MPs are due to take part in a debate in the House of Commons today on the regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens.

The debate will take place after the PupAid petition – set up by TV vet Marc Abraham – received over 100,000 signatures and was granted Parliamentary time. The petition calls for the ban on the sale of puppies and kittens without their mother present, with plans to raise public awareness of large-scale commercial breeding establishments, known as puppy and kitten farms.

It will be the first debate of its kind to discuss puppy farming, responsible breeding and rescue pet adoption, and the campaign has the support of several animal welfare groups, including Dogs’ Trust, Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and the Kennel Club.

PupAid founder Marc Abrahams said: "These puppies are usually unvaccinated, un-socialised and removed from their mothers too early. They’re then sent long distances cross country and sold en masse – usually poorly and riddled with painful disease – to pet shops, private dealers and for sale through websites.”