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Paws acquires Ocado's Fetch pet brand
Graham Coxell, chairman of Paws Holdings Ltd.

Online firm's customer base will grow to 500,000.

Online cat and dog wellbeing firm Paws Holdings Ltd (Paws) has acquired the online pet food store, fetch.co.uk (Fetch) owned by Ocado Retail.

Paws, which trades in the UK and Europe under the Pet-Supermarket.co.uk, PetMeds.co.uk and Medicanimal.com brands, said the acquisition forms part of its strategy to become 'the number one dog and cat wellbeing business'. 

The acquisition, of which the terms have not been disclosed, will see Paws' customer base grow to 500,000, with a combined pro forma turnover in excess of £55m.

Graham Coxell, chairman of Paws Holdings Ltd, commented: “Given the last year, it has become more obvious than ever the positive role that our pets play in supporting our wellbeing. 

“The UK in particular is known to be a nation of dog and cat lovers, and we know that our customers are looking for a friendly, well-informed online community that will allow them to offer the best nutrition, healthcare and advice they can find.”

Mel Smith, CEO of Ocado Retail Ltd said: “While today’s announcement marks the end of our involvement with Fetch, a part of Ocado since 2014, we are delighted it is joining the PAWS family. We believe they will be the best long-term owner of Fetch and are impressed by the scale of ambition at PAWS as it seeks to scale its business.”

Image (C) Paws Holdings Ltd.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.