We the undersigned, are asking that all 'free-ads' on your site pertaining to the selling of Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies (Staffies/Staffs) be suspended for the whole of December 2010.

The UK Staffie population has reached saturation point.


With thousands of Staffs and Staff crosses being destroyed every year because there is simply no room for them in already overcrowded rescue centres. Most major dog rescues in the UK are now either considering, or have already adopted, a selective intake which excludes the Staff, or has a waiting list of up to two years.

Visit any rescue site and they will be full of Staffs and Staff mixes, visit a free-ads site, and you will find many of 2011's 'inmates'. Very few reputable breeders use free-ads to sell puppies.

Whilst some may argue that people will always find a way to sell puppies, a notice explaining that you will not host these ads, posted early enough, will certainly make people think twice before breeding to make a few extra pounds this Christmas. At the moment it is as easy to sell a live animal as it is to sell a sofa. With little or no regard for the welfare of the creature.

Many of the undersigned will help monitor your sites as volunteers, to assist you in upholding the suspension.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a noble, charming and beautiful breed, deserving of better than it has been dealt. The current situation as regards the breeding of Staffs is untenable, your participation in this scheme will make a significant dent in the amount of Staffs being bred as Christmas presents, a majority of which (it is now estimated that up to 6 out of every ten Staff puppies born do not live to their fourth birthday) will be out-of-favour by next year.

We would like to thank you in advance, for taking the time to read our views, and making the decision to act upon them as a voice for the voiceless.