Proud to Franchise

Welcome to Proud to Franchise - knowing more about the franchise businesses that you work alongside and buy from every day.
From independent research carried out within a consumer market, results showed that twice as many people would prefer to buy from a franchise business than non franchised business because of the benefits that they provide.

What is Proud to Franchise?

Proud to Franchise allows consumers to better identify suppliers, shops, services and general businesses that are franchised.
As this gives many benefits to the consumer, such as service levels, consistency and value for money, it is important for you to be able to differentiate between the numerous brands out there.
All companies that are part of Proud to Franchise are members of the BFA and will visibly display the Proud to Franchise logo.
In a time when consumers demand to know more about who they are buying from, Proud to Franchise looks to provide you with more information to help you make decisions about purchasing. Whether it is a box of chocolates from a high street retailer, improvements for your home, a professional service for your business, or pet food for your dog; you still want to know that you are buying from the best possible place.
This work is backed by independent research carried out in 2006, which looked into the buying habits of the UK population and showed that the majority of customers prefer to use franchise businesses. The full report can be downloaded by visiting www.proudtofranchise.com
Why buy from a Franchise?
The nature of a franchise creates a best of both worlds situation for the consumer. Its structure of locally owned businesses, run by dedicated, passionate and professional people; supported by a larger network to provide lower costs, higher levels of consistency and security, means that you have a local business with national support.
So buying from a franchise means:

• Local business ownership, pride and expertise
• Determination and commitment from the owner
• Consistency of service
• High quality control
• Security and stability from a robust business
• Increased value for money, through lower purchasing costs

If you are a business customer you also have the added benefit of knowing that you can buy from a business that can weather economic storms better than most; meaning your supply chain is not disrupted.
Here at Trophy we our Proud to Franchise, look out for the logo on our delivery vehicles and soon, on all our bags of food.

The obesity epidemic

The PFMA have issued their white paper on pet obesity. Below you will find the main points discussed in this white paper. Should you want a full copy, including all statistical references; copies of the Pet Size-O-Meter (dog, cat or rabbit) plus diet advice and / or samples of out Lite foods, please contact your local Trophy nutritional advisor or call 01367 240333.

The problem with humans As a nation, we have never been so fat, under exercised, over worked and over fed as we are today. Around two-thirds of the people living in England are overweight or obese. In the last 25 years obesity has soared by almost 400 per cent and, if things continue as they are, being fat will surpass smoking as the greatest cause of premature loss of life. Quite simply, we are facing the worst case of human obesity in our history.

Why is this relevant to the pet population of Great Britain?
Obesity is equally as serious for pets as it is for humans. The links between human obesity and pet obesity are gradually becoming better understood, however the fundamental difference is that obesity in pets is preventable. The solution is simpler and more direct than solving the problem with humans. According to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), pet obesity soared by nine per cent in 2008 alone, meaning that an estimated seven million pets in the UK are overweight - that equates to one in three household pets.

Eric Martlew MP, Chair of the All Party Animal Welfare Group says: “Pet obesity is a serious issue and is a rising epidemic. We are a nation of pet lovers and we should be more aware about how to look after the health of our pets. The statistics are frightening; they suggest that we are killing our pets with kindness. In essence if your pet is obese, it is your fault. Owners must seek advice about how to keep their pets at their healthy best to give them the best possible life.”

Most importantly, the life expectancy of obese dogs and cats is up to two years less than that of pets of optimum weight. As pets become overweight, their metabolism slows down causing feeding and exercising requirements to change. Aside from causing general discomfort and lethargy, excessive weight can also lead to a number of problems, each of which diminishes pets’ quality of life. Fundamentally, obesity detracts from a pet’s ability to play and enjoy a healthy and happy life indoors and out.

Why are our pets obese?
For pets, as for humans, obesity occurs when energy intake exceeds energy output. However, while the cause and effect is simple, the issue is not. Our pets’ natural instincts are towards food intake, wherever and whenever possible, so it is the exclusive responsibility of pet owners to manage their pets’ diet and regulate their calorific intake. Depending on what statistics you read, somewhere between 30-60 per cent of pets in the UK are overweight. In most cases it results from too many human food snacks and treats and not enough exercise. Being overweight is unhealthy for pets and can lead to a shortened life-span, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.

Treating the real issue
Pet owners commonly believe that treating their pet like a member of the family is a good thing. But ‘over-humanising’ your pet can have disastrous and sometime fatal consequences. “Owners don’t intentionally behave badly towards their pets and more often than not are shocked and hurt when you explain the risks associated with their bad feeding and exercise habits. Once owners have digested the news that they have an overweight pet they want to make a positive change. In my experience, most owners actively try to make an effort to change their ways and help their animal lose weight,” says Brigitte Reusch, Lecturer in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery, Edinburgh Vet School.

Research has found that nearly one in five cat and dog owners (18 per cent) regularly feed their pets leftovers8. In addition, when making a choice about how much food to give their dog, cat or rabbit the majority of owners do this on a trial and error basis. Given that pets will often eat whatever food they are given, it is not surprising that pet obesity is increasing. “Over half of the people I see have an inkling that their pet is overweight, but they don’t always make the connection to their diet, often blaming their pet’s weight on lack of exercise as opposed to food intake,” says Brigitte Reusch, Edinburgh Vet School.

Two thirds (70 per cent) of cat and dog owners admitted that the reason their pet needed to lose weight was due to too many human food treats. A lack of exercise was also cited by 70 per cent of cat and dog owners as the cause of their pet’s weight problem. Most revealing from pet owners was their attitude towards managing their pet’s weight. About a third of owners agreed they could be doing a lot more to keep their pet in good shape but a shocking 45 per cent and 52 per cent of dog and cat owners, respectively, claimed that their actions had little impact on their pet’s weight.

Feeding the right diet
Giving prepared foods takes the guesswork out of feeding pets. It is the equivalent to having a personal dietician preparing every meal.

The role of the “treat”
Treating pets with specially formulated pet treats on a daily basis is fine provided this is done as a part of nutritionally balanced diet, and is in proportion and accounted for when giving main meals. Problems arise when pet owners treat their animal with human snacks and treats which can be higher in calories. Research from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association shows that almost half of all owners in the UK admit to treating their dog daily.

The guilt that an owner feels for not spending enough time with a pet or for not giving the pet enough exercise can be quickly conquered by giving human food as rewards or treats. This is an emotive subject and one which is closely linked with the owner’s relationship with food. Many owners fail to seek advice on their pet’s weight because their attitude towards treating their pet is mirrored in their own eating habits.

Walk the walk
Diet is not the only factor in determining pets’ weight. In fact, owners who acknowledge that their pets are overweight blame lack of exercise and over indulgence on treats, as opposed to fundamental problems with their pets’ diets. Ensuring that pets are taking the right amount of exercise for their breed, size and age is crucial. Exercise not only sustains physical health, it also aids emotional wellbeing and fit and healthy pets are more likely to be relaxed and contented pets.

“Whether pets are kept indoors or outdoors there are plenty of ways of encouraging and supporting their exercise regime. Many cases of pet obesity are significantly related to the amount of exercise the animal is getting. Even if people believe their pets to be relatively fit, it is important that they are kept as active as possible for their physical wellbeing,” says Donna Lewis, Vice President, British Veterinary Nursing Association. “Pet owners should seek advice on both the optimum weight for their pet and an appropriate exercise programme to maintain that weight. Exercise is absolutely vital to good health.”

The Pet Health Council has found that pet ownership can have a really positive impact on family fitness. Parents with dogs believe that since the arrival of their four-legged friend their children are less stressed and fitter. One in three dog owners say that they and their family visit their local park more frequently since the arrival of their canine companion and 22 per cent now choose to walk the dog, rather than use their car, as they run errands such as taking their children to school.

Help is at hand
The best solution to the problem of pet obesity is prevention. There are simple steps that all pet owners can take to evaluate their pet’s body condition using the PFMA Pet Size-O-Meter.

Top five tips on managing a pet’s weight
1. Don’t ‘wing it’, read the instructions:

• Feed a nutritionally balanced diet and follow the recommended feeding guidelines
• Feeding guidelines have been carefully formulated but they are a guide and you may need to adjust feeding amounts depending on your pet’s lifestyle
• Start with the recommendations on the bag and then monitor your pet’s weight and body condition and make any necessary adjustments in order to ensure that your pet stays at its ideal weight

• Always be responsible when feeding treats
• Reduce the size of meals accordingly
• Treats should be kept to a minimum so as not to disturb the nutritional balance of the pet food
• Human foods should be avoided as they can be highly calorific and unsuitable

• Be aware of how much you are feeding your pet as a family
• Run a rota system to keep an eye on portions and ensure treats are not doubled up

• Check your pet’s weight and body condition
• Ask your vet for advice if you are unsure of anything [or your local Trophy nutritional advisor, who can also weigh your dog on a regular basis (subject to availability)]
• Monitor your pet’s condition on a regular basis, for instance once a month

• Exercise is an important element of any fitness regime but remember to introduce any changes gradually.

In the May 2009 issue of Your Dog Magazine the bi-annual product awards are to be launched. Readers of this magazine vote for their favourite pet products. Trophy Pet foods are delighted to announce that our Premium Range has been short listed for these product awards under the Best Complete Dog Food Section. Please do vote for us at www.yourdog.co.uk

Pamela Conroy from Trophy Pet Foods still delivers to her customers despite the inclement weather and having had her van blocked by snow. She simply loads up her trolley and delivers on foot! Nothing stops the Trophy Franchisees not even 16 inches of snow. Pamela, having promised her customers that she would deliver, as they were out of food, managed to battle through, even when the wheels on her trolley froze up!

Our new holistic food stands out from the crowd by the quality of its ingredients, nutritional balance, palatability and the nutritional benefits of the food. A premium, complete, holistic food offering superior nutrition, quality British ingredients and full certification from BAHNM; for lifelong health and vitality. This Holistic food has been specifically designed for the Trophy network, with the added benefit that it is made from sustainable raw materials and produced with the environment in mind to complement our green policy. The packaging is recyclable being an unbleached brown bag. As with all our other foods it is made in the UK, supporting British Agriculture, using British ingredients, where possible.

• Unique formula
  Complete holistic nutrition with nature’s very best ingredients. Advanced antioxidants with cranberries, a natural source of Vitamin C. Cranberry Powder is a natural urinary acidifier that aids in the prevention of alkaline urinary calculi. Cranberry is well known as a preventative for urinary tract infections.
  
  
• Cereal grains
  Whole brown rice and oats for energy, stamina and the ‘sensitive’ stomach.
  
  
• Animal protein sources
  Chicken meat a high quality protein, sourced from the muscle meat which is more easily digested then other forms of protein, plus egg, results in better muscle tone, skin and coat performance and overall general well being.
  
  
• Fat sources
  Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids including salmon oil, chicken oil and linseed are a natural combination which helps improve skin and coat quality, promotes a healthy central nervous system, improves mobility and reduces joint stress.
  
  
• Hypo-Allergenic
  Naturally hypo-allergenic & wheat gluten free.
  
  
• Feeding Rates
  Balanced Nutrition for excellent digestibility and lower feeding rates:
  
  

• No Fillers
  You will notice a lower stool volume with less to clean up. This food is also made with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. We only use naturally sourced Vitamin E to keep this food in perfect condition.
  
  
• Fortified with:
  - Glucosamine & Chondroitin plus MSM for joint & cartilage health and improved mobility.
  - MOS a pro-biotic which aids good digestion.
  - Vitamin E & C to help maintain the immune system
  
  
• Small Bite / Large Bite
  Two sizes are available – small bite for tiny, small and medium breeds & large bite for large & giant breeds.
  
  
• Ideal for:
  It is ideal for all adult dogs as a maintenance food, but will also aid the fussy, ‘sensitive’ dog, dogs with food intolerances and dogs with known wheat allergies.
  
  
• Ingredients: Brown rice (>57%), chicken meat (>20%), oats, egg powder, dried brewers yeast, whole linseed, chicken oil, salmon oil, vitamins & minerals, MOS, chondroitin, glucosamine & MSM, cranberry powder, yucca extract. Antioxidants added: Tocopherol Rich extracts of natural origin (Vitamin E).

Issued on behalf of Trophy Pet Foods
April 2008

National Pet Month

National Pet Month which has grown from the earlier National Pet Week – will run this year from Saturday April 5th to Monday May 5th. A new feature this year will be Wet Nose day, timed to coincide with another celebration – St Georges Day on the 23rd April.

Trophy Pet Foods is always fully involved in National Pet Month with many events being run up and down the country by its nutritional advisors / franchisees. These free Animal Nutrition events are to celebrate the joys of pet ownership as well as offer free nutritional advice, microchipping services, free dog weighing services & a poop scoop campaign. Free samples of the Trophy range of pet foods are available as well.

Sue Reid, Sales and Marketing Director of Trophy says, ‘Feeding your dog a healthy, wholesome and natural food, such as the Trophy Premium Range, combined with plenty of exercise and a loving home, along with regular routine checks at the vets, will help you maintain your dogs overall good health and well being in the long term. You may not be aware that we have always sourced as many of the ingredients for our pet foods in Britain, as it is possible. We make our food in Wales, as apposed to on the continent or in the U.S.A. Therefore we have very few ‘food miles’ in getting the food to your door’.

Trophy Pet Foods are members of the British Franchise Association & The Ethical Company organisation and sponsor a large number of pet related organisations such as: SARDA England (Search and Rescue Dog Association), PAT Dogs & UK Agility; as well as supplying kennels, catteries, veterinary surgeries, police dogs and rescue centres through their franchisees.

National Pet Month is a charitable trust and its main aim is to promote Responsible pet ownership.

Call us to discuss your needs, apply for a Taste Test Trial or free samples and information 01367 240333 or visit www.trophypetfoods.co.uk

The Trophy Pet Food Sponsorship of SARDA England

Trophy Pet Foods are proud to announce the official sponsorship of SARDA England (Search and Rescue Dogs Association). Each registered SARDA dog will now be feed on Trophy Premium Foods.

The Search And Rescue Dog Association (England) is a voluntary organisation responsible for the training of Mountain Rescue team members to become Handlers of air scenting Search and Rescue dogs, enabling them to search for missing persons, predominantly in the mountains and high moor land, and also lowland, rural and urban areas of Britain.

SARDA England's search dogs are trained to 'Air Scent', this means they do not as a general rule track the missing person. The dogs will react to a human scent being blown towards them by the wind or air currents. This means that as long as the dog is searching downwind of a casualty, or items which have human scent on them, they should find them.

Trophy Pet Foods knows the importance of keeping these dogs healthy and in feeding our premium range we know these dogs will be able to perform to the best of their abilities. The SARDA England Handlers and their dogs will be visiting various shows up and down the country in conjunction with Trophy Franchisees, so there will be an opportunity to see these beautiful dogs. Contact your local Trophy franchisee for full details and dates.

The Trophy Pet Food Sponsorship of the BAA British Trios Challenge

Agility is the most popular of the modern sports for dogs. The discipline first appeared at Cruft's in 1978, with a small hurdle race for dogs. The structure of the competition has not changed very much over the years. Many people think that Agility is the most enjoyable of all the canine sports for both dogs and humans.

Dog agility is a sport in which a dog moves through an obstacle course with the guidance of his handler. Dogs run off leash, so the handler's only controls are voice and body language, requiring exceptional obedience training of the animal. In competition, both accuracy and speed are important. It is fast, furious and a great favourite with competitors and spectators alike. Your dog does not have to be a pedigree, or pure-bred dog to take part, but it must be registered with the Kennel Club on either the Breed Register or the Activity Register.

If you decide that Agility is a suitable activity for you and your dog, your next step is to receive some expert training. Whatever competition you choose, your dog will be a happier pet for being trained.

Trophy Pet Foods are proud to announce the official sponsorship of:

Sponsored by Trophy Pet Foods



The British Agility Association are delighted to announce a brand new Team Trios event for all sizes of dogs that will run throughout the summer - The British Trios Challenge!

FEATURING

THE TROPHY PET FOODS BRITISH MINI/MICRO TRIO'S CHALLENGE
THE TROPHY PET FOODS BRITISH MEDIUM TRIO'S CHALLENGE
THE TROPHY PET FOODS BRITISH MAXI TRIO’S CHALLENGE

The Trophy Green Policy

With everyone’s ‘carbon footprint’ being analysed and indeed, debated, we would like to introduce you to the new Trophy Green Policy. First off this is the beginning of our ‘Green Journey’ but small improvements are happening all the time. You will be delighted to learn that all leaflets, publications, catalogues etc are printed on a combination of recycled paper and paper that is sourced from sustainable managed forests, plus we use solvent free ink.

We’d love you to pass on any literature your receive from Trophy to a friend or relative when you have finished with it, to give it a longer life, or recycle it when you’re done – who knows it may come back to you again as another Trophy pamphlet! Our offices have now become a ‘greener’ place to work. Our principles are ‘reduce, re-use, and recycle’. We now recycle everything from paper to toner cartridges, computers to cardboard …. and of course, we always turn the lights off before we lock up at night!

Finally, you may not be aware that we have always sourced as many of the ingredients for our pet foods in Britain, as it is possible. We make our food in Wales, as apposed to on the continent or in the U.S.A. Therefore we have very few ‘food miles’ in getting the food to your door.

Here is our Official Environmental Policy Statement:

Statement of Principles

The Pet Food Manufacturers' Association

The Ethical Company Organisation

Trophy Annual Conference and Franchisee Awards 2007

Press Information July 2006

We are delighted to inform you that Trophy Pet Foods has been awarded a major new account, supplying Trophy Premium Dog Food to the largest North West Police Force, the second biggest Police Force in the country, with around 100 police dogs. The contract runs for 3 years and we hope to supply many more police dog units after a very successful trial period.

Trophy gains 4 Paws & Claws rating

The 2006 Good Cat Food Guide has awarded Trophy 4 Paws & Claws  for its complete cat foods. The rating, which is out of 5, has delighted Trophy Director’s and the Trophy Nutritional Advisors.

Employing a crack team of tasters the guide dishes out 'Paws and Claws' ratings to let you know what's hot and what's not. Details including the type of packaging, which "cat inspector" did the taste test and the package size is all included. The Inspector’s comment for Trophy is ‘almost a winning Trophy – a tasty combination’.

The cat inspectors: Tasted 528 different varieties, brands and flavours of cat food. Carried out 2551 individual testings. Recorded the results in a spreadsheet 78 pages long with 2,932 entries!

This 2006 edition of The Good Cat Food Guide is compiled and written by Rosemary & Andrew Gasson.

Ms Gasson said: "It's not that there are bad cat foods, it's just that there are so many and some are better than others."

The Good Cat Food Guided is published by Ebury in full colour hardback, and costs £8.99. The Good Cat Food Guide - complete with humorous illustrations and sections on taking your cat abroad, was the result of almost two years' work. You can purchase a copy from Amazon.