Children love animals. Capture this, combine it with a message of responsible pet ownership, add to it the UK’s leading animal welfare charity and you are on the way to creating the perfect property for capturing the imagination of children, parents, grandparents and teachers alike. Licensing By Design has done just this and along with the RSPCA developed RSPCA Perfect Pets.

RSPCA Perfect Pets are aimed at girls aged 6 to 13. It is a range of cute and loveable animal characters each with their own storyline, such as Scraps the Labrador puppy, an unwanted Christmas gift found abandoned in a park by the park keeper. Unlike other brands on the market they are endorsed by the RSPCA.

“RSPCA Perfect Pets offer parents and children a sensible alternative to owning a real pet and can help prepare them for the lifestyle changes that a family pet will bring. They provide an opportunity for children to enjoy owning a pet without having the responsibility of owning a real animal,” comments the Managing Director of Licensing By Design, Fran Huxley.

Since its UK launch in 2003, RSPCA Perfect Pets have been an overwhelming success, securing over 20 licensees and over 300 products in development. For the first licensee, Golden Bear (Licensing By Design’s master toy licensee), RSPCA Perfect Pets have exceeded all expectations achieving their 2003 forecasts in the first few months. Prompted by such an astonishing reaction from both the trade and target audience, the range of characters has been extended from 17 to 30.

“RSPCA Perfect Pets have gained the endorsement of licensees, retailers and consumers of all ages. Although still very much in its infancy we are confident that this is a licensing programme with the potential to maintain a strong market position,” explains Huxley.

For every RSPCA Perfect Pet product sold the RSPCA receives a percentage of the sale, which will go towards its vital work with animals.

Zan Chapman, Marketing Officer at the RSPCA comments on its involvement with the property, “Perfect Pets is a strong brand. Not only does it look great but it also gets across important messages on how to care for animals. The RSPCA is committed to helping develop the brand in 2004.”