Current Affairs

Mar- 2016 -

10 March

‘Hands Off’ campaign relaunched

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association is re-launching its #handsoffmyhobby campaign as Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish voters go to the polls in May. This time, the trade association is asking businesses and hobbyists to ask their local politicians where they stand on the issue of exotic pets and proclaim their…

9 March

Zero hour contracts on the rise

The amount of people who said they were on a contract that guaranteed no minimum hours has risen to 801,000, according to the Office of National Statistics. This covers 2.5 percent of the employed workforce in the UK, up from 2.3 percent in the same period of 2014. ONS statistician Nick Palmer…

9 March

Government faces problems with Sunday trading hours vote

The government could struggle to extend Sunday trading hours in England and Wales following upset from the Scottish National Party and Conservative backbenchers. MPs will cast their vote on handing over the controls of Sunday trading hours to local councils which could see an increase in opening hours of up…

9 March

PATS Sandown will be host to impressive new exhibitors

PATS Sandown is set to be even popular this year with a host of new and international exhibitors as well as the industry’s big-name brands, all of which will be showcasing their 2016 launches over two action packed days on March 22-23. A total of 140 companies will be showcasing their new products,…

8 March

New website launched to boost awareness of compulsory microchipping

The Kennel Club and Petlog has launched www.chipitcheckit.co.uk, a new website to help make the new law regarding the compulsory microchipping of dogs as straightforward as possible for dog owners. The website is a one-stop shop for everything owners need to know about compulsory microchipping, from checking a microchip to advice,…

8 March

Pet charity urges owners to quit smoking for pets’ sake

Rooney the dog, from London, who developed a ‘smokers’ cough’ is now almost completely cured – less than 12 months after his owner kicked the habit. Kathleen Dove, 68, who had smoked up to 20 cigarettes a day from the age of 15, immediately quit when the PDSA warned it…

8 March

New Hale Barns store for Pets Corner

Pets Corner has opened a new store in The Square, Hale Barns, Trafford. The launch, which created four new jobs, took place on March 5. The store will stock an extensive range of naturally sourced, quality items for a variety of furry, feathered and scaly companions including a small home…

7 March

Butcher’s Pet Care plans £8 million factory expansion

Butcher’s Pet Care Limited is expanding its headquarters and targeting further growth in turnover after securing an £8million working capital facility from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The consumer brand for pets has a turnover of £93million and will expand its current 260,000 square foot factory in Northampton by 50 percent. The…

7 March

Defra reminds dog owners of change to microchipping law

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has circulated information reminding dog owners of the upcoming changes to microchipping laws. The new rules, which come into force in England, will not only protect the welfare of dogs and promote responsible ownership, but also make it easier to track…

4 March

US and Europe dominate pet retail sales

The US pet food market delivered approximately one third of point-of-sale sales, followed closely by European countries, according to data analysed by GfK. Dogs were found to represent roughly 80 percent of food spending in the US and Europe with dry dog food accounting for 45 percent of spending…