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International engagement Pet Quip, a division of the Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers, is urging British suppliers of pet products to make export sales a top priority in 2009, following the rapid decline in sterling on international markets in recent weeks. In the pet sector, Pet Quip will be organising a British exhibitor group at Zoomark in Bologna (7-10 May) for which UKTI cash grants will be available to eligible companies, and a British information stand at the Backer Christmas Trade Show in Chicago (2-4 October). Other international shows in the federation’s programme are the National Hardware Show with Lawn & Garden World (Las Vegas, 5-7 May) and Spoga+Gafa (Cologne, 6-8 September). Three “Meet the Buyer” events are also planned. Many British companies attending previous events have secured valuable export orders as a direct result. The first of these events, all of which are organised so that suppliers can meet international buyers on a one-to-one basis, is to be held in the Midlands on 31 March. The second event, targeting Ireland, is planned for 23-24 June and the third will take place on 4 November. Peta attacks PetSmart According to press reports, the radical animal rights organisation Peta has called on the leading American speciality retail chain PetSmart to stop the sale of live animals in its stores. Undercover investigations in Connecticut und Texas had revealed that the store’s animal care is below standard. Peta says it owns 151 shares of PetSmart stock. According to media reports, PetSmart officials said independent investigations failed to validate Peta’s claims and added that they would not be changing their business model. The chain also pointed out that there are 1 000 pet adoptions per day nationally. Scruffs has a new Internet site The British luxury pet products supplier Scruffs has recently launched a new Internet site, able to service both consumer and trade customers. As the company stresses, there is no minimum order value for trade customers. Founded in 2005, Scruffs says it has one of the most comprehensive catalogues of pet bedding and accessories in the UK. All Internet orders are dispatched from the company’s Manchester-based storage depot with a storage capacity exceeding 100 000 sq ft (9 290 m²). www.petslovescruffs.com
PetSmart recalls dog biscuits The American chain PetSmart has recalled seven dog biscuit varieties under the “Great Choice” brand as a precaution. The products…