Kennel Club Agrees Voluntary Code Of Conduct With Pet Food Industry

The Kennel Club has agreed a voluntary code of conduct with six of the UK’s leading pet food manufacturers, which are actively involved in the sponsorship of dog shows, regarding the effect of such sponsorship on Kennel Club licensed shows. Following discussions with the Kennel Club Chairman, Ronnie Irving, and Chief Executive, Rosemary Smart, the Managing Directors of Pedigree Masterfoods, Nestle Purina, Iams, Royal Canin, Arden Grange and Hills have agreed the code of conduct which is aimed at protecting the integrity of shows. The Kennel Club is concerned with the effect that sponsorship has had on other sports, particularly with regard to fragmentation of competition and over-commercialism. The Kennel Club is determined that this should not happen in the world of dogs and that all participants should be able to benefit from the generosity of pet food manufacturers in a broad sense. To address these concerns, the Kennel Club has sought to achieve an agreement on a code of conduct regarding the sponsorship of participants at shows, which has now been adopted by the six manufacturers listed above. This code will be further communicated to other pet food companies through the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. The voluntary code of conduct agreed is as follows:

• To stop arrangements which contain continuing obligations on the part of a breeder/exhibitor/handler to endorse a product by requiring exclusive feeding claims and/or exclusivity on the use of photographs.
   
• To avoid any monetary payments being made to individuals.
   
• To stop aggressive recruiting of potential product endorsers at shows and events.
   
• To advise against the wearing of branded clothing by exhibitors in the ring/at events.
   
• To advise against the wearing of branded clothing by judges when officiating at a show or event.
   

Furthermore, in respect of Crufts, it has been agreed by all sponsoring pet food manufacturers that no direct approaches will be made to exhibitors or competitors to solicit sponsorship contracts. The Kennel Club believes that this will make the experience of Crufts and other shows more enjoyable for exhibitors and in particular for Best of Breed winners.

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