Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th December 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Harrods’ decision to stop puppy sales welcomed

Kennel Club and Dogs Trust welcome the news

World famous department store Harrods has decided to stop the sale of puppies in-store, with the closure of its Pet Kingdom department.

The news has been welcomed by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust and the move has been seen as a positive step in improving dog welfare.

Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko, said: “We are thrilled that puppies will no longer be sold in Harrods and would very much like to see all stores which sell puppies follow suit, as the sale of dogs in pet shops can unfortunately encourage puppy farmers.

However, Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, added: “Whilst Dogs Trust warmly welcomes the news of the closure of the Harrods Pet Kingdom, it is a shame that the stated reasons for it were motivated by commercial interests and not animal welfare.

“A pet shop is not an appropriate environment in which to sell puppies and kittens and our supporters have long expressed their concern about the UK’s most famous department store selling pets."

Caroline continued: “The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust have for many years now expressed concern over the sale of puppies in Harrods.

“Whilst Harrods has never sold puppies ‘over the counter’, ensuring that no one is simply allowed to buy a puppy on the spot, buying from any type of pet shop is something that we would never recommend as we would always advise that puppies are purchased direct from the breeder and seen with their mother at the breeder’s home.”

Both the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust continue to fight for a change in the law to prohibit the sale of dogs in pet shops, and believe that this, along with public education on dog ownership and how best to buy a dog, is the best way to protect the welfare of puppies being sold and bought.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.