Burgess Pet Care

Final preparations are underway for the biggest rabbit jumping attraction, that will see Sweden’s top rabbits and their owners travel to Yorkshire to compete with the UK’s finest rabbit jumpers at the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, on 29-30 January 2011.

Rabbit Jumping is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and show organiser, the Bradford Small Livestock Society, is delighted to host such a prestigious event.  The sport originated in Sweden in the late 1970s, following the same rules as horse jumping, and as the sport became more widely recognised, it evolved to become more rabbit friendly.

Rabbits are natural hoppers of course! The current world record for the highest jump was set in 1997 by Danish rabbit Tosen, who jumped almost a metre, and the long jump record was set by another Danish rabbit, Yabo, who hopped an amazing three metres (10ft) in 1999. The Burgess Premier Small Animal Show could be the venue for some more record breaking bunny hops.

Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care and Small Animal Show sponsor, said: “Because of their natural agility, the rabbit’s love it, and it’s fun for rabbit and owner alike. It’s also helps demonstrate to people who attend the show, or who might be thinking of getting a pet rabbit, just how much exercise and space they do actually need. The rabbit jumping is a fantastic addition to the show and one that is sure to attract a great deal of interest, as the craze has captured the imagination of so many small animal lovers.”

Have you got the Pet Factor?

Alongside the rabbit jumping display there will be many other exciting activities to entertain and excite the crowds visiting the showcase square activity zone at the show. New for 2011, the showcase square is fast becoming the heart of the show, attracting a fantastic line-up of entertainment events and acts throughout the weekend. However, show organisers would still love to hear from anyone who has the ‘Pet Factor’ and would like to be a part of the showcase square line up!

Naomi continued: “Please get in touch if you have a special talent that will leave visitors spellbound. You could be the star of the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show!”

Setting the Stall Out for Success

Increased opportunities for businesses to become involved in the show as trade exhibitors have proved popular, and the event will have a range of stalls including crafts, foods, animal accessories and lots more.

And of course not forgetting the hundreds of small animal breeders who come together, for the competition of the year, to compete to win best in category and the overall award – Best in Show. This year it is set to see over thousands of small animal lovers attend across the two day event. With over 3,000 gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rats, it really will be an incredible experience for all the family. Whether you’re looking to compete, trade or just attend the show, it’s a fantastic weekend. It’s a festival for people who are passionate about small animals.

Entry costs start at just £3 for under 16’s and £7 for adults, or alternately you can purchase a family ticket for £18 which admits two adults and up to three under 16’s. To book tickets please visit www.thesmallanimalshow.co.uk and download the booking form.

Design Your Pet A Palace!

UK’s Biggest Small Animal Show Calls on Young Designers

Is your pet bored of their current home? Would you like to give them more room to run around in their own special pet pad of the future? Then the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show wants to hear from you, as we are calling upon budding young artists who want to design the pet palace of the future!

Previously the Bradford Championship Show, the newly named Burgess Premier Small Animal Show www.thesmallanimalshow.co.uk is the longest running and biggest small animal show in the UK. Held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, in Harrogate on 29^th – 30^th January 2011, the two day competition will see approximately 3,000 gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rats attend the extravaganza.

This year the show organisers are calling for small animal lovers and budding young artists, up to the age of 16, to enter an exclusive My Pet Palace competition.  So whether it’s a house for your mouse or new digs for your guinea pigs, we want to hear what you think the pet house of the future should look like.

All you need to do is send us a drawing of your ideal pet palace, for a gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, rabbit or rat, and you could see your design come to life. Three lucky winners will get their drawings made into real palaces for their pets by bespoke designers, Runaround www.runaround.co.uk, to take home and house their pets, along with free tickets to the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show where your winning pet palace could be on display!

How to Enter:

To be in with a chance of winning post us your drawing on an A4 piece of paper before 22^nd November 2010, along with a completed entry form downloadable from http://www.thesmallanimalshow.co.uk/a-fun-day-out/my-pet-palace.html , to: My Pet Palace, Hatch Communications, Wharfebank House, Wharfebank Business Centre, Ilkley Road, Leeds, LS21 3JP or email us at pressoffice@hatchcommunications.co.uk

One winner will be chosen from the following three age groups: aged 6 years and under, 7-11 years and 12-16 years. The competition deadline has been extended to 15th December 2011 at 12pm. Terms and Conditions apply.

Terms and Conditions

-          The prize includes production of one small animal house, two adults and two children’s tickets to the Burgess Premier Show Small Animal Show and one night’s accommodation in Harrogate. Travel is not included. Children must be accompanied by two adults to the show.

-          There will be three winners, one from each age category (aged 6yrs and under, 7-11yrs and 12-16yrs)

-          Only one entry per child is permitted.

-          The competition closes at 12pm Monday 15^th November 2010 and winners will be picked no later than Monday 22^nd November 2010. The judges’ decision is final.

-          The maximum size of the pet house will be L:6ft, W:3ft by D:2ft. The house will be made of wood, mesh and tubing.

-          The pet house should be designed to suit a gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, rabbit or rat only.

-          Winning designs will be on display at the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, on the 29^th – 30^th January 2010. Transportation of the winning pet house from this event to the winner’s home is not provided.

-          No cash alternative will be offered.

-          In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.

-          The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

-          All entrants must be willing to participate in publicity should they be a winner.

-          We reserve the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition if, in our sole discretion, the competition is not capable of being conducted as specified in the competition rules.