2:25pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
ANYONE who has bought a puppy in the last three years is being invited to take part in a national online survey organised by the RSPCA.
Questions include where the puppy came from, how it was advertised, how much it cost, and if you'd buy another puppy from the same place.
Results will enable the charity to identify if buying a puppy is generally a positive or negative experience.
RSPCA campaigner Justine Pannett said: "You can pick up a puppy from a newspaper advert, a neighbour, pet shop, farm or breeder, so we're trying to get a grip on how successful people's experiences actually are.
"It's obvious to say, but a puppy is a living creature, and this survey will help us determine whether or not these dogs are suffering throughout the experience, or if in general they are treated well."
Anyone who has bought a puppy in the last three years is encouraged to take part in the survey, which runs until next Monday, May 12.
It can be found at www.rspca.org.uk/puppysurvey.
RSPCA