Community, compassion and a commitment to giving back have always been central to the way Petpals operates – both through the everyday work of its franchisees and through the charitable initiatives that bring the network together.
With a milestone year ahead, the company has chosen to begin its anniversary celebrations not with a commercial announcement, but with something far closer to its heart: a charity raffle raising vital funds for the PDSA.
Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, discusses why this event marks the perfect start to the brand’s 25th year – and why giving back remains such an important part of the Petpals ethos.
A few weeks ago, our team came together for a charity raffle evening that raised £650 for the PDSA – and I can’t think of a better way to begin our 25th anniversary year. For me, it summed up exactly what Petpals stands for. Yes, we are a franchise network. Yes, we are a business. But above all, we are a community of people who care deeply about pets – and about each other.
The event was organised by our Franchise Support Manager, Tracey Dawber, who many within our network will know for her boundless enthusiasm and her passion for doing good. Tracey has already completed the London Marathon three times, raising money for Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and the Army Benevolent Fund. In 2026, she will be running her fourth London Marathon – this time in support of the PDSA.
And this year, we’re proud to stand behind her in more ways than one. As part of our anniversary celebrations and our commitment to giving back, Petpals will be sponsoring Tracey’s London Marathon fundraising efforts by contributing directly to her PDSA total. Supporting Tracey felt like a natural extension of our values – a way for us to champion one of our own while also helping a charity that means so much to our network.
As Tracey put it on the night: “PDSA does incredible work helping pets and owners who might otherwise struggle to afford veterinary care. Running the marathon is a huge challenge, but knowing that every penny raised helps keep families and their pets together makes it all worthwhile.”
Her words resonate with me – not just because they are true, but because they capture the spirit of Petpals so perfectly. Our franchisees, our teams and our customers all share the same belief: pets are part of the family, and the communities we serve matter.
The raffle itself was a wonderful evening, hosted by The Clatford Arms in Goodworth Clatford and supported by generous prize donations from local businesses. There was laughter, music and a sense of togetherness that reminded me of just how special our network is. But more importantly, it marked the start of our anniversary year and the first of many charitable initiatives we have planned.
Since 2001, Petpals franchisees have been out in their communities nurturing trust, providing support and forming lasting relationships with the pet owners they serve. Now, as we celebrate 25 years of doing what we love, we want to use this milestone to give something back – not just to the charities we care about, but to the communities and customers who have supported us along the way.
This fundraiser is only the beginning. Throughout 2026, we’ll be shining a light on the animal charities closest to our people’s hearts, supporting causes big and small, and celebrating the compassion that has defined Petpals from day one.
As we look ahead to the next chapter, I’m proud of what we’ve built – not just as a business, but as a family of people united by their love of animals. If our next 25 years are guided by that same spirit, I know they will be every bit as rewarding as the first.
