PET GAZETTE |
Meet the experts contributing
to this month’s issue
Nigel Baker is chief executive of
the Pet Industry Federation (PIF).
He joined the PIF in 2012 and has
more than 30 years’ experience in
the pet trade. Nigel has considerable
commercial experience from
the senior positions he has
held in pet food manufacturing
and supplier companies.
John Courteney-Smith MRSB is the
bird and reptile manager for Arcadia
Products and a full member of the
Royal Society of Biology. He believes
that we still have much to learn
from the wild and has a passionate
dedication to ever increasing
animal welfare. His aim is to start
a “revolution in exotic pet care”.
Caroline Offord has worked in the
RSPB Communications Department
for over ten years and has spent her
working life in the conservation/
environmental sector. She enjoys
being outside in nature and since
becoming a mum to two boys is
passionate about getting them
outdoors to enjoy and experience
wildlife and the natural world.
Nicole Paley is the communications
manager at the PFMA and has worked
in the pet food industry for over ten
years. Liaising with the PFMA’s team
of industry and veterinary nutrition
experts, Nicole writes on a range
of subjects from pet nutrition to
industry trends and developments.
www.petgazette.biz
3
EDITOR’S LETTER
In July, Stanley, a chihuahua
puppy, made headlines in the
East Anglian Daily Times. The
adventurous dog disappeared in
a park in Suffolk in April. Around
three months later, he was found
alone in Hertfordshire, 100 miles
away from his original location.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one
who was delighted to hear that
Stanley was reunited with his
family. Despite the social media appeal by his concerned
owners, it was his microchip, which had been scanned
by a vet in St Albans, that led to his return home.
Microchipping for dogs became compulsory in April
2016, but the rule doesn’t apply to other animals. Vet
charity, PDSA’s, most recent PAW report discovered that
around 36 percent of cats remain unchipped. Given that
over 14,500 cats, not to mention thousands of other pets,
are currently listed as missing on The Lost Pet Database
Register this statistic raises concerns. Some organisations
within the pet sector, such as Cats Protection, are
campaigning for the expansion of current regulations, in
the hope that microchipping will help more animals to be
reunited with their owners. On page 14 Pet Gazette asks
people from around the industry to share their views.
Now that autumn is just around the corner, this month’s
magazine will also be focusing on the festive season. In
retail terms it’s never too early to prepare for Christmas
and the year’s biggest shopping period. On page 18 our
retail expert explains why planning ahead is the best way
to get those till bells ringing. We also reveal some winter
holiday-themed products to tempt customers into store.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
August 2017