Meet PetPen, the stylish and safe alternative to traditional pet crates, designed with innovation and sustainability at its core. Inspired by a personal experience, PetPen re-imagines pet housing as a beautiful, furniture-quality piece that seamlessly fits modern interiors while prioritising pet safety and comfort. Committed to intellectual property (IP) protection, PetPen has secured trade marks and is exploring design rights to safeguard its originality. As an Anti Copying In Design (ACID) member, PetPen champions design integrity and stands against copying in the industry. Discover how this brand is transforming pet furniture while protecting its innovative designs.

1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind PetPen and what sets your pet accessories apart from others in the market?

PetPen was inspired by a personal experience with our Puggle, Jackson. As a puppy, he got his teeth stuck in the bars of a traditional metal crate, which made us realise how outdated and unsafe they can be. When we got our next puppy, Pixie, we wanted a better alternative, something safe, stylish, and practical. Because we found nothing we liked, that’s how PetPen was born. Unlike standard crates, PetPen is designed to be a beautiful, furniture-quality pet home that blends seamlessly into modern interiors while keeping pets comfortable and secure.

2. What steps do you take to ensure that your products are designed with sustainability and quality in mind?

We carefully select our materials to ensure they meet high standards for quality and sustainability. I made sure all materials can be easily dismantled to make for easy recycling and we work with manufacturers who align with our values of ethical production and durability. By designing PetPen to be a long-lasting, stylish piece of pet furniture, we also help reduce waste compared to cheaply made, disposable alternatives. I had our design tested by a company called Design Conformity who quoted: “PetPen is in the top 5% of designs we’ve evaluated.” Adam Hamilton-Fletcher.

3. How does PetPen approach innovation in your product designs, and what role does creativity play in your company’s culture?

Innovation is at the heart of PetPen. Traditional pet crates haven’t changed much in decades, so we set out to completely rethink them – making them safer, more practical, and better suited to modern homes. Creativity drives every part of our business, from design to problem-solving and customer experience. We’re always looking for ways to improve and expand our range, whether through new features, accessories, or additional product lines.

4. Have you faced any challenges with copying or infringement of your designs, and how have you addressed these issues?

To be honest I haven’t seen any limitations of PetPen on the market (yet) but as we gain exposure I anticipate that being an issue, but we’ve taken proactive steps to protect our designs, including securing trade marks & obviously being part of ACID. 

5. What motivated PetPen to join ACID, and how do you see ACID membership benefiting your brand?

We joined ACID because we believe in protecting original design and ensuring that small, independent businesses like ours aren’t undermined by copycats. ACID’s work in raising awareness and providing legal support is invaluable, and being part of a community that stands for design integrity is something we’re proud of.

6. Have you brought anything new to the marketplace recently that you would like to share?

Yes! We’ve recently expanded our range to include accessories that complement PetPen, such as luxury pet beds (Bespoke), blankets (Bespoke), LED Lights (Rebranding existing products) and feeding bowls (Rebranding existing products) . These additions help create a complete pet space that’s both functional and stylish. We’re also working on new designs and product variations to offer even more choices for pet owners such as the PetPen Pod – which connects to any existing PetPen.

7. Are there any specific steps you take to protect your IP rights? For example, do you use or rely on trade marks, legal agreements, design rights, registered or unregistered?

We have registered trade marks for PetPen in the UK, and we also plan to gain design protection as we understand that a patent is no longer possible. My concept would be to protect the design of the PetPen Pod which in turn would cover the full PetPen design details. 

8. What advice would you offer to a new designer?

Protect your work from the beginning. Register your designs, secure trade marks, and document your creative process. It’s also important to build a strong brand identity so customers recognise and trust your originality. Lastly, be prepared to defend your work – unfortunately, copying is common, and having the right protections in place makes all the difference.

9. ACID values the support of its members to enable it to campaign for design law reform. Do you have any messages for Government/Policy Makers on IP issues? Do you think that copying of designs is deliberate and blatant?

Design protection needs to be stronger and easier to enforce, especially for small businesses. Copying is often deliberate, with some companies exploiting legal loopholes to get away with it. Stronger penalties for infringement and better support for designers would help ensure that innovation is rewarded rather than stolen.

10. Have you signed the ACID IP Charter?

Yes, I fully support ACID’s mission, so I have signed the IP Charter this evening. We believe in standing up for design rights and ensuring that original creators are protected.

PetPen

www.petpen.co.uk