A NEW Forest pet care business has scooped a ‘top dog award’ at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.

Sophie’s Pet Care from Lymington has been named the UK’s Dog Walking Business of the Year at the industry’s ‘Oscars’ awards.

The awards celebrates excellence in the pet industry and showcases businesses that uphold the highest standards of quality.

Sophie’s Pet Care has been looking after New Forest pets since 2012 and is run by husband and wife, Adam and Sophie Gates.

Their team performs around 10,000 dog walks each year and over 2000 cat visits.

Managing director, Sophie Gates, said: “With so many customers relying on us, we simply had to invent unique business systems rarely seen in our industry.

“Nowadays as well as operating our pet care businesses, we use our award-winning skills and experience to support other small businesses across a variety of sectors through our one-to-one business coaching, Gates Business Coaching”.

Operations director, Adam Gates, said: “We are coming to terms with the fact that this is the biggest accolade you can receive in the pet industry.

“It really is an honour.

“Thank you to our wonderful and dedicated team of Pet Rangers and our fantastic clients who without which we would not be here.”