Hold the Royal Kennel Club accountable for animal welfare
The Issue
In 2023, a golden retriever bitch who should have been treated with care and respect. Instead, over the course of two years, this dog has been mated every six months, resulting in four litters and thirty puppies. It's a heart-breaking revelation that the very organisation responsible for setting standards—the Royal Kennel Club (RKC)—has not only allowed this to happen but has also defended their decision.
The RKC not only defended the their decision, but they helped sell the thirty puppies this bitch has had, by advertising the litters on their find a puppy register, which prospective puppy owners are directed by the RKC to find a pedigree puppy!
The Royal Kennel Club professes that animal welfare is of utmost importance to them. Yet, actions speak louder than words, and allowing a female dog to endure pregnancy after pregnancy in such a short span contradicts any claim to prioritizing animal wellbeing. The repetitive and strenuous process of breeding can have detrimental effects on a dog's health, mentally and physically.
As stewards of canine welfare, the RKC should exercise responsibility, enforcing and upholding standards that ensure the health and happiness of dogs. Various research studies and veterinary guidelines suggest a health-conscious spacing of breeding cycles to avoid potential harm and ensure optimal recovery times for the mothers. Ignoring these guidelines not only tarnishes the club's reputation but also endangers the lives of innocent animals entrusted to their oversight.
Concrete actions are necessary. We urge the Royal Kennel Club to revise their breeding policies, aligning practices with modern welfare standards. This includes establishing a mandatory minimum waiting period between litters to allow for the necessary health recovery of canine mothers, enforcing strict penalties for violation of these standards, and ensuring transparency in the breeding processes sanctioned by the club.
We, the concerned public and pet lovers of Great Britain and around the world, appeal to the Royal Kennel Club to hold true to their claims and act decisively. By taking these steps, they can set an exemplary standard that promotes genuine care and welfare for all dogs. Your signature can make a difference. Please sign this petition and stand with us to demand immediate action from the Royal Kennel Club.
1,286
The Issue
In 2023, a golden retriever bitch who should have been treated with care and respect. Instead, over the course of two years, this dog has been mated every six months, resulting in four litters and thirty puppies. It's a heart-breaking revelation that the very organisation responsible for setting standards—the Royal Kennel Club (RKC)—has not only allowed this to happen but has also defended their decision.
The RKC not only defended the their decision, but they helped sell the thirty puppies this bitch has had, by advertising the litters on their find a puppy register, which prospective puppy owners are directed by the RKC to find a pedigree puppy!
The Royal Kennel Club professes that animal welfare is of utmost importance to them. Yet, actions speak louder than words, and allowing a female dog to endure pregnancy after pregnancy in such a short span contradicts any claim to prioritizing animal wellbeing. The repetitive and strenuous process of breeding can have detrimental effects on a dog's health, mentally and physically.
As stewards of canine welfare, the RKC should exercise responsibility, enforcing and upholding standards that ensure the health and happiness of dogs. Various research studies and veterinary guidelines suggest a health-conscious spacing of breeding cycles to avoid potential harm and ensure optimal recovery times for the mothers. Ignoring these guidelines not only tarnishes the club's reputation but also endangers the lives of innocent animals entrusted to their oversight.
Concrete actions are necessary. We urge the Royal Kennel Club to revise their breeding policies, aligning practices with modern welfare standards. This includes establishing a mandatory minimum waiting period between litters to allow for the necessary health recovery of canine mothers, enforcing strict penalties for violation of these standards, and ensuring transparency in the breeding processes sanctioned by the club.
We, the concerned public and pet lovers of Great Britain and around the world, appeal to the Royal Kennel Club to hold true to their claims and act decisively. By taking these steps, they can set an exemplary standard that promotes genuine care and welfare for all dogs. Your signature can make a difference. Please sign this petition and stand with us to demand immediate action from the Royal Kennel Club.
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Petition created on 29 August 2026