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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Mar- 2020 -31 MarchCoronavirus
Monkfield Nutrition supports retailers during pandemic
Specialist reptile product wholesaler, livefood farm and manufacturer Monkfield Nutrition has reportedly “responded quickly” to the Covid-19 pandemic. The group is now working to support pet stores and ensure that pet reptiles are fed and cared for as the crisis continues. Monkfield Nutrition, one of the largest livefoods farms in…
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31 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: RCVS reduces CPD requirements
The RCVS will reduce the annual requirement of hours of continuing professional development (CPD) that vets are expected to undertake by 25% due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The annual minimum requirement for veterinary surgeons will be reduced from 35 to 26 hours of CPD, while veterinary nurse hours will…
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30 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Raystede Animal Shelter forced to halt services
Raystede Animal Shelter announced it has temporarily halted its animal adoption service amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. No adoptions will take place until further notice, and only essential staff are now coming to work in order to look after the cats and dogs currently being sheltered. The shelter already has…
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30 MarchCoronavirus
BSAVA launches triage tool
The BSAVA has launched a free triage tool designed to help vets in small animal practices identify and process emergency canine and feline cases during the Covid-19 pandemic. The tool provides users with a downloadable and printable guide chart that has been created by a number of veterinary specialists. The…
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27 MarchCoronavirus
FirstVet makes services free
FirstVet has announced it will be making its services free to all pet owners across the UK until 30 April. The move is in cooperation with its insurance partners, Bought By Many, LV= and Waggel. The on-demand video consultation provider said that the move aims to “alleviate some of the…
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26 MarchRetailers
Pets at Home issues guidelines to customers amid coronavirus crisis
The chief executive of retailer Pets at Home, Peter Pritchard, has issued new guidelines to customers amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak. Whilst many shops have been urged to temporarily close, Pets at Home has been permitted to remain open to serve pet owners “essential items”. Some of the new measures…
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26 MarchBusiness
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Vets concerned over ‘low supplies’ amid Covid-19 crisis
Concerns have apparently arisen in the veterinary community over potential equipment shortages in light of donations of ventilators to the NHS. As the pandemic spreads, veterinary practices are still providing emergency animal care, and many have begun to donate equipment to the NHS, including monitors, anaesthetic machines and Personal Protective…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Government and NHS urge vets to donate ventilators
The NHS has asked veterinary surgeons across the country to donate animal ventilators to help tackle the anticipated shortage of the equipment as the pandemic continues. The BBC estimates that there are currently between 300 and 400 animal ventilators in circulation, and that some of these would be suitable for…
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26 MarchRetailers
More must be done to support independent retailers through Covid-19 crisis, says BIRA
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has said more must be done to support independent retailers through the coronavirus crisis. BIRA has also launched a dedicated coronavirus hub to guide members and the wider retail community through the crisis. The online resource is a one-stop shop featuring a wealth of…
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