Industry News

Oct- 2017 -

20 October

ROYAL CANIN® names rescue cat and dog of the year

Maine Coon Darwin and whippet cross Scout have been named the ROYAL CANIN® Rescue Cat and Dog of the Year, respectively. Rescue cats and dogs were entered into the competition run via ROYAL CANIN®’s Facebook page. Darwin and Scout have each received a hamper of ROYAL CANIN® products, while the…

19 October

First training day for new Vet Futures student ambassadors

The Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) held the first training day for its new Vet Futures Student Ambassadors last Thursday. The day was hosted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), and supported by the Veterinary Schools Council. Two students each from the…

19 October

Pets Choice appoints key account manager for pet speciality sector

Pet food manufacturer, Pets Choice, has welcomed a new team member. Laura Mallick has taken the role of key account manager. With eight years’ experience within the pet sector for a VMD medicinal and chemicals manufacturer, Laura will be responsible for developing the growing Pets Choice portfolio of brands, further building…

19 October

New Fish4Dogs video helps dogs tackle the effects of ageing

Dogs, like humans, get wear and tear as they advance in years. Animal nutritionist and physiology expert, David Southey BSc, highlights how to use nutrition to battle the effects of ageing in his latest video for Fish4Dogs. David says: “As the writer Terry Prachett said, ‘Inside every older person is a…

19 October

UK retail sales growth slows more than expected

UK retail sales growth slowed more than predicted in the month of September, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The figures showed that total sales fell by 0.8 percent when compared with August, making it much lower than the 0.1% drop that was expected. Year-on-year retail growth for Q3…

18 October

Mars Petcare’s Birstall factory celebrates 30th anniversary

Mars Petcare’s Birstall factory, near Leeds, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The site has been making pet care and treats products – including Pedigree® and Dreamies™ – since 1987. Over the last 30 years, the Birstall site has produced 40,000 tonnes of pet food products and provided jobs for multiple…

18 October

64,000 dogs died in dog fights in just 12 months

In the past 12 months, 64,097 dogs have died after being involved in a fight, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance. 44,375 have also suffered life-changing injuries because of a fight with more than a quarter (27 percent) of dogs seen by vets after fighting had to be put down due…

18 October

RCVS welcomes prison sentence for fake vet fraudster

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has welcomed the three-year prison term handed down at Taunton Crown Court on 17 October to Peter Keniry, who used the identity of a legitimately registered vet to fraudulently practise as a veterinary surgeon. The RCVS played a proactive role in Mr Keniry’s…

17 October

PFMA learns how ‘no deal’ Brexit will impact on pet sector

The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has been investigating the implications of failing to agree our future trade relations with the EU. The PFMA undertook a trade mission in Geneva, 9-11 October, to hold meetings with the WTO, as well as several major national missions including Ireland, USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil,…

17 October

Legal & General acquires Buddies Enterprises Limited

Legal & General Insurance Limited has announced the acquisition of 100 percent of Buddies Enterprises Limited. The UK pet insurance sector now accounts for £1bn of gross written premiums and has grown at a compound annual rate of nine percent over the last five years. However, more than half the pet…