Dog Rescue Campaign

Help to stamp out puppy farming - Pet Adoption Drive 

We've all seen the advertisements for animal charities showing sad-looking cats and dogs desperate for a home. These emotional images may hopefully persuade some to think about rehoming a pet, rather than going to a commercial breeder. The other crucial issue with buying a pet from a commercial breeder is of course that of puppy farming - brought into the realms of public scrutiny lately by the campaigns of celebrity animal lovers like Marc Abraham, also known as Marc the Vet. Puppy farming practices can lead to all kinds of health problems for the animals, not to mention that there are many illegal breeders who have little consideration for the welfare of the puppies or their parents.

Despite many campaigns to educate the public otherwise, Christmas is still a time when pets are given as presents. While it may seem like a strange time of the year to be talking about Christmas, you'd be surprised at how many families may be already beginning to think about what to buy their kids this year, and how many kids will be asking already if Santa can bring them a puppy. The sad but true fact is that in many cases, when the novelty wears off, shelters are full to bursting in January, especially, but for some this is the case all year. The Mayhew Animal Home has recently had to close it's doors to cats unless it is a dire emergency - and sadly, they are not the only charity which has seen huge numbers of kittens being dumped this year.

Initiatives by big companies such as the Pedigree Adoption Drive - which has so far raised more than £1 million to help rescue centres around the country - can play a part in raising public awareness of the plight of animals in needs of homes. But clearly much more needs to be done. If you are looking for a new pet, please pay a visit first and foremost to your local rescue centre to see how you can help an animal in need of a loving home. All kinds of dogs, cats and other rescued animals too, deserve a second chance to live with a loving family after being abandoned or left with an animal charity.

Dog Rescue and Adopting A Dog - The AFI Campaign

January is traditionally the time of year when sadly, many rescue shelters and animal sanctuaries are full-to-bursting with unwanted pets. Unfortunately, the practice of ignorant Christmas gift-buying without thought for future consequences still happens far too much, and many dogs find themselves dumped once the novelty has worn off.

This time last year actor Neil Morrissey - of 'Men Behaving Badly' fame - was one of many responsible dog lovers who took an initiative in the launch of a nationwide adopt-a-dog campaign , highlighting the plight of animals that are abandoned in rescue homes. Neil himself owns a dog from a shelter, and took part in a walk of 100 dogs & their owners from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to Battersea Park. According to the Battersea home, around 7,800 dogs were put down in Britain in 2007 when homes could not be located for them. Morrissey, who has adopted a dog, 'Tiggy', stated:

"Tiggy was sought from the Kensal Rise-based Mayhew Animal Centre . She was dumped once - obviously as a pup and dumped as an adult three years later when we got her.

He added that the sad thing about her was that she was already chipped, but when the shelter telephoned the family and informed them it had found their dog, the family disowned her, saying they did not want her.

The actor reminded us that dogs are largely abandoned during Christmas since many owners abandon them when they are not able to look after them, or when they get "feisty". In many other cases dogs are rendered homeless when their long-time owners either move or die. This leaves the poor animal to fend for itself. We should all remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Animal Friends Insurance would like to help fight the cause of abandoned dogs by asking everyone who may be thinking of getting a pet dog to first and foremost visit your local rescue centre. If you are already a dog owner, don't forget that purchasing a pet plan to insure your dog against the rising cost of veterinary treatment will help the plight of other dogs in trouble. AFI is a not-for-profit insurer which means thatone hundred per cent of its net profits are donated to helping animals in trouble the world over. To read more about the numerous charities which have benefited from our support, please click here...

To bring us up to date, on the other side of the pond, newly-inaugerated US President Barak Obama has been causing a media stir (and some great PR for the adopt-a-dog campaign) for some time now, after telling the world on TV that he would be getting his kids a puppy after the election. The hope is that he will be choosing his Labradoodle or Portugese water dog from a dog rescue shelter. He may not have yet chosen the lucky pooch, but one hopes that his choice will be an informed one, and that he has enough left to remember to run his country!

One aspect of true sharing and caring for your pet is undoubtedly seeking adequate insurance for unforseen medical expenses. Buying pet insurance brings you a step closer to being a responsible pet owner. For more information about adopting a dog, visit Dog Rescue Pages or Dogs Trust and make a real difference to a dog's life!