Companion Care Vets and The University of Bristol have announced the launch of The Great Pet Travel Survey 2012, with the aim of learning more about the travel patterns of dogs from the UK to mainland Europe. Owners of dogs with Pet Passports are being encouraged to fill in the short questionnaire, which is available now at www.greatpetsurvey.co.uk and is relevant to any dog owners whose dog has a Pet Passport and has travelled abroad in the past 10 years. The survey will take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete and all completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of Pets at Home vouchers. The closing date for completing the survey is 30th June 2012 and all data will be analysed by the University of Bristol.

Robert White-Adams, Vet at Companion Care explains the importance of the survey, “In January 2012 the Pet Travel Scheme rules for re-entry of pets into the UK were simplified and stringent rules were relaxed. There has been much debate amongst vets and politicians about the potential risks that these changes may pose to the health of the UK’s dog and human populations, but currently there is very little data available to answer this question. “We know virtually nothing about where and when UK dog owners travel when they go abroad with their dogs and I am thrilled to be working with the University of Bristol on The Great Pet Travel Survey to collect information to fill this void. The results will give us an understanding of the travel patterns of UK dogs abroad, as well as gauging how aware UK dog owners are of the extra precautions they need to take in order to protect their dogs against potential risks faced when travelling in Europe.” Robert concludes, “We urge any dog owner who has travelled with a Pet Passport to take the time to fill in the survey to enable us to provide as clear a picture as possible of the travel patterns of UK dogs.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

For further information about the Great Pet Travel Survey please contact. Robert J White-Adams MRCVS, robert.whiteadams@companioncare.co.uk, Companion Care (Weston-super-Mare) Ltd. Inside Pets at Home, Unit 2B, Gallagher Retail Park, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 3YY
Tel: 01934 418004, www.companioncare.co.uk/wsm

All media enquiries to Claire Fryer Claire.Fryer@companioncare.co.uk 07970 403158

Pets at Home, the pet retail outlet has reported that their sales have increased by 4.9% over the festive period.

Lots of different stores across the UK probably saw an increase in their sales over the Christmas period and Pet at Home were certainly no strangers to it either.  The company’s like-for-like sales over the six weeks to January 12th had increased by almost 5% compared to the same time last year.

The company have 308 stores nationwide and they opened another 27 this last year and that is not to mention how much their online sales would have helped them on top of what they have done in stores up and down the country.

Speaking about the company’s fortunes the Chief Executive of the company, Matt Davies, said: “Our performance over the Christmas period has been particularly pleasing given the difficult trading conditions that existed in the preceding months.”

There are other companies that you can visit online if you can’t get out of the house. Online for Pets are a prime example, a company who offer the exact same things as Pets at Home but you can order them from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered straight to your door.

If you pay a visit to their website, onlineforpets.co.uk you will be able to have a look for yourself at all of the fantastic offers and deals that they have available. If you are making a big order with onlineforpets, an order over the value of £50 then you will have everything delivered free of charge to your home.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative source of food to feed your dog, then you will want to broaden your search. Most people will only look in their local supermarket, and if they can’t find anything, stick with the processed pet food you find in all major supermarket stores. This is a fatal mistake, as you can find Organic Dog Food from many places in the world, and for low prices too. People often associate organic food with high prices, this is not always the case, it’s all about shopping around, finding the best deals and taking action. You will learn here, how to find the best organic dog food there is to buy, and why it’s so much more beneficial and positive to feed your dog this fuel. So, firstly, let me open to world of the internet up to you. You can find anything you want on the internet, people often misuse the internet, and forget the power of knowledge and features that it has. Years ago you would have had to go to a library or professional to seek advice on healthy dog food, but in these times it’s as simple as switching on your computer or laptop, and typing in a question in a search engine. Everything has become instant with the internet, allowing people to get on with their lives much quicker, and you can use the whole globe as your shopping cart. So, you can certainly shop here on the net for your organic dog food. You will find countless deals which impress you more than the ones in the supermarket on the net, there are so many to choose from it’s hard to know where to begin. But, with this great selection available to you, you must keep a clear head, you have the whole world to choose from, so why not choose the best right? One company which has an ever growing reputation for being a healthy dog food supplier is Party Animal Gourmet Organic Dog Food. They have a great following, and offer the best tasting and most nutritious dog food money can buy, your dog will think it’s Christmas every day! The team of researchers at Party Animal Gourmet Organic Dog Food, have put a lot of time and effort into creating the most beneficial food for your dogs, they offer a wide range of flavours and tastes for both cats and dogs. They have a whole section on their website devoted to honest previous customer reviews, which all indicate how happy and pleased they were with the dog food. Some testimonials state how the dog food has changed their dogs attitude, and that they have seen a real positive change in the behaviour of their dog, and it’s all down to the goodness in Party Animal Gourmet Organic Dog Food. Most dogs are unhappy and ill-behaved due to bad eating habits, or processed dog food. Like humans eating fast food, we may like the taste now and then, but overall it does us no good whatsoever.

British pooches are set to have a very happy Christmas this year, with more 80 per cent of their owners buying them gifts for under the tree.

A survey by the Retired Greyhound Trust has revealed that 81 per cent of dog owners buy their four legged friends Christmas presents. Well looked after pooches will also be enjoying a slap up Christmas feast, with the poll finding that 25 per cent of dog owners offer their pooches titbits from the table. But the Trust has hundreds of homeless greyhounds around the country waiting to find loving new homes who will go without Christmas treats this year.

The Trust has urged dog lovers around the country to dig deep and donate to the Retired Greyhound Trust this Christmas so the charity can buy coats, food and toys for the dogs it has in its care at more than 70 branches across the UK.

Peter Laurie, Chief Executive of the Retired Greyhound Trust, said: “This survey is just a bit of festive fun, but in reality we do have many dogs who will be in kennels this Christmas. It costs more than £3 million every year to look after our homeless greyhounds. It would be wonderful if we could appeal to the festive spirit of so many generous people out there. However small the donation, every penny could make a huge difference to many greyhounds this Christmas.”

Pat Philpot, who has volunteered for the Trust for more than 10 years, said: “Many dog owners treat their dogs like part of the family and I am sure there will be some very spoilt dogs out there this Christmas. We would like to appeal to those people to take a moment to think about the greyhounds who need homes and perhaps spend a little less on their own dog this year and donate a little something to help us look after and find homes for our retired greyhounds.”

There are lots of ways to make donations to the Retired Greyhound Trust. You can donate online through Just Giving – http://www.justgiving.com/greyhounds/donate/, send a cheque to The Retired Greyhound Trust, 2nd Floor, Park House, Park Terrace, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7JZ or call our office on 0844 826 8424. You can also visit your local branch to make a donation directly. The Trust has also launched a new texting donation service – just text RGTD04 £10 (or other amount) to 70070.

You could also adopt a dog, leave a legacy or the Retired Greyhound Trust does raise funds by selling Christmas cards and calendars, children’s books, games, greetings cards, clothing and dog accessories, which could make great Christmas presents.

For more information contact the Retired Greyhound Trust 020 8335 3016 or go to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.

For further information, please contact:

Helen Barklam in the Retired Greyhound Trust communications team, tel: 01772 785392 or 07917 148900.

Notes to editors

The charity has housed more than 50,000 dogs since it was set up in 1975. Around 9,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year.

The Retired Greyhound Trust has 72 branches across the country made up of volunteers who are dedicated to finding homes for the dogs in their areas. Many have websites, showing pictures of the dogs that need homes. For further information, go to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk or call 0844 826 8424.

The dog stars were out at Peak Village Outlet Shopping Centre in Rowsley once more as canine contestants gathered on 20 November for the Festive Dog Show 2011. Peak Village has hosted two successful dog shows this year, which continue to prove hugely popular and on the serious side, raise vital finds for animal charities. £403.88 was raised this year for the canine charity Just for Dogs, and £210 for St Francis’ Cat Hospice. Over £600 in total is testament to the generosity of shoppers at what is a tough time for many.

Santa’s Little Helper: (Left to right) Tenneka Marshall of Hope Valley with Rosko – and Father Christmas!With 12 categories, from ‘prettiest bitch’ to ‘best crossbreed’, Peak Village was packed with a huge array of people and their pooches, although the most talked about category was ‘best fancy dress’ – meaning dog, owner, or both and not forgetting, ‘the dog Santa would most like to take home’!

The charity Just for Dogs, founded back in 1997 by people with just one agenda – to rescue and re-home abandoned dogs. The charity relies solely on charitable donations and fundraising events so the generosity of Peak Village shoppers last Sunday will go a long way to help many dogs at what can be a difficult time of year for dog charities who still have to remind people that ‘a dog is for life and not just for Christmas.’

“Our dog shows this year have proved a great success and the festive show was no exception,” said Terrence Morgan of Peak Village. “The event was a great way to kick off our fun programme for the festive season. Everyone had a great time not only joining in with the show but also helping with the serious side of raising a large sum of money for a very worthwhile charity.”

Festive fun is already on the right track at Peak Village, as Father Christmas arrived at the weekend on the Santa Express to switch on the lights and take up residence in the grotto designed by local schoolchildren. This will be followed up in the coming weeks with everything from Indoor markets selling local arts, crafts and antiques to carol singers.
For more information visit the Peak Village Outlet website: www.peakvillage.co.uk
ENDS Press enquiries:
Katayune Jacquin
Tel 07590634717
www.BeyondPR.co.uk

Worrying about where to leave your diva dog? Panic over, East Lodge have got it covered! Visitors to the multi award-winning East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant can now leave their canine loved ones at the luxury boarding kennels for dogs in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, The Canine Country Club. Just a short drive away from the Rowsley hotel, The Canine Country Club is the ideal sleepover or even day visit for your dog, as you explore the wonders of the Peak District.

East Lodge hotel takes pride in their home-grown ingredients, including their free range eggs, but the flock of hens has proved a tempting torment for man’s best friend in the past! Deputy managing director Iain Hardman said: “Keeping hens means we can deliver an award winning breakfast but also means that that welcoming dogs at East Lodge can be a serious issue. As a dog lover myself, I know how important pets are to their owners so we teamed up with the Canine Country Club, which guarantees to shower your dogs in luxury. You can enjoy the great outdoors in the day with your dog, exploring the Derbyshire countryside, then drop him or her off at The Canine Country Club in time for a delicious meal and relaxing evening back at East Lodge.”

The Canine Country Club specialises in superior residential boarding accommodation for the more discerning dog. Pets are welcome to stay for any length of time – whether it be a day while you explore the beautiful surroundings, or longer if you chose to stay at East Lodge for a relaxing break.

Owner of the luxury Canine Country Club is Elaine Young, she said “We understand the desire to have your dog accompany you on holiday and that’s where we come in. Visiting the area does not mean that you have to leave your beloved pet behind; they can also participate in your holiday. Visitors to East Lodge can leave their dogs while they go off to be pampered. We have worked with East Lodge in the past and look forward to welcoming many more pooches to the Peak District.”

The Canine Country Club was awarded a European grant to partly fund the luxury dog kennels with the scope to hopefully encourage tourism in the Derbyshire area. It has been recognised that one of the main reasons for visitor hesitance of staying at hotels is the uncertainty of leaving their beloved pets behind, but visitors to East Lodge now longer have to worry as The Canine Country Club ticks all the boxes when it comes to canine care.

As the closest hotel to Chatsworth House, East Lodge has proved a popular tourist destination and a place for filmmakers to stay when preparing for their latest blockbuster but East Lodge also finds itself used these days by ‘film tourists’ wishing to follow in the footsteps of their favourite actors on location in the Peaks. This trend is expected to continue, providing a welcome shot in the arm for local business in 2011 and for those who wish to bring man’s best friend along, East Lodge is the first choice.

With many awards and accolades under its belt already, East Lodge is already established as one of the peak performers in the UK hospitality industry. Situated in 10 acres of its own grounds and justly celebrated as one of the top hotels, not just in the region, but the country. Owned by the Hardman family, this award winning venue has remained at the top by constantly improving its service and with a commitment to excellence that has led this former Hotel of the Year to be one of only 48 hotels in the country to be awarded a Visit England Gold Award and to have secured the Silver Award in the national finals of the Enjoy England Excellence Awards in 2011 (the tourism ‘Oscars’) for Outstanding Customer Service.
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Thousands of retired greyhounds are barking loudly in support of a programme led by the Duke of Cambridge to safeguard parks, playing fields and open spaces across the UK.

The Retired Greyhound Trust has joined the campaign to save 2,012 green spaces for the 4,000 dogs across the country who are homed every year and need places to enjoy walks with their new families.

The British public have just two days left to vote for the parks, playing fields and open spaces in their communities that should be safeguarded for future generations to enjoy at www.qe2fields.com.

The programme marks HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubliee next year when celebrations will be held in parks and on playing fields across the country.

Retired Greyhound Trust Chief Executive Peter Laurie said: “We work really hard to find homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers and it is crucial they have somewhere to exercise with their new families.

“We have 72 branches across the country and hundreds of volunteers who look after our greyhounds until homes can be found for them. They need green spaces to walk our dogs every day.

“Parks and green spaces are also meeting places for dog owners – the catalyst for long-lasting friendships and where people have the chance to exercise together with their dogs. It is great that dog owners and their pets can benefit from this programme and we would urge everyone to get involved.”

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of the Fields in Trust charity which is running the scheme, said: “It is great to have the support of the Retired Greyhound Trust. For many years we have been working to protect open spaces, many of which may be the only green space where dog owners can walk with their pets.

“By supporting the campaign online or encouraging their local authority to protect important open community spaces, everyone can get involved in creating this great tribute to the Diamond Jubilee.”

To cast your vote and for more information go to www.qe2fields.com. For further information about the Retired Greyhound Trust go to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.

A fabulous new UK based online Pet Shop has been launched and is now trading, www.bubbaspetshop.com. We believe it’s the first online pet shop to be owned and run by a Jack Russell! Bubba the JRT is a keen business dog and has a crew of furry employees to assist her.

Bubbas Pet Shop stocks a great range of products, supplies and accessories for dogs, cats, small animals, fish, chickens, pigeons and garden birds. Many of the products have been tested and approved by the furry staff at Bubbas and the visitors to our garden. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and supplied with Bubbas 14 day no quibble money back guarantee.

Bubba is always happy to offer help and advice to all visitors in regards to their pets. We also have pages filled with in depth information on Pet Friendly Holidays and Pet Insurance and you can also find Bubbas favourite links on the web.

Visit Bubbas Pet Shop and meet all the furry staff members today and browse all the fantastic products available for your pets at massively reduced prices! Bubba looks forward to meeting you!

Dog owners could be putting their pets at risk of flea infestation this autumn following the Indian summer, with recent research1 conducted by Elanco Animal Health, manufacturer of Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs, revealing that nearly half of owners are not aware that turning up the central heating can result in fleas, which have been lying dormant in the pupal stage, to emerge in search of a host animal to feed on.

And with nearly half of those questioned stating that their dog has suffered with fleas, 79 per cent of which have become infested at least once a year, approximately 20 per cent of owners believe that fleas could not be found in household items such as the carpet, dog bedding and soft furnishings. Indeed, over a third of respondents did not treat items such as carpets (36 per cent) or soft furnishings (46 per cent) if their pet and home became infested, making fleas a frustrating problem for many dog owners.

“Fleas are commonly found on pets during the summer months and this has been extended this year by the Indian summer we have experienced. It may be due to get a lot colder outside soon but as the central heating gets turned up the increased warmth inside proves a stimulus for any fleas that are unwittingly introduced or that lie dormant in pet bedding, carpets and soft furnishings. Moreover, people cannot even escape, with half of those questioned stating that a member of their family had been bitten by a flea!” comments David Grant, hospital director of the RSPCA Harmsworth Animal Hospital in London. “It is important to treat pets with effective flea treatments, which include a fast acting, chewable, beef-flavoured tablet for dogs which kills fleas and prevents flea infestations for a full month. It is also advisable to treat the surrounding household environment such as pet bedding, carpets and soft furnishings.”

Elanco Animal Health produces a highly effective flea treatment for dogs. The fast acting, chewable, beef-flavoured tablet kills fleas and prevents flea infestations for a full month. Available from veterinary practices, the convenient tablet starts to kill fleas in 30 minutes and it is 100% effective in four hours. In addition, it remains fully effective despite frequent bathing/swimming, unlike many other products and it can be used alongside other treatments such as wormers.

For information on flea treatments, please contact your local veterinary practice.

Ends
References
1 Opinion Matters. 1006 UK dog owners. October 2011

Good Pets for Children, formerly known as Pets Addict recently made a site makeover after 2 years on the internet. The website owner wanted the site to be revamped and look more modern and stylish – which is very contrasting to the previous layout and design. There are a lot of changes made to make the site look more attractive to site visitors. First, the WordPress theme was changed to Thesis 1.7 – a very powerful WordPress theme that enables users to make great modifications on the site layout and design. To complete the design overhaul, the webmaster did some background modifications as the previous one looks so busy. She changed it to plain pink, making the site radiate a clean feel. A header that complements the new name of the site was also created from scratch. There are different colors involved to make the site still look upbeat while maintaining that clean look. A website overhaul would not be complete without new website content. Several pages were added to the original list making the present number of pages 11 in total. The recent pages of the site include: dog training, pet insurance, veterinary secrets, cat secrets, dog walking business, healthy food for dogs, healthy food for dogs, dog tools, privacy, terms and conditions, contact, and blog. Each page contains an in depth information about the pet trainings and guides being offered and some valuable blog posts that involves a wide array of topics about pet cats and dogs. The last part of the site makeover is the creation of a static page where a welcome message is posted to provide a warm welcome to the site visitors. The new feel of the Good Pets for Children website is more personalized, so people who visit the site can feel at ease reading through the contents and eventually be able to find the product that they need for their pet dog or cat.