KC’s puppy farm petition goes to Downing Street
10 Dec 2009 08:02
A KENNEL Club petition bearing the names of 15,000 people is calling on the Government to put a halt to the puppy farm trade at Christmas.
The petition was delivered to 10 Downing Street last week by MP Ian Cawsey. It urges the Government to make the principles and standards of the Accredited Breeder Scheme mandatory for all breeders.
“This would mean that breeders would have to put the health and welfare of their puppies first – for example giving their dogs the required health tests for their breed and ensuring that potential buyers see the puppies with their mothers and in their home environment,” said KC spokesman Caroline Kisko said.
“A growing number of websites are selling puppies to recession-hit Brits for knock-down prices over the festive period and then couriering the ‘purchase’ directly to their customers. These puppies have often come from puppy farms, where they are bred for profit and with no concern for their health and welfare.
Status dogs
“These irresponsible breeders will sell to any customer – even those who may be looking for so called status dogs or dogs that they can train for fighting.”
One third of puppy buyers search for a puppy on the internet, in free newspapers or in pet shops, Mrs Kisko said.
“These puppies often come from puppy farmers, or from those dealing on their behalf,” she said. “Unlike accredited breeders, these people will not health test their dogs or show buyers the puppy’s mother and breeding environment, which we think should be a legal requirement. Neither will they ask any questions to determine whether the owner is ready for dog ownership, meaning that they may be sold into irresponsible hands, with potentially devastating consequences.”