Hello NewsHounds, this week’s round up includes pet friendly staycations, introduces Chris Loder MP, and explains why sustainable and ethical luxury brand Elvis and Kresse don’t do Black Friday. A fantastic new single, and album by Katrina and The Waves.
Elvis and Kresse – Rescued, Reclaimed & NO Black Fridays
We have long admired Elvis and Kresse, a UK social enterprise who have been rescuing raw materials and transforming them into luxury lifestyle accessories since 2005, whilst donating 50% of their profits back to charities. Their journey started with saving decommissioned firehose from landfill and turning it into a range of beautiful handmade products, including handbags, washbags, cufflinks, and phone cases. They also collect waste from numerous other sources for re-use in their product range.
When you order from them you can expect your product to be delivered in a re-used box, or inside a bag cover handmade from a coffee sack or even a tent. Elvis and Kress don’t do Black Fridays, seasons, or any other discount days. They believe in good value every day. Their pricing is based on labour, creativity, and innovation. They employ a highly skilled team, and their prices reflect the costs of running a pioneering, ethical, and sustainable business which is more interested in impact than profit. Production is done in small batches meaning they don’t overproduce without knowing what works. Ethical, sustainable, reclaimed products that give back, and best of all they’ve got a Top Dog in the office called Monty (pictured in his bespoke London firehose collar).
https://www.elvisandkresse.com/
Staycations – UK Island Hopping!
Paws up who remembers holidays? With the end of 2020 in sight, I think it’s fair to assume we are all looking forward to life getting back to some kind of normal. We are already thinking about places we would like to visit in 2021, The Isle of Wight features high on our list. Recommended by friends and family, we have recently been speaking to Wightlink, an award-winning ferry operator, linking the Isle of Wight with Hampshire, to get some travel tips. The island is one of the UK’s most dog friendly destinations, with our four-legged friends welcome at many attractions, restaurants, and on public transport.
Wightlink, Lymington and Portsmouth ports are situated in some of the prettiest parts of Hampshire, providing an opportunity to stop off before boarding at New Forest National Park, or Southsea seafront for some great dog walks. Look out for our upcoming article with detailed travel tips and the best places to stay and visit on the island. Dogs travel free on Wightlink. Do you have travel tips or favourite destinations? We would love to hear about them in the comments.
https://www.wightlink.co.uk/travel-advice/travelling-with-your-pet
Pets in Parliament – Chris Loder MP
Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, recently introduced his Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill in the House of Commons. The Private Members Bill makes provision for the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 be increased from six months to five years. Chris, an advocate for high animal welfare standards takes his inspiration from his own Springer Spaniel, Poppy.
Poppy was cruelly abandoned on the roadside in West Dorset with injuries that required emergency veterinary treatment when she was found and rescued by Chris. Poppy’s story has a happy ending as she is now a treasured Loder family pet and she has prompted the MP to campaign for the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to be increased from six months to five years. Hear, Hear!
Carrots the Cat awarded 2020 Blue Cross Medal
Pet charity, Blue Cross, has announced that blind therapy cat Carrots, has been awarded the historic Blue Cross Medal, for his role in helping to bring happiness and comfort to patients and their families at a Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford. The Blue Cross Medal award was set up by the charity during World War One, and each year celebrates heroic pets who are changing or saving lives across the UK. Following a nationwide search for Britain’s most heroic pet, a panel of judges were so impressed with the four-year-old ginger tom cat and his work with sick, unwell, and dying patients they awarded him this year’s medal. When he’s not chasing his favourite ball, Carrots is a familiar face at the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford.
Carrots first stated visiting the hospice almost three years ago with his owner Katie Lloyd. Katie said “I am so incredibly proud of Carrots for winning the 2020 Blue Cross Medal. I’m really humbled and didn’t expect this kind of recognition. During the Covid-19 pandemic he has really missed seeing his friends at the hospice, so he’s been busy writing letters to some of the lovely people he’s met through his therapy work. He signs off all his letters with a paw print of course!” Carrots is the only therapy cat within Marie Curie Hospices in the UK and is the only blind therapy cat. Congratulations Carrots, and cheers to all therapy pets out there.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/do-you-know-pet-hero
Burly in London
Hello Burlings, welcome to ‘Burly in London‘. Those who follow me know I love sharing snippets of my life with you on social media, I also love working with Vinnie and all at PAAW House. We’ve created a little project to combine both. What exactly is ‘Burly in London’? I love discovering new places, going for long walks in our amazing city and like to support innovative and trendy local businesses. Vinnie and his lot share my love of things unique and edgy.
We will be sharing some of our top experiences and picks with you. From local landmarks to eco and pet friendly businesses, from drinking and dining to the best places to stay, look no further than @BurlyInLondon. There will be lots of opportunities for you to get involved in our nationwide challenges and collaborations as well as featuring on our social media platforms.
https://paaw.house/burly-in-london/
Katrina And The Waves – HEARTS, LOVES & BABYS
Whether it’s Shining a Light or Walking on Sunshine there’s something about Katrina And The Waves tunes that just cheers up my day. Those familiar with us know that we love blasting out the best tunes at PAAW HQ. We are loving Katrina’s new album HEARTS, LOVES & BABYS featuring the catchy new single ‘Drive’. You can download the album, get information on upcoming tour dates, and watch/listen to Drive, with a special guest feature from her beautiful Toy Poodle, Miss P here, https://katrinasweb.com/. We are also super grateful to Katrina for supporting our Christmas Advert Shining a Light on #APetInEveryHome.
Drury Tea & Coffee
Anyone for tea? The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without a nice cuppa, and these guys even have their own Christmas blend. Drury Tea & Coffee established in London in 1936 is a family run specialist supplier of tea and coffee. In addition to its own retail and online shop, the company is proud to supply some of the UK's most prestigious venues with their tea and coffee requirements.
This family business is run by the sons and grandsons of the original three founding brothers. Another local business with a long-standing history of eluding Black Friday, they pride themselves on giving value for money all year round, and therefore don’t feel the need to give the illusion of savings to buy their products on a specific day. They will however mark the occasion this year by donating £1 from every sale to @momentumcharity. A charity based in South West London who support children with cancer. We’ve bagged some gifts for our tea loving pals.
https://www.shopdrury.com/christmas-store/
Bookclub; Rescued
‘Rescued’ by Jenni Williams is this week’s book club pick. A heart-warming memoir celebrating the enduring bond between dogs and humans, posing the question who rescues who? As a volunteer foster carer for her local animal shelter Jenni discovered she had a natural affinity for caring for down and out canines. This rewarding journey not only changed the lives of her foster dogs, it irrevocably changed hers too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rescued-Adventures-Down-Out-Dogs/dp/1695093143
Gabby, Vinnie & The PAAW Crew
If you have something you would like to share with our members relating to pets, pet/animal welfare, pet friendly or your favourite pet brands get in touch at newshound@paaw.house
For updates and information on getting involved in PAAWstival you can contact paawstival@paaw.house. We welcome like-minded brands and businesses, who may like to feature on our online PAAWstival marketplace, take a stand at our live event or join our pack of sponsors.