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Pets at Home sees pre-tax profits fall by nearly 40 per cent
The firm said it is ‘confident’ about the year ahead and expects to see revenue growth ahead of both the retail and vet markets.
Full year performance ‘ahead of expectations’, statement says

Pets at Home has seen its statutory pre-tax profits fall by 37.7 per cent, to £49.6 million in the 12 months up to the end of March.

However, the group said its full year performance was ‘ahead of expectations’. The retail business is ‘growing strongly’ with like for like sales growth of 5.1 per cent, to £854.6 million. It also reported an 8.3 per cent rise in shares.

Last year the firm announced plans to buy out up to 55 practices from joint venture partners, of which up to 30 could close. In its latest report the group said the veterinary arm of the business is ‘performing well’ and the restructuring plans are on track to complete later this year.

By 17 May 2019, 48 buy outs had been completed, of which 19 have closed.

The firm said it is ‘confident’ about the year ahead and expects to see revenue growth ahead of both the retail and vet markets.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.