Jollyes backs doggy paw balm devised on friends’ kitchen table

Range of soothing balms rolled out across nationwide pet stores

A soothing paw balm for dogs developed on a kitchen table by childhood friends Lyndsey Fearns and Becky Dutton-Geraghty is to be sold nationwide by pet retailer Jollyes.

The range of four balms, made with natural ingredients that are non-toxic and licksafe for dogs, have already become a hit online and are set to reach a new national audience through Jollyes.

Lyndsey is store manager at Jollyes in her home-town of Runcorn, Cheshire and was the first person Becky, who works in retail recruitment, turned to when she had the idea for the balms during lockdown in 2021.

After doing research into various essential oils, they experimented with different recipes and ingredients in Becky’s kitchen and developed samples to ease doggy ailments including allergies, itchy paws, dry nose and anxiety.

Lyndsey, who is also Jollyes’ store manager of the year, said: “It was very important to us that our products were cruelty free and vegan friendly, and we didn’t want a petroleum-based product because we knew it had to be safe if a dog licked it and ingested it. “We test our products on humans, starting with ourselves. My chihuahua Meika used to suffer terribly at Bonfire Night. The anxiety balm has made a huge difference and I can’t believe how settled she has been since we started using the balm.”

With labels designed by Becky and packaged in recyclable aluminium cans, they started selling their Paws Right There range via Etsy site and Instagram and as the products became more popular they set up their own website. “It just took off and we started building up followers who loved it and we realised we had something that could work,” added Lyndsey.

Last December they sent samples to Jollyes who agreed to a trial in six stores and the response has been so strong it is now preparing to roll it out across all 70-plus stores in the UK.

The balm now comes in four varieties: pre walkies barrier balm for paw and snout protection, anxiety calm balm, itchy paws soothing balm and vegan rough paws and snout Saviour, [priced from £5].

The business partners, who are looking for a manufacturer to scale up production, have just launched a pet sun protection balm to protect dogs’ noses and ears which went on sale on their website on 1 June.

They also have a range of pet-friendly candles and wax melts made from natural materials and reflecting the growing awareness of avoiding potentially harmful emissions in the home.

Jollyes’ commercial director Chris Burns said: “We were really impressed with the balms. There was a gap in the market for Lyndsey and Becky’s product and their cruelty free ethos fits perfectly with our approach. Customers in the trial store love it and we can’t wait to see the response as we roll it out across all our stores.

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About Jollyes

From modest beginnings in Enfield as a single store in 1971, Jollyes has now grown into one of the leading pet food superstores with almost 70 locations across the UK alongside a market-leading position in Northern Ireland.

From Perth to Plymouth, Newry to Norwich, at Jollyes customers can find anything for their pet, from pet food, pet toys and an array of pet accessories.

Customers are actively encouraged to bring their pets into store, while customers shop because Jollyes people are passionate about pets.

Potty about puppies and crazy for cats, no matter what the animal, store colleagues are always on hand to help with anything from product advice, to picking the perfect pet and accessories.

Many stores also run community clinics offering vaccinations and other advice from trained vets. And if one of Jollyes stores isn’t close by, there’s helpful advice on Jollyes website where you can ask the expert.

Jollyes was recently named Pet Retail Chain of the Year at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.