12 | PET GAZETTE | TRADE TALK
FOOD
RAW FOOD COMPANY LAUNCHES NEW ‘ TRACK AND TRACE ’ SERVICE
Natures Menu has launched its own brand new Track and Trace service for online deliveries .
Available to both consumers and trade customers , the service gives users the ability to track the product via their computer or mobile device , as soon as the order is placed . Once the order is on its way via one of Natures Menu ’ s own fleet of freezer vans from one of four local depots across the country , the customer will be able to see their allocated delivery slot , the name of their delivery driver and any important updates on their order .
Craig Taylor , managing director of Natures Menu said : “ Following feedback from both customers and retailers , being able to track and trace when their delivery will be arriving is something that they value hugely . The service has been introduced as part of Natures Menu ’ s overall control and traceability within its full supply chain – from the field to the pet ’ s bowl !
“ Customer service is of utmost importance to us , as reflected through our recent Feefo Gold Award , and this is just another addition to ensure a convenient and good value offering for our customers .”
The service is live and will be available on all orders made through the main website for consumers and the Natures Menu trade area for trade customers and retailers .
CHARITY
78 PERCENT OF CATS HELPED BY CHARITY WERE NOT MICROCHIPPED
4,517 cats helped by the Blue Cross were found to not be microchipped , in the last year .
Out of the 5,760 cats that were admitted into the charity ’ s rehoming centres and hospitals across the country , between May 2016 and May 2017 , 78 percent were not microchipped or had needed to be microchipped by Blue Cross .
Many of the cats brought in to Blue Cross are believed to be stray ; although sometimes in a good , healthy condition meaning they ’ re likely to be a family pet who has gone for a wander .
Caroline Reay , clinical lead , Blue Cross said : “ Particularly in the summer months , with cats going out for longer and wandering further , there is a higher risk of straying and of accidents .
“ This is why it ’ s so important to microchip your cat ; even if the cat is an indoor cat as there is still risk of them escaping – in fact , indoor cats are more at risk of getting lost if they do escape . So please , be safe and chip your cats .”
Sometimes un-microchipped stray cats are pets who after a week of being kept at a rehoming centre end up needing to be rehomed as there is no way of contacting the original owners .
Microchipping and keeping the chip details up-to-date gives owners the best chance of a being reunited with their missing feline friend .
ECONOMY
PET OWNERSHIP ADDS € 35.5BN TO EUROPE ’ S ECONOMY
The popularity of cats , dogs , ornamental birds and small mammals remains high in Europe . The announcement follows the presentation of new facts and figures by the European Pet Food Industry Federation .
Around 80 million households in Europe owned at least one pet animal , according to statistics presented at FEDIAF ’ s annual general meeting . “ We have seen the popularity of most pets increase in European households ,” FEDIAF president Marinus Pannevis said . “ Pets , in particular dogs and cats , are more and more an important part of Europeans ’ lives .”
The number of dogs in the EU now stands at over 68 million ; the number of cats is above 74 million . Increasingly small animals are appreciated by owners : 40 billion ornamental birds , 20 million small mammals and millions of fish in 9.6 million aquaria are cared for in the EU ( which means in excess of 200 million ornamental fish ).
Pet ownership has been shown to lead to direct and indirect employment : “ Our sector provides approximate 100,000 direct jobs in the industry – but indirect employment means an estimated 900,000 jobs in related sectors ,” Marinus Pannevis said .
This estimation is based on approximately 200,000 veterinarians in Europe , an estimated 60,000 pet specialist stores , suppliers to the pet food industry , the pet accessories industry , trade shows , pet press , breeders , animal welfare organisations and transport .
Pets in Europe , their food and related products and services ( veterinarians , pet shops , breeders , accessories , grooming , medicines and other
connected areas ), were found to contribute significantly to the European economy . The pet food industry reached € 19.5 billion turnover in 2016 , the related products and services another € 16 billion , creating a combined turnover of € 35.5 billion .
www . petgazette . biz July 2017