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Pet Industry Federation News

Category: Pet Industry Federation News

Rachel press release

Your Pet Business, Your Way Podcast Celebrates 50,000 Downloads Milestone

The Your Pet Business, Your Way podcast, hosted by journalist and pet business coach Rachel Spencer, has surpassed 50,000 downloads. Launched during the 2020 lockdown, the show has now released over 200 episodes, including more than 100 interviews with brands and pet professionals.

The podcast explores practical ways for pet businesses to raise their profile in the press, online, and on social media. Recent guests have included PIF Award nominees Victor Carpio from InventorCat, Claire Harris from Pets2Places, and Gemma Glover from The Pet Carpenter, alongside conversations with industry experts such as Nigel and Alexandra Baker from PIF.

Rachel said: “I want the podcast to be helpful and practical, so there are lots of solo episodes with advice on areas I’ve worked on myself and supported others in — pitching to the press, blogging, podcasting, and content creation. With the interview episodes, it’s about sharing the stories behind the businesses, the challenges they’ve overcome, and what other entrepreneurs can learn from them. To have 54,000 downloads, and to have put out a podcast each week for five years (apart from a six-month break), feels like something to celebrate.”

Based in Lymm, Cheshire, Rachel has a background in journalism, having worked on local and national newspapers before going freelance in 2006. She launched a pet blog, The Paw Post, in 2017 which led to coaching pet business owners in 2019, and subsequently to the podcast, online courses, and her membership community Pets Get Visible.

She has also been recognised through her own ventures, with her business Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay shortlisted for New Business of the Year at the 2024 PIF Awards. Alongside her media work, Rachel has gained coaching accreditations with the Institute of Leadership and Management, completing both the Level 5 and Level 7 certificates in coaching and mentoring.

Rachel added: “Podcasts are a way to learn, get inspired, and feel supported when you’re trying to do a million and one other things as a business owner. I try to bring a coaching approach into the show to make it both practical and encouraging.”

To find out more about the podcast and listen to episodes, visit www.rachelspencer.co.uk.

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pawer water press release

Pawer Water Secures UK Distribution with We.Pet

Pawer Water, the award-winning wellness company for dogs, has signed a new distribution agreement with We.Pet, the specialist supplier to the UK independent pet trade.

The deal will see Pawer Water’s supplement range made available through We.Pet’s network of independent retailers across the UK. The products use a nano-powder hydration delivery system that achieves up to 90 per cent nutrient absorption, a level that exceeds traditional supplementation methods and supports canine health more effectively.

Founded by Nathalie Ohana, Pawer Water has grown rapidly since its launch, earning recognition for its science-led formulations and accessible approach to preventive pet wellness. Stocking through We.Pet represents a significant step in widening access to independent retailers, who continue to play an essential role in advising and educating pet owners.

“We are excited to partner with We.Pet, whose commitment to supporting independent retailers matches our own mission to bring better wellness solutions to dogs and their owners,” said Nathalie Ohana, Founder of Pawer Water. “This collaboration will allow us to reach more communities across the UK and further our goal of making preventive care simple, effective and accessible.”

We.Pet’s portfolio is built around premium, innovative brands that bring new opportunities to independent stores. By adding Pawer Water to its line-up, the distributor strengthens its offering in the fast-growing functional supplement category.

Retailers can learn more about Pawer Water and place orders directly through We.Pet.

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PIF Awards Finalists 2025 Annoucement image.png

Finalists Announced for the 2025 PIF Awards

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) is delighted to reveal the finalists for the 2025 PIF Awards, the premier celebration of achievement and innovation across the UK pet industry.

Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, said: “The calibre and number of entries this year has been outstanding, with several categories oversubscribed. We are thrilled to see such a breadth of talent represented across all categories. Every business named as a finalist deserves sincere congratulations, and we look forward to celebrating with you in November when we announce the winners.”

The PIF Awards shine a spotlight on the very best in pet care innovation, retail, grooming, pet services, manufacturing and more. There are also new categories, such as Best Newcomer Award and Best Raw Store of the Year.

The 2025 PIF Awards Dinner, generously supported by platinum sponsor Natures Menu, will take place on Thursday 6 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent. Headline sponsors include Cliverton, Nutriment and The Animal People Recruitment Company.

Other valued sponsors are James & Steel (Official Drinks Sponsor), Bella+Duke, Buddycare, Collar, Impact Exhibitions, Associated Veterinary Services, Naturo, Nobull  Agency, Anthesis Enterprise Software and Citation.

Guests at the black-tie event will enjoy a sparkling drinks reception, three-course meal with wine, live entertainment, and a night of recognition and celebration with colleagues from across the sector.

Tickets are on sale now, with discounts available for PIF members and savings for tables of ten. Tickets and accommodation are limited and in high demand, so early booking is recommended.

Full details and booking information can be found here

Details of all the finalists can be found here

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Poorly Paws Press Release image.png

Poorly Paws and Leucillin announce partnership to support pet first aid and protection

Two multi award winning pet care brands have announced a new partnership aimed at improving access to first aid and protection for pets.

 

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Poorly Paws and Leucillin have joined forces to combine their expertise in portable pet first aid and animal skincare. The collaboration will see Poorly Paws’ Interactive First Aid Kit supplied with Leucillin’s antimicrobial skincare solution, providing dog owners and professionals with an all-in-one resource for treating minor injuries.

Poorly Paws offers compact first aid kits supported by 24/7 veterinary access and step-by-step video guidance, helping pet owners respond quickly to common injuries when away from home. Leucillin’s solution is widely used by veterinary and grooming professionals as an effective yet gentle treatment for cuts, bites, stings, irritations and other minor wounds.

Both brands are well established in the pet care sector and are used by dog walkers, trainers, groomers and rescue organisations. Their shared aim is to make reliable, practical first aid resources more widely available as demand for pet first aid training and certification increases across the industry.

Alex Surace, Founder of Poorly Paws, said:
“This partnership is a step forward for pet first aid. Together, Poorly Paws and Leucillin are giving pet parents and professionals the confidence and resources they need to protect their animals wherever life takes them.”

Georgina Bashforth, Marketing Director of Leucillin, said:
“Leucillin is a useful aid to have on hand for unexpected situations. Now paired with Poorly Paws’ thoughtfully designed kit and educational support, this collaboration gives dog owners added reassurance when they are out and about.”

For further information, contact info@poorlypaws.co.uk 

Not a PIF member yet? Join the Pet Industry Federation to connect with industry partners and access member benefits.

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DotDotPet Press Release

DotDotPet Announces Battersea Partnership to Launch Licensed Grooming Range

PIF member DotDotPet has partnered with Battersea to launch a co branded grooming range. The collection includes easy to use dog shampoos featuring a unique low irritation fragrance designed to keep dogs calm during bath time, and 100 percent natural, biodegradable Eco Dog Towels. For all licensed products sold, DotDotPet Co Ltd will donate a minimum of £15,000 and will give distributable profits to Battersea.

Pet grooming is a growing category, driven by the ongoing humanisation of pets and demand for high quality products from pet parents. The UK pet grooming category is currently valued at 1.15 billion US dollars, growing at a 6.7 percent CAGR. Sustainable pet products are expanding even faster, with a 7.6 percent CAGR, and 65 percent of pet parents now view sustainability as an important factor when choosing products (sources: Grand View Research, GM Insights).

DotDotPet founder Harry Chapman said the partnership reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to quality and care. He explained that DotDotPet has always prioritised creating high quality, science led products, and that this ethos guided the development of the brand’s low irritation shampoos. “We created our shampoos with a fragrance designed to be non irritating to a dog’s powerful sense of smell,” he said. “The fact that Battersea has recognised this and put their brand alongside ours demonstrates the difference our products can make. We are honoured to be able to support such a fabulous charity that does so much good work for pets in need of rehoming.”

Christopher Vernazza, Corporate and Commercial Partnerships Manager at Battersea, added that the collaboration will help extend the charity’s reach. “We are pleased to collaborate with DotDotPet to help pets to feel fresh, clean and comfortable, and look forward to reaching even more pets, owners and Battersea supporters,” he said, noting that each purchase made and the generous donation will help to support more dogs and cats in need.

The new range presents a strong commercial opportunity for pet specialists, wholesalers and retailers looking to grow their grooming category. With trusted branding, premium quality and eco credentials, the Battersea grooming range helps retailers meet consumer demand while driving incremental sales.

If interested in stocking the Battersea range please contact DotDotPet on 07474 736012 or hello@dotdotpet.com

Not a member yet? Join the Pet Industry Federation to connect with a trusted network of businesses across the UK pet sector.

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Member press release image.png

Pup Club Forms Official Partnership with RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks to Advance Animal Welfare

PIF member Pup Club Official has formed a formal partnership with RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks to strengthen animal welfare across the region through community projects and educational initiatives.

Together, Pup Club, one of the UK’s leading canine training and behaviour organisations, and the RSPCA aim to tackle challenges faced by pet owners and animals alike. From reducing behavioural issues that often lead to rehoming to increasing community education on responsible ownership, the partnership addresses urgent welfare needs in Milton Keynes and North Bucks. The RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks branch, which rehomes hundreds of animals every year, has long emphasised the need for early education and consistent support for pet guardians.

According to the RSPCA’s Annual UK Wide Investigation into People’s Attitudes Towards Animals, in 2023 one in eight pet owners (13%) regretted owning a pet, while this year it is closer to one in seven (15%).

“Partnering with the RSPCA is an incredible step forward in our mission to help stressed, anxious or confused canine guardians regain confidence with their dogs and provide them with continuous support throughout,” said Dan Cheung, Founder of Pup Club Official. “By combining our training expertise with the RSPCA’s deep community roots and rehoming efforts, we are creating a stronger safety net for animals and their guardians in Milton Keynes and North Bucks.”

The partnership will see joint events, workshops and awareness campaigns roll out from autumn 2025, with the aim of engaging thousands of local residents. Educational programmes will focus on preventing common behavioural issues, supporting rescue pet adoptions and creating a more compassionate, informed community of dog owners.

Reference: RSPCA’s Annual UK Wide Investigation into People’s Attitudes Towards Animals: Kindness Index 2024 Report

Not a member yet? Join the Pet Industry Federation to connect with a trusted network of businesses across the UK pet sector.

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Local authority licensing data press release.png

Pet Industry Federation Publishes Landmark Analysis of Local Authority Animal Licensing Data

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF), has published a new analysis of animal licensing data submitted by local authorities under the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations 2018 (LAIA). These statutory returns, which all local authorities are required to provide, form the most detailed picture available of the licensing landscape across England.

Covering the period between 2023 and 2025, the report highlights clear shifts in the sector. Home boarding and dog daycare continue to show strong growth, while the number of kennels, catteries and licensed pet sales businesses has declined. Licence fees rose by an average of 9% in the past year, with notable increases for dog daycare and steady rises across most categories.

The report also identifies weaknesses in the quality of local authority reporting, with incomplete or inconsistent submissions limiting full comparability. PIF is calling for greater consistency and enforcement to ensure the data can be relied upon by businesses, regulators and policymakers alike and has written to the Government on this.

As the trade association for the UK pet industry, PIF supports its members on licensing and compliance issues, and this report is a valuable tool in helping businesses understand the market and prepare for change. Licensed businesses can also use the report to see how their local authority licence fees compare with other authorities.

The 20-page report provides:
• A three-year comparison of licence numbers across categories
• Analysis of sector trends between 2024 and 2025
• Insight into spurious or missing data from some local authorities
• A breakdown of licence fee trends across England

The report is available free of charge to PIF members as part of their membership benefits and is available from the members’ area of the PIF website. Non-members can purchase the report for £50 plus VAT. Please email info@petfederation.co.uk if you would like to purchase a copy.

Nigel Baker, CEO of PIF, said: “This is the most comprehensive overview of local authority licensing currently available. It provides essential insight into market movements and highlights the need for more consistent reporting to support businesses, regulators and policymakers.”

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PATS Press Release.png

Pet Industry Federation Set for a Busy PATS Birmingham

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) will be out in force at PATS Birmingham, with a programme designed to support pet businesses and bring the industry together.

Across the three days, the PIF team will be available on stand H9 to speak to members and visitors about the ways PIF supports businesses across the pet industry, from business advice, licensing support and information around training; to new initiatives and business-related benefits.

For overseas visitors, PIF will also be providing advice on how to successfully bring products into the UK market, with expert guidance available on regulations, logistics, and market entry.

Meet the Expert Sessions

As part of PIF’s commitment to helping members grow their businesses, visitors will have the chance to speak to a range of expert partners who will be available on the PIF stand at various times throughout the show:

Sunday 28 September

Worldpay

Merchant payment & EPOS made easy. Demo the NEW Worldpay 360 EPOS system. 

11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm

Nobull

Marketing know-how for pet businesses

11am–1pm & 3pm–5pm

Monday 29 September

Worldpay

11am–1pm & 3pm–5pm

 

Nobull

11am–1pm & 3pm–5pm

Buyerdock

Digital Product Passports and packaging compliance

12pm-1pm & 3pm-4pm


Rosetta Brands


Online marketplace insights and advice

2pm–4pm

Tuesday 30 September

Worldpay


11am–1pm & 3pm–5pm

Bird & Bird 


Legal advice for pet businesses

10am–12pm

Visitors to the PIF stand at these times will gain valuable insights and practical support for their business. The sessions are open to all pet businesses.

Evening Networking Event – Sunday 28 September, 8pm

PIF is also delighted to be organising an industry evening event on Sunday 28 September at the Flight Club, Temple Street, Birmingham, from 8pm. The evening promises to be a fantastic opportunity to relax, network, and connect with others in the heart of Birmingham. This is an open event and everyone is welcome, but registration is required to attend. Please add your details to this form, so that we can monitor numbers of those who wish to attend:

https://petfederation.wufoo.com/forms/p13js0kt0d45k4j/

With expert talks, one-to-one advice, and a lively evening event, PIF is looking forward to welcoming members and visitors alike at PATS Birmingham.

Find us on stand H9.

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Dibo Press release

DIBO Launches Festive Packaging for Four Best-Selling Free Flow Meals

DIBO is introducing limited edition festive packaging for four of its best-selling free flow raw dog meals, available exclusively to the independent trade this Christmas. The seasonal designs are intended to increase in-store appeal and help retailers meet rising demand from dog owners who want to treat their pets over the festive period.

With a background in the butcher’s trade and expertise in premium raw feeding, DIBO produces raw recipes using carefully selected ingredients in a convenient free flow format. The following meals will appear in Christmas packaging in the coming weeks, with their recipes remaining unchanged:

  • 3 Bird Roast (chicken, turkey and duck with blueberries and sweet potato) – supports digestion and immunity

  • Goose, Lamb and Offal – hearty proteins that are suitable for sensitive digestion

  • Turkey Mix – a festive classic for Christmas Day

  • Venison, Salmon and Offal – lean, energy boosting and rich in essential fatty acids

Seasonal point of sale materials will also be available to support in-store sales.

Retailers can view the festive range at PATS 2025, stand G50 / H49, where DIBO will be exhibiting for the first time. The Nutriment Company team will be on hand to provide advice and support across all their brands, including DIBO, in the run up to the Christmas sales season.

Following a rebrand earlier this year, the new packaging reflects DIBO’s focus on quality, trust and value, while aiming to make natural feeding simple, accessible and enjoyable for every dog.

For more information about DIBO products, freezer deals and point of sale materials, contact info@dibodog.com.

Not a PIF member yet? Join the Pet Industry Federation to connect with industry partners and access member benefits.

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Rabbit Press Release 2025

More UK Rabbit rescues closing as the number of abandoned pets increases

Almost half (278) of the UK rabbit rescue centres contacted by the Rabbit Awareness Association & Fund (RWAF) are closing, or have already closed this Summer as result of lack of financial support, staff emotional burn out and poor health. Yet the number of abandoned and unwanted rabbits continues to increase with remaining rescues struggling to cope.

As we head towards autumn, it will be a particularly challenging time for these remaining overburdened rescues. It’s a time of the year when a significant number of people give up the pets that they bought over the summer. Sadly, once the temperature drops and rabbit care becomes more arduous, the novelty of first-time rabbit ownership can quickly fade. It’s a scenario that is sadly all too common.

Today the average cost for caring for just one rabbit in rescue is around £1.4K a year** and the cost of prepping a pair of rabbits for rehoming – which can include neutering and treating medical conditions – is between £200-£400. Of the rescue rabbits who are adopted, most will wait up to 12 months for their new home.

A NEW survey by the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) has identified the most common reasons for surrendering pet rabbits are:

• Lack of time
• Financial problems
• Children have lost interest
• Change in circumstances

“The situation is becoming more and more challenging as more rescues find themselves under increasing pressure”, says Lea Facey, Rescue Centre Manager at The Rabbit Residence in Henlow, Bedfordshire. “We have up to 100 rabbits at our centre at any one time and would take more if we could. With so many rescues closing and still no proper legislation to control the breeding of rabbits***, I’m not sure how we are going to be able to ensure the safety and wellbeing of so many unwanted and abandoned pets.”

How can people help?

“Our key message is a very urgent one and it’s to any prospective rabbit owner is please don’t rush into it and please do your research first”, says Rae Walters, CEO at the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund. “Rabbits are intelligent, sentient creatures with quite complex welfare needs that are so often overlooked.

“Contrary to the long-held stereotype, they are definitely not an ideal ‘first pet’ for children. The proof is in the alarming rescue numbers, which reflect how thousands are abandoned year-on-year, once the novelty wears off and the challenges of rabbit guardianship kick in.”

“We must reach the point where it becomes socially unacceptable to buy rabbits for young children only to rehome them soon after. Meantime, we’re asking anyone looking to get rabbits to please adopt, don’t shop.”

*Neutered rabbits should always be housed in pairs or groups. The Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits can be found here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rabbit-CoP-July-2023-final.pdf.

For details of what a suitable environment for rabbits to live in see the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits  http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/codes-of-practice/

** Figures provided by The Rabbit Residence https://rabbitresidence.org.uk/

*** For more information on the RWAF Breeding Amnesty campaign: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/breedingamnesty/

For more information on the RWAF survey or to arrange an interview, contact RWAF@nobullagency.co.uk

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