No more doggies in the window End cruel sales
GIRLS Aloud’s Sarah Harding and comic Ricky Gervais are among stars backing the campaign to ban shop sales of puppies and kittens.
The Pup Aid appeal aims to clamp down on the trade, which can encourage cruel pet- farming and lead to irresponsible impulse buying.
It has been spearheaded by TV vet Marc Abraham. A petition has received 111,563 signatures, enough to trigger an MPs’debate next month.
Claire Horton, chief executive at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said: “Over half the dogs we take in are under three years of age and we are concerned about how people are sold them in the first place.
Barbaric
“Sadly many pet shops will put profit before animal welfare so we’re joining the call for a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops.”
The Blue Cross charity and Queen guitar hero Brian May are also backing the call. Pup Aid hopes to stamp out the breeding of animals for profit on barbaric puppy and kitten farms. These are widespread and it is thought a big portion of the UK’s 8.5 million dogs originate at them.
Usually in disused barns, sheds or garages, they are miserable places where the animals are kept in dark, cramped spaces.
The creatures they breed, which are often sold to pet shops or online, can be diseased, inbred and not socialised.
Farmers often separate pups and kittens from their mothers too early, but responsible breeders will have a parent present when you buy.
TV vet Marc Abraham, who is behind the campaign, said: “Calls to review legislation to ensure prospective owners should always see the puppy or kitten with its mother and to ban their sale from retail centres, would be a really positive step for animal welfare.” Rachel Cunningham, of Blue Cross, said: “The Pup Aid campaign has captured the public imagination and is really helping to promote responsible
ownership.” DESPITE regular worming and vet checks, my chihuahua keeps rubbing her backside on the floor. It’s making her vulva sore. Why is she doing it?