Star date: 18th December 2016

`PUPPIES ARE NOT PRESENTS' STATES BOYCOTT DOGS4US

A giant puppy joined the Boycott Dogs4Us protest on Agecroft Road this afternoon, holding a sign reading `I am not a present...I have feelings too'.

"As Christmas is coming pet shops like Dogs4Us are getting ready to profit from the sale of sick and dying puppies" said Aran Mathai, founder of Boycott Dogs4Us "Unsuspecting members of the public will be sold dogs sourced from cruel puppy farms..."

Full details here...

This afternoon, campaigners and dogs lovers launched another protest against the Salford Dogs4Us store on Agecroft Road. This time, they were joined by a giant puppy holding a sign reading `I am not a present...I have feelings too', as well as a sad cuddly puppy in a Christmas bag surrounded by gifts.

The campaigners were deeply concerned about impulse buys of puppies in the run up to Christmas, and were trying to persuade the public not to make snap decisions to buy without considering the consequences...

"As Christmas is coming pet shops like Dogs4Us are getting ready to profit from the sale of sick and dying puppies" explained Aran Mathai, founder of Boycott Dogs4Us "Unsuspecting members of the public will be sold dogs sourced from cruel puppy farms and often end up with an ill dog that will cost thousands to treat.

"Puppies are not presents, they are living beings" he added "Many dogs are abandoned after the holiday season as families realise just how much time, money and care they need. If you are ready to make the commitment of caring for a dog, please save a life by adopting from a shelter."

At 2pm there was a minute's silence as a tribute to Lucy the Rescue Cavalier, an ambassador for all puppy farm dogs who recently passed away. Lucy had 66,487 likes on Facebook since 2013 and an event was also set up for the minute's silence for people all over the world who could not attend the Boycott Dogs4Us protest.

There was a message from Lisa Garner, Lucy's guardian... "Lucy lost the first five years of her life to a cruel puppy farm, being bred purely for profit with no regard for her well being" she wrote "In 2013 a frail and neglected Lucy was rescued weighing in at a mere 3.5kg. I adopted her after seeing her on a rescue centre website and immediately falling in love - together we went on to raise awareness of the abhorrent puppy farming trade.

"Even though Lucy spread awareness of such a serious subject, she managed to do so in such a way that people from all around the world engaged and wanted to support her cause – to raise awareness and one day see an end to puppy farming" she added.

Celebrity TV vet, dog welfare champion and founder of Pup Aid, Marc Abraham, also sent a message... "Never has so much puppy farming awareness been raised by one dog" he wrote "Lucy was a victim of the UK's cruel legal, licensed pet shop trade; a totally unique dog who touched many hearts across the globe - both two and four legged.

"Lucy's legacy will live on forever, continuing to warn people about buying pups away from their mums, and better still, to consider adopting from rescue. Lucy was one of the bravest and sweetest dogs I've ever known and I will miss my little friend terribly" he added "Myself and my fellow campaigners will continue to fight just like she did."

Linda Goodman, founder of anti puppy farm group, CARIAD, also sent a tribute: "Lucy came out of a Welsh puppy farm a broken and sick little dog after so many dark years of exploitation. It was only through the love, tireless care and devotion of Lisa that she was finally able to know what life could and should be like for a dog.

"Lucy became the poster girl for every silent, invisible victim of the puppy trade and boy did she make up for lost time" she added "She went everywhere, met everyone, spread her important message in a way we humans can never do. She was a survivor, a fighter and with one look into her big, soft eyes, she could grab hold of your heart and never let it go. Although we can no longer hold our beautiful friend in our arms and kiss her sweet little nose, we will hold her in our hearts forever and keep fighting the good fight until all her friends are free."

The issue of the third party sale of puppies is currently being discussed in Parliament as the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has recommended that puppies should not be sold in pet shops, and Salford City Council is expected shortly to clamp down on conditions for the sale of live animals, including puppies, in pet shops (see previous Salford Star article – click here).