Pet Product Marketing September 2022

Welcome!

hat a packed issue this month!

There’s chance to win stock to sell in your shop, a preview of the biggest pet trade show there is, and we’re using the C word — yes, we’re getting ready for Christmas!

PATS Telford is coming on 25 — 26 September and it is such a key event for the pet industry in this country. There is no other platform quite like it that brings together manufacturers and retailers in the pet trade. It’s a brilliant event that if you’re an independent pet shop owner is well worth visiting and you’ll see the latest products, network with your suppliers, and come away with a ton inspiration. We have got a full preview on page 14 and even some top tips from Alison Gallagher-Hughes on how to make the most of visits to these types of show on page 18.

A visit to PATS Telford will also be ideal preparation for Christmas

which is something we delve into this early. The festive period is such a key season for sales. More money is being spent, more people on the high street, and there is a feel-good factor around. Being prepared for the season can really help maximise those Christmas sales. Our feature on page 10 has got loads of tips to consider and things to try to make sure it’s the season of good sales, as well as good will! Of course, we’ve got product inspiration for you too, with a page of great Christmas stock ideas on page 12.

I hope you get loads out of this issue and whether or not you’re going to PATS, be sure to enter our Win Stock competition online! If you are going to PATS, I’ll see you there!

MikeMike Hallam - Editor, michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.ukPPM.

Our email: editorial@petproductmarketing.co.uk

4 News

The latest from the pet industry.

8

We’ve got the newest products hitting the

10 Christmas is coming… ready to make the most

by Richard Duszczak

28 to

Why caring for plants is essential when keeping reptiles. Breaktime

The incredible woman who went to Ukraine to help pets.

Our address: Pet Product Marketing, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH

Michael Hallam, editor

(for news and product releases, contact Michael on michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.uk)

For advertising queries please contact Stephen Tanner on 01778 392404

Laura Wright, features and web editor

Ellis O’Connell, marketing exec

With grateful thanks to Sarah Wright (editor, Your Dog), and Nathan Hill (editor, Practical Fishkeeping)

Nigel Fish, design and production manager

Natalie Reynolds, production controller Graham Warren, colour repro

Stephen Tanner, key account manager (advertising Pet Product Marketing/Practical Fishkeeping)

Andrea Walters, key account manager (advertising Your Dog/Your Cat)

Kay Cotterill, classified sales (all titles)

Regular contributors: Adam Bernstein, Claire Hamblion and John Courteney-Smith

Printed by Warners Midlands plc

James Buzzel, publisher

Subscriptions and back issues

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Pet Product Marketing is published 10 times a year by Warners Group Publications. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form in whole or in part, without the prior permission of Warners Group Publications. All material published remains the copyright of Warners and we reserve the right to copy or edit any material submitted to the magazine without further consent. The submission of material (manuscripts or images etc) to Warners Group Publications whether unsolicited or requested, is taken as permission to publish that material in the magazine, on the associated website, any apps or social media pages affiliated to the magazine, and any editions of the magazine published by our licensees elsewhere in the world. By submitting any material to us you are confirming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Warners Group Publications to use it as described in this paragraph. You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Warners Group Publications. If Warners Group Publications receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us, we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images, or materials lost or damaged in the post. While every reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage, however caused, resulting from the use of the magazine.

Star line-up for grooming demos at PATS Telford

PATS Telford has lined up a star-studded list of professional groomers for an unmissable series of demonstrations at the show on 25 — 26 September 2022.

With an increasing number of pet retailers introducing grooming salons into their stores, the PATS programme of seminars and demos will provide invaluable insights into this side of the business.

On both days of the show expert groomers will be giving free-to-attend demonstrations of specialist grooming techniques, including Asian-style Grooming, Creative Grooming, Pet Trim and Traditional Trim, as well as advice on how to grow your grooming business.

The demonstrations will highlight the knowledge and expertise required to complete traditional grooming techniques successfully as well as showing off a few modern and creative ideas. There will also be information on tools and products for the everyday groomer, plus tips and tricks to increase salon revenue.

The grooming activity at PATS Telford is being produced in association with Peanut and Pickle. an all-natural canine skincare brand.

Kara Boyd, who appeared in the BBC One series ‘Pooch Perfect’, which became an instant hit with viewers during the pandemic, is part of the line-up. Kara, who runs Fairy DogMother in Cambridgeshire, said: “I’m honoured to be making an appearance and taking part in this year’s PATS pet trade show. I can’t wait to be able to share the knowledge I have gained over

Former Natures Menu appointedMD KennelpakOfficerCommercialChieffor

James Langan has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer for Kennelpak.

The longstanding pet food wholesaler and European distributor, which encompasses pet care specialist retailer Pets & Friends, is delighted to welcome James, who is joining after serving as Managing Director of Natures Menu for the last three years, and as Commercial Director for the two years prior.

The Board role will see James directing and leading the growth strategy of Kennelpak’s wholesale and distributor division. The role also includes responsibility for further strengthening the Pets & Friends product offer across the chain of specialist stores, ecommerce platforms and online subscription service.

Since CEO Claire Bayliss’ appointment in June 2021, her focus has been to set out the vision and long-term growth strategy for Kennelpak, building a new Board and Senior Leadership Team who will execute this strategy, of which James’ appointment is key. At Natures Menu James oversaw the company’s most profitable years ever.

James said: “I am delighted to be joining Kennelpak at this exciting point in the evolution of the business. I look forward to working with Claire, the wider team and the customer and supply base to maximise the potential of Kennelpak in the market.”

The company, which has a head office in Nottinghamshire, was founded in 1974, and creates high quality pet food and product brands including Yakers, Collards and Dylan, with distribution across the UK and Europe. Kennelpak are also UK distributors for international brands such as Wellness CORE, Whimzees and Taste Of The Wild.

Kennelpak own Pets & Friends, a growing chain of specialist pet care retail stores and a highly rated ecommerce platform. Pets & Friends are dedicated to creating a community of happy, healthy pets and responsible pet parents by providing high levels of expertise, advice and services to its customers, alongside high-quality and great value pet food and products.Speaking about James’ appointment, the company’s CEO Claire Bayliss said: “James joins us at a pivotal time as we invest significantly in both our Wholesale and Retail divisions. Over the last year, my focus has been to establish a brand-new management team to deliver profitable growth across the Kennelpak group, building on our heritage and expertise.”

the years, and exchange tips and advice with other groomers. It is such a valuable occasion, being able to learn more about our pet industry, and meet new people. See you there.”

Also appearing is Holly Briden, who owns grooming salon Doggie Stylez in Salford, Greater Manchester, and specialises in creative grooming and once featured in a national newspaper after transforming her pet into Woody from Toy Story.

Laura Cook is a certified master groomer from Oxfordshire with more than 20 years’ experience grooming and producing show dogs at major event like Crufts. She now runs her own training school, The Academy at Tails & Tweed and will be demonstrating at PATS.

Kirsty Cooper loves to give her clients something different at her salon, Pet Grooming by Kirsty at Gleve Farm, Congleton, Cheshire, and will be giving an Asian-style demonstration at PATS.

The grooming demonstrations are as follows:

Sunday, 25th September 2022

● 10am Holly Bridden – Creative Grooming Seminar

● 1pm Kirsty Cooper – Asian Style Demonstration

Monday, 26th September 2022

● 10am Kara Boyd – Pet Trim Seminar on a Shitzu

● 1pm Laura Cook – Traditional Trim on a Spaniel

The groomers will also be on the Peanut & Pickle stand (N40 in Hall 3) throughout the show to talk with people and offer one-to-one Q&A and extra demos.

PATS Telford is taking place at the Telford International Centre on Sunday and Monday, 25th and 26th September 2022.

Visitors to the show can register online for free entry at the PATS website www.patshow. co.uk. A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

PetQuip reveals finalists prestigiousfor Industry Awards 2022

The PetQuip trade association has announced an impressive list of finalists for this year’s PetQuip Industry Awards.

Such is the popularity of the PetQuip awards that a record number of entries were received, and following preliminary judging, these have now been whittled down to a list of finalists.

Two new categories — ‘Celebrating Green and Organic’ and the ‘Sustainability Award’ — have been introduced this year to reflect the growing trend towards ‘eco’ initiatives.

The Theresa Swann Trophy for Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Group 55, will once again be presented in memory of PetQuip’s former Head of Events & Administration who is fondly remembered by many.

The award winners will be announced at an Oscar-style ceremony on Sunday, 25th September 2022, immediately after the first day of PATS Telford with a drinks reception starting at 7.30pm.

PetQuip Awards 2022 Finalists

The Theresa Swann Exporter of the Year

•3P Enterprise •Eden Holistic •Little Big Paw •Podium Pet Products •Tailor-Grace

Celebrating Green & Organic

•Aardvark Petcare •Barking Bags •Doggy Doggy Yum Yum •Furr Boost •HayPigs!

•Henry & Co •Herbal Dog Co •James & Steel •Kompact 9 •PARK LIFE •Podium Pet Products •Rawgeous Pet Food Co •Tailor-Grace •The Dog Doctors

•The Green Poop Bag •WHM Pet Group

Supplier of the Year

•All About Pet Health •Barking Bags •Bestpets •Butcher’s Pet Care •C & D Foods

•ChickenGuard •Collarways •Doggy Doggy Yum Yum •Furr Boost •GHS Direct •Herbal Dog Co •Mutneys •PARK LIFE •Pet Trade Innovations •Podium Pet Products •Precious Pets Weddings •ProDog •Rawgeous Pet Food Co •Scruffs •The Dog Doctors

Business Service of the Year

•Ant Antics •Bruce’s Doggy Day Care •Canine Flow •Doggy Day Care Cornwall •FETCH.IT

•GHS Direct •Henry & Co •K9 Anytime •Pedigree Wholesale •Tuft App•Shropshire Canine

Sustainability Award

•Aardvark Petcare•Barking Bags•Butcher’s Pet Care•Doggy Doggy Yum Yum•Dogs 4 Wildlife •Furr Boost•Herbal Dog Co•Kompact 9•LK Pets•PARK LIFE•Pet Trade Innovations

•Rawgeous Pet Food Co•Tailor-Grace•The Dog Doctors•The Green Poop Bag

Product of the Year – Accessories Technical

•Barking Bags (2 products) •Collarways •Concept Research •Dog Fender •FETCH.IT

•HayPigs! •James & Steel •Kompact 9 •Pedigree Wholesale (3 products) •PetSafe

•Red Dingo •Scoff Paper •Scruffs •The Green Poop Bag •WHM

Johnson’s announces passing of Chairman David Johnson

It was with great sadness that it was announced that David Johnson, Chairman of Johnson’s Veterinary Products Ltd, passed away peacefully in July, after a short battle with illness.

David joined the family business in 1970 after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and quickly became a highly respected figure within the UK pet trade. He oversaw the development and success of Johnson’s as it transitioned from local family business to international pet healthcare brand.

The loss of the company’s figurehead is keenly felt, following on so closely to the business celebrating 100 years of caring for the nation’s pets, in May 2021. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but especially his family, friends, and colleagues.

Not only was David responsible for turning Johnsons Veterinary Products into one of the UK’s leading pet healthcare brands, but he worked tirelessly to help raise the profile and professional standards across all aspects of the UK pet trade.

The company and the wider UK pet trade has lost one of the great champions of the industry and his passing reduces considerably the experience and expertise that has helped the business and the sector move forward to the respected positions both find themselves in today

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has launched a completely revamped website, packed full of useful industry information and business advice.

Easy to navigate, the site provides help and resources for all PIF members, whether they are new businesses starting out or long-established figures in the pet industry.PIFCEO, Nigel Baker, commented: “Listening to feedback from our members it was clear that the previous site needed a revamp so we’ve taken that feedback on board and created a site that is both easy to use and full of essential information for PIF members. We know that digital communications are absolutely key for today’s businesses and this is just Phase 1 for the new website; keep an eye out in the coming months for even more developments.”

Phase 2, which will become a central hub for the pet industry this autumn, is already in development including a Find A PIF Member feature where members of the public will be able to search for a PIF member near them.

To access the secure Members’ Area of the new site, or to join PIF today, visit www. petfederation.co.uk

For independent pet retailers

David Johnson.

New necessities&

Harry Hamster Fruity Nutty Mix

Supreme Petfoods has launched Harry Hamster Fruity Nutty Mix as an extension to its highly successful Tiny Friends Farm range.

Known for its focus on providing great value nutrition with no compromise on quality, the brand has experienced 37 per cent year-on-year growth in the last 12 months. With an exciting new flavour variant, the new product promises to be popular with pets and owners, building on the phenomenal commercial success of Tiny Friends Farm to date.

ty Ha

Tiny Friends Farm Harry Hamster Fruity Nutty Mix combines shell-on sunflower seeds, peanut kernels, and redskin peanuts with tasty apple, carrot, maize and peas, for maximum palatability. Suitable for all breeds including dwarf hamsters, it contains no added sugar and no artificial colours, reflecting customer demand for products that are naturally healthy.

to be popular with pets and ow t and sugar and no

With eye-catching branding featuring the playful Harry Hamster Tiny Friends Farm character, packaging is designed with in-store displays in mind. Retailers looking to stock the Tiny Friends Farm range can benefit from a comprehensive range of point-of-sale material to support sales including posters, care guides and loyalty schemes. Tiny Friends Farm Harry Hamster Fruity Nutty Mix comes in a 700g pack size with a recommended retail price of £2.99. It is available now from all good pet product wholesalers. To find out more, contact Supreme Petfoods on experts@supremepetfoods.com or visit www.supremepetfoods.com/products/

Cotswold RAW for cats

Award-winning dog food brand Cotswold RAW has partnered with leading supplement specialist GWF Nutrition to launch a range of complete meals for cats with added Raw Aid for Cats.

The range is designed to provide a fresh high protein raw diet with the added benefits of Raw Aid for Cats, providing 26 additional vitamins and minerals. The meals, initially available in Chicken and Turkey flavour, provide the convenience of a packaged food with the balanced nutrition of a natural raw diet.

FIT & WILD Pond Sticks by Blagdon are based on the natural diet of most pond fish – insects and small crustaceans – and helps prevent the unnecessary depletion of the planet’s resources.

Adrian Exell, Head of Development and Marketing Manager at Interpet, explains: “Our new FIT & WILD range of food is best for fish and best for the environment. Every year, the world’s oceans are raided of billions of fish to make fishmeal.

“Our FIT & WILD range, including the pond sticks for garden pond fish, has been formulated to be completely fishmealfree to protect the oceans’ resources, yet it still provides all the nutrition fish require. Fishmeal is traditionally one of the main ingredients of many fish foods and is mostly made of small oily fish, unsustainably harvested from the sea.”

The new FIT & WILD fish food is a complete range of food, which offers a more natural diet for garden pond fish and is highly palatable. It contains high quality, palatable protein that is closer to what fish would eat in the wild, including Mealworm meal, Daphnia, Bloodworms and Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Blagdon’s FIT & WILD pond fish food comes in various options and package sizes:

● FIT & WILD Pond Sticks 180g £5.99 SSP

● FIT & WILD Pond Sticks 675g £17.99

● FIT & WILD Pond Sticks £33.99

For trade information, retailers should contact their Interpet Area Sales Manager or sign-up to Blagdon’s new online ordering system: https://trade.interpet.co.uk.

To find out more about the new Fit & Wild range, please visit www.fitandwildfood.com or www.blagdonwatergardening.co.uk.

Cotswold RAW managing director Mark Lewis said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a complete raw food for cats that is setting a new standard in terms of the quality of nutrition for today’s cat owner. It’s a growing area of the market, both in terms of raw feeding and cat ownership and has already been very popular with our retail stockists.

“We were very keen to work with GWF Nutrition in particular as one of the industry’s leading specialist manufacturers creating the highest quality of pet supplements available today. Their unique mini pellet format also made this easy to integrate into our production processes.”

For trade enquiries call 01386 426 335.

Harringtons Puppy Food

Inspired Pet Nutrition has expanded its wet food offering with the launch of Harringtons’ new wet puppy food.

Available in single 380g and 6x multi-packs in a delicious chicken flavour, the new wet puppy range is packed full of wholesome nutrients and goodness, ensuring natural healthier taste, while meeting the needs of growing puppies.

The new recipe has been created using 70% freshly prepared chicken, with salmon oil as a natural source of omega 3, to aid in a pup’s cognitive development. Harringtons uses its unique FreshCook® method to gently cook and create an exceptional wet puppy food. This method uses human grade quality ingredients that are freshly prepared and gently cooked. The recipe ensures a nutritionally balanced meal for healthy dogs, free from grain, dairy, soya, artificial flavours, and colours.

To find out more about Harringtons wet puppy range, please visit: www.harringtonspetfood.com or call 01549 470648.

FIT

Meripac Window Bird Feeder

Meripac has launched their unique, patented Pigeon-proof Window Bird Feeder as an addition to their existing range of wild bird care products.

The Pigeon Guard is a metal cage with adjustable size openings which fits on to the seed tray of a Meripac Window Feeder. It also allows owners at any time to choose and to change whether to exclude starlings or to allow them access to the seed tray. The gaps in the front of the cage can be varied easily between 28mm and 58mm using the patented double-mesh system.

● 32mm mesh gaps welcome Tits, Wrens, Finches, Robins, Sparrows and Nuthatches.

● 40mm mesh gaps welcome Redstarts.

● 45mm mesh gaps welcome Starlings and Blackbirds. The gaps in the sides of the cage are fixed at 34mm. Pigeons, Seagulls, Magpies, and Jackdaws require a gap of 60mm plus.

The Pigeon Guard is easy to install without using tools or any special skills. It does not need to be removed when cleaning and refilling the seed tray.

For further product details, prices and availability please contact enquiries@meripac.com

Dogsee chew new flavours

Dogsee chews now come in a range of flavours including turmeric and coconut.

Dogsee was created to provide sustainably sourced Himalayan cheese treats to reward our best friends throughout the world; what started as a pet nutrition brand is quickly evolving into a range of ethically sourced handcrafted treats.

The favourite 100% natural Dogsee chews now come in a range of flavours including turmeric and coconut, plus they have real fruit and veggie crunchie treats and softer puffed treats for dogs that love to chew.

Since the launch in 2015, Dogsee has become the go to natural pet brand for over 50 million pet parents worldwide; trusted by the top veterinarians. They want to be the best by doing everything they do brilliantly and bring the taste of the Himalayas to the world of dogs!

Dogsee is exclusively available from Su-Bridge Pet

Lily’s Kitchen Surf & Turf

Lily’s Kitchen is launching a mouth-watering limited-edition Surf & Turf recipe for dogs.

The vet-approved, nutritionally complete recipe has been carefully crafted for gentle digestion, using natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals — and it’s grain-free. As well as freshly prepared beef and responsibly sourced salmon with prawns, this delicious summertime meal is also made with asparagus (an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and dietary fibre) peas and spinach making this the perfect, complete meal for your woofer.

The Surf & Turf feast is full of real, top notch, freshly prepared meat, fish and vegetables and it’s completely free from meat meal and rendered meat. Whether you and your pooch plan on soaking up the sun, splashing in the sea or napping under the parasol, you’ll have their beach day dinner sorted… surfs up! Surf & Turf has an RRP of £3.25, per 400g tin.

For trade enquiries call 0207 449 6080 or email sales@lilyskitchen.co.uk Ar.

Harringtons Meaty Treats

Harringtons has broadened its horizons with the launch of its latest new high protein product — Meaty Treats. Available in four delicious flavours: Chicken Fillets, Duck Jerky, Beef Meatballs, and Chicken Sausages, the treats are free from artificial colours and preservatives, and contain a minimum of 70 per cent meat, ensuring dogs get some natural goodness in their diet.

Meaty Treats are designed to put protein at the forefront and are packed full of all-important vitamins and minerals to make treat time all the more delicious and nutritious! With three grain free recipes and the tasty Beef Meatballs being wheatfree, Harringtons’ Meaty Treats are perfect for dogs with sensitive digestion.

At an RRP of £2.50 per packet, dogs can enjoy great quality treats without breaking the bank.

To find out more about Harringtons’ Meaty Treats, visit: www.harringtonspetfood.com or call 01549 470648.

Hill’s Puppy and Kitten ranges

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has announced the launch of two pioneering new puppy and kitten foods to its Science Plan range.

With stomach sensitivities listed as the number one concern for pet parents on social media, the new Hill’s Science Plan Puppy & Kitten Perfect Digestion range has been crafted with Hill’s revolutionary ActivBiome+ Technology, featuring a unique blend of prebiotics to rapidly nourish the microbiome and improve digestive health and well-being.

Containing high-quality protein to support optimal growth and easily digested ingredients, the new fibre blend has been described as a major scientific breakthrough by the biology-based nutrition provider, developed following four years of research and more than 10,000 microbiome samples.

Sitting alongside this, and bolstering Hill’s kitten range, is the Hill’s Science Plan Sterilised Kitten food. The new range provides high quality protein for muscle development, paired with controlled fat to prevent risks of young cats becoming overweight after neutering. Moreover, the unique blend of antioxidants promotes a healthy immune system to support kittens’ growth and immune system development.

Hill’s Science Plan Perfect Digestion range can be bought as a dry food in bag sizes 1.5kg and 7kg for kittens, 1.5kg, 3kg for small and mini breed puppies, 2.5kg, 14kg for medium breed puppies and 2.kg and 12kg bags for large breed puppies.

Hill’s Science Plan Sterilised Kitten Chicken is available as a dry food and in bag sizes 1.5kg or 7kg.

For trade enquiries, call 0800 282 438.

isChristmascoming…

It is the most important season for almost every retailer — and if you want to ensure Christmas is great for your business, then it’s a good idea to start planning now.

According to the Bank of England, our spending habits change in the run up to the festive period and households spend on average almost a whopping £740 more in December, which is 29% more than in a typical month.

It was also reported that over three quarters of dog owners buy their pet a Christmas present with an average spend of just over £20 — and that’s just dogs! With the humanisation of pets, owners are striving to give their animals the best lives possible and treat them like a member of the family. So, it is no surprise that owners want to treat them for the festive season.

Here we share top tips to maximise your sales and make sure there’s the ringing of tills, as well as the bells, this Christmas time.

Plan ahead

You may be thinking ‘it’s too early for Christmas!’ — but it really isn’t. Many of the leading retailers will be well into their Christmas planning and will be about to launch festive products. Last year, supermarkets and department stores starting stocking their shelves with Christmas stuff in September.Whileyou may not want to get your festive stock out so soon, planning and preparation needs to start to make the most of seasonal sales. Thinking about the products you want to sell, the marketing messages you want to send, and how you can turn those festive buyers into regular customers will all be more successful if it is thought about now. Christmas is full of opportunities to do creative things and you’ll enjoying thinking outside the box!

Find the best Christmas products

From festive toys to turkey dinners, there are incredible Christmas pet products out there to capture the imagination of buyers. Manufacturers and wholesalers will be ready to go with Christmas orders so start looking to see what you can stock. When it comes to choosing, think about what is the festive product that will stand out from the rest? What were your best sellers last year? Have you got different types of products available from treats to toys, to different species? Think about what would grab your attention as a buyer.

Don’t forget humans either! Buyers will be looking for presents for pet lovers so are there ranges you could stock that would make great gifts for owners? From quirky signs and t-shirts, to equipment for life with a pet, these could be a huge hit with customers.

Stocking great Christmas products at the right price gives you the best chance to make those festive sales. There is really scope to make it fun!

It’s not just about gifts

While selling gifts for pets is an obvious way to make sales, don’t forget how core pet products have potential for increased sales. For example, Christmas is a busy time of year in most households and this can be stressful for pets.

Using a pheromone diffuser for cats or dogs can really help pets enjoy Christmas more. Extolling the virtue of preparing pets for Christmas and ensuring they have the opportunity to get away from it and relax can also boost sales. Particularly for cats, and even dogs, a safe area with essential resources in is a great idea to help them escape if they need it — and you can provide the products they need.

Christmas is also an excuse people will use to replace those pet items they change fairly regularly — think of items such as dog leads, scratching posts, food and drinking bowls, and tunnels for small companions. Check your current ranges of these types of products and think how you can make your customers aware of these types of items.

With all the distractions of Christmas, it can also be a good idea to remind shoppers about ensuring they’re stocked up on those regular purchases such as pet food.

The right message

Christmas brings with it so many exciting ways to market your shop and your products. What messages do you want to land with your customers? As an independent retailer you want people to know you have great products, you’re a genuine pet lover and can offer advice, and that shopping local is supporting people who are part of their community. Mixing these messages and dripping them in over time gives them the best chance to land with your customers.

Think about your platforms where you will spread your message. In your store, on your social media channels, advertising in local publications, and by word of mouth are all effective ways to preach your gospel.

You can be creative with this too. You could run specific ‘Christmas shopper’ days or displays in store with discounts or product launches and demonstrations. Online you can promote products, ask for owners to share photos of their pets, use #shoplocal on posts, run competitions, and share advice. You could offer regular customers a Christmas discount or small gift as a thank you for shopping with you all year round, which is likely to lead to extra purchases.

It could be worth trying to extend your reach and awareness through creative ways. You could leaflet drop local residents to encourage them to shop local this

Christmas, or even contact other local traders to offer a link up for the festive season, with an enticing offer? You could contact your local paper and offer to provide them with some top care tips they could use for a feature in return for promoting your store. Many local papers are in need of constant content so are open to receiving things they can publish, particularly if it has a local angle to it.

Think of your key messages, and then let your imagination run wild to come up with ways to engage people and get more shoppers through your door.

Tell your story

People connect with people. Telling your story helps shoppers know the face behind the business. It makes you more memorable, endearing, and human! Why not share online about your own pets, why you decided to open a pet shop, or how long you have been a part of the local community?Whenpeople

come into store, ask about their pets and share stories of your own. Those conversations in store can be your biggest sales tool. Taking the time can make customers feel valued and if they get to know you, they are likely to return because they will be more aware than ever that they are supporting a person, rather than big business.

It doesn’t harm to get staff asking about Christmas either! You could have a greeter at the front of the shop. Or why not ask staff to ask every customer if they are buying their pet something for Christmas? You can tell customers you’re trying to gauge how much stock to buy or whether it is something your customers would be interested in. Using conversations to encourage Christmas sales is a must!

Think digital

Reports quote different figures, but it is widely accepted that the majority of Christmas shopping is now done online. While this means independent stores are increasingly competing with online giants such as Amazon, it still brings a host of opportunities.

You could offer a digital offering or even a local delivery service. Adding e-commerce to the website can be achieved for relatively low cost and can be a long-term addition to your business. A Christmas convenience delivery service just for the festive period could be popular too and used as a marketing tool.

If offering the benefits of digital buying is not possible, then it makes your offering and marketing much clearer. You want footfall to the shop and your messages are about supporting local. There are many campaigns to help support the high street with many towns offering free parking or Christmas shopping days. Embracing these and focusing efforts on increasing footfall can make it more likely to get results. That’s why it’s important to think digital — if you’re not offering it, you can plan for how to compete against it.

A date for the diary — Black Friday is set for 25th November this year and provides a welcome opportunity for you to reach out to customers. Whether you offer digital buying or not, it’s a key spending day and you can plan deals to entice customers.

Retaining customers

So, you’ve had a great boost to Christmas sales and seen new customers come through the door? How do you convert those people into regulars?

Give some thought to putting in place mechanisms of how you can retain those buyers now. You could look to implement loyalty cards, repeat purchase discounts, sign up to marketing emails, push for recommendations from customers, or encouraging people to follow you on social

media.Target those repeat sales and push your messages to firsttime customers. Again, use those conversations in store to connect with people. There is no customer better than the one you’ve got already got! And a happy customer is likely to recommend you to other people too.

…be ready to make the most of seasonal sales!

Think gifts essential pet items.

The festive season would not be complete without an exciting Christmas range from Rosewood Pet Products. The 2022 selection is truly all encompassing, ensuring your customers can select their perfect Christmas gift for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals. The collection is the one and only place to find your complete Christmas range to help them celebrate with all their furry friends. The range brings newness to the festive season with innovation, unique product features and details; plus, some Christmas cuteness to bring Christmas joy to customers and pets alike!

This year’s range covers everything from real meat treats to plush toys, gnaws and carrot cottages, snuffle mats, pyjamas and bow ties. Due to the incredible success of the 2021 range, Rosewood have stepped it up a level for 2022 with a great selection of high-quality festive products.

The Cupid & Comet range consists of real meat selection boxes and letterbox dog treat gift sets; plus, other tasty treats, as well as plush and ball toys and a Winter Woodland Bundle consisting of a bed, bone toy and blanket! Doggy dress-up also features with Reversible Quilted Gilets and Grey Gingham Pyjamas - ready for the family picture! Further product highlights include a

Multi-textured Snoop Snowman and a Maxi Elton Elephant dog toy which matches the Gingham Pyjamas.Let’snot forget our feline friends with a range of meaty treats, advent calendars and treat cushions gift box. For playtime the range includes the Reindeer Cardboard Scratcher, Fa La La Cat Scratcher and fantastic plush toys such as the Cauliflower Cheese Duo and Catnip Sweethearts. Our small animal friends can also have their stockings filled - with a variety of new festive gnaws, activity toys and a Tree Snuffle Forage Mat which is also suitable for cats and smaller dogs. Rabbits and rodents can also get involved in the festivities with a choice of Naturals branded treat lines including a 12 days of Christmas Gift ‘n’ Forage and even their very own Pass the Parcel!

The bedding range for 2022 has been introduced to bring a lifestyle collection to the comprehensive Rosewood range. It has been developed specifically to enable retailers to sell during and after the festive period, with products that are transitional across seasons. The products within the collection feature a seasonal winter wonderland print, high quality materials and soft faux- furs. This collection has been specifically designed to fit into interior fashion trends throughout the year.

Perfect for f

range for dogs

Santa Paws’ sleigh will be full of Webbox this year!

The newly designed Webbox Christmas range for Dogs includes best sellers from previous years such as the Turkey and Cranberry Chub Roll, Chomping Chews, and Tasty Sticks. Plus, the addition of exciting new ‘must stock’ gifting options with an Advent Calendar with delicious carob treats, a fun Elf and Treat Gift Set, and even a Christmas Eve Box so that canine companions can join in all of the fun Christmas festivities safely.

The humanisation of pets has been growing significantly over the past few years and shoppers are looking for more ways to treat their furry friends as part of the family, especially at Christmas time. The vibrant new look from Webbox will stop shoppers in their tracks, with fun and creative pack designs and emotive illustrations of dogs in cheeky Christmas scenarios - pet parents will be unable to resist!

You can purchase the Webbox Christmas range from Pets Choice by emailing orders@petschoice.co.uk or contacting your sales representative.

Tiny Friends Farm Christmas Treats

Tiny Friends Farm loves to bring pets the more wholesome things in life — like great taste and great value. Featuring Harry Hamster Christmas Hearts with cranberry and apricot, Russel Rabbit Christmas Trees with broccoli, and Tiny Friends Farm Stickles with Timothy hay, cranberry, apple, and thyme, these fantastically flavoursome festive treats can be fed as an extra to complement the main diet.

Made with wholesome goodness, the treats are packed with natural ingredients and are perfect for hand feeding, helping owners build those special moments together. Eye-catching Christmasthemed packaging featuring the fun and friendly Tiny Friends Farm characters ensures excellent emotional engagement with the products because even Tiny Friends deserve treats at Christmas.

The Tiny Friends Farm festive treats are available from all good

Webboxwholesalers.Christmas

Fa la la cat kicker

Rosewood’s Fa La La Cat Kicker is a long, soft shape with catnip which is great to encourage hind paw kicking, pouncing, and playing! The crinkle sound and grey tail add interactivity and the soft material makes it perfect for cuddles. With an RRP of £4, this is sure to keep cats happy this Christmas and makes a perfect stocking filler — it is sure to be a big hit with your cat loving customers!

Available from Rosewood Pet Products, visit www.rosewoodpet.com or email enquiries@rosewoodpet.com

Looking for inspiration of what to stock for the festive season? Look no further!

Catit PIXI range

Catit PIXI is a sleek and stylish range which helps pet owners to care for their cats no matter where they are, night or day!

The PIXI fountain is at the heart of the growing PIXI range, which includes smart app-controlled wet and dry food feeders, a cute mouse-shaped camera, funky motion activated toys, and many more fun and innovative products coming later this Namedyear.after the rescue cat adopted by Catit’s product development team, the PIXI fountain has a super cute design, featuring a nose and whiskers motif that runs throughout the wider Catit PIXI range. Their stylish design and cute cat features allow them to fit into any home.

Easy to set up and control via Wi-Fi using the free PIXI app and available for iOS and Android, the PIXI Smart items can be paired alongside each other to take the stress out of juggling everyday life.

Ask your Hagen Sales Manager for more information on the PIXI range including Catit’s high quality sales driving instore display stand and the extensive digital and social support available.

Trade details: For more information, visit: www.catit.com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager.

Shaker Claus! Why the Fluval Shaker Collection is the perfect Christmas gift! With a modern take on traditional Shaker design, the new Fluval Shaker Collection will create a stunning focal point in any home. The range features exquisite attention to detail, from soft-close panelled cabinet doors to perfectly crafted joinery, making this stunning aquarium incredible value forBehindmoney.the beautiful exterior of the Shaker lies cutting edge technology, including smart app controlled lighting, and the latest Fluval External filter. Blending traditional design with the latest tech, the Shaker Collection will satisfy the needs of any fish Nowkeeper!available in three sizes, 168L, 252L and 345L!

Trade details: For more information, visit: fluvalaquatics. com/uk/ or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager

Chuckit! Holiday Fetch Pack

Made for the biggest fans of fetch, the Holiday Fetch Pack comes with a classic Chuckit! Launcher, tennis ball, extra durable Ultra Ball, and a popular new fetch innovation, the Fetch Stick. The bright orange colour makes these fetch toys easy for a dog to find in snow, grass, or dirt, while their ultra-tough design makes them durable and ready for fetch, any time of day or season. The perfect gift for the biggest fans of fetch!

Available from Pedigree Wholesale. Please contact the sales team at sales@petproducts.co.uk or call 0115 982 3900.

JW Hol-ee Holiday 2pk

Bringing together two all-time JW favourites, the Hol-ee Roller and Holee Bone. The Hol-ee range is treat dispensing dog toys that take playtime to the next level, easily customisable with a wide variety of dog treats and toys. Made from durable, superstretchy rubber that makes it easy to stuff a dog’s favourite treats inside, while the patented, open design allows dogs to safely breathe through the toy for hours of play. The perfect gift to keep dogs entertained this festive season.

Available from Pedigree Wholesale. Please contact the sales team at sales@petproducts.co.uk or call 0115 982 3900.

Webbox Christmas range for cats

Fuel the feline festive fun with the newly designed Christmas range for cats from Webbox. Webbox is the fastest growing cat treat brand and loved by furry friends across the world. The Christmas range includes best-selling cat treats Lick-e-Lix and Tasty Sticks in a fun festive flavour of Turkey & Cranberry, as well as a delicious Christmas Mousse for Christmas dinner. The range also includes exciting gifting options to give you the opportunity for incremental sales with customers as they look to spoil their furry friends at Christmas time, perhaps a Yoghurt & Catnip Advent Calendar will take their fancy, or a Christmas Cracker filled with treats. Whatever their preferred present, you can cater for all shoppers’ cat Christmas needs!

You can purchase the Webbox Christmas range from Pets Choice by emailing orders@petschoice.co.uk or contacting your sales representative.

Fluval Shaker Collection

The showbiggestever!

Make sure you’re ready for PATS Telford this month! Our show preview has got everything you need to make the most of your visit.

Going to a trade show is an absolute must for any independent pet show owner — so make sure PATS is in your diary as it is back and bigger than ever!

The UK’s number one pet industry exhibition, PATS is the only event in the UK where buyers from specialist pet stores and garden centres can view all the latest product launches under one roof. PATS Telford is gearing up to be the biggest show ever in the event’s history.

The exhibition returns to the Telford International Centre, where three massive exhibition halls host more than 200 companies and brands on Sunday and Monday, September 25 and 26.

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces and new products. A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see PATS as the perfect place to announce their future plans, and as a result, the event organisers have introduced a New Starter Zone in HallShow3.

organiser Gordon Thomas said: “I’m happy to report that all our major exhibitors are heading for Telford and we will be welcoming an impressive number of new companies. They obviously regard PATS as their major platform to showcase products to UK and international buyers.” seminars

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New Product Showcase

The New Product Showcase at PATS Telford 2022 is the opportunity to see all that is exciting, innovative, and new-tothe-market in the pet industry. Showcase provides the ideal opportunity to find, see, and touch all the latest products coming on to the market.

It is designed to help visitors the latest pet retail products easily and quickly, as they are all gathered together in one extensive and prominent display.

All products are categorised by type, making it simple to find items relevant to specific retail requirements.

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Visitors who spot something they like will be able to identify the manufacturer or supplier via the information card beside each product, which also includes details such as suggested retail price and the relevant stand location.

An added extra to all the excitement of the Showcase is the New Product Awards, with prizes being given for the most innovative or exciting product in each category. Entries for these awards are judged by a panel of experienced retailers on the first morning of the show, with the winners receiving their accolades later in the day.

Winning an award in the PATS New Product Showcase is a huge boost to manufacturers and suppliers, and can often lead to increased sales. Retailers can also be assured that winning products have received a seal of approval from colleagues in the pet Entriestrade.will be displayed under the following eight award categories:

PATS Telford will be bigger than ever this year.

New Starter Zone

With the show more popular with exhibitors than ever, PATS has added a third hall to the exhibition and launched a New Starter Zone — an area dedicated to pet start-up businesses.Thepetindustry

is fast moving and innovative, with new brands entering the marketplace all the time. Be sure to drop by the New Starter Zone, as it is quite possible that the next big brand is exhibiting here — and your shop can be an early Showadopter.organiser

Gordon Thomas said: “The demand for stand space has been phenomenal, so we took the decision to extend into Hall 3. It’s great to be able to offer pet start-ups the chance to showcase their new products and services in the New Starter Zone, and again the take-up has been really good.”

demonstrationsGrooming

With an increasing number of pet retailers introducing grooming into their

The grooming activity being

The

Sunday, 25th September

10am Holly

1pm Kirsty

10am

Monday, 26th September

International Buyers Centre

PATS Telford will see the return of the International Buyers Centre as more overseas visitors are expected to attend following the pandemic. The centre will be run in association with PetQuip, which will also be staging its prestigious industry awards after the first day of the show.

Trade association manager Pat Flynn said: “It is a pleasure to be working alongside the PATS team once again, helping to deliver international buyers to the show. We will also be celebrating innovation in the pet industry by announcing the winners of the PetQuip Awards 2022 at a special awards party on the Sunday evening. We look forward to seeing everyone and to working with such a professional team from PATS.”

View from an exhibitor

The boss of an award-winning company says that PATS is a “fantastic platform for business.”

Entrepreneur Tracey Voss, managing director of pet product manufacturer Tailor-Grace, attended the very first PATS show at Sandown Park in Surrey in 2009. She is the founder of pioneering products such as Huskaloo, the world’s first eco-friendly compact cat litter made from coconut husks, and has high praise for PATS.

“I feel I’m tied up with the history of PATS because I exhibited at the very first one, at Sandown in 2009. I saw what PATS did for the industry early on, by creating an independent platform for visitors to attend and exhibitors like myself to showcase new products,” said“HavingTracey. been there from the very beginning, I’ve watched PATS go from strength to strength. It’s now a fantastic platform for businesses, particularly PATS Telford. The site is accessible, easy to park at, central, and it’s housed in a big, roomy hall.”

Tracey, who has worked in the pet trade for 25 years and has just been shortlisted as a finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022, has also previously won five awards at PATS for her products.

Last year, Huskaloo was named a New Product Award winner at PATS Telford 2021. And it also won Gold in the ‘Innovations In Lockdown’ category at the PetQuip Awards 2021.

Tracey added: “I’d like to thank and pay tribute to organisers Gordon Thomas and his hardworking team for creating what has become a terrific, well-put-together show.“PATS is the platform for the British pet industry to showcase its products. It attracts key visitors not just from the UK, but also from overseas, all under one roof. It’s fantastic, especially as an event at which to launch new“Andproducts.thesize and wide reach of PATS also spans a spectrum of categories within the pet sector, attracting groomers, boarding kennels, independent retailers, and big “PATSsupermarkets.hashugely grown in popularity and is certainly a lot bigger than the very first PATS I remember attending all those many years ago.”

stands!Must-visit

Standand deliver

Trade exhibitions are an ideal showcase for pet industry manufacturers and wholesalers — and a perfect opportunity for retailers to identify new brands and products. Alison Gallagher-Hughes looks at how to get the most out of your visit.

They can be hard on the feet but immensely rewarding. From Interzoo, PATS, and Aqua, to Glee and Groomfest, a visit to a trade show is a hot ticket to springboard your business planning. They’re a great opportunity to see a wide range of brands under one roof, including additions to existing product ranges and innovative new entrants to the market. But let’s face it, they are tiring, potentially costly (sometimes requiring travel and overnight accommodation), and require a day away from the shop. Like any other business opportunity, they require an investment of time, money, and energy, so it’s important to make it pay, and here’s how:

Book Your Tickets

Pre-registration is useful – if there is an admission charge it’s more likely to be cheaper in advance than on the day. It’s also likely to help you enter the venue more quickly and give you access to advance news and promotions. Some events have become interactive with event apps that help you plan your visit, network with others, and link into any live itinerary. Committing yourself to going early also means that you can benefit from discounted travel and hotel rates.

Plan Your Day

and the ‘nice to’ businesses that you hope to see. If you can do this en-route, you can avoid backtracking through the halls and minimise time and energy.

Most shows will have an exhibitors list on its website — scrutinise this in advance to see who is exhibiting, not forgetting that their trading names may not be as familiar as their consumer brands. Some events are hosted with retailers in mind — starting on Sundays when shops are closed or can be managed with minimal staffing.

Consult the Programme

DIDKNOW?YOU

PATS Telford is free to visit and has lots of free parking too.

Trade shows are a place to do business but also provide an opportunity to learn. Check out the live events – talks, demonstrations, and interactive sessions – which can provide you with some free learning, expert knowledge and views, advice, and skills. Identify which you would like to attend and where they are taking place. Some shows locate these near to refreshment areas, allowing you to recharge your batteries while firing up the grey cells.

Arrange Key Meetings

like being able to put a face to a name to reinforce working relationships. Drop by your key brands — as an existing customer, they’ll be keen to tell you what’s new, including product launches, company developments, and promotional/seasonal offers. You may also come away with a goody bag!

Check Out the Winners

Many trade shows combine award ceremonies or product showcases. Check out the best in show which may feature new or innovative developments, brand/range extensions, and products that have a bit of buzz around them of which you should be aware for possible introduction into stock.

Small is Beautiful

Don’t forget the little guys. Trade shows are a sensory feast of high-impact stands and a cacophony of noise. It’s no wonder that we are drawn to big stands that put on a show! But check out the small shell stands which are usually tucked away at the back or in a far hall. Some of these will be new and innovative businesses beginning their journey and could really offer you something new and exciting to put on your shelves.

Get Social

Most events have their own social media hashtag. Follow this along with the event promotors official channels. They will help you find out what’s new and who’s there. Also, remember to add some content for your own business. Your customers don’t get to experience this for themselves — add some photos, video content, or even a live feed and share the excitement of the event.

Be Kind to Yourself

Wear sensible shoes and remember to eat and drink! It sounds obvious but we are often so intent on ticking off our to do list that we forget to take a break, rest our feet, and refuel. Try to give yourself

TOP TIP!

View the event website and check out the floorplan. If you’ve been to the venue before you will appreciate its size and how long it might take you to walk around. I like to print off the map and tuck it into the plastic wallet usually issued with the entry pass — it’s far easier to view than juggling a programme when you are probably carrying bags with samples and purchases.

Consider colour coding the stands that you need or want to visit — the essential

A show is an ideal opportunity for face-toface meetings. Major suppliers/large brands may have various members of their team — sales directors and account managers — in attendance on different days. So, if you’re keen to see a particular individual, arrange meetings in advance. Other suppliers may share a stand with wholesalers/distributors or attend the event without taking a stand. If they are not on the exhibitors list, drop them a line to see if they are ‘on foot’ and able to meet up.

Visit Suppliers

You may be regularly placing orders online or on the phone but there is nothing

Dates for your Diary

enough time to accommodate unscheduled conversations as well as planned meetings.

Venues are often sizeable, warm and by the end of the day, you’ll by carrying lots of bags. So, remember to take a break!

Follow-up

Taking time out of your work schedule will often mean that when you return to your workplace you try to make up for lost time. Of course, you’ll need to get back into the swing of things, but don’t just dump the bags and the business cards and forget about them. Maximise the benefit of your networking and new contacts, review offers in the cold light of day, and take the next steps. No business benefits from standing still. As retailers, it’s vital to think ahead, to balance stock staples with the next big thing but ensure that you get a return on investment — seize opportunities that have arisen from your attendance.

Groomfest, Kenilworth, Warwickshire — 10-11 September 2022 www.groomfest.co.uk

BETA International, Stoneleigh Warwickshire — 10-13 September 2022 www.beta-int.com

PATS Telford, Telford — 25-26 September 2022 www.patshow.co.uk

Horse of the Year Show, Birmingham – 5-9 October 2022 www.hoys.co.uk

Glee, Birmingham — 27-29 June 2023 www.gleebirmingham.com

Crufts, Birmingham — 9-12 March 2023 www.crufts.org.uk

PATS Sandown, Sandown — 26-27 March 2023 www.patshow.co.uk

Aqua Telford, Telford — 11-12 Oct 2023 www.aquatelford.co.uk

Interzoo, Nuremberg, Germany – 7-10 May 2024 www.interzoo.com

Alison Gallagher-Hughes Journalist and PR expert who owns Tillymint Communications, a marketing communications agency which specialises in a range of B2B and B2C industries, including the pet sector. or

PATS runs the New Product Showcase — an awards for the best new products on the market. It is a must-visit to find the next best-seller.

Make the most of networking opportunities.

Plan your visit.

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Because

Dr Guen Bradbury, MA, VetMB, MRCVS

Guen Bradbury is a vet who runs a teleconsultancy service to help rabbit owners, vets, and vet nurses with behavioural problems in rabbits. Her textbook on the subject, ‘Behavioural problems in rabbits: a clinical approach,’ explores the different aspects of rabbit behaviour, discusses communication behaviours, describes how rabbits learn to change behaviour, and has detailed, specific guidelines on approaches to common clinical behaviour problems. She is the veterinary adviser for RWAF’s Rabbiting On magazine, an innovation consultant at Innovia Technology, and she lectures on the Cambridge vet course.

What retailers need to know about rabbit behaviour

Retailers are uniquely well placed to improve rabbit welfare. They are the source of information at the very point when the new pet is acquired. People usually feel excited and motivated when they purchase a new pet — and this means that they are usually very receptive to information and advice. To make sure we can give the best advice, we need to know what rabbits need. In this article, I’ll briefly touch on some of the most important things that new rabbit owners need to know. To do that, we’ll consider what owners want from their rabbits and what they need to provide to ensure that they enjoy their rabbit-owning experience.Petrabbits are descended from the European wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculi. O. cuniculi is a herbivorous prey species. Wild rabbits have a range of between 4,000 and 20,000 square metres in grassland. They live in complex social groups, typically spend 11 —13 hours per day underground in a large warren, and when they are above ground, they spend 30% —70% of the time grazing. Owners clearly can’t replicate the wild environment for their new pets! However, there are certain things that owners need to do to ensure that they have long-lived, happy, and healthy pets. They need to keep them with other rabbits, provide an interesting and stimulating environment, avoid picking them up, and interact with them in the right way.

What do owners want from their pet rabbits? And what do rabbits want from their owners?

Owners buy pets for many reasons: for companionship, for affection, for entertainment, and for educational experiences for their children. Some of their expectations may be met by a rabbit pet, but some may not. Retailers are very well placed to guide owners towards a pet that is right for them, but to do that, you need to have a conversation.

they are mating or being caught.

Rabbits do not make good pets for owners who want to pick them up. In their natural habitat, rabbits form more than 50 per cent of the diet of over thirty different predators. This alarming statistic explains a lot of the rabbit’s behaviour in captivity. The primary motivation of a rabbit is to avoid being eaten. Humans are a predator species, so rabbits feel very stressed when they are picked up by people. Rabbits that are frequently picked up like the owners less (are more likely to run away or not engage with people), are more likely to show aggressive behaviours to the owner, and feel more stressed, which increases the risk of health problems.

So, rabbits make good pets when owners don’t pick them up, stroke them on the head, keep them with other rabbits, and provide an interesting, stimulating environment for them to explore.

Keeping rabbits with other rabbits

Rabbits need to live with other rabbits. You’ll know that rabbits are highly social animals that live in large communities. When kept alone, they show health and behavioural problems. Rabbits will work as hard to see another rabbit (even if it’s one they don’t know) as they will for

Manyfood.

If they wait until the rabbits reach puberty, they are very likely to fight.

Providing the right environment

As we mentioned previously, rabbits are healthier, happier, and make better pets when they are kept in an environment that meets their needs. Rabbits need to perform certain behaviours, including running, hiding, jumping, standing on their hind legs without their ears touching the roof and lying down stretched out without touching the sides of their enclosure. They should also have space to choose to be apart from each other as well as Sometogether.owners choose to keep their rabbits inside as house rabbits, and some choose to keep their rabbits in large enclosures outside. Wherever they are kept, they need to have permanent access to an enclosure that is at least 3m by 2m floor area, and 1m in height. Rabbits need permanent access because they suffer when owners pick them up (so relying on owners to move them between spaces causes poor welfare) and because they are most active at dawn and dusk (so need to be able to choose when they move around).

“Whether you keep your rabbits indoors or outside they should be provided with a suitably sized enclosure that allows permanent access to both a secure shelter to rest in and a safe exercise area. Recommended minimum dimensions for housing are 3 x 2 x 1 m (L x W x H) for a compatible pair of small to medium sized rabbits. It may be difficult to buy an enclosure of these dimensions currently, but we expect the market to respond and work towards providing these in the near future. Many people already choose to build their own enclosures using garden sheds connected to aviaries and/or runs. Larger rabbits or larger groups of rabbits will need more space. These dimensions include both a shelter and living area.”

APGAW Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits

The size of the environment is very important. Rabbits with insufficient space move less, show fewer normal behaviours, and have an increased risk of health problems. Rabbit owners also need to think about what the environment contains. Rabbits are intelligent animals and can suffer from boredom. Rabbits that don’t have enough stimulation suffer and may show unwanted behaviours, such as chewing the enclosure.

We often advise on diet and environment separately, but for rabbits, their diet does take up a reasonable area of their environment. Rabbits need to have a diet that is about 85% hay or grass – that means a bundle of hay that is about the same size as the rabbit, every day. Rabbits like to eat where they toilet, so litter trays should contain hay. Rabbits like to graze, so hay should be scattered on the floor. And rabbits move around when finding food, so hay should be placed in different parts of the enclosure to drive this behaviour. Owners can improve their rabbits’ environment by thinking about how and where they offer hay.

Where possible, rabbits should have access to the outdoors, even if that’s just for supervised play sessions. When rabbits are outdoors, the environment is more stimulating, they move around more, and they are exposed to natural light — all these factors improve the rabbits’ health and welfare. Outdoors, there is constant mild variation in light levels, temperature, sights, and sounds, and there is often access to grass, which is the food that rabbits have evolved to eat.

“Rabbits are ground-loving prey animals, who become friendly and responsive when properly treated. But rabbits are vulnerable to injury if handled badly and rarely appreciate being cuddled. Therefore, rabbits do not make good children’s pets, but can make successful family pets if parents respect the needs of the rabbit and the limitations of the children. Adults must accept all the responsibility of caring for the rabbit.”

Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund policy statement

Rabbits make great pets for owners who enjoy watching them and occasionally stroking them while they are on the floor. In the right environment, rabbits are great to watch. They enjoy exploring new spaces, interacting with new objects, making new pathways, and spending time strengthening their relationship with their companion rabbit. Rabbits are very social animals. They interact with other familiar rabbits by lowering their head and being licked on their face. This means that the best way for owners to stroke their rabbits is to replicate this behaviour: stroking the rabbit on the head and ears. Although we often stroke animals on the back, rabbits don’t like this. Usually, they are only touched on the back when

new rabbit owners will not realise that rabbits need to be kept with other rabbits and so retailers are in a great position to educate them. Rabbits need companionship but they are also territorial so will fight with unfamiliar rabbits if they are in their own environment. These fights can cause severe injury or even death. This means that if an owner acquires a second rabbit, they must do a process called ‘bonding’. The bonding process introduces a new rabbit to an established rabbit in a way that hopefully avoids the risk of fighting. The bonding process can be difficult so the easiest way for an owner to end up with a stable pair of rabbits is to acquire a pair of rabbits at the same time.

In practice, this means that retailers should advise everyone who wants to buy a rabbit to buy a pair of rabbits. However, there is a challenge. When rabbits go through puberty, their bond can destabilise, and a previously happy pair of rabbits can fight. We know that male–female pairs of rabbits are most likely to be stable and not break down – but the owners need to neuter the rabbits before they become fertile, otherwise the rabbits will breed. Male rabbits should be neutered as soon as the testicles descend at 10–12 weeks. Female rabbits should be neutered by 20 weeks of age.

It is very unlikely that retailers will be able to only sell male–female pairs. Rabbit breeders will typically keep some young female rabbits back for breeding, meaning that there will typically be more male than female rabbits on the shop floor. Some male–male pairs can be stable, but you should advise owners to get the rabbits neutered as soon as possible.

Owners can provide more stimulation for rabbits in other ways too. They can provide platforms so rabbits can rest at different heights. The outdoor environment is much more interesting to rabbits. They can provide areas for the rabbit to dig — hay-filled litter trays are good. Rabbits usually only interact with toys that contain food so owners can hide concentrate food in puzzle-feeding toys or scatter it in the hay to encourage the rabbits to forage.

In conclusion, retailers are very well placed to guide the decisions of prospective rabbit owners on whether to get rabbits, how many rabbits to get, and how to keep their rabbits. They can explain why rabbits need to be kept with other rabbits, what they need from their environment, and how owners should interact with their rabbits. This advice at this critical point maximises the chance that owners will have

xplain

Rabbits to live in

“Rabbits should be kept with at least one other compatible rabbit. To facilitate harmonious living with other rabbits, all rabbits should be neutered. A good combination is a neutered male and a neutered female.”

APGAW Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits

GetPUPPYWISE!

Buying and owning a dog is a big responsibility, yet research by The Kennel Club has found that more than one in 10 puppy buyers wish they had spent more time researching their decision.

Expectations and reality don’t always align when getting a puppy, but by doing thorough research, you’ll know more about what to expect and avoid unwelcome surprises, which could lead to devastating consequences.

The Kennel Club’s #BePuppywise campaign is all about encouraging responsible puppy ownership, and its step-by-step guide to finding and caring for a happy and healthy canine companion is a good place to start if you’re thinking of welcoming a puppy into your home. Let’s take a look at some of the first things you should consider before taking the plunge…

Are you ready?

The first step is deciding whether you’re genuinely ready for a four-legged friend. Make a start by asking yourself:

● Do you have the time and lifestyle to give a dog all the care and attention he needs? Think about both the short and the long term responsibilities, considering work and life commitments, and how these might change over time.

● Will you have the time to exercise, bath, groom, feed, train, and care for your dog? Dogs are time intensive, especially while they’re young.

● Have you considered all the costs of having a dog, across his whole life, covering any eventualities?

Meeting your match

The secret to finding the right dog for you is to realistically

match what you can give to what each breed needs. For example, city dwellers in a smaller flat, looking for a dog with moderate exercise needs, could consider a Yorkshire Terrier, while those after a bundle of energy who will give exercise fanatics an excuse to get lots of fresh air, may prefer a Springer Spaniel. Learn as much as you can about any breeds you’re interested in — both their good traits and the possible downsides. Do your research and speak to experts or people you know who own the breed you’re interested in.

The best start

Choosing the right breeder is absolutely vital. A great place to start is by asking friends, family, breed clubs, training clubs, or your local vet to see if they have any recommendations.TheKennelClub

Assured Breeder Scheme is another way to find a well-bred puppy. Breeders on the scheme healthtest their dogs, are regularly inspected to ensure they adhere to certain high standards, and it’s the only organisation accredited by UKAS to certify dog breeders across the UK.

All good breeders will be able to answer your questions thoroughly and informatively, and you should expect to be asked lots of questions too — it shows the breeder cares that their puppy is going to a good home. Responsible breeders will also perform relevant health-testing and screening before breeding to increase the chances of producing healthy, happy puppies.

Ensure you:

● See the puppy with his mum…

● …and in his home environment, more than once.

● Are provided with paperwork, including relevant health test results for the puppy’s parents, a contract of sale, vaccinations, and microchip details.

● Are prepared to be put on a waiting list because a healthy, happy puppy is worth waiting for!

Rogue breeding

Puppy farmers are clever and via the guise of the internet can disguise horrific breeding conditions, often selling poorly puppies to unsuspecting new owners who go on to pay the price in vet bills and heartache.

It’s vital to know the tricks of the trade. Look out for:

● Breeders who won’t let you see or meet the puppy, his mum, and littermates.

● Sellers who won’t show you where the puppy has been bred and raised, or ask to meet at a neutral location.

● Adverts on multiple sites or signs that the breeder is trying to make a quick sale.

● The breeder not being interested in you, or asking questions about your own knowledge or situation — and, equally, if the seller has limited or superficial knowledge themselves.

Your puppy plan

From doing your research and finding the right breeder, you are well on the way to providing your puppy with the best start. So what next?

When you come to bringing your new best friend home, make sure you are well prepared and remember that these formative months, when a puppy learns and absorbs his or her surroundings, are crucial. You’ll also need to think about puppy training. The Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme is a good place to start — you can find a local club on The Kennel Club website.

SOME OTHER POINTERS TO MAP INTO A PUPPY PLAN MIGHT INCLUDE:

● Establishing a routine with feeding, walking, sleeping, and training.

● Creating positive socialisation opportunities, including introducing your puppy to new sounds, experiences, and environments.

● Managing doggy life admin, like booking vaccinations, arranging insurance, and updating microchip details.

Dog ownership brings much happiness, and by being puppywise, you can make sure your new four-legged friend is a happy, healthy family member.

More info:

● For further information and advice on responsible puppy ownership, and how to ensure the reality of puppyhood lives up to expectations, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/bepuppywise

Could you be a cat

Almost all cat charities require ‘foster parents’ for at least some of the cats in their care. As an example, Freshfields, which rescues and rehomes animals of all kinds in the Liverpool and North Wales area, says: “Every nook and cranny in our centre is home to an animal. Fosterers are literally providing space — freeing up a space in our centre for another neglected stray.”

Sometimes fosterers are needed because a particular rescue is simply full, but there are other reasons too. Some cats don’t do well in a cattery environment and need a quiet family home.

Some are recovering from illness, some are old, some are pregnant, some are new mums with kittens, or orphaned kittens too young to be rehomed. Others are loved pets whose owners have to go into hospital and have no friend or relative to care for the cat. Some have behaviour problems that need addressing. Foster carers step in when they’re needed to offer loving care on a temporary basis while the rescue staff continue to look for a forever home.

“Our fosterers are a complete cross-section of people,” said Michelle Smith, rehoming network manager for the Blue Cross animal welfare charity. “They do everything an owner would do for their cats: feeding, socialising, taking them to the vet if necessary, and they help us to assess what kind of permanent home the cat needs. They are people who, for whatever reason, can’t have or don’t want a cat of their own at this time, but do love cats and want to help!”

Fosterers in all shapes and sizes

Fosterers can be specialists who enjoy offering retirement homes to very elderly cats. Others are happy to take cats who have previously had behaviour problems, been very nervous or stressed, or have medical issues which mean they need regular injections or special diets. And there are also ‘moggy midwives’ who foster pregnant cats, see them through the birth of their kittens, and help in the socialisation of feline families.

If you think you could be a cat fosterer, the best way to find out what is needed is to look at the websites of as many local and national cat rescue charities as you can find. From the big names like Cats Protection, Blue Cross, Battersea

Dogs and Cats Home, and Wood Green, to smaller, local services, they will all welcome your interest.

Apart from loving cats and wanting to help, what do rescue centres look for in their foster carers?

“We look at what any applicant can offer and assess them on their merits; I usually have a gut feeling if someone is right,” added Michelle from the Blue Cross. “You don’t necessarily need a lot of experience, although we do have links with further education colleges who have students doing animal welfare qualifications, who may foster for us.

“We also have a whole team of volunteer fosterers who look after cats in their own homes. It’s my job to help recruit, train, and support them. We tell them about the cats who need fostering, giving them as much information as possible so that they know what to expect. Some of our cats are strays we know little about but once they are fostered, the cats’ real personalities show themselves which helps us to find the right forever home.

“We have at least one foster carer who acts as a ‘moggy midwife’ with pregnant cats and their kittens. She has been doing it for years and has seen it all, including hand-rearing kittens when necessary.

“We also have fosterers who take on cats who need regular medication and injections for conditions such as diabetes. Not everyone can cope with that but those who do say they are really happy to make a difference! One of our fosterers took on a cat who had been given up by his owners because he was spraying everywhere. She realised that spraying is often the result of stress and when the cat was placed in her quiet home, instead of among a busy family with a lot of children, he calmed down and never sprayed again.”

What is involved?

Like most charities, the Blue Cross will pay all the expenses involved in fostering; providing cat food, litter and litter trays, toys, scratching posts, and veterinary care, which might be a plus point for fosterers on low incomes who are worried about the cost of pet ownership.

Michelle said: “The most valuable thing our foster carers give is their time and commitment so we feel that they shouldn’t be out of pocket.

“And yes, we do sometimes get people we call ‘failed

Jill Eckersley talks us through the importance of cat foster carers, and helps you decide if you would be suited to this rewarding role.

Jill Eckersley Freelance journalist based in London,with a passion for cats, especially her Mayhew rescue, Mo.

fosterers’ who can’t bear to part with their very first foster cat! As long as we feel they can provide the right forever home for that particular cat, it’s fine with us. They can carry on fostering for us if the cat they have adopted is happy to share with the newcomer.

“I am always on the end of the phone to help new foster carers and if necessary, they can be ‘buddied up’ with someone locally who is also fostering. I check in regularly with them all to be sure all is well.”

Rules and regulations around fostering vary between charities which means that if one doesn’t seem to be right for you, another may be, so try elsewhere. For example, in order to foster for Battersea you need to live within an hour’s journey from Battersea in South London or their other centre in Windsor. You’ll need to have experience in caring for cats and have no other pets or children under 13. They also say that adult foster cats shouldn’t be left alone for longer than one working day and that kittens should be left for four hours

Woodmaximum.Green,The Animals Charity, based in Cambridgeshire, have a team of 150 fosterers who offer “extra comfort and individual attention to animals who

struggle at our centre.” They offer full training and support to volunteers and provide all the resources you will need. Interestingly, they quote a ‘moggy midwife’ among their team who does have her own children and who says that caring for mum cats and their tiny kittens helps to teach children to love, respect, and care for animals.

There are also smaller rescue organisations all around the country who don’t have purpose-built centres for the strays they find. Feline Friends in London was founded in 2013 and say that for them: “Reliable fosterers are essential. Without them, the cats we rescue would remain vulnerable. It is so rewarding for foster carers to see a timid cat open up and learn to trust humans. We are looking for secure, calm, indoor homes, and prefer our foster carers to be drivers.”

Most rescues prefer you to be able to drive or have easy access to transport, in case you need to ferry your cat to the vet’s or the centre. It’s also pretty much essential to have a spare room for your foster cat so that it has a safe space to settle in. You don’t, however, need to have a garden which is good news for flat-dwellers. This is because foster cats need to be kept indoors so there’s no chance they can escape and get lost!

Some rescue organisations offer specialist fostering services, usually for people and cats in particular circumstances. Several, for example, need people to foster cats for families escaping from domestic abuse. Sadly, pets can also become victims of violence and make it hard for women — or men — to leave abusive partners if it means leaving their cat behind.CatsProtection’s

Paws Protect service has a network of volunteer fosterers who will take in a cat and care for it while the owner is in a refuge or a safe house. These volunteers don’t know who or where the owner is, so are not at risk themselves.

Paws Protect provides food and bedding and vet care if necessary and can reassure the owner that their cat is being well looked after.

At the moment this service is only available in parts of the South of England but Cats Protection is hoping to expand into other areas. Mayhew’s Pet Refuge also offers shelter and care for the pets of people in any kind of crisis and foster carers are needed to do this, in their own homes or the owner’s.TheCinnamon

Trust specialises in supporting older people and their pets. Foster carers are needed when older people need hospital care, move to care homes which don’t allow pets, or pass away. away

Top Tip!

MARILYN HAS BEEN FOSTERING CATS FROM MAYHEW IN NORTH-WEST LONDON FOR THREE YEARS.

Q What made you decide to foster cats?

studyCase

A I had been cat-sitting for a friend and found that far from being aloof creatures, they all have individual personalities and are a delight to be around! I watched animal rescue programmes on TV and realised that it was possible to foster. I applied to Mayhew and was lucky enough to be accepted. I started with two Pet Refuge cats and have fostered 18 so far, including the three currently with me.

QDo you take just one at a time or more?

A I generally take one or two in the same family group. Having three at once is unusual but they are no trouble at all. I’d be totally out of my depth with mums and kittens but am happy to take any kind of adult cat Mayhew thinks would benefit from a stay with me.

QHow did Mayhew help you train for the job?

A I had a home check where I sat down with Georgina, the Cat Welfare Co-ordinator, to discuss what fostering involves and what I could expect. I’ve had a lot of learning to do, but I know I always have Mayhew’s backup and expertise to call on. I’ve learned so much about cat behaviour and welfare.

QWhat do you find rewarding about fostering?

A I get a lot out of it! Cats are great to have around and it’s so rewarding to see those who are nervous at first, and hide away, settle in and flourish in my care. I enjoy playing with them, watching them stalk and chase their toys, and it’s lovely when they choose to snuggle up alongside me. I also like to know that I’ve helped them on a stage of their journey to a forever home. With Pet Refuge cats, I have also helped someone who was going through a difficult time and cared enough about their pets to let me look after them for a while. It’s a privilege to be entrusted with my foster kitties!

QAren’t you tempted to keep all the cats?

A I must admit that it can sometimes be difficult to see a cat go. There’s one in particular that still tugs at my heartstrings when I think of him.

QHow do you feel when a cat is matched with its forever home?

A Although I’m sad when I lose my temporary pet, I’m also excited when they are rehomed. I know they have been carefully matched and their new home can offer things I can’t, such as a garden and a home for life. New owners are kind and often send me photos once the cats settle in, and for me there is always a new cat to foster and focus on.

Fostering a cat can be hugely rewarding but always ensure everyone in your household is on board with the idea.

Michelle Smith.

The Cinnamon Trust specialises in supporting older people and their pets.

“ “

It’s a privilege to be entrusted with my foster kitties!

Kittens often thrive in foster care.Thereknow?youisnosetamountoftimeafostererlooksafteracat.Eachcaseistreatedindividually.

All you need to know about rabbit poo: a retailer’s guide

Claire Hamblion Marketing manager at Supreme Pet Foods

important to wear down continually growing rabbit teeth and start the process of digestion.

2 Food passes through the stomach and small intestines and some nutrients are absorbed.

3 Onward to the lower digestive tract where the food enters the caecum. Here, ‘good bacteria’ ferment the partially digested material, unlocking useful nutrients.

veterinary attention. Why? Well, it can be a sign of gastric stasis, a life-threatening condition.

The reduction in gut motility that is a feature of gastric stasis, has many possible causes, including stress, dental disease, pain, dehydration, intestinal blockages, or simply a lack of dietary fibre.

Signs of gastric stasis include:

There is no doubt that the popularity of small pets has increased in the last few years, in part due to the impact of the pandemic. In fact, the UK pet rabbit population has now reached a grand total of one million, with 2.4 percent of households having a resident rabbit. Even better, rabbits are no longer thought of as the low-maintenance child’s pet that they once were. Today’s ‘pet parents’ recognise the complex requirements of these finely tuned herbivores and consider them very much one of the family.

You are what you eat

Feeding a high-quality diet that mimics fibre-rich natural nutrition is key to keeping rabbits in optimum health. Knowing what is normal and monitoring for early signs that a pet is under the weather should also be high up the priority list. However, as prey animals, rabbits are experts at hiding signs of illness, a behaviour that would help save them from becoming prey in the wild. So, how can owners overcome this innate ability that rabbits have to say: ‘I’m fine?’ By monitoring the one thing that they cannot hide: theirWithpoo.a

highly specialised digestive system optimised for dealing with a fibre-rich diet, poo production is pretty important and owners need to be able to recognise what is normal for their four-legged friend so they can spot when things are not quite right.

Poo: knowing what’s normal

In order to get maximum nutrition from a diet packed full of fibrous plant material, food must pass through the digestive tract twice. During this process, rabbits produce two different kinds of poo — caecotrophs and pellets. So, what’s theCaecotrophsdifference?

are the sticky grape-like clusters of poo that rabbits usually eat straight from their bottom. Larger than poo pellets, they are black and shiny and may have a strong smell. They are the end stage of fermentation in the caecum, a process which allows all of the digestible parts of the diet to be absorbed by the rabbit. Normally owners will not see many of these; if any do get left in the environment, owners often mistake them for diarrhoea.

In contrast, pellet poo is light brown, small and dry and tends to crumble when squashed. Full of indigestible fibre, an average sized rabbit will produce 200 — 300 of these every day.

From nugget to poo: a step-by-step guide

The journey through the rabbit digestive system, from tasty nugget full of crunch, to caecotroph or poo pellet is a complex one.

1 Rabbit eats the nugget: a high fibre content and crunchy texture encourages a long chewing time. This is

4 In the colon and caecum, gut contents are separated into digestible and indigestible fibre. The latter is important for gut motility, and once it has passed through the last part of the digestive tract, it is excreted as hard poo pellets.

5 Digestible fibre may return to or remain in the caecum for as long as four hours for further fermentation.

6 After coating in a layer of mucus, digestible fibre is passed as a caecotroph.

7 Rabbit eats the caecotroph and the whole process starts again.

● Reduced number or size of poo pellets

● Reduced appetite

● Lethargy

● Hunched appearance suggesting abdominal pain

● Teeth grinding

● Drooling

● Bloated abdomen

Diet and nutrition for ‘good poo’

First and foremost, the importance of feeding a nutritionally balanced high fibre diet that mirrors that of wild rabbits should be emphasised. Getting this right is the single most important thing owners can do to optimise their pet’s health and well-being.

● 80% of the diet should be hay or grass. Different types of hay vary in terms of their taste and nutritional content, and rabbits can often be picky, preferring the higher quality options. Science Selective Timothy Hay and Russel Rabbit Tasty Hay are both nutritious choices that bunnies love. Rabbits should be offered unlimited hay and a good guide for owners is that their rabbit should eat a bunny-sized portion every day.

Too much of a good thing

Normally, owners will not see many caecotrophs because if all is as it should be, these will be nibbled straight from the rabbit’s bottom. Add to this the fact that rabbits often do most of their caecotroph eating at night and it is easy to see why owners may not spot this behaviour. Even if they do, it is easy to misinterpret as grooming.

So, if owners start seeing caecotrophs in their rabbit’s living quarters, what does this mean? When it comes to rabbits, it is always better to be safe than sorry and owners should be advised to seek veterinary advice if their pet seems unwell. However, in a rabbit that is otherwise well, it may be a sign that their diet is not spot-on. A diet that is too rich in concentrates with insufficient hay could be the culprit. Make sure owners are feeding their rabbit unlimited good quality hay, together with a measured portion of high fibre nuggets containing no added sugar.

More caecotrophs can also be a sign of underlying health problems. For example, mobility issues caused by arthritis or obesity can make it difficult, or impossible, for rabbits to reach their bottom, greatly reducing their ability to eat this all-important poo. Dental disease will also have an impact, as will any illness that causes a reduction in appetite.

Not enough poo

While less may be more when it comes to caecotrophs, the opposite is true with pellet poo. A reduction in the number of pellets being produced, always warrants a vet check and if no pellets are being produced at all, rabbits need urgent

● Feed a carefully measured portion of high-quality rabbit food every morning and evening. This food should be high in fibre and no added sugar diets are preferable to those that contain sugary ingredients like molasses. There are various types available to suit all tastes from muesli-style mixes to extruded nuggets, such as Supreme’s Science Selective range.

● Selective feeding can be a problem for some rabbits that are fed muesli. To get full nutritional value from a diet, rabbits should eat the whole portion, but if some ingredients are left behind, particularly the pellets, they are unlikely to be getting a balanced diet. Retailers can help to overcome this by suggesting a mix that includes tasty extruded nuggets, such as Russel Rabbit Tasty Mix, or switching to a single-component nugget diet, like Science Selective Adult Rabbit or Russel Rabbit Tasty Nuggets.

● Feed a handful of leafy greens to add variety. Healthy treats and high sugar veg, like carrots, should only be offered occasionally.

Point of sale

To support retailers, Supreme offer a comprehensive range of POS material from traditional barkers and wobblers to care guides and free samples with money off next purchase coupons, as well as posters and FSDUs.

Poo may not be top of the list of conversation topics, so why not use in-store displays to start things off? To get the most out of these opportunities, make sure that all your staff are happy discussing rabbit needs and linking these to the key features of the products you offer. If your team needs a recap on your stock, think about arranging some product training. At Supreme, we offer this as an effective way to help retailers promote products and drive sales.

“ “

More caecotrophs can also be a sign of underlying health problems.

A rabbit’s diet is so important.

John Courteney-Smith MRSB

With naturalistic and BioActive keeping now sharing a large and growing section of the global hobby, one of the most common questions that I am asked is with regard to the sustained growing of live plants within vivaria. Using live plants is not new of course, but we as keepers have had a very mixed bag of fortune with regard to long term propagation. Many plants did not do well and many were replaced at intervals. There are many good reasons to use live planting within the hobby and we will cover off a few of these reasons in this feature.Firstly, live plants look better than fakes — no one can argue against that. A flourishing live plant will always appear more natural, brighter, and more vibrant. This is a good reason to choose live over fakery.

The next best reason to use live plants is that they are both self-cleaning, harbouring less problematic waste which can lead to infection, and they are also not made from petrochemicals, which we know can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when heated to, and past, a certain temperature. Like all plastics, these VOCs can contain cyanide. I feel that there is a huge long-term risk from the use of fake rocks, branches, and plants in heated terraria and that this is made worse in poorly ventilated spaces and those that maintain humidity. On the whole, vivaria and terrariums are very poorly ventilated. This leads to stale air and yet again an increased risk of infection. Using live plants will help to clean the air, even within substandard ventilation, and increase oxygen levels. They look better, pose less risks, and improve air quality.

Plants, like any species, have a defined set of needs. As with all life, these needs have developed with them as they themselves have developed within the wild, regardless of hybridisation. You cannot override the basic needs of a species. These needs are dictated by the environment in which they live in the wild. So, just like reptiles, we can best care for a plant by emulating the providers that exist around it in the wild state. This includes the quality and type of the soil (or not for certain species), the quantity and method of hydration, the microfauna that exists around the wild habitat, the quantity of light and how this impacts the plant within its wild habitat, and airflow around the plant (gaseous exchange).

Getting started

The best place to start with live planting is within plant

the event of overwater and reduces the risk of plant rot and drowning. It also allows minerals washed through the substrate to remain in the drainage where the roots can reach down and obtain them. Drainage is vital to plant maintenance.

Feeding plants

Plants will need food and this is where good BioActive systems come into their own. The right substrate choice that is mineral positive and fed properly, and also has a working culture of both fungi and custodians, will both help to feed the plants (mycorrhizal fungi) and maintain the plants via the plant to custodian synergy. Reptile keeping systems are ‘closed loop’, meaning that they do not benefit from remineralisation through rain, flood, wind, and other animals. Therefore, as plants grow, they strip nutrients, mainly minerals from the soil. If these are not replaced, the plant can run out of food and this will hamper growth.

Plants also need access to light, not just any light but the correct spectrum of light and in the right quantity. In horticulture, the accuracy of a spectrum towards the primary provider (the sun) is measured in PUR (photosynthetic-usable-radiation). The closer the spectra of a lamp is to that of the sun, the higher the PUR. The quantity of energy provided for a plant is measured in PAR (photosynthetic-active-radiation). PAR is linked to brightness or lux. The brighter a lamp is the higher the chance of having a high PAR. However, a lower PAR lamp could be more successful within growth if the PUR was very high. Reversely, a lamp showing a high lux could have a high PAR on a metre, but this not be very bioavailable if the PUR was freakishly low.

Light is important; it is not just important to provide the correct spectrum and quantity of light, but we must also take into mind the needs of light per species. Place a shadedwelling species high up in the viv and give it a PAR of 400 and see it crisp over and die. Place a high light requirement species down low and a PAR of 50 and see it go all blotchy, start to bolt, and become very long as its stretches upwards towards the light. Yes, plant placement is as important as lamp

Wechoice.mustlook at providing light for plants in much the same way as reptiles. Without it, they eventually die. They all need provision within the correct spectrum and quantity of light and this is dictated by the developed wild need. They must also be able to have direct or partial access to this energy. This is easier for reptiles and amphibians as they can move the body towards or away from light. Careful planting and using good flood light sources of the correct spectrum directly over the whole planted area is essential. You then leave the decorative style of your viv, planted within the needs of your plant species to do the job.

selection. Naturalism points to creating an environment which is similar in design and energy to that which the reptile experiences in the wild. The same applies with planting. It could be better to choose plants that originate within the locality of the reptile or amphibian species to be kept. In live trials here at Arcadia HQ, we do see long-term behavioural changes in species when given access to plants native to the area from which the animal is found. We also found that even multi-generational captive bred species, never exposed to the wild still show these adaptations when provided with native species of plant. Interesting,

hey?Choosing

plant species that occur in the wild per reptile or amphibian species is, however, hard at this time and with poor availability for some. However, it is fun to research and find these species, acquire them and grow them. You can then research the position of the plant in the wild. Is it a high light or low light species? How is it watered, from above or below? Is it an epiphyte or parasitical species? You can then place that plant within the enclosure decoration in a way that provides it with the best possible chance of long-term growth. Bromeliads are a great example of nationwide incorrect planting, many arriving in a pot with soil when they should be wired soil free on to branches. Indeed, most will rot if soil is around the base longResearchterm. will also tell you what type of soil is best for each species, even towards soil nutrition and drainage. It will also show you how it is to receive water best. The sad fact is that most decorative plants and indeed houseplants that die off early do so due to overwater and stagnation around the root ball. Watering well and in the way that suits the plant will give it the best chance possible, even if other things go wrong from time to time. This leads us on to drainage. There should be no advice from any provider that a substrate does not need drainage — this is a total lie. Drainage allows water to be removed from the soil in

In every case, we light the whole planted area. If a keeper only plants the right-hand side of a viv, then they can light that area directly from above, above the planting. If they plant side to side, the whole viv will need to be illuminated directly. Having four foot of planting horizontally and only using a two foot lamp will only lead to slower growth and maybe even death for those plants not directly able to receive energy from light. Why is this? Well, just as with reptiles, it is the photons of light (remember from before, a photon is a parcel of energy) that start and maintain the process of photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis, a plant does not have the ability to grow.

A plant can only grow if it is able to replace more cells per day than die off naturally or are damaged in some way. The speed of cell production in plants is set directly by the ability to photosynthesise. If cell creation is lower than those dying off or being damaged, a plant is in negative growth. Yes, it’s a bit more complex than this and I did write a long book on the subject, which you are welcome to enjoy if you so wish. The point I am trying to make is, if PAR is not correct and light is not available directly towards each species need, the plant cannot do well. Plants therefore need, as a minimum, thought and provision within the following providers:

Soil and soil type

Soil Accessnutritiontoenergy from light to in the

species choice all of this and will grow plants for years. They will undertake their job of work adroitly, they will look great, clean the for in the same way do for John Courteney-Smith.

Arcadia Reptile; Head of Science and Innovation/Author/Herpetologist

Give your plants some thought!

toPowerplants! “Plants, like any species, have a defined set of needs.

no information about whether Europe was letting in Ukrainian refugees with pets. People left pets at the shelter because they didn’t know where they were going to go.

“One lady who brought in a cat said she went to the train station and in one hand she had a cat and in the other hand was a few month old baby, and the people who work on the trains said ‘you have to choose, we can’t let you in with an animal.’ She could either get on the train without the animal or stay there. So she brought the cat in to the shelter, deciding to save her baby.”

Entering a warzone was a brave thing to do but Rasma and her team were determined to do it to help pets.

“It was a very emotional three-day trip and it was scary,” says Rasma. “It was emotional in Lviv as you saw so many people trying to get to the border, some carrying pets in carriers or even in their arms. It was heartbreaking. When we went to Ivano-Frankivsk it was scary as it was getting dark. Everywhere, there was what they call block posts where there were local army forces and police posts stopping people on the roads. They have guns and stop you and ask you many questions. Everybody was fine and we got checked so many times. At that time Ivano-Frankivsk was safe but two days after we went home, there was a bombing there.”

New homes

“I went to Ukraine to help cats”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been devastating. Lives have been lost, families forced to flee, and landscapes turned to rubble. As war continues to rage on the long-term impact it has on Ukraine and the wider world, with food shortages and poverty predicted, remains in the balance. Anything but a victory for those defending their homeland feels unthinkable, but even that will have come at a dreadful cost.

Amidst the horror, it has been heartening to see great humanity. People have welcomed refugees into their homes and communities and sent aid to those who desperately need it. Rasma Kreica is one of those compassionate people but her dedication to helping took her to Ukraine and the warzone itself.

A huge cat lover from Latvia, Rasma felt compelled to help pets who have been caught up in the conflict. With a team of volunteers behind her, she has been on trips into Ukraine to rescue cats and dogs, and to take vital veterinary supplies into the country. As well as that, she has been helping Ukrainians get into Europe with their pets.

Entering a warzone

“The first trip we went on was to Lviv and the second trip was to Ivano-Frankivsk, that’s a town around 160km from Lviv,” explained Rasma. “The aim of the trips was to help relieve pressure on the shelters and take the cats and dogs into Europe.”

Not knowing what life would hold or where they would end up, many Ukrainians were forced to give their pets up and hope their beloved pets would end up safe and happy.“When we went to the shelter in Lviv, in the time we were there a lot of people were bringing in their cats and dogs and asking the shelter to take them in because they didn’t know where they would be going,” says Rasma. “That trip was in March, when everything was unknown, and there was

When Rasma and her team went to the Ukraine their lorry was full of medical supplies and dog and cat food, six tonnes of it. On the way home, it was full of pets that were taken back to Latvia to find better lives. The team offered to keep in touch with any owners so that once they were settled elsewhere in Europe or the war was over, they could be reunited with their pets. Once relocated, some owners decided that they couldn’t take their cats back, but Rasma says she would never judge them as she could never walk in their shoes and experience what Ukrainians have been through. For the cats taken back to Latvia, people came forward to give them new homes.“We started to look into adoptions two weeks before their quarantine ended,” explains Rasma. “Quite a few went to a new home on the day their quarantine ended and quite a few are still at their foster homes. These are the ones that are timid or need special attention.”

One of the cats Rasma and her husband took home was Charly, whose story found international fame as news agency Reuters was there to capture the moment the cat was brought into the shelter. His owners had travelled for 40 hours by train as they fled Kramatorsk where Russian troops had invaded. Charly is now safely in Latvia and looking for a new home.

“We brought back 34 cats and 40 dogs from the Ukraine,” says Rasma. “Once these have all found new homes and their bills are paid, we think we are going to try to rescue some more.”

While another trip is in the planning stages, Rasma has continued to help Ukrainian pet owners.

“We have connected with a lot of people and have arranged for them to come to Latvia with their pets through other organisations,” says Rasma. “It’s strange, in Latvia, if you are a refugee and you enter with your pet, the animal doesn’t have to quarantine. It has to go through all the rabies vaccinations and everything, and be monitored for 21 days. But if, for example, I bring an animal to Latvia, the animal has to go for a longer quarantine. So, for this reason, we’re trying to help more people come to Latvia with their own pets.”

FOR THE CATS

Rasma is a huge cat lover, with four felines of her own and she has worked in rescue centres here in the UK. When asked what made her want to go and help she said: “Probably my big heart! When war broke out, it was a shock and I think a lot of us were sat watching thinking ‘how can I help?’ Our family owns a transport company with commercial vans so had access to them and I have knowledge of transporting animals. Of course, I have a huge love of animals and wanted to do something for animals because they are so vulnerable.

“I’m a cat person. Once I saw all the cats at the shelter, I filmed a little video and I was crying, as I looked in those eyes and they didn’t understand what was going on. Then the feeling came that it was the right thing that we’d Throughoutdone.”our conversation, Rasma plays down the amazing things her team have done — it is completely about helping pets and their people. Instead, she holds those staying in their homeland to work in animal shelters in real awe.

“They are amazing,” said Rasma. “We are still in touch with both shelters. The staff said ‘we are not going anywhere.’ A few months ago, there was a bombing in Lviv and we realised it was next to the shelter. I immediately text the girls at the shelter to see if they were safe. They said ‘we’re safe but the bombing is just there, right outside.’ They are amazing, they don’t go home, they stay there with the animals.”

Rasma’s mission to find homes for the rest of the cats she brought back from Ukraine and pay their vet bills continues, as does her work to help refugees with pets settle into Latvia. You can help to support Rasma’s work by donating to the organisation with which she volunteers. You can visit their Facebook page:

Michael Hallam tells the incredible story of a woman who entered a warzone to help people and their pets.

Rasma with the cat carriers for their journey back to Latvia.

Rasma and her husband with local forces.