A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 871, tabled 11 December 2013 by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes the Dogs Trust's famous slogan, A Dog is For Life, Not Just for Christmas, is 35 years old this year and was created in 1978 by the charity's Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin OBE, at a time when thousands of people were buying puppies to give to family and friends as Christmas presents, resulting in puppies being abandoned in the New Year; recognises that, despite many years of campaigning by Dogs Trust, there still exists a problem of dogs being given as Christmas presents and notes that 34 per cent of children will ask for a puppy this Christmas; further notes the problem of dogs being given as Christmas presents is still a major concern in a country where there were 112,000 stray and abandoned dogs taken in by local authorities last year, 9,000 of which were put to sleep; and wholeheartedly supports the Dogs Trust in its determination to ensure that one day all dogs are cared for by responsible owners, and have a home for life.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Conservative 5, Liberal Democrat 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.