The 2024 PetQuip Awards, held during the PATS trade show, brought together 300 industry professionals for an evening of celebration, recognising the innovation and talent in the pet care sector.
With awards across 15 categories, the event saw suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and trade exhibition organisers come together to acknowledge the best in the business.
This year’s awards introduced two new categories, recognising outstanding individuals in the industry. The Rising Star and Employee of the Year categories shone a spotlight on the people behind the success of pet care businesses, marking a new focus on personal contributions within the sector.
Celebrating Rising Stars and Outstanding Employees
The Rising Star award, sponsored by Noble Futures, provided a bursary for personal development, with Clara Hewson from The Muzzle Movement taking home the honour. The Employee of the Year category proved difficult for the judges, leading to joint gold winners. The award was shared by Charmain Cane from We.pet Independent Wholesale and Michelle Williams from Associated Veterinary Services, each recognised for their unique contributions to the industry.
Upon receiving her award, Charmain expressed her joy: “I am over the moon. To hear myself described by my colleagues as ‘the glue that holds the team together’ was very special. I was shocked to be nominated, so you can imagine my delight at winning this award.”
Innovative Marketing Campaigns Rewarded
Another new category introduced this year was Best Marketing Campaign, which saw an impressive level of creativity and innovation from participants. This category also resulted in joint gold winners, with Frozzys receiving recognition for its 10-year anniversary Celebration Pack campaign and Pawsome Pets Boutique awarded for its Disney campaign.
Jackie Kirk, representing Frozzys, expressed her excitement about the award: “The Frozzys team were delighted to pick up the gold award for Best Trade Marketing Campaign. The campaign was developed to mark our 10-year anniversary with the new Limited Edition Celebration Pack. Our small team achieved remarkable success in launching the pack nationwide, demonstrating the power of creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking.”
Recognising Retailers: From the UK to International Markets
The awards also recognised achievements in the retail sector, both in the UK and internationally. Kölle Zoo, which operates 24 stores, won the gold award for International Retailer of the Year. The company was praised for its commitment to animal welfare and husbandry standards, with senior directors attending the event to receive the award.
In the UK, Jollyes took the gold for Multiple Retailer of the Year, while Trusty Pet Supplies was named the top Independent Retailer. Both companies were acknowledged for their dedication to providing high-quality pet care products and services across the country.
The final award of the night, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Celia Hammond. Known initially for her career in fashion, Hammond shifted her focus to animal welfare after becoming aware of the cruelty animals faced. Her work has been instrumental in changing public perceptions about animal welfare in the UK, and she has since dedicated her life to improving the conditions for stray and feral animals.
Looking Ahead: PetQuip Awards 2025 at the NEC
Next year, the PetQuip Awards will move alongside the PATS trade show to the NEC in Birmingham, promising another exciting event for the industry. As the pet care sector continues to evolve, the awards remain a crucial platform for celebrating creativity, innovation, and hard work.
A spokesperson from PetQuip remarked on the success of the 2024 event: “Our whole team was delighted to celebrate so many successes in this innovative industry across product development, marketing, export, skilled team members, and retailers. With a record-breaking attendance this year, we are looking forward to seeing even more of the industry gathering to celebrate and network at the 2025 PetQuip Awards.”
The 2024 PetQuip Awards were supported by sponsors including Leopard Co, Group55, Law Print and Packaging, Interzoo, Zoomark, SUPERZOO, Noble Futures, Petface, Pedigree Wholesale, PBW News, PPM, CIPS, PATS, and James & Steel. The event’s charity partner was Nature’s SAFE.
