mypetfriends.co.uk

Animal welfare organisations have united to send a strong message to potential dog owners to do their homework before buying a new dog or puppy.
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The Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association (BVA), BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF), Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC), Defra, Dogs Trust, Kennel Club, PDSA, RSPCA and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) have signed up to a set of 10 practical guidelines to help prospective owners choose the right puppy for them.
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The guidelines (listed below) have been drawn up by the Dog Breeding Stakeholder Group and are intended to ensure that owners fully understand the health and welfare needs of the dog they are purchasing and can check that the dog has received the appropriate medical care, socialisation and screening.
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The Group has also signed up to three overarching welfare principles:

1. Every dog should be born with the best possible chance of living a healthy and happy life, well suited to its intended lifestyle.
2. All those who breed dogs should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring.
3. All those who benefit from dogs have a collective responsibility to work together to protect dog welfare.
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The BVA AWF brought the organisations together as the Dog Breeding Stakeholder Group to find practical ways to respond to the issues raised in the BBC programme Pedigree Dogs Exposed. The Group was chaired by BVA AWF Trustee Nicky Paull.
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Commenting on the launch of “Guidance on choosing your new dog”, Nicky Paull said:
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“Buying a puppy or dog is a serious undertaking and I am delighted that the members of the Group have put their individual politics aside in order to work together in the interests of dog welfare.
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“All of us feel very strongly that educating potential puppy and dog owners to make the right choices is an essential part of promoting responsible breeding and responsible pet ownership.
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“We have all signed up to the principle that all those who breed dogs should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed. If potential owners understand what they should expect from a breeder then good practice will be promoted.”
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The Dog Breeding Stakeholder Group is also currently considering drawing up a ‘puppy contract’ to help owners and breeders at the point of sale.

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