The Tailchaser Times 2023 Issue

TOP 5

John Burns MBE

Best Dog Walking Destinations UK

Cat & Dog Besties A Day In The Life of Doggy Influencers

Gobble up the Goodness

Welcome to Issue 8 of The Tailchaser Times…

Since our last edition, we’ve seen many huge changes in the company, the pet industry, and the world. Four new product ranges, countless award wins, an MBE and 3 Prime Ministers later, Tailchaser is back with a vengeance!

In this edition, you can dip your toes into what’s happening at Burns, get the latest scoop on pet nutrition and check out some of our furry friends who are Powered By Burns.

Inside this issue:

Page 4

John Burns gets an MBE

Page 10

Fred & Roy: A Day in The Life

Page 24

Top 5 Pet Food Problems

Page 30

Going back to 1993

Page 34

The History of the Black Cat of Kidwelly

Distribution

Find our publication at independent pet shops and dog events up and down the country. Alternatively, all of our issues are available digitally and if you ask nicely, we are happy to pop a copy in the post.

Submissions

If you have a story worth sharing, email pitches to: catrin@burnspet.co.uk

Follow Us

@BurnsPet

@BurnsPet @BurnsPetFood

www.burnspet.co.uk

Editor Catrin Frame

Graphic Design

Michelle Jones

Contributors

Dog Furiendly, Mayhew Animal Home, Age Connects, Hannah Callaghan, Nerys Henry, John Burns and the Burns Nutrition Team.

HONOURS FOR JOHN!

Having made a tremendous impact on pet nutrition in Britain, and charities in West Wales and beyond, John Burns, BVMS MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, was awarded an MBE for services to business and the community in West Wales!

The news was announced on Her late Majesty The Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List on the Jubilee Weekend, the perfect time for celebrations. John met King Charles in Windsor Castle, and he was awarded his MBE on Valentine’s Day 2023! How lovely.

John has made a tremendous impact on pet nutrition in Britain and charities in West Wales and beyond. Known as a local celebrity in Carmarthenshire, John has received an overwhelming response of positivity and praise on social media. Local people and charities have shared that they feel it is well-deserved for all his work in the community.

In April 2022, Burns Pet Nutrition was voted favourite dog food by members of the Consumers Association for the second year running! So, what’s the secret? John’s approach to pet nutrition is simple. He believes that many of the health problems affecting pets are diet related and can be avoided by feeding the right food.

The Foundation aims to help enhance the lives of disadvantaged people, by offering practical recreational facilities and life skill opportunities, as well as using the arts, the outdoors and events to bring enjoyment to the whole community. The charity has recently moved to its flagship new home, at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Kidwelly. Following the announcement of his honours, John Burns MBE commented on the overwhelming response of the public:

Our John has always aimed to ensure that the brand is not only to be known for natural pet food, but also for being a drive for good causes in the community. Established in 2006, The John Burns Foundation runs multiple community initiatives, such as Burns by Your Side, a scheme that helps school children improve their literacy and communication skills with the aid of Burns reading dogs!

“I’ve said many times over the years that I’m in the fortunate position that the work gets done by other people, but I get all the credit! That’s never more so than now. I’d like to put on record my thanks and appreciation to everyone at Burns who has worked so hard as a team to achieve everything that we’ve done. I’d also like to express my thanks and appreciation to the many messages of support and goodwill I’ve received far and wide. My thanks to you all!”

Here at Burns, we see all of John’s hard work and dedication to pets and people, and it’s safe to say that this MBE is well-deserved.

Well Done John Burns MBE!

Cat & Dog Besties

Who ever said cats and dogs couldn’t be best friends? Here are some of our favourite dynamic duos!

Want the chance to be featured in our next edition of The Tailchaser Times?

Tag us in your photos on social media using

As a small, local charity, Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale strives to support the many isolated, vulnerable, older people in our communities, to combat loneliness and isolation and to create a society in which older people are respected, valued and heard.

It’s estimated that 50% of UK adults own a pet (PDSA). Pets are here for us when we’re happy, sad, unwell, lonely and everything else in between. They love us unconditionally, which is why they make perfect companions.

Recognising this, Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale team are so proud of its partnership with Burns Pet Nutrition, working together to tackle the growing problem of loneliness amongst vulnerable older people.

Studies have shown that forging a relationship with a pet can have both physical and psychological benefits –helping to keep our body and mind in good condition. Interacting with a pet regularly can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety and provide a reason to take regular exercise. And, having a strong bond with a pet gives a reason to appreciate life and connect with others – particularly important for older people who can be socially isolated or struggle to find a sense of purpose.

When care homes in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan were asked if a visit from a four-legged friend might be of interest, we just couldn’t believe the overwhelming response! As part of our ongoing partnership with Burns Pet Nutrition, we joined forces with Dog Furiendly and Pets as Therapy. Our first care home visit to the Forge Care Centre in Ely was a complete success. Residents were delighted! Seeing their faces light up when meeting therapy dog, Charlie, was very special.

As a small local charity, we are always seeking donations to help us continue to deliver our vital services supporting older people in our communities. Every donation, however small, will make an enormous difference.

If you can help us help then visit www.ageconnectscardiff.org. uk/donate

The ‘Community Paws’ scheme is now being rolled out so that other interested care homes can benefit from pup visits too – and we’re delighted that there have been no shortage of dog owners and their pups who’ve come along to the assessment days for participation in the scheme. For so many older people who live alone or were once pet owners, spending time with a trained dog, whether through a care home visit or meeting one of our amazing volunteers’ pooches, is a great way to feel less isolated and more integrated.

Day in the life of Fred & Roy

Ever wanted to know what a pair of Tik Tok stars do in a day? Fredrick and Royston take us on a journey, sharing a day in the life of Fredrick and Royston!

“We always starts our day with some delicious snaccaroonies. Usually we go for Burns fishy dry food for cronch and we also add some Burns wet food. Now we not real fussy on the ones we have cos we loves them all but today we went all out fishyness and chose fishy wet food. Delishswish!”

After breakfast, Fred and Roy go to work at the hair salon with dog mum, Hannah. Perhaps that’s their secret to their golden glow!

“Holy heck we didn’t tell you? We salon doggies! Our mams does ladies hair real nice and we get loves same time? Sometimes they even bring us biccys! Oh my dog we know we is living our best lives”

“We gots a few snoozes in ready for our adventure after work. Today we went to our favourite place EVER – the mountain. We gets to do so many zoomies here!”

Roy is quite the athlete, and loves to chase the ball. Fred on the other hand, prefers to chase bubbles.

“It real fun if Mr. Wind about cos he blow them reeeal far!”

What’s great about living in the Welsh countryside is that there are always some fluffy friends for Fred and Roy to play with!

“Mams say we have to go on lead not to scare sheepies. We try say ‘Hello sheepies we friends’ but they say bahhh and run away??”

After their zoomies, they sat down to watch the sunset before heading back home. Impatiently waiting for their dinner.

“Today we gots to see the sunset! There was even a large thing flying in sky?! Mams say it hot air balloon? Ever the heck that is, we dunno but did some borks at it cos was real suspawcious of it”

“Of course you knows what we going to eat, it’s gonna be fishy heaven – fishy again cos we eats half tray in morning and half in night hehe”

With their bellies full, it’s time to settle down for the night so that they can get all their energy back for their next day of adventures.

“We hopes you’ve enjoyed spending the day with us and hopes you can join us again soon, lots of loves and licks”

“Oh my Rice”

Why is rice such an important ingredient?

Who knew that a tiny brown grain could pack such a big punch? Well, it’s a simple yet extremely effective ingredient that we use in most of our recipes – for good reason too!

Complex carbohydrate adding extra fibre to the food

Simple and natural –ideal for sensitive pets

Simple and natural – ideal for sensitive pets

Low Glycaemic index- steady release of energy

Provides selenium- protects against cell damage.

Also provides copper, phosphorus, vitamins

E, and the B vitamins which all have various important roles in supporting a healthy pet

A great source of manganese- needed for bone development, wound repair and keeping the cells in the body healthy

Meet the Team

Loves taking his dog, Ernie on walks and playing rugby. He’s one more knee injury away from a knee replacement!

Plays tennis for Wales, and has an identical twin, who also plays tennis! When they play doubles, the opposition gets really confused!

Has started cold water swimming, and took part in The Moonwalk London Charity Walk. Vicky’s been with Burns for 16 years!

Enjoys beach days with the family and eating steak and chips. Sarah used to be a Gymnast and can still stand on her chin!

Employee with

Four Paws

Do you ever get the feeling that your dog doesn’t understand a word you say? Well, you’re mostly right. Dogs and cats understand certain words and phrases, but they might just look at you stupid if you said “Burns has a brand new product coming out next week that you’re going to LOVE!”.

We’ve always wanted to find a way to share all of Burns’ exciting news directly to our pupstomers. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to find someone who can speak both dog and human. After searching high and low, we’ve found the paw-fect dog for the job. Introducing our new Wooficial News Anchor and Tik Tok star, TeamCasp47! He’s cheeky, brutally honest and of course, Powered By Burns.

Keen to work with a pampered pooch who can be totally to-thepoint and fussy with excellent taste, Team Burns knew that Casp would be a paw-some match.

Burns has thought very carefully about recruiting a canine. After all, they’re not typically known for their professionalism. Although us humans love our pets dearly, nobody knows a pooch quite like a pooch. Having interviewed many canine candidates, Burns finally found the right match. Each month, Casp’s duties include touching base with Team Burns to get the latest scoop on Burns news, promotions, events and new products. The social media super star will share all the exciting news with the doggos of the world!

Known worldwide for being more naughty than nice, Team Burns will be keeping a close eye on Casp as he can be quite mischievous at times. The Wooficial Burns News Anchor’s job will be vital to the ongoing success of Burns Pet Nutrition. However, with Casp being Casp, we’re not sure everything will go to plan.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a fly on a wall at a job interview? Well we’ve got the inside scoop from our most important interview yet! Nutrition Manager, Laura, asked Casper some vital questions to determine whether he was the right woof for the job…

Thanks for attending the interview for the Burns News Anchor position. Why do you want to work for Burns?

I think I’d be a really good journalist… what’s all that food behind you ? It looks tasty.

Oh don’t worry about that. If you were an animal, which would you be?

Oh what’s a toughie. Uhh, if I were an animal… I definitely wouldn’t be a cat, [mutters] silly cats.

No Casper, we love all animals here. In fact we’re about to launch a new ca… Oh why? Cats are silly! Next question please.

Ok.

So, where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Well… probably surrounded by Burns’ treats and stuff, and… some more food and some treats maybe.

Right. That’s ok. We do produce some very tasty treats here at Burns. How do you think you’ll stay on the ball here while working at Burns?

The ball? There’s a ball involved? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this ball? I want to start yesterday.

No, not a ball as in catch!

Oh, you didn’t throw anything. That is a naughty trick.

Check out the full interview!

Oh you know what, you’ve got the job Casper!

Chews the Fat

Another year, another commendation for Burns!

Public opinion lets us shut out the noise from clever advertisements from major companies. Instead, consumers are being heard loud and clear, letting us hear real opinions from real people!

I’m pleased to hear that fellow vets, pet owners and their pets love Burns as much as we do.

Not only was Burns voted the best loved dog food in Britain last year, but The Telegraph published an article in January 2023 by vet, Peter Wedderburn, who advised pet owners on how to choose the right dog food. In the article, he gives Burns Original the accolade of Best Buy dry dog food.

“Burns is my top pick for dry dog food because of the simplicity and high

quality of its ingredients (essentially, chicken and brown rice). We like its allnatural and high quality ingredients”.

For dogs with sensitive stomachs, Mr Wedderburn highly recommends Burns Sensitive Chicken and Wholegrain Maize, as well as honourable mentions for several other Burns varieties and says “Burns is my choice for sensitive dogs”.

“Some dog foods are less likely to cause gastrointestinal upsets: they have been specially formulated to produce less irritant reactions as the digestive processes proceed. The Sensitive Burns range is a winner in this regard, as the ingredients (chicken and wholegrain maize in this case) are naturally highly digestible.”

Pete The Vet’s recommended food for small and toy breeds is Burns Small and Toy breed variety.

“The usual high quality of food, with high palatability and acceptance by dogs, is found with these versions as with all of the others in the extensive Burns range.” In fact, he has selected Burns as his first choice of food in 3 out of 8 categories. In addition, he has given Burns a thumbs-up in 3 other categories. The Telegraph’s resident vet named Burns in the categories for wet food, senior food and best food for allergies.

Although our natural recipes are high quality and there is something for every dog, our low daily feeding amounts is what set us apart from the rest. Why? Well it’s simple. Firstly, this will lower your daily feeding costs and makes a bag go further. But what you may not consider is that it’s better for your pet and the planet! Our highly digestible recipe meets the needs of the pet, instead of exceeding them.

Our simple, wholesome, and hypoallergenic recipes are perfect for delicate tummies. An additional bonus to this is less poo. I’ve said it for years and I’ll say it again; the benefits of Burns are endless!

That’s 2023 so far. I’m still digesting (sorry) the fact that in both 2021 and 2022, Which? Magazine members voted Burns their top food over some 30 brands which included well-known household and international brands! At the time, I wrote, worth repeating now, “I’m delighted that Burns has once more come top…but I’m really not surprised. For almost 30 years, I’ve been assured by customer feedback that Burns is the best food on the market.” Not bad for a little Kidwelly business.

“Burns is my top pick for dry dog food because of the simplicity and high quality of its ingredients (essentially, chicken and brown rice). We like its all-natural and high quality ingredients”.

- Pete The Vet

6 Of The Best Dog Walking Destinations In The UK

The UK is a beautiful place to explore with your dog! From coast to mountains, there’s a walk for every waggy tail. Dog Furiendly, the barktastic travel experts, share their top picks for the most paw-some dog walking destinations. Unleash your wanderlust and let’s hit the trails!

The South West Coast Path

Enjoy breath-taking views of the Jurassic Coast and Atlantic Ocean, spot wildlife like seals and dolphins, and explore charming villages on the Exmouth to Sidmouth trail. Another great walk is the St Ives to Zennor path, with spectacular cliff views and plenty of opportunities to soak up the natural beauty.

The Lake District

Bursting with stunning views of lakes, fells and valleys. For an easy stroll, take your pup around Derwentwater or Windermere and let them take a dip in the lake. Or, challenge yourself with a hike up Scafell Pike for unforgettable memories with your furry companion.

The Peak District

Enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Peak District with your pup! Hike Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, and Dovedale for stunning views. Visit Chatsworth House or any of the dog friendly pubs or cafes for a restful break. Take a picnic and a swim in the River Dove for the perfect day out.

The Northumberland Coast

An ideal destination for dog lovers, with breathtaking beaches, cliffs, dunes and castles. A must-do is the Bamburgh to Seahouses walk, with stunning views of the sea and Bamburgh Castle - and you can even take your pup inside the castle grounds, and the Armstrong & Aviation Museum. Adventurers might also want to check out the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path, which follows the Roman defensive fortification built in A.D. 122 and offers spectacular views of the Northumberland National Park and Kielder Forest.

The Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the most beautiful and thrilling dog walks in the UK. The West Highland Way is an excellent option for dogs who love mountain walks, with impressive views of the majestic Scottish hills. For those looking for a more challenging adventure, Ben Nevis and Glencoe offer breath-taking mountain trails with plenty of opportunities for exploration.

From the Peak District to the Scottish Highlands, the UK is home to many picturesque dog walks. Don’t forget - to discover dog friendly pubs and cafés en-route, visit Dog Furiendly’s free website. Wherever your path takes you, make memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path

A stunning stretch of the Welsh coastline. One of the best places to walk your dog along the path is from Freshwater East to Stackpole Quay. This walk is around 4 miles in length and includes a great mix of beaches, cliffs, caves and meadows. There’s plenty of opportunity for your dog to make friends along the way, as well as lots of great sights to enjoy. The walk also takes you through Bosherston Lily Ponds, which are a nationally important wetland and home to a variety of wildlife.

Want a walking buddy?

Burns and Dog Furiendly provide dog owners with the opportunity to join ‘ Lead the way’ group walks with their dogs, or to host group walks in their own areas. These walks are a great way for you and your dog to socialise, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

The

Fun Part…

We talk a lot about the importance of mental enrichment for our wonderful pets… but what about you? Put your brain to the test with our super fun word search or show us your inner Picasso with draw your own pet. Take a break from the reading and play some brain games with us!

Burns Word Search

Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden and

Did

Coinciding

Bring

Top Pet Food Problems 5

Pets are part of the family, and we all want what is best for them. Burns Pet Nutrition is proud to have a free Nutrition Helpline, which provides pet owners with expert nutrition advice when they need it. Over the years, our nutritionists have heard every question under the sun, and nothing phases them! Nutritionist, Laura shares her top helpline questions.

1. Which food is right for my sensitive dog?

All our diets are hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive dogs. For these questions I like to know which food the dog is currently on, how much food they have in a day and whether they are having any treats or extras. Often it can be the amount of food or the treats rather than actual the ingredients in their current food. We need to look at the whole picture.

2. How much food should I give my dog?

We have a feeding guide on the bag, but it is just a guide, and every dog is an individual. Pet owners often ask whether they are feeding enough, as it doesn’t look like much in the bowl. The Burns feeding amounts are also often lower than other brands due to the highly digestible ingredients. We have a general feeding guide, and we often use the senior guide for dogs that are prone to issues such as digestive upset or the anal glands filling. If you’re unsure, get in touch!

Adult: 10g per 1kg of their weight a day

Senior: 8g per 1kg of their weight a day

3. Which food should I feed my puppy?

Many people we speak to are experienced dog owners. However, every dog is different, and nothing can prepare you for getting a new puppy! We have 4 different puppy foods at Burns. The Puppy Original diets (chicken or lamb) are our most popular, and they’re perfect for most puppies. The Puppy Mini is ideal for tiny breeds with a smaller mouth as it has a small kibble size. The Puppy Duck & Potato is a good option for dogs who may have food intolerances or allergies as it has novel ingredients. We can also send free samples out to see which they prefer.

4. Questions on ingredients

Some owners are looking for a diet to avoid certain ingredients that their allergic pet reacts to. Burns is a great choice for many of these dogs as our recipes are so simple. We don’t use beef, wheat or dairy in any of our diets. We also get questions on the quality of our ingredients. We source as many ingredients as possible from the UK and EU. We use high quality ingredients such as wholegrain brown rice. This is part of the reason why are diets are very easily digested. In our wet food, we also use free range chicken and egg.

5. Which food should I feed my dog with pancreatitis?

Some owners are looking for a diet to avoid certain ingredients that their allergic pet reacts to. Burns is a great choice for many of these dogs as our recipes are so simple. We don’t use beef, wheat or dairy in any of our diets. We also get questions on the quality of our ingredients. We source as many ingredients as possible from the UK and EU. We use high quality ingredients such as wholegrain brown rice. This is part of the reason why are diets are very easily digested. In our wet food, we also use free range chicken and egg.

Phone: 0800 083 6696 (UK) 1800 83 66 96 (ROI) Webchat: burnspet.co.uk

Nutrition Helpline Available Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

One Hundred Dogs a Year

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has only increased the number of dogs being signed over to us.

It goes without saying that we have many mouths to feed in our shelter; around 100 dogs a year. Burns supplies us with food donations every month, and because of the help we get from them, we are able to ensure that every dog at Mayhew is not only well fed, but also has their nutrition taken care of. Some dogs who come into our care may have come from an environment where they didn’t have ample food access, and with Burns we can help these dogs on the road to becoming healthier and happier.

Burns’ donation is not limited to the dogs currently in the shelter either. Our foster dogs are also provided with Burns food while they are in their temporary home. This helps them adjust from being in our kennels to being in a new home easily, so that the dog can avoid unnecessary stress. It also benefits our volunteer foster carers, who are at ease knowing there is a food that already works with the pup in their care, and they don’t need to provide their own.

It goes without saying that the dogs in our care love their Burns food as well. Bungle, a 3-year-old Chow Chow currently looking for a home, is such a fan that he waits by the window with his tail wagging when he knows a team member is coming to feed him. Similar reactions take place across the kennel each day at mealtime. It is a highlight of every day for the dogs!

“Not only do Burns provide all our in-house and foster dogs with dry food, but they also give us adopter food packs for our dogs to go to their adopted homes with. This is immensely helpful for our dogs as they transition into a new life. Not to mention, we recommend our adopters continue to feed Burns to their dogs. We feel as if it is a good quality food that benefits an animal’s health in the long term.”

The cost of dog food for a small charity such as us would be an immense strain on our resources. Because of Burns’ generous donation, not only are we ensuring that our dogs are getting all their nutrition needs met, but we are able to use funds that would otherwise go towards pet food in other areas of our work. Whether it be clinical care, food bank support, TheraPaws hospital visits, or oversees work, Burns’ support allows us to continue providing a well-rounded range of support to dogs, cats, and communities.

Making a difference to those who make a difference to others

“Myself and the Burns Pet Nutrition team are extremely passionate about supporting and giving back to the community in any way, shape or form possible, and the same goes for charities in need of the support they aren’t currently receiving.”

Hundreds of animal shelters and rescues applied for Burns Charity of the Year, an award that recognises and rewards the outstanding achievement of animal welfare organisations in both the UK and Ireland.

The Charity of the Year Award has been a yearly event since its establishment in 2015. In addition to this initiative, we continue to support over 30 charities long-term alongside our in-house charity The John Burns Foundation.

Makants main objectives is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome retired and injured greyhounds. They are supported by a great team of volunteers who help fundraise, foster and care for their greyhounds.

They are a completely independent selffunded charity, and everyone connected with the rescue is a volunteer, many have been with the charity since the rescue centre was founded.

The charity also takes their greyhounds on visits to Care Homes for older people and to schools and youth groups such as Cubs. They have become well respected in their local community and have attended many community events such as Christmas light ‘switch-ons’ and other charity events.

Our Irish Charity of the Year 2022-2023, Leitrim Animal Welfare, is a completely independent self-funded charity which rescues animals in need that have been abused, exploited or abandoned. The dedicated team at Leitrim rehabilitates their animals with patience, love and reward-based training methods. The charity is also committed to educating the public in responsible animal ownership.

“We are looking forward to working with Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre and Makants Greyhound Rescue and hopefully they will feel the benefit of the support Burns Pet Nutrition can offer.”

Going back to 1993

A high speed train makes the first journey from France to England via the Channel Tunnel

McDonald’s Big Mac cost £1.79

Stormzy was born

Meatloaf’s ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) is the year’s best selling single

Indoor vs Outdoor

Ah, yes. The great cat world debate. Indoor or outdoor?

Historically cats were outdoor creatures. They were kept for pest control and very rarely came inside the house. It’s only since we have truly domesticated the cat and sought companionship that we question which is best for our cat. There are merits to both lifestyles for a cat. So let’s weight up the pros and cons…

Snuggled up inside

The physical risks are a lot lower for an indoor cat. They’re known to live longer if their needs are properly met. Being indoors also reduces their chances of trauma and injury.

◊ Safe from predators

◊ Safe from traffic accidents

◊ Safe from toxins, transmittable disease and parasites.

◊ All the creature comforts of a home

◊ Ease of mind knowing your cat is safe at home

◊ Can help form a better relationship between cat and owner

Pros Cons

◊ Can lead sedentary lives indoor

◊ Boredom

◊ Not able to display natural hunting instincts

◊ Frustration

If you decide to keep your cat indoors, it’s super important to provide mental enrichment. Otherwise they might just claw your house to shreds! You know, dogs aren’t the only ones who play fetch! Get interactive with your kitty and encourage their hunting behaviour. Read “Is my cat bored” on our blog for more ideas. Cats also love having somewhere to hide in the house, especially when they’re up high so they can watch over their kingdom from a safe distance.

The Great Outdoors

Although a cat will display more natural behaviour having access to outdoors, there can be many risks to their health and lifespan. Where you live will have a big impact on this too.

Pros

◊ Can display a more natural behaviour

◊ Bigger territory

◊ Interesting environment

◊ More control

◊ Less frustration from confinement

◊ Better exercise

Cons

◊ At risk from predators – wild animals, other cats and dogs

◊ At risk to injuries from traffic and exploring

◊ Toxic plants/chemicals

◊ Catching diseases & parasites

◊ Getting lost or caught in poor weather conditions

◊ At risk from human cruelty

◊ Negative impact on wildlife population – birds and small mammals

What the heck is a catio?

If you’re unsure about whether you’d like to have an indoor or outdoor cat, why not build a catio? This is a safe enclosure for your cat to roam, sunbathe, listen to the birds and play with the bugs without the dangers of the great outdoors.

A 2021 study from Nottingham Trent University shows that nearly half of cats are kept indoors, and the number is expected to grow. It’s more important than ever to ensure that indoor cats have lots of stimulation inside the house. Sounds exhausting, right? Don’t worry, cats sleep for 12-16 hours a day so they’ll soon run off for a well-needed cat nap!

As Burns hits its 30th anniversary, we’re reminiscing over the story of how we got to where we are today. Our hometown is an important part of our story and holds a dear place in our hearts. So let’s take a journey through the history of Kidwelly, and our beloved black cat.

Everywhere has its tales, stories and fables. So, what about the home of Burns Pet Nutrition? Kidwelly is blessed with the beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, mountains, coast and a stunning Norman castle. But how exactly did this furry explorer become the ancient town’s mascot? The little black cat sits on signs, buildings and structures around the little ancient town of Kidwelly. This has many stories surrounding its origin.

The Black Cat of Kidwelly

The simplest theory of the town’s mascot is that it is based around the spelling on the town’s name. Like all places, over time Kidwelly had a range of different names, presumably because most people in the 17th Century could not read or write, let alone spell. Ancient recordings of the town’s name include Cadwely, Catwelli, Kadewly, Keddewelly, Kadwelve and Kedwelle. The origins of Kidwelly’s black cat might have come from the spelling, “Catwelli”.

Others believe that the town was named after a gentleman called Cattas, who legend says used to sleep in an oak tree in the area. This one sounds a little too much like a bad Christmas cracker joke; “Why did Cattas become the Kidwelly’s cat mascot? - Cattas stuck in a tree”. We can already hear the radio silence… moving on!

Kidwelly is also home to river otters. Some locals believe that the otter was mistaken for a cat, which is how the cat became the town mascot! Actually, many people still believe that the otter is the town mascot. There is even an otter carved memorial in St Mary’s Churchyard. Here at Burns, we’re still Team Cat.

There are a few theories on why Kidwelly’s mascot is the black cat, but this one is our favourite. After the Great Plague during the 17th Century, it had wiped out the population. People began to return to the first and only living thing that welcomed them; a little black cat. The cat became a symbol of hope and deliverance, and was honoured by becoming the town’s mascot.

Despite many ideologies of where the Black Cat of Kidwelly comes from, we may never know the truth behind the fantastic feline’s claim to fame. Interested to know what else lies in the Kidwelly shadows?

Paw on over to our blog post that digs deeper into the mysteries that lurk in the little ancient town’s history.

*Black cats design inspired by local artist, Luke Angus Thomas and the Kidwelly Mural