Major Animal Welfare Charity Will Attend Crufts Despite Controversy
The Blue Cross, one of the UK’s prominent animal welfare charities, has announced it will be taking at stand at Crufts 2009 despite the high profile withdrawals of the RSPCA, PDSA, Dogs Trust and main sponsor Pedigree.
The charity says it wants to attend the event “in order to support pet owners who are concerned about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.”
In a statement The Blue Cross said:
By championing the pet owner and providing them with practical and reliable advice, the charity believes that individuals can really influence the issue of hereditary disease through their informed choices and by supporting responsible breeding practices.
Kim Hamilton, The Blue Cross chief executive said: “While there is some very positive work going on at high-level to tackle the problem of inherited diseases in dogs, we mustn’t forget the millions of pet owners in this country who also have a powerful voice. The British public has voted with its feet on other animal welfare issues in the past and we believe that by making the right choices, every single pet owner can make a difference to the health of pedigree dogs.”
In a survey of over 1,000 pet owners commissioned by the charity last month, 74% admitted they were concerned about the issue of inherited health defects in some dog breeds but 38% felt powerless to do anything about it. A further 33% of pet owners thought they could help reduce the problem if they knew more about it but 65% did not know where to find reliable information about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.
As one of the UK’s oldest animal charities with a network of animal adoption centres and hospitals, The Blue Cross sees the daily impact of irresponsible breeding practises on all species of companion animal and is well placed to offer practical advice to pet owners. Following the controversial BBC documentary on pedigree dogs last year, the charity is keen to ensure that pet owners can access information from a trusted, independent source.
The Blue Cross stand at Crufts will feature guidance for pet owners on the health and welfare of pedigree dogs and the charity’s experienced animal behaviour advisers and veterinary professionals will be on hand to answer questions about how to find and keep a healthy pet.
The decision to attend sets The Blue Cross apart from the strategies adopted by the largest veterinary, dog and all round animal charities in the UK – all of whom have withdrawn from the event as a result of dissatisfaction with the health of pedigree dogs under the governance of the Kennel Club.
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