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Leading pet retailer PamPurred Pets has voiced its support for the forthcoming Pet Industry Forum & Awards and emphasised the importance to the whole industry of manufacturers getting behind the event.
A Policeman is claiming compensation from a retail chain director after allegedly ‘falling down a hole which was not visible at night’ while investigating a store break-in.
Church charities took five golden retrievers to Boston to help residents heal after the Marathon bombings.
Pedigree has partnered with the award-winning ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. The deal will see Pedigree become the fully integrated sponsor of the new series, and follows Paul O’Grady as he helps staff to rehome dogs at The Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Northern Pets has brought out a range of organic supplements for pet birds.
The American Pet Products Association is to form The Pet Leadership Council, comprising 20 company leaders from across the industry, who will work together for the good of the trade.
Burns Pet Nutrition is sponsoring a project that has helped countless children across the UK and America to learn to read with the help of a canine friend.
Natures Menu has launched a ‘balanced’ raw cat food.
Pup Aid is running its annual Fun Dog Show in Primrose Hill, London on Saturday, September 7, supported by dog-loving celebrities Ricky Gervais, Noel Gallagher and Girls Aloud.
With the addition of HM Scarterfield in Sussex and Bones South West in Devon, the Lovejoys brand of premium dog food is now able to fully serve the entire independent UK market.
Feedback from last year’s open day at Peregrine Livefoods was so positive that directors Dave Perry and Tim Green have decided to do it again.
Over 20,000 people visited the two-day London Pet Show 2013. Floor space for this year’s event at Earl’s Court increased by 40%, and over 180 exhibitors took on stands.
ALF has brought out a range of eco-friendly collars and leads made from sustainable materials and organic dyes.
Police are urging retailers to be on the lookout after 50 Royal pythons were stolen from a Nottinghamshire pet shop.
Kennelpak has added canned pet food to its Taste of the Wild grain-free range.
Thirty-five workers are being laid off after fire destroyed the Pet Treats pet food plant at Clonmellon on the Westmeath-Meath border in Ireland.
An established natural babycare and hygiene products business has moved into the pet channel and is looking for trading partners and stockists.
Verm-X is launching a new special offer pack of Verm-X Pellets for Horses & Ponies, which includes a voucher for two free worm counts worth more than £18.
US pet owners spent $53 billion on their companion animals last year – and businesses are taking notice, the American Pet Products Association says.
Dogs Trust and Endsleigh Insurance Brokers have introduced a specialist insurance policy to encourage more landlords to accept pets in their properties.
Dorwest Herbs is offering ‘fantastic’ deals for retailers in support of its Happy in My Skin campaign, which is running again this summer.
Utah-based Orabrush has launched Orapup, a tongue cleaner for dogs.
Fire has severely damaged a West London pet store, killing a ‘small number of animals’.
Pet shops are at serious risk of losing business by leaving customers hanging on the telephone for almost 40 seconds at a time, new research has revealed.
Researchers say nearly two million Britons would take their partner to court to fight for custody of their pet if they split up.
One of the best known dogs of 2013, Crufts Best in Show winner Jilly, will be joined by celebrities and stars of the two- and four-legged variety as she and her owner, Gavin Robertson, undertake a 130-mile sponsored walk to raise money for charities.
Trixie has introduced a three-storey ‘villa’ – the Pure Nature Villa features a tunnel filled with hay and a ladder wrapped with carrot pieces, specially designed for chewing and climbing.
An order fulfilment house has launched a new service for the pet care and animal supplement industry.
A twelve-foot square window was smashed and dog food stolen from Teviot Town and Country Supplies in Hawick, Northumberland, in the early hours.
Verm-X has brought out Verm-X for Reptiles, which it says provides ‘the natural control of intestinal hygiene with an effective blend of non-GM quality herbs’.
Puppy buyers no longer need to be duped by rogue breeders, says the Kennel Club, which has become the only organisation in the UK to receive UKAS accreditation to certify breeders who belong to its Assured Breeder Scheme.
Human medications and supplements pose serious risks to pets and accounted for many of last year’s 180,000 calls to the Animal Poison Control Center in the US.
John Hanley has been elected chairman of NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) for 2013 at this year’s NOAH AGM in London last week.
Scissal has won the Innovation Award at the Local Living Business Awards 2013 in Rutland.
A Stoke-on-Trent entrepreneur has had to close the door on her dream pet shop.
A £200 tortoise has been stolen from a Lancashire pet shop.
The team at Thomas Irving’s of Chesterfield is celebrating after winning £1,000 in the TopSpec building block game at BETA International.
The young Kennel Club is giving its members the opportunity to come up with the theme for this year’s YKC Artist of the Year Competition.
PAWZ dog boots, which were launched by Collarways at PATS Harrogate last September and The London Vet Show in November, are now available in black across all sizes.
Greenpeace has launched a campaign to save Europe’s bees with the release of a comprehensive scientific review of the factors putting pollinators and agriculture in Europe at risk.
A Gloucestershire council is to spray-paint dog faeces bright orange in a bid to shock owners into changing their bad habits.
A new study from Churchill Pet Insurance has revealed that 65% of dog owners are more likely to tell their innermost secrets to their pet instead of their partner.
Arden Grange has unveiled a new grain-free dry cat food range.
Mark Spellman has joined Bedford-based Alf Ltd as area sales person for the South East.
The British Veterinary Association has warmly welcomed an announcement by the Welsh Government that all dogs in Wales must be microchipped from March 1, 2015.
Pets at Home is calling on other retailers to follow its lead and stop selling rabbit muesli as a result of new research.
Pet loving celebrities including Sinitta, Felicity Kendal and Arlene Phillips have joined forces to support this year’s Blue Cross Tea Party.
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With more than 50% of its exhibitors currently exporting their products, PATS is looking to increase its overseas visitor presence at Harrogate in September.
Rehabilitation is a growing field of pet health care in the US that aims to help animals cope with physical problems such as knee or back trouble by improving strength and flexibility, possibly decreasing the need for medication.
Forty dogs and their owners joined in a sponsored walk and raised about £360 for the Ravenswood Pet Rescue Centre, in Wisbech.
According to the PDSA Wellbeing report, rabbit owners get more satisfaction from giving their pet a treat than dog owners do, with 56% saying it makes them feel happy and 45% saying it makes them feel caring.
Paul Spencer has joined cages and accessories importer Sky Pet Products, covering the north of England plus Scotland and Ireland.
The story of trading for independent retailers in the first quarter of the year was related in the comments made by bira members in the trade association’s latest survey as much as in the numbers collected, with 39 of the 72 statements including the word ‘weather’.
Training cats can be a challenge for owners, but Beaphar believes it has the answer with its new Play Spray.
With more than 300 brands represented – an increase of 35% – ExpoZoo 2013 has had to move into a bigger hall at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris.
Large companies such as Google and Amazon – and of course many in the pet trade – have been allowing dogs in the workplace on a regular basis, and now the BBC’s This Week programme has a resident canine.
Animaware, the creators of AnimAlarm, has won a business award for its temperature-monitoring device for pets.
Marketing executive Anna Prest, from nutritional supplements firm Lintbells, has been named Young Marketeer of 2012 at the Veterinary Marketing Association Awards.
The Pet Industry Federation launches a Quality Assurance Standard for Groomers this weekend to lift public confidence in the grooming industry.
As more and more resources are devoted to treating pets with serious illnesses, the lines between human and veterinary oncology are blurring, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Wallace Cameron celebrated the launch of its pet first aid course in style, with dog owners and people from the pet industry turning up to discover more about the course and enjoy the evening’s celebrations.
The Royal Bath & West of England Society marks its 150th anniversary this year, celebrates a 70% rise in UK female farriers, and hosts the finals of the British Farrier and Blacksmith Association National Championships.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has returned from a trade mission to Equitana, Germany, where it accompanied a group of 35 exhibitors and also promoted goods and services for companies unable to attend.
The RSPCA is investigating an incident in which a dog died, allegedly following a visit to a dog grooming parlour in south London.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that a Nestlé Purina Petcare TV ad was ‘misleading’ and cannot ‘be broadcast again in its current form’.
The Pet Industry Federation is running a one-day companion animal microchipping workshop at its offices in Bedford on Monday, June 24.
In light of the increasing popularity of the annual Animal Welfare Foundation Discussion Forum in recent years and to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary, the event will move to a bigger venue in London and opens its doors to a wider audience.
Little Pooch Dog Boutique is launching a nationwide search for The Face Of Little Pooch 2013.
Vanessa Curl and Terry Bates are celebrating a combined 65 years (40 years for Vanessa and 25 years for Terry) working at Midlands-based pet accessories company Ancol Pet Products.
Wagg has updated its instant dog gravy packaging, bringing it into line with its Wagg’mmms dog biscuit range.
Cat owners are being encouraged to watch their cats for a day and then report their observations to the UK's first national CatWatch survey. The aim is to understand how cats use their home and garden, and to spot where improvements can be made to their world, potentially for the benefit of the entire neighbourhood.
Three of the equestrian industry’s most well-known names have signed up to sponsor BETA International 2014.
A group of south-west equestrian businesses have joined forces to help each other in boosting British exports from the region.
Interpet has launched an online catalogue to make it easier for retailers to place orders.
The UK’s first dedicated greeting card website featuring just pets and animals has been launched.
Managing director Ken Seymour is to wind up Best Friends Pet Products this summer to concentrate on developing The TastyBone Company.
A 400-mile cycling challenge to support the Animal Health Trust’s cancer research has raised more than £1,000 for the veterinary charity.
Entrepreneur and Dragons Den investor Deborah Meaden is to presetnt he prizes at the Pet Industry Awards in October.
Purina dog food brand Bakers Complete has unveiled the world’s first vending machine for dogs today.
Specialist distributor Solus Garden & Leisure, has signed a new deal with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Chris Newman, chairman of REPTA, gives an overview of pet-keeping in the 21st century and makes an impassioned plea to the trade to work together to safeguard and grow the whole industry…
Man’s best friend has now become our travelling companion, too! It’s official, a new survey by MedicAnimal.com reveals that the nation’s eight million pooches have become quite the seasoned travellers.
The Kennel Club and the World Union of German Shepherd Associations (WUSV) have signed an agreement to work in partnership in all matters related to German Shepherd Dogs.
As part of its continuing work to reduce pet obesity, the PET Food Manufacturers Association launches a new campaign –Friends for Life – next month.
Ceva Animal Health UK, manufacturer of the canine pheromone product Adaptil, is hosting an AMTRA-accredited puppy seminar to help educate delegates on puppy welfare.
Snowdonia-based Pero is set for a half-million pound expansion that will enable it to create specific own-brand products for customers as well as blending its own pet food ranges.
The International Canine Health Awards have been presented to two international medical experts and one UK vet student for their work in the field of inherited diseases.
Highly-calorific food, including cheese, chocolate, crisps and ice-cream are among a list of the strangest food we are giving our pet dogs, according to a recent report.
With five months still to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Harrogate is set to be the largest pet trade exhibition ever staged in the UK.
A man who admitted neglecting 57 dogs while running an illegal puppy farm has been jailed for eight months, banned from having any contact with animals for 10 years, and banned from owning pet shops for five years.
While at Crufts, Eukanuba was giving £5 money-off vouchers for use in Pets at Home against any pack of Eukanuba Dog 2.55kg and over, valid until May 31, 2013.
Bird flu has been discovered at a turkey farm in Suffolk, Defra says. However, tests have shown that the virus is not the highly virulent H5 or H7 strain, which can prove fatal to humans.
Natura Pet in the US has issued a recall of dog and cat foods available under the EVO, Innova, Healthwise and California Natural brands, driven by concerns about possible salmonella contamination.
Scorpions, snakes and spiders bought from foreign websites are being sent by regular post in order to bypass border controls, according to a BBC report.
A couple with 35 years’ experience in pet retail has set up a business offering holiday cover and relief pet store management.
Two new companion animal SQP representatives have been appointed to the AMTRA Council.
Pet store chain PamPurredPets has launched a Dog Café service for pampered pooches who fancy a snack and drink while out with their owners.
A video showing a group of dogs doing the Harlem Shake has gone viral. The Harlem Shake is a video-based Internet meme in which people (and now animals) perform a spontaneous comedic dance to the song ‘Harlem Shake’ by American DJ and producer Baauer.
Ben Helm, from Staffordshire-based Premier Pet Nutrition, was among the expert speakers at the first China Pet Nutrition and Pet Food Processing Technology Forum in Beijing last week.
Positive PetCare has signed up as as the official hygiene partner for The Pet Show, which takes place at Stoneleigh in July.
A campaign to have food for assistance dogs classified as VAT-free – in common with other working dog foods – has been declared redundant by the founder of a leading pet food company, who says such foods are already exempt.
The five winners of the inaugural Aesculap scholarship scheme received their prizes at Crufts.
Researchers say nearly two million Britons would take their partner to court to fight for custody of their pet if they split up.
In light of the increasing popularity of the annual Animal Welfare Foundation Discussion Forum in recent years and to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary, the event is moving to a bigger venue in London and opening its doors to a wider audience.
Forty years after the invention of the retractable dog leash, flexi is launching an unusual new generation of leashes at this year’s Zoomark in Bologna from May 9-12.
National assistance dog charity Canine Partners is launching its 10th annual Bluebell Walk campaign with a plea to UK dog owners to make 2013 its best year yet.
Fadulla is offering a 30% discount on reptile and aquatic products for spring/summer.
James Wellbeloved has secured the last available zone sponsorship at London Pet Show 2013, taking on the Discover Dogs zone at Earls Court Two on May 11 and 12.
A new free on-line service from the Kennel Club, MyKC, will give a lifetime of support to puppy seekers, dog owners and breeders by providing exclusive access to official Kennel Club registration records through their own personalised homepage, as well as unique tools to keep information about their dogs all in one place.
Allen & Page has scooped the Haygain Nutritional Helpline of the Year award at BETA International 2013.
The owners of a new pet shop are wondering whether drug abusers were behind a raid on its premises.
The Pet Industry Federation has added two one-day courses to its programme for 2013.
While most pet insurance companies see ‘ordinary’ claims, such as for shots, teeth pulling and animal cancers, here are some of the stranger and more unusual:
Cat lovers around the world are being invited to add their cats to a new ‘Cat Map’.
January is the second busiest month of the year for Kennel Club Breed Rescues, only slightly behind December. But according to the Kennel Club, only 1.5% of dogs needing help are a result of their being unwanted Christmas presents. Most are victims of the January blues and relationship break-ups.
A TV company is looking for pet companies to take part in a new documentary series about small and medium sized UK businesses.
Cirencester Saddlers proprietor Laurence Pearman is the new president of The Society of Master Saddlers.
The Kennel Club has welcomed the Government’s draft Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill, published this week, which will extend dog control legislation to cover rivate property.
A police chase followed a burglary at a Surrey pet shop.
Trixie has brought out Dentros treats in exotic fruit flavors. The dental care snacks have a hard cereal and rice shell to clean dog’s teeth and a soft filling with yogurt and fruit extracts.
Saltergate Business Park, near Harrogate, looks set to become a hub for pet-based businesses after two units have been leased to pet businesses, reports Harrogate News.
Almo Nature, known for its super premium cat foods, has launched Dailymenu for Dogs in 375gm Tetra Paks.
Snuggy Hoods has designed a lightweight, comfortable, practical and stylish dog rug to keep a dog and its belly clean and dry while on walks or at the yard.
Pets at Home has bought veterinary chain Vets4Pets in a deal believed to be worth around £40m.
Samsung, the Blue Cross and Crufts have launched a Help-A-Dog-A-Thon Facebook app to help provide health checks for homeless dogs at the Blue Cross.
Freelance veterinary physiotherapist Helen Morrell, from Surrey Vet Physio, has produced easy-to-follow instructional videos, showing stretching exercises and massage techniques used in her physiotherapy sessions.
One of Britain’s biggest agricultural events has been granted the Royal seal of approval, following a lengthy application process.
Award-winning dog groomer and international competition judge Colin Taylor launched his book, What Would Colin Do? 101 Situations and Solutions for every dog groomer, at Crufts.
Taxidermy is helping owners cope with the death of pets, according to reports from the US.
Wild bird care brand ChapelWood says a January promotion with a consumer magazine has been a strong success.
With more than 300 brands represented – an increase of 35% – ExpoZoo 2013 has had to move into a bigger hall at the Porte de Versailles exhibition cntre in Paris.
A simple, concise horse care checklist was launched at this year’s National Equine Forum in London.
Marketing executive Anna Prest, from nutritional supplements firm Lintbells, has been named Young Marketeer of 2012 at the Veterinary Marketing Association Awards.
Worcestershire-based pet food manufacturer Albion Meat Products, which recently celebrated its 30th year in business, has revamped the packaging for its premium range of meat products.
Eden H Ltd has a new catalogue featuring a range of quality pet products including a variety of niche products.
Two lucky retailers came away from PATS with free stock bundles of HiLife Nature’s Essentials cat and dog foods from Town & Country Petfoods.
A hard-hitting campaign backed by leading UK animal charities and Excel manufacturer Burgess Pet Care is seeking to eliminate ‘dangerous’ muesli products from the pet food aisles in the wake of new veterinary research.
A new ‘snack bag’ from Trixie can be quickly opened and closed with one hand thanks to its firm ring-and-snap closure, and is a practical and hard-wearing activity tool for training and dog sports.
Owners of Labradors and golden retrievers are being asked to take part in a study into whether or not these breeds are predisposed to obesity.
A new sugery is to be opened in Westbury, Wiltshire after the Garston Veterinary Group acquired premises in the town.
Childhood friends Daniel Valdur Eha and Mat Cockroft, who were raised on a small Yorkshire farm on home-grown fruit and vegetables, say they have ‘gone back to basics’ in launching a dog food range made entirely from fresh, raw, human grade ingredients.
Staff at a Liverpool pet shop are ‘extremely upset’ after a large lizard was stolen during a burglary.
The Kennel Club, BVA and BSAVA have welcomed a report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Select Committee, which aims to reduce dog attacks and improve dog welfare – but say it missed an opportunity to take a tougher stance on puppy farmers.
The Great Wall Motors World Series Gundog Championship returns to all of Countryman Fairs’ five events this year, welcoming dog food brand Chudleys as its new sponsor.
Popular pet car restraints have ‘failed’ a safety test.
The Equine Sector Council for Health and Welfare has launched the horse owners’ passport survey – the first step in a two-stage consultation that will build a case for a transformation of the horse passport system in the UK, by first identifying the problems.
A family-run dog bakery that has been selling treats to family and friends for the past year is now launching nationwide.
Southend pet shop owners Kevin and Sue Atkinson had some very special customers – TV stars Jack and Danny from the BAFTA-award-winning reality show The Only Way is Essex, often abbreviated to TOWIE.
Innovacyn, the maker of Vetericyn wound, skin, eye and ear care products, has added three new variants to its UK range.
A world-first collaboration was launched last month as Petlog, the UK’s largest lost-and-found database for microchipped pets, united with DogLost, the UK’s premier lost-dog organization, and Scanner Angel, the UK’s only microchip scanner network.
VetSpec (formerly PetSpec) has launched a new range of hypoallergenic canine supplements, incorporating the latest research in probiotics.
Poultry health and welfare will be boosted by the building of a new research centre.
At the Exotic Pet Refuge, in south Lincolnshire, Pam Mansfield has 350 exotic animals, from skunks to llamas, meerkats to alligators and everything in between.
Pets at Home has created a new customer magazine to be sold in stores across the country.
The UK’s estimated 10 million dogs each day produce around 1,000 tonnes of excrement – nearly four tonnes in Bristol alone – with billions of worm eggs shed each day, says a study.
Dogs, cats and fish remain the most popular pets in Britain, according to a survey carried out for a leading pet website – but owners also revealed their unusual taste in animals.
This March has seen a complete revitalisation of the James Wellbeloved dry cat food range, with the introduction of three new functional foods along with streamlining of the main range and No Cereal kibble product.
The Kennel Club has welcomed the government’s decision over the future of forests and woodlands in England.
Hundreds of retailers entered a prize draw at equestrian trade show BETA International to win £500 worth of Verm-X products.
The Blue Cross is warning potential pet owners to do their research before getting a puppy after taking in nearly THREE times more dogs because they were too big.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is reminding pet owners to keep all chocolate well away from dogs, puppies and other pets this Easter. Although awareness about chocolate poisoning is increasing among dog owners, vets are still seeing urgent cases because chocolate treats have not been secured out of reach.
Laughing Dog launched limited-edition, oven-baked Apple & Cinnamon Bites at The Country Living Spring Fair in London last week.
A survey of more than 1,000 Brits has revealed that 76% rarely or never feed wild birds in winter, this despite 61% saying they owned a bird bath, table or nesting box.
Large breed dogs age faster than small breed dogs, and larger breeds risk of death increases more with age than it does for small breeds, according to a recent US study of 56,000 dogs representing 74 breeds.
Purina PetCare brand Felix has signed up to a partnership deal to become the ‘official pet food partner’ of leading entertainment series Britain’s Got Talent.
Beaphar UK has extended its cat medicare range with Beaphar Stiff Joint Easy Treat and Beaphar Glossy Coat Easy Treat.
Abandoned Border Collie puppy Belle had her life changed around, thanks to her owner Helen Jones from Rotherham. Together, the pair have achieved the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS) Gold Award, the highest award of the UK’s largest dog training programme, and are now forging a successful dog agility career together.
Groupon in America has launched a pets deals page to ‘celebrate pets across the nation’.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has developed new Science Plan Senior 11+ Healthy Ageing to help retailers take advantage of the commercial opportunities presented by the ageing cat population.
Animal charities have called on the Government to change current legislation governing dangerous dogs following the death of 14-year-old Jade Anderson, who was mauled by four dogs at a friend’s home while eating a meat pie.
An association has been set up to develop standards for natural shampoos and cosmetics for animals ‘as there are no regulations for non-pharmaceutical animal shampoos and cosmetics to adhere to’.
Founded by pet lover Richie Womersley in 2006, Yorkshire’s The Dog Walker provides fully insured and registered care for customers’ pets in their own home.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition founder the late Mark Morris will be inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame later this year.
GA Pet Food Partners, Europe’s leading super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, has relaunched its website, which now features a new video about the business.
Paralympic gold dressage medallists Sophie Wells and Natasha Baker have been presented with new saddles from their sponsors Black Country Saddles.
Organic and holistic pet food brand Lily’s Kitchen is further extending the natural pet food market with the launch of a new range for puppies and cats.
Aesculap and Groom Team England have announced the five winners of the Aesculap scholarship scheme.
Butcher’s Pet Care hit the airwaves this week with its first TV campaign for its established Classic canned cat food, which debued on screens across the country yesterday (Thursday, March 21).
Last week’s Budget delivered on two of the three suggestions put forward by the British Independent Retailers Association – action on National Insurance and Corporation Tax, but kept the pressure on high street retailers by pressing ahead with a 2.6% increase in business rates.
Norfolk inventor Lisa Lambert has launched a new product after being injured by her horse while she was washing him down.
‘Green’ household products may not be entirely safe for animals, US vets are warning.
Monkfield Nutrition has joined forces with Channel 4 by providing reptile eggs for a new TV documentary, Easter Eggs Live.
Five months after taking distribution in-house, Crown Pet Foods’ sales and marketing director Andy Reed says he is ‘very proud of what we’ve achieved’.
The Pet Industry Federation has announced plans for the biggest British Dog Grooming Championship yet and the launch of a new consumer dog show, Paws at Bingley, taking place this year on Sunday, October 6, at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground.
The number of people in the US on Food Stamps is at an all-time high and now a new programme is allowing Fido, Garfield and their peers to get in on the act!
A record number of visitors attended this year’s PATS Sandown, making it the biggest and busiest show in the event’s five-year history.
Laughing Dog Natural Complete is growing with the addition of a Salmon variety.
The dooup Complete Pet Waste Clearer is an easy, hygienic way for owners to remove dog poo.
“Disgusting, appalling and totally illegal” is how Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, describes the treatment of horses at one of Britain’s main equine slaughterhouses as was revealed in footage obtained by a Sky News investigation and aired in January.
Oster Animal Care Products is sponsoring the 2013 Pet category of the BIRA Young Retailer of the Year Award.
The Pet Care Trust – the charitable arm of the Pet Industry Federation – has appointed Paul Miley as its new chairman. Paul, managing director of Burgess Pet Care, is helping to drive the Pet Care Trust’s new direction.
The Original owners of Fish4Dogs have opened a new factory in Iceland producing fish treats for pets.
Lucky Pet launched a new website at PATS Sandown yesterday, featuring numerous designs and a new designer label on its Superior range of beds.
Mark Tossell was named Best Representative 2013 in the Pet Product Retail Association Awards at PATS Sandown this afternoon. It is the second time Mark has won this award, on this occasion representing Nature’s Way in the South West.
The newly-named Pet Industry Federation has announced details of the Pet Industry Forum & Awards 2013, taking place at Chesford Grange Hotel, in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, on Thursday and Friday, October 17-18.
Groom Team England is showcasing its skills at PATS Sandown, which opens today, March 19.
B.one (Pronounced Be One) is a new range of luxury, fragranced dog shampoos that launched in Harrods in December.
Dodson & Horrell will be part of this summer's Coronation Festival in the gardens at Buckingham Palace, a one-off event for holders of Royal Warrants to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation.
Americans spent $62 million on canine plastic surgery in 2011, according to pet health insurance provider PetPlan.
Winners of the PATS Sandown 2013 New Product Awards were announced today on the opening day of the show.
PATS Sandown’s first day closed on a high. A total of 982 visitors flocked to the show – a 9% increase on the first day of PATS Sandown 2012 – and the atmosphere was upbeat throughout the day.
The Pet Care Trade Association is changing its name to the Pet Industry Federation, in a move designed to establish the organisation as the pet industry’s foremost trade body.
Supreme Products, the well-established British expert in products for the show ring and dressage arena, has secured two new distribution deals.
Disinfectant Zoflora is sponsoring the London Pet Show for the third year running. The home hygiene experts will be headlining the World of Cats, Cat Talks and the Animal Action Arena over the two-day event at Earls Court Two.
Pet Brands has brought out a new collection of clothing and accessories. The company says the range caters to growing consumer demand for fashionable pet accessories and comprises bedding, clothing, toys & accessories in a choice of three brands.
Absorption Corp, best known for its CareFRESH, Healthy Pet and CritterCare brands, has been sold to multinational manufacturing company J Rettenmaier & Söhne Group.
Eukanuba is incorporating 3D DentaDefense technology into its dog food with a new kibble shape and a new range structure, which will include separate SKUs for both small and medium-sized dogs.
Uptake has exceeded all expectations since the launch of Simpsons Premium dog foods into the retail trade.
North West-based Woofy Trade is having its busiest year yet, supplying a growing customer base of more than 150 independent pet shops with a range of ‘boutique-style’ pet bedding.
Staff at the Beaphar UK Haverhill offices got into the spirit of things for Red Nose Day with a ‘teenage-tastic’ pizza and pyjama party.
The Queen has lent the Kennel Club Art Gallery a collection of paintings and photographs from the Royal Collection for an exhibition, The Welsh Corgi in Art and Literature, which runs until July.
Greater Manchester-based UK Point of Sale is sponsoring the 2013 Support for Independent Retail Campaign, which will include sponsorship of both Independent Easter and Independent Retailer Month.
A pet food manufacturer fined £10,000 for burying 18 tonnes of dog biscuits has appealed against a decision to strip it of its licence.
The Logical Range’s Spill & Accident Kit wiped out the competition to scoop an Innovation Award (Pet Product category) at this year’s BETA International equine trade fair.
At the recent Global Pet Expo, America’s largest annual trade show, The Company of Animals in partnership with Northmate walked away with two awards for the Green slow feeder.
Butcher’s Pet Care is back on TV this month with a new advert for its meaty Lean & Tasty range of dog food which has less fat and fewer calories, as well as added L-carnitine to help dogs convert fat into energy.
Peregrine Livefoods has brought out a new-look ProRep substrate range.
Pets at Home has topped the Sunday Times top 25 Best Big Companies To Work For 2013.
A study describing the characteristics of electronic training collars for dogs is based on information that is at least six years old and therefore outdated, says the ECMA.
With just days to go before PATS Sandown opens its doors, the final preparations are being made for what promises to be the most successful show in the event’s five-year history.
Supreme Petfoods is giving away a gnaw bar, containing 20% crude fibre, with every purchase of Russel Rabbit 2.5kg.
SmartBarf, maker of a vegetable dry mix that can be added to raw meat for dogs, has won a regional heat in a Local Business Accelerators competition and is now heading for the national round.
The team at Not Just Pets’ Bath store will be celebrating Red Nose Day on Friday by imitating pets to raise buckets of cash for Comic Relief.
Despite the economic climate, pet toys recorded a 1.3% growth in value sales from 2011-12 to reach £76m and were bought by over half (53%) of pet owners in 2012.
KBF99 (Kills Bacteria and Fungus 99%) Grooming Kits not only help to protect horses from illness and disease, they also reduce scurf (without the use of chemicals) and promote a healthy shiny hair coat, says its manufacturer.
Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has been working with recycled plastics manufacturer Marmax Products to create new dog training aids designed with sustainability in mind.
Four momentous days of Crufts culminated in an exciting final as Jilly (Ch Soletrader Peak A Boo) a petit basset griffon vendeen was named as the 2013 Crufts champion.
Pets at Home is holding its sixth Innovation Day next month, offering the chance for aspiring inventors to pitch their pet-friendly products to a panel of judges from the UK’s largest pet retailer.
Pet retailers can now have free access to a wide range of risk management tools when they take out insurance cover with retail specialists Alan & Thomas Insurance Group (A&T).
Beaphar Kitty Milk is a tailored replacement milk feed for kittens. Formulated in line with scientific advances in feline nutrition, this palatable feed provides kittens with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins and oils that they need.
Animal psychologists, fashion shows, pet adoption, equestrian displays, pet care and an ‘ask the vet’ clinic will be among the attractions at Pet Expo 2013, a new consumer show in Kent.
Proving they really are man’s best friend, new research from Mintel finds that dogs are the nation’s favourite pet, with one in three (33%) households owing one.
The Kennel Club has welcomed new regulations to be introduced in Northern Ireland as ‘a positive step’ towards better standards of welfare for the breeding of dogs.
Scruffs – already known for its collection of ECO pet bedding – has launched a grooming kit and anti-gorge feeding bowls to enhance its ECO Collection offering.
New research reveals that sales of dog food reached a record £1 billion last year, driven by a growth in treats.
Crooked pet dealers are risking a rabies outbreak in Britain by selling dogs smuggled in from abroad, Birmingham animal welfare chiefs have warned.
Thousands visited the first day of Crufts yesterday (March 7), with a number of exhibitors reporting brisk trade.
More than 25,000 dogs are expected to make their way to the NEC in Birmingham for Crufts, which opens today (March 7).
Peregrine Livefoods is working towards the quality standard ISO9001.
Business banker Kathryn Harland spent a day working with one of her clients to get ‘first hand’ experience about their requirements.
Dogs in a new study demonstrated flexible thinking, which would allow them to understand a human’s perspective.
Poultry Zest, from the makers of Verm-X, is the first pelleted spice and mineral supplement for poultry owners. It is a nutritional supplement that its makers say can improve the all-round condition and performance of poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys and game birds.
The team at North Nottinghamshire-based Alpha Feeds has been celebrating the success of sled dog expert Pete Jones, after his triumph at this year’s Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain’s Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.
The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether Chinese production of jerky treats for pets has been a factor in reports of dog illnesses.
As Hedgerow Small Animal Feeds celebrates its 20th birthday this month, the Derbyshire company says its range and ‘zest for quality and value for money’ have never been stronger.
Whiskas, the UK’s best-selling cat brand, has laucnhed a new advertising campaign ‘Big Cat Little Cat’.
Leading European internet pet retailer Zooplus has switched its on-line payment processing to global multi-channel payment company Adyen in a bid to increase regional sales and support rapid international growth.
A Lancashire pet shop that has been open less than 12 months appears on national TV next week.
A dog food manufacturer has expanded into bigger premises to extend its product range.
TopLife Formula, the range of natural pet milks, food and treats for pets, has extended its reach internationally, making inroads into new export markets in East Asia.
Visitors to PATS Sandown can expect to see an impressive selection of new products for 2013 with a record number of more than 160 exhibitors unveiling their latest creations when the event opens on Tuesday, March 19.
Chewdles has added another new line to its fast-growing range.
Scruffs has brought out a range of orthopaedic pet beds predesigned predominantly for larger breeds or pets that require more support for their joints, back or body.
Five US states have enacted laws meant to block people from entering livestock production facilities under false pretenses to record undercover video documenting the treatment of animals.
UK businesses paid bills one day earlier in 2012 compared with the previous year, according to the latest figures from Experian.
Official registrations of ‘wolf type’ dog breeds – popularised by films such as Twilight and Game of Thrones – have dropped as rescue figures for these breeds continue to increase, leading to fears that unscrupulous breeders are cashing in on the latest canine craze.
Lovejoys has appointed its third wholesaler in as many months.
The British Dog Groomers’ Association has come out fighting in defence of dog groomers following a spate of negative articles in the national press. With headlines such as ‘How your family pet could be maimed or killed by dog groomers’, the BDGA is keen to provide balance to the reports focusing on recent tragedies involving grooming salons.
Independent shops are no longer opening at a faster rate than they are closing – so the high street vacancy rate is set to rise sharply.
With spring finally here and an ever-increasing demand from consumers for confidence and traceability in the food they eat, a livestock supplier is recommending pet retailers consider stocking chickens.
The Young Kennel Club is hosting a new doggy weekend at the Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on April 27-28.
Velcera, which sells PetArmor flea and tick products has been acquired by private-label supplier Perrigo.
Pooch & Mutt has launched a new range of seven treats this month.
A challenge to the role of SQP animal medicines advisors by the British Veterinary Association is ‘without foundation’, says the Secretary General of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).
A warning has been issued after six cats died of suspected poisoning in an Ayrshire town within a month.
Eleven British pet product firms exhibitied at this month’s Global Pet Expo, the largest North American trade show for the pet care sector, and early reports indicate that major inroads were made into US and other overseas markets
Animal-lovers across the UK are being given a rare opportunity to see Britain's Got Talent Winners Ashleigh and Pudsey perform a routine at The Pet Show in Warwickshire in July.
Representatives from across the horse sector have welcomed a commitment from Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on a number of measures to help protect the food chain and provide greater protection for horses.
Whiskas, the brand behind the Tasty Textures and Oh So cat food ranges, has been awarded this year’s Household Pet Product of the Year in the annual Superbrands survey.
The Scottish SPCA is calling on daredevils to abseil 165ft down the Forth Rail Bridge to raise vital funds.
United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) founder Andrew Wyatt has resigned as CEO and president of the organisation.
CEVA Animal Health UK, manufacturer of leading veterinary behaviour products Feliway and Adaptil, has appointed its judging panel for the second Ceva Awards for Animal Welfare.
New from Sharples N Grant is a ‘first-to-market in bird toy innovation’, the company says.
Equestrian trade show BETA International 2013 welcomed buyers and suppliers from across the globe as 4,551 visitors arrived for three days of business and networking opportunities.
Essex Breeding Centre, owned by Phil and Gail Gibbs, has been breeding and supplying small animals for 15 years.
Orijen has reformulated its dry pet food range using a new 'whole prey' concept, incorporating not only fresh muscle meat but also organ meat, cartilage and marrow to mirror the variety of meats that dogs and cats would naturally hunt in the wild.
Dog Rocks is to cease supplying stock to Amazon Retail in the UK.
Next time you ’re asked to do a name tag, don’t be surprised if it’s for a dog called Chicken-Fish or a cat named Pickywickywoowoo, as these are just some of the weird and wonderful names people are bestowing on their pets.
In light of a recent government anti-smoking campaign, a veterinary surgery is urging smokers to be aware of the health risks posed to their pets as a result of passive smoking.
Anti-Slip Training Pads are the latest addition to the Animal Instincts range of pet accessories, available exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale.
A North East pet shop is trading once again, eight months after a devastating blaze destroyed the building and killed dozens of its animals.
Simpsons has launched a new range of dog food. Owners Craig and Lisa Simpson say their Wigan-based business is the first in the UK to produce an 80/20 food.
Pet shop owner Steve Ball was having a day off at home when his manager called to say there was a fire in his shop.
Merseyside-based Eden Petz has had a busy start to the year, with the launch of a new e-commerce website (www.edenpetz.com) and a new trading name – Eden.H Limited.
For the third year running, KONG Company’s flagship product, the KONG Classic, has been voted winner of the 2012 Best Toy category by readers of Your Dog magazine.
On-line shopping site The Microfibre Store is celebrating after scooping the Pet Product of the Year 2013 title in the Innovation Awards at the equine trade show BETA International at NEC, Birmingham this week.
A Yorkshire couple who left the pet trade found they missed it so much that they have opened another shop.
Omega-3 could help laying hens avoid bone damage, according to new research – and the findings may also help human patients suffering from osteoporosis.
Burglars took thousands of pounds worth of stock from a Derbyshire pet store in a town centre spree that took in seven shops and a pub.
PATS Sandown has secured a strong line-up of speakers for two days of seminars designed to give pet retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new approaches and new profit potential.
Antos is launching an addition to its 100% natural, vegetable-based Cerea range.
A dog-walking business in the North East has been forced to rebrand as the original business name clashed with another company elsewhere in the UK.
The team at Walsall-based saddle tree manufacturers Eurotrees are celebrating their first year in business.
Cruel burglars killed 40 birds and stole stock worth about £2,000 after breaking into a pet shop in Scotland.
PDSA has made an urgent appeal for winter stock donations for its charity shops.
Are you worried about the future of your business? Are you finding it tough in the current economic climate?
A petition signed by nearly 600 people in less than a fortnight has failed to stop plans for a Pets at Home in a small West Country town that already has FOUR pet shops!
Burns Pet Nutrition will be launching new packaging for its dry food ranges at Crufts at the NEC, Birmingham from March 7-10 and then again at PATS Sandown on March 19-20.
Heddon’s Mouth in Exmoor National Park has long been a favourite with walkers – in fact, the Romantic poets Wordsworth, Coleriedge and Shelley often walked this stretch of Coast Path, taking inspiration from the landscape as they went.
Among the candidates for the the forthcoming Eastleigh by-election is one David Bishop, a retired painter and decorator (and poet and musician), who is standing for the Elvis Loves Pets party!
Trade stand space is available at the first Manchester Pet Show, which makes its debut at EventCity – next to the Trafford Centre – this Autumn.
Kennelpak has added the Southwest Canyon Wild Boar variety to its popular Taste of the Wild range of dog foods.
A pedigree puppy stolen from a pet shop during a late-night ram raid has been found – but three other pups are still missing. The shih tzu was returned safe and well, and two days later was sold to a young family.
Hedgehogs are disappearing as quickly as the world’s tigers, according to the findings of a 10-year study by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
Toplife Formula, the range of natural pet milks, food and treats for cats, dogs, kittens and puppies, is to launch new Cheesy Treats for Cats at PATS Sandown.
Steve Driver, managing director of The Company of Animals, has tackled Africa’s highest mountain to raise money for three charities – Dogs For The Disabled, Limb Care & FairTunes.
Lily’s Kitchen is launching a unique breakfast for dogs.
A shop worker who tackled a burglar during a raid on a pet store has been given a reward.
No contaminated food from the horsemeat scandal has been sold on to pet food manufacturers, pbwnews has been told.
The Advertising Standards Authority has decided not to uphold complaints about the Morrisons Christmas TV ad.
Billy+Margot has launched the first commercially-produced air-popped Popcorn for Dogs.
With the ever-increasing theft of dogs, horses, and parrots, internet pet retailer VioVet has launched the first Pet Theft Awareness Week from March 14-20.
Natural Instinct has chosen Crufts to unveil its pinkest pack yet – Salmon Working Dog.
Redwings, the UK’s largest horse sanctuary has issued a new information pack to help horse owners get clued up on strangles – the world’s most commonly diagnosed equine infectious disease.
While your partner might not be in the dog house, he or she might not be the only one in your bed this Valentine’s!
Firefighters were called out to Nestlé Purina’s pet food factory in Sudbury, Suffolk on Tuesday evening.
Long Paws, importer of the lick ’n’ flow pet water bottle, is now importing Hennessy & Sons’ range of luxury leather collars and leashes into the UK.
As part of the launch of the new range of Simon’s Cat pet products from Sharples & Grant, PATS visitors will have the opportunity to meet the creator of this internet phenomenon.
Following the launch of Wagg cat food, the brand is growing again with an expansion into the dog biscuit market.
Baggee says will be putting the ‘ooh’ into poo with its new Lush Doggee collection at PATS Sandown.
Global pet product manufacturer Radio Systems Corporation has acquired Pup-Pee Solutions.
The Kennel Club held its inaugural High Profile Breed Education Day last week, offering the opportunity for open discussion on the current state of pedigree dog health.
To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake, reptile and livefoods specialist Peregrine is running a series of special promotions for retailers.
Collarways will be launching a new line of tough yet soft dog toys at PATS Sandown.
A reptile breeder faces prosecution by Doncaster Borough Council following the sale of a snake in June last year. The case is the first time a breeder has been charged under Section 2 of the 1951 Pet Animals Act, which prohibits sale of pets from street markets and public places.
Supreme Petfoods’ Happy Hoppers Club is offering all its members a free giant heart-shaped Valentines treat, suitable for rabbits, guinea-pigs and other small furries.
Hollings is now offering Prime Chicken Fillets or Prime Duck Fillets in 100g resealable bags in a shelf-ready display box of 10.
The English Setter has come off the Kennel Club’s list of native dog breeds that could be at risk of extinction after registrations increased by 25% in 2012, in a year that saw a celebration of all things British.
Eleven British petcare product firms will be travelling to Florida at the end of the month to exhibit at Global Pet Expo as part of a UK group organised by PetQuip, the UK-based international trade association for pet equipment suppliers.
Central Garden & Pet Company, the Canadian owner of the Interpet, Blagdon, Kent Marine, Nylabone and Kaytee brands, saw sales decline in the first quarter of the financial year to December 2012.
Can bricks and clicks both survive (and thrive)? Will on-line save towns from the out-of-town gang?
Relatives of a partially deaf man who died because of a house fire believe his dog tried in vain to save him by waking him up.
BETA International is offering SQPs the chance to gain a maximum 18 CPD points – four more than last year – at AMTRA-accredited seminars hosted by the show’s main sponsor, Virbac Animal Health.
A pedometer measuring the number of daily steps taken by dogs has gone on sale in Japan to tackle rising rates of pet obesity.
Charities have welcomed the news that all dogs in England will have to be microchipped from April 6, 2016, with the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home saying they will offer a free microchipping service. The Kennel Club has pledged to gift microchip scanners to every local authority in England and Wales in support of the decision.
Two TV celebrities will make an appearance at BETA International 2013 – Countryfile presenter, ecologist and journalist Ellie Harrison and actress Claire King, famed for her role as glamorous Kim Tate in ITV’s rural soap, Emmerdale.
PamPurredPets has opened a new store in Melksham, Wiltshire – the company’s 46th.
The founder of a day care centre for dogs is planning to roll out the service nationwide.
The best-selling Chuckit Ultra Ball is now available in two new forms. Ultra Tug Medium and Ultra Duo Tug Medium have been added to the Chuckit range available in the UK from Mines for Pets.
Nestlé has announced a new pet food formula for the US market designed to help dogs keep up with their owners on runs.
New pet tribute website A4animals was launched last year initially as a tribute to the site founder’s Labrador Ben, who died after drinking polluted ditch water.
The University of Surrey has appointed Devereux Architects to create a masterplan for its new School of Veterinary Medicine.
Hen ownership has increased by 80% in just three years, with about 700,000 people now keeping them, according to the British Hen Welfare Trust.
Spending on dog food in the US is expected to grow 17% over the next three years, market research firm Euromonitor International reports
An English bulldog pup has died, minutes into a grooming session at a Pets at Home branch.
Shropshire-based Rosewood Pet Products has brought a new range of dental care products and shampoos to the UK.
Can bricks and clicks both survive (and thrive)? Will on-line save towns from the out-of-town gang? Top speakers will take aim at these questions and more at the bira High Street Conference.
Seattle-based Animal Supply has acquired a distributor that will enable the company to add 12 states in the eastern US plus Washington, DC to its footprint.
Verm-X has announced it is sponsoring popular display team, Chariots of Fire.
Jerry Green Rescue has launched a Love Us, Love Our Dogs campaign for Valentine’s Day, urging people to donate a shoebox filled with toys and treats to their local Jerry Green Dog Rescue centre.
National Nest Box Week, which this year runs from February 14-21, was organised by the British Trust for Ornithology to encourage people to create homes for wild birds in their gardens. It is the ideal time to stock and promote a wide variety of bird boxes.
Following the launch of the Happy Hoppers Club for retailers last year, Supreme is implementing a significant price drop on Russel Rabbit 12.5kg to support its crusade for better quality weigh-up.
Domesticated dogs evolved into man’s best friend much more recently than previously thought, according to a new analysis of their DNA.
The Kennel Club is urging pet owners and motorists to take care when using anti-freeze, as just a small spill could be lethal to dogs and cats.
Simon Cowell is making a film about last year’s Britain's Got Talent winner, Pudsey the dog, according to the BBC.
Mars Petcare is considering closing a factory in Peterborough, which employs 82 people, following a review of its business.
A new range of dog beds is available exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale.
The Animal Health Trust, in Kentford, Suffolk, is celebrating its first year in its purpose-built Hydrotherapy Centre, with the news that the team has treated a record number of patients in 2012!
Pet toy manufacturer KONG Company has pledged to continue helping Pet Blood Bank UK in 2013 with regular quarterly donations of dog toys to reward the nation’s doggy donors.
More than 1,000 Bestpets ‘Local’ customers have given Alfie the Dog, Maurice the Guinea Pig and Ozzy the Budgie a new home!
To highlight the first multi-pet insurance comparison service, Confused.com has developed a Facebook app that enables animal lovers to create personalised comic strips that they can share with their friends and followers, allowing owners to have some fun by imagining the types of conversations their pets might have behind their backs.
Schedules and entry forms for the Kennel Club Gundog Working Test are now available.
Americans spend more than US$52 billion (£32bn) a year on their pets and the American Pet Products Association estimates spending increased by 3.8% last year.
ZooMed has a new range of T5 High Output Reptisun 5.0 and Reptisun 10.0 UVB lamps, made in Germany.
The kitchens at Champion Petfoods in Ontario have been working round the clock seven days a week to meet worldwide demand after a fire in November.
Two men had to be rescued after falling through frozen lakes when trying to rescue dogs, website London24 reports.
Three birds and a large quantity of dog food have been stolen in an overnight burglary at a pet shop in Kilkeel, Co Down.
DEFRA has banned the sale of five aquatic plants, but intervention by trade association OATA has seen a further three plants removed from the list. Sales of these three plants are estimated to be in the region of £3 million.
3P Enterprise is bringing a new portion-control pet food dispenser to the UK.
A campaigning couple want the Welsh government to amend a ban on ‘electric shock’ collars for cats and dogs so pet owners can install invisible fences.
The small pet market in the US is bouncing back from the recession, according research by Packaged Facts.
Britain is the fattest nation in Western Europe, with more than a quarter of the population ranked as obese, according to a recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Tickets have gone on sale for the inaugural The Pet Show, to be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on July 20-21.
Hi-tech pet-related gifts – including dog biscuit makers, treadmills and doghouse air conditioners – are gaining popularity in the US.
More than three-quarters of British dogs are happy – and a third of these are ‘the happiest they could be’, according to the UK’s first Healthy Happy Hound Report, issued today.
BARF diet specialists Albion Meat Products has introduced a Chunky Range to its extensive product list.
A new charity shop in Hayle, Cornwall, will also be offering advice to people on adopting unwanted cats and dogs.
Horse feed supplier DODSON & Horrell will sponsor the Pony Club and Riding Club Eventer Challenge at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in Oxfordshire yet again this year.
Businesses who write their own glowing reviews are to be named and shamed, a move, which could lead to loss of revenue and irreparable damage.
Visitors to PATS Sandown will be able to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points if they attend a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial.
Vets continued to operate on a dog after a fire broke out in Medivet’s 24-hour Care Centre in Southend in early January.
Chanelle Pet is looking to broaden distribution to ensure all independents have access to its brands, especially as it has launched a range of Disney-themed products.
New plans have been unveiled to help beekeepers protect their hives from pests and reduce losses of bees.
The Bestway Group, owner of Batleys and the Best Pets brand, has announced annual turnover up by 6.8% to £2.5 billion from £2.3bn in 2011. Profits for the group’s wholesale businesses were down from £60.2m to £59.2m, however – partly due to the economic climate and partly to acquisitions and the set-up costs of two new depots.
Nestlé has announced a new pet food formula for the US market designed to help dogs keep up with their owners on runs.
Independent manufacturer Salters is looking for stockists for its veterinary-formulated pet foods.
Lovejoys has appointed its second wholesaler, Warwick-based Trust Pet Products.
To bring Peregrine’s 25th anniversary to a fitting end, directors Tim Green and Dave Perry were presented with hand-crafted, reptile-inspired clocks by their wives, Dawn and Amanda.
Two parrots worth £4,000 have been stolen from a pet shop.
Pedigree Wholesale is offering retailers a new sales opportunity and an introductory offer with the LitterLocker, an ‘innovative system offering a convenient way to deal with soiled cat litter’.
Town & Country Petfoods, makers of HiLife, has launched a new ultra-premium pouch dog food, Spoil Me!, which is available from this month.
East Anglia pet food and farming accessories supplier HG Gladwell and Sons is to open a new branch in Bury St Edmunds next month.
Pedigree launches DentaStix Fresh this month ‘to target the causes of bad breath and help keep dogs mouths healthy’.
Increasingly, errors in pet medication labelling, dosing and administration are leading to dangerous and sometimes lethal consequences for pets, according to the Food and Drug Administration in the US.
The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund, a charity set up in 1981 to support the Park House Animal Sanctuary, in Stelling Minnis, Kent, is holding its annual Fur, Feather & Exotic Exhibition on Saturday, February 23, and is looking for new exhibitors.
Royal Canin will be sponsoring The Cattery section at The Pet Show 2013 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Kruuse is now handling all UK logistics for award-winning pet plaster company Nurtured Pets.
Petmate has acquired US pet toy manufacturer JW Pet Company Inc. and Canine Hardware Inc. The acquisitions include JW Hol-ee Roller Toys and Canine Hardware’s Chuckit! line of fetch games.
The owner of a Northern Ireland pet shop is appealing to thieves to return a young tortoise stolen from his Antrim store.
Ancol has donated pet accessories that will benefit thousands of dogs and cats across the country.
Trade stand space is available at this year’s Southern Counties Championship Show, to be held at Newbury Showground in Berkshire from Friday, May 31, to Sunday, June 2.
The RSPCA is calling for the grooming industry to be licensed after the fourth case in less than two years of a dog suffering ‘terrible’ burns at a grooming salon.
A guinea pig was stolen along with hundreds of pounds worth of animal supplies in a ram-raid on a Lancashire pet shop.
Peckish bird food has embarked on a TV advertising campaign this month. The ad is set to reach millions during its broadcast on ITV, Channel 5 and Sky.
Billy+Margot has moved to a new supplier to cope with soaring demand for its iced treats for dogs. New Forest Ice Cream is now making the unique range of non-dairy iced treats under the Billy+Margot name.
Chewdles has added two new lines to its treats range.
A Pet shop was among dozens of properties in a Devon village affected when £1m river defences were ‘overwhelmed’.
Applaws has introduced a range of dry foods which it believes to be the closet thing to a dog’s natural diet in a bag.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get fit this year, then dog walking is a great way of increasing physical activity and may help reduce rates of obesity, making pets the ideal fitness partner for the year ahead, says Mars Petcare.
The Forget Me Not Farm Complete Chaff comes in pretty, pink packaging, sporting a picture of Vanilla, the brand’s chief taster. The low-sugar chaff provides a balanced diet without the need for any extras.
Key industry figures will challenge the audience, the cream of UK independents, with their views on changing consumer habits, on-line retail, implementing the Portas Report and the future of the High Street. Doubtless they will be challenged right back by independents in the discussions that follow.
A new family-owned pet and equine shop has opened in Yelverton, Devon.
Six-year-old Neve Barraclough from Tingley, West Yorkshire, has helped an unwanted puppy on its way to becoming a successful competitor in the fast and furious dog sport of flyball.
Baggee has landed its Doggee waste bag dispenser in M&S and is now positioned in M&S/Doggee-branded display units in shops around the country.
Dog owners could face criminal charges if their animals bite burglars under law changes proposed by the Welsh government, the Kennel Club has warned.
Healthy Paws attended its first BVNA congress, and offered a Hotel Chocolat Hamper as a prize on its stand.
The Pet Advisory Committee, using the government’s own figures, estimates that pet lovers spent almost £6 billion in 2010 and contributed more than £2 billion to the nation’s coffers in taxes.
There is still time for Young Kennel Club members to enter the annual Young Kennel Club Canine Art Competition, now in its fifth year.
Butcher’s Pet Care’s new range of Lean & Tasty complete dog food contains less fat and calories, and has added L-carnitine to help dogs convert fat into energy. So even if owners carry on feeding their dog the same quantity as before, their dog will get 30% less fat.
The new Lick ‘n’ Chicken chips from Sharples ‘N’ Grant ‘give the trade a special treat all year round for dogs to get their teeth into’, says the company.
A charity has warned of a tough winter ahead for horses.
CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds was shortlisted for an International Trade Award.
Fish4Dogs has launched two new healthy dog treats – Fish4Dogs Sea Wrap and Fish4Dogs Sea Hide.
Cologne’s international spoga horse spring trade show throws open its doors in early February.
Online website TopCashback.co.uk has been named Britain’s 35th fastest-growing private company in 2012 in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 list. Last year it came fifth.
Pet accessories company Ancol is inviting dogs across the country to take part in a competition to find the front cover of its 2013/4 catalogue.
The new year is a time when businesses are looking at budgets and considering restructuring or expanding their sales force.
From breakfast table to the wild bird table, CJ Wildlife has introduced peanut butter for birds. Produced in the UK, this blend of super-high calorie peanut butter is specially formulated for garden birds to give them a high-energy boost throughout the year.
Rosewood Pet Products has collaborated with card and gift manufacturer Born to Shop to create a new range of pet toys and accessories.
James Wellbeloved is to sponsor the Kennels section at The Pet Show 2013, taking place in July at Warwickshire.
Mars Petcare brand Sheba has introduced the Fresh Choice pouches range, designed to give cats smaller meals spread throughout the day.
Interpet has pledged to work within the best practice principles of the highly-regarded Investors in People Standard by strengthening its employee support and focussing on the ongoing improvement of the business.
TopSpec has launched a new Donkey Forage Balancer in conjunction with The Donkey Sanctuary which will benefit donkeys the world over.
After only seven months running a website for pet lovers, Dhyani Crawford, of Pawesome Service, was thrilled to win a #WOW business award from Ann Summers executive Jacqueline Gold.
Six varieties of the Almo Nature Classic cat food range are now available in 55g portion-sized pouches.
Karlie Flamingo will this month convert its entire fleet to Mercedes, replacing around 100 vehicles at home and abroad.
Royal Warrants holders have been invited to next year’s Coronation Festival to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
Northern Pet Trade is distributing a range of foraging toys for parrots. Creative Foraging Solutions provides parrots with interesting and mentally stimulating toys.
On-line retailer wayfair.co.uk has launched a winter boot for dogs. The home goods retailer says Duggs Snowboots will be ‘this season’s trendiest dog wear item’.
A St Austell pet shop owner has teamed up with a reptile expert to open an exotic animal section in her store.
Pet insurance provider pet-insurance.co.uk says customers can receive an on-line discount of 25%, plus a further 10% per additional dog or cat.
The Kitten Starter Pack from Rosewood Pet Products includes all the products new kitten owners will need.
Dengie has donated feed to two of Ireland’s leading animal charities as the number of neglected horses and ponies continues to rise.
The search is on to find winners of the 2013 BETA Business Awards, which celebrate and reward significant contributions to the equestrian industry.
A first-timer has won top place in a field trial competition after friends entered her for the competition without her knowing.
Alpha Feeds-sponsored Canicross and Bikejor champions Kim and Mark Mazzucca hit top form in Scotland.
TopSpec has introduced TopChop Grass, a blend of specially-selected dried, British grasses.
More than 80 puppies were seized during a major RSPCA investigation into puppy trafficking and the alleged sale of dogs via internet ads.
A new dog and cat grooming parlour has opened near Southend in Essex. Furry Dog Mothers, in Westcliff-on-Sea, is owned and run by friends Tia Perrin, 21, and Sasha Clarke, 23.
New owner Westland Horticulture has pledged increased investment in the Bucktons range of feeding mixes for racing pigeons.
The Young Kennel Club is calling for nominations to the Shaun McAlpine Award.
A Cornish pet shop held a Christmas party to say thank you to its loyal customers.
Next year’s Kennel Club Gundog Working Test is to be held at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire from May 29-June 2.
A new animal welfare report by veterinary charity PDSA suggests that millions of UK pets are more aggressive, overweight and misunderstood due to fundamental gaps in pet owners’ animal welfare knowledge.
Horse health care product range KBF99 has received a Lord Stafford Award, winning the top prize in the innovation category, which was presented at an awards dinner at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
The Company of Animals has introduced the Tuffy Toys range, which have their own toughness scale to help owners select the right one for their dog.
Peregrine has introduced a range of Christmas stockings for Bearded dragons, tortoises, Leopard geckos and turtles.
British pet owners will spend £25 million on snacks and treats in December through grocery outlets alone, reveals the grocery market measurement and consultancy firm SymphonyIRI Group.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspected arson attack gutted a Kent pet shop in the early hours of Sunday.
Dog bed manufacturer Kudos Pet Products has ceased trading.
If by some fluke you have managed to avoid the media frenzy thus far, the world is supposed to come to an apocalyptic, burning end this Friday, December 21.
Kruuse is to handle all UK logistics for award-winning pet plaster company Nurtured Pets from January 1.
Group55 has won three major distribution deals which will see its Animology range of pet shampoos and grooming sprays sold throughout the US, Russia and China.
All exhibition space at PATS Sandown has been sold.
Women are bigger dog lovers than men, with over 40% of all Kennel Club-registered dogs being registered solely to women.
New rules affecting new applications for the sale of tortoises came into effect on November 1.
US vet Trish Kirby sets out to correct ‘misconceptions’ about pet food ingredients and production to help consumers make good choices for their pets in The Record, New Jersey.
Move over Ashleigh and Pudsey – there’s a new dog act in town!
Pet Schedule is a new online pet scheduling service for grooming salons, mobile groomers, sitters, kennels, dog walkers and doggy day care. Developed by Pet Star, it allows users to schedule appointments and manage clients.
K9 Competition is a new range of shampoos and conditioners from Sweden. K9 manager Christer Johansson said: “K9 Competition sets a totally new, higher standard in coat care for dogs and cats. It is time saving, quick drying and a supreme detangler with long-lasting effect. It is easy to use and you will get immediate, stunning results every time.”
A new dog and cat grooming parlour has opened near Southend in Essex. Furry Dog Mothers, in Westcliff-on-Sea, is owned and run by friends Tia Perrin, 21, and Sasha Clarke, 23.
A survey of US millionaires reveals that the pet of choice among the nation's wealthiest is largely the canine variety.
Hagen will be using the London Pet Show to showcase its Exo Terra, Fluval and Laguna products to thousands of pet lovers in May 2013.
DeZynaDog has released a new range of colours for its Automatic Dog Drying Machine. Previously available only in fiberglass white, the Special Editions are available in a variety of glittering colours – literally.
Pet healthcare specialist Bob Martin is launching Felight, a new cat litter product that will go on sale early in the New Year. The launch follows an exclusive in Tesco from last month.
Groomers has unveiled a limited edition Festive Fragrance Collection for pets.
Pet accessories supplier Dapper has moved HQ after outgrowing its old offices.
Pro grooming equipment supplier Mutneys was shortlisted for a local business award due to its export success.
The number of groomers visiting the Pet and Aquatics Trade Show (PATS) at both venues in Sandown and Harrogate has increased by 56% since the first PATS event in 2009. The number of groomers who visited Harrogate 2012 alone increased by 18% on those who visited the 2011 show.
A Yorkshire pet shop welcomed ‘Santa Paws’ to town and offered a free festive photo sitting for pets.
Experts and traders are celebrating after what they see as a positive report by investigative journalists at the BBC.
Pets at Home has bought Ride-Away, a leading equestrian retailer
Natural pet health supplements firm Lintbells, manufacturer of YUMOVE and YUMEGA Plus, is celebrating after being named the best small business in Hertfordshire.
China International Pet Show (CIPS) again saw growth in its scale this year.
UK manufacturers are continuing to make inroads into the EU pet market, according to reports from specialist recruitment business Pet Trade Solutions.
Aesculap has launched a new clipper, the FAV5 CL hybrid. The mains-operated clipper is competitively priced to give groomers the opportunity to buy a high-quality clipper at an affordable price.
Sales are up almost 300% on Ancol’s range of luxury dog shampoos. With six varieties, each bottle offers up to 20 washes and is made from 100% natural ingredients, essential oils and minerals.
Forthglade has extended its range of wet dog food with the introduction of a range of 125g trays for smaller dogs.
Major international garden and leisure trade exhibitions in the US and Italy will be two of the highlights of the PetQuip association’s export programme for 2013.
Radio Systems Corporation, owner of PetSafe, has acquired Lucky Litter LLC, maker of ScoopFree litter boxes and cartridges as well as award-winning FroliCat pet toys. Lucky Litter LLC products are sold under the brand name Brilliant Pet.
EQISAFETY has introduced the Lightweight Riding Hat Camera.
The Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour (KCAI) and Purina PRO Plan have joined forces to deliver a programme of education, guidance and support to professionals working with dogs via a series of regional and national events.
ABBEY England is to sponsor the Champagne Bar at BETA International 2013 under its Equus brand – a range of rubber-based boots and the latest acquisition for the company, which holds a Royal Warrant for the supply of saddlery workshop materials to the Royal Mews.
Rosewood Pet Products has introduced three new coats designed to be ‘timeless classics’ but have ‘function as well as form’ by being water resistant.
Sweden’s pet rabbits are in for a treat this winter with more than 1,500 insulated hutches leaving The Hutch Company’s Kent factory for Gnargarboden in Sloentuna.
How pets bring support and joy to the lives of children was celebrated at a Pet Event run by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)’s at the House of Commons.
Your Horse Live 2012 saw records broken and new highs reached, with 21,838 visitors heading to Stoneleigh for the two-day event.
The final night of Crufts is to be broadcast on Channel 4 next year for the first time. More4 will continue its coverage across the remainder of the annual four-day show.
James Wellbeloved’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ got on their bikes recently to complete the London-Brighton Bike Ride, and raised £2,500 for Dogs for the Disabled in the process.
A new study recommends that a global system is needed to monitor infectious diseases of companion dogs and cats. At the moment, international health agencies monitor diseases for humans and livestock, not dogs and cats.
Susan Lewsley, designer of the Dogmatic Headcollar, has won the Established Business category in the Women in Business Achievement Awards 2012.
Steve Driver, managing director of The Company of Animals, is tackling the challenge of climbing Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise money for three charities – Dogs For The Disabled, Limbcare and FairTunes.
Xtra Dog is sponsoring Devon Dogs, a dog agility training centre. Senior instructors Lauren Langman and Mathew Rouse both compete at championship level in the UK and internationally.
The US market for natural, eco-friendly pet items is booming, according to a study by Packaged Facts.
A total of 30,202 people attended Discover Dogs 2012, the most successful in the 17-year history of the show.
Winning an award in the PATS New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, can be the launch pad to huge sales, according to companies whose new products have been recognised at previous exhibitions.
The many benefits of pet ownership also extend to the Chancellor, according to a statement issued by the Pet Advisory Council ahead of today’s Autumn Statement by George Osborne.
Ceva is calling for nominations to its annual Animal Welfare Awards. Whether you are, or know of, a veterinary surgeon who has dedicated his/her life to improving animal welfare, or a veterinary nurse who goes above and beyond the call of duty, Ceva is seeking as many nominations as possible ahead of the February 15 deadline.
New dry dog food brand Lovejoys has brought out a Senior/Light recipe specially formulated for senior dogs or those requiring a lighter diet. It is suitable for all breeds.
Retail packages business Weedon PSC, of Hednesford, Staffordshire, is working with TV vet Joe Inglis to launch his new range of Vet’s Kitchen natural pet foods.
The run-up to this Christmasa has started better than last year, according to Richard Perks, director of retail research at Mintel.
Collard has launched of a 100% all natural hypo-allergenic dog food in a convenient 400g vacuum-sealed tray.
Town & Country Petfoods, maker of HiLife petfood, is following the launch of its ultra premium range, HiLife Indulge Me!, with a new super-premium range called HiLife tempt me! The brand offers a choice of pouches, cans and packet cat food.
The Shop and Display Equipment Association (sdea) is celebrating 65 years of serving the retail display industry with the launch of a new-look website in acknowledgment of the huge shifts in retail design, thinking, style and approach.
The Kennel Club has welcomed the Welsh Government’s Control of Dogs Bill and consultation, which opened on November 23.
With indicators pointing upwards but retail statistics indicating that any recovery is still very fragile, bira direct has reported its second-best turnover month in more than six decades of trading – and in advance of the traditionally higher Christmas months of November and December.
Owners can now actively help to protect horses from harmful bacteria and fungus with KBF99 grooming products and stable equipment from Vale Brothers.
Peregrine has introduced new reptile-themed tinsel.
On Monday (December 3), the Kennel Club Art Gallery will again be opening its doors to the cream of the UK’s artists specialising in dogs.
Gardman, which launched its pet care brands in June, believes that pet care offers great potential for garden centre sales.
Beco Things reports a ‘hugely successful’ Discover Dogs, with sales of its pet products double last year’s total.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) 2012 Conference was declared a resounding success as more than 70 delegates arrived to hear a programme of topical presentations and catch up with industry contacts.
Feelwell’s has given its packaging a facelift, with brighter, more colourful packs. Key information is now easier to read, so customers can quickly identify the benefits for their dog.
The Cats Protection is struggling to cope with the large numbers of unwanted cats and kittens, which have hit an all-time high, coinciding with an all-time low in adoptions.
Newly-launched Lovejoys dry dog food has appointed its first wholesaler – Lancashire-based Bamfords Top Flight.
The pbwnews trade-only website – www.petbusinessworld.co.uk – has attracted more than ONE MILLION hits in a single month for the first time, with three days still to go!
To celebrate Discover Dogs and the positive impact that dogs can have on our lives, the Kennel Club and dog bedding company Charley Chau have joined up to offer prizes for inspirational dog stories
Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, urged the public at the charity’s annual conference to recognise the contribution horses make to the economy, culture and society, and urgently called for the government to better protect British horses from the spread of disease.
New fully mobile veterinary physiotherapy service Surrey Vet Physio has launched in the south-east, providing a range of therapies for equines and canines in Surrey, West Sussex, Hampshire – and further afield by special arrangement.
A 2006 study of 44,000 businesses across the UK on the brink of bankruptcy reveals that almost two-thirds have survived.
Just under 30 young people aged 14-24 attended the recent fifth annual Young Kennel Club Careers with Dogs Day to gain information about the range of canine career options.
Pets at Home has launched a new customer scheme for pet lovers this week, which enables shoppers to convert the points they receive into support for a local or national animal charity of their choice.
A paperback offers practical advice and expert opinion on helping dogs cope with arthritis. With colour photographs, the 80-page ‘My Dog has Arthritis’ by Gill Carrick also features case histories and owner insights. RRP £9.99.
Indypets has brought a new hutch and cage cleaner to the market. The Hutch Buddy is an ergonomically designed hand tool made of hand-forged steel with a wood handle and leather strap.
A new study has shown that if owners use a tracking device on dogs when out walking, their pets have more freedom and are more content.
Procter Pest-Stop supplies a range of humane mousetraps for both domestic and professional use. Ventilation points reduce stress to trapped mice.
A new School of Veterinary Medicine will be launched at the University of Surrey in 2014, constructed around the theme that human and animal health is intrinsically linked.
Chapelwood has issued a reminder that wild birds need nutritional food to keep them healthy throughout the long winter months.
Cat Mate has launched two cat flaps which control pet access either via an implanted microchip or via an RFID collar disc through the same cat flap.
Veterinary associations have told a committee of MPs that the Dog Advisory Council should be made into a regulatory body, and that legislation on dog breeding must be updated to ensure the future health and welfare of dogs and puppies.
Twelve horses made it through to the jump off at the Speedi-Beet Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Grade C Championship, but it was Tim Davies and Allure III that secured top spot with a jump-off time of 35.86 seconds.
Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey have helped launch a Kennel Club competition to find Britain’s most talented dog by asking people to LIKE top dog talent on Facebook.
The Association for the Scientific Study of Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapy (ASSVAP) is celebrating its first birthday.
Online community PetNet has introduced a ‘crowd sourced’ infographic gathering insight on different breeds, ‘Bark for your Breed’.
Long Paws, importers of the lick ‘n’ flow dog water bottle, will be supporting Pup Aid through its charity auctions. Pup Aid, a charity started by Marc Abraham (Marc the vet), works to raise awareness about the UK’s puppy farming trade.
A vet and 10 farriers hoofed it to Norfolk-based Redwings Horse Sanctuary for a training day run by Imprint Equine Foot Care.
A new pet modelling agency has been launched, providing animals to appear in photo and video shoots to help businesses in their marketing and promotional work.
From Pugs in the pub to Schnauzers in the salon, Britain’s most popular dog-friendly places have been given the woof of approval in the Kennel Club’s Open for Dogs Awards 2012.
Although ZooVetExpo 2013 has a strong zoo and veterinary focus, it is also looking to develop the pet trade in Ukraine. As such, it hopes to attract a strong contingent of international exhibitors of pet and veterinary products.
Melton Pets Direct has released its Cages for Christmas brochure which includes European-made plastic top cages, new items from Voltrega and China.
A new ‘coffee table’ book, Pets at the White House, chronicles the lives of America’s presidential pets from 1961 to today, mixing stories and pictures that show the role pets have played in life at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Animal and craft lovers took part in a Pet and Craft Day with Create and Craft TV’s Dee Paramour.
Charity Pet Blood Bank UK has linked up with online community PetNet (www.petnet.co.uk) to raise awareness that dogs and cats have blood types, just like humans, and that knowing this blood type can help save lives.
With four months to go before opening its doors to visitors, 102 exhibitors have snapped up their stands for Sandown, Surrey, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20, 2013.
Lily’s Kitchen has released a new, limited edition Christmas Dinner in a tin for dogs.
Haatchi, a three-legged dog, has won a special award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the House of Lords.
CEVA Animal Health has added a new product to its portfolio, which is licensed to treat heart failure caused by degenerative valvular heart disease in dogs.
Horseware Ireland will sponsor the Fashion Show at BETA International 2013. Famed for its equine rugs and technical rider clothing, Horseware Ireland has exhibited at the trade fair for more than 20 years.
Arcadia reptile is now the official sponsor of the Lemur Leaf frog project.
The government’s decision to defer the rating revaluation from 2015 to 2017 will further extend the pain that retail is experiencing and that has left one in seven shops empty.
You can’t wipe the smile from Kelly Newbold’s face. Following her win as Retailer of the Year at September’s Pet Industry Awards, one of her treats suppliers stepped forward with the offer of an exclusive own-label product.
BBC’s Countryfile has run a segment on Seasonal Canine Illness and the work being done to combat the illness, funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Oxfordshire-based Alpha & Ruby’s Dog Bakery is a new company with its own hand-made gluten-free baked dog treats.
Overseas companies who exhibit at BETA International 2013 will benefit from significant savings following new tax rulings that scrap VAT charges for exhibitors from abroad.
Procter Pest-Stop’s Bark Trainer is a simple-to-use battery-operated device that emits a high sonic sound to help train dogs not to bark.
More than 6,000 horses could be at risk this winter in what the Blue Cross and other charities are warning is an impending crisis.
Verm-X for Poultry, Ducks & Fowl, a herbal product for internal parasite control, is a blend of high-quality herbs that can also help improve the general health of all birds.
Pet owners across the UK will be encouraged to seek expert advice on preventing disease in their pets as the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) embarks on a new campaign next week.
The Kennel Club is releasing branded Doggee waste-bag holders, from Baggee. Available in green and orange, they have the Kennel Club logo printed on one side and a key chain that clips easily to dog leads or keys, and stores multiples of any type of waste bag.
Barkfellas, an ‘upscale’ pet hotel and spa, is starting construction on a second location in the Indianapolis area of the US.
Westland Horticulture’s production facilities in Driffield, East Yorkshire, have been awarded their third consecutive A-grade rating from the British Retail Consortium.
Star, a four-year-old Norfolk terrier belonging to Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, is winner of this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year title.
The contribution made by millions of animals in military conflicts was remembered last Friday, November 9, as dogs, horses and even a mule attended a special remembrance service at the Animals in War monument on London’s Park Lane.
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has given almost £30,000 this autumn to dog charities specialising in breed rescue and rehoming.
Alison Rogers was named 2012 Groomer of the Year at the British Dog Grooming Championship, winning with a purebred scissor bichon frise and a clipped/stripped springer spaniel. Runner-up was Linda Barker and third place went to Mike Wildman.
Verm-X is sponsoring young point-to-point jockey Frankie Hickman.
Representatives from UK and European exotic pet associations have warned of escalating risks to the trade following EU legislative debates.
A new law in Maryland requires pet shops to provide detailed information about the history of the puppies they sell.
One of the only dog and cat toy collections worldwide to deliver the major categories of toys in unique patent-pending designs is now available in the UK. Interpet will be the only company to distribute the Chomper brand collections to the UK market following its successful US launch.
Veterinary health company Ceva has launched a new urinary tract support supplement for cats.
Just a week before her wedding, Ali Fell, who runs Brighton Dog Training and has worked at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for eight years, was named as the UK’s first Kennel Club Accredited Instructor in Rescue and Re-homing.
Pets at Home is offering aspiring inventors the chance to showcase their pet-friendly products to a panel of key decision-makers at its fifth Innovation Day on Wednesday, December 5.
Fiona Vaughan and Lynwood Mac at Kenelms stormed to success at this year’s Alpha Agility Challenge final at Malvern.
Dorwest Herbs has been awarded the Best Small & Medium Business award at the 2012 Open 4 Business awards against stiff competition from other businesses throughout the region.
Supreme Petfoods has launched a loyalty club for pet owners to encourage them to use their local independent pet stores.
Pet stores across the East Coast of the US are suffering in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, as flooding has wrecked stock and fittings, power outages have hindered fish tank circulation and business has ground to a halt in evacuated areas.
The winner of a cockroach-eating competition died shortly after eating dozens of the live insects and worms at a Florida pet shop.
Small animal veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are set to benefit from two new Harper Adams University College awards being delivered in conjunction with industry partners.
Kennel Club chairman Professor Steve Dean has called for greater and more effective regulation of puppy farmers.
Pet food manufacturer Albion Meat Products is celebrating its 30th year in business by rebranding its range.
Nearly 10% of US dog owners bought Halloween costumes for their pets in 2009.
After years of training specialist dogs for the military in the worst war zones imaginable, Matt Croxford is setting up a new business on the Wales-Cheshire border, the Flintshire Chronicle reports.
More than 170 petfood professionals from China, Japan, Thailand, the US and Europe gathered at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in China, for the first Petfood Forum China.
Pet Trade Solutions is warning that too many experienced and effective field sales people are being lost to the industry and says that a possible answer to the problem is part-timers.
Following reports of a woman who was prosecuted by the RSPCA after she accidentally killed her cat by giving it painkillers meant for humans, the Blue Cross is reminding pet owners of common poisons for cats.
Mr Johnson’s has launched an addition to its Advance range – a complete food for ferrets, made from tasty chicken in a crunchy nugget.
Pets at Home sales rose by 7.1% to £544.3m in the last financial year – but results announced today reveal pre-tax profits up by just 0.5% to £91.7m and operating profit down 2.5% to £76m.
Arden Grange, the naturally hypoallergenic, super premium pet food brand, has added a Sensitive recipe to its Partners range of complete wet dog food.
Nishikoi Aquaculture has expanded into the reptile market.
From sheep racing and award-winning livestock to giant vegetables and local food produce, visitors turned out in their thousands to support the Autumn Show at the East of England showground at Peterborough.
Town & Country Petfoods is offering 500 retailers one case each of new HiLife Indulge Me! plus a case of new HiLife tempt me! pouch catfoods – absolutely FREE. That’s 32 single pouches worth over £20.
Spectrum Brands Pet Division, which includes the Tetra, 8in1 and FURminator brands, is to close its office in Southampton at the end of the year, resulting in redundancies.
Fetch! Pet Care, which has about 130 franchises around the US, has set a goal of 500 locations within the next few years.
With five months still to go until show opening day, PATS Sandown, which takes place on March 19-20 next year, is more than three-quarters full.
Wild bird and accessories supplier Walter Harrison’s is helping Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust enthuse the next generation of naturalists with a donation of more than £14,200.
Nylabone has developed a range of Dura Rope Toys for puppies and adult dogs.
BETA International’s free coaches are back for 2013 with an extended service for transporting visitors to the show. The new arrangement will see additional coaches leaving Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough and London, joining those travelling from Exeter and Carlisle.
Melton Pets Direct is running a series of weekly festive offers for the independent pet retail trade in the run-up to Christmas.
Dog health supplement specialist Pooch & Mutt has launched in Hong Kong, distributed by Wellon Aquarium and Pet Products.
Ancol Pet Products has formed a partnership with trendy retail and on-line store Cath Kidston.
A complaint by Mars Petcare about a TV and internet ad from rival manufacturer Procter & Gamble has NOT been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Cambrian Pet Foods is investing £1.4 million in an expansion project with support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund.
Hollings has had a busy autumn, with improvements to its factory, an extra packing line installed and five new members of staff recruited.
Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol, who plays head cook Mrs Patmore in the award-winning TV series, has backed the National Responsible Dog Owners Campaign.
The team at Mars Petcare, in Waltham, Leicestershire, has officially become Guinness World Record breakers during their annual Customer Development and Marketing Conference as the company set the record for the most pet food donated to charity in 24 hours.
Wilson’s of Dundee, which has been manufacturing dog foods since 1958, is now offering a more extensive product range than ever before.
The Kong Company has launched a new website at KONGcompany.com featuring details of its full range of dog and cat products.
Butcher’s Pet Care has launched a food specially for big dogs.
Dartmouth-based TV explorer and expert diver Monty Halls, whose adventures with his dog Reuben are captured in the hit TV series Great Escapes, is getting behind a new competition to find the Best Dog Walk on the South West Coast Path.
Leading UK reptile lighting expert Frances Baines will be running a one-day workshop in conjunction with Peregrine Livefoods on Friday, November 16 at Peregrine’s head office in Essex.
The UK’s leading house sign manufacturer The House Nameplate Company has turned its craftsmen’s expertise to producing a range of pet memorials, all of which can be personalised.
Wafcol is re-launching its specialist Wafcol Salmon & Potato Senior in a 12kg pack size.
The Kennel Club, with the support of the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association, is inviting dog breeders and enthusiasts to a day of talks and discussions on health issues and how advances in science could benefit dogs and their owners.
The company behind Yumove, the natural triple action mobility supplement for dogs, has launched a new version aimed specifically at young and active dogs.
Rosewood Pet Products has brought out a new Soft Protection Car Travel Harness which it describes as ‘an essential line for any pet travel range’.
A striking image illustrating the herding instincts of a border collie has been chosen as the winner of this year’s Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition.
Terraristika, the largest reptile show in the world, kicked off to a flying start in Hamm, Germany as thousands of eager reptile fans queued for several hours to gain entry.
The Kong Company has introduced a product new to the UK.
In an amazing year of British sport, the UK’s international agility squad were not to be outdone at the FCI Agility Championships in the Czech Republic.
The Pet Care Trade Association is launching a new cat grooming qualification at the British Dog Grooming Championship at the Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Sunday (October 28).
Harper Adams University College is investing in new staff, facilities and courses for veterinary-related subjects.
The Canny Collar is now available from wholesalers Bestway and Glenkrag.
Sean Connery, Odd Job and Jaws were just a few of the surprise guests joining more than 400 Happy Pet customers and visitors over the two days of the Bond-themed Happy Pet Showcase Event.
Pet healthcare specialist Bob Martin has seen sales of its spot-on products double since last year in pet retailers and garden centres.
Town centre independents continue to open more shops than are closing, making up for closures of chain outlets and keeping the vacancy rate from worsening – just.
The Young Kennel Club is taking the adage ‘never work with children or animals’ and throwing it to the dogs – by inviting young visitors to Discover Dogs to try out fun canine activities.
A call for a National Animal Cruelty Offenders’ Register was made by Oxford theologian Professor Andrew Linzey, director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, in an address at St Albans Cathedral.
Pond and garden watering equipment market leader Hozelock has been acquired by precision spraying specialist Exel Industries.
Premium pet food brand Harringtons has selected the four winners of its Pet Business World stock giveaway.
A pet food company has been fined £10,000 for illegally dumping 18 tonnes of dog biscuits. But the manufacturer insists that all packaging had first been removed – to be disposed of in landfill – and the biscuits were biodegradable.
Mutneys Professional Pet Care, best known for its range of grooming supplies, is expanding into pet accessories.
‘No Hire – No Fee’ pet industry recruitment specialist Pet Trade Solutions is warning employers to move swiftly or lose out on good sales representation.
Billy + Margot, the iced treat for dogs, has secured investment from Deborah Meaden in the latest series of TV’s Dragons' Den.
The Kennel Club and the National Dog Warden Association have launched the UK’s first qualification for dog wardens, recognised by City & Guilds, which will set a national standard for those who enforce responsible dog ownership legislation.
Burns Pet Nutrition has rebranded and repackaged its entire dry dog food range to make it simpler to understand. Crucially, all formulations and ingredients remain the same, says marketing manager Steve Chilvers.
‘No hire, no fee’ pet industry recruitment specialist Pet Trade Solutions is warning employers to move swiftly or lose out on good sales representation.
The London Pet Show 2013 is set for its biggest year to date with exhibition space increased by nearly 40%, attracting repeat sponsorship from big names including Burgess Pet Care and Royal Canin.
Northern Pet Trade has been appointed sole UK distributor for the Black Label parrot toy range.
Dogmatic has withdrawn its range pf headcollars, collars and leads from wholesaler Vital Pet Products in order to control pricing and distribution.
Performance dog food expert Alpha Feeds was out in force at this year’s Midland Game & Country Fair at Weston Park, Shropshire.
Award-winning dog groomer and competition judge Colin Taylor has opened his own dog grooming training school in London. The Colin Taylor Academy operates from the premises of Just Barking, an upmarket salon and pet boutique in Kensal Rise, North West London.
The response to a shop display competition run by The Company of Animals and Pet Head was so great that the organisers decided to award TWO prizes of a fabulous trip to Las Vegas for two people.
Many pet owners are unaware of a whole range of proven methods for tackling their pets’ fears of fireworks, according to Dorwest Herbs, which is making a big effort to spread the word with its annual Dorwest Say Relax fireworks phobia campaign.
The Scottish SPCA is urging snake owners to ensure their pets are kept secure after rescuing a staggering 54 strays this summer.
Newhay Feeds managing director Ian Burrows has been named Diversification Farmer of the Year at a national awards ceremony.
There are just two days left to enter if you would like to compete in the 2012 British Dog Grooming Championship at The Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Sunday, October 28. Entries close on Friday, October 12.
Pet Munchies is launching two new 100% Natural Dog Treats next month just in time for Christmas.
Harvest key to Despite the weather playing havoc with the harvest this year, farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson is delighted with his wheat crop – particularly as much of it will be put to good use in his range of poultry feed with leading animal feed manufacturer Dodson & Horrell.
Town & Country Petfoods has launched a completely new range of ultra-premium cat food, called Indulge Me!
Pedigree today (October 8) launches Wet Nose Week, a seven-day campaign that aims to spotlight dog health, nutrition and well-being.
Equestrian Life magazine, the national regional monthly, will sponsor BETA International’s goody bags.
Preston-based Group55 is more than doubling the size of its multi-award winning Animology grooming product range, with the introduction of a raft of new products.
SureFlap’s new larger microchip-operated pet door was launched at PATS Harrogate, with pre-orders alone close to the 1,000 mark.
Healthy Tummy is a new complete fibre feed from Dengie, created from home-grown alfalfa and then blended with ingredients to promote optimal digestive health.
Ceva Animal Health has raised £10,000 for the Medical Detection Dogs charity after completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in Yorkshire.
Pet Products Group has acquired a majority shareholding in Merseyside accessories company Sharples & Grant.
A decline in legacy giving could affect welfare services for more than 100,000 unwanted cats and kittens, Cats Protection warns.
Peregrine Livefoods has added to its already successful gift range with a new range of soft toys.
Pet product manufacturer Radio Systems Corporation has opened a new European head office in Dundalk, Ireland, which will create 56 new jobs over the next three years. The investment is supported by the Irish Government with the aid of IDA (Industrial Development Agency) Ireland.
Ancol has announced its grooming products sales are up 50% year on year, with its range of six luxury dog shampoos being especially popular among customers.
After 39 years in charge of a Birkdale pet store, Sandra Ellis is retiring from the role that saw her become the longest-serving trader on the high street.
On the back of recent reports of negative growth in the UK economy and a 10% increase in retail failures, the Shop and Display Equipment Association (sdea) says its members’ sales are on the up.
Crossbreed dogs will be sharing the limelight with their pedigree pals at the world’s greatest dog show next year, with the grand final of Scruffts taking place at Crufts 2013.
Pro grooming equipment supplier Mutneys was shortlisted for a local business award due to its recent export success.
This Autumn sees the introduction of Rosewood Pet Product’s seasonal bedding range Autumn Leaves.
Details have just been announced for a new national pet show, this time to be staged in Warwickshire. The Pet Show 2013 will take place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from July 20-21, 2013, and organisers say they aim to attract 20,000 visitors over the two days.
Groomers have until November 15 to apply for the Aesculap Scholarship scheme and the chance to win a superb package of goodies.
Arcadia Reptile has launched another product to further its goal of starting a ‘revolution in reptile care’.
H.H. Backer Associates will publish the December issue and the new owner will take over the publication with the January 2013 edition.
Awareness of different types of business finance is very low among small and medium-sized businesses, with most continuing to rely on traditional bank overdrafts or personal sources of cash for additional funding.
Ruth Martin from Mutneys took part in a charity abseil from the top of the New Art Gallery Walsall, West Midlands – all 120ft of it, or the equivalent of a 12-storey tower block!
Long-established premium reptile brand Habistat is nearing the end of a major repackaging exercise across its wide product range – as well as developing new lines for this growing sector.
Almo Nature’s range of cat and dog foods are now listed with Bestpets.
At the recent Peregrine Livefoods’ open day to celebrate the reptile sepcialist’s 25th anniversary, director Dave Perry was auctioned off to the highest bidder for a day to raise money for Jersey’s Durrell Institute.
Margaret Renton-Ferris, winner of the inaugural 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award following her 60 years’ service to the pet world, has died peacefully in a Tunbridge Wells nursing home, aged 90.
The fifth Annual Premier Groom competition held recently in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, attracted 85 competitors from the UK, Germany, Austria and Belgium as well as a record number of visitors.
For the first time in almost 10 years, Richmond residents now have their own pet shop based in Duke Street.
Europe’s leading on-line pet retailer, Zooplus, has confirmed that it is investigating the possibility of setting up a logistics centre within the UK, but that a decision will not be made until the end of this year or the beginning of next. No site has as yet been identified.
For the first time ever, winners of the British Dog Groomers’ Association’s (BDGA) British Dog Grooming Championship in October will be granted a suite of logos to be used for marketing purposes.
Wafcol is re-launching its Salmon & Potato Senior in a smaller 12kg pack size.
Card turnover at independent pet stores across the UK were down 10% in the second quarter of this year compared with the same period two years ago.
Herptelogical supply company Strictly Reptiles has ceased trading after 25 years in the business.
Melton Pets Direct says it has expanded its product range significantly ‘to help independent pet and garden retailers stand out in the competitive market’.
A veterinary charity has confirmed it has had reports of suspected cases of Seasonal Canine Illness from all of its five study sites since the end of August.
Outdoor accessories distributor Whitby & Co is offering one lucky Pet Business World reader the chance to win a fabulous, fully-stocked Nite Ize pet display unit worth more than £750.
Failings at several Pets at Home stores were exposed last night when BBC’s Watchdog went under cover in eight of its outlets across Britain. Some 4.8 million people watched the episode and by the end of the programme, more than 500 people had called in with further complaints about the pet retail chain, prompting host Anne Robinson to promise to return to the story at a later date.
This week’s show was the biggest and busiest PATS to date, with more than 170 exhibitors covering three completely full halls at Harrogate International Centre and 1,813 pet retailers visiting over the two days.
A Suffolk dog food company could receive a £9m tax rebate after unnecessarily paying VAT for 29 years.
The Kennel Club Agility Team GB made a great showing at the European Open Agility Championships in Sweden with a strong qualifying performance that saw the Large Dog team reach the overall final.
Interpets 2012, the only international pet fair in Japan, closed its doors after having seen record attendance numbers.
Lily’s Kitchen, the organic and holistic pet food, has once again won the award for best pet food brand in the latest edition of The Good Shopping Guide – the world leader in providing ‘ethical’ shopping information. For the fourth consecutive year, Lily’s Kitchen has scored the maximum points.
A new book by a well-known pet trade figure sets out to imrpove sales for both employed sales people and self-employed agents.
Pet Shop UK, the free on-line pet directory that promotes independent pet shops and pet-related services to on-line consumers, has celebrated its 150th lister.
Melton Pets Direct is running special offer on a new Christmas treat for dogs.
The opening day of PATS Harrogate on Sunday atttracted more than 1,000 visitors – a 26% increase on the first day of PATS Harrogate last year.
The 2012 Pet Industry Award winners were revealed at a ceremony on Sunday night at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, hosted by Keith Aldis, chairman of the Pet Care Trade Association.
Nestlé Purina will from January offer some retailers the opportunity to purchase direct rather than through wholesalers. The company stresses that it remains committed to its wholesalers and will continue to distribute via them.
BBC’s Watchdog is to screen the results of an undercover investigation into pet store chain Pets at Home next Wednesday, September 19.
Trust and Gladwells have become the first wholesalers to list new pet food brand Moorlands and will start deliveries on November 5 – the day Crown Pet Foods pulls OUT of wholesalers!
Chief executive Janet Nunn left the Pet Care Trust today (September 14) after eight years.
The Kennel Club has called for greater awareness about child safety around dogs following the release of figures showing that 16% of incidents involving dogs happen to under 10 year olds.
Gloucestershire-based pet accessory company 3P Enterprise has introduced a range of accessories for gun and working dogs.
Turf wars often end up with an injured cat in the surgery. SureFlap, the microchip pet door company, has been told by vets that they often ‘prescribe’ a selective entry cat flap to help reduce stress caused by conflict. So SureFlap has teamed up with animal behaviourist Jon Bowen, BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS, to understand how simple modifications to the cat’s environment can improve its quality of life.
Oster Animal Care Products has announced its sponsorship of the Pet Industry Award’s Pet Specialist Service of the Year Award, which is taking place at the Puma Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on Sunday, September 16
Chewdles treat producer Fold Hill Foods is branching out into the complete food sector. Chewdles is launching Meaty Dinners – a moist, meaty complete, and also a range of complete dog food containing moist chunks and country vegetables.
Pop legend Billy Ocean and ventriloquist comedian Paul Zerdin provided the entertainment at this year’s Rolf C Hagen gala dinner event, where the company celebrated 30 years of trading in the UK.
Equestrian bedding producer Plevin, which owns the Snowflake and Woodpecker brands, has secured naming rights for the UK’s biggest showjumping event in an exclusive sponsorship deal.
Crown Pet Foods has appointed Vital Pet Products as its third party logistical partner for the specialist pet industry.
With the opening of PATS Harrogate 2012 just days away, a team of retail specialists is gearing up to judge the winners of the show’s Retailers’ Choice New Product Awards. You can see all the entries at www.petbusinessworld.co.uk
Sharples ‘N’ Grant has manufactured its all-weather Fed ‘n’ Watered peanut feeders in red to encourage even more birds into gardens.
Pet specialists with Amtra SQP status can gain 22 continuing professional development (CPD) points by attending a first-aid seminar on November 12 in Cardiff.
New research by the Kennel Club suggests as many as one in five dog owners (1.2 million people) may have bought a puppy-farmed dog.
The PATS Retailers’ Choice awards, sponsored by pbwnews, will be judged on the first morning of the show so visitors will be able to see which new products came out on top across nine categories.
Burgess Pet Care has said it was surprised by Crown Pet Food’s decision to withdraw from pet wholesalers. In a statement, it said: “Over the years, Crown Pet Foods have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with these wholesalers.
Crowds turned out at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s recent free pet and craft re-launch event.
Bern Pet Foods will be showcasing its new Acana Classic range of dry dog foods at PATS Harrogate later this month, alongside the reformulated Acana Regionals range.
Nestlé is investing more than CHF 54 million (£35.6m) to extend its Purina pet food factory in Hungary.
Thieves stole rat poison and dog food from a business in West Cornforth, County Durham.
Supreme Petfoods has formed a new partnership with German distributor Nash and Nunki AG.
The fourth International Pet Conference takes place later this year in the Czech Republic.
IAMS is launching a collection of limited-edition Christmas flavours this month. The 1kg Cat and 3kg Small/Medium Dog bags will contain a recipe dry mix flavoured with turkey, wrapped in eye-catching red and green Christmas-themed packaging.
PetQuip is to organise the British pavilion at the Zoomark International pet product exhibition in Italy next year.
Pedigree has launched its biggest marketing campaign for a decade as the brand ramps up awareness of its nutritional credentials.
Petco, which has five Pooch Hotels in the US including two opened so far this year, says it will open an additional four by the end of 2012.
Pet Brands has launched a new Alan Titchmarsh Wild Bird range, supporting it with Pet Brands biggest-ever marketing investment.
More than 2,200 entrants from around the world competed in the Kennel Club’s International Agility Festival at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire last month.
New pet food company Moorlands Pet Foods has pledged to “never ever sell to grocery chains and large pet retailer groups”.
Pet healthcare specialist Bob Martin has invested in a six-figure sponsorship deal with ITV1’s new prime time show For the Love of Dogs. Putting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home centre stage, the new show is hosted by pet lover Paul O’Grady.
TopLife Formula, the range of pet milk products from speciality dairy Delamere Dairy was named as a finalist in this year’s GIMA awards. Just missing out on the winner title, TopLife Formula was a runner-up in the Export Achievement Award category.
The Pet Industry Spring Trade Show, previously scheduled for April 10-12 next year in Atlantic City, New Jersey has been postponed until 2014 and will become a biennial event.
The latest additions to the Naturals Bird Treats range from Rosewood Pet Products include Dari cobs and Millet sprays that are dipped and then smothered in natural flavours.
Fifteen more towns and localities have won Portas Pilot status, and the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), which has members in every single one, has pledged its continuing support to revive their localities.
Pedigree Wholesale has made a number of upgrades to its on-line ordering facility at www.petproducts.co.uk, making placing orders even easier and ‘enhancing retailers’ on-line experience’.
Outhwaites (Pets) Limited has been bought by The Animate Company Limited, of Ripponden, West Yorkshire.
Having recently refreshed and revamped its award-winning dog food range, Natural Instinct has launched a five-strong range for cats that includes Wild Game Bird, Venison, and Wild Rabbit in addition to the more traditional Chicken & Beef and Lamb & Chicken.
Visitor pre-registrations for the PATS Harrogate September show are at an all-time high, and the PATS team wants to ensure the show’s visitors are not only inspired by what’s on offer, but also comfortable and refreshed!
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has backed European Parliament calls for a science-based European animal welfare framework law.
Luath’s Holistic Nutrition has revamped its packaging and changed bag sizes ‘where appropriate’, replacing 15kg and 7.5kg bags with 12kg and 6kg respectively.
Fine dining establishments in the US are going to the dogs with new menus created especially for customers’ pooches.
The global pet food market is expected to be worth $74.8 billion (£48.7) by 2017, according to a new report from Transparency Market Research.
Zoomed has brought out a Mealworm Feeder for reptiles.
A total of 47 people in the US and two in Canada were affected by salmonella-contaminated dry dog food
On-line pet store www.pettastic-petsupplies.co.uk is the first UK retailer of the innovative AnimAlarm.
Arden Grange, the naturally hypoallergenic, super premium pet food brand, has unveiled its new-look packaging for its dog food range. As well as the fresh image, the bags have many other new features.
An award-winning pet grooming business in Fulham has celebrated its birthday by offering furry customers free treats.
Performance dog food expert Alpha Feeds is supporting the Terrier and Lurcher classes at this year’s Midland Game & Country Fair at Weston Park, Shropshire, on September 15-16.
The retail chain Pets Paradise, which has 62 stores in Australia, has collapsed and is now in the hands of the receiver. Stores operated by franchisees are not in receivership.
Following the launch of the Collection Coffee last year, flexi is now bringing ‘fresh ice-cream colours’ to the UK market for the summer.
Zoo Med says its Floating Turtle Feeder provides a ‘revolutionary’ new way to feed pet turtles.
The first SQP animal medicine advisor has passed AMTRA’s Avian Module. Jacqui Lowth, who first qualified as an SQP in 1998 and works for Hampshire-based saddlery store Norris of Beaulieu, enrolled to add the new avian module to her qualification in March.
New to the Natures Menu Nuggets is ‘Active’ complete meal.
K9 Natural is now available in beef flavour from Pedigree Wholesale. K9 Natural is a 100% natural, raw, freeze-dried dog food, which is based on the actual diet of the domestic dog’s closest relative, the grey wolf.
Verm-X, leader in the natural control of intestinal hygiene, has launched three new product guides providing answers to frequently asked questions.
In the US, Wal-Mart Stores has unveiled its own ‘ultra premium’ dog food, putting the largest discount chain into more direct competition with specialty chains such as PetSmart and Petco.
Lily’s Kitchen, the organic pet food brand, has launched a grain-free, meal-free complete dry food, which it describes as a ‘world first’.
Bestway Wholesale Group will invest £10 million over the next three years to expand its Batleys Bestpets group of specialist pet trade wholesale outlets.
Performance dog food expert Alpha Feeds is to sponsor the first dry land mushing rally in Northern Ireland this autumn.
A price increase across Supreme Petfoods’ core Selective and Original ranges from October 1 will produce enhanced margins for retailers, the company says.
The first two TopSpec nutrition and product training courses for retail staff in the new training suite at Middle Park Farm Research Unit in Pickhill, North Yorkshire, have been hailed a success.
Following on from the success of its Appleby Pen, Walter Harrison’s has launched a smaller version called the Sandford.
Greyhound owners from all corners of the UK will come together this September in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest single breed dog walk.
The ten lucky businesses that won £50 stock bundles from Pet Munchies in our May giveaway are…
Absorption Corp will bring its award-winning CareFRESH Hide 'n Seek Nestables to the UK through Vital Pet Products this month.
Redpin Publishing is to return to BETA International as sponsor of the New Product Gallery for the third year running.
Rosewood Pet Products’ new 16cm hard, vinyl treatball in a football design is great for a gentle game of dribble, but even better when filled with a few treats.
The company behind the Snowflake and Woodpecker brands has strengthened its small animal range with the addition of paper-based bedding and antibacterial woodshavings.
China’s pet market is booming. Around 40 million pets are already being kept in the country and the number is rising by an incredible 20% each year, indicating the extent of opportunities available to the international pet trade in China.
Animal feed merchant WE Jameson is to open a new country store and farm trade office at its Masham-based mill headquarters in North Yorkshire.
A leading veterinary charity is issuing an alert to dog owners across the country, asking them to stay vigilant for signs of a mystery illness which can kill dogs.
A pet retail business has received a business boost from TV Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis.
Entertainer John Barrowman and 60s model Celia Hammond won the first PetNet Celebrity Pet Owner of the Year Awards 2012, after ‘a frenzy’ of voting on www.petnet.co.uk
Bestpets has launched a loyalty scheme for pet owners, who can collect up to six soft pet toys as part of a collectors scheme. The initiative is open to retailers who are members of the Bestpets Local Retail Club. Customers who now shop at a Bestpets local store will receive a loyalty card, which is stamped every time they spend £20.
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has welcomed a further two charities into its Bark and Read Foundation – Caring Canines, in Bournemouth, and Dogs Helping Kids, in North Devon.
Town & Country Petfoods has launched a new range of HiLife meaty treats, with at least 70% meat.
A man has been sentenced to 80 hours’ community service after he admitted stealing a £375 snake from a Kent pet shop.
Forget dope tests – psychologists and the Kennel Club are claiming that increased levels of happy hormone dopamine, which is triggered by stroking dogs, could have been crucial to the winning formula used by Team GB athletes.
A team of six from Crown Pet Foods is taking part in the 54-mile London to Brighton bike ride on September 16 to raise funds for Dogs for the Disabled.
Burgess Pet Care is launching a range of gourmet dog food treats into the specialist pet food market this month.
John Burns, founder and managing director of South Wales-based Burns Pet Nutrition, has written to retailers in response to rumours about the brand going into Pets at Home for the first time.
The lucky winners of Pet Business World’s competition to win a pair Olympic tickets were David and Pat Evans, from Pet Stop, in Launceston, Cornwall.
Pedigree health still top of KC agenda
At this year's autumn edition of spoga horse, the European equestrian sports trade fair, about 400 exhibitors from 30 countries will be giving a foretaste of the trends for next year.
Walter Harrison’s has relaunched its popular Premier Parrot Food. Walter Harrison’s Premier Parrot Food is the brand’s best-selling caged bird mix and is widely distributed throughout the UK.
BecoThings, the creator of the award-winning eco pet accessory BecoBowl, has doubled the size of its eco pet range with the launch of BecoToys.
KONGs are made for stuffing, and the very popular Stuff’n Snacks now has brand new packaging.
Seven specialist wholesalers have sent an open letter to Pet Business World following news that Crown Pet Foods is to pull out of wholesalers and deliver direct to retailers from November.
There is no shortage of daft decisions being blamed on health and safety.
With Christmas fast approaching, customers will soon be getting into the festive spirit and looking for special gifts for loved ones, including their pets.
Pet Mate has launched the Cat Mate Elite Chip and Disc. The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective and Selective Chip and Disc cat doors now read implanted microchips as well as the Cat Mate RFID collar disc.
Organic pet food brand Lily’s Kitchen has launched a grain-free, meal-free complete dry food.
The latest Business Insolvency Index from Experian revealed that in June, 0.08% of the business population failed – a small improvement from the 0.09% recorded in both the previous month (May) and also in June 2011.
Ron worked for many years at Frome Pet and Aquatics, where he was fondly called the ‘Fish Man’. Janine Tozer, owner of Frome Pet & Aquatic Centre, pays tribute.
Animal bedding producer Plevin was left jumping for joy when an Olympic showjumper it sponsors struck gold for Team GB.
Royal Canin has launched its second ‘Weigh-in Club’ competition to help cats and dogs lose weight safely. Back by popular demand, after more than 170 registrations last year, the competition aims to reward vet nurses who work with their clients to effectively tackle pet obesity.
Dogs can suffer from many different health ailments: from dental disease, joint pain, lack of flexibility and skin allergies. These are all issues that affect dogs of varying different ages. Using years of expertise and experience, Beaphar has developed a range of nuggets – healthy treats to help combat these specific health issues.
A pet hotel in Seoul, South Korea is among the businesses receiving a boost from the country’s growing interest in pet ownership.
ChapelWood has launched a new range of products for the 2012/2013 season. Highlights include new top-of-the-range Suet Treats, ChapelWood Finest Suet Balls 50 Tub, plus colourful Fun Feeders and an innovatively designed new promotional unit.
Red Dingo has incorporated QR (Quick Response) codes into its tags to enable more information to be given to the finder of a lost dog.
Independent traders in the Yorkshire town of Beverley have joined forces to start their own campaign, Independentbeverley.co.uk, a new website designed to celebrate and promote the diverse range of shops in the town to both locals and visitors.
The British Dog Groomers’ Association (BDGA) has announced its judges for the 32nd British Dog Grooming Championship at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Sunday, October 28.
Gloucestershire-based pet accessory company 3P Enterprise will launch a range of eco-friendly feeding bowls and feed storage boxes for cats and dogs at PATS Harrogate next month.
Pressure from groups such as the Rabbit Welfare Association has resulted in increased awareness about rabbit welfare, with some companies now manufacturing larger hutches.
MARS Petcare US has voluntarily recalled three Pedigree Weight Management canned dog food products in America due to possible contamination with plastic fragments that inadvertently entered the food during production.
The winners of the Petplan Vet of the Year Awards – the ‘Oscars of the veterinary world’
Peregrine Livefoods has launched an exclusive range of gifts for reptile enthusiasts of all ages.
Cats are not the same as small dogs, but the new SureFlap Microchip Pet Door – which will be launched at PATS Harrogate in September – has been designed with both in mind.
A family-run pet shop has been forced to close because of a parking enforcement ‘spy car’ scaring off shoppers who park nearby, it is claimed.
At Beaphar change is afoot, or should we say paw? Retailers will soon be seeing the company’s new, exciting packaging across its range of cat treats – Beaphar Cat Nip, Beaphar Malt Bits, Beaphar Salmon Bits and the Beaphar Vit Bits.
US pet owners spent US$11.1 billion (£7 billion) on non-food supplies for their animals last year, a 2% increase over 2010, according to a new report from Packaged Facts.
The Kennel Club has submitted its formal response to the Welsh government’s consultation on compulsory microchipping of dogs, and is calling for all interested parties and individuals to do the same to help determine the future of microchipping legislation in Wales.
A company with extensive experience in the automatic door industry has been appointed principle UK distributor for Autoslide, a new pet door product.
A pet care business celebrated its first birthday with an event with fun and freebies for animals and their owners.
The Kennel Club is to become a company limited by guarantee, it was decided at the annual general meeting, along with a number of other key decisions related to dog showing and registrations.
Rosewood Pet Products has added two new radiator beds to its Luxury Cat Bed range.
World Horse Welfare is celebrating another milestone as the number of viewers of its YouTube videos has passed the three million mark.
Scruffts, the national competition for crossbreed dogs sponsored by James Wellbeloved, is growing and has announced a new heat in Lincolnshire.
Holistic pet food company Lily’s Kitchen has developed a premium organic treat especially for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The Pet Care Trade Association is arranging a programme of regional events on Monday and Tuesday, August 27-28, at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline, a few miles from Edinburgh.
Support Adoption For Pets, the charity established and supported by Pets at Home, has undergone a brand makeover.
Vets, scientists and veterinary students carrying out innovative research to help to improve dog health have the chance to receive funding and an award for their work, thanks to the launch of the largest veterinary awards in Europe.
Essex miller W&H Marriage and Sons has acquired the Driby Top business of Micronized Food Products.
A new advertising campaign by premium cat food brand Sheba, featuring Eva Longoria as the brand’s first celebrity ambassador, will go live in August.
The British Equestrian Trade Association has secured additional funding from UK Trade & Investment to subsidise its extensive programme of trade missions to key shows worldwide.
Burns Pet Nutrition has won the RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award for Wales 2012. This annual competition recognises the positive work of farmers who use sympathetic farming methods to create wildlife habitat
The Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved brands are being pulled from all UK wholesalers later this year. Instead, Crown Pet Foods will now take the distribution of its two brands in-house.
Wagners Corporation in Germany has appointed PPD as exclusive UK distributor of the Montana range of cages.
Verm-X nuggets for rabbits have been carefully formulated and produced to give domestically kept lagomorphs and rodents not only the highly palatable and powerful Verm-X natural intestinal hygiene control formulation, but also an overall high-fibre healthy treat.
ACANA Pet Foods has confirmed a sponsorship deal with the West Midlands Fire Investigation Dog Team.
Kent-based BARF Pet Foods has added a new free-flow product range to its selection of meat products.
With a grant of £4,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the Canine Epilepsy Support Group is confident it can help improve the lives of hundreds of dogs and their owners.
A French court has authorised debt-burdened French poultry group Doux, which went into administration last month, to sell its pet food plant Stanven to Germany's Saria.
A newly opened pet store has been slammed by a local zoo after it announced it was planning to sell ‘exotic animals’, including racoons.
The Company of Animals has launched a new collection of Pet Head bathing accessories to compliment its grooming range.
The JW Pet Company has introduced novel new lines into its dog toy range.
Melton Pets is advising its customers with shops in areas where Olympic and Paralympic events are taking place to order early to ensure there is no disruption to their deliveries.
Your Horse Live’s chosen charity for 2012 is the Riding for the Disabled Association.
The RSPCA and Pets at Home are working together in a pioneering move that will see the charity open advice and adoption areas in some stores.
More than 200 customers attended an Open Day to mark the 25th anniversary of Peregrine Livefoods.
A pet pharmacy has tapped into a niche market in the US.
Ceva Animal Health has launched a new travel size 20ml bottle of its Feliway Spray to help cat owners keep their pet comfortable while travelling this summer.
Nestlé Purina PetCare continues its exciting on-pack promotion, where consumers have an opportunity to win a prize of a collar video camera every day until the end of the year.
Raw pet food specialist Natural Instinct is refreshing its product portfolio and packaging with a more vibrant identity.
The 16 businesses shortlisted for the 2012 Pet Industry Awards have been revealed by organisers the Pet Care Trade Association.
The fifth Premier Groom competition, organised by Red Cape Grooming Supplies and Groom Team England, will be held on August 12, 2012.
Eager dog owners made sure the first Canny Company training day at Jollyes pet superstore was a resounding success. The Jollyes store in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne sold out of many sizes of the Canny Collar on the day thanks to extensive press coverage beforehand.
The best family dog walk of the summer is back – A Grand Day Out returns for its second year, raising much-needed funds for both children and dogs.
Towergate has negotiated an exclusive insurance wording for Pet Product Retail Association (PPRA) members which includes higher-than-normal limits and loss of animals cover.
A national survey of US pet owners found that 75% have not reduced spending on their pets despite financial constraints, and 32% said they’d pay more for pet care than family member care.
Verm-X Cat Crunchies are a super-premium treat with the added Verm-X feline formula. As well as controlling intestinal hygiene, whilst being gentle on the digestive system, the addition of the garlic ingredient can be used alongside conventional pest treatment to deter fleas, ticks, lice and other pests.
Having owned and run a successful pet shop, its owners noticed how customers kept asking the same questions about dog food again and again. “People did not know exactly what they were feeding their dogs, and they often found title ingredients did not dominate recipes,” they said.
Westland will be flying into stores across the country with its newly extended bird feed products from both Peckish and Nature’s Feast.
Award-winning Dignity Pet Crematorium has won the seal of approval from Hampshire trading standards.
Entries have opened for the Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition and for the first time, entry is free across all categories. Entries close on August 31.
Walter Harrison’s has extended its small animal offering with a new range of grooming tools. With easy-grip handles for comfort and ease of use, five products make up the range.
Igloo Pets reports soaring sales of its cat carriers and litter.
Last Chance Animal Hospital, in Kent, has been awarded a £500 donation from insurance provider Petplan.
The British High Street has become ‘irrelevant’ and must ‘reinvent itself’ as a hub for niche retailers and community activities, with retailers thinking collaboratively to create somewhere that people want to be.
The UK’s leading specialist aquatic retailer, Maidenhead Aquatics, has launched a new customer loyalty gift card scheme with financial services provider, Contis Group.
This year’s PetEx, Ireland’s only pet trade show, has been postponed until 2013.
More than 200 groomers attended the first Grooming Matters event at Hadlow College in Kent. Sponsored by Aesculap and English Groomers Group, a full day of activities gave groomers the chance to watch and learn from some of the country’s top groomers and industry specialists.
Margaret Baker, Christine Beaumont-Kerridge, David Canavan, David Mawson and Jane Tredgett have been elected to serve for the next three years on the RSPCA national council.
Hundreds of tenants in Lincolnshire will be forced to treat their pets properly or face eviction.
Arcadia is to launch a new reptile lamp brand this month. The new brand is to be called the Arcadia Euro-Range and is central to the Surrey company’s ‘revolution in reptile care’.
The Blue Cross is appealing for pet lovers to join a new volunteering scheme helping homeless and unwanted cats in and around Manchester.
A toy pet shop was showcased as a ‘megabrand’ at the 2012 International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas last month.
Aesculap has officially launched its scholarship scheme. The scheme, an initiative developed with Groom Team England, will give five lucky groomers the chance to further their careers. The five lucky winners will receive:
United Airlines recently notified passengers that pets are no longer permitted in the cabin on flights to Mexico, citing Mexican laws. But, according to a report in the Washington Post, passengers ‘aren't buying it’.
Since its launch at Crufts this year, nose2tail, a range of wet canned foods from Optim Pet Products, is proving a hit with customers and retailers alike.
A pet business has been given a business boost from TV Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.
Hagen says places at its annual exhibition are filling up fast.
Reg and Ruby Pet Accessories has developed two rawhide dog medals to mark the London 2012 Olympics.
A brand new competition, the PATS Groomer of the Show, will be launched at PATS Harrogate, in association with Animology and English Groomers Group.
CEVA Animal Health is hosting a free webinar this month to discuss a practical approach to feline hepathopathies.
Pets are nearly 25% more likely to go missing in summer than winter, Petlog, the UK’s largest lost and found pet database, has revealed.
Alternative treatments for pets such as veterinary acupuncture are growing in the US, with the market for such products and services taking up an increasingly large share of the billion-dollar pet industry.
Norfolk-based stable maker Loddon is celebrating a new beginning with a new website at www.loddon.co.uk showcasing the 40-year-old company’s history, skills and craftsmanship.
151 Products has launched a range of sushi-themed dog treats, under its pet care brand Munch & Crunch.
A pet shop that has been running for 28 years has closed with the loss of four jobs as the owner says she can no longer afford to stay open.
Cats Protection has formed a new partnership with Verdo Cat Litter that sees Verdo appointed as the charity’s official cat litter supplier and sponsor of the charity’s National Cat Awards.
Following on from the success of its pet trade-exclusive HiLife Nature’s Essentials range for cats, Town & Country Petfoods is relaunching its sister range, Nature’s Essentials Natural Dog pouches, again with the commitment that it will be sold exclusively through the pet trade.
More than 100,000 children have already been reached this year through the Scottish SPCA’s free Prevention through Education programme for primary schools.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has launched a voluntary scheme for on-line veterinary medicines retailers to receive accreditation from the regulator so that animal owners can source medicines safely.
British pet and garden products are proving to be a big attraction in the North American market.
Police in China have launched an investigation after a batch of ‘fake’ pigs’ ears reportedly made from gelatin were discovered.
A display competition run by Dengie Horse Feeds throughout the Wynnstay Stores group has been won by the Ruthin, Denbighshire, branch, thanks to equine supervisor Huw Gruffydd, who devised an informative in-store feature to promote Dengie Healthy Hooves.
Dog-friendly Metro Bank has awarded Wagg Foods with a ‘Golden Bone Bowl’ for its Wagg Low Fat Treats.
Almo Nature is continuing to support Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare and was an exhibitor at its recent Raystede Summer Festival.
A study carried out at the University of Leicester’s School of Psychology has found that younger people who are disagreeable are more likely to prefer aggressive dogs, confirming the conventional wisdom that dogs match the personality of their owners.
The Pet Care Trade Association is supporting Independents’ Day on July 4, a national campaign to celebrate the UK’s independent retailers.
The RSPCA has become the first UK charity to launch its own mobile phone service
The UK’s largest reptile breeders meeting went ahead at the weekend after an unprecedented last-minute legal battle. Lawyers for the International Herpetological Society sought to enforce a contract with Doncaster Dome after the venue attempted to impose a restriction on the sale of animals at the event.
Pedigree will be supporting Dental Care Month in June with a £2.3 million media campaign, including a fun TV advert featuring the successful ‘doggy dentures’ image, aimed at driving dog owners to take advantage of free oral care check-ups at participating vets.
There was a hoppy ending for pupils at a Lemington Spa primary school after their rabbits were stolen.
Sky Pet Products has been appointed as a UK distributor for the German Montana cages brand.
This year sees Royal Canin’s second Summer of the Cat, a focus on cats throughout the coming months designed to bring more cat owners into the specialist pet trade. This year’s activity also coincides with more innovation to the company’s range for sterilised cats, to meet increasing demand from owners.
The new Tetra Pond Medica range offers four effective treatments for all pond fish.
Software developer petstar has launched a range of USB flash drives in four doggy designs.
A new pet shop is set to open for business in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.
A pet shop was totally destroyed by fire over the Diamond Jubilee weekend, with the loss of hundreds of fish and dozens of reptiles, birds and small mammals.
Following the liquidation of Dicksons Pet Food Limited, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and the subsequent retirement of Tony Dickson from the pet industry, Dicksons’ premium dog food brand, Just Delicious, will now be distributed by Cheshire-based Brookside Pet Food Limited.
The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted familiar packaging on the shelf of Paddy Kirk’s veterinary practice in a recent episode of Emmerdale.
The award-winning All Seasons Twist Feeder from Cranswick Pet Products has been flying off the shelves this week after featuring on BBC Gardeners World on Friday evening.
Dog owners around the world are gearing up for one of the most popular dog and human fitness events of the year – the Kennel Club’s International Agility Festival.
More than 300 representatives of the specialist pet trade from 16 European countries gathered in the south of France for two days, as Royal Canin hosted its first Specialist Pet Trade Forum (SPTF).
Additional stand space has been created at PATS Harrogate to satisfy exhibitor demand. The three-hall show will now cover an extended area as new exhibitors continue to request stand space.
After the success of the inaugural 2011 show, organisers The Scotsman Publications, part of the Johnston Press group, has confirmed that LovePets will return to The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, on September 1 and 2 this year.
Skinner’s has won Gundog Product of the Year with Field & Trial Turkey & Rice at the 2012 IPC Shooting Industry Awards.
Wholesome and holistic pet food company Lily’s Kitchen has developed a premium organic treat especially for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. This unique partnership is a first for both Lily’s Kitchen and Battersea, marking a pioneering move to encourage consumers to support the charity across a number of channels.
Lurcher Blue Boi was found by the side of a main road, weighing only 9kg and so badly starved that his skin had broken down to expose his backbone, and he had huge, open abscesses on his thighs.
Roobarb and Custard has lent its backing to a campaign from the vet charity PDSA, dedicated to getting the UK’s overweight pets back into shape.
A pet shop in Salisbury that has been running for 28 years is closing on Saturday, June 16, as the owner can no longer afford to stay open.
Flea treatment Fiprospot, produced by Ceva Animal Health, has been recognised with an “Easy to Give” award from the Feline Advisory Bureau.
British suppliers of garden, leisure and pet products booked to attend the next Gardenex/PetQuip ‘Meet the Buyer’ day on June 20 are aiming to match the results of firms that took part in a previous event in the meet-the-buyer annual programme.
Anglian Meat Products MD Craig Taylor has bought the family business in a multi-million management buy-out, backed by Barclays Banks, and is now sole owner.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has withdrawn its membership from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association after 20 years.
Wildlife expert Chapelwood is reminding the trade that natural sources of food are becoming more and more scarce even in the summer months.
Peregrine Livefoods is marking its 25th year in business with an open day and celebration dinner on Sunday, July 1 and is inviting the trade to join in the fun.
A dog lover has launched a business supplying gift hampers for pets. Peter Starbuck, of Worsley, Manchester, founded Woof Woof Hampers after he spotted a gap in the market for people who wanted to treat their pets to something special.
A recent appeal in pbwnews to find eight-foot Russel Rabbit a new home has been a huge success. Keith Holland, owner of Holland’s Pet and Garden in Rainham, Essex, is now Russel’s proud new owner.
Pet accessories manufacturer Ancol has helped raise more than £30,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign through sales of its unique pink pet products.
Hatchwells has introduced Canovel Chicken Home Blitz! Fumigation Twin-Pack.
Premium pet food brand Harringtons has launched a new website, www.harringtonspetfood.com.
The Pet Care Trade Association is holding its first ‘Open Mike’ event this month in Northern Ireland, where members will have the chance to put their questions to an expert panel.
Pet Munchies has launched its full range of 100% natural premium dog and cat treats into Harrods.
The new Fiesta range comprises vibrantly coloured feeders, water bowls and nesting material holders.
Pets at Home is inviting aspiring inventors and designers to showcase their product ideas at its fourth innovation open day on Thursday, July 12.
Nutritional supplements company Lintbells has sent its congratulations to Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey, and is especially pleased as it has been supporting the talented duo since last year.
Police are warning tourists not to buy animals while they are on holiday abroad after a rare tortoise was confiscated from a woman in the Matlock area of Derbyshire.
Bob Martin is voluntarily recalling plastic flea collars containing three specific active ingredients (Diazinon, Propoxur and Chlorpyrifos) as a result of a decision by the French authorities to withdraw the licences of these products in France.
Wood recycling firm R Plevin & Sons has strengthened its position as a market leader in horse bedding after securing a deal as the exclusive supplier to several big equestrian competitions.
Pet ownership is in a vigorous growth phase in China and the pet supply industry has grown significantly over the last 14 years as a result.
Peregrine Livefoods has added a range of coloured calcium sands to its ProRep range to complement its best-selling natural-coloured sand.
British Horse Feeds is sponsoring 10 lucky entrants who applied for support in the company’s search for Speedi-Beet Team members.
Preliminary research from Virginia Commonwealth University in the US finds workers who take their dogs to the office have less stress and more job satisfaction than those who don’t have pets or don’t take them to work.
Royal Canin is giving away Baggee waste bag holders as its summer promotion across 1.5-4kg bags of Size Health Nutrition and Breed Health Nutrition products.
Interpet has celebrated 60 years of trading with an event at the company’s UK head office in Dorking.
Anthony Preston, entrepreneur and founder of Pets at Home, is to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pet Industry Awards 2012, which coincides with PATS Harrogate, at Barceló Majestic Hotel on Sunday, September 16.
PetSafe revealed a ‘technological breakthrough’ in the pet door market at Interzoo where it showcased its new Intelligent Pet Door.
US private equity firm Swander Pace Capital has acquired Yorkshire-based Pointer Pet Products Limited. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Ashleigh and Pudsey’s Britain’s Got Talent win has inspired dog-lovers to hot-step it over to their local heelwork to music classes.
The Pet Care Trade Association is running a Reptiles & Amphibians course for retailers at its Bedford HQ on Wednesday, June 27.
One lucky pbwnews reader will win a pair of tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games, thanks to P&G. This FREE competition is open only to retailers. See below for entry details.
In keeping with the Royal theme of the Queen’s Jubilee, the Kennel Club Art Gallery has an art exhibition of the only breed of dog with a Royal Warrant.
Jollyes pet superstore in Fallowfield, Manchester, held a special ferret event where customers – with a little help from nearly 50 ferrets and their owners – raised more than £220 for Bolton Ferret Welfare.
PetNet, home of the Park Bench and Scratching Post social communities for dog and cat owners, has announced the new PetNet Celebrity Pet Owner Awards 2012 in search of the UK’s favourite celebrity dog and cat owner.
Mark & Chappell has added M&C Easy Dental Care liquid to its oral care range.
Nestlé Purina has launched Felix Goody Bag treats – three different treats in one pack in a range of kibble shapes and colours.
Customs officials in Bangladesh have seized more than 400 tortoises which they found in suitcases bound for Thailand.
Three of the UK’s major equestrian organisations have pledged their support for the Blue Cross’s National Equine Health Survey.
CPC has brought out a range of pet coffins for small to medium-sized pets.
US consumers have been steadily trading name brands for value in a host of areas, but they’re holding fast to brand names when it comes to feeding their pets, according to a report from Packaged Facts.
Delighted staff at the aviary at Hexthorpe Park, Doncaster have welcomed back one of 60 birds that were stolen.
Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 2012, which hops off on September 15, is calling on pet retailers to support this year’s campaign. The week offers free veterinary health checks for the nation’s rabbits, with particular focus on the need to get rabbits vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease.
Labour MP David Blunkett has thrown his weight behind a campaign to exempt guide dog food from VAT, saying the issue is ‘far more serious than hot pasties’.
New labelling regulations, social media, mycotoxins and research and development funding are just some of the hot topics to be discussed at this year’s BETA Feed Industry Conference, at Stanford Hall, Leicestershire on June 13.
Around 37,000 people from 115 countries visited Germany’s four-day pet trade exhibition, Interzoo 2012, which closed on Sunday. In total, 1,539 exhibitors from 53 countries took stands at the show over 100,000m², up 3% on the previous show in 2010.
Pet accessories specialist Ancol has developed a new range of small animal products for 2012.
The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) has confirmed its support for an international campaign to encourage consumers to shop at their local independent shops throughout July.
World Horse Welfare is calling on volunteers to help walk its Shetland ponies to keep them trim during the summer months.
Police are appealing for information following the theft of two bearded dragons from a Yorkshire pet shop.
Wetnoz pet products are to be distributed by 3P Enterprise. The range consists of Ultra Bowls, made from stainless steel and rubber in two sizes, and plastic studio scoop bowls, which come in three sizes and various colours.
The RSPCA, in St Columb, Cornwall has been awarded a £500 donation from the UK’s largest pet insurance provider, Petplan.
Dog groomers, trainers, walkers, sitters, kennel owners and breeders – in fact anyone whose business is dogs – are being invited to become partners in a new business opportunity.
Ireland’s largest pet retailer, Maxi Zoo, is to open two new stores in Carlow and Clonmel.
TV wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan has unveiled Sparsholt College’s new Animal Management Interactive Zone to the industry.
More than 91,000 kitten owners across the UK are helping with the ‘Bristol Cats’ study, but even more kittens are needed to take part in the first study of its kind to investigate cat health, welfare and behaviour.
A pet shop owner has been banned from keeping animals after being convicted of failing to look after guinea pigs and rabbits.
A new free veterinary service for local pets has opened in Shore Road, Belfast.
New research of 300 rescue centres has raised ‘alarming concerns’ about the prospects of abandoned dogs finding new, permanent homes.
Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey have received offers to become the face of a major dog food brand, with a deal expected to be announced within weeks, say press reports.
Phytoforce has introduced a new herbal tonic that it believes will provide all round health benefits for dogs.
A retailer and his wife have been put through ‘six months of hell’ by claims that he ‘groped’ a 16-year-old work experience girl.
American private equity firm Swander Pace Capital has completed an investment in Cambrian Pet Foods Limited. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Pets at Home has launched a new £2m marketing campaign carrying the message: “We know pets by heart”.
Long Paws Pet Supplies launched three new Pet Water Bottle designs at the London Pet Show over the weekend. The company will follow this launch with its European launch at Interzoo.
World Horse Welfare has been selected as one of four charities at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor.
Bridgend Adoption Centre has high hopes for 2012, with staff and volunteers making a bid for the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as cats.
Mark Berriman, who launched PetSupermarket.co.uk, has sold Viverdi, the company behind the brand, to Medic Animal Limited, another on-line retailer, for an undisclosed sum.
Four new interactive dog toys, all featuring the Peperami Animal character, are available now from Armitages.
The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that cosmetics manufacturer Lush and the Animal Protection Agency used misleading information in a campaign against keeping reptiles as pets.
It’s going to be a busy summer according to Royal Canin with ‘Sprint into Summer’, a promotion designed to encourage dogs and owners to get active and drive sales of larger bags, along with the launch of a new product, Maxi Adult Body Condition.
Whippet show dog owner Diana Webb, from Henley-on-Thames, was the winner of a competition to name the dog on nose2tail’s new branding and packaging.
Forthglade rebrands its Natural Menu and Natural Lifestage ranges of wet dog food this month. Both ranges have undergone a full packaging redesign, focusing on the benefits of the established brand.
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information about the whereabouts of a wallaby that escaped from a petting zoo in Leadburn.
A new pet superstore has opened in Ilkeston, Derby.
Mars Petcare, the manufacturer of Pedigree Joint Care, is inviting dog owners nationwide to take part in a six-week trial and then report back on their experiences.
This summer will see the future stars of the gundog world put through their paces at four special Gundog training days for novice handlers, organised by the Kennel Club.
The high costs of advanced veterinary care and some owners’ belief that pets are family members are fueling the growth of the pet health insurance industry in the US, according to a new research.
Independent retailers have surprised observers by showing growth for the second quarter in a row.
A 75% increase in the number of wild animals being treated by the Scottish SPCA has prompted the charity to open Scotland’s first National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Melton Pets Direct is bringing a best-selling European dog biscuit brand to the UK for the first time.
A 75% increase in the number of wild animals being treated by the Scottish SPCA has prompted the charity to open Scotland’s first National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
An animal welfare conference organised by Cats Protection has attracted the highest attendance in the conference’s history.
The Company of Animals is searching for the best Pet Head in-store display as it launches its biggest competition yet with the ultimate prize of a trip to Las Vegas. The competition will run for three months from June 1.
Britain’s Next Dog Model 2012, co-organised by grooming, training and healthcare brand Mikki, is MojoLion, a Leonberger from Chester.
Peckish is offering bird lovers a way to help new birds with its Nesting and Young Bird seed mix.
The new SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is to be previewed at Interzoo. Following the success of its multi-award-winning cat flap, SureFlap’s unique microchip pet door is the first to be designed to meet the needs of large cats and small dogs with new features such as ‘curfew mode’.
A new study has estimated that more than 260,000 cats and dogs entered the care of UK rescue organisations in 2009, the first full year following the onset of the UK recession.
Animology has added a ‘cutting edge’ to its award-winning range of grooming products, with the introduction of a new range of professional grooming scissors.
Bestpets Local Retail Club is celebrating its second anniversary this month, with sales growing faster than in any other part of the Batleys wholesale business.
A man has suffered minor injuries in an explosion at a pet food factory in Birstall, Leeds.
Thirsty Milo is a new range of brightly coloured portable dog water bowls – with a special introductory offer for specialist retailers.
Police are warning the public to be aware of an on-line scam involving the false sale of pets from a ‘ghost’ address on the Isle of Harris in Scotland.
The County Galway based Chanelle Group has teamed up with Disney to launch a range of pet products featuring Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story and Cars characters.
Hatchwells has brought out a yoghurt treat for dogs. The Lancashire company describes Canovel Probiotic Yoghurt Treat for Dogs as ‘a highly palatable treat’ for intestinal health, which is ‘great for the immune system’.
Website Love Pets has launched its own dog food with at least 26% meat content.
The Pet Care Trade Association has developed its biggest programme yet of bite-sized workshops and seminars to help pet professionals further their knowledge and keep their skills up to date.
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has just celebrated a landmark event – £6m invested to help dogs.
Dog Rocks has launched into the US. The natural product is used to help prevent urine burn patches on lawn, shrubs and box hedge as a result of dog, bitch and pet urine.
Nine months after launch – and in response to high demand – James Wellbeloved is adding a larger 7.5kg bag to its Small Breed Dog Food range.
The Pet Care Trade Association has appointed Keith Aldis, aged 52, as the new chair of the board. Keith’s credentials include experience at the highest level of trade and membership bodies, in addition to owning 17,001 pets himself –17,000 bees and one Labrador! He will take over from outgoing chairman Stephen Hampson on May 1.
Bulldog Licensing has confirmed details of three new deals for classic animation property Roobarb and Custard, including a range of pet accessories.
More than 130 companies have already signed up for equestrian trade fair BETA International 2013, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from February 17-19 next year.
Supreme Petfoods launched a range of rabbit food at PATS Sandown, describing it as a ‘revolutionary’ new way to feed rabbits.
The pet food industry remains healthy in the recession with the value of pet food growing by 1% in 2011, bringing it to £2.14bn.
Nine viewers, including a vet, complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about an Iams dry cat food TV ad, but the ASA has dismissed their complaints.
High street shops are shutting as never before, with smaller independently-owned stores particularly vulnerable.
Companion Care Vets has been named as one of The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For and becomes the first veterinary organisation ever to be named in the listing.
Lucky retailer Michelle Jo Lawler is the winner of our recent Tetra giveaway. Michelle, of Goldfish Gala, in Audenshaw, Manchester, wins stock worth more than £400 at trade prices.
The Pet Care Trade Association has welcomed Defra’s announcement that it has opened consultation on microchipping – but says it is wary of the idea that microchipping dogs should be compulsory.
A new alliance between pet food manufacturers and key UK animal welfare charities is lobbying for a ‘thread’ of pet welfare education to be introduced throughout the school curriculum.
Ohio-based Embrace Pet Insurance has introduced an on-line poison-resource centre.
A Midlands pet business received a business boost from TV Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.
All sponsorship opportunities for the London Pet Show 2012 at Earls Court Two on May 12-13 have been sold and organisers are set for a busy event featuring more than 150 trade exhibitors.
After a nationwide search to find inspirational individuals who are passionate about companion animal welfare, Ceva Animal Health UK, manufacturer of veterinary behaviour products Feliway and Adaptil, has announced the winners of the first Ceva Awards for Animal Welfare.
Entries close on April 27 for an annual poetry competition that invites people from around the UK to express their love for all creatures, great and small.
Bob Martin is launching FleaClear, which uses Fipronil, the same active ingredient as market leader Frontline, but for as little as £4.50 for a single treatment.
A Plymouth pet store celebrated its fifth birthday with a fundraising weekend in aid of a rehoming centre.
Firefighters tackling a blaze in a pet shop had to give oxygen to a menagerie of reptiles – including Europe's biggest anaconda.
A new scheme to turn Britain’s high streets and independent shops into ‘a single, powerful on-line retail force’ is being piloted in the city of Hereford.
GA, Europe’s largest super premium private label dry pet food manufacturer, has invested millions to be able to manufacture dry pet food using the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly methods.
Twiz is a new eco-friendly dog toy launched under the Zogoflex brand, distributed in the UK by Collarways.
Butcher’s Pet Care has opened a new £38 million headquarters in the Northamptonshire village of Crick, its home for the past 25 years.
Wetnoz pet products are to be distributed in the UK by 3P Enterprise.
Staff and friends of Ceva Animal Health UK will be scaling the Yorkshire Three Peaks in July to raise funds for Medical Detection Dogs and are appealing for people to join them on the challenge.
Bulldozers are set to move on to the site of a city centre shop which was forced to move after nearly 60 years.
A retailer who sold nearly 200 puppies reared on unlicensed farms in Ireland has been banned from selling livestock in his shops for 15 years.
The NEC Group has been awarded the sponsorship contract for Crufts for the second year running, after attracting a number of new and returning sponsors to the 2012 show, including brands such as Purina and Tesco’s Lathams.
As part of an on-going programme of investment, one of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers of wild bird care products, Walter Harrison’s, has installed an automated turnkey packing and palletising solution at its production facilities in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire.
With the grocery trade making inroads into pet product sales, it is vital that specialist retailers are able to press home their points of difference.
Fat Cat, the American brand of tough toys for cats and dogs, is now available from 3P Enterprise Ltd, the UK distributor of premium branded pet accessories.
Gardman, supplier of garden sundry and wild bird care products to the garden centre industry, is launching a range of pet accessories including collars and leads, bedding, grooming products and treats.
Two pet lovers from London have set up a new brand called Saucy Paws with one objective – to help all pets become ‘super pets’.
A rabbit which was malnourished and kept in ‘horrendous’ conditions has been given a new home by a Dorking pet shop owner.
Researchers have found that, unlike humans, cats are able to consume a diet relatively high in fat without raising cholesterol levels.
Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) is to remain as the official and legal title of those qualifying through the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), the organisation has confirmed.
Dogs at the Jerry Green Dog Centre in Broughton have received a donation from Thomas Bell Country Store in Brigg.
More than one in three dog owners may have been duped into buying a puppy-farmed dog, many of which end up needing thousands of pounds of veterinary and behavioural treatment, according to new Kennel Club research.
An anonymous businessman has offered a £1,000 reward to help catch arsonists who set a pet shop van on fire near Sheffield.
Some of the most influential retail experts in the UK are to take part in the bira National Conference and Awards in Birmingham on April 24.
Garden products supplier Westland Horticulture has bought wild bird care manufacturer Cranswick Pet Products.
Harringtons has added a new variant to its Adult Dog Complete – Rich in Salmon & Potato.
Pets at Home is preparing for “ambitious growth” as it starts directly sourcing “innovative” new products through its first Asian office, reports Retail Week.
Bern Pet Foods’ Tan Nagrecha has scooped a double triumph at this year’s Crufts.
Burgess Excel has extended its range of products for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas to include ultra-absorbent paper bedding.
Dog Rocks CEO Carina Evans has pledged to run the London Marathon in April for the PSP Association.
Supreme Products has added new Black Shampoo to its Professional Collection.
The owner of Oldfield Pets in Northolt is closing after 12 years due to the tough economy.
flexi–Bogdahn International has expanded its product line by adding the new ‘Collection’ – a series of limited addition ranges.
The dog-related good deeds of the past 12 months were celebrated in London when the Kennel Club hosted a prize-giving ceremony to honour the winners of the annual Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Training Awards and the KC Dog Awards.
Businesses in rural England are to benefit from a new £60 million grant scheme that will turn ambitious business plans into reality, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has announced.
Fullolife has introduced a new range of nutritional oil-based supplements for dogs.
Town & Country Petfoods has added its 3kg bag of HiLife Complete Moist Mince Dogfood to the Pedigree wholesale catalogue, in response to demand from pet retailers.
This week saw the start of James Wellbeloved’s Puppy Focus, a month’s celebration of puppies, with activity instore and on-line at www.wellbeloved.com. It will be followed by a Kitten Focus throughout May.
The team at on-line retailer EquestrianClearance.com is celebrating after winning the Saddlery/Tack Shop category in the 2012 Equestrian Social Media Awards.
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against an ad for the Boomer Ball by the Company of Animals.
GA Pet Food Partners has created Just Fresh Meat – a world-first concept where all of the meat in a dry pet food is fresh.
Four members of staff at Kennelpak are tackling the gruelling 3 Peaks Challenge in May to raise money for charity.
The average card spend at pet stores has increased by 5% since February last year, according to figures from card payments specialists CardSave.
Wagg Foods is rewarding customers by giving away 250,000 packs of Wagg Treats.
Baggee has released a range of Doggees called Ghost. The little dog poo bag carriers enable users to see at a glance how many bags they have left.
Premier EPOS has launched a display screen that encompasses the new transparency screen technology, which is a landmark first in the UK as a manufactured product.
As part of an on-going programme of investment, Walter Harrison’s has installed an automated turnkey packing and palletising solution at its production facilities in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Dorwest Herbs is supporting National Pet Month through a series of fundraising and giveaway activities, encouraging everyone to get involved to help promote responsible pet ownership.
Sharples & Grant has developed a new range of cat toys – Xcite ‘a’ Cat – incorporating Velcro.
The latest additions to GWF Nutrition’s Aid range have already gone global in the short time they have been on the market.
The search is on for the UK’s favourite feline as charity Cats Protection launches its National Cat Awards 2012.
Blackspots of heavy-handed enforcement during the Operation Ramp tortoise paperwork check of autumn 2010 triggered resentment that has since widely tainted relations between the trade and enforcers.
Herbal specialists Phytoforce Herbal Tonics and Optim Pet Products joined forces at Crufts to launch a new canned wet food for dogs.
A former pet shop owner, who has already been banned for life from keeping animals, is now serving a four-month prison sentence for fresh cruelty charges.
Healthy Paws has launched a new website detailing its product line, news and new products as well as a ‘stockist finder’ directing consumers to their local retailers.
Hing Designs, which launched into the UK through Pets at Home and Debenhams in November 2010, had a product featured on national TV last month.
It was celebrations all round at the Thomas Bell Country Store in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, when Husky sled dog expert Pete Jones brought his team to visit.
The reptile hobby and trade are facing their biggest threat to date under new laws being drafted by the EU Commission.
There was a ‘very positive’ atmosphere at the Belgian pet trade fair Anido despite the worldwide recession – although visitor numbers were down, according to organisers.
France’s antitrust authority has fined Nestlé, Mars and Colgate-Palmolive €35.3 million (£29 million) for pressuring wholesalers to keep prices high for pet food in France, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Two new surveys conducted by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) among 2,500 adults and 400 teachers confirm the need to teach about pets in schools.
Direct Line pet insurance is sponsoring the Discover Dog Zone at The London Pet Show 2012 at Earls Court Two.
3P Enterprise launched a ‘classically styled’ range of dog coats and dog beds at the equestrian trade fair BETA Interanational.
Happy Dog, the German dried premium dog food manufacturer, introduced its treats range to the UK at Crufts.
From April 7-May 7, National Pet Month will be encouraging people to team up with their pets to get ‘happy and healthy’.
The number of visitors to PATS Sandown has doubled since the two-day pet trade show launched three years ago. At close of play on Wednesday, March 21, a total of 1,708 pet retail visitors had attended the show – a 13.5% increase on PATS Sandown 2011.
Pet accessories manufacturer Ancol has released its 2012/13 trade catalogue.
PATS Sandown opened yesterday (Tuesday, March 20) and reported an increase in numbers of visitors – 892 pet retailers visited, a 13% increase on the first day of PATS Sandown 2011. The number of international visitors was up by 5% on last year.
Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club have launched the Puppy Plan, an initiative for dog breeders and owners that aims to give every puppy ‘the very best start in life’ to prevent behavioural problems later on.
Bedford-based ALF celebrated a double victory at PATS Sandown Park 2012, winning both the cat and dog categories in the Retailers’ Choice Products of the Year Awards.
Spectrum Brands Holdings, the company that makes the FURminator grooming tool, is to close its St Louis headquarters in the US, with the loss of 31 jobs.
The Pet Care Trade Association has warned new British Veterinary Association president Carl Padgett against ‘muddled thinking and loose language’ on dog breeding.
Hi-Craft Pet Products is now working with Vital Pet Products, initially concentrating on the British-made Toyboy range and the four varieties of Hi-Craft puppy packs.
Equisafety is sponsoring Norfolk Constabulary’s Officers on Horseback patrol by providing clothing and accessories for the horses and riders.
Three veterinary nursing students are preparing to take to the skies to raise funds for a cancer charity.
Premium pet food brand Harringtons is a new entry into the feline pet food market, launching its first complete range of cat and kitten food.
The vitality of town centres and high streets is being supported only by independent shops, according to new research by the Local Data Company.
Zolux has brought out a new range of leads, collars and harnesses on a nautical theme.
More than 6,000 distributors, pet store owners and managers, boarding kennel operators, grooming professionals and specialty gift store owners are expected to attend H. H. Backer’s 24th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show and Educational Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on April 18-20.
Equestrian trade show BETA International 2012 welcomed buyers and suppliers from around the globe, with 4,373 (5,087 with separate day re-entries) visitors for three days of business and networking opportunities.
The rate of business insolvencies fell from 0.11% in December 2012 to 0.07% in January this year – the same rate as in January 2011.
Acana has launched two new single-protein dry dog food varieties: Lamb & Okanagan Apple and Duck & Bartlett Pear.
The winners of the Coachies giveaway featured on the Pet Business World website and in pbwnews magazine are announced.
Guy Blaskey, founder of Pooch & Mutt, is running the London Marathon on April 22, raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Pedigree, Whiskas, Cesar and Sheba have been named among the UK’s top 500 favourite brands, according to the 2012 Consumer Superbrands top 500 which has just been released.
The Pet Industry Awards are heading north for their fourth black tie dinner, to be held at the Barceló Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on Sunday, September 16 – the opening day of PATS.
Ancol has developed a range of premium leather dog collars and leads to appeal particularly to the equestrian market.
YourVets, a network of privately-owned small animal veterinary practices, has opened a new state-of-the-art clinic in Dagenham, Essex.
Glee and the Pet Care Trade Association have announced the end of Petindex at Glee ‘by mutual agreement’.
All stock of on-line retailer Net Pet Shop is to be sold by public auction on March 27.
Hollings has recently expanded its filled bone range, bringing the total range to nine.
UK pet product suppliers wanting to carry out research into overseas markets can now take advantage of two new low-cost services introduced by PetQuip.
Up to 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses are to get £1,500 to employ their first apprentice.
This month Pet Business World is running a survey with a difference.
A small animal charity is appealing to the trade for donations of products.
The international pet trade exhibition Interzoo takes place in Nuremberg from May 17–20 this year.
Healthy Options has added a small-bite version to its range of super premium natural pet foods.
Burgess Excel, makers of The Excel Feeding Plan for ‘fibrevores’, has launched a complete food for fibrevores – The Excel Food Cube.
CEVA Animal Health UK, manufacturer of veterinary behaviour products Feliway and Adaptil, has announced the finalists for its Ceva Awards for Animal Welfare.
When Helen Broadhead was made redundant from her job, she decided to set up a guinea pig rescue centre. And in her first year, she took in more than 200 and managed to rehome 150 of them!
A new insurance product aimed specifically at pet shops has been launched by insurance broker Alan & Thomas.
The Kennel Club has entered into a new agreement with State of the Art Reproductions.
Eukanuba is launching a ‘28 Day Challenge’ in which it is challenging pet owners to switch to Eukanuba from their current feed choice, and offering a 100% money-back guarantee if no improvement is seen within 28 days.
The facility enables trade wholesalers and retailers to download visual merchandising ideas, additional point-of-sale material, tips and suggestions to help promote Dog Rocks, their use and efficacy to customers.
Vet’s Kitchen has joined forces with UK website Dog Friendly to produce its first exclusive on-pack consumer promotion.
IAMS, the premium petfood specialist, has launched a complete new look for 2012 which will focus more on taste and health credentials on-pack as a key to choosing the right product.
Retailers are being offered the opportunity to enjoy some free training, courtesy of Supreme Petfoods.
A strong, even unexpected, finish to 2011 for independent retailers saw the highest proportion of bira members reporting a year-on-year increase for the quarter since the survey first began at the end of 2007.
Pets at Home has appointed former Dixons MD Nick Wood as chief executive. The current CEO, Matt Davies, will remain with the pet superstore chain until April 24.
A Northamptonshire retailer is raising money for Canine Partners and for medication for the owners’ own dog, which has a heart condition.
The Company of Animals is running a ‘Stop Pulling’ campaign in April, designed to stop dogs pulling in four weeks.
Do you work with a budding young retailer? Do you have anyone you manage who could be a future retail star? Are you that star yourself?
Matt Davies, the outgoing chief executive of Pets at Home, has been appointed as a non-executive director of homewares retailer Dunelm Group.
P&G’s super-premium dog food, Eukanuba, has embarked on a three-year partnership with Crufts. The show was sponsored by rival brand Pedigree for more than 40 years until Mars Petcare pulled out in October 2008.
Pets at Home had a “particularly pleasing” Christmas period, with like-for-like sales up nearly 5% for the six weeks to January 12 compared with the same period last year.
Celebrity vet Joe Inglis is to be the guest speaker and presenter at the inaugural Ceva Awards.
A survey is the US found that nearly half of buyers of pet products shop around for their purchases, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports.
Hagen Avicultural Research Institute (HARI) today announced that it has donated food and funds to the Copan Maya Foundation of Honduras to help support its efforts to save the endangered native scarlet macaws.
Pedigree has launched its new Pedigree Range – three canned recipes that contain fish oil, marrowbone and wholegrain to provide different health benefits to dogs. The range will build on the brand’s reputation for nutritionally complete meals.
Abbey England, supplier of British hardware, leather and textiles for equestrian, country sports and manufacturing industries, has acquired Catras Leather, formerly owned by long-standing business associate Richard Stevenson, who sold the business to Abbey on his retirement.
Cranswick Pet & Aquatics has been named as one of Britain’s fastest growing private equity-backed firms in the Buyout Track 100, published by the Sunday Times and accountancy firm Deloitte.
CATS Protection is to host the 2012 Association of Dogs and Cats Homes Conference for the first time.
The Company of Animals is set to bring about a renaissance in dog training, stopping dogs from pulling in just four weeks.
The official opening of ‘dog lifestyle store’ Betty and Butch took place last week with Liberal Democrat MP John Leech performing the ribbon cutting, along with local councillor Victor Chamberlain.
As the winter weather bites, CJ Wildlife says its foods containing sunflower hearts are the perfect cold weather treats as they are packed with essential calories.
BARF Pet Foods is gearing up for its first Crufts, where it plans to introduce three new products.
The Haith family has been cleaning and mixing seeds for three generations and throughout 2012, will be celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary.
Celebrity animal lovers are preparing to award, applaud and acknowledge animal rescue centres.
More than one million people have chosen Ancol’s travel harness to help keep their dog safe while travelling in the car.
Rumours have been circulating that this year’s Petindex is to be either scaled down massively or be altogether cancelled. But the organisers say they will be welcoming pet suppliers at the 2012 ‘as always’.
Staff at a Pet Centre in Somerset have selected their ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2012.
Martek Food Systems has launched a fresh approach to bulk merchandising, with the introduction of self-serve dispensing systems, ideal for pet food retailers.
Businesses are urged to ‘Love Apprenticeships’ this year as Lantra, Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries, has created a free website that puts employers in touch with learners, helping to bring an apprentice into their workplace.
Dogmatic’s Leather and Padded Cushioned Webbing ranges are now available from Vital Pet Products.
Sureflap, the microchip pet door company, has opened a business in New Zealand along with a regional webshop, which makes its microchip-operated cat doors more affordable both for direct and retail sales.
The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) hosted an education symposium this month as a forum for organisations involved in animal welfare to collaborate on valuable education work.
GA Pet Food Partners has strengthened its senior management team as part of its on-going investment in developing its market-leading private label dry pet food business.
Fish4Dogs has launched Sea Crackling – a calamari treat for dogs.
Kennel Club entry figures for Crufts reveal that around 26,000 dogs will be making their way to the NEC, Birmingham, from March 8-11, with a record number of overseas entries.
From next month (March), Burgess Supadog is running a special price-marked promotion across its 15kg Chicken, Beef and Active Sacks.
The PetQuip and Gardenex trade associations are continuing their series of Meet the Buyer days by bringing pet and garden product buyers from Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands to the UK to meet with British suppliers.
Liberta UK has been appointed an official distributor for flexi.
Today is ‘Happy, Big, Wet, Sloppy, Kisses Day’ for dog owners across the UK, according to Pedigree, which has sent a special Valentine’s Day message to its Facebook and Twitter fans to thank them for their support and to celebrate the unconditional love dogs share with us.
Fewer than half of the UK’s pet retailers now sell livestock, according to latest research. But this opens up an opportunity for the shops still selling pets to become ‘must-visit’ destinations for people wanting to see animals and ask advice.
Pet owners who can’t afford to pay for medical treatment for poorly animals are being targeted by a payday lender offering loans with up to a 2,120% interest rate.
Premium pet food brand Harringtons has introduced a small animal range, Optimum Guinea Pig Food and Optimum Rabbit Food, both available in 10kg and 2kg bags.
Total annual global grain production (excluding rice) in 2011 was up 64 million tonnes at 1,816 million tonnes, with maize hitting a record 853 million tonnes and wheat recording its second-highest yield of 683 million tonnes.
Twiz is the latest eco-friendly dog toy to be launched under the Zogoflex brand, distributed in the UK by Collarways.
