Paws4Pets are here for you

The reason that Paws4Pets started in The Algarve was purely a chance remark to Burns when we were moving here. I had struggled, a few years back from that time, to sort out my two dogs allergies and I had had them on Burns for many years. During the few years after buying this farm, and deciding to relocate, I had tried on every visit to track down a suitable food that was sold here. It was the impossible task.

Lennie, with complicated medical problems could only survive on one food. I was already trying to solve the fact that his medication, which kept him alive, was unavailable in Portugal. Note that I did solve this and the route is still available today. I tried Sandy on all the various foods available down here, a different one each visit. The result was always the same, disaster and an itching uncomfortable Sandy. I was getting VERY distressed as moving day approached and was at my wits ends as to what the answer was. 4 weeks pre move I emailed Burns for some inspiration and checked if there was an outlet anywhere in Portugal. Back ‘in the day’ it was not as easy as it is now to just buy off the internet and ship down. Burns answered immediately, as they always do, to announce that there were NO distributors in Portugal. Panic!!

Within ten minutes they got back to me with ‘a plan’. Would I like to become the distributor for Burns in Portugal, they knew I was a loyal follower and had been so impressed with the way Burns had improved my dogs overall health and wellbeing. Bear in mind that it was our intention to retire to The Algarve having run our own business in the UK for over 30 years. We were tired of the relentless work. I checked with Jim who digested it and agreed it ‘may’ be an idea and Julie and I could ‘get on with it’. We were the ones that were in control of our dogs and I was the one that had all the info in my head having spent years on research for Lennie and Sandy. I said YES. Little did we realise what we had just taken on. However we really enjoy it, meeting all the people and all the fabulous pets.

First, after moving here, we had to apply for the relevant licences to import Burns. It was complicated, we did not speak the language and it was down, entirely, to Jim’s perseverance that we ended up with the correct paperwork by August----6 months after starting. The plan was to buy a pallet and sell the food from the house, doing some advertising in the local papers. The first pallet arrived eventually after many transport problems—however at this time in our lives this farm was let out to holidaymakers as it had been for years. Complicated, we were about 12klms away in our caravans. Thanks to very understanding clients the food was all unloaded into our huge shed on our land here. 

The rest is history and Paws4Pets has grown and grown. We launched Paws4Pets at Blip 2004, followed by a Kiss radio campaign. We were amazed at the reaction. Within weeks it became clear we needed a shop, so we rented one in Silves. We were there for 5 years and had by then bought our new shop in Albuferia. After continuing battles over paperwork in Silves we sadly had to close that outlet down and have concentrated on the new shop and the online business. We are guided at all times by our customer base and our many hours of research. 

Jim had to immerge from his retirement and now spends as much time on Paws as he ever did on the Company in the UK. He is excellent at finding his way through the rules and regulations, researching EU and Portuguese Law. He researches all the food for many hours and finally agreed to get involved within the shop, which was never his intention.

Basically, our main criteria is, if we would not give it to our own pets, we will not sell it. We spend hours researching everything from food and health supplements to shampoos and grooming products. It can sometimes take us over a year from finding the product and then eventually get it in the shop---so may hoops to jump through on the way. Things change and companies change their rules and we have to work within that. To obey the law we have to translate every product into Portuguese and then label—this takes Julie hours.

My own dogs have remained true to Burns, without a doubt they are better on this food. Coats shiny, no itching, less wastage to pick up as the food has all they need in it. Yes my dogs do have Natures Menu and Applaws wet food at times—usually when I am travelling or at shows as it is easier to deal with. They love it BUT it has to be said that they cannot be on wet food alone for a length of time. We have lost three dogs since being here, all our original Burns dogs BUT all doggies were a very good age when we lost them. Sandy our Old English Sheepdog was one week off 15 years when we lost her—that is amazing for such a large dog. Both our Beardies were 14 years old.

BUT Paws4Pets is not just about selling dog food, bowls, leads ect ect. It is about caring and being on hand when a client is in despair. My phone is never off, my computer rarely off and if I can help I will. Sometimes it is just ‘being there’ that is needed, sometimes I dig into what I have learnt over the years. A few dogs with Addisons disease are still with us thanks to the knowledge I collected coping with Lennie for the 10 years he had the problem. Hypothyroidism I can often recognise and it saves so much heartache to know what tests to follow to get the results. It is also helpful to be used to reading the blood tests to form an opinion. They are not always obvious.  I have so many doggy contacts around the world, good contacts that I can email at any time for backup or advice. We do not win all the battles, that would be impossible BUT if I can help anyone through the maze I will do. Over the years we have solved lots of itchy skin issues on dogs just by a change of food, to Burns, Fish4Dogs or Natural Dog Food. Some people have spent months having everything tested only to find a change of food is the answer. With my own OES Chloe, the Joint Aid has helped her cope with Hip Dysplasia, she is now 8 and a half, diagnosed at 2 years old and it has not progressed. Having lived through the pain of 2 OES with Hip Dysplasia I know all too well how quickly it often becomes impossible. The Joint Aid seems to have held off the arthritis for which I am so thankful. To see Chloe race down the land as she has done today is a joy. Dorwest offer lots of useful products which I use with various issues when I have to. If I can avoid using full time chemicals I will do.

I am, however, fast to take my dogs to the Vets with some crazy symptoms----we all need the vets wonderful knowledge and training---it has to be said that my suspicions are usually correct and I seem to chose the right moment to call in the experts. My Merlin has caused me endless problems from Day One when we rescued him from a pet shop at 4 months old. This year has been bad for him but again I was able, once again, to refer back to Lennie to guide me in the correct direction. 

So just to repeat, Paws4Pets is here for you, you can come to the shop and just talk to us for ages, if we can help we will or we may be able to suggest a path for you and be there to help you through it.

For myself I have serious health issues and am not automatically able to be at the shop every day. If anyone wants a chat and wants to meet up at the shop just phone or email me and I will be there. My Portuguese Water Dog, Cleo will be with me, she is always by my side in her ‘self appointed’ role as my assistance dog. She is very clever it has to be said. 

Just visit our store, email or ring us for a chat or advice.

Jan Cobley
Paws 4 Pets

T: 916 273 376
W: www.paws4pets.net 

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