Walkies for Moray dog lovers in stand against puppy farms
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A WHISTLE has sounded for Moray dog lovers to join a creative campaign to make a stand against puppy farming.
Many people were left shocked and distressed in October last year by images of lonely, anxious puppies as news broke that more than 60 dogs had to be rescued by the Scottish SPCA from an alleged Moray puppy farm.
Horrified, the team at Moray Arts Development Engagement (M:ADE) sought to find a creative way to promote responsible pet ownership and celebrate the special relationship people have with their furry friends.
M:ADE has now teamed up with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to offer a weekend-long programme of creative and outdoor activities to explore the joy and responsibilities that come with pet ownership. These will form the basis for short educational videos on best practice and the positive relationships people have with pets and their vets.
M:ADE for Mutts will run between Saturday, February 29, and Sunday, March 1, comprising of three free events, including an art workshop, a creative writing workshop and a community dog walk at Roseisle Beach.
Stacey Toner, M:ADE director, said: "Our upcoming project, M:ADE for Mutts, has really been created out of upset following the puppy farming scandal from within Moray last year.
"We want to show that we are actually a region of animal lovers.
"At M:ADE we are always looking to respond to local issues through creativity, so although the project might seem random to a few, it fits perfectly with what we are trying to achieve as an organisation – to be relevant, current, different and to work in partnership or collaboration wherever possible."
Some 15 places are available for the art workshop, with Robert Menzies, on Saturday, February 29, between 10.30-12.30pm, at Elgin Library, where participants will create campaign posters, banners and visuals for the community walk. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/made-for-mutts-arts-workshop-tickets-91581283083.
The creative writing workshop, with Shane Strachan, will also run at Elgin Library on February 29, between 1.30-3.30pm. The intention is to explore through text and storytelling how pets, and animals in general, enhance lives. The workshop is suitable for all aged eight upwards, and again children must be accompanied by an adult. Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/made-for-mutts-creative-writing-workshop-tickets-91598679115 for one of the 15 places.
Anyone – whether or not they have a dog in tow – can join the informal beach dog walk at Roseisle on Sunday, March 1, at 11am.
The Moray raid followed the conviction last August of Banff man Frank James, who was jailed for nine months and disqualified from owning or keeping dogs after intensively breeding hundreds of puppies at a farm near Fyvie. James was found to be running what was believed to be Scotland’s largest puppy farm following a raid and investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said at the time: "The only way puppy farms will disappear – and people like Frank James will stop profiteering at the expense of intensively bred dogs – is if public demand stops."
