Inspiring Growth & Success at the Petpals Annual Conference!
21st January 2025
This weekend, we came together for our annual Petpals conference, and it was truly inspiring! Franchisees united under the theme Inspiring Growth & Success to share knowledge, collaborate, and celebrate a successful year.
From expert speakers on dog law, animal behaviour, and pet first aid, to valuable insights shared by Petpals franchisees, the day was packed with learning and meaningful discussions. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers who addressed some of the most critical topics in pet care:
- Berkeley Harris, of Sandler Training, our host and keynote speaker, set an empowering tone with practical advice and motivational insights.
- Claire Arrowsmith, Clinical Animal Behaviourist at The Pet Behaviour Centre, provided actionable strategies for recognising and managing challenging behaviours in cats and dogs.
- Trevor Cooper, Dog Law Solicitor at DogLawSOS, broke down complex legal issues affecting the pet care industry.
- Sophie Bell, veterinary surgeon and owner of Animal Love First Aid, shared crucial advice on pet health, emergency care, and groundbreaking advancements in pet medicine.
- Phil Till, owner of Petpals Basingstoke, delivered expert advice on growing small pet and cat care services while emphasising the importance of delivering exceptional customer service.
- David Gray, Petpals Brand Manager and owner of Petpals Darlington, highlighted recent legal changes impacting the pet care industry.
Celebrating Our Award Winners 🎉
A highlight of the Petpals annual conference was celebrating the incredible achievements of our franchisees through a series of well-deserved awards. These honours showcased the hard work, dedication, and passion our network brings to pet care every day. A huge congratulations to all our winners and runners-up!
🏆 Rising Star 2024
Charlotte Arnold, Petpals (Sidcup)
Charlotte’s remarkable drive and commitment have set her apart, becoming one of the fastest growing new starters in Petpals; making her a standout new addition to the Petpals family.
👏 Employee of the Year 2024
Cheryl Handy, employee of Petpals (Sefton)
Cheryl’s unwavering dedication and exceptional service have earned her this well-deserved recognition as Employee of the Year, showcasing the vital role our team members play in delivering outstanding pet care and customer service.
📱 Most Improved Social Media Award 2024
Kerry Richardson, Petpals (Mansfield)
Kerry’s engaging social media strategies have significantly enhanced her business’s online presence since she took over ownership last year, helping to connect with even more pet-loving clients.
💼 Most Productive Award 2024
Ray Hipwell, Petpals (Chislehurst)
Ray’s incredible productivity and efficiency in delivering top-tier services have made a lasting impact in his local community.
📈 Most Improved Performance 2023-24
Winner: Petpals (Chichester)
Runners-Up: Petpals (York) and Petpals (Mansfield)
Petpals (Chichester) demonstrated outstanding growth and innovation, followed by York and Mansfield who also showed remarkable progress over the past year.
🌟 Top Performing Franchise 2023-24
Winner: Petpals (Darlington & Yarm)
Runners-Up: Petpals (Chislehurst) and Petpals (Chelmsford, Maldon & Danbury)
Petpals (Darlington & Yarm) achieved the highest turnover across the network, setting a benchmark for success. Chislehurst and Chelmsford, Maldon & Danbury also demonstrated impressive financial performance, showcasing the strength and potential of the Petpals franchise model.
We’re so proud of our award winners for their dedication to excellence and for inspiring the entire Petpals network.
Making a Difference Together 🤝
In addition to the learning and celebrations, the Petpals network came together to make a positive impact. Through various fundraising activities during the conference, we raised an impressive £400 for charity! Of this, £300 will be donated to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and £100 will go to the Army Benevolent Fund. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful effort!
Thanks to everyone involved in making it a fantastic annual conference and here’s to a paws-perous 2025 filled with growth, collaboration, and success! 🐶🐱
