Carol Fowler, 63, from Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire has today launched the Cavalier Campaign website (www.cavaliercampaign.com), a website that tells the story of her campaign to reduce inherited health problems in pedigree dogs.

Carol started her campaign in 2003, after the death of her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bonnie, from Syringomyelia, an incurable neurological condition. On the website, Carol tells her personal story of what it is like to have and lose a dog from Syringomyelia. Her second Cavalier, Rosie, also has Syringomyelia.

Carol decided to work on a website after a surge in enquiries following her appearance in the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed1, which was shown on BBC1 on 19 August 2008.

“The next day I received over 200 emails of support in response to the programme and for the next four weeks they continued to flood in,” said Carol.

Carol was mainly contacted by other Cavalier owners and owners of other pedigree dogs, but was surprised by the number of emails she received from non-dog owners.

“What really surprised me was that even non-dog owners contacted me. Ordinary, decent people were shocked and outraged by the scale of suffering in our pedigree dog population,” said Carol.

Since the programme was aired, Carol has been working around 30 hours a week on her campaign, on a voluntary basis. Much of the time is spent responding to enquiries from Cavalier owners (or prospective owners); responding to people concerned about the problems in other breeds; keeping abreast of research; compiling information from the Kennel Club, breed clubs and welfare organisations; liaising with fellow campaigners; and continuing to work through her MP.

The website was designed pro bono by Ingrid Marson, Director of not-for-profit PR agency Acorn Public Relations. Ingrid has a two year old Cavalier called Nero, so was keen to do something to improve the health of the breed.

Since the website was finished at the end of August, it has had visitors from over 40 countries. Carol is already receiving emails from people worldwide that have found the website and hopes she may be able to launch foreign-language versions of the Cavalier Campaign website in the future.

Jemima Harrison, producer of Pedigree Dogs Exposed, says the Cavalier Campaign website is a great information resource.

“This website is an indispensable oasis of information for all those who want the facts about Cavalier health problems. Most of all though, it is unembellished by any agenda other than Carol’s love for this wonderful little breed,” says Jemima.

Pedigree Dogs Exposed was first shown in the UK in August 2008. Since then it has been shown in 12 countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada and Ireland.

Some positive steps have been taken by individual Cavalier breeders and the Cavalier clubs, and an official screening scheme for Heart Disease and Syringomyelia will be launched by the Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association in the near future.

The list of MRI scanned Cavaliers on the national club website has tripled since the documentary was screened – from 229 in August 2008 to 769 in October 20092.

Earlier this month the national club announced a more formal system for placing a dog on its Puppy Register. Breeders must now complete a form detailing the health certificates obtained from the parents of any dog offered for sale3. However, the Club does not ask for the grandparents’ heart certificate – a vital piece of information needed to help eliminate early onset Heart Disease. Also, the Club leaves the MRI Syringomyelia certificate as an optional extra, despite research showing that 92% of Cavaliers show abnormalities in MRI scans4.

“There’s still a very long road to travel before pedigree dogs are healthy,” says Carol. “Both the Kennel Club and breed clubs have taken small, unsteady steps towards reform, but I still don’t think a system of self interest and self regulation will ever adequately deal with the mess that pedigree dogs are in. Our canine companions are suffering because of human vanity, amusement and commercial gain. This can never be justified.”

For more information on Carol’s campaign and what you can do to help, visit www.cavaliercampaign.com

Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!

Related posts:

1. MP Praises Canine Health Campaigner for Protecting Pedigree Dogs
2. Pedigree Dogs Exposed – TV Show to Reveal Inbreeding and Health Defects in Canines
3. Pedigree Dogs Exposed: A Positive Moment for Canine Health
4. Pedigree Dogs Exposed Documentary Maker Responds to Kennel Club Moves
5. Pedigree Dogs Exposed Filmmaker Speaks About APGAW Report