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KENNEL CLUB SURVEY REVEALS THAT 60 PER CENT OF COMPETITORS WANT EVENTS TO RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

KENNEL CLUB SURVEY REVEALS THAT 60 PER CENT OF COMPETITORS WANT EVENTS TO RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

97 per cent want resumption within a year of lockdown easing

An online survey recently carried out by The Kennel Club has revealed that 60 per cent of competitors want events to return as soon as possible, it has been announced.

In the same vein, 55 per cent of judges and 53 per cent of event organisers would also like to see shows and trials resume as soon as government regulations allow in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking further ahead, an even more optimistic figure of 97 per cent of competitors said they would be happy to return to events within a year of lockdown easing. Similarly, 96 per cent of judges and 84 per cent of event organisers would like to return to their hobby within the same timeframe.

The survey was completed by a total of 8,036 people last month during the UK-wide lockdown. It was designed to gauge the views of respondents in relation to the prospect of the phased and safe return of licensed events.

THE KENNEL CLUB GUIDANCE ON RESTARTING SHOWS AND EVENTS

A safe and phased return to licensed events

Following the Government’s ‘roadmap’ announcements, The Kennel Club will not be extending its previous recommendation to cancel future licensed events but supports a safe and phased return to licensed events. New guidance for clubs and societies which might be considering holding licensed shows and other events as lockdown restrictions are eased across the UK has been issued.

CRUFTS 2021 CANCELLED

It is with deep regret that The Kennel Club has decided to cancel Crufts 2021, which was due to take place from 15 – 18 July. This is owing to ongoing uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in consideration for the health and safety of all its volunteers, judges, exhibitors, sponsors, trade stand holders, visitors and staff.

For many months, ongoing discussions have been taking place with the NEC and other parties in trying to find a way forward in making it possible to run this year’s show in a Covid-secure way.

Next meeting of the Obedience Liaison Council on 22nd July

The next meeting of The Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council is scheduled to be held remotely via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 22 July 2021. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by email no later than Friday 23 April.

Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given.

As a reminder, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at bit.ly/31d9LB0.

KC ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Following discussion by the Activities Committee it has been agreed that the requirement to include any stay exercise in obedience competitions will be suspended until 31 December 2021, in the same manner as other Covid-19 related regulation suspensions (please refer to bit.ly/3m9NkoM).

This comes following a recommendation made by the Obedience Liaison Council at its January meeting to permanently remove the stay exercise from obedience, and from discussion by the Activities Committee on further suspensions needed to help shows run safely again.

YKC SUMMER CAMP RETURNS TO REUNITE YOUNG DOG LOVERS FOR FUN-FILLED WEEK

The Young Kennel Club (YKC) is pleased to announce that its popular YKC Summer Camp will take place this year, following last year’s event, which was held online due to Covid-19.

Open exclusively to YKC members aged from 7-16, the camp is a perfect opportunity for children and teenagers to enjoy a holiday with their dogs, whilst also keeping active, joining in with social events and taking part in plenty of training activities with their four-legged friends.

GETTING CANINE EVENTS BACK ON TRACK

THE KENNEL CLUB SEEKS THE VIEWS OF COMPETITORS AND OTHER ‘STAKEHOLDERS’ VIA ONLINE SURVEY

In view of the Government’s recent announcement detailing the step-by-step roadmap plan to ease lockdown restrictions, The Kennel Club has today (March 2) launched an online survey to gauge the views of competitors and other ‘stakeholders’ such as judges, organisers of events, Young Kennel Club members, tradestand holders and spectators in relation to the prospect of the phased return of licensed events.

CANCELLATION OF LICENSED EVENTS UNTIL AT LEAST 29 MARCH 2021

Following the Government announcement on Monday 22 February detailing the step-by-step roadmap plan to ease restrictions it is with regret that we recommend the cancellation of licensed events until at least 29 March 2021. Therefore those societies whose events have been cancelled should contact The Kennel Club to confirm the cancellation and to let us know whether the licence fee is to be refunded or deferred to a future show/trial. A form for this purpose can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/cancellationofshows and club secretaries also have the facility to cancel their event via the dashboard of their club profile on The Kennel Club website, when they are logged into their account. This position will be reviewed again in line with Government guidance at the end of March. To read the latest Kennel Club advice in relation to the resumption of licensed events, please visit thekennelclub.org.uk/resumptionofevents

LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON PUPPY FARMS FINALLY MADE LAW IN SCOTLAND

New legislation in Scotland which aims to crack down on cruel puppy farming has this week been signed by the Minister and made law, a step welcomed as ‘long-awaited and crucial’ by The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs.

Known as ‘Lucy’s Law’, it will mean that puppies and kittens can no longer be sold in Scotland by a third party seller – such as a pet shop or commercial dealer – unless they have bred the animal themselves. Instead, from September, anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehoming centre.

HOME SECRETARY’S COMMITMENT TO STRONGER PENALTIES FOR PET THEFT WELCOMED BY THE KENNEL CLUB

Long-term vision deemed crucial to protect nation’s dogs during ‘puppy pandemic’ effect on ownership

The UK’s largest organisation dedicated to dog health and welfare has welcomed a commitment from the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to introduce tougher measures on pet theft.

The Kennel Club, which last year launched its Be Puppywise campaign as thousands sought creature comfort during the pandemic, has long pushed for amends to the Animal Welfare Act to make pet theft a specific offence which recognises the theft of a dog, or any other pet, has an impact that far exceeds any associated financial cost.