Press Releases - Pet News from Burns

Displayed below are the most recent press releases that have gone out from Burns Pet Nutrition, together with dog news, cat and pet news items of interest. If you would like further information then please contact us by email or phone

November 2007

Tony Nevett and his Reading Assistance Dog

Tony Nevett has a retired greyhound called SCOTTS a pat dog/blue cross education dog. Scotts is Britain’s first reading education assistance dog. He goes to schools, libraries and to home education facilities, where children sit and read to him. This works well as he doesn’t judge or criticise.

Scotts is in the final of the kennel club super dog of the year 2007 competition.

Scotts and Tony will be visiting us at the stand at Discover Dogs on the 10th of November. If you go to the BBC news website search for “greyhound” there is report on Scotts.

Finally and most importantly, Scotts is now exclusively fed on Burns.

What is R.E.A.D.®?
The Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog.

But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.

Participating kids make enormous strides in reading and communication skills while, along the way, building self-esteem, confidence, and social skills.

September 2007

Burns win award at GLEE

At the recent GLEE trade show at the NEC in Birmingham, Burns Pet Nutrition received an award from the PPRA (Pet Product Retail Association) for Best New Product for the Burns Training Treats, voted for by trade members of the organisation. Training Treats are a 100% fish based treat which is ideal as a reward whilst training your dog. The fish used comes from managed Icelandic fish stocks, which is an important consideration for many consumers worried about declining species and over-fishing

September 2007

Ministerial Visit to Burns

On 3rd of September 2007 Huw Irranca-Davies, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, visited Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd in Kidwelly as part of a fact finding tour of Welsh businesses.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "I was greatly impressed with all I saw on my recent visit to Burns Pet Foods in Kidwelly. This family-run firm's pioneering approach to natural holistic pet foods has created a thriving business employing 60 staff from the Town and neighbouring communities. I wish owners John and Tegwen Burns best wishes with their new ventures, including the introduction of a new moist petfood range, and future expansion plans. I am sure the business will continue to grow from strength to strength."

Burns began producing holistic, natural pet food 15 years ago and has enjoyed a steady rate of growth ever since. The company supply Burns Real Food for Dogs, Cats and Rabbits to independent retailers throughout the UK as well as exporting to ten other countries.

August 2007

Burns Pet Nutrition on the ball!

On August 24th 2007, Londoners noticed a most peculiar sight on the Thames. The top deck of the MV Erasmus, a Thames river cruiser, was transformed into a floating football pitch, complete with lines, corner flags, goals and most importantly, with players!

The cruiser then travelled up and down the Thames from Putney Bridge to the Thames barrier while the first football tournament on the Thames was held on board!

Eight teams took part, including one from Burns Pet Nutrition, who did really well in reaching the semi-finals. Alongside Willie Donachie, manager of Millwall FC, and a team of masters, they were competing for - what else? - the River Plate. The players had to work hard to concentrate on their football as the boat passed landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, London Eye and Canary Wharf.

The event was organised by © Top Corner Events to help draw attention to the grave lack of sports facilities in central London and to publicise The Top Corner Fund, a new charitable fund administered by the Capital Community Foundation. Its aim is to support existing or help to establish new accessible and fun grassroots sports competitions for children in London. To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/TopCornerFund

August 2007

At GLEE/Pet Index (the industry trade show at the NEC) next month Burns Pet Nutrition will be telling pet retailers the good news that there really are viable alternatives to many of the prescription foods currently on the market. Come along to the Burns stand at 6-8L37 and pick up a leaflet which sets out which Burns products can be used instead of veterinary-only diets.

John Burns BVMS MRCVS developed the Burns Real Food range fourteen years ago based upon his extensive experience as a practicing veterinary surgeon. Concerned at the quality of ingredients used in many commercial pet foods and the effect that this was having on the general health and well-being of dogs and cats, John insisted that no colours, flavourings or artificial preservatives should be used in his food. Time has shown this approach to be the right one, as consumer preference has switched to a more health-based approach to pet nutrition.

August 2007

The 5th Fenix Carriage Dog Trials, held at Starnhill Farm in Nottinghamshire on 14th July, attracted a record number of entrants with 18 Dalmatians travelling from all over the UK to Nottingham to compete for a working title.

The purpose of the Trials is to provide a modern competition through which to demonstrate the Dalmatian dog's traditional role as a companion to horses and carriages in past times. It is both an endurance and obedience event and all competitors must do a basic obedience test with their dog, from horse or carriage, as part of the trial. Burns are pleased to support these working trials and are even more pleased to announce that two top winners this year are fed on Burns.

Domino, a five year old bitch owned and handled by Ali Rummey of Sussex, became Road Dog Champion after winning the Silver Road Dog Class. Domino has worked her way up to this title after competing most years with Ali’s daughter Charlie, who was our first junior Road Dog competitor. Domino unfortunately failed to achieve her Bronze Road Dog qualification at her first ever trials, although she was in good company, as a number of dogs failed to reach the required standard that year. This year she did an exemplary obedience round to take top points.

This year’s Trials presented a tough challenge for the carriage entrants, as the already waterlogged course on Chris and Maria Lamin’s farm had been further saturated by constant rain in the preceding 36 hours, making it very boggy and hard going for the horses.

My Darcy, a rescue dog owned and handled by Maggie Gallop of Essex won the coveted Best Condition Dog award after qualifying in the Silver Carriage Dog class. This award is judged by the canine vet and all competitors aspire to win it. Mr Darcy was awarded the Truett Memorial Trophy, donated by British Driving Society judge Joy Claxton and named after the Dalmatian that used to follow her carriage (who was himself named after a famous coach builder).

Mr Darcy and Domino are both fed on Burns complete food.

In May the first regional trials were held at Skipton in Yorkshire. Here a young Dalmatian called Freya became the youngest dog to qualify, taking third position in the Bronze Carriage Dog class. Freya, owned and handled by Anna Gambles of Kent, follows in her Mum Munin’s footsteps, as Munin has competed in both Road and Carriage disciplines. Freya is fed on the new Burns mixer.

Further details of the event and photographs may be found on the website www.carriagedog.org.

July 2007

John & Tegwen Burns at Westminster

John and Tegwen Burns, directors of Burns Pet Nutrition in Kidwelly in West Wales recently attended a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons hosted by Colin Challen MP (Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group). They were guests of the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) which is sponsored by Burns Pet Nutrition.

CAT was presenting "zerocarbonbritain - an alternative energy strategy" a programme designed to help Britain meet the challenge of climate change. The twenty year strategy sets out how Britain can move from a reliance on fossil fuels to a system based entirely on completely renewable power generation. The proposals include all aspects of our lives including homes, industry, travel, and building.
The country received a timely reminder of the need to tackle global warming in the shape of the floods which devastated much of the country in recent weeks. The Government has a stated aim of sourcing from renewable sources but at the present rate targets are unlikely to be achieved. Britain currently produces about 4% of its energy needs from renewables compared to 12% in Germany.

During the visit Mr and Mrs Burns met Nia Griffiths MP who is PPS (Parliamentary Private Secretary) to Phil Woolas MP Minister of State in Defra (Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs).

Burns Pet Nutrition as a company is dedicated to sustainable living. The company recently achieved the Green Dragon Environmental Standard Level 2 for its achievements in reducing its environmental impact.

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July 2007

JUMPING JACK MAKES A SPLASH

This month a rather unusual athlete will be travelling to America to become the first to represent Great Britain in his chosen sport.

Jack, a black Flatcoat Retriever owned by Penny Draper from Lincoln, has been invited to take part in the Dock Dogs World Championship in Wisconsin, USA.

Dock Dogs challenges the dog to dash along a purpose built 40ft runway and jump headlong into a long portable swimming pool. Quite simply the dog who makes the longest jump wins. No coercion or force is allowed and the emphasis is on the dog having fun.

The sport is making a real splash in the UK and this year the first official UK branch of Dock Dogs has been formed. Known as “Jetty Dogs” and based in the Midlands, the club hopes to promote the sport throughout the UK. As they say “It is a highly accessible sport - anyone with a dog and a ball can participate and everyone enjoys it. It is not necessary to have an expensive pedigree champion or spend loads of time training and it is easy for everyone to understand. Adults appreciate the athleticism of the dogs and the sheer enjoyment they exhibit whilst children just love the splashing and the chance to get wet!”

Jack has been British champion for the last 3 years and has a personal best jump of 21 feet. He will be the first European competitor to take part in the World Championships and is appearing by special invitation.

Jack’s owner, Penny, says “I put his superb condition, stamina and explosive power down to good food and careful conditioning before the event. Jack is fed exclusively on Burns Pet Nutrition’s Real Food for Dogs.” To ensure that Jack stays at his best whilst in America, Burns has arranged to fly over his favorite food and treats so they are waiting for him on his arrival.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information on Jetty Dogs please contact www.eastmidlandsjettydogs.co.uk

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July 2007

The following appeared in the Daily Mail on 10th July

John Burns has responded to the views expressed (which may or may not be printed by the Daily Mail)

From: "John Burns"
To: <letters@dailymail.co.uk>
Sent: 10 July 2007 21:13
Subject: Vets and pet food
As a vet turned pet food manufacturer I would like to correct some of the misleading comments made by your correspondent, Fiona MacMillan. (July 10).

Not all vets are money grabbing charlatans: most are caring, conscientious professionals with a high regard for the welfare of pets and their owners.

It is true that certain carbohydrates may cause diabetes, but that is primarily simple sugars. There are plenty of petfoods based on complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and oats and these can actually be used to manage diabetes, as in humans. On the other hand, a diet based on raw meat as advocated by Ms MacMillan is inevitably high in fat which can precipitate acute, life-threatening pancreatitis.

Dogs have been domesticated for some 14,000 years (I make that at least 7,000 generations removed from the wild state) and they are now adapted to eating the same food as humans i.e. based on cooked grains. The proof is that the dog has a digestive system which is highly sophisticated and efficient in its ability to digest and absorb complex carbohydrates. The change would have taken place within only two or three generations. In any case, the diet of a wild dog would not be suitable for the lifestyle of a domestic pet.

We certainly have a problem with overweight pets as well as owners. The solution is (1) increase exercise; (2) reduce the quantity of food; (3) select foods which are low in protein and fat but high in unrefined carbohydrate.

Yours faithfully John Burns

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