Puppies found in boxes at Dumfries and Galloway port feature in hard-hitting Christmas campaign

Puppies found in boxes at Dumfries and Galloway port feature in hard-hitting Christmas campaign

Puppies rescued from a Dumfries and Galloway ferry port feature in a hard-hitting Christmas campaign. The story of the 24 pups has been highlighted by the Scottish SPCA as it bids to raise awareness of the illegal puppy trade. The charity has investigated nearly 150 cases of illegal puppy trading in the past two years, with their chilling advert centring around January’s rescue at Cairnryan.

The puppies were found hidden under a lorry in cardboard boxes without food or water. The charity’s vet team discovered one of the pups, Piper, had a loud heart murmur. Without treatment, most puppies die due to heart failure within a year, but in Piper’s case, the team could operate quickly and before permanent damage was done, with follow-up examinations revealing the op had been a complete success.

Piper, now called Skye, has a new family in Linlithgow and was given a clean bill of health at her last check-up. The Scottish SPCA aims to end puppy smuggling by raising awareness of the consequences of the illegal puppy trade. The charity’s chief executive, Kirsteen Campbell, emphasized the crucial need for support to care for animals in crisis situations.

Laura McIntyre, head of rescue and prevention at the Scottish SPCA, highlighted the link between puppy smuggling and organised crime, estimating it to be worth around £13 million annually in Scotland. The charity continues to rescue dogs and puppies from squalid conditions, providing them with necessary treatment and rehabilitation.

The Scottish SPCA’s hard-hitting Christmas campaign aims to educate the public on the dangers of supporting the illegal puppy trade and to encourage reporting of suspicious activities. To view the campaign advert or donate to the Scottish SPCA winter appeal, visit www.scottishspca.org or call 0800 160 1758.

In summary, the Scottish SPCA’s Christmas campaign sheds light on the dark realities of the illegal puppy trade, highlighting the importance of awareness and support in ending puppy smuggling and providing care for animals in need. Through their rescue efforts and campaigns, the charity hopes to create a safer and more humane environment for animals across Scotland.