Petpals Annual Conference 2026: Learning, Connection and Celebrating 25 Years Together

19th January 2026

Every January, our annual Petpals Conference gives us the chance to pause, reflect and look ahead – and this year’s event was one to remember. Held at the beautiful Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry, the conference brought together our franchisee network from across the UK for a day of learning, collaboration and celebration.

There was a real sense of togetherness as franchisees came together to share experiences, exchange ideas and reconnect with fellow pet professionals who truly understand the rewards and challenges of running a pet care business. These conversations – both in the conference room and over a drink (or two) at the bar – are at the heart of what makes the Petpals network so special.

Inspiring talks and practical insights

The day opened with a powerful session on self-improvement, Knowing Your Worth, presented by our host, Berkeley Harris of Sandler Training. This thought-provoking talk encouraged franchisees to reflect on confidence, value and mindset – not just in business, but in life more broadly.

From there, the focus turned to business growth and specialism, with an insightful session on making solo dog walking work successfully. Presented by David Gray of Petpals Darlington and Phil Haydon of Petpals Chelmsford, this talk shared real-world experiences, practical tips and honest insights into building a profitable and sustainable solo service.

Dog training took centre stage next, with engaging sessions led by Greg Pattison of Great Paws Dog Training. Franchisees gained valuable knowledge to support dogs in their care and enhance the services they offer clients.

Looking at the veterinary side of pet care, Vet Sophie Bell of Animal Love delivered a highly engaging and informative session focused on pet health, emergency care and recognising when something isn’t quite right. Drawing on her extensive hands-on experience, Sophie shared practical advice that franchisees can apply every day, from spotting early warning signs to knowing how to respond calmly and effectively in urgent situations.

True to form, Sophie brought plenty of humour and personality to the room, making even the most serious topics approachable and memorable. Her energetic, down-to-earth delivery kept everyone fully engaged, proving that learning about pet health and emergency care doesn’t have to be daunting – and can actually be great fun too.

Financial matters were also firmly on the agenda, with an informative VAT debate led by our Finance Manager, Justine Moore, alongside Jon Vinsome of Petpals Chichester. This session sparked thoughtful discussion and helped clarify a complex topic that affects many pet care businesses.

Recognising excellence and celebrating together

A highlight of the conference was our awards ceremony, where we proudly recognised the top performers across the Petpals network. Celebrating hard work, dedication and outstanding service is something we truly value, and it was wonderful to applaud so many well-deserved winners.

The day concluded with a celebratory dinner and charity raffle to mark 25 years of Petpals. It was a fantastic evening of laughter, reflection and shared pride in how far our network has come. We are delighted to share that all money raised from the raffle will be donated to PDSA, supporting their vital work helping pets in need.

As we look ahead to the year to come, the energy, ideas and connections from our January conference continue to inspire us. A huge thank you to our speakers, organisers and franchisees for making it such a meaningful and memorable event – and here’s to the next chapter of Petpals.