Puppy farming e-petition hits target
Marc Abraham launched the e-petition against puppy farming earlier this year.
A government e-petition, opened by TV vet Marc Abraham to tackle puppy farming, has smashed its target of 100,000 signatures and will be debated in the House of Commons next year.
Started just six months ago, the petition urges the government to "ban the sale of young puppies and kittens without their mothers being present". It became the UK's No. 1 government e-petition earlier this month.
Speaking after the e-petition reached its target, Marc said: "Now we've smashed our target of 100,000 signatures in just 6 months, a parliamentary debate on puppy farming is guaranteed in the spring; so please all start lobbying your local MPs to vote to prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens without their mums as a first major step in stopping puppy farming.
Marc launched the community interest company, Pup Aid, in 2010 to raise public awareness of the puppy and kitten trade. An annual Pup Aid event is held in London and the campaign has attracted support from numerous celebrities, including Brian May, Ricky Gervais and Liam Gallagher.
Asked about the campaign's plans for next year, Marc said to MRCVSonline: "2014 is looking like an important and exciting year for UK animal welfare…
"On behalf of my excellent PupAid team and I, we really can't thank everyone enough who's supported PupAid, the dog show in Primrose Hill, and of course the petition - it just goes to show what can be achieved if we all work together to help animals."
For further updates on the campaign, please visit www.pupaid.org, follow @pupaid on Twitter, and Pup Aid on Facebook, or sign the petition here.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49528
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
