Month: July 2020

Vets and celebrities campaign against ‘petfishing’

Vets, charities and celebrities have come together with a newly-launched government campaign to warn prospective pet owners  against unknowingly buying pets from “unscrupulous” sellers following a rise in pet demand.  An open letter signed by celebrities including  Kirsty Gallacher, Paul O’Grady and Amanda Holden, and  supported by charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home,…

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Zoetis acquires Virtual Recall

Animal health company Zoetis has acquired Virtual Recall, a business that helps veterinary practices to improve their service offering and communication with pet owners. Through this acquisition, Zoetis is able to offer veterinary customers in the UK, Australia and New Zealand a customer engagement software that “improves” client experience beyond…

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Dedicated insurance launched for pet industry

British Pet Insurance Services (BPIS) has announced the launch of a dedicated insurance for those running a pet business or service in the UK. The new offering, entitled ‘Professional’, tailors insurance to cover those in pet-specific businesses, such as dog walkers, pet sitters, home boarders, pet groomers, pet taxis, pet…

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Battersea welcomes increased sentences for animal cruelty offences

Animal welfare charity Battersea has praised the Scottish government for increasing sentences for animal cruelty offences to a maximum of five-years. Last month, MSPs across Parliament voted unanimously for the Scottish government’s change in law under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill that saw maximum sentences…

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‘Record number’ of vets admitted to RCVS 2020 fellowship

A “record number” of veterinary surgeons have been admitted to the RCVS fellowship this year, joining the learned society in recognition of their contribution to veterinary science and practice. Some 58 fellows have been admitted this year out of a total of 65 applicants. Of those joining the fellowship, 39…

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Kennel Club Charitable Trust receives new boost

Renowned dog photographer, Anna Szabó, has donated proceedings from a recent photoshoot to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which has set up an emergency relief initiative to support organisations through the crisis.  The donation from Szabó, who fought coronavirus earlier this year, will go towards charities and organisations who work…

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PetQuip Awards to support campaign for winners

The PetQuip Awards will continue to celebrate its winners through an “exciting new format” this year, after organisers for PATS Telford confirmed the event’s cancellation yesterday (21 July). The industry show, which hosts the awards, was initially set to take place between 27 September and 28 September 2020.  However, the…

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Bira urges PM to ‘give us back our high streets’

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and “give us back our high streets”. In an exclusive Bira survey, three quarters (75%) of independent retailers said trade is being “detrimentally impacted” by lockdown road closures. The survey revealed that two thirds (66.1%)…

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Building loyalty with pet owners, manufacturers must take the lead

A lack of knowledge of the end customer is a challenge for any industry where a manufacturer is selling via distributors, large buying practices or, in the case of the pet trade, direct to the veterinary practice. Manufacturers have the tough job of appealing to all the stakeholders; the vets,…

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Peach and Pooch to launch first ever shop

An independent pet accessory brand is set to open its first shop in Harrogate later this month.  Peach and Pooch creates a range of pet products, with each piece designed and handmade by local resident, Emily Ong, who makes all products from her home studio in Harrogate. Ong creates a…

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