Industry News

Mar- 2021 -

15 March

Sainsbury’s Bank launches insurance for rabbits

Sainsbury’s Bank has announced the launch of a new brand of pet insurance which exclusively covers rabbits. The new insurance policy will offer comprehensive lifetime cover, 24/7 vet assistance and a discount for Nectar members. The bank’s venture into insurance for rabbits has been done to capitalise on them being…

12 March

3.2 million pets bought in lockdown, PFMA finds

The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has found that 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to its annual pet population data. Largely driven by Gen Z and Millennials, 59% of new owners are aged 16-34 and 56% of new…

12 March

Kennel Club Charitable Trust donates to Pet Food Bank Service

Pet Food Bank Service is “back on the road” again after receiving a grant from the Kennel Club’s Charitable Trust. So far this year, the undisclosed sum has allowed the charitable organisation to deliver around 3,008 pet meals. Based in Cardiff, the Pet Food Bank Service supports elderly and vulnerable…

12 March

UK GDP shrinks 2.9% amid January lockdown

Monthly GDP fell by 2.9% in January as a national lockdown proved to impact economic activity, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals. Figures released show that January’s GDP was 9.0% below the levels seen in February 2020, and 4.0% below October 2020 – the “initial recovery…

11 March

Dogs Trust campaign reveals owners forced to give up pet due to Covid

Dogs Trust has released a new advert, featuring recordings from owners who made the decision to hand over their dogs over to the charity due to Covid-19. The recordings have been shared via a radio and video advert as part of the charity’s ongoing ‘Change the Tale’ campaign. The advert…

11 March

PATS Sandown 2021 cancelled

PATS Sandown, the UK’s spring pet industry exhibition, will no longer take place due to ongoing government restrictions. The event was set to take place on 11 and 12 May 2021, but will now no longer happen following the prime minister’s announcement that indoor events will not be allowed until…

11 March

Walker & Drake appoints business development manager

Cold pressed food manufacturer, Walker and Drake, has expanded its sales and marketing team by appointing Andrew Clark as its new business development manager. In his new role, Clark will focus on sales and distribution in the southern UK, Wales and the west. He will also provide sales training for…

10 March

Assisi Pet Care acquires Town and Country Petfoods Ltd

Assisi Pet Care Ltd has acquired Town and Country Petfoods Ltd, for an undisclosed sum. Established in 1974 by the Parkinson family, Town and Country is based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where it has a 26 person team. It markets an extensive range of dog and cat foods and treats,…

10 March

Nation has ‘good supply’ of pet food, says PFMA

The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has issued a statement reassuring the UK that the country has a “good supply” of pet food. The trade association’s intervention comes after reports from retailers of pet food pouches shortages. According to the PFMA, the temporary shortage is due to a rise in…

10 March

Exotic fish welfare report shows lack of research, warns OATA

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has called comments made by the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation in a fish welfare report “unjustified” and showing a “lack of proper research into the way live ornamental fish are transported”. Discussing the welfare of ornamental fish in transport, the recent report states: “For…