March 2021
The Justice For Reggie Campaign
The Justice For Reggie Campaign was founded in December 2020 by Rick, Alicia and Ann after the loss of their beautiful Golden Labrador, Reggie. Reggie died of Parvovirus 3 days after being purchased. The campaign has received huge amounts of support since it started up.
Justice For Reggie currently has 18 volunteers involved. There are lots of different things that we are doing from contacting MP’s to help back the campaign, speaking with selling sites to improve better policing, to building a social media presence to educate the public.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and try and stop the illegal breeding and importation of puppies. Being a voice for the people who have fallen victim to this crime and being a voice that is heard for all involved.
Buying a puppy is one of the biggest decision anyone can make no matter their age. It is a lot easier buying and selling anything with the internet being so accessible. The amount of selling sites that have crept up without having knowledge or the right protocol for selling an animal is frustrating.
Most sites have a minimum amount of pictures required with a minimum amount of characters for the description. Justice For Reggie have been working with many popular selling sites and have suggested important changes which include:
• Pictures – better picture quality, having pictures of puppies suckling mum, and the puppies in there environment not in a room on their own.
• Description - to have more information in to help the buyers know they aren’t buying from a puppy farm, or a dog that has been stolen.
• We have spoken about a short film informing the buyer of what to look for when buying any animal, creating a visual checklist.
The main reason for these changes is to help the buyer spot a suspicious advert easily. We advise for people to think again if you spot any adverts with:
• Minimum amount of pictures - a lot of different puppies of different breeds. And no pictures of them suckling mum.
• If looking at the rehoming side - pictures of the dog outside, with no pictures of the dog inside or with any of the family it is currently living with.
• The description can be very short - not a lot of information on it, with the minimum characters used. Leaving buyers believing every word that is on the ad.
When buying a dog whether it be your 1st or 10th, you should always check you are buying from a reputable breeder/person. You should always see the puppies with mum within the home you are buying from. You need to always do your homework before purchasing a puppy or young dog.
Dogs are not just for a Pandemic and take a lot of time to look after. They require constant attention, toilet training, general house training as well as lead training. Puppies cost a lot of money and there is no way of getting that money back if the puppy doesn’t ‘fit the family’.
Justice For Reggie believe in 10 Golden Steps to purchasing a puppy. These 10 steps are nothing more than a few paws of wisdom.
• Expect to wait.
• Always see puppies with mum.
• Do the puppies look healthy.
• The house – does it look lived in?
• Always ask to see the vaccination card.
• No microchip = no sale.
• Expect to sign a breeding contract.
• Never pay cash.
• Speak to siblings owners.
• Be prepared to walk away.
If you are unsure what to look out for, speak to someone who has bought a dog and the experience they had themselves. We have these 10 steps on the www.justiceforreggie.co.uk website to be viewed with more in depth information on.
What could take you 5 minutes to read, could save the life of your beloved pet and the heart ache that comes with losing them. The pain doesn’t get easier but having the memories to remember them by is better than having no memories but the memory of trying to save them from something they didn’t ask for.
After taking the time to read this, just remember a puppy/dog is for life. You chose them they don’t chose you. Do your research and enjoy having a best friend for life. Your puppy/dog will become the best part of your family, and every minute needs to be treasured.