A Suffolk animal welfare group took its campaign to end the practice of puppy farming to a national audience.
The Hybrid Breeders Association (HBA), launched last year by Jules Hamilton, of Woodbridge, travelled to London at the invitation of TV vet Marc Abraham to take part in Pupaid – a dog show organised to raise awareness, educate the public and lobby government over laws affecting our nation’s pets.
These are also key objectives of the HBA and their strap line says it all: ‘Promoting ethical breeding and responsible ownership of healthy dogs’.
Mrs Hamilton, founder of the HBA, which promotes ethical breeding and responsible ownership of healthy dogs, said: “As stall holders, we all shared a common goal, even if our products and services differed, and all considered ourselves to be ethical by nature.”
The HBA team took along Bunny, the mixed breed cavachon, as a mascot for the event, drawing the crowds and allowing them to spend the day informing and educating the public in the best way to go about getting a dog.
Visitors were asked to consider a number of questions, including: Why now?; What are you looking for and why? What are your family circumstances?; Do you have small children?; Is your home and garden suitable?; What are your work commitments?; Have you thought about the ongoing cost?
“Once we have these questions answered fully, we can then look at what age and breed or hybrid is suitable for the potential owner’s circumstances,” said Mrs Hamilton.
“For example, if they are elderly and live in a flat, a small, older rescue dog that doesn’t have huge exercise requirements would be more suitable than a working collie puppy.
“We can then signpost them to the right charity or rehoming centre, or introduce them to an ethical breeder.”
The HBA team discussed the importance of DNA testing; explained hybrid breeding; told potential owners the questions to ask breeders, and explained the importance of nutrition and puppy training.
Among visitors were animal welfare advocate Dr Roger Mugford, presenter Alice Beer and actor Peter Egan.
Mrs Hamilton said: “We’re so grateful that the HBA is part of such an important fight against puppy farming.”
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