Lord Taylor Supports Dogs Trust Christmas Campaign at Westminster

Today the Minister responsible for Animal Welfare, Lord Taylor, met with Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of the UK’s largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust, to urge members of the public to think twice before buying a puppy as a gift this Christmas.

To reduce the number of puppies given as gifts in the run up to Christmas, Dogs Trust will cease rehoming from all 17 of its UK Rehoming Centres from 19th December 2011 to 2nd January 2012. Lord Taylor showed his support for Dogs Trust’s yearly initiative at a photo shoot outside the Houses of Parliament.

For 33 years the charity has reinforced the importance of its well-known slogan, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas yet every year hundreds of puppies find themselves unwanted and abandoned when the novelty wears off.

Lord Taylor comments:

“Anyone thinking of buying a puppy or dog this Christmas should remember that along with all the enjoyment that a dog can bring there comes a responsibility. The famous saying still stands that a dog is for life and not just Christmas.”

Clarissa Baldwin CEO of Dogs Trust and author of the slogan a dog is for life, not just for Christmas adds:

“I am hugely thankful for the valued and vital support Lord Taylor has shown at this particularly relevant time of year for Dogs Trust.

The issue that we face at Christmas time with dogs and especially puppies being abandoned puts a huge strain on Dogs Trust and other animal welfare charities. If the Government made microchipping compulsory, in addition to other benefits, it would make irresponsible dog owners accountable for the puppies they discard and therefore they can be dealt with under the Animal Welfare Act (2006).”