Vale MP, Alun Cairns, joined passionate animal rights campaigners at Schnauzerfest on Barry Island at the weekend to discuss working together to secure greater protection for dogs in Wales.
Hundreds of people headed down to Barry with their Schnauzers as they backed the campaign against Puppy Farms, with the Schnauzerfest charity raising funds for medical treatment for dogs coming from Puppy Farms. The group took part in an organised walk to Jackson’s Bay as similar events took place right across the UK over the weekend.
Mr Cairns, who is a longstanding supporter of improving animal welfare, met with Aimee to discuss her ongoing work to achieve a change of law in Wales to ban Puppy Farms. Aimee, 13, is a committed campaigner against Puppy Farms and wants to see significant changes to the law in Wales, including the introduction of Lucy’s Law which bans the sale of puppies and kittens by shops and dealers.
Mr Cairns said, “It was a privilege to meet with Aimee to discuss this the action we need in Wales to ban Puppy Farms. Aimee kindly gave me a book called ‘Saving Susie Belle’, a true story about the horrors of a Puppy Farm, which I look forward to reading. I was incredibly impressed by Aimee’s drive and commitment and I look forward to working together. Schnauzerfest, despite the weather, proved to be a major success and I am so pleased with how many people came out to support.”
The Vale MP added, “I frequently speak with the Secretary of State for DEFRA, Michael Gove MP, to discuss the changes he is making in England and how Wales can follow his lead. Already, he has introduced a ban on Puppy Farms and we now need similar action here in Wales.”