EDITOR’S LETTER | PET GAZETTE | 3
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
EDITOR’S LETTER
With online retail seemingly going from strength to strength
and a change in weather bringing hope for an increase in
sales, the pet retail sector defi nitely has something to look
forward to over the coming months.
This means it is the optimum time to ensure your retail
staff are at their best and trained up to present products
and services in the most effective way. Nicola Ravensford of
Ravensford Consultancy gives her tips on how to make sure
your employees are working to benefi t your company. Read
more on page 31.
For those in the veterinary world, the warmer weather might
also signify a need to update your practice to make sure it is
comfortable and welcoming. Dr Amanda Nicholls shares her
advice on page 34.
The past month has seen new and important research
results in the pet world, including the RVC’s discovery of
Rottweiler’s predisposition to osteoarthritis and the BVA’s
defi nitive declaration that dogs cannot suffer from autism.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Shekina
Shekina Tuahene,, Editorial Assistant
May 2018