Event to raise awareness of puppy farming draws a crowd

Animal-loving celebrities and members of the public made their way to this year's Pup Aid event last Saturday, September 7, to help raise awareness of puppy farming.

The event took place in the dog-friendly Royal Park Primrose Hill in London, where celebrities judged the dog classes in the sun.

Awards included "Most Handsome Dog", which was judged by David Gandy and David Richards from the Dreamboys, and "Most Stylish Pooch in London", judged by Meg Matthews.

As well as a fun family event for dog lovers, Pup Aid is also a charity. It was launched in 2010 by TV vet Marc Abraham in order to improve public awareness of puppy farming.

Dogs bred by puppy farmers have often been taken away from their mothers too young, meaning they have impaired immune systems and will not have been socialised.

Often dogs are left in unhygienic conditions without proper ventilation, clean water or dog food, and they are not given preventative veterinary treatments, leading to serious diseases.

Pup Aid has launched an e-petition calling for a change in the law which will mean that puppies can only be sold if the mother is present at the sale.

So far, the petition has around 70,000 signatures, but will need 100,000 before the issue can be brought before parliament.

Click here to sign the petition.

Image: Judges with the top five in the Most Handsome Dog Class. ©Julia Claxton