Vet John Burns, founder of the healthy pet food company Burns Pet Nutrition, has received an Honorary Fellowship for outstanding service to the Community at the University of Wales Trinity St David. Burns Pet Nutrition is a family-run business based in Kidwelly, South Wales.
Mr Burns is an advocate of healthy eating and believes that many of the health problems affecting pets are diet-related and can be avoided with the correct nutrition. Having been trading for nearly 30 years, Burns Pet Nutrition is also an accredited Living Wage Employer and became the first UK pet food business to pay the real Living Wage. The company employs more than 140 people across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as 13 members staff who work for the charity John Burns Foundation.
Burns continues to support more than 30 charities long term and contributes multiple donations throughout the year. In-house charity The John Burns Foundation runs multiple community initiatives, such as Burns by Your Side, a scheme that helps school children improve their literacy and communication skills with the aid of trained volunteers and reading dogs.
The John Burns Foundation was set-up in 2006 and aims to help enhance the lives of disadvantaged people, by offering practical recreational facilities and life skill opportunities, as well as using the arts, the outdoors and events to bring enjoyment to the community. The charity has recently moved to its flagship new home, at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Kidwelly.
Last month, John was also awarded an MBE for services to business and the community in West Wales.