CASCO has returned from Interzoo with a success story under its belt. The CASCO stand at Interzoo 2008 was busy from the very start of the show right through to the end of the last day. Even with 16 CASCO personnel, plus interpreters, everybody was continuously tied up dealing with questions from interested parties. Quotes where given and bookings made at the show for store refits including display aquariums, animal housing and other specialist store fittings. Follow-up meetings where arranged all over Europe.

Key industry personnel from around the world travelled to Interzoo in Nuremberg a day early to attend a Pet Retailer conference held by the CASCO International ‘Think Tank Team’. The conference was predominantly a networking event, with a great deal of interaction between non-competitive parties. Over 30 attendees, representing thousands of retail stores around the world, gathered in Nuremberg to share International pet and aquatic retailing knowledge. The theme of the conference was ‘Futurology’ and how it relates to the pet industry and specifically to the display of livestock.

Heaver Tropics in Ash near Sevenoaks, Kent was the lucky CASCO competition winner at last years GLEE. The prize was a FREE store refit including £12,500’s worth of new aquariums, equipment and store fittings. The work is now completed, the ‘before and after’ pictures tell an amazing story and so do the increased takings at the till! CASCO generously wavered the installation costs.

The Birdkeepers’ Guide Series from Interpet Publishing has grown with the launch of Birdkeepers’ Guide to Cockatiels, by Greg Glendell. The book provides an expert guide to problem-free bird keeping, explaining how to house, feed, nurture and look after these friendly, inquisitive natured birds. With all new studio photography and a modern design and layout, this 210mm x 148mm hard backed book is fresh, factual and full of top class advice. The cockatiel guide joins Birdkeepers’ Guide to African Greys and Birdkeepers’ Guide to Amazons, also by Greg Glendell.

CASCO Group have announced serious expansion plans into mainland Europe by way of the acquisition of Korail Group. CASCO Group has acquired the holding company Korail Group and all its subsidiaries. This acquisition means CASCO Group now own the well-known European brand ‘Aquastyl’. This breaking news brings dynamic growth and development for CASCO Group and is very exciting for the industry and all concerned.

From the Trixie ‘Natura’ range comes two additional sizes of two storey hutches with the added bonus of a pitched roof. Large and roomy, these hutches have a unique roof design. In the larger of the two hutches the attic area has been designed to store items such as bedding, food and cleaning equipment. An option, in winter, is to fill the roof area with straw to provide extra insulation from the cold. These new hutches include all the popular features from the ‘Natura’ range, with the addition of a particularly well draining roof and aloft space that can be used for storage or insulation.

Select Cages International has tapped into a growing interest in keeping chickens by launching two impressive timber enclosures designed for domestic use. Known as ‘Covered Poultry/Animal Cottage’ and ‘The Country Cottage’, the second unit is a full walk-in height, with large outside runs. Non-slip ramps provide access for the animals from spacious sleeping/nesting houses to outside exercise areas.

A novel and colourful cat toy is newly available from Trixie called Plush Top Hat with toys. This small top hat, in mauve and purple colours, has built in crinkle effect in the top and three different cat toys hanging from the inside of the inner band. The toys are made from a variety of materials, and when they are hidden away inside the hat a cat’s natural curiosity is stimulated. Alternatively, when the hat is turned over, three toys drop out and bounce around offering plenty of scope for owner/cat interaction.

Formula K, Britain's first weight-loss dog food has released a free DVD showing how to tell if a dog is overweight.

The DVD also gives advice on what to do when a dog needs to lose weight.

In the DVD, vet Sarah Hill examines four dogs, including Formula K founder Kit Sadgrove's Labrador retriever, Clifford. After checking, she pronounces many of them overweight.

The DVD is online at www.FormulaK.co.uk/DVD.htm