About PATS
PATS is a trade show for the pet and aquatics industry, organised by Raccoon Media Group and held at the NEC in Birmingham. It covers all kinds of pets, from dogs and cats to aquatics, reptiles, exotics and invertebrates, and is aimed squarely at the trade rather than pet owners.
The show runs alongside BETA International, the equestrian trade event, which brings a related retail audience into the same venue. Exhibitors range across pet food and treats, accessories, grooming products and equipment, health products and aquatics supplies, from established brands to companies taking their first steps into the market.
A set of features helps buyers find what they are looking for. The New Products Showcase and Awards puts recent launches in front of retailers, the Aquatics and Reptile Zone and the Grooming Zone gather specialists together, and a New Starter Zone gives emerging brands a dedicated home. An International Pavilion, a Hosted Buyer Programme, networking sessions and drop-in clinics run by the Pet Industry Federation add to the programme, along with animal encounters and aquascaping displays.
Entry is free for buyers, and the visitors are the retailers, wholesalers, groomers and other trade professionals who decide what reaches the shelves. For suppliers, PATS offers a focused opportunity to launch products, meet independent and multiple retailers face to face and gather orders and leads ahead of the following year's ranging decisions.
Next edition
PATS 2027: what to expect
PATS returns to the NEC Birmingham from Sunday 19 to Tuesday 21 September 2027, again co-located with BETA International. Opening times had not been published when this page was prepared.
The International Pavilion, introduced in 2026, is set to continue, and the New Products Showcase and Awards remains the main route for launching new lines at the show. Aquatics exhibitors planning working tanks or aquascaping displays should confirm water, power and weight requirements with the organiser and the NEC early. With a Sunday opening, it is also worth checking build-up times so that stock and display units arrive in good time.