General News 1 8 PET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com RSPCA Welcomes Withdrawal of a Pet Cloning Service The RSPCA welcomed the news that BioArts International had withdrawn its pet cloning service but is extremely dismayed that such a service was ever offered in the fi rst place. The six reasons given by the BioArts CEO, Lou Hawthorne, for stopping their cloning service were for the very animal welfare and ethical concerns that the RSPCA highlighted at the outset. RSPCA Senior Scientifi c Offi cer Dr Nikki Osborne says: " What is so frustrating is that it has taken BioArts over fi ve years to confi rm what the RSPCA has been saying all along. Namely, that the cloning process is ineffi cient, it can cause animals to experience pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm and that there is little public support for this kind of work. At one time, BioArts even offered their service for free, but still, the public showed no signifi cant interest". " The fact that animals can be cloned does not mean that they should be. The question now is what more will it take for governments around the world to take action to ban the cloning of companion and livestock animals for commercial purposes?" ¦ Pet aisles have checked- out the Meer- Craze this Christmas.... literally.... The super cute and cuddly Meerkat dog toy has proved such a success that Good Boy have sold out! 22,500 Meerkats have fl own out in a matter of weeks, but don't worry - another order has been placed for January 2010. Once these popular toys land in January, with every 8 cases ordered, Good Boy will give each retailer a free Meerkat Dumpbin. This little guy even has his very own website www. checkoutthemeerkat. com with all the stockists' information and also a Facebook fan page to keep up to date with all the news. ¦ Pooch & Mutt launch new concentrate range with national distribution through Pets at Home. Pooch & Mutt recently announced the launch of their new concentrated range. The concentrates are the product of a year's long, hard work and research. The new concentrates use the same active ingredients as the existing, successful products; Bionic Biotic for skin, coat, condition and digestion and Mobile Bones for joints, bones and mobility. By changing from pellets to powder Pooch & Mutt has been able to take out some of the inactive ingredients, making the products more concentrated and smaller. Being smaller gives 2 main advantages - price: The concentrates costs less to make, store and transport - these savings are passed on the customer. The new concentrates are just £ 9.99 per pack, which lasts an average dog 1 month. Size: They take up less shelf space ( and can be displayed on hooks) - a great benefi t to stockists. There are fewer emissions in the production and transportation - a good environmental benefi t. Guy Blaskey, Director of Pooch & Mutt says, " The concentrates will help dogs in the same way as the existing products, with the same benefi ts from the same active ingredients. We hope that the lower cost and ease of use will mean that even more dogs get to benefi t from the Pooch & Mutt products." ¦

General News www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009 19 For more information: www. tetra. net More people keep goldfi sh than any other type of fi sh, but their needs are very different to other customers. Because they tend to be less involved, they need simplicity, ease of use, and highly effective products. It is for these reasons TetraFin has been relaunched as Tetra Goldfi sh. With clear labelling, the features and benefi ts of Tetra Goldfi sh couldn't be clearer for the consumer, and ease of recognition for repeat purchases is increased. Tetra Goldfi sh comes with the highest quality guaranteed. Also, Tetra Goldfi sh foods and care products now benefi t from improved formulas for cleaner, clearer water and healthier fi sh. Tetra is supporting the relaunch in- store with a range of attention grabbing Point- of- Sale to promote the complete Tetra Goldfi sh range of products and help you increase sales and profi ts. For more information call your Tetra sales representative or 02380 60 60 70. TetraFin is now Tetra