Following
its successful Wyevale Garden Centre campaign, which ended with
the company ceasing to sell pets, Animal Aid has achieved another
victory for companion animals. The national campaign group has
changed the policy positions of five major supermarkets regarding
the advertising of pets for sale on in-store notice boards. Sainsbury’s,
Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and the Co-op have all committed to
a ban on this type of advert.
Animal Aid believes that advertising animals for sale in such locations
exacerbates the problems of over breeding and also encourages inappropriate
impulse buys. After the novelty of a new animal wears off, people
often realise that they do not have the time, money or commitment
to provide for their new pet’s most basic needs. As a result,
such animals suffer appalling neglect, while thousands more are
abandoned to rescue shelters where they await a second chance of
a happy life. Some are never found a home and many thousands are
killed simply because there are too many to look after. Whilst these
animals die, breeders profit from creating more, and irresponsible
owners, who do not spay or neuter, allow their animals to produce
offspring.
Breeders with young animals for sale regularly use notice boards
such as those found in supermarkets. The housing and welfare conditions
offered by prospective owners cannot be properly monitored as breeders,
unlike sanctuaries, rarely conduct home checks. Nor is a license
or home check required for small-time breeders and many of their
animals are kept in appalling conditions and treated as little more
than breeding machines.
Says Animal Aid’s director, Andrew Tyler:
“Animal Aid is extremely pleased that these high profile
supermarkets have taken such an important decision. We only hope
that others, such as ASDA and Somerfield will follow their lead
in helping to reduce the suffering inflicted upon thousands of companion
animals each year. We will continue to press them to adopt a humane
and rational policy on this issue.”
About Animal Aid
Animal Aid is the UK's largest animal rights group and one of the
longest established in the world, having been founded in 1977.
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Animal
Aid campaign peacefully against all forms of animal abuse
and promote a cruelty-free lifestyle. They investigate and
expose animal cruelty, and their undercover investigations
and other evidence are often used by the media, bringing
these issues to public attention. |
For
more information visit their website at www.animalaid.org.uk
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