Bromsgrove adoption centre is celebrating its silver jubilee after 25 years of helping needy pets. The centre admitted its first homeless cat in May 1986 and the first dog that June.
Burgess Pet Care has appointed Richard Rocket as new brand manager for its Supadog, Supacat and Lifelong brands.
BETA International 2011 has been declared an overwhelming success, with 4,839 visitors arriving at the show – 400 more than last year!
Abbey has welcomed another member of the family to the team.
Following a highly successful and incredibly popular Barley & Molasses Free Range Trial, Allen & Page has picked the winners.
A nationwide initiative by Natural Parasite Control company Verm-X will see five lucky winners each receiving a share of £5,000.
Whiskas Simply has won the Product of the Year Award 2011. The award follows a phenomenal first year for WHISKAS Simply that saw it become the biggest grocery launch of 2010 and deliver an impressive £36.5m retail sales volume.
With more than three billion ‘apps’ downloaded to date, online pet superstore K9 Capers thought it was time there was one for pets. So the West Sussex-based company developed an app to fill this gap!
After a year of development, award-winning pet food manufacturer ORIJEN has unveiled its new 80.20 formula dried pet food, with 80 per cent meat content. The food is available throughout the UK and Ireland, via independent pet retailers and on line.
The Blue Cross is putting portly ponies through their paces as a new study suggests half of all horses in Britain could be overweight.
The High Street is facing the greatest challenge for survival in its history, say experts.
Thieves have stolen a large amount of dog and cat food from a Norfolk pet shop.
BARF diet specialist Natural Instinct has introduced a new premium range, Country Banquet, to its raw food recipes for dogs.
A businessman has incurred the wrath of his local council for taking his pet micro pig to work.
Anyone working with animals in the south-west is urged to take part in research launched by Lantra and VETNET Lifelong Learning Network South West.
The BBC has been accused of ‘outrageous scaremongering’ about the impact of public spending cuts after commissioning a documentary in which a street has all its council services taken away.
Alpha Feeds were in force at Crufts showcasing its range of performance dog foods for the first time at this premier event. The 10-strong range includes food for all dogs whether resting, training or competing.
Cats Protection is urging all veterinary practices to sign up to a new online register to help people find a local veterinary practice that carries out neutering at four months of age or earlier.
After the success of Town & Country Petfoods’ new HiLife Potty about... cat food range last year, the company is now launching two new HiLife Potty about... single varieties – Tuna in Jelly, and with Chicken & Beef.
A change of venue from Baltimore, a new midweek format, the return of major manufacturers and distributors and a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash and a new Mercedes are all in store at H.H. Backer’s 23rd Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show.
SAI Global is set to carry out 278 Retailer Quality Assurance audits for the UK’s largest pet retailer, Pets at Home, over the next 12 months.
AAK has introduced a new range of nutritional oil-based supplements for dogs. The new range includes Fullolife Pure Cod Liver Oil, High Strength Joint Care, Calmer and Skin & Coat.
Pooch & Mutt founder Guy Blaskey has been awarded membership of the Courvoisier Future 500 – a group of the 500 most pioneering entrepreneurs in the UK.
Two UK feed companies have joined forces to produce a new complete dog food.
In announcing the PetQuip programme of initiatives for 2011, the association’s director general, Amanda Sizer Barrett, welcomed the UK government’s support for British exporters.
Copdock Mill, the East Anglia-based wholesaler and manufacturer of pet and animal products, has launched a new wild bird product.
A virus has killed millions of crickets raised to feed pet reptiles and zoo animals, putting some producers out of business and disrupting supplies to pet shops across North America.
This year will see a country-wide roll-out of the UK’s first all-species veterinary thermal imaging service, which quickly pinpoints where an animal is in pain, limiting distress and offering lower costs to owners.
3P Enterprise, distributor of the Petmate and Maelson brands, makes it debut at BETA, which opened yesterday.
Suffolk-based animal bedding manufacturer SmartBedz has appointed Nigel Bateson to the role of sales and marketing manager.
Businesses dealing with their own accounting and tax will have to go digital between now and 2013.
Combine comfort with style in a way only Touchdog by Mikki knows how with the all new Puppy bed, a brand new addition to the range which has been specifically to provide pups with the ultimate haven to sleep in.
The Verm-X smallholder range has gained approval for use in organic systems after assessment by Organic Farmers & Growers.
For 30 years, the Animal Care College has been providing sound advice for enthusiasts and professional qualifications for employees and entrepreneurs who want to run their own businesses on the basis of sound information, respected qualifications and accredited specialist courses.
Following the appointment of Gemma Duffield as Royal Canin retail, professional and breeder marketing manager last summer, the team has now been further strengthened with the addition of Amy Nicholls as executive in the marketing team.
Kennel Club entry figures for dfs Crufts reveal that 21,422 dogs will be competing at the NEC, Birmingham, from March 10-13.
Royal Canin’s latest addition to the Size Health Nutrition range, Dermacomfort, is designed to help dogs through ‘minor’ problems such as dry or irritated skin, itching, dandruff or a coat that is too dry or too oily.
More than than three-quarters of employees have stolen from their place of work, according to a new survey.
Val Lewis’s best-seller, Ships’ Cats in War and Peace, has been revised and expanded for 2010 with more than 20 additional stories and illustrations.
The British Veterinary Association has welcomed the tightening up of sales of veterinary medicines on the internet – and is warning pet owners to buy only from British companies.
Small and medium-sized enterprises that carry out research and development will find it easier to claim additional tax relief, thanks to a relaxation in the rules for claiming R&D tax credits.
The 44th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference in Chicago attracted 8,794 registered buyers from more than 2,570 firms.
Worcestershire-based natural pet food business Fish4Dogs has made four new appointments to strengthen its sales and show team.
Spring Things has launched a new canine massage rug.
Saddle pads manufacturer PolyPads has acquired tack company Libbys.
A Plymouth pet shop worker has become the proud owner of a new pink bike, thanks to her skills in selling flea products.
Jayne Burgess, of Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, has won a spa break for four people to Champneys, thanks to Petplan.
In the largest study of its type yet, a newly-published survey has identified a number of clinical conditions in cats and dogs that may be ‘promising targets’ for future research in veterinary homeopathy.
Feliway will be back on TV this spring with its ‘That Purple Cat’ advert appearing on major UK channels from February 14 until 27 March, in addition to a campaign across the London Underground.
Aquatic manufacturer Eheim was chosen to supply the external filter for a state-of-the-art aquarium for a German hospital.
Crufts is on TV again this spring on More4, with Clare Balding at the helm. The channel is extending its coverage of the dfs-sponsored event to two hours each night, from March 10-13.
Pet Brands has relaunched its Chocoholic Bar, with a new recipe, packaging facelift and branded shelf-ready box.
New research from pet insurer Petplan reveals that Britain is a nation of genuine canine and feline Einstein’s with over 40 per cent of people claiming they own a clever pet and a further five per cent branding their animal a ‘genius’.
The Kennel Club has announced with ‘considerable regret’ that it will now be unable to host the European Agility Championships in 2012 and has had to withdraw its bid to do so.
Hygiene specialist Addicare is offering a new concept – a completely free, fully-stocked POS stand, designed specifically for pet retailers, that Addicare will keep on filling.
Hagen has launched a pressurised CO2 system that’s as cool as it is effective.
Cats Protection is seeking feline tales for its 2011 writing competition, the winner of which will be published in the charity’s magazine, The Cat.
The year has got off to a dynamic start for PetSafe owner Radio Systems Corporation (RSC) with the acquisition of Finnish radio frequency technology company Tracker Oy (Tracker Ltd).
Clothing items including trousers, waistcoats and hats made from the fur of cats and dogs are being offered on China’s largest retail website, sparking outrage among animal lovers.
Lintbells, home to the Yumove and Yumega health supplements for pets, has launched into the human market with joint supplement iMove.
Pathfinder Dogs, the Lanarkshire-based charity that trains German shepherds as guide dogs for blind people, has raised more than £2,300 through a unique fundraising scheme.
Supreme Petfoods has held the price of its Original Gerty Guinea Pig muesli mix and Science Selective monocomponent guinea pig foods, despite January’s VAT increase.
Two UK feed companies have joined forces to produce a new complete dog food.
A quarter of small businesses had to close during the severe weather and heavy snowfall, many for at least five days, costing the majority up to £5,000.
Trixie has brought out a specialist range of dog bowls called the Slow Feed.
The RSPCA is helping young people at risk of being convicted of animal cruelty to break the chain with new resources designed for youth offending teams.
Cranswick Pet Products, the company behind the Nature’s Feast brand, is running a campaign to drive awareness and increase wild bird food sales this month.
Royal Canin MD Jean-Lin Pelatan rubbed shoulders with royalty and the rich and famous at the annual Hearing Dogs Awards Dinner in London – but the star was life-changing Hearing Dog of the Year Thommie and his owner, Tony Richards.
Kayleigh Ashford, from Pets at Home, has become one of the first in the pet trade to receive a new award for outstanding students who have gained qualifications via distance learning.
This Valentine’s Day, national charity Canine Partners is promoting its Adopt a Puppy scheme as a long-lasting gift. The scheme, supported by Purina PetCare, costs £1 a week and helps the charity provide highly-trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities.
The Chinese city of Beijing is considering a one-dog policy, according to a report in China Daily newspaper.
After reading in our June issue about a Lancashire pet shop collecting toys and treats for the British Army’s sniffer dogs in Afghanistan, Beryl Romano set about raising money for further gifts.
Interpet’s Mikki Pro Nail File has been designed to remove thin layers of nail, leaving a smooth and finished edge for that perfect pedicure. It gives a dog salon-style results in the comfort of the home.
Every 30 seconds, a member of the public calls the RSPCA for advice on animal welfare or to report an incident of cruelty or neglect.
Will Delamore has joined Roger Skinner Ltd as sales & marketing director.
The Blue Cross has seen a staggering 86 per cent rise in the number of banned breeds being treated at its animal hospitals and clinics in the last five years, new figures reveal.
New research from UK pet insurer Petplan suggests that a quarter of owners would call their vet a ‘good friend’. These results suggest that, after police, doctors and fire-fighters, vets could be the unofficial fourth emergency service in times of dire need.
Wagg Foods has launched a dog gravy product as an accompaniment to complete dry dog food.
From April 2-May 2, National Pet Month will be encouraging people to get happy and healthy spending time with their pets with its theme of Happiness is…time with your pet.
A burglar raided a pet store and escaped with exotic birds and animals worth £8,500.
The Company of Animals has released a new counter display unit for the fast-selling Pet Head range of shampoos.
Nature’s Feast, from Cranswick Pet Products, has developed its extensive range to include 100g Mealworms available in a new compact pouch packet.
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has launched a campaign on responsible pet ownership, and is urging retailers to help publicise this among customers.
A new range of small animal habitats under the Petville brand from the JW Pet Company is now available in the UK.
Groomers Ltd has launched its products on to home shopping television channel Ideal World in its Animal Bargains programme.
Six dogs that had been walked on the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk died from a mystery illness, new research has found. The Newmarket-based Animal Health Trust was asked by the Sandringham Estate to investigate the cases.
BETA International is offering visiting SQPs the opportunity to gain CPD points at this year's show. They can gain a maximum of 20 points at an AMTRA-accredited seminar hosted by main sponsor Virbac Animal Health.
Danish Design Pet Products is supporting the charity Help For Heroes with a new range of dog beds.
Pet owners in the village of Stogursey, in the Quantock Hills of Somerset, are being warned after dozens of pets – chiefly cats – have died after apparently being poisoned.
Mobile dog grooming giant Dial A Dog Wash is in the process of expanding its franchise operations in France and Greece. The company, which has over 130 franchisees across the UK and Ireland, has appointed Dave Caddy as development director.
Help for Heroes has been named as the chosen charity for BETA International 2011 – the UK trade exhibition for the equestrian, pet products and country clothing sectors.
GA Pet Food Partners, the UK’s largest super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, has made two key appointments to strengthen its nutrition team.
A mobile pet groomer has provided free grooming for rescue dogs at an American rescue centre in a bid to attract potential owners.
Sales of the organic Quistel range of dog grooming products are up 20 per cent and have grown so well that not only has owner Tracey Peake had to locate larger premises in Swinton, she has also had to hire two more staff.
Wood Green’s stray and abandoned cats can now enjoy a natural diet thanks to Natures Menu.
Beaphar UK has launched its own facebook page – and every 1,000th person that signs up will receive a luxury pet hamper.
More than 60 pythons and three lizards worth £45,000 have been stolen from a reptile shop in Kent. Non-poisonous royal python snakes, each worth up to £2,500, and rare Kimberley Rock monitor lizards, worth around £500 each, were among the 66 creatures taken in the raid.
Florist Debbie Wilding jumped out of her skin as she unpacked a box of exotic flowers and came face to face with a tiny frog. What she didn’t realise was that it was one of the deadliest creatures on the planet.
It was perhaps only a matter of time before Dyson switched its attention from vacuuming pet hairs on furniture and carpets to the dog itself.
Evolution Aqua has appointed Freddie White, formerly with PPI (Hikari), as its key account manager for the south of England.
DeZynaDog’s successful ‘Grooming for a Living’ seminar in November came close to being cancelled several times, revealed business partner Carole Flatt following the news in August that her daughter Mandy had been diagnosed with multiple brain tumours.
Pet behaviour specialist Debbie Connolly, who appeared in the first series of the BBC3 show Dog Borstal and Britain's Most Embarrassing Pets, has agreed to endorse a the new pet cleaning product range, 2Pure Pet Fresh, from 2Pure Products based in the North East of England.
Three cute and stylish scratching boards have been added to the extensive Trixie cat scratching range.
The Kennel Club is calling for people who are highly experienced in all aspects of the dog world to help it to make a difference for dogs, and to raise the quality of dog breeding, by joining the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme’s team of Regional Breeder Advisors.
Tetra is launching a promotion to support new goldfish owners and in the process reward retailers – making life just a little bit easier!
Horse owners are beginning to loosen their belts, with fewer cutting back on equestrian goods and services. Thirty-seven per cent say that they are spending less, compared with 63 per cent in June last year.
The Pet Care Trade Association is planning a programme of education events for 2011/12 and is running an on-line survey to establish the trade’s needs.
Harrods has in association with John Paul Pet opened what a spokesman refers to as the “ultimate personal pet grooming service” in the shape of The Pet Spa.
Almo Nature is donating 10 per cent of its entire sales from this month until March to help feed animals in shelters throughout the UK.
Next year’s PATS will see the launch of ‘The Grooming Point’, an extended area devoted to all things grooming. At both Sandown and Harrogate venues, members of award-winning Groom Team England will demonstrate their expertise – with a few creative surprises up their sleeves! And exhibitors have been invited to enter products in a new showcase which has a pure grooming focus.
TV vet Joe Inglis, founder of the Campaign for Real Pet Food, has launched a range of super-premium dry foods and supplements for dogs and cats under his own brand, Vet’s Kitchen.
Malaysia is aiming to be the world's top exporter of ornamental fish by 2015, said Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.
Pet products specialist Group55 has moved to a new purpose-built office and warehouse.
Fish4Dogs has appointed Fiona Chandler as show and breeder club manager.
SureFlap – the first multi-format microchip cat flap – has been awarded the Coup de Coeur prize at the Franco British Business Awards for its ‘technological flair’.
An online pet retailer in Tyne and Wear has launched an own-brand pet food as it looks to double sales to £10m in the next two years. Within 12 days of its launch, three tonnes of Milburns pet food were sold.
Company of Animals has introduced a new eco-friendly dog toy in time for Christmas.
Taiwan distributor Nedtex Co visited GWF Nutrition in Wiltshire as part of a European tour of suppliers.
MPM Products has been ranked 32 in the FastTrack Survey of the 100 fastest-growing UK private companies, sponsored by the Sunday Times.
Supermarket chain Morrisons has launched pet food packaging alerting shoppers to the ideal portion size their dogs and cats should be eating. The grocery retailer has also relaunched its own-label cat food.
Two major pet product exhibitions that present export opportunities for British firms are highlights of the PetQuip association’s programme of initiatives for next year.
GA Pet Food Partners, the UK’s largest super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, has been awarded a Green Oscar in the Lancashire Business Environment Awards 2010.
Retailer John Lewis has changed its Christmas TV ad after complaints that it glamorises neglect of dogs. In the ad, a boy is seen hanging up a stocking on his deerhound’s kennel in the wind and snow.
Denes Natural Pet Care Ltd has launched two new cat foods in packaging new to the UK pet food market. The foods are packed in 80g cups in a pack of four break-off cups.
A burglar stole more than £12,000 from a pet shop and then tried to cover up the fact it was an inside job.
Up to 200 pet stores are at risk of ‘immediate failure’, according to a new report on the UK pet accessories market.
Armitage Pet Care was recently featured on BBC East Midlands news thanks to the popularity of its Space Hopper toy for dogs, which the news reader introduced as the year’s must-have toy.
Pets at Home is planning to open new format stores to enable it to have a presence in EVERY UK catchment area.
Jill Angell has left Fish4Dogs, the family pet food firm she started with husband Robert.
The Pet Care Trade Association is warning members to look out for an e-mail scam.
The Company of Animals has used its 30 years’ experience to expand its Clix range, which includes the Two-Tone Whistle, Retriever, Pro-Train Treat Bag and Handsfree.
Behavioural issues were cited as the top ailment listed in a new survey of common ailments of the horse by the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Online National Research Panel.
A Plymouth veterinary charity has launched an appeal to help raise £1.6 million to build a new pet hospital. The PDSA wants to build a new centre to replace cramped conditions in Durnford Street after a surge in demand for its services.
Planit Products has become the first British exhibitor to win the Horse Innovation Award at Spoga, the international equestrian trade show in Germany.
A new independent pet store came up against the might of Tesco in a row over its shop sign.
Visitors to the Burns Pet Nutrition website (www.burnspet.co.uk) have jumped more than 35 per cent after the holistic pet food manufacturer worked with Coleg Sir Gâr, one of the largest further education colleges in Wales.
A new range of dog crates, covers and mats the Comfort Collection, has been launched under the Animal Instincts brand, available exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale.
The Company of Animals donated 500 bottles of its homeopathic remedy for noise fear – Anxiety TFNL – to the Mayhew Animal Home in London in the run-up to Bonfire Night.
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has launched a campaign on responsible pet ownership, and is urging retailers to help publicise this among customers.
Nearly one in five traders have committed some kind of offence with regards to the trade in Annex A reptiles. The figure came to light after a two-month global operation codenamed ‘Operation Ramp’, co-ordinated by INTERPOL.
A mystery illness that has killed several dogs in Norfolk and Nottinghamshire is being investigated by the Animal Health Trust.
Nestle SA, the world’s largest food company, expects pet food sales to surpass US$1 billion (£625 million) in Latin America next year.
Alison Sherwood Bruce became the British Equestrian Trade Association’s first female chairperson at BETA’s AGM last month. She joins executive director Claire Williams and president Jane Holderness Roddam in BETA’s top three roles
Leading one-way trip pallet pool specialist IPP Logipal has added fast growing Wagg Foods to its diverse and expanding client portfolio.
Pets Choice has welcomed two new employees to help with new product development and marketing at the company’s head office in Blackburn, Lancashire.
M&S Money and Healthy Pets were the only companies to gain the prestigious new Intelligent Choice Award for Customer Satisfaction in the pet insurance sector.
Laura Renwick , who is sponsored by Robinson Animal Healthcare, has been crowned HOYS Leading Show Jumper of the Year after producing a superb double clear on Oz de Breve. The eight-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by David Perry, was last to jump and made light work of the 1m 60cm course in just 47.59 seconds.
Research at a UK university reveals there is an element of truth in the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’.
Staff from the Pets Choice head office in Blackburn have raised almost £5,000 for cahrity by taking part in Newcastle’s Great North Run.
The TopLife Formula range of pet milks is now available to the independent pet trade through wholesalers Vital Pet Products, R&B in Manchester and High Ridge Products in Middlesborough.
Pet crematorium group CPC has launched a new public website.
Glee Petindex event director Nick Davison has revealed his plans to grow Glee Petindex in size and appeal, and said he recognised that there is still a lot of work to be done to strengthen Petindex’s proposition as the national annual showcase for the pet care industry.
Wagg Foods, Britain’s leading independent manufacturer of complete dry dog food, has appointed a new international sales manager.
AMTRA has revealed a list of dates for seminars next year to help SQPs who still need to accrue points in order to retain their qualification.
Underworld Products is using the Critters Choice Play N Chew toys for hamsters, gerbils and mice to raise awareness of the importance of pet interaction and cage enrichment.
James Wellbeloved is running its first mass market sampling campaign, handing out 50,000 individual portion samples of its dog and cat food range.
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for donations of cat food to its Angus, Fife and Tayside Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, at Petterden, Dundee.
Petindex is to be moved into the heart of Glee, within Hall 5, next year. Organisers said the move will help drive further cross-over footfall and sales opportunities from garden centre buyers.
Rosewood Pet products predicts that its latest dog toy range – The Peperami Animal collection –will “fly off shelves”.
LANTRA’s industry partnership manager Lisa Jarvis was recognised with two awards for her outstanding contribution to the veterinary nursing industry at the 37th British Veterinary Nursing Associations (BVNA) Annual Congress in Kettering last month.
Trading standards officers across the country have received complaints from people who have bought exotic birds in response to Internet or newspaper ads, only to have the birds die soon after arrival.
Phil Armstrong has been appointed distribution supervisor at seed and grain supplier H G Gladwell & Sons, based at Copdock, near Ipswich.
A Worldwide operation co-ordinated by INTERPOL and involving 51 countries across all five continents against the illegal trade in reptiles and amphibians has resulted in arrests worldwide and the seizure of thousands of animals as well as of products worth more than 25 million Euros.
Pet stores and wholesalers across the country have been targeted in a series of raids by police and Defra officials searching for illegal tortoises. The raids, which have been described as “heavy handed and unnecessary” by industry experts, are the latest in an escalating crackdown on the sale of tortoises in the UK.
BARF dog food diet specialists Natural Instinct has thrown its support behind the Labrador Lifeline Trust by offering to feed a dog while it is being fostered through the Trust until it has found a permanent home.
A 36-year-old Carlisle on-line ‘pet shop’ owner has been given a 24-week jail term suspended for two years for the illegal trade of endangered tortoises.
A new collection of bath/pamper accessories is available from Trixie. The range of eight items includes a microfiber towel, two types of drying glove, a travel towel with net bag, a scarf towel, a shampoo and massage brush and even a doggy bathrobe!
The latest Meet the Buyer business matchmaking event, organised by the PetQuip federation, will bring together British suppliers of pet and garden products and key export buyers from Estonia, Romania, Slovenia and the Netherlands. It is to be held this Wednesday, November 24, at the PetQuip offices in Brasted, Kent.
Cats gain more fat mass when fed excess dry food than eating wet food in excess. This is the finding of a study by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, released last month (September) at the Waltham International Nutritional Sciences Symposium (WINSS) at the Guildhall, Cambridge.
The National Office of Animal Health is once again launching its national Pet Factor competition – and is asking for help from the trade.
The UK’s aquatic and water gardening trade is throwing its weight behind the second prong of an attack on invasive plants.
PATS 2011 will offer a new benefit to time-pressed retail visitors to Esher and Harrogate – the opportunity to meet with exhibitors in the evening on the opening day of each show.
The Company of Animals, is launching a range of futuristic dog coats made from a self-cleaning material.
James Wellbeloved is offering a range of on-pack gifts with dog, cat and ferret foods in the run-up to Christmas.
Petsafe has launched into Asia, retailing direct to the consumer and through leading pet stores throughout Japan.
Royal Canin is running a national celebratory Week of the Cat campaign from November 13-20, culminating in the Supreme Cat Show at the NEC on November 20.
Kent police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a pet shop in October.
In a competition exclusive to pbwnews website readers, the world’s no. 1 manufacturer of dog leads flexi from Germany is giving away five prizes comprising products from its latest FASHION design range.
Online retailer Petplanet.co.uk achieved sales of over £6.5m in the year to September 2010 and has consistently delivered 50 per cent year-on-year growth, according to figures released this month.
Zany pop star Lady Gaga is well known for keeping her audiences guessing and now her feline namesake, a kitten from Macclesfield, has won a nationwide competition thanks to his own love of mischief!
The Margaret Green Animal Rescue, in Wareham, Dorset, has won a £500 donation from pet insurance provider Petplan.
To help keep horses and ponies bright, safe and seen, PolyPads has introduced a range of high visibility products.
Horse & Hound has reported that hay and straw merchants are warning that this winter could be the leanest in 25 years and supplies of 2009’s hay have all but sold out.
Paul Morgan has joined on-line retailer EquestrianClearance.com as sales manager.
Animal Airways has established a new division focusing on pet owners’ need for professional veterinary guidance.
Lily’s Kitchen has launched an organic dog biscuit as a special night-time treat.
Pedigree Wholesale, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of pet and aquatic products to the independent retail sector, has appointed Derek Powell as account manager, working across central southern England.
CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of the veterinary behaviour products DAP and Feliway, has appointed Gordon Gow as national retail account manager to further develop business relationships with retailers.
US brand Chuckit has taken a fresh look at the basic ball to produce the Wheelie – a ball with ‘wheels’ built into the mould during manufacturing.
Five rare turtles have been re-homed at Bristol Zoo Gardens after being confiscated from smugglers by customs officials.
Delamere Dairy, the Cheshire-based specialist dairy company, is adding to its range of TopLife Formula pet milks by launching a complete cat food, TopLife Chicken Dinner.
A fisheries college in the Indian state of Kerala has announced that it has bred a transgenic fish variety that glows in the dark, with the intention of eventually supplying the ornamental trade.
Walter Harrisons is helping to enthuse the next generation of naturalists with a donation to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
The Budgerigar Society is to stage two Early Season Events, which will include a show, meetings, a sale and a social weekend for members – one in the South 2011 and one in the North in 2012.
KONG has launched an addition to its KONG Wubba range of interactive toys for dogs.
Harvey Locke has been elected president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) for 2010/2011. The ceremony took place during the annual general meeting of the BVA at the close of its Annual Congress in Glasgow.
James Wellbeloved has been awarded ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management systems.
David Algar has been appointed group chief executive of Hozelock, the market-leading manufacturer of garden watering, spraying and aquatics equipment and Tricoflex industrial hoses.
A non-spill pet water bowl has been named among the UK's top 15 “ingenious” inventions of the last decade, according to the British Library in London
Verm-X has gained full Ethical Accreditation following analysis conducted by an independent body.
In celebration of its golden anniversary year, Shropshire-based Rosewood Pet Products pledged to raise cash for charities and, thanks to the support of independent pet retailers across the UK, has raised £2,400 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Dogs Trust and The Great Football Giveaway.
King British has claimed a first by launching five totally natural fish foods: Goldfish Flake Food, Tropical Fish Flake Food, Cichlid Flake Food, Marine Food, Tropical Fish Food Mix.
The Pet Care Trade Association has joined forces with the UK’s biggest network of retail training experts to raise skills within the pet care sector.
Customers flocked to Fadulla’s annual trade show at the company’s Canvey Island headquarters in Essex.
A MISCHIEVOUS whippet with the ability to clear a room with his doggy smells has been selected as Britain’s pet with the ‘smell factor’.
Peregrine Livefoods is holding a special FREE training day for retailers on Thursday, November 4.
Award-winning contemporary jeweller Nicholas James, of Hatton Garden, is donating a unique handmade dog collar and lead, from its range of bespoke pet accessories, to be auctioned at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Collars and Cuffs Ball on November 25 at Battersea Power Station to mark the pet rescue organisation’s 150th anniversary.
THE PET Care Trust has launched a questionnaire called Scoop that Poop! to coincide with Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign, Bag that poo – any rubbish bin will do, which intends to inform owners that they can put dog poo bags in any bin and not just dog waste bins.
Tetra Medica Lifeguard is a simple, fast and effective cure for common fish diseases, the leading aquatic food and treatment manufacturer says.
Burgess Pet Care’s debut appearance at Interzoo 2010 resulted in overwhelming interest in their brands and products from around the world. Consequently the family-owned Yorkshire-based business has recruited two new members to its marketing team.
The makers of a new brand of hypo-allergenic dog food are looking for specialist retailers to stock and sell the range. Collards can be supplied direct or from Warwickshire-based wholesalers Trust Pet Products.
The 30th anniversary British Dog Grooming Championship proved to be a family affair when husband and wife duo Peter and Becki Ensell won the two top awards.
HiLife Special Care Daily Dental Chews Spearmint variety from Town & Country Petfoods has had a facelift and now has a new, green lid that more clearly differentiates it from its partner, HiLife Special Care Daily Dental Chews Original.
Staff at a pet shop in Oxfordshire were threatened with a knife in broad daylight before a robber ran off with about £100 cash.
Olympic legend and budgerigar champion Geoff Capes will be opening the LovePets weekend event in Peterborough in November.
Tests of a potential vaccine against whitespot disease that affects fish in commercial fish farms, aquariums and aquatic shops are raising hopes for finally controlling the disease, scientists reported at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Burns Pet Nutrition will be providing free food in a partnership with Hounds for Heroes, a charity that will provide trained assistance dogs for injured and disabled men and women from the UK armed forces and civilian emergency services.
Carl Corrigan has joined The Company of Animals as brand manager for Pet Head.
A co-operative has been launched at Aqua 2010 with the aim of promoting DIY or project-based outdoor living via the mainstream media.
A mystery illness that killed four dogs last year and caused another 14 to fall ill after walks in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire is believed to have returned, with one death and a further eight falling ill.
Happy Pet’s two-day Showcase Event at The Belfry attracted more than 400 visitors to see an exhibition of over 1,000 Happy Pet products.
Petplan is giving retailers a chance to win a new laptop with the launch of its new website www.petplanretail.co.uk
A parakeet has been hailed a hero after it apparently attacked burglars and chased them from the shop. But that was not before the vicious intruders killed several fish and mutilated other birds and a lizard.
More than 1,300 people visited the two-day AQUA 2010, with over 800 on the first day alone. Organisers had originally expected around 1,000 visitors over the two days.
Animal rescue centres nationwide are being invited to nominate themselves for the Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards 2011.
Plastics packaging specialist Faerch Plast has launched a range specially designed for pet food products.
More than 35,000 accidents happened while people were shopping in a single year, cccording to RoSPA.
Sky Pet Products has introduced an open-topped Tortoise Table, suitable for housing young and breeding tortoises.
The Company of Animals says dog walkers are taking the lead when it comes to boosting mental health.
Poultry Spice, from the makers of Verm-X, is a nutritional supplement formulated to improve the all-round condition and performance of poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys and game birds.
Cats gain more fat mass when fed excess dry food than eating wet food in excess. This is the finding of a study by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, released recently at the Waltham International Nutritional Sciences Symposium (WINSS) at the Guildhall, Cambridge.
A cat that became a moggy midwife when its pregnant owner suddenly went into labour has been named Rescue Cat of the Year 2010 in the UK’s feline Oscars.
Time is running out for people training but not yet qualified for SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) status, the UK’s Animal Medicine Training Body, AMTRA, has warned.
Publisher Forward Press is inviting poems about pets for its annual Animal Antics competition.
PATS 2011 will offer a new benefit to time-pressed retail visitors – the opportunity to meet with PATS’ impressive array of exhibitors early in the evening on the opening day of each show.
Petplan, ‘the UK’s favourite pet insurance provider’, has launched a new website dedicated to pet businesses.
Sheba, the UK’s number one super premium wet cat food brand, has Sheba Desire in two varieties: Fillets of Chicken in Gravy and Fillets of Tuna in Jelly.
Aquarium bosses have put a bikini on an underwater statue of a mermaid – because she was attracting too much attention.
Otters are abandoning their natural hunting grounds of rivers and lakes to prey on fish in domestic gardens.
Petsafe’s brightly coloured Cinch-It collars have been going down a storm since they hit the shelves earlier this year, the company says.
BETA International has unveiled its official branded jackets for next year’s show, courtesy of main sponsor Virbac Animal Health.
The inaugural AQUA 2010 aquatics trade show in Telford saw keen competition for the New Products Awards, and there was much deliberation among judges before the panel was able to announce the winners.
The ring-necked parakeet has been named as the UK’s most prolific exotic species. According to researchers, the wild population has reached 50,000 – and shows every sign of continuing to increase.
Nearly three-quarters of animal care and welfare businesses have recruited staff directly from work experience, a new survey from Lantra reveals.
Ashapura has brought out a cat litter designed to emulate natural garden soil.
West Midlands pet accessories firm Gor Pets has just celebrated its tenth anniversary.
DeZynaDog’s long established and popular Grooming for a Living seminar programme continues, with the next event taking place in Bristol on November 7.
James Wellbeloved has brought out a Christmas Kennel packed with goodies for dogs and retailing at £5.99.
TMC has introduced the new AquaBeam 600 Ultra Solid State Lighting Strip, which offers high light output, a wide angle beam and four colour versions – marine white, reef white, marine blue and reef blue.
Town & Country Petfoods has launched HiLife Completely... Soft & Tender, the only semi-moist cat food on the market.
Midland Reefs has been appointed distributer for Italian pump manufacturer, SICCE, in the UK.
Royal Canin has introduced a complete new Birth & Growth Programme for dogs from this month.
Business insolvencies fell year-on-year during July, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian.
The biggest event in the small animal world has a new look, name and president to mark the 89th two-day event taking place on January 29-30 next year at the Yorkshire Event Centre, in Harrogate.
Renowned clipper, trimmer and shampoo manufacturer Wahl (UK) has announced its sponsorship of the Orchard Scurry Team.
AQUA 2010 is the first dedicated showcase for the aquatics, water gardening and reptile sectors. This new exhibition is organised by the team behind the hugely successful PATS trade shows in conjunction with OATA, the association for the ornamental aquatics trade.
It seems there is no stopping Mich Dale of Lynnsto Terriers, who won Best in Show at Premier Groom 2010 with her retired show West Highland White terrier. She had previously won the coveted award at the inaugural Premier Groom competition in 2008, also with a Westie.
German company EHEIM has achieved ISO certification DIN EN ISO 9001:2008, which becomes valid from the end of this year.
The organisers behind Singapore’s biennial Aquarama have said that next year’s May show looks set to equal, if not surpass, the 2009 event.
Worm Awareness Week 2010 takes place from October 25-31, with the emphasis this year on reminding pet owners that they should be worming on a regular basis.
Around the UK, more than 1,000 veterinary practices will be offering free dental check-ups this month (September) as part of Pet Smile Month, the largest veterinary run pet health campaign in the world.
ALF has introduced the Earth Friendly range of collars and leads, the company’s latest enterprise that brings eco-awareness and fun to pets and their owners.
Purina PetCare and Canine Partners believe they have come up with the perfect Christmas present – a puppy!
Reptile retailers are being caught out following a recent crackdown by government wildlife agencies, with several traders being prosecuted and at least one jailed.
The 300 staff at the £12 million turnover pet retail group PamPurredPets have joined the founders Debbie and Steve Fowler to celebrate 20 years of service by the group’s operations manager, Sue Gibson.
AquaHydrotech, manufacturer of natural pond and water feature treatments, is re-branding its products to emphasise its eco-friendly ethos.
A leading independent pet retailer has slammed manufacturers that supply grocery and DIY giants.
Suffolk-based wholesaler HG Gladwell & Sons has appointed Andy Morgan as marketing and business development manager.
Procter & Gamble has reaffirmed that no Iams or Eukanuba pet foods on sale in the UK are affected by a product recall in the US.
Just for Pets, in Malvern, was named Retailer of the Year in the second national Pet Industry Awards. Runners-up were A Coombs Pet Centre, Brighton, and Pet Link, Worcester.
In a departure from tablets and powders, Denes Natural Pet Care has introduced three new supplements for cats and dogs – two oils and a liquid.
Lintbells, the company behind canine nutritional supplements Yumove and Yumega, has appointed two new members of staff to assist with customer service, marketing and accounts.
Shaun Madder has joined Monkfield Nutrition as sales manager.
The Company of Animals has won the exclusive European distribution rights to Pet Head, the premium grooming range for dogs and cats.
Leading pet retailer Pets at Home has launched a major recruitment drive across the UK for groomers of all abilities.
On a very hot Sunday, along with more than 8,000 other runners, Beaphar staff from the sales office in Suffolk attended the Race for Life in Cambridge where they walked, jogged and ran five kilometres.
Jarden Consumer Solutions has appointed the Kruuse Group as the official distributor of its pet product lines in the UK.
Rockets and Catherine wheels may not be the only things creating a big noise this fireworks season. More cats and dogs need help to treat their phobias, says the outspoken Dr Monkey, who believes that the lead-up to November 5 is a big deal for pets that suffer firework phobia.
Wilkinson's head of buying Peter Pritchard is to join Pets at Home in January as trading director.
Burgess Pet Care teamed up with The Parks Trust and Milton Keynes Council as the official sponsor of The Big Doggie Do 2010.
A London pet shop owner has been banned for a year from keeping or selling animals after concerns that he sold kittens suffering from mange, diarrhoea and weepy eyes to the public.
Harringtons has added four varieties of dog treats to its premium dry dog food range.
Harringtons has boosted its premium dry dog food range with the addition of a Harringtons Puppy.
An anti-freeze distributer is campaigning to encourage fleet operators, including the MOD, the National Health Service, local government, bus fleets and supermarkets, to lead the way and switch to antifreeze that is less harmful to pets.
Made from suet and packed with a selection of seeds including millet and black sunflower, Walter Harrisons Fat Balls are a high-energy food suitable for most varieties of garden bird and attractive to great tits, blue tits, long tailed tits and coal tits.
What makes customers tick and how can retailers anticipate their thoughts, actions and emotions to drive retail sales. This will be one of the many points to be addressed in the seminar ‘Cashing in on Customers’ by keynote speaker Mark Dickens, retail strategy director of Wanda Communications, at the upcoming inaugural Aqua 2010, October 6-7.
Turnover continues to grow at pet product wholesaler The Nook Group, where revenue is up by 15 per cent on last year.
Aquavista UK has launched living picture frame aquariums, which can be customized by adding a background of the customer’s choice.
Thousands of pet owners are being asked to sign up their Labrador retrievers for a study investigating how diet and lifestyle can affect canine health
Spike’s World has updated the packaging of its Spike’s hedgehog food, with a fresh livery and a new size.
A must-see part of Glee Petindex, the seminar programme allows visitors to take advantage of the latest retail innovations and leading-edge thinking.
Fold Hill Foods has brought out a new brand of natural complete dog food. The recipe includes Lincolnshire-grown oats and barley, with no added wheat, making it suitable for sensitive dogs. It does not use artificial colours or flavours
Ashenbank Premium Pet Foods is a nutritionally complete dry pet food range for cats and dogs.
China is poised to become the world's biggest manufacturer, ending the USA’s 110-year reign as the leading producer of goods.
CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of veterinary behaviour products Feliway for cats and DAP for dogs, has launched a comprehensive guide on the practical applications of pheromones to showcase the reliability and efficacy of its pheromone products.
Vets and nurses at a Blue Cross animal hospital were stunned to discover an envelope with £800 cash from a mystery donor.
Six swimming dogs who took part in a sponsored swimathon have raised more than £7,500 for the Animal Health Trust.
Despite having the status of an authorised controlled drug, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has issued a warning that the chemicals malachite green, formaldehyde and potassium permanganate are still being used by some fishkeepers in their raw states to treat tanks and fish. The VMD has warned that fishkeepers who do so are putting the health and safety of their animals at risk, as well as potentially damaging their own health.
Visitors to the inaugural AQUA 2010 are invited to a free After Show Party on the first day of the show, courtesy of organisers OATA Impact Exhibitions Ltd and the trade body for the sector, OATA.
Town & Country Petfoods has launched HiLife Potty about... – its first ‘pot’ for cats.
Nearly half a million UK cat and dog owners never go on holiday for fear of upsetting their pet’s routine.
BARF dog food specialists Natural Instinct officially launched its new Working Dog variety at the CLA Game Fair at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire in July.
The team at equestrian wholesaler Abbey put their best foot forward in aid of the Alzheimer’s Association and their local Scout group, completing a 35-mile sponsored walk along the Gritstone Trail.
PamPurredPets has opened its 45th store, within the Blooms Cardiff Garden Centre, at St Mellons, in Wales.
To celebrate the launch of its Meaty Feasts and Special Fayre chunks dog food, Butcher’s Pet Care has teamed up with pub chain Brakspear to offer a ‘doggy’ menu in pubs.
PATS, the UK’s dual-venue dedicated pet trade show, is set to grow further for 2011.
A new UK-produced pet stain and odour remover is now available, which makers say rapidly cleans stains and simultaneously neutralises and eliminates associated bad odours.
In the US, Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced a voluntary recall of a list of Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods as a precautionary measure because it ‘has the potential’ to be contaminated with salmonella
It was only 24 hours of his time, but what a challenge Matthew Bubear took on!
Shock new figures have revealed that more than £75,000 worth of animals have been ‘rustled’ in Scotland alone in the past year.
PJ Pet Products, a specialist supplier of dog chews and toys, is entering the pet market, with a ‘fresh and innovative offering that adds value to customers of all sizes’.
Pooch & Mutt supplements are to be distributed in Spain thanks to a deal struck at Interzoo. Pooch & Mutt is working with Spanish distributor Beimar Suppliers.
Cats and dogs can soon be seen ‘in the pink’ in support of Breast Cancer Campaign. Pet accessories supplier Ancol has created a range of exclusive products designed for the charity which will raise funds from sales proceeds.
Hampshire retailer Stan’s Pet Needs has won The National Pet Month 2010 Best Pet Event in the pet shop category.
With a month to go, bookings for places at the Pet Industry Awards black tie gala at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club on Sunday, September 19 have already exceeded last year’s total number of guests.
New legislation will help crack down on puppy farming in Wales by introducing a minimum supervision requirement of one supervisor to 20 dogs.
Sky Pet Products has moved into larger premises – in the same area of Northamptonshire – with nearly 17,000 square feet of warehousing, an increase of some 3,800 feet of storage.
As Petindex gears up to throw open its doors to the pet industry in September, organisers Emap are confident that a similar number of exhibitors will be displaying their products at the trade show this September.
Happy Pet is holding a Showcase event at The Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield on Sunday and Monday, September 19-20 – the same dates as Glee Petindex and just down the road!
In a first for the Petindex trade show, exhibitor Xtra Dog will have three huskies on its stand within the Innovators Zone.
Petplan, “the UK’s favourite pet insurance provider”*, has launched a new website dedicated to pet businesses. If you’re interested in promoting pet insurance to your customers and earning rewards from Petplan sales as a result, then sign up today.
Time is running out for people training but not yet qualified for SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) status, the UK’s Animal Medicine Training Body AMTRA has warned.
Worcestershire-based natural pet food business Fish4Dogs has appointed a new CEO, Graham Smith, from August 10.
Pet food manufacturer Pets Choice has unveiled new packaging for its heritage brand, Davies Ranger.
Radio Systems Corporation, home of the PetSafe brand, has acquired Vet Ventures, the company that produces the Drinkwell Pet Fountain.
For the first time, the annual China International Pet Show (CIPS) will take place this autumn at the New China International Exhibition Center near Beijing airport.
A new reality TV program to be screened on Channel Four early next year is offering a three-bedroom cottage in an idyllic Yorkshire village as a prize, a chance for the winner to create a new life in this rural location.
Healthy Paws has launched Herbolistic, a nutritional herbal supplement for dogs.
OATA has asked its members not to sell Ludwigia grandiflora, sometimes called Jussiaea grandiflora or L. peploides, and which goes by the common name Water primrose.
Dobbies garden centres have started selling hens.
The Blue Cross is calling for nominations from veterinary practices across the country for its Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award 2010.
Liquid product specialist group55 has launched a new range of cleaning and hygiene products.
CRANSWICK Pet Products has extended its Nature’s Feast wild bird care range to include the all-new Finches Favourite food.
A free, on-line pet directory has launched promising to help independent pet shops and pet professionals promote their products and services.
Wild bird care products supplier Gardman has raised £1 million to fund the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) research and conservation programme.
THE 69th Dibevo Trade Fair takes place this year from October 10-12 at the Evenementenhal, at Gorinchem in The Netherlands.
PATS organisers have set aside extra space at both the southern and northern shows next year in response to demand from the trade.
Global rice supplies are under threat amid fears over decimated crops in Thailand, the world’s largest rice exporter.
A VISIT to Hagen’s Catit and Dogit stand at PATS Harrogate proved profitable for one lucky retailer.
THE Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has sent out a survey to its members, which aims to establish the factors that make a good wildlife garden pond.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the British Dog Grooming Championships, Pet Care Trust members are being offered a special half price trade stand space at this year’s event – if they book by the end of August.
A Chinese manufacturer was caught showing counterfeit copies of Reef One’s BiOrb LIFE range at Interzoo, but the units were seized and destroyed by German bailiffs.
NORFOLK-based Natures Grub has been trading for less than two years but is already making its mark on the koi carp and wild bird markets. Company owners Brian and Debbie Mott with the help of their sales agent, Lester Warner, have this year launched their range of natural koi and pond products in koi and garden centres across the country.
AQUATIC livestock importer and distributer Aquallan is now offering same-day delivery throughout England and Wales.
Originally known under the Sherley’s brand, Beaphar Worming Granules for Dogs has been brought back due to feedback received from both retailers and dog owners.
Elk and reindeer are among the six flavours in Bozita Chunks in Jelly, a Swedish wet dog food available in the UK.
CEVA Animal Health has launched a new website – www.dapfordogs.com – to advise dog owners on
the veterinary behaviour product, D.A.P., which is proven to help comfort and reassure pets at times of stress.
the veterinary behaviour product, D.A.P., which is proven to help comfort and reassure pets at times of stress.
GJW Titmuss, one of the UK’s biggest on-line pet stores, is expanding its operations to meet growing demand.
Retailers across the UK and now into Europe are taking advantage of a freezer deal being offered by Natures Menu to support AMP’s entire Natures Menu complete pet food range.
Burgess Pet Care has been awarded an ‘A’ grade rating by The British Retail Consortium (BRC) for the second year running. This is the fourth time in six years the company has been awarded this top grad
CESAR, one of the UK’s bestselling dog food brands, has launched a new addition to the range in the form of new CESAR Puppy.
Exotic pets were high on the agenda at the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Discussion Forum.
Gardman unveiled a ‘fresh new look and approach’ to its sales agents last month (April).
Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trade Association, has been re-elected as vice president of the European Pet Organisation at its AGM.
Batleys has agreed terms with Bellevue Wholesale in Scotland to acquire its two cash and carry branches at Edinburgh and Stirling. In addition, Batleys’ parent company, Bestway (Holdings), has bought a site in Liverpool to build a new cash and carry depot.
Potty About…
…a first pot for cats! Town & Country Petfoods is this month launching ‘HiLife Potty About...’, a portion-controlled cat pet food delivered in pots.
…a first pot for cats! Town & Country Petfoods is this month launching ‘HiLife Potty About...’, a portion-controlled cat pet food delivered in pots.
Pets at Home has announced a 36 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £54.2m for the year to March 25, 2010. Sales were up 15.7 per cent to £467.7m and the company opened 24 new stores, bringing the total number to 256. And chief executive Matthew Davies says the retailer is committed to continued expansion and aims to be ‘the best pet shop in the world’!
Pet product manufacturer The Nook Group now supplies its products to the whole of the UK.
Aroviit’s UK Larkshall facility in Norfolk says exports to the growing Russian petfood market are progressing apace.
Trixie has introduced of a new range of reptile accessories under the Reptiland brand. The range of more than 150 products includes specialist lighting, thermometers, humidifiers, substrate, furniture and decoration, feeding dishes, food and more.
The newly-created Pet Care Trade Association has replaced Pet Care Trust Trading Ltd as the membership body linked to the Pet Care Trust representing pet specialist businesses in the UK.
The first batch of shortlisted candidates for the Pet Industry Awards 2010 has been announced by organiser the Pet Care Trade Association.
A new reality TV program to be screened on Channel Four early next year is offering a three-bedroom cottage in an idyllic Yorkshire village as a prize, a chance for the winner to create a new life in this rural location.
Businesses have until July 1 to enter the 2010 Pet Industry Awards.
Pedigree Wholesale has appointed Tony Tweed to the position of account manager for the East of England.
TV Shopping channel Ideal Shopping Direct is launching Animal Bargains in July, and has hired Chris Palmer-Smith, a former senior buyer at Pets at Home.
Burgess Pet Care has invested a six- figure sum in its first television advertising campaign to promote its Supadog and Excel brands.
Wagg Foods is searching for relatives of Pickles the dog to potentially become the face of a new, World Cup shaped dog treat.
Mars Petcare has signed up as the main sponsor of a new consumer pet show to be held in November.
Despite the recession, new research suggests that the cat and dog market has remained resilient, increasing in value by four per cent to £1.8 billion last year.
The long-established HiCraft brand portfolio has been sold to a Manchester company
Premier Pet Nutrition – a division focusing completely on the nutrition of companion animals – has been created from its parent company, Premier Nutrition, in response to an increasing demand for dedicated pet expertise and premix production.
Rolf C Hagen (UK) Ltd has announced the acquisition of the distribution rights for Vivexotic, the UK’s leading melamine vivarium brand.
Wholesaler Bestpets has launched a Symbol group and its own ‘local retail club’.
More fun, less effort! KONG has launched two new products – KONG Rocket and the KONG Extreme Flyer – both of which will provide hours of interactive fun between owner and pet.
The makers of Yumega are celebrating with their customers after it emerged that 70 per cent of the highest-placed dogs at this year’s Crufts use the supplement, including Yogi, the winner of the prestigious Best in Show title.
At the end of yesterday’s successful and upbeat first day, visitor numbers were 21% up on the same time, same day last year.
PATS 2010 closed on a high note. Both PATS Sandown in March and PATS Harrogate in April featured Retailers’ Choice showcases, in which exhibitors entered their newest product innovations for scrutiny by the visiting retailers. The retailers voted for the products that most impressed them; votes from both shows were combined and the winners of this year’s eight PATS Product of the Year categories were decided and announced just before PATS Harrogate closed.
Trixie is running a special spring promotion where the retailer receives free stock with any hutch ordered.
Fish owners can be at risk of potentially life-threatening electric shocks from some traditional fish tank heaters, which place 240 volts of electricity close to water.
National wholesaler Vital Pet Products has completed ‘all the finer details’ of its merger and rebranding and will be exhibiting at PATS Harrogate on April 27-28.
PETA has written to pet stores around the UK asking them to stop selling ‘exotic animals’.
Leading private label dry pet food manufacturer GA Pet Food Partners is set to start a 10-year expansion plan, investing more than £34 million
A new animal bedding product has been picked up for distribution by two major wholesalers in the first month of its launch.
The British Embassy in Paris is planning a showcase of pet care products from the UK.
Wagg Foods has launched two new flavours of oven-baked treats for dogs.
Chicken and Liver Tasty Bones and Puppy Treats not only provide an appetising snack, but have added health benefits, too, the North Yorkshire manufacturer says.
Chicken and Liver Tasty Bones and Puppy Treats not only provide an appetising snack, but have added health benefits, too, the North Yorkshire manufacturer says.
East Anglia-based Liberta has been appointed sole UK distributor of the Montana range of bird cages.
In what it believes to be an industry first, Mars Petcare has announced a commitment to using only sustainably sourced fish by 2020 – and the company says it hopes the rest of the trade will follow suit.
Innovative businesses across the pet trade have teamed up to take advantage of a hot new craze sweeping the country in the run-up to St George’s Day. Petfood manufacturer Betty Miller has today launched a flame-grilled dragon food – and a raft of complementary products have been rushed to market by firms eager to cash in on the growing demand for pet dragons. The fire-breathing, winged reptilian creatures were thought by many to have been extinct for several hundred years but they are currently enjoying a huge revival in popularity.
Six new flavours have been added to Russel Rabbit Original to create a different meal for every day of the week. Each box contains two weeks’ food in 14 conveniently-sized sachets, making it ideal for holiday boarding. The sachets are sealed to maintain freshness and help to control portion sizes.
Specialist pet and aquatic shop fitter, CASCO Europe, is now wholly owned by its CEO, Matthew Bubear, following a recent acquisition of all issued share capital from the US shareholders.
Two pet retailers have reached the final stages of a competition to find the best independent shops on Britain’s high streets.
Sandown Park, Esher, late afternoon on Tuesday, March 23. The buzz began in the morning and exhibitors were still busy as the afternoon drew to a close.
Natures Menu exports are soaring, with products now available in more than 20 countries worldwide.
ProPets is fighting the corner for pet-keeping and the trade in the run-up to the forthcoming general election.
A members-only dog care business has been launched in an upmarket area of Cheshire by dog-lovers Julian Cheetham and Kate Titterton.
John Allan Fish has expanded into marines and is now stocking a wide selection of marine fish and invertebrates plus the full range of TMC and Deltec dry goods.
Armitage Pet Care is giving retailers the chance to win £500 worth of free stock to celebrate the launch of its new spring and summer catalogue, Trade Store.
Tetra is promoting its goldfish food and care range via a new campaign aimed at children and parents.
The Nook Group has opened a new distribution centre at Gravesend, in Kent, which will stock and supply the company’s own branded products.
Cheshire-based pet care business ByoFresh has been acquired by Hygiene specialist Byotrol Technology. ByoFresh founder Paul Foden (pictured above right with Byotrol plc director Stephen Falder) continues under the new owners as CEO of the Pet & Vet Division.
Growing dog food brand Natural Instinct has moved into new 8,000 sq ft premises in Camberley, Surrey complete with refrigeration and freezer units. The company was founded by lawyer David Brock (left) and chef Michael McVay.
Doggy Things is launching Snack Attack, a range of premium natural treats, made from 100 per cent natural, human-grade ingredients.
Radio Systems Corporation, home of the PetSafe, SportDOG, Invisible Fence and Staywell brands, has acquired Premier Pet Products.
Six weeks before its opening date of April 27, the northern PATS is full.
Burgess Pet Care, the family-owned specialist pet care company, has launched a unique reward scheme to support the marketing and sales drive of its core Excel and Supa brands across key independent retailers.
COMPANY of Animals has partnered with US-based Nano Pet Products, LLC, to carry its Dog Gone Smart line of pet products.
DFS Crufts opened this morning, and over the next four days will play host to nearly 28,000 dogs and over 150,000 human visitors.
However, the producer of the controversial BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which looked at health issues in pedigree dogs, today accused the Kennel Club of failing to take sufficient action. The controversy prompted the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, and the Dogs Trust to jointly fund an independent inquiry which made a number of recommendations to tackle inbreeding in pedigrees, puppy farming and other welfare issues.
However, the producer of the controversial BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which looked at health issues in pedigree dogs, today accused the Kennel Club of failing to take sufficient action. The controversy prompted the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, and the Dogs Trust to jointly fund an independent inquiry which made a number of recommendations to tackle inbreeding in pedigrees, puppy farming and other welfare issues.
Discussion about the government’s consultation over dangerous dogs continues. Charities, like The Pet Care Trust, while welcoming the consultation, expressed concerns that the proposals for compulsory microchipping and insurance will create unnecessary burdens on the vast majority of pet owners who do behave responsibly.
Chris Grayling, shadow home affairs spokesman, said: “All we've really had for the past decade under this government is a series of speeches and headline-grabbing announcements about the things they were going to do to tackle problems like dangerous dog offences.
Labour proposals could make it compulsory for all dog owners in England and Wales to insure against their pet attacking someone, as well as for all dogs to be microchipped. Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or even get them neutered.
Leading pet accessories supplier Ancol has launched a major marketing promotion through specialist retailers with the national mobile grooming service Dialadogwash.
Pedigree Wholesale, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of pet and aquatic products to the independent retail sector, has appointed Stuart Hendry as sales director, from March 1.
A leaked document has revealed government proposals to make dog owners take a competency test to prove they have the skills to handle their animals. Owners could also be forced to get their pets microchipped and take out third-party insurance in case the dog bites anyone.
Mars Petcare has brought out a new TV ad to support its latest collection for cats, Whiskas Simply pouches.
National Pet Month will be celebrating its 21st birthday from April 3-May 3, when thousands of people will be celebrating life with their pets at hundreds of events up and down the country.
Celebrity water gardener Charlie Dimmock has thrown her high-profile support behind a new campaign to stop the damaging spread of invasive plants though British waterways. And retailers have been praised for helping to ensure that shoppers know what they are buying and for advising them on how to dispose of plants properly.
Following the success of last year’s TV advertising campaign, which saw retail sales of the leading veterinary behaviour product Feliway increase by nearly 200 per cent in selected ITV regions, CEVA Animal Health is rolling out a hard-hitting TV campaign on four national channels.
Sparsholt College, in Hampshire, is offering two short courses for retailers next month (March) covering two key topics, Fish Health and Disease and Water Quality and Life Support Systems.
The Animal Health Trust is appealing for volunteers to join champion jockey Richard Dunwoody on a 12-day fund-raising trek on the Great Wall of China in September.
Tropical Marine Centre has launched a new V2Skim Compact range of protein skimmers.
Plans by the Welsh Assembly to ban electronic training aids this year could place thousands of pets’ lives at risk from road accidents, the Electronic Collar Manufacturers’ Association warns.
SQPs (suitably qualified persons) can earn vital points by attending seminars led by worming specialists Virbac and Merial at BETA International 2010.
Vet Dr Vicki J Adams is leading a one-day course in Bedford on February 22 on animal first aid emergencies and wound management.
The JW Pet Company has launched a range of dog and cat grooming products under its Gripsoft brand, distributed by Pedigree Wholesale.
Pet stores nationwide are being invited to take part in a light-hearted, high-profile and potentially lucrative ‘Smell Factor’ promotion being launched by ByoFresh.
CASCO’s European sector has further expanded its team with the appointment of Ross Butterfill as European business development manager.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has made a bold move to help the specialist channel, announcing an average price reduction of more than five per cent across almost 80 per cent of its product range from March 1.
PetQuip, the UK-based international trade association, has introduced a facility on its website to help retailers source new products.
Town & Country Petfoods has revamped its HiLife Complete and Crunchy dry cat food.
Johnson’s has maintained its place as the UK’s top supplier of pet healthcare products to the trade.
Wagg Foods, the UK’s largest independent supplier of value dry dog food, is to launch a national TV advertising campaign as part of a £1 million marketing package.
Town & Country Petfoods has introduced two new varieties to its HiLife Prestige dog food pouch range.
Luxury on-line pet accessories retailer The Pet Extraordinarium is inviting ‘expressions of interest’for the acquisition of its e-commerce website and intellectual property.
Animal rights organisation PETA is calling on Defra to ban the import and sale of ‘exotics’ in the UK in the wake of the seizure of more than 26,000 animals from a US supplier.
Denes Natural Pet Care has appointed Bramham Trade AS as a distributor in Estonia. The first consignment exported to Estonia comprised canned foods for dogs including Denes for puppies, adult and senior dogs and those prone to weight gain.
A new study claims that the UK domestic cat and dog population is larger than previously reported.
Pets at Home is being bought by an American private equity firm in a deal worth £955 million, including debt.
As the UK endures the coldest winter in 30 years, the sun continues to shine on the wild bird industry, which experienced record sales throughout January.
Horse owners have continued to spend money on their horses and themselves throughout the recession, according to new research from the British Equestrian Trade Association.
Sandra Pearce has joined pbwnews from Pet Product Marketing, where she was editor.
Pet trade show Petindex is to revert to Sunday opening after a rethink by the organisers, who had planned to change it to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this year. The gardening and leisure show, GLEE, traditionally held at the same time, will run from Monday-Wednesday.
Mars Petcare has added a new product to its leading Whiskas brand with the introduction of new range – Whiskas Simply.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has launched a new range of Science Plan Snacks to ‘help pet retailers claim their fair share of this growing market with a specialist-only product’.
GA Pet Food Partners, the leading super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, has appointed a new sales director.
A plucky retailer sent an armed robber packing when she pressed a panic button in her Lancashire shop.
Steve Driver has taken over as managing director of The Company of Animals, taking over from Dr Roger Mugford, who founded the company in 1984.
Police are investigating the theft on a large quantity of dog food stolen from a pet shop in Scotland.
Three months before its opening date on March 23 and in only its second year, all available space at pet trade show PATS at Sandown Park, Surrey has been reserved.
A young retailer was taken to hospital after an arson attack on a Lancashire pet and aquatics store.
The Pet Care Trust is running a hands-on exotic animals workshop at the Pet Care Trust HQ in Bedford on Thursday, March 4.
Scruffs is hosting two open days at its showroom in Manchester. The event, on February 17-18, will give trade buyers the opportunity to see Scruffs’ extensive bedding collection and take advantage of promotional offers.
Supreme Petfoods is running a half-price offer on specially-marked 3kg bags of its science selective Rabbit food.
Animal control equipment supplier MDC Exports has been named Most Supportive Company in the 2009 National Dog warden Association awards.
Retailers visiting the equestrian trade show, BETA International, at the NEC, Birmingham from February 21-23, will see a range of new pet products alongside equestrian goods and country clothing.
New codes of practice for dogs, cats and horses have been published by Defra, providing owners and keepers with information on how to meet the needs of their animals as required by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The aquatics and water gardening trade has already signed up for 60 per cent of the available stand space at the new AQUA 2010 show, which takes place at the Telford International Exhibition Centre in October.
A FORMER air stewardess who ploughed her life savings into a new business had her entire stock stolen just two weeks after opening.
A retailer in Hampshire has shut up shop after burglars took 13 valuable tortoises.
Retailers Paul and Lynne Powell thought an animal had run riot in their store when they arrived at work to disciver a chaotic scene.
Super Premium pet food manufacturer Arden Grange continued its sponsorship of the biggest event in the British husky calendar, the Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.
A new company, Pointer Pet Products Limited, has bought the business and assets of Pointer Pet Foods Limited from the administrators.
An independent retailer has accused Britain’s biggest pet superstore chain of scuppering his plans for a new store.
Johnson’s Veterinary Products turned over more than £1m through Batleys’ Best Pets last year.
Acorn Pet Centres, the retail chain that went into administration in September, has been sold.
Fast-growing independent manufacturer Wagg Foods has achieved BRC accreditation for the sixth year in a row, with four years at Grade A standard.
The Pet Care Trust has delivered a broadside at the Welsh Assembly Govenrment’s new Code of Practice for rabbit welfare, accusing it of being too long and unwieldy.
OATA (the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association) and wildlife charity Pond Conservation have teamed up to promote the Big Pond Dip 2010 and are appealing to the trade for help.
The Mr. Johnson’s brand of small animal feeds has been acquired by Henry Bell & Co (Grantham) Limited from Kent-based Grain Harvesters.
Waterside Garden Centre in Peterborough has won a £20,000 store refit from CASCO.
Royal Canin has launched Exigent, a food range that allows cats to choose for themselves!
Behaviourist Debbie Connolly, from television’s Dog Borstal and Britain’s Most Embarrassing Pets, has introduced a staff training course for pet shops.
On-line retailer Urban.Pup.com, which specializes in ‘high fashion’ dog accessories, has been appointed an official partner to Legally Blonde the Musical, at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End.
Family-owned pet shop chain Purrfect Pets has opened an outlet in the Swan Centre in Leatherhead, Surrey.
New Era Aquaculture has secured a ‘lucrative’ deal with Merlin Entertainments Group to supply all 30 SeaLife Centres across Europe for three years.
GA Pet Food Partners, the UK’s largest super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, is one of a only a handful of pet food companies in Europe to retain for the third time,the top grade of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety.
Animal health remedy manufacturer Net-Tex Industries has added a third 40,000 sq ft factory to its Kent production site in response to a ‘huge’ increase in demand.
Tropical Marine Centre has scooped both first and second place in the best marine product category of a national poll.
Tracy Ansell, from Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire, said she was ‘over the moon’ to win the Groomer of the Year title in front of a crowd of 400 at the British Dog Grooming Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
A new business specialising in reptile and aquatic products has risen from the ashes of Aquatic Solutions, which went into voluntary liquidation in 2008.
A NEW brand of baked dog food has been launched, backed by many years of experience in the pet trade.
The first product from the Betty Miller bakery, in Daventry, Northamptonshire, is Betty Miller Original, a complete food, which is available now in three flavours: chicken, lamb or beef. I n addition, a range of natural biscuit treats is also available in a variety of flavours including cheese, salmon & rice, chicken and liver.
The first product from the Betty Miller bakery, in Daventry, Northamptonshire, is Betty Miller Original, a complete food, which is available now in three flavours: chicken, lamb or beef. I n addition, a range of natural biscuit treats is also available in a variety of flavours including cheese, salmon & rice, chicken and liver.
