Covid
Covid-19 had a profound and lasting impact on the UK pet industry, reshaping consumer habits, retail operations, and supply chain resilience. Under this tag, Pet Gazette explores how pet shops, distributors, and petcare brands navigated lockdown restrictions, staffing challenges, product shortages, and evolving customer expectations. We also report on the post-Covid trading landscape — including lasting shifts towards online sales, changes in in-store footfall, altered buying patterns, and recovery strategies. Coverage is tailored to support pet retailers and supply chain professionals adapting to the sector’s ongoing evolution in the wake of the pandemic.
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May- 2020 -20 MayCoronavirus
PIF launches online Covid-19 course for businesses
The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has launched an online Covid-19 course for businesses in order to provide information and guidance on safety during the pandemic. The Disease Control for Pet Professionals certificate has been developed by industry specialists, and will help business owners meet suitable hygiene and social distancing protocols.…
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19 MayCoronavirus
Animal lovers looking for pets in lockdown defrauded nearly £300,000, study reveals
Criminals have stolen nearly £300,000 from 669 animal lovers looking for pets during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to national fraud and cyber crime agency, Action Fraud, criminals have continued to “take advantage” of the coronavirus pandemic to commit fraud after animal lovers have put down deposits for pets they have…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Richmond pet shop donates plants to NHS workers amid pandemic
Richmond-based pet and garden supplies shop Maynells has donated dozens of plants to NHS workers at the local community hospital amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Shop owner John Meynell donated the plants to the Friary Community Hospital and said he wanted to show his “support to NHS staff at this difficult…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Kennel Club releases statement on event cancellations amid pandemic
Dog charity The Kennel Club has released a statement regarding cancelling its events amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity said the safety and security of competitors, spectators, volunteers and staff at Kennel Club events continues to be of “paramount importance”. In light of the continued restrictions as a result of…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Government pledges support to Covid-19 detection dogs trial
The government has pledged a specialist team of researchers over £500,000 to support research into whether bio-detection dogs could be used to detect coronavirus in humans. Plans to begin intensively training six dogs in the hopes that they could detect the virus was first announced by Medical Detection Dogs in…
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18 MayFeatures
Covid-19 diary: A month of madness at Charley Chau
You know things are serious when headline sponsors instruct their staff not to attend the world’s biggest dog show. It’s the week after Crufts, sales are a bit flat – unusual – sales usually spike after Crufts. We’ve had a great start to the year so we’re not worried. Monday,…
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15 MayCoronavirus
Swansea Council introduces pet food to food bank supplies
Pet food is now being introduced in more food bank parcels across Swansea, thanks to donations from manufacturers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Swansea Council revealed it had received pet food donations from Pet Nutrition, Cambrian Pet Foods, Pets Choice and Pet Superstore Swansea, which included almost 4,000 tins of dog…
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15 MayCoronavirus
IRC launches ‘We are open’ scheme amid Covid-19 crisis
The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), a group of trade organisations representing different independent retail sectors across the UK, has launched ‘We are open’, an online map and directory of independent shops that are still open and operating responsibly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the government’s guidance some high street retailers…
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14 MayIndustry News
Zooplus welcomes ‘successful’ Q1 trading
Zooplus revealed it has had a “successful” first quarter of trading, maintaining “uninterrupted operations” despite the worldwide pandemic. In the first quarter of the year, total sales rose by 21% to €439.9m (£389m) against €363.2m (£321m) the year prior. The group said that this was “primarily driven” by “loyal existing…
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14 MayCoronavirus
Oak Tree Animals Charity reopens rehoming programme
Oak Tree Animals Charity has announced it has reopened its rehoming programme amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity, which was unable to rehome animals or take in non-emergency animal relinquishments, has been authorised by DEFRA with “strict” guidelines put in place. Oak Tree announced it encourages its staff to work…
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