Dogs Trust scoops award for puppy smuggling campaign
The Puppy Smuggling Taskforce calls on MPs to support Dogs Trust in its efforts to prevent the illegal importation of puppies into the UK.
Dogs Trust has won a prestigious award for a second year running for its ongoing work tackling the issue of puppy smuggling.
The national charity scooped first prize in the Savanta ComRes Parliamentary Charity Awards 2021 for 'Best Animal Welfare Campaign'. The awards pay recognition to charities that lead their field in communicating with parliamentarians across eight categories.
Specifically, Dogs Trust received the award for its Puppy Smuggling Taskforce - a campaign that calls on MPs to support efforts to prevent the illegal importation of puppies into the UK. Since it launched in October 2020, the campaign has garnered the support of more than 50 MPs from across the political spectrum.
Alongside this campaign, Dogs Trust also launched its fifth Puppy Smuggling investigative report, revealing new research into online puppy advertisements and outlining what the Government can do to end the suffering of smuggled dogs.
Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won an award in such a prestigious category. Given that these are the only Parliamentary awards which are voted for by MPs themselves, our success really is testament to the hard work of the team and charity as a whole.
“We faced tough competition, so it’s fantastic to get recognition for our longstanding work – especially during a very difficult year - on putting an end to the cruel puppy smuggling trade and many other issues to ensure the welfare of dogs is always taken into consideration by policymakers.”
“We’ll continue our political work across the UK and are looking forward to the awards next year already!”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
