Kennel Club launches ‘Voice for Dogs’ manifesto

The Kennel Club has announced the launch of a new manifesto, ‘A Voice for Dogs’, which calls upon the Welsh government to provide further support measures for dogs and their owners. 

The group is asking the government to ensure that the laws surrounding the welfare of dogs are ”robust and can be reshaped where needed in order to deliver far greater protection for dogs across the UK”. 

The manifesto includes a ten-point plan which highlights the key issues facing dogs and their owners, and details the legislative changes and measures which need to be taken.

It comes as Kennel Club research has found that one in ten Welsh dog owners admitted they may have bought a puppy farmed dog, while over one in three acknowledged they “wouldn’t recognise the warning signs” of a rogue breeder.

The manifesto places an emphasis on encouraging responsible dog breeding, and raises concerns as to where the supply of puppies will come from if demand remains high, and with responsible breeders not currently breeding due to the pandemic.

The Kennel Club has worked in conjunction with the Welsh Kennel Club to form the manifesto, after the demand for puppies during lockdown has seen an “unprecedented surge”. 

Holly Conway, head of public affairs at the Kennel Club, said: “We have made great strides in giving a voice to dogs, but there is still so much that needs to be done, and the coronavirus pandemic has only heightened the importance of this.

“There has never been a more crucial time to ensure the responsible breeding of healthy and happy puppies, as well as making sure that dog owners are equipped with the necessary guidance for responsible dog ownership.” 

She added: “We look forward to working with the government to ensure these further measures are put in place to protect the welfare of dogs.”