Puppy Awareness Week!

Source: The Kennel Club.

My apologies for the late notice but for those of you who don't already know we are half way through The Kennel Club's National Puppy Awareness Week!

PAW is running from 8th to 15 September and aims to help ensure that a dog is for life.  Dogs all over the country are ending up in rescue homes due to the fact that people are buying the wrong dog for their lifestyle from the wrong breeder.  The Kennel Club states that there are 210 breeds of dog as well as many crossbreeds, all have very different needs.  Pedigree dogs are bred to have predictable traits and characteristics and by doing some simple research it is easy to find a dog that is best suited to your lifestyle.

Thinking of getting a dog?  Find out which breed is best suited to you.

KC research has shown that in 2011 as many as one in four people could potentially have bought their puppy from a puppy farm without even knowing.  As you already know if you are a regular reader of this blog, puppies on puppy farms are born to overused and abused dogs that are kept in horrendous conditions.  Puppy farmers place health and welfare beneath their greed, as far as they are concerned: more puppies = more money.

Beware of puppies advertised in free ads (Gumtree for example), sold over the internet or in pet shops and are collected by buyers from neutral locations such as service stations, or delivered direct.  Always ask Where's Mum? 

KC encourages people to always go to a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, members of this scheme are the only breeders in the country who agree to follow high standards for caring for the health and welfare of their pups and who agree to allow a KC inspector access to their premises.  If you are looking for a rescue dog, use the Kennel Club Rescue Dog Directory to find a Breed Rescue or another rescue home.

Other recommended rescues include:

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

RSPCA

Dogs Trust

Mayhew Animal Home

The Kennel Club is asking people to:

Show your support for Puppy Awareness Week here by printing off posters, leaflets and stickers and spreading the word.

Pup Aid 2012: The Event

After months of waiting, the day of Pup Aid had arrived and the weather couldn't have been better, the sun shone down on the fantastic location of Primrose Hill in North West London. 

  

Not long after we arrived we stumbled upon a great doggy paddling pool which dogs were quickly taking advantage of to cool down.  Suki preferred to observe, rather than partake!  There was much bottom sniffing and tail wagging as Pup Aid provided the perfect opportunity for our four legged friends to interact whilst us owners compared notes.

 

We visited stalls such as Lush, Four Paws, Dogs Trust, The Mayhew Animal Home... and had a go at various competitions as well as signing petitions for worthy causes such as animal testing.  Myself and my sister treated ourselves to some special Lush Pup Aid soap, it is so pretty to look at I am not sure I want to use it just yet.  I was even asked to record a clip for Four Paws' You Tube campaign on Animal Testing, it wasn't as easy as I thought to talk to the camera!

I am proud to announce that Suki came third in the Scruffts Prettiest Bitch competition, the winner of which was a gorgeous little dog that had actually been rescued from a Puppy Farm which was very fitting. 

Suki showing the judge her party trick.

Suki showing the judge her best angle!

Going to collect Suki's Third Place Rosette,
Suki looks back to check that Daddy is coming too!

Well done gorgeous!

Along with the creator of Pup Aid, TV Vet Marc Abraham, many celebrities turned out to offer their support for the cause; Singer Brian May, Actor and Comedian Ricky Gervais popped in, Pup Aid was opened by Designer Meg Matthews and her daughter Anais, Singer and Actress Sarah Harding, Singer Liam Gallagher and wife Nicole Appleton also attended among others.

Image via Cow PR

Image via Cow PR

Image via Cow PR

There was a fantastic response and the celebrity presence has meant that Pup Aid has been covered by national newspapers which has raised even more awareness!

If you didn't get chance to attend Pup Aid you can still do your bit and help raise awareness by telling everyone you know about Pup Aid and the Where's Mum campaign.  Check out the site here and I will do my best to update you.

Follow Pup Aid on Twitter

Follow Marc the Vet on Twitter

Pup Aid on Facebook

Marc the Vet on Facebook

Pup Aid 2012

Just a reminder that Pup Aid is taking place on Saturday at Primrose Hill in London.  In case you weren't already aware, Pup Aid is a celebrity judged fun dog show that aims to raise awareness of the horrific practice of puppy farming.  Now in it's third year Pup Aid is back bigger and better promising a fun packed day with trade stalls, fresh food, music and fun dog shows.

The Pup Aid website has been updated with the programme for the day and some useful travel advice, check it out.

We will be attending and Suki is going to be competing in the dog show for Prettiest Bitch, wish us luck and hope to see you there!

Pup Aid Website.

Pup Aid on Facebook.

Pup Aid on Twitter.

Welsh dog breeding legislation contains serious flaws

Source

The good news is that the Welsh Government is working on a new law addressing dog breeding legalisation in Wales, (I say good although I would prefer if puppy farms were shut down and made illegal - therefore this is slightly better than nothing).  The bad news, is that they aren't shutting puppy farms down and their proposals contain some serious flaws.  

There are specifically four areas causing concern to campaigners, which include how long puppies will get to socialise each day.  All responsible dog owners will know that socialisation is a very important requirement for a young puppy in order for them to grow up able to socialise with humans and other dogs in a healthy manner, if a dog does not experience this socialisation as a puppy it could lead to disaster in later life.  

There is also concern for the proposed staff/dog ratios not being enough with the Government considering 30 dogs per one member of staff, Welsh campaigners Cariad have stated that this means dogs will only receive 10 minutes of care per day and want the number lowered to 20 dogs per member of staff.  Cariad also state that Wales is the British capital for volume puppy breeding with many puppy farms operating without a licence.

  

If you live in Wales please click here to send a message to the Welsh Government about how they can give puppies and dogs a fairer deal.  The deadline for this is in just a few days time, as the consultation ends on Wednesday 23rd May.  If you don't live in Wales but know someone who does, please let them know about this.  (I don't live in Wales but sent the message anyway!)

If you live in England you can help by taking action against irresponsible dog ownership, get involved here.  Please try to take the time to personalise the message a little before sending it.

Please join Cariad, who are tirelessly campaigning to end puppy farming in Wales, and lend your support by printing off, filling in and posting this postcard to John Griffiths, the Minister for Environment & Sustainable Development.

ITV = Irresponsible TV

A scene from the show, image from ITV

On Saturday night, ITV aired a show called Keith Lemon's Lemonaid hosted by popular TV presenter and comic Keith Lemon.  One thing I certainly did not expect to hear about this show was a young child being given a Pug puppy as a prize after joining fellow contestants in completing an agility course alongside their parents whilst dressed up as dogs, holding bones in their mouths.  The pair with the most bones won the puppy, presented by pop star and reality TV show star Peter Andre dressed as a large bone... Yes, it does sound somewhat like a nightmare but unfortunately it really did happen.

The child was literally handed the pedigree puppy and there was no mention of the costs, care or commitment involved in caring for a real life puppy.  Under normal circumstances the participants of the competition would not be able to afford to buy a pedigree puppy and many concerned animal welfare campaigners feel that ITV are setting a bad example, causing animals to look like disposable commodities and making a mockery of campaigns designed to prevent people buying dogs on impulse or as gifts.  One such campaign is the "Where's Mum" campaign launched on Mother's Day which will run throughout the summer, endorsed by celebrities, their Mum's and their dogs which will continue to raise awareness until Pup Aid on September 8th.

Surprisingly it is not illegal in England or Wales to give a live pet away, it is only illegal to give a pet away to a child under 16 without their parent's consent.  However, it is illegal in Scotland, where the show was also shown, which means that ITV displayed a prime time entertainment show depicting an illegal act.  

It shouldn't surprise you that it was ITV who irresponsibly decided to air their Super Tiny Animals show in the run up to Christmas fuelling the lust for miniature pets just as children were compiling their Christmas lists.  They still haven't responded to the numerous complaints condemning them for this behaviour and have simply ignored many concerned viewers and animal organisations.

In my complaint to OFCOM I told them that I didn't think a competition prize of a live animal was acceptable and not comparable to giving away a flat screen TV or games console.  I also asked ITV to make clear where they got the pug puppy from (how can we be sure they didn't purchase it from a puppy farm?)


What do other animal welfare campaigners think?

The Dogs Trust have released the following statement 

"Dogs Trust was shocked and disappointed to see a puppy being given as a prize on Keith Lemon's show, Lemonaid. It is highly inappropriate to promote the frivolous gifting of dogs in this fashion and we are concerned that viewers may follow suit without giving any thought to the life-long commitment that dogs command. It was irresponsible to allow such a flippant competition to air on a prime time entertainment television slot. Sadly, animal welfare charities like Dogs Trust often deal with the fallout when dogs are bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off. This poor attempt at entertainment was ill-judged and we urge ITV to issue a full and considered response on this matter.

For more information and advice about rehoming a dog please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk"

Debbie Connolly Animal Behaviouralist at Safe Pets UK blog post.


More statements including The Kennel Club and RSPCA.

Check out Beverley Cuddy's coldwetnose blog for a description of the show and further information.  It will also be possible to watch the show on ITV Player for a limited amount of time.

Please join the Facebook campaign Keith Lemon's Puppy Prize Protest and invite your friends too.

Please complain directly to ITV at by e-mailing viewerservices@itv.com or the producer susan.wilks@talkbackthames.tv, alternatively you can write to them at Viewer Services ITV Plc, Gas Street, Birmingham B1 2JT.  Feel free to copy and paste this blog post into the message, although stating your opinion in your own words would make more of an impact.

Please complain to OFCOM about this utterly irresponsible TV show by clicking here.  The show was called Keith Lemon's LemonAid and was on ITV at 18.15 on Saturday 28th April.

Please sign this petition calling for The Animal Welfare Act to be amended making it an offence to give away an animal as a prize.

Oscar's Law

Oscar, image from Oscar's Law.

I love Twitter.  It is such a wealth of information, it was through a contact on Twitter that I found out about Oscar's Law.

Oscar's Law is a campaign in glorious Australia, looking to change the way that animals are kept, bred and sold.  Oscar's Law is clearly telling the Australian Government "we do not want companion animals factory farmed anymore" and "we no longer want the pet industry to mislead us about what is acceptable for our animals."

Oscar is one of the dogs rescued from a puppy factory in Central Victoria, the puppies were severely neglected and required urgent veterinary care.  They were treated for severe matting, ear infections, gum disease, rotten teeth, abscesses and malnourishment.  Sadly, after recovering from surgery Oscar was returned to the puppy farm and the farm was never charged with cruelty despite neglecting all their dogs.  

Thankfully, thanks to 18 months of tireless work by dedicated people Oscar was liberated and is now receiving the love and care he previously lacked and is learning to live a full life as a dog, not a machine.

This campaign is in memory of all the "Oscars" hidden away on puppy farms and treated as machines to supply the pet industry.

Please sign the petition, and tell the Australian Government that factory farming of companion animals will not be tolerated and that we no longer want the pet industry to mislead us about what is acceptable for our pets.

Check out the website and see what else you can do to help the cause, if you are an Australian resident you will also be able to contact Government representatives in your local area.

Don't forget to tell your friends about Oscar's Law on Facebook and Twitter!

Thank you from all the Oscar's out there.

Puppy Farming Petition: Deadline 10th January (Tomorrow!)

{Source: Dog's Trust}

A Twitter friend posted a link to this petition asking Camarthenshire County Council to reject planning permission for a puppy farm in Wales.  The deadline for the petition to have over 1,000 signatures in tomorrow 10th January.  Please sign the petition and ask your friends to do the same.

Puppy farming is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.  

In puppy farms dogs are often kept in cramped, disgusting conditions without adequate exercise or social stimulation (this means no cuddles or even a friendly pat on the head) they are forced to repeatedly become pregnant and give birth which causes numerous physical problems as well as mental anguish.  The physical problems and mental anguish are often ignored as the sole focus for the owner is more puppies = more profit.

The breeding bitches lack adequate veterinary care due to the cost and most puppy farm owners feel they have the knowledge to recognise and subsequently deal with problems, even though this is not the case. 

Puppy farm puppies in most cases develop physical problems due to the conditions they are kept in as well as behavioural problems due to them being removed from their mother too early.  Research shows that puppies develop better if they remain with their mother until at least 8 weeks of age.  The puppies often end up in a pet shop or are offered for sale at around 6 weeks of age, this ultimately results in them developing behavioural problems due to poor socialisation such as lack of social skills with humans and other animals and fear aggression.  Many are eventually euthanised as a result of these problems.

We have enough unwanted dogs in the UK desperately needing homes, without selfish, money grabbing individuals using and abusing dogs and subjecting them to a life time of misery, for the sole purpose of making money.

Fantastic post by Marc Abraham on puppy farms and other dog matters.

Also check out my blog post back in November about the puppy trade in Ireland.

Please sign the petition and do tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you.

Stop the puppy trade in Ireland

Four Paws reports that due to a loophole in the Irish legal system, traders are able to breed alleged pedigree puppies in appalling conditions without being punished.  

The conditions they are kept in involve dogs and puppies being crammed into secluded outbuildings so that neighbours don’t hear their barks or smell the filthy surroundings they are forced to endure.  Shockingly, female dogs are forced to breed continuously with only the minimum amount of food and water necessary to keep them alive.  This results in a life of sleeping, eating, defecating, urinating, mating and giving birth in the same filthy conditions.

If dogs can no longer breed they are disposed of.

Life is grim for the puppies once they are born, although they should remain with their mothers for the first eight weeks of their lives they are removed at the earliest opportunity and kept in equally disgusting conditions.  The puppies may eventually find loving homes but due to the neglect suffered after birth most will have long term health and behavioural problems.

Four Paws estimates that at least 50,000 farmed puppies are trafficked from Ireland to England each year.

Please spare a moment to sign the online petition which will be delivered to the UK government calling for the compulsory micro chipping of puppies and tightening of dog breeding legislation. 

Please tell your friends, the more signatures we can get the more difference this will make.

Thank you.