The UK’s Pet Industry Federation (PIF) named the winners of its 2026 awards on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at a black-tie dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Stoke-on-Trent. PIF published the full list the next morning. We.pet was named Wholesaler of the Year, Pets Corner took Pet Retail Chain of the Year, and Peter Hornsby of Durham Animal Feeds received the Lifetime Achievement Award. If you buy for a UK pet shop, grooming salon or boarding business, the trade categories are a useful shortlist of who the industry itself rates this year.
The trade and manufacturing winners
We.pet won Wholesaler of the Year, a category sponsored by Natures Menu. The two manufacturer awards were split by size: The Innocent Pet Care Company won Manufacturer of the Year for businesses under £10m, and Bella+Duke won the over £10m category. Buddycare took the Export Business Award, and the International Business Award, sponsored by Interzoo, went to the German pet food maker Landguth Heimtiernahrung GmbH.
ProtectaPet was named Brand of the Year, and Tug-E-Nuff won E-commerce Business of the Year. HayPigs! won Marketing Campaign of the Year for its “Piggy Fest” campaign. Pet Impact won the Sustainability Award and Only Rescues won Innovation of the Year.
New products the judges picked
The four new product awards, all sponsored by the trade magazine PBW, are probably the most useful list for buyers planning next year’s range:
- Accessories: DigDrum by Petosu
- Food: Fruit Medley by Durham Animal Feeds
- Health and hygiene: the Venison Blood Wellness Range by Totoniks
- Treats: Functional Mixers by Natures Menu
PIF didn’t publish prices, pack sizes or trade terms for any of them, so check with each brand or your usual wholesaler before you order.
Retail, grooming and care businesses
Barks Allowed was named Independent Retailer of the Year, and Dobbies at Melville Nursery won Garden Centre Pet Department of the Year. Bristol Raw Dog won Raw Store of the Year, a category sponsored by Nutriment.
On the services side, The Dog House in Leicester won Grooming Business of the Year, Mayfield Cattery won Cattery of the Year, Crossroads Resort won Kennel of the Year and Playschool for Dogs won Dog Daycare Business of the Year. Leafields Dog Retreat took Home Boarding Business of the Year, Gemma & Jodi’s Pet Services won Dog Walking Business of the Year and Vets at Home won Pet Service Business of the Year. Northumberland Dog Hotel was named New Business of the Year, and Rosie Paull of Benyfit Natural won Best Newcomer.
Lifetime Achievement and Legend awards
Peter Hornsby of Durham Animal Feeds received the Lifetime Achievement Award, which PIF described as one of the evening’s most prestigious honors, for his contribution to the pet industry over many years. The award was sponsored by PATS 2027. The Legend Award, sponsored by Rosewood Pet Products, went to Clayton Payne.
Record entries and a sold-out room
PIF says this year’s awards had the highest number of entries it has ever received, and 330 guests attended. Nigel Baker, PIF’s chief executive, said: “This has been a record year for entries and the standard has been exceptional.” TV vet Dr Scott Miller was the special guest, and fundraising on the night supported Birmingham Dogs’ Home and U-Hearts Foundation.
Natures Menu was the platinum sponsor. The headline sponsors were Cliverton, The Animal People Recruitment Company, Mackle Petfoods and Rosewood Pet Products, with Durham Animal Feeds as the official drinks sponsor. You can find the event details and past editions on our PIF Awards 2026 page.
Finding suppliers after the awards
If the results have you reviewing who you buy from, you can compare pet food wholesalers, pet accessories wholesalers and raw pet food suppliers on Pet Trade World. Grooming, boarding and daycare businesses can look at pet business insurance and other pet business services. PATS, the trade show that sponsored this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, returns to the NEC in Birmingham on September 19–21, 2027, if you’d rather meet suppliers in person.
This item is based on desk research of the Pet Industry Federation’s announcement and its PIF Awards page. We have not spoken to PIF or the winners.
Source: petfederation.co.uk
Companies and shows in this story
- Pet Industry Federation (PIF)UK trade association for pet businesses, running the PIF Awards, the Business of Pets Conference and pet industry training.
- Interzoo 2028Biennial international pet industry trade fair in Nuremberg; next edition 23 to 26 May 2028.
- NutrimentSurrey raw pet food brand making complete BARF meals for dogs and cats since 2013, sold direct and through stockists.
- PATS 2027 (Pet & Aquatics Trade Show)The UK pet and aquatics trade show, at the NEC Birmingham on 19 to 21 September 2027, co-located with BETA International.
- Rosewood Pet ProductsTelford designer and distributor of pet toys, treats, bedding and accessories for retailers, including Morris & Co. and Joules ranges.
- ClivertonInsurance for 34 animal trades from a Fakenham broker, with trade-specialist handlers, published admin fees and FCA authorisation as Lycett, Browne-Swinburne & Douglass Limited, part of Benefact Group.
- Mackle PetfoodsNorthern Ireland family manufacturer of wet dog and cat food in cans and trays, founded in 1972.
- PIF Awards 2026Pet Industry Federation awards gala, 5 November 2026, DoubleTree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent.
