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.

Apr- 2020 -

15 April

Economy

Banks still failing small retail businesses, says Bira

High street lenders are failing to ‘rise to the challenge’ of supporting small retail businesses during the Covid-19 crisis, according to Bira. Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said new government figures revealing that only 1.4% of applications for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme had been successful were “no surprise”. The…
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14 April

Coronavirus

BVA and BSAVA issue update on Covid-19 guidance

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) have released a joint statement on their latest coronavirus guidance. The groups said that they are committed to supporting one another and “working together to provide leadership” to benefit those in the veterinary sector as it “navigates these…
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9 April

Retailers

BIRA fight ‘anomaly’ in government grant funding

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is highlighting an ‘anomaly’ in government grant funding meaning small independent retailers could be missing out on £15,000 Covid-19 cash. According to real estate advisory firm Altus Group almost 3,700 small shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants could miss out on the money. An early…
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9 April

Economy

AAB calls on government to enhance support for businesses

Accountancy firm Anderson Anderson and Brown (AAB) has called on the UK Government to implement a series of “wide-reaching” measures aimed at helping businesses to survive the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Lyn Calder, managing partner and also the firm’s head of deals for the Central Belt in Scotland,…
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9 April

Coronavirus

RCVS warns against donating propofol anaesthetic to NHS

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has warned against donating the anesthetic propofol to the NHS amid the ongoing pandemic. Propofol Plus (Zoetis) contains propofol 10 mg/ml with benzyl alcohol 20 mg/ml as a preservative and should not be given to the NHS for use in humans. The preservative can…
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9 April

Coronavirus

RSPCA issues advice for cat owners

The RSPCA has issued a statement assuring cat owners about the risk of coronavirus contamination from their pets. The group said that it was aware owners were concerned about the welfare of their pets during the crisis, as well as whether they posed a risk to human health. It stated…
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9 April

Pet Owners

Dogs Trust appeals to keep chocolate out of reach of dogs

Dogs Trust is appealing dog owners to be vigilant and keep the chocolate out of reach of their pets. With the bank holiday weekend approaching, Dogs Trust are aiming to raise awareness of the continued risk that the consumption of chocolate poses to canines. Lauren Price, from Gloucester, recently had…
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8 April

Coronavirus

BVA clarifies advice issued to BBC

The British Veterinary Association has had to clarify its position following a BBC report about cats and coronavirus. The report’s headline had suggested that veterinary advice was to keep all cats indoors, but the BVA has now explained this must only be the case for infected households or self-isolating pet…
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8 April

Retailers

CFSG issues new guidelines for pet businesses operating during Covid-19 pandemic

The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) has issued new guidance for pet businesses operating during the coronavirus pandemic to offer “clear advice” as to how they can comply with requirements. The document, which is subject to change amid government advice, entitled ‘Covid-19 – Advice for Animal Related Businesses and…
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8 April

Charities

Barking Heads announce partnership with Blue Cross amid Covid-19 pandemic

Natural and ethical dog food brand, Barking Heads, has partnered with Blue Cross to help support vulnerable pet owners affected by the current Covid-19 crisis. In collaboration with The Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of food banks, Blue Cross and Barking Heads have distributed 9,000 dog and cat…
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