Should kennel and breed clubs do more to promote animal welfare?

Yes

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by Charlotte Howard

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There is no doubt that animal welfare should be the main priority of all kennels and breed clubs. Far too many pets are homed and then neglected or abused and in my opinion that is down to the re-homing system.

Many kennels and breeders are responsible enough to make sure that the owner-to-be has experience with the animal they are homing, but experience is not enough. The home the animal is going to needs to be more than adequate. You cannot say that letting someone re-home a large dog in a one bedroom apartment is responsible, and trust me, working for animal charities, I have seen the proof that it happens!

It is up to the company / charity / person selling or re-homing the animal that they are going to a home that will care for and love that pet just as much as it is important to do checks on new foster or adoption homes for children. Many charities do home checks using volunteers and a specific check-list that states the governments minimum guidelines. Sadly, these are only guidelines and some countries do not have strict animal rights laws. That is where the kennel or breed club comes in. They should create standards that they do strictly adhere to when it comes to homing new pets.

My personal opinion is that someone should not be able to re-home an animal unless they have visited it on several occasions at times set by the kennel. This will show whether the new owner can actually give up the time for that pet, and is definitely interested in the animal. It will also show whether or not the person and animal get on, as this is one reason for animals needing to be re-homed; when a pet does not like their owner or vice versa, they become to resent each other and neglect and / or abuse takes place. Home checks are essential for reasons stated previously, i.e. making sure that the size and location of the home are suited to the animal's needs. There should also be a legal check into the owner-to-be's history with animals. Have they been charged with abuse or neglect before? Have they ever been banned from owning animals? These are questions that kennels need to and should be answering, but are in quite a few cases, not.

Of course it is not entirely down to the kennel or breed club, but also to the individuals wishing to re-home pets, but it should start with the animal's carers. If they truly care and want the best for the animals they look after, they will make sure that the person wishing to take them on understands the needs and requirements for that animal including veterinary treatment, feed and exercise.

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