Petition launched to tackle puppy farming
Image: Marc Abraham
Pup Aid founder and TV vet Marc Abraham has launched an e-petition to help ban the practice of puppy and kitten farming in the UK.
The petition calls for a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens without the mother being present, and for urgent action to be taken to raise public awareness of the issue.
The cause has already received massive support, with celebrities including Brian May, Ricky Gervais, Liam Gallagher, Joanna Page and Meg Mathews getting involved. Marc says: "Everyday another celebrity comes along asking what they can do to help."
Marc launched Pup Aid - a community interest company - in 2010, having seen an influx of puppies coming into emergency vet clinics suffering from parvovirus, leaving their owners with vets bills of up to £2000.
Upon further investigation, Marc found that the animals were coming from a local puppy farm. He said: "I found that these people were really good at coming up with answers people would believe.
Feeling frustrated at how difficult puppy and kitten farming is to police, Marc launched Pup Aid, which aims to empower the public with knowledge, and he soon discovered the value of the media in raising awareness.
Explaining the focus of the e-petition and Pup Aid, Marc says: "Stop the supply, stop the demand and you stop puppy farming."
As well as a campaign, Pup Aid is also a free annual event, taking place this year at Primrose Hill in London on September 7. As well as music, food, fun and celebrity judges, the event includes a parade of ex-breeding bitches who are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
After launching three weeks ago, the petition has already received 30,000 signatures, but needs 100,000 before the issue can be brought before parliament.
For more information, visit the Pup Aid website, or click here to sign the petition.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
