Thousands descend on major pet show in Telford
Thousands of pet lovers from all over the world descended on Telford as a major annual pet show made its return to the borough.
PATS, the UK's largest pet trade show returned to the International Centre for a second year, bringing with it hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the best new products for furry friends.
With everything from food and beds to a doggy beer, businesses from across the country came to either show-off their latest products or as visitors looking to stock and buy the best new items.
Earlier this year, Woof and Brew launched its first non-alcoholic beer for dogs, called Bottle Sniffer.
The company launched three years ago selling herbal teas for dogs and now offers tonics, the beers and tea and biscuit gift sets.
Sales manager Steve Tearle said they have had a great response at the show.
He said: "Draught ales are very popular so we wanted to do something the same, they've all got funny names which is where Bottle Sniffer came from.
"People are going mad for it. The show has been really good so far, it is very busy, I think because we're offering something different and new."
The show's largest exhibitor was Beco, a British-based eco-friendly producer making everything from dog food to bowls, and exporting degradable poo bags from the UK to over 44 countries.
Founder Toby Massey said they were using the Telford show to launch their latest product, eco-concious food for dogs, with locally sourced ingredients and fresh meat and Marine Stewardship Council certified fish.
Jouko Nykänen had brought his business Sunproof to Telford from Somerset.
He was showcasing a new range of rain coats for dogs made by Rukka, a Finnish company who specialise in motorcycle jackets but have now branched out into pet wear.
Best in Show brand manager Caroline Cleary was at the show displaying her range of luxury pet treats, including advent calendars for pooches.
She said: "It is a nice, friendly show, people are lovely and it is a really nice environment."
Laura Redstone and sister Emily Butcher were showing their For All Dogkind grooming products along with pet dog Bettie.
They only launched in March but said shows like PATS were already helping them to spread the word about their business.
Laura said: "It is great for us to meet people who are already using our products."
For Marriages Specialist Food owner Sam Marriage, the PATS show was somewhat of a homecoming.
He went to university at Newport's Harper Adams University and said he used the knowledge he got their to help develop and expand his family company's range of bird feed.
The show began yesterday and remains in Telford today, also offering a range of talks to guests.
