Pets at Home

Earlier this month we delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging the new government to commit to improving animal welfare standards.   There’s a lot the UK can do to improve legislation so our much-loved pets are protected, and so our veterinary sector can help give the best care possible. We’ve asked the government to: -Table a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to replace the current 60-year-old law with legislation that’s fit for now and the future. -Close animal welfare loopholes to prevent mutilations and extreme breeding. -Review immigration policies for veterinary professionals to support the veterinary workforce.   As a nation of animal lovers, it's vital that our legislation properly supports us all – animals, pet owners, and those in the veterinary sector.   Read more on why this is so important from Samantha Butler-Davies and Hayley Baker from last week’s Vet Times below. #PetsatHome

Take a look at our new concept store in Hull, located on Anlaby Retail Park. We've packed this 7,552sq ft. Pet Care Centre to the brim, offering a comprehensive one-stop destination for all your pet care needs, including: 👩⚕️ State-of-the-art locally-owned veterinary practice offering a range of veterinary healthcare services, including vaccinations, dental care, and all types of surgery, including orthopaedics. 💚 Specialist pet care advisors to provide free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, and pet food consultations. 🖥 Interactive digital screens. 🐹 Pet adoption centre. 🐾 Coat and harness fitting service. 📋 Free weight checks. The hunt is also on in Hessle Foreshore and Humber Bridge Country Park to find one of our five Golden Bones, where lucky "pawticipants" will win a £50 gift voucher to use in-store. #PetsatHome 

Congratulations to Owen Ensor and the team at Meatly on receiving regulatory clearance to sell cultivated meat for pet food in the UK, making it the first in the world to receive such authorisation.   Following our investment in Meatly last year, we are excited to be a part of their journey and are looking forward to being the first retailer to offer their products in our pet care centres.    While it is still early days, we are committed to helping drive change in the industry and finding sustainable alternatives to replace some of the protein used globally in pet food would be a major step forward.   Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e_wJSdzz. #PetsatHome

After months of anticipation, we’ve now reopened our newly renovated Chesterfield Pet Care Centre.   Following the unfortunate closure due to flooding last year, the transformed superstore is back and better than ever. Open seven days a week, it offers a comprehensive one-stop destination for all your pet care needs. The revamped store also features a state-of-the-art veterinary practice and grooming salon.   Store Manager, Anna Cremin, said: “We’re delighted to be reopening the Pets at Home Pet Care Centre in Chesterfield and providing local pet owners with an enhanced store and veterinary practice. Whether you need help with harness fitting, expert grooming services, or just some friendly advice, our passionate team is here.”   Paul Meiring, Practice Owner and Veterinary Surgeon, said: “We can’t wait to welcome back our loyal clients to our new facilities and meet new ones. Being part of this brilliant community is a privilege and we are ready to continue supporting local pet owners and their pets. With our state-of-the-art services and advanced treatment options, we are committed to providing the highest quality veterinary care every day.”   Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gjKkTdyT   #PetsatHome 

Our Pets Foundation has recently welcomed new trustees, Scott White, Lucy Bains, and Callum Wells, with a wealth of valuable experience and a passion for animal welfare.   Congratulations also to Catriona Curtis on her appointment as Vice Chair, reflecting her exceptional leadership and dedication to our business. With this exceptional team, we're excited to make a bigger difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them. #PetsatHome

Our Chief Executive Officer, Lyssa McGowan, recently caught up with the Retail Gazette as part of their ‘Secrets of a Retail CEO’ series. The series aims to get inside the mind of retail’s most senior leaders to find out what makes them tick. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eqKmrfGd #PetsatHome 

Today is National Bring Your Dog to Work Day which, at Pets, is our everyday. Support Office colleagues can bring their dogs to work with them, and we provide a dedicated pet kitchen as well as a secure, purpose-built dog park where dogs can exercise and socialise freely without any risk.   We know that having our dogs with us also has a positive effect on the office atmosphere and the well-being of our colleagues, so thank you to our furry friends for making us smile everyday.   #PetsatHome

On Tuesday, our Chief Consumer Officer, Kathryn Imrie, represented Pets in a panel discussion - 'The Human Side of Retail Leadership: A Sounding Board for Success' - at the 'Aces of Industry' event in London hosted by Retail Gazette. The event encouraged an honest and authentic discussion on meaningful strategies and learnings to help with leadership decisions, fostering balance, and navigating effectively through new challenges. The panel also shared insights into their roles and daily leadership responsibilities, as well as offering candid accounts of their career journeys. Kathryn said: "I was thrilled to participate in such an insightful discussion and share my experiences and learnings for overcoming challenges. I hope that the conversation brought valuable insights to the audience, as I certainty took away a couple of personal reflections and learnings from others that will help me to continue to think about leadership holistically and show up as my authentic self." #PetsatHome

Last week, we published our Annual Report & Accounts for 2024.   2024 has been a foundational year for our strategy, landing key elements that will form the platform for future growth. Our annual report provides a comprehensive review of our financial performance, strategic progress, governance, and sustainability highlights.   Over the last year, we’ve launched our new Pets brand, created a digital platform for consumers, opened a state-of-the-art distribution center, and improved and expanded our physical estate. We recorded 7% growth in consumer revenue to £1.9bn and grew our consumer base to 7.8 million active Pets Club members.   To find out more, visit: https://lnkd.in/epZJRbGd #PetsatHome

We want to wish our good friends at the RSPCA a very happy 200th birthday today!   As partners, we have been working tirelessly together to promote responsible pet ownership by providing pet care advice and raising essential funds.    Through the help of over 1.3 million members of our Pets Club - who have chosen to support the charity - RSPCA centres and branches throughout the UK have received more than £2.5 million in lifelines to help support animal welfare.   Additionally, our Pets Foundation has contributed over £2.4 million in grants to numerous independent branches and national projects, assisting in the improvement of the lives of countless animals.   We would like to thank our colleagues and customers for their generous donations and support throughout the years. Together, we've made a significant difference in enriching the lives of thousands of animals who are under the care of the RSPCA. #PetsatHome