Thanks to K9 Magazine for this update!

Pet Care Trust Heading For Spat With RSPCA Over Pet Shops?
Trust questions RSPCAs call for help from pet retailers

The Pet Care Trust, the national charity that promotes the benefits of responsible pet ownership and pet care education and training, has written to the RSPCA asking whether their policy against the sale of pets in pet shops has changed following their recent request to pet shops for help.

The Trust has become aware that the RSPCA has written out to pet retailers informing them of the new Animal Welfare Act and asking them to display posters and flyers about the new law and welfare needs of pets. The Pet Care Trust met the RSPCA in May last year to discuss possible ways of working together.

However, the RSPCA states in its policy booklet that they are opposed to the sale of pets in pet shops and garden centres and the Trust concluded it could not work with them whilst this policy was in place.

The letter from the Trust asks whether the RSPCA has changed its policy: This seems an appropriate time to ask whether the RSPCA has changed its positiondo you anticipate the policy against the sale of pets in pet shops will be reviewed or likely to change?

If not, it seems hypocritical to request the assistance of pet retailers when your organisation fundamentally disagrees with their business.

The Pet Care Trust is due to meet the RSPCA again in February and it is hoped that this issue can then be addressed.