1 September 2019

Downing Street’s new top dog

By Pauline

Friends of Animals Wales is a small animal charity in the Welsh Valleys. Our founder Eileen Jones has
dedicated much of her life to rescuing animals who desperately need a second chance in life. Friends of
Animals Wales is run solely by volunteers and we work around the clock to make a difference to the animals who may not have had a good start in life.
Over the years we have saved many hundreds of puppy farm breeding dogs and puppies; dogs and puppies who are invariably unwell, often with life-limiting conditions. It is heartbreaking and difficult work and sometimes despite our best efforts and those of the dedicated vets we work with, all we can do is give these poor souls a dignified, compassionate death surrounded by love and care.
It takes its toll on us emotionally and of course financially as these are dogs that have rarely been afforded any physical or psychological care in their lives. Our vet bills are astronomical and we constantly struggle to raise the funds to pay them.
The puppy farm breeding dogs have so often been exploited for their pups, puppies that have for decades been bought by the public across England. So, if you’ve bought a pup without seeing the mum, we may just be caring for your own dog’s mother or father right now.
There are also those dogs who are not suitable for adoption but who still deserve the chance to live out their days in a loving environment with the best quality of life possible. Those are our ‘wonky’ dogs and they stay with us at what we call ‘Wonky Towers’ for the rest of their lives.
We knew that Carrie Symonds has always been a huge animal welfare advocate and we are absolutely
overjoyed that this gorgeous pup will be living his best life with Carrie and the Prime Minister at their
Downing Street home. To think our little ’wonky’ pup started his life in a Welsh puppy farm and was destined for an uncertain existence at the hands of a puppy dealer, but is now going to be with people who absolutely adore him is a dream come true. This little man will want for nothing in his life, what could be better than that? And how fantastic to be raising the profile of rescue dogs everywhere in the process!
Friends of Animals Wales has been proud to be part of the Lucy’s Law team alongside Marc Abraham and
C.A.R.I.A.D. – and our relief when Michael Gove confirmed in the gardens of Downing Street, surrounded by our own puppy farm survivors, that Lucy’s Law was to become a reality in England was incredible. We’re still waiting for a date from the Welsh Government for the introduction of this new law but praying for the dogs that it is soon. And of course, we’re keeping everything crossed for the puppy farm dogs in Scotland that the government there will also make the right decision north of the border shortly.
We know only too well why Lucy’s Law is such an important piece of legislation because we pick up the pieces of third-party puppy selling every day. The suffering of these dogs is unimaginable unless you see it
first-hand as we have done for so many sad years.
We would like to thank Carrie and the Prime Minister for opening their hearts and their home to a puppy farm survivor and for inviting Friends of Animals Wales back to Downing Street once again. We wish them a lifetime of happiness with their new best friend.

Friends of Animals Wales is desperately trying to purchase our first property to help facilitate the rescue
and rehabilitation of more animals in need: In particular with the increasing number of ex puppy farm dogs
being surrendered to the rescue as a result of the impending changes to legislation (Lucy’s Law).
We have located suitable premises in South Wales, with land and outbuildings where we can create a haven for all our rescue animals including a specialist rehabilitation area to help puppy farm survivors.
Before we can do this, we need to settle our outstanding vet bills, currently standing at approximately
£36,000 and increasing by the day, averaging £8,000 per month plus specialist referral costs. No animal has ever been turned away by us because they were too expensive to help. Every penny donated by the public will go directly to help the animals.

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