Total Grooming Magazine May 2020

www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk MAY 2020

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CONTENTS

W

ell, we are in the middle of lockdown during an unprecedented pandemic.

This is unknown territory for all of us and everyone has been affected in some way.

A lot of you will be worried for your health and well-being and that of your family. Probably, a large number of you will also be very concerned about your financial situation and how your business will survive.

We want you to know that we are with you in this and have undertaken a great deal of research and enlisted the assistance of several experts in the grooming world to try to address the most common issues.

Please feel free to get in touch with questions and any matters that are of grave concern. We will do our best to address these. Keep safe and well.

Contact: editor@ totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk

22

Covid-19 background

Contents 04 News

Editor www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk

14 Lakhi shares his advice on opening up after coronavirus 18 Heidi Anderton gives her top tips for dealing with lockdown 22 Covid-19 background 26 Behaviour – how to keep dogs active during lockdown 28 Keep calm and carry on

Editor

Account Manager

Sue Corfield – editor@totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk

Becky Smith – becky@tgmpublishing.co.uk

Commercial Director

Credit Facilities Manager

Mike Smith – mike@tgmpublishing.co.uk T: 01795 509110

Natalie Murray – creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk T: 01795 509103

18

Heidi Anderton gives her top tips for dealing with lockdown

© 2020 TGM Publishing Limited, The Goods Shed, Jubilee Way, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Total Grooming Magazine | 3

SPONSORED BY

News and Product Round-up Lifeline Fund for Businesses

W

holesaler, Vital Pet Group, says its focus this month will be on kindness and reaching out a helping hand throughout the supply chain. The company has already made a great start with its Lifeline Fund which offers extended credit terms to retailers as they cope with the business implications of COVID-19. The move is in response to the loyalty shown by its customers over the years and is Vital’s way to returning that loyalty.

Throughout April, the company will be shining a light on the fantastic range of eco-friendly products, local sourcing and companies with a track record on corporate responsibility.

Recently Vital produced its first Top 10 list of eco products that are must-haves for pet product retailers.* They range from products that reduce wastage, to those that give back to communities

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or don’t have a negative impact on the environment.

Many people have remarked upon how quickly wildlife habitats have been restored as more people stay indoors and pollution is reduced, during this pandemic. Sales and Marketing Director at Vital, Heather McManus, notes that for many people this will really bring home the impact of our day to day activity on the planet and she anticipates further growth in this category of products.

The company will also be sharing great ideas on its social platforms and encouraging retailers to do the same to help the trade get through this difficult time. Heather says everyone needs to support each other, “This isn’t the time to capitalise on anyone else’s misfortune. So many small businesses are under threat and many people are afraid for their lives but still feeling that

they have to expose themselves to risk in order to make a living. If we share helpful ideas or ways to respond, in the greater scheme of things, that’s the right thing to do.”

Vital is also extending an invitation to brands that would like to collaborate to fill portfolio gaps or who need structured support for future product launches. Heather says that for suppliers, it’s also a very difficult time, “We’re very much about partnering with brands. We have some innovative solutions for those who are having issues with transport, distribution or other issues, as well as playing an active role in supporting them with future products that work for the trade.”

Retailers can follow Vital on its social media platforms for the latest updates and are encouraged to share their own stories and ideas.

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Vital Pet Group Supports Children’s Hospital with Unusual Donation

V

ital Pet Group has donated over 140 cat litter trays to Sheffield Children’s Hospital to help them continue their critical work while minimising risk of Covid-19 spread. This unusual donation has enabled the hospital play team to keep the toys of each individual child separate in an easy-to-clean cat tray.

Safe access to toys and games helps to brighten the hospital stay of these children during this difficult period.

Vital Sales and Marketing Director, Heather McManus, says that the company is proud to be able to show support to the NHS. “We love thinking up creative solutions here at Vital, and the current crisis is calling for a lot of innovation. Our recent donation shows that there are opportunities to re-purpose existing products for other uses. Cat litter trays and many other pet products are specifically designed for easy disinfection. This is incredibly useful during the current Covid-19 pandemic.”

Vital Sales and Marketing Director, Heather McManus

About Vital Pet Group Vital Pet Group over 35 years of experience of wholesaling to the independent specialist pet and aquatic trade. In February 2017, Vital was acquired by Paramount Retail Group

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Holdings Limited.

The company’s dedicated fleet of 36 vehicles services a national delivery network using some of the latest technology to drive operational efficiency. Top brand products, often sourced through exclusive deals, are made available to almost 3000 trade customers, with a focus on value and quality.

There are over 100 direct partnerships with international brands and the company stocks over 28,000 pet products.

Vital’s expert knowledge of the pet sector and operational efficiency ensures that it is best placed to work in partnership with suppliers and independent retailers to drive sales

growth. People who work at Vital are empowered to make the decisions that drive value for customers and are rewarded for developing innovative solutions.

To find out more about Vital, visit www.vitalpets.co.uk or telephone 01837 883000.

Vital is also leading the way when it comes to thinking creatively to support their suppliers and retailers.

A dedicated Lifeline Fund has been set up to provide extended credit terms to loyal retail customers and Vital has created a 7-Point Retailer Survival Plan.

Customers are encouraged to follow Vital on social media for the latest updates and can contact Vital on 01837 883000 or visit www.vitalpets.co.uk.

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COVID-19 Furlough Advice

In the last issue we covered an outline of the support available for businesses and their staff, as well as the self-employed. Furlough is available to company employees. This was opened up to companies at the end of April. Here’s what it means:

A

s you will probably know, you can furlough staff without work if your business has been affected by the coronavirus.

This will entitle you to claim back 80% of your furloughed staff wages from HMRC. There are a number of calculations needed to determine how much you can in fact claim back per employee, and the claim will then need to be submitted online to HMRC.

8 | Total Grooming Magazine

Unfortunately, this is not as simple as ‘I was going to pay John Smith X and so I can claim back Y’. Each employee needs to be looked at and calculated on an individual basis. As a result, most accountants will charge some kind of a nominal fee for sorting out furlough payments for you.

Information required will be along the lines of: • Which of your staff have been furloughed; and the date they have

been furloughed from.

• Whether they have received any bonus, commission and/or extra wages in the last 12 months, and whether this was contractual or discretionary • You will need to provide your self-assessment UTR (unique tax reference), company UTR or CRN (company registration number) and your bank account sort code and account number for the claim to be paid into.

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Vets Still Care RCVS provides reassurance that vets will still be carrying out vital veterinary work during COVID-19 pandemic

T

he Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulator for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK, has released a new framework for veterinary practices, helping them to decide what treatments it is appropriate to carry out safely amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK’s veterinary practices are one of the groups of businesses that the UK Government has confirmed can stay open during the pandemic, stating that ‘it is important for business to carry on’. The new guidance from the RCVS provides a pathway for determining how veterinary services may be provided to the nation’s animals, while prioritising public health and complying with the government’s social distancing advice for both the public and employers.

The guidance, which has been provided to the profession in the form of a flowchart available at www.rcvs. org.uk/coronavirus, allows veterinary professionals to determine which particular treatments and procedures they can carry out under social distancing guidelines, leaving it to their judgement what they actually offer, depending on their facilities, level of staffing and local disease pressures.

Some of its key points are: • Veterinary work that is vital for the maintenance of the UK’s food supplies and food trade – such as ensuring food hygiene standards and supporting the livestock industry – should still be carried out, while observing biosecurity measures; • Veterinary practices should still take steps to provide emergency and critical care for seriously injured or ill animals; • Where feasible and appropriate, veterinary practices can provide

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Check with your vet for information about their individual situation

consultations for animal owners and their pets remotely; • If cases can be supported while still maintaining social distancing, or if the planned treatment could have animal health and welfare or public health implications if not carried out within the next two months, then these may be carried out. However, the RCVS has recommended to veterinary practices that, alongside social distancing, they put in place further measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission, including consideration of personal protective equipment and the movement of people from, to and around the practice. The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the representative body for UK veterinary surgeons, has published advice for

animal owners on these treatments, including vaccinations, at: www.bva. co.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-advicefor-animal-owners/ The RCVS has also updated its advice for animal owners on interacting with veterinary practices. This includes advice not to turn up to practices unannounced, and always to contact the practice in advance so that veterinary staff can assess whether attendance in person is needed or if the consultation can be carried out remotely. There is additional advice for animal owners who are self-isolating that is in-line with the Government’s ‘stay at home’ guidance for those with possible COVID-19 infections.

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Going Mobile…

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As the chassis ages, the Palace can be removed and placed onto a brand new chassis - resulting in a much cheaper cost than having to buy a whole new van and conversion with next to no downtime If the chassis is involved in an accident or breaks down you can simply remove the body, place it on the ground and work from your driveway whilst you wait for it to be repaired.

The lining will not out live the vehicle like so often seen with used van conversions. You then have to sell the van & conversion and then buy a new van and conversion and wait whilst it is converted. Whereas with the Palace, you can keep the pod forever and change the chassis as you need to.

Once you choose to retire from mobile grooming you can remove the Palace, sell the chassis and work from the Palace in your garden instead of having to buy a parlour or convert a room in your house.

When you choose to move home, you can take the pod with you and this portability combined with the size means they will not normally require planning permission in your garden.

You never need to buy a Brand new chassis that can depreciate - simply buy used a chassis and then swap them out as they get too old.

Smaller than its LWB Van equivalent but provides a more workable space inside that is highly customisable as there are no van strutts or vehicle constraints Can be driven on a normal car driving license Say goodbye to having to buy a whole new van and conversion every few years - simply move your Palace from one chassis to another with zero down time and when the time comes and you no longer want to be mobile, simply

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Made from our Revolutionary insulated panel, our VCA Approved Grooming trailers provide the perfect solution if you would like to work from home and be mobile without the running costs associated with a van - with no tax or MOT required with trailers! You can leave the trailer on your drive way or hitch up with your vehicle when ever you need to. And when you have finished being mobile you can permanently demount the trailer from the axels and use it as a Garden Pod!

Vans

Our industry leading dog grooming vans provide unrivalled levels of luxury combined with practicality. Choose from new or used vans or supply your own, we work with you to create the perfect package for your business. Complete with a 10 year lining warranty our conversions outlive and out perform all in their class with a build quality that is second to none. Unlimited optional extras and packages are available including sign writing and free delivery back to you.

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Grooming in the Coronavirus World

Lakhi has been grooming for nearly 30 years and has a salon and training school: Posh Pets Academy, Bournville, Birmingham. He is an international certified Master Groomer. He shows and competes and holds demos around the country. In this issue Lakhi looks at how the grooming world has been affected

by Covid 19 and how groomers can prepare for a new way of working:

W

e’ve all been affected by this awful virus in one way or another.

I myself have been worried for my clients, students, family and friends.

I had a different article planned but will put that on hold until this subsides a little.

Instead I’ll offer some advice and tips for us groomers which will hopefully help and make clearer some of the techniques that can be put in place for when we return to work.

At the moment there’s fairly clear guidance from DEFRA regarding what can and can’t continue in the animal sector and more advice can be sourced from their website on ways in which we can work safely and follow guidelines.

It is not illegal to work as a groomer in the current situation, but with some of the policies in place it makes it difficult to earn what we’re accustomed to and our services should really only be carried out as a welfare concern for genuine cases.

I know we’re all experiencing financial difficulties But there is help available in various means from local government, welfare and charities so please do some research about what you’re entitled to and talk to your accountant. I won’t go into this as I’m not an expert in financial advice.

14 | Total Grooming Magazine

example of some disinfectant

What we can do to help limit the spread?

Well we can follow advice from the government and stay indoors. I have diabetes and have been isolating. It’s difficult to adjust to this lifestyle but it’s for the greater good and saves lives.

I’ve also been keeping busy learning new techniques online, something we can all do to help us in the future. We will never have an opportunity like this, sad as it is, to have the time to invest in ourselves.

If you’re healthy and able, then try and help with neighbourhood projects like food runs or pharmacy runs for those not able to go out. I’ve been ordering pet food deliveries from

Isopropanol rubbing alcohol 70% or higher

wholesalers to make sure vulnerable people locally do not need to venture out and worry about obtaining specialist diets.

Our own pets Take this time to spend quality time with your pets. I don’t think mine have been this clean in years after the constant grooming they’ve received.

I’ve also limited the amount they go out for walks and kept them on a lead – it limits the likelihood of any accidents.

It’s sensible to do this due to vets working limited hours and providing limited services.

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Total Grooming Magazine | 15

as even the lost dog search projects and rescues aren’t able to operate as normal.

I find forage feeding in the garden is a fun activity. Simply pop your pets’ usual rations around the garden and house and allow them to find it over a period of time. This helps them to use their minds as well as physical therapy.

They’ve also suffered my home cooked treat experiments !

Helping clients We are all aware that our clients are worried about the delays in grooming and as we are non essential at the moment there’s little we can do physically besides referring to a veterinarian.

However, we can offer advice in any way we can via social media, video calls and messages. Also, it may be helpful to send them links to basic supplies they may need or offer a mail order service by providing packages with essential items.

My advice to my clients is to regularly brush, comb and bath but to avoid cutting the hair due to the risk of injury, hopefully they can hold off for a few more weeks before it becomes unmanageable.

Preparing to return to work When the green light is given to return to work we need to have practices in place for the future as this virus will be around for a long time yet.

This is to safeguard ourselves and our clients.

Not many are familiar with barrier nursing so I’ll add a link for you to research different methods as this is the only true way to minimise contamination.

I know at the moment PPE is in demand and I personally don’t feel comfortable buying any if there’s sectors that are more in need.

One simple procedure: washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or more will kill the virus. This will save on gloves.

Also having several pairs of washing up gloves are as effective if they’re washed in disinfectant after use. Same 16 | Total Grooming Magazine

Soaking or spraying blades, scissors etc in alcohol

with aprons - vinyl reusable aprons are just as effective. Have a bucket with disinfectant close by to submerge them in after each client use then hang them to dry at the end of the day.

Washable masks are a good investment. I know studies have shown you can still contract the virus through masks but it will prevent you from spreading over a longer distance when coughing etc should you be inadvertently carrying it.

Eye shields or goggles should be worn too.

Aerial sanitising should be carried out on surfaces after every client and every surface, floor, tables, dryers, crates and vehicles.

I personally use Virkon S which is a broad spectrum disinfectant that kills viruses and bacteria but there’s plenty out on the market. Just ensure they’re viricidal.

Small equipment that’s prone to rust like scissors, blades combs, brushes and clippers can be wiped down with rubbing medical alcohol, 70% or higher, this will evaporate and not cause any harm to the implements.

Also use this opportunity to update policies and procedures for your salon, especially with regards to the Covid 19. Examples , cleaning , sanitising, collection, payment, risk assessment to cover yourself.

If you’re collecting and dropping off clients then you must ensure that your vehicle is insured for business use and that your grooming insurance covers you for transportation of animals

Virkon S viricidal disinfectant

in care. There’s a great video on Heavenlyz Facebook page on collections which minimises the risk to you.

I’ve also asked my clients, when we eventually return, that they hand a dog over on a slip lead, no harnesses etc and to ensure it has an id tag on.

The fewer items a dog is wearing the better and the lead can go in the bath with the dog. Popping a dog straight into the bath is a priority, do not get distracted or put the dog in a crate or allow to roam, they should be asked in and not carried.

We have to remember that once the dog is clean then the risk is virtually eliminated, so used PPE equipment can be removed after the dog is lathered up then pop the items in a bucket of disinfectant and dry the dog as you would normally. Once it is dry you can pop it in a sanitised crate and then disinfect bath, floor and the entrance you used.

I personally would then spray the car interior, crate then leave it to dry whilst continuing to groom the dog.

Keep safe and well. Remember to check the DEFRA website regularly for updates.

Links virkon.com www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus www.mybiga.org/BIGA-Blog www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ department-for-environment-food-ruralaffairs www.ghs-direct.com/products/?c=40 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrier_nursing

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Heidi with Prada

Health Before Wealth Heidi Anderton is principal of Absolutely Animals and London School of Pet Grooming, with over 30 years in the business, Heidi is a highly qualified and experienced industry expert in teaching dog grooming as well as an awardwinning groomer, former Groom Team England member and founder member of the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA). Heidi looks at the current situation for groomers:

I

am writing this one week into the second 3-week lockdown. One could never have imagined being in the middle of a world pandemic or the challenges we would be facing.

The rules have been somewhat sketchy, it really does seem down to the

18 | Total Grooming Magazine

individuals to evaluate the risks they take for themselves and those around them. My advice is always Health before Wealth. If you don’t NEED to go to work, STAY AT HOME! However, we do now seem to be at the Peak and slowly coming out the

other side, we are thankful for that so that’s what I will be talking about for now.

Current guidelines The British Isles Grooming Association (www.mybiga.org) has regular

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Total Grooming Magazine | 19

updates on their website, Facebook group and email list as well as links to the most credible sources of information, including the World Health Organisation, Defra, Federation of Small Business, British Veterinary Association and current Government information links to aid you in this financial crisis. Keep updated and make sure you apply for everything you are entitled too.

Please sign up to BIGA and get involved. I am sure you have something to offer too.

If you rent a shop, workshop, mobile unit or the like, please ask for a rent-free period if you cannot work. If you don’t ask you don’t get!

Industry support There has been a huge amount of support on social media throughout the lockdown period. Webinars, Facebook groups and individuals offering information, advice and even a helping hand. The community of pet groomers reaches far beyond the borders of the British Isles. I have taken part in International group chats which have been really informative and as well as great fun. In comparison to some countries we have received great financial packages to see us through this terrible time, which I am truly grateful for.

Getting back to Business Some single home groomers and mobile groomers have chosen to open with the current guidelines, but dogs have to be collected and dropped off or the client must be able to walk to them, one dog at a time and a full disinfection after each dog as well as using the correct PPE and social distancing is required.

For me this is not worth putting myself or my staff at risk, or the customers for that matter, not during the peak of this pandemic.

I have been asked several times, when will I be open? I am hoping that I will be open for grooming as soon as these three weeks of lock down has come to an end and the number of infections has greatly reduced.

For my business, financially it is not 20 | Total Grooming Magazine

Masks like these from Groomers online may help

worth opening till the customers can travel to me. We need to have more than one dog at a time and limited social distancing within a business setting. So, these are my deciding factors. I think we all need to have each our own personal factors as we are all affected differently by this situation.

And that’s OK! I am already planning how we shall get through the backlog of dogs and cats. Planning bookings, answering the phone, the space for bathing and grooming, the drop off and pick up times, the PPE required, and disinfectants required as well as general protocols. I assume the social distancing and the disinfecting will be something like we had in place before we stopped for the first three-week lockdown.

The majority of the dogs are easy because they can all go straight in the bath. My only problem will be with cats and handstripping, of which I shall be making a face shield of a headband and plastic clear sleeve along with the other appropriate PPE to shield myself and my staff.

Booking the clients in could be difficult and will require some thought for most of us. I will firstly call those who were cancelled and who we hold a deposit for. Then after this it will be on a first come, first booked basis. I do believe mostly the customers will be patient and understanding in waiting for a booking. If you wanted to groom more dogs it would be a good idea to take on a bather/ dryer for an interim period. I certainly think in the current climate, you won’t have a problem finding a person to fill the position.

In addition to this you could add one or two more dogs onto your daily work, but I would advise you to not overdo it

and burn yourself out. It doesn’t take long to run out of patience.

I am looking forward to seeing the dogs and the owners again, I have missed them all.

I am looking forward to seeing who has bothered with the grooming of their dog and who hasn’t. I won’t judge as I don’t know what they have been dealing with during the lockdown.

However, I’m going to hold a prize for the best-groomed dog by my clients and you could maybe do something similar. I know some of my clients have been meticulous with their pets grooming as they have sent me some videos. They certainly are very proud of themselves and rightly so! I want to reward their dedication and hopefully others will aspire to the same.

Take a minute to be thankful. We are so lucky to be in the dog grooming industry, our clients will wait, hair still grows, and our services are still required.

For now, look after yourselves, take all precautions to avoid this horrible virus and keep safe.

My best wishes and Virtual Hugs Heidi Anderton www.absolutely animals.biz

The Silver Lining to Covid-19

There is huge speculation about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and rumours have been plentiful, with social media abounding with 5G mast theories and biological economical warfare stories.

T

he devastation on the human population has been shocking and inexcusable. However, amidst the bleak news there have been shining examples of how our planet and its flora and fauna can recover when we give it a break.

Dolphins were spotted in the canals in Venice, the stress levels in Right Whales have decreased dramatically as the cruise ships stay in port, pollution levels dropped during the lockdown in China and in the UK, wildlife has gone into the cities – deer in London suburbs, goats in Llandudno to name but a few.

The poor pangolins have suffered 22 | Total Grooming Magazine

massively in China but now, thanks to their possible connection with the start of the coronavirus, they may receive a reprieve.

The Guardian newspaper covered this, read an excerpt from this article: Pangolins are one of the most heavily trafficked animals in the world, and as a result they are endangered. But in the past few weeks they have been linked to the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 disease in China. The evidence is inconclusive, but it has already prompted the Chinese government to take action. If more actions against the wildlife trade follow, the incident could prove to be a turning point

for pangolin conservation.

A key question is where Covid-19 came from. Many animals carry coronaviruses and are potential sources of infection. That is important to know, if only because it should help us prevent future outbreaks.

Several ideas have been proposed, but arguably the most dramatic is that pangolins were the source.

World’s most trafficked mammal Pangolins look like scaly anteaters. Uniquely among mammals, their bodies are covered in hard protective scales made of keratin: the same material as our nails. They feed

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on insects such as ants and termites, and are often nocturnal and shy. While they look like anteaters, they are not closely related to them, and their closest living relatives are actually carnivorans: the group that includes wolves and cats.

Pangolins are illegally hunted and traded for two main reasons. First, their meat is considered a delicacy in several south-east Asian countries, especially China and Vietnam. And second, their scales are used in Chinese traditional medicine. As a result, they are the world’s most trafficked mammals.

The idea that pangolins gave us Covid-19 emerged at a press conference given by the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou on 7 February.

Two scientists there, Yongyi Shen and Lihua Xiao, were said to have compared coronaviruses from pangolins and from humans infected in the outbreak. The viruses’ genetic sequences were said to be 99% similar. One co-author, Wu Chen of Guangzhou Zoo, had previously helped show that Sunda pangolins carry coronaviruses.

However, the results had not been published at that stage, so other scientists could not examine them in detail.

Meanwhile, there were many other possibilities. The virus could have come from an animal and seafood market in Wuhan, where many species were held. Animals in such markets are often kept in closely packed, unsanitary conditions, with many people nearby: a perfect opportunity for a virus to jump species. Many pointed the finger at bats: the virus is genetically similar to those in bats, and it would not be the first time a disease passed from bats to humans. There was also a study linking the virus to one found in snakes, but this is now considered unlikely.

Then there was a twist in the story.

On 20 February the researchers posted a preliminary version of the study on the preprint site bioRxiv. The conclusions were radically different to what was described at the press conference. While the pangolin virus was “genetically related” to the one infecting humans, it was “unlikely to be directly linked to the outbreak because of the substantial sequence differences”. The 99% similarity was only in one region of the genome. Across the entire genome, the similarity was only 90.3%. There had 24 | Total Grooming Magazine

Certain bat species are carriers of virus

been an “embarrassing miscommunication between the bioinformatics group and the lab group of the study”. When contacted by the Observer, Xiao declined to comment.

However, the Chinese government was already lurching into action. On 24 February, China announced an immediate ban on trading and eating many wild animals, including pangolins. Officials began shutting down wild animal markets across the country.

The truth about pangolins and Covid-19 Meanwhile, the idea that pangolins played a role in the emergence of Covid-19 has not gone away.

On 17 March, a team led by Kristian Andersen at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, published a detailed analysis of the virus’s possible origin in Nature Medicine. They say the ultimate source is likely to be bats, just as it was for the two other coronavirus outbreaks of recent years: Sars and Mers. Bats are a known reservoir of coronaviruses. Furthermore, intermediate horseshoe bats are known

to carry a virus called RaTG13, whose genome is 96% identical to that of SarsCoV-2.

The key question is how the virus acquired certain sequences of its genome, which allow it to bind strongly to human cells and thus infect them. The bat virus does not have these sequences.

The realisation that wildlife markets allow diseases to spread to people may spur action. When China announced the ban, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) called it “a timely, necessary and critical step” – not just for safeguarding the wild animals, but for human health. “This public health crisis must serve as a wake-up call to end the unsustainable use of endangered animals and their parts, whether as exotic pets, for food consumption or for their perceived medicinal value.”

In the best-case scenario, it will not just be pangolins that benefit. Reducing the demand for illegally traded wildlife will help many species – and protect us all from future pandemics into the bargain.* Source: The Guardian

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Simple items can make great games for dogs and cats

Keep Your Dog Occupied During Lockdown Dogs Trust has issued some top tips on how dog owners can keep their dogs happy – all with simple household items – a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

J

enna Kiddie Head of Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust, said: “We understand that owners may be looking for ways to keep their dogs occupied, especially when the current advice is to go outside just once a day for exercise with your four-legged friend. Whilst physical exercise is important for your dog, mental stimulation is also essential to help keep them happy. You can make it 26 | Total Grooming Magazine

fun for them, and because they’re using their brains, it’s just as tiring as physical exercise.

“It’s really easy for you keep your dog’s brain busy from the comfort of your own home using simple household items. From activities involving their favourite treats, to games using things you may have left over from online deliveries, there are many ways you can keep your dog active, without stepping

Remember to keep your dog on a lead during lockdown – this will help prevent any accidents leading to visits to the vet and avoid any social distancing faux pas.

outside your front door.”

Dogs Trust has come up with eight fun ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and tubes whilst

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Total Grooming Magazine | 27

you’re staying indoors, and asking people to share their pictures and videos using the hashtag #MyDogIsForLife and tagging @DogsTrust on Twitter and Instagram.

Tutorial videos for the eight games will be released during National Pet Month on the charity’s social media pages, with the first one ‘the paw-fect figure 8’ launching today so dog owners can get started.

The paw-fect figure 8 – Get two boxes and set them out a little distance apart. Hold your dog’s treats or a favourite toy in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you’ve got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed!

Digging deep: Shred or scrunch up newspaper or any paper items and pop them in an empty box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig 28 | Total Grooming Magazine

away!

Paws-up: Can you get them to put their front feet on the box? Their back feet? Can you get them to run round to the left, to the right? Can smaller dogs sit in the box? Think outside of the box and we’re sure you won’t be able to contain yourself with all this fun!

Bowling balls: Create a 10-pin bowling alley with spare kitchen roll tubes. Have a competition and see how many pins you can knock down vs. your dog!

Tunnels of fun: Cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your very own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through with the promise of treats or their favourite toy at the end of the tunnel!

Jog your dog’s memory: Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them, making sure your dog is watching. Hold up a sheet to block your furry friend’s vision, drop and then see if they remember which box the treat was in! Repeat the game and change the box with the treat in, see how many times they get it right!

Snoot challenge: next level – remember the original snoot challenge where you had to make a circular shape with your hands and wait for your pooch to run up and put their nose through the hole? Building from this, cut a hole out in your box and see if you can get your dog to poke their nose through it! *boop* Teach your dog to read – for starters write different words (e.g. sit, down, paw) on different boxes that you want your dog to learn. Say the word that’s on the specific box in front of them, and ask them to do what the word says. When your dog does as you’ve asked, reward them with a tasty treat and repeat several times until your dog has associated the new word, with the specific box!

Images and videos shared with Dogs Trust will appear on the My Dog Is For Life webpage feed for others to see and take inspiration from. www.dogstrust. org.uk/mydogisforlife For more information, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

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Pets are helping us to de-stress

Keep Calm and Carry On Pets are helping the nation de-stress during the lockdown

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ost pet owners (87%) find their pets keep them calm during stressful situations.

However, over two thirds of pet owners (69%) also find their pets distract them when trying to focus on other tasks.

Labrador Retriever dogs and British Shorthair cats named the most comforting pets.

Pets up and down the country are helping their owners deal with the current stressful situation, according to new research from National Accident

30 | Total Grooming Magazine

Helpline.

The study, which polled 2,000, asked the public how much they rely on their furry friends to keep them calm, but also if their cuteness can become a distraction when they need to focus on other tasks, such as working from home.

The research shows that a pet can be the ideal companion during any period of stress, with 87% of pet-owners agreeing their presence helps them destress during difficult moments.

Only 2% of stated their pets were not a calming influence.

Their reassuring company may help to explain why, according to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, many households are now looking to add a new pet to their family.

Dennis Relojo-Howell, founder of psychology website Psychreg, explains: “Research have shown that pets, especially dogs and cats, can help us adapt to stressful events. Take for instance, the current crisis that we’re going through – if you have a pet, this can provide you with an opportunity to relax and calm your mind. Our interactions with our pets can soften

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the effects of adverse events and can decrease our stress.”

When it comes to choosing which animal would make the perfect pet to help keep the country calm during moments of stress, the research shows that the friendly and loyal Labrador Retriever topped the list of dogs we would most like to cuddle up to during the lock-down.

In second place were Cockapoos – not only are they extremely affectionate, they hardly shed, meaning less cleaning!

Coming in third was the Springer Spaniel, who love to socialise and have an abundance of energy.

The UK’s Most Comforting Dog Breeds Labrador Retriever Cockapoo Springer Spaniel Boxer Cocker Spaniel Staffordshire Bull Terrier Border Collie Golden Retriever German Shepherd Labradoodle Boston Terrier Beagle Dachshund

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

32 | Total Grooming Magazine

Jack Russell Pug

14 15

When it comes to feline friends, the placid British Shorthair was ranked as the number one cat to own, with the beautiful Bengal breed coming in at close second.

At number three was the Persian cat, known for its thick, glossy fur and kitten-like bursts of energy.

The UK’s Most Comforting Cat Breeds British Shorthair Bengal Persian Siamese Ragdoll Russian Blue Scottish Fold Savannah Cat Burmese Cat British Longhair Sphynx Cat Himalayan Munchkin Chartreux Birman

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

However, whilst living with a pet can help reduce overall stress levels, they

can also sometimes be distracting when owners needs to focus on other things - especially for those currently required to work from home.

The survey showed that over two thirds of pet owners (69%) are finding their furry friends an ongoing distraction when trying to concentrate on other things. Only 13% stated they don’t ever find their pets a distraction and are able to concentrate on tasks such as working from home.

The results indicated that younger generations are a little better at staying focused despite the balls of energy that may be charging around their homes.

Six in ten (59%) 18-24-year-olds found themselves consistently distracted by their pets, compared to more than eight in ten (82%) 45-54-year-olds.

Commenting on the research, Tom Fitzgerald, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline said: “Whilst we obviously love our pets, it is great to see the research indicate that they are also helping keep the country calm during this stressful time.”

More information can be found here: www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/ news/post/pets-home

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Kitten loving his lockdown life

As for many of us across the country, these are unusual and uncertain times for wobbly kitten Lofty. The four month old Battersea cat had just been given the green light to start looking for a new home, when the nation went in to lockdown and the animal charity had to suspend rehoming, putting the kitten’s next big adventure on hold.

T

his isn’t the first setback little Lofty has faced. The black rescue kitten was born with cerebellar hypoplasia, an incurable neurological condition that causes his head to involuntarily wobble.

He arrived at the charity’s London centre with his two siblings when he was only seven weeks old. Despite his condition, Lofty is in no pain and has proven himself to be a bundle of positive energy during his time at Battersea.

Like many of Battersea’s animals, Lofty is currently staying with one of

34 | Total Grooming Magazine

the charity’s foster carers. To keep her charge active and engaged, Lofty’s carer Roxy Mok has been finding ways to keep the quirky kitten entertained. She said: “We’re playing together a lot at the moment to make sure he’s getting the stimulation he needs, he really loves his feather toy and stuffed animals.

He’s also fond of a nap or two and is honestly just the sweetest little cat. I know he’ll make a wonderful pet when the time comes and in the meantime, he seems quite content keeping me company.”

While Lofty will hopefully be looking

for a permanent home soon, Battersea has currently suspended rehoming.

Anyone interested in adopting a cat or dog from Battersea should register on the website and the rehoming team will be in touch when they can. The charity has also been inundated with offers to foster its animals and has suspended applications to become a foster carer. If you would like to help Battersea care for Lofty and the other cats and dogs in need of care during this time of crisis, please consider donating: donate. battersea.org.uk.

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Total Grooming Magazine | 35

COVID-19

B U R T O N S U P D AT E 25/03/2020

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BURTONSGROOMING.COM @BurtonsGrooming @BurtonsGroomingDirect @burtonsgrooming All prices include VAT, terms and conditions apply.

Prices are correct at time of printing and subject to change.

Burtons Grooming Direct is a trading name of Burtons Direct Ltd.

As the UK Government escalates the response to COVID-19, it is our responsibility to act in a pragmatic and considerate manner, balancing the needs of the animal sector, business and the wider population.

We have taken several steps to ensure that we are doing our bit at Burtons, whilst upholding our offer to the animal community in this difficult time, but please rest assured that our services through Burtons Direct remain largely unaffected at this time.

Our Repair Centre remains open to receive your clipper blades, scissors and other items, as usual, and our Distribution Centre will continue delivering your online orders.

Importantly, at Burtons we have significant manufacturing capability here in the UK. We have offered some of this capacity to meeting the national demand of the COVID-19 relief effort but otherwise remain certain of maintaining stock of the highest quality Burtons manufactured equipment. We also carry an extensive stock of a number of other products, ready for despatch.

Finally, as a tightly knit family-run business, working in some of the most caring of sectors, we feel the strain of these difficult and uncertain times very personally. From all of us here at Burtons, we wish you well the coming weeks and months and will be on hand to assist you where possible.

Warmest regards,

David , Matt and Eve Burton Please check our website for our latest updates.

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