🐾 Campaign Update: We’ve Written to the Royal Kennel Club

Today, A Voice For Every Dog formally contacted the Royal Kennel Club about the safeguarding concerns at the heart of this petition.

I have asked the RKC to explain what safeguards are currently in place when someone involved in dog showing, handling, judging or other licensed activities is convicted of a serious animal-welfare offence or becomes subject to a court-imposed animal disqualification order.

Among the questions I have asked are:

• How does the RKC find out about animal-cruelty convictions and disqualification orders?
• Are any independent checks carried out?
• Does a serious animal-welfare conviction automatically trigger consideration under the RKC’s disciplinary rules?
• How are individual show organisers expected to know when someone should not be participating?
• Would the RKC support a formal information-sharing system to help close any safeguarding gaps?

And I asked one very simple question:

Does the Royal Kennel Club consider a person convicted of serious cruelty to a dog to be a suitable person to exhibit, handle, judge or otherwise participate with dogs at a Royal Kennel Club-licensed event?

The Royal Kennel Club has now been given the opportunity to explain exactly how its current safeguarding system works.

When I receive their response, I will update you.

This campaign has never been about attacking responsible exhibitors, breeders or dog showing.

It is about ensuring that when we say dog welfare comes first, the systems behind those words actually protect dogs.

Please continue to sign and share the petition. Every signature strengthens the call for meaningful safeguards.

🐾 A Voice For Every Dog
Be their voice. Be their change.

 

Crufts is one of the most influential dog shows in the world. The standards it promotes influence breeding, showing and animal welfare far beyond the UK. The same high standards should apply across all licensed dog shows.

This petition calls on the Royal Kennel Club to introduce clear, consistent eligibility rules preventing anyone convicted of a serious animal welfare offence, or formally found responsible for animal abuse through an official disciplinary process, from competing, judging or participating at Crufts and all licensed dog shows.

This petition is not about one individual. It is about protecting animal welfare, maintaining public confidence in dog showing, and ensuring that those representing the sport uphold the highest standards of care and responsibility.

Dog shows help shape breeding practices and influence public perceptions of responsible dog ownership. With that influence comes a responsibility to ensure welfare always comes before titles, trophies or reputations.

We recognise that people have different views on rehabilitation and second chances. This petition does not seek to revisit individual cases. Instead, it asks the Royal Kennel Club to introduce a clear, transparent policy that is applied consistently in the future.

If you believe Crufts and all licensed dog shows should reflect the highest standards of animal welfare, please sign and share this petition.