The awards
Pet Rebellion topped the ratings for the Exporter of the Year award. Beco Pets came second. Group 55 and Tasty Bone received an additional award for "highly commended companies".
Beco Pets also took first prize for the Marketing Campaign of the Year, followed by Sureflap in second spot. "Highly commended" plaudits went to the companies Hownd and Pet Food UK.
Sureflap's microchip pet feeder took the award for the Pet Product Innovation of the Year, while the range of natural pet treats manufactured by Pet Munchies came second. Collarways was highly commended in this category for its dog holdall brand Stay Over Rover, as was Nutriment for its natural raw food for smaller, less active dogs.
The award for the International Retailer/Wholesaler-Distributor of the Year was claimed by Danish company Whesco, followed by the Dutch company Eye 4 Pets. The Wags & Whiskers Pet Boutique in Stockton on Tees und The Pet Place inside Bents Garden Centre in Warrington were named as UK Retailer of the Year, with a silver award going to Pets Korner in Stamford. Author, educator and animal welfare advocate Dr Roger Mugford was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Comments on the event
Toby Massey, founder of Beco Pets, commented: "We are really proud of our Beco Poop Bags marketing campaign. It was a big step into the dark giving away a million poop bags, but it's massively satisfying to see it now working so well." And Carl Shepherdson, managing director of Wags & Whiskers Pet Boutique, said: "We have…