Master of Ceremonies: Mr Danny Pike (radio presenter, BBC Sussex)
TIME EVENT 11.00 Prettiest Bitch – Scruffts – sponsored byThe Treatment Rooms, Brighton
Liz Fuller (former Miss Great Britain, model, TV presenter)
Jo-Emma Larvin (model, TV presenter)
Lindsay Fergusson (model)
Jodie Rogers (partner of Brighton & Hove Albion’s captain Adam Virgo)
Emma Saxby (interior designer)
11.20 Handsomest Dog – Scruffts
Carol Cleveland (actor, Monty Python)
Julie Cowell (Simon’s mum!)
Debbie Forsyth (Bruce’s daughter!)
Gary Forde (celebrity hairdresser)
Julie Ann Gilbert (artist)
11.40 Child’s Best Friend – Scruffts
Robert Alleyne (celebrity dog trainer, Dog Borstal)
Simon Kirby (Conservative parliamentary candidate, Brighton Kemptown)
12.00 Demonstration by Canine Partners
12.20 Golden Oldie – Scruffts
Roger Mugford (celebrity dog trainer)
Nancy Platts (Labour parliamentary candidate, Brighton Pavilion)
12.40 Best Pedigree
13.00 Sussex Police Dog Demonstration
13.20 Laziest Dog
David Spinx & Genghis (actor, EastEnders)
13.40 Most Glamourous Pooch & Owner
Anneka Svenska (TV presenter)
Peter Jarrette (TV & radio personality & Brighton socialite!)
Cindy Jackson (cosmetic queen)
14.00 Parade of the Ex-Breeding Bitches, followed by the ‘World’s Biggest Puppy Party’ – Photocall
14.40 Best Rescue Dog
Chris Ellison (actor, The Bill, EastEnders, and painter)
JoAnne Good (radio presenter, BBC London)
Cllr Ann Norman (Mayor of Brighton & Hove)
Caroline Lucas (Green parliamentary candidate, Brighton Pavilion)
15.20 Best Boxer Dog
Michael Watson MBE (ex-world champion boxer)
15.40 Dog Judges Would Most Write Home About
Sara Lawrence (novelist, freelance journalist)
Marcella Whittingdale (journalist, TV presenter, GMTV)
Nikki Bayley (freelance writer, journalist)
Caraline Brown (PR guru)
Briggy Smale (writer, presenter)
Gareth Davies (journalist, Telegraph)
Dog-loving celebrities and sports personalities are giving their full support to Puppy Farm Awareness Day which takes place this year on 19th September 2009.
This special day will help to educate the millions of people in the UK who are considering buying a puppy but are unsure who to contact and what to do next about purchasing one.
Located in remote areas of our British countryside Puppy Farms mass-produce puppies which are usually removed from their mothers too early, transported across the country to dealers, who then sell them from the internet, pet shops, free newspapers or even motorway service stations.
As a result these poor puppies are bought lacking socializing skills and commonly suffer from fatal health problems including pneumonia, parvovirus, as well as dangerous infestations of fleas and worms, often requiring hundreds of pounds of veterinary or behavioural treatment to fix.
Above: Yorkies in typical puppy farming conditions (Picture courtesy of Puppy Love http://www.dogs-r-us.org)
Breeding bitches are usually kept in cages or small pens, rarely see daylight or touch grass, and are mated on every heat – just being fed enough to keep them producing pups, with little or no veterinary care at all.
ThePet.net co-founders TV Vet Marc Abraham and social media guru Andrew Seel wanted the British public to know the truth about where badly-bred puppies come from to help them choose a happy and healthy puppy rather than a sick or diseased farmed one.
The ‘World’s Biggest Puppy Party’ invites all puppies and owners to take part in a fun gathering to raise national awareness about such an important and serious animal welfare issue.
This unique day will also feature a funky doggy shopping area, Scruffts cross-breed heats, assistance dog displays as well as an all-day celebrity-judged fun dog show open to dogs of all ages, with Ex-World Champion boxer Michael Watson MBE judging ‘Best Boxer Dog’!
TV Vet Marc Abraham says “I am treating more and more puppies that have come from puppy farms than ever before. It’s not the owners fault, they would rather have a happy and healthy pup, but aren’t keen to wait or spend the money in these tough economic times. So here are my tips for choosing a puppy:
1. For a pedigree (specific breed) puppy then always contact the Kennel Club first for their list of reliable and reputable breeders.
2. Ask to see the puppy’s mother (and preferably father) who should always be present.
3. Be suspicious of any breeder selling more than one (maximum two) type of breed.
4. Be prepared to be put on a waiting list – a healthy puppy is well-worth waiting for.
5. Ask if you can return the puppy if things don’t work out. Most responsible breeders will always say yes.
6. Never buy a puppy because you feel like you’re rescuing it. You’ll only be making space available for another poorly pup to fill.
7. Consider cheaper alternatives to buying a pedigree puppy like getting a rescue dog or pup, and remember that every breed of dog has its own rescue society.”
The World’s Biggest Puppy Party is a non-profit dog-show at Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, on 19th September 2009. Admission is a donation to be split between three charities: Hope Rescue, Sussex Pet Rescue and Pro Dogs Direct who rescue and rehabilitate ex-breeding bitches and stud-dogs.
All puppies (over twelve weeks of age) and dogs attending must have registered beforehand, have all their vaccinations upto date and all owners will be required to provide their vaccination certificates for inspection. Failure to do this will result in you and your dog being turned away and there will be no exceptions to this rule.
To register your dog or puppy, find out more about which celebrities are judging at ThePet.net’s ‘The World’s Biggest Puppy Party’ on Puppy Farm Awareness Day, Summer Health Advice or even Top Money Saving to help you and your pet through credit crunch, visit www.ThePet.net today.
To sign up for a free ticket to The World’s Biggest Puppy Party just click here.
