The Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) has formed a working group on the welfare of pedigree dogs from 12 cross-party politicians and is ready to begin the investigation.

We are appealing for C-fidos members, supporters or ANY dog lover with concern for canine health and wellbeing to join in with this important process.

APGAW has asked written evidence from all interested parties and C-fidos is fully committed to this process. In particular we seek evidence on any information you may have on regulation of the industry, structure of the breeding and showing industry, identification of dogs to establish parentage and how current breed standards work.

The evidence should be presented in the following form;

A covering letter containing:

• the name and contact details of the persons or organisation submitting the evidence.

• any request that the committee treat the whole, or part, of the written evidence as confidential, with reasons for the request.

The evidence should be presented;

•with a word limit of 2,000 words

•in electronic form to admin@apgaw.org unless agreed otherwise with the secretariat.

•by the deadline of 1st February 2009

A self-contained memorandum containing;

• an executive summary of the main points made in the submission.

•any recommendations for action by the Government or others which the submitter would like the committee to consider for inclusion in its report.

NB The memorandum can be omitted if the evidence given is only one page long.

NB If evidence is submitted which falls outside of these conditions it will not be considered by the committee.

This is an open call for evidence and you are welcome to circulate the call more widely to those you feel may be interested in responding. Evidence submitted to APGAW may be published in the final report of the working group. Please direct any enquiries to Marisa Heath on 07736 899 547.

The above is if you would like to submit your proposal directly to APGAW. If you would prefer to submit your information to C-fidos and have it placed under consideration for inclusion in our own submission, please contact us with your information.

An all party group for members of both houses at Westminster formed to promote and further the cause

of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe
Chair: Eric Martlew MP; Joint Vice Chairs: Dr Nick Palmer MP & Rt Hon Eliot Morley MP
Joint Honorary Secretaries: Norman Baker MP, Baroness Gale, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior; Treasurer: David Amess MP

The Coalition For Improved Dog Ownership Standards – C-fidos – is a not for profit officially affiliated partner of the Pet Owners Parliament.

The organisation is set up to work on initiatives that directly lead to the general improvement of dog ownership standards in the United Kingdom.

There are 7 founding principles and all work done by C-fidos is performed in common with these principles:

1) That dogs and society in the UK would benefit from a nation of better informed dog owners
2) That dog related legislation should be fair and not based on breed type
3) That the UK should strive to address and reduce the number of dogs surrendered to shelters
4) That all dog owners should be made aware of the principles of the Animal Welfare Act
5) That all potential dog owners should be better informed as to how to select responsible suppliers of dogs
6) That irresponsible suppliers and producers of dogs should be properly legislated against
7) That educating young people about dogs is to the great benefit of dogs and society in the future