Alongside our day to day activities, we are passionate about making positive changes in animal welfare through our campaign work. We are not the only ones, activists across the UK work tirelessly to improve the welfare of animals every year. 

Our lobbying made it to parliament last year.  The #FlopNotCrop campaign was debated with plans to take action. Our friend Richard Ackers at Reggie’s Law produced a petition to regulate online dog sales was personally handed to 10 Downing Street and the Welsh government launched an Animal Welfare Plan and voted to tighter regulate animal rescue centres.

There is still plenty of space for things to improve, especially as puppy farms have been causing more breeding issues than ever.

Wales Online have produced a list of nine dog related campaigns to keep an eye on in 2022 - and how we can all help to make changes.

#FlopNotCrop or #CutTheCrop

The #FlopNotCrop campaign run by The FOAL Group strives to tighten regulations to stop the loopholes surrounding ear cropping of puppies. Currently ear cropping dogs is illegal in the UK but it is still legal to import ear cropped dogs. Many breeders take advantage of this fact by cropping the puppies’ ears themselves, which increases their value, and buying fake pet passports to make out the puppies have been imported from abroad.

You can help by not sharing images of dogs online with ear cropped ears - the social media trend is partially why these dogs have such high value.

Reggie’s Law

Set up by pilot Richard Ackers after his puppy died within 48 hours, Reggie’s Law vows to more tightly regulate online dog sales. He believes the puppy was illegally shipped to the country and wants a number of new regulations on online dog sales including higher penalties, all breeders to be registered with a fixed address for legal inspections and pictures of puppies suckling on their mum on websites for proof of no foul play.

End Greyhound racing in the UK

Campaigns to end greyhound racing in the UK have been running for several years, particularly piquing after almost 1,000 racing greyhounds died or were killed in 2018.Thankfully that number has fallen in the last couple of years, but it remains as high as 400. We are heading the campaign to end greyhound racing in Wales and you can help by signing our online petition 

Guide Dogs’ campaign to regulate use of e-scooters

Guide Dogs is calling for e-scooters to be “fitted with better safety features, such as an audible warning on moving e-scooters, better enforcement against unsafe use and regulation of private e-scooter sales”.

Access all areas

The campaign was launched in 2015 after hearing that several guide dog owners had been refused entry with their dogs, which is mostly illegal.

#Bangoutoforder / regulate fireworks

This is one the RSPCA have coined #Bangoutoforder, but is being campaigned by several groups - TeamDogs also ran Toffee’s Appeal last year to quieten fireworks. Last year MPs debated ending back garden firework shows, Sainsburys decided not to sell fireworks and The campaign hopes to encourage local councils to license firework displays.

Change breed specific legislation

Blue Cross is campaigning to end breed specific legislation which euthanises thousands of dogs per year under section one of the Dangerous Dog Act. The current law bans four types of dog based on appearance and measurements rather than whether a dog has behaved badly.

Include animal welfare in education

The RSPCA is calling for animal welfare to be included in education to encourage more people to enjoy healthy relationships with animals throughout their lives. The charity hopes that teaching children empathy and compassion for living beings is the first step to combat issues that impact the lives of animals today such as neglect, litter and farming practices. You can help out by signing the petition .

Minimum standards for animals sanctuaries in Wales

The RSPCA is also calling for #safersanctuaries in Wales, where several sanctuaries have been set up by loving and caring people but without proper regulations. The Animal Welfare Network for Wales has guidance to ensure the welfare of animals in sanctuaries, but the RSPCA wants this to become law for all sanctuaries. You can add your name to a letter to Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural affairs.

 

You can Read the full article written Rebecca Astill Niche Life Writer here.