Trade association PetQuip has presented its annual awards.
The dinnertime event, held in Telford during the PATS trade show, saw awards presented across 15 categories with 300 guests representing suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and others with an interest in the pet industry.
The awards included trophies presented to multiple, independent and overseas retailers, with the UK multiple retailer gold award won by Jollyes and the UK independent retailer was won by Trusty Pet Supplies. The gold winner for international retailer of the year went to German operator Kölle Zoo, which has 24 experience stores with welfare and animal friendly husbandry at its heart.
New awards for this year included two people-focused categories, Rising Star and Employee of the Year.
The Rising Star award, sponsored by Noble Futures, includes a bursary, courtesy of the sponsor, for the winner to use for personal development. The winner was Clara Hewson from The Muzzle Movement while judges awarded joint gold winners for Employee of the Year to Charmain Cane from We.pet Independent Wholesale and Michelle Williams from Associated Veterinary Services.
The final award of the evening, for Lifetime Achievement, was presented to Celia Hammond, whose original glamorous career focussed her attention on animal cruelties and who then used her high profile to change the views of the UK public on cruel animal practices. She then decided to devote her life to improving the care and lives of stray and feral animals in the UK.
PetQuip also confirmed that, with the move of PATS show to the NEC in 2025, next year’s Awards dinner will take place alongside the exhibition as usual.
Director general Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “Our whole team was delighted to celebrate so many successes in this innovative industry across product development, marketing, export, skilled team members and retailers.
“With a record-breaking attendance this year, we are looking forward to seeing even more of the industry gathering to celebrate and network at the 2025 PetQuip Awards!”
The PetQuip Awards 2024 were sponsored by Leopard Co, Group55, Law Print and Packaging, Interzoo, Zoomark, Superzoo, Noble Futures, Petface, Pedigree Wholesale, PBW News, PPM, CIPS, PATS, James & Steel and the charity partner was Nature’s Safe. A full list of winners follows below.
PetQuip Awards 2024
Supplier of the year
Gold TRIXIE UK Pet Products
Silver Mutneys Professional Pet Care
Business service of the year
Gold Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding
Silver Four Paws Groom School
Most promising new starter business – sponsored by Interzoo
Gold The Muzzle Movement
Silver Pawionic
Product of the year – food & treats
Gold Frozzys HAPPY GUT Softbakes
Silver Dougie’s Pets Dougies Pure Veg Blocks
Highly commended Wonderful World of Treats Collection
Product of the year – healthcare and grooming
Gold VETIQ Serene Calming Ointment
Silver Woof and Brew Herbal Blended Tonics
Product of the year – accessories and technical
Gold ROGZ Cat Safety Release Collar
Silver DotDotPet Dog Eco Towels
Sustainability award – sponsored by CIPS
Gold Benevo
Silver Beco
UK multiple retailer of the year – sponsored by PATS
Gold Jollyes
UK independent retailer of the year – sponsored by Pet Product Marketing
Gold Trusty Pet Supplies
Silver Marshalls Pet Food Store
International retailer of the year – sponsored by PATS
Gold Kölle Zoo
Best trade marketing campaign – sponsored by PBW News
Joint gold Pawsome Paws Boutique Disney campaign
Joint gold Frozzys celebration pack campaign
Silver My Anxious Dog #Dogsinyellow campaign
Rising star – sponsored by Noble Futures
Gold Clara Hewson, The Muzzle Movement
Silver Sophie Chesman, Pawsome Paws Boutique
Employee of the year – sponsored by Noble Futures
Joint gold Charmain Cane, We.pet Independent Wholesale
Joint gold Michelle Williams, Associated Veterinary Services
The Theresa Swann Award – exporter of the year – sponsored by Group55
Gold Mutneys Professional Pet Care
Silver James & Steel
Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Leopard Co
Gold Celia Hammond, Celia Hammond Animal Trust
