VET CELEBRITY, DAVID GRANT OPENS LOCAL ANIMAL CARE UNIT, SPONSORED BY SUPREME

Leading petfood manufacturer, Supreme Petfoods, sponsors of a new on-site retail training facility for students of animal care at Merrist Wood College, celebrated the official opening of the animal care unit last week (29 September,2000).

David Grant, (MBE BvetMed FRCVS) from BBC's Animal Hospital programme, officially opened the recently upgraded small animal care unit, which will provide an opportunity for over 200 college students from the Surrey area to experience a realistic working environment as part of their animal care studies.

Supreme has also agreed to undertake some of their feeding trial research at the college, so that students can apply the theoretical and practical skills they have learnt to a commercial setting.

Ann Tension, from Hampshire-based Supreme Petfoods, explained: "Supreme is committed to promoting the well-being of small animals and encouraging responsible pet ownership. By linking up with an educational establishment such as Merrist Wood College, we can combine the natural need to promote our products with raising awareness of pet care issues and further research into small animal needs."

Paul Bryant, senior course team leader in animal care, added: "At Merrist Wood College, we are looking forward to a positive and fruitful partnership with Supreme, which is sure to lead to both better-prepared students and better-fed pets!"

Students and staff from all areas of the college will be able to make purchases from the new facility's wide range of petfoods, books and associated petcare products.

9 November 2000

BIG TREATS FOR SMALL PETS AT CHRISTMAS

So you've bought presents for your kids, the family dog and Tigger the cat - but don't forget your small furries during the festive season! Supreme Petfoods has a double award-winning range of treats specially created for pet rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and chinchillas - ideal for your small pet's Christmas stocking.

The range of 11 fantastic tasty snacks feature the leading manufacturer's well-known brand characters (Russel Rabbit, Gerty Guinea Pig, Harry Hamster, Reggie Rat and Charlie Chinchilla) in bright, eye-catching packaging - making them fun gifts for children to give the family pets.

They include Russel Carrot & Leek Cookie Treats, Gerty Nibble & Squeak Treats, Russel Carrot Cruncher Treats, Harry Yippee Treats, Root 'n' Fruit bars, Rat 'a' Chewy Treats Popcorn, Wild Fruit & Nut, and Banana & Honey Stickle Treats, Charlie Cracker Treats and Gerty Herbie Treats.

The Treats have already won one international and one national pet industry award this year and are great value (ranging from �1.49 - �1.89).

Sara Cowen, pet care and nutrition coordinator at Supreme, said: "Small pets can often be overlooked at Christmas - particularly when they are stuck at the bottom of the garden in their hutches. A small treat, coupled with lots of love and attention, is the perfect present to ensure your pet enjoys Christmas as much as you this year!"

24 August, 2000

GIANT SUPREME PETFOODS GUINEA PIG DESCENDS ON HOME OF BIG BROTHER GUINEA PIGS!

National manufacturer, Supreme Petfoods, which supplies the food for the 'Little Brother' guinea pigs from channel 4's live documentary 'Big Brother' programme, arranged for its giant-sized Gerty Guinea Pig character to visit Hackney City Farm which supplies the guinea pigs to the to the show. Gerty gave out balloons, masks and goodie bags to local children visiting the farm.

Sabrina Stroud, marketing manager from Supreme Petfoods, explained: "We are delighted to be able to donate food to the 'Little Brother' guinea pigs which have been provided by the charity, Hackney City Farm. It was great to see the children's faces when giant-sized Gerty arrived. The children will hopefully have plenty to tell their classmates as they return to school next week!"

As the leading manufacturer of small animal pet foods, Supreme Petfoods is committed to promoting the well-being of small animals and we wholeheartedly support the charity. The volunteers devote their time and energy to maintain the valuable resource which seeks to involve local people from a culturally diverse inner-city community, and we are extremely supportive of their efforts."

Janina Holubecki, education worker and community farmer, at Hackney City Farm, said: "Since the charity was established in 1984, many people and organisations have helped raise thousands of pounds through donations. With support from companies like Supreme, our aim to build on the farm's educational resource and provide hands-on learning for the local community, is becoming a greater possibility each day."

25 October 2000

REMEMBER, REMEMBER…
YOUR RABBIT ON 5TH NOVEMBER!

To most people, 5th November signifies a fun evening full of loud, dazzling fireworks, but for small pets left in outdoor hutches it can mean an evening of fear.

All too often, people will ensure their dogs and cats are safely indoors but forget about their rabbits and guinea pigs, left frightened in their hutches at the end of the garden.

To combat this, Supreme - leading small animal specialists and makers of Russel Rabbit and Gerty Guinea Pig pet foods - is issuing its top tips for a safe Guy Fawkes Night. Sara Cowen, pet care and nutrition coordinator at Supreme advises the following to protect your small pets from the possible shock of noisy fireworks:

1. Ideally, you should move your pets to a calmer environment - maybe a shed, conservatory, back porch or even a garage, as long as it is fume free.

2. If you decide to bring your pets indoors on Bonfire Night, make sure you turn down the central heating as they would have started to get their thick winter coats and a sudden change in temperature could cause your pets to become unwell.

If you are unable to move your pets to an alternative home, there are a number of things that you can do to make them comfortable and stress-free. For example:

3. It is a good idea to have a thick polythene flap or tarpaulin over the front of the hutch, ensuring that there is an adequate air supply. This will protect your pets' eyes from sudden bright lights and prevent sparks from entering the hutch. Rabbits and guinea pigs also have a very sensitive sense of smell and a tarpaulin will help reduce the smell of smoke and fireworks.

4. Provide your pets with additional bedding for extra warmth (Russel Bedding is ideal) and sound-proof from the noise of exploding fireworks.

5. You may like to give your pets their favourite treat on Bonfire Night as it may help to keep their mind off things!

6. No matter how cold it gets, make sure you check on your pets twice a day - including 5th November - once in the morning and once in the evening. By regularly petting and playing with them you will help keep your pets calm and you will also be able to check them for signs of illness.

1 November 2000

LOCAL PET SPECIALIST WINS A TRIO OF TOP ACCOLADES

Waterlooville-based small animal feed manufacturer, Supreme Petfoods, has won a top national industry award voted by retailers - 'Best Small Animal Product' from UK magazine Pet Product Marketing - for its Reggie Rat pet food, completing a hat trick of recent industry accolades.

The first award, also for Best Small Animal Product, came in April from Pet Business World News, for the company's small animal treats range. More recently, American magazine, Pet Product News, acknowledged the range of treats with an international industry award in September.

In addition to this latest award, Supreme's 'centre of excellence' store Scampers was awarded Best Pet Retailer by Pet Product Marketing. Scampers was the pet shop in the UK to be named the 'centre of excellence' by Supreme Petfoods for its commitment to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

The award-winning Reggie Rat is a complete nutritional food for pet rats. It contains chicken as a low fat, tasty source of protein with alfalfa and lots of other tasty and nutritious ingredients. The combination is proven to encourage superior coat conditions, as it doesn't contain nuts or seeds which can lead to skin and spot problems.

Nigel Baker, Supreme's managing director explained: "We're delighted to have achieved this award for our Reggie Rat pet food, especially after the two prestigious awards we received earlier this year for our range of small animal treats. We're also extremely pleased to see that our first-ever 'centre of excellence' store, Scampers', has been recognised for its commitment to responsible pet ownership.

"As the UK's leading manufacturer of small animal food, bedding and treats, we are committed to promoting the well-being of small animals by developing products that are healthy for small animals as well as being a pleasure for the owner to give their pet. I believe this is reflected in the awards we have received this year."

To read other news stories, click on the titles below:

1st August 2000 - Y2 Caring

2nd July 2000 - Rabbiting On...

12th June 2000 - Poisonous Plants for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

5th June 2000 - Home Help now Lemon Fresh

12th May 2000 - Hibernating Hamsters

12th April 2000 - Bag it up!

14th March 2000 - Supreme Rewards Retailers with 'Spring Clean' Promotion

1st March 2000 - Spring Cleaning for your easter bunnies

20th December 1999 - Children's Ward Gets A Visit From Santa 'Claws'!

15th December 1999 - Festive Furries

11th October 1999 - Minimising the Risk! - Ban the Bean

24th May 1999 - New Treats Range

13th May 1999 - Supreme's Small Furry Friends at The Pets Pets Pets Show