North Devon MP Nick Harvey has pledged to help end the sale of commercially farmed puppies and kittens across England.
The North Devon MP has written to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), calling on the Government to ban the sale of puppies and kittens without their mothers present. The campaign follows on from an e-petition signed by over 108,000 members of the public demanding a change in the law.
Puppy and kitten farms, mostly found in Wales and Ireland, are currently able to use pet shops and private dealers in England to sell their animals to unsuspecting consumers. These dogs and cats are bred purely for profit and without any regard for their welfare or quality of life. Consequently, many are not given the necessary vaccinations and go on to develop serious health problems.
Nick said: “We may not be able to do anything about these farms in Wales and Ireland, but we can definitely act to curb the sales of these poor puppies and kittens here in England.
“I’m sure pet owners across North Devon will be shocked to learn that dogs and cats are being kept and reared in such awful conditions. As a dog owner myself, I know how significant the financial and emotional costs of caring for a sick pet can be. The impact on owners who unknowingly buy a farmed puppy or kitten are often even greater as many go on to require expensive veterinary care or sadly, in some cases, euthanasia.
“Legislation governing the sale or puppies and kittens in pet shops is now 63 years old so it really is time for the Government to take another look at this issue.
“I would urge anyone who is considering getting a pet never to buy a puppy or kitten if you can’t meet its mother.”
(from a press release)
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