Kennel Club issues film details
The Kennel Club has released a film, narrated by Clare Balding, which looks at the issues affecting dog health and wellbeing in the UK and what is being done in 2012 to help ensure that dog welfare stays at the top of the agenda.
The film, ‘Dogs – A Healthy Future’, focuses on the main issues that affect dog health and welfare, including hereditary diseases, issues created by breeding dogs for the way that they look, and the problem of puppy farms that breed dogs for profit without regard for their health and welfare.
The film explores the steps that have already been taken to address these issues and argues for the need for united action in order to ensure that the progress continues in 2012.
Commenting, Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko said “The New Year is a good time for reflection, looking back at what has been done and what more can still be done to safeguard the health of dogs. Huge strides have been made to improve dog health, particularly with the knowledge that has been gained in recent years thanks to the advancement of genetic science, but there is still more to do. We particularly need to address the issue of people breeding dogs for money at the expense of health and for looks, whether these be pedigree or crossbreeds.”
“The Kennel Club would like to see tighter regulations governing the way people breed their dogs in order to help clamp down on cruel puppy farms, and we ask people to sign our petition asking the government to act. As we look towards Crufts 2012 we look forward to introducing even tighter measures to ensure that dog shows play their part in driving change by rewarding, and so encouraging, the breeding of healthy dogs.”
Sheila Crispin, Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding, said “We are supposedly a nation of dog lovers and the issue of what we can do to improve dog health is close to the hearts of those that really do care. This film looks at the progress that has been made by the Kennel Club as well as other organisations and committed individuals to help address the complicated issues surrounding dog health and welfare, in addition to looking at what more needs to be done, through collaboration and united effort, to create an even better future for dogs.”
To view the film, visit the Kennel Club website.
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. 
