Blue Cross calls for ban on sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops
We welcomed celebrity vet and animal welfare campaigner, Marc Abraham, to our Victoria animal hospital today as we back his Pup Aid campaign to ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops.
His visit comes before a Parliamentary debate (September 4th) on the issue of young dogs and cats being available to buy in pet shops.
We believe pet shops are unsuitable places to sell puppies and kittens, not only because they can compromise a pet's welfare, but also because they can lead to people buying them on impulse.
Many pets sold in pets shops are irresponsibly bred and taken away from their mothers too young. As a result they often suffer from serious life-threatening problems.
Our rehoming centres often take in pets that have been bought on a whim.
Rachel Cunningham, Blue Cross Public Affairs Manager said:
“[The] Pup Aid campaign has captured the public imagination and is really helping to promote responsible pet ownership.
"We are also pleased that these issues are to be discussed in Parliament and we will be working closely with MPs to ensure a full and wide ranging debate.”
Marc Abraham, founder of Pup Aid and winner of CEVA's 'Vet of the Year' award for animal welfare adds:
“We are really pleased that the House of Commons is considering our e-petition about the sale of young puppies and kittens and it's fantastic to have the support of Blue Cross.
"Calls on the Government to review existing legislation to ensure that prospective owners should always see the puppy or kitten with its mother, and to ban the sale of puppies and kittens from retail centres or puppy supermarkets, would be a really positive step in the right direction for animal welfare in the UK.”
