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RSPCA calls for law change on puppy imports
The number of licences issued for commercial dog imports rose to 12,733 between June and August this year.
Figures confirm fears that demand for pets is fuelling the illegal puppy trade.

The RSPCA is calling for a change to the law to prevent illegal puppy imports after government figures revealed that the number more than doubled over summer.

The figures, released to the RSPCA in response to a parliamentary question, show that the number of licences issued for commercial dog imports rose from 5,964 between June and August in 2019 to 12,733 in the same period this year.

Several animal welfare organisations have voiced concerns about the increase in pets being taken on during lockdown, mostly due to more people being or working at home. RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said these latest figures imply that the rise is fuelling the trend in puppy imports:

"These figures confirm our worries that the increase in the demand for pets during lockdown is fuelling this trade which puts puppies at very real risk of suffering," he said. "Buying an imported puppy leaves new owners open to the very real risk they are supporting cruel puppy farming, with the parents kept in awful conditions, used as breeding machines with sick and dying pups - and there is no real way of checking.

“We want to encourage people to take their time and wait for the right animal and realise the benefits of rescuing a dog where great efforts are made to make sure you get the animal which is right for your family and circumstances," he added. "If people do choose to buy, there is always a risk of falling victim to poor breeders and unscrupulous puppy farms in this country too - which is why we always urge new owners to use the Puppy Contract."

In light of the new figures, the RSPCA is calling for a change in the law to close the loophole, which allows the illegal puppy trade to continue. Mr Sherwood explained:

"The third-party sales ban came in this year, which is designed to ensure puppies bred and sold in this country are kept in a way which puts their welfare first. Breeders must meet licensing conditions which mean that the puppies must stay with the parents and be sold from the home.

"However, the current law means that breeders abroad can get a vendor's certificate to sell in this country as long as they're licensed to breed in their home country. There's no way of checking the conditions these puppies are kept in.

He continued: "We want a change in the law which changes the age at which a puppy can be sold from 15 weeks to 24 weeks. This would have a twofold effect: firstly, it reduces the value of the puppy when they are older which means that it makes it less attractive for people who are only interested in making money to take part in this trade; secondly, it's much easier to check the age of a puppy at six months than at 15 weeks, which makes it easier to enforce the law.

"This would go a long way to alleviating the suffering of these young animals."

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.