Episode 14 - Dr Marc Abraham OBE, Campaigning for lasting change

In this episode we catch up with Dr Marc Abraham OBE, BVM&S MRCVS, or ‘Marc the Vet’ as he’s usually known, a multi-award-winning veterinary surgeon, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner.  Marc qualified from Edinburgh University in 1995, and during one nightshift at his Brighton out-of-hours emergency clinic in 2009 treated some poorly pups, then decided to campaign against irresponsible dog and cat breeding practices such as puppy farming. He founded awareness campaigns #WheresMum and Pup Aid, led the successful ‘Lucy’s Law’ campaign in Parliament to ban commercial third-party puppy and kitten sellers, e.g. pet shops. With Lucy’s Law now legislation in England, Wales, and Scotland, this means all UK dog and cat breeders are accountable.  Marc is also the co-founder and secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) in Westminster, was responsible for sourcing rescue pup Dylan for 10 Downing Street, appears regularly in the media, plus visits local schools chatting with pupils about caring for animals and looking out for one another.  Marc was recently awarded the OBE for Services to Animal Welfare by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, presented to him by His Royal Highness King Charles III at Windsor Castle.  Marc has just finished filming a documentary called ‘Dogspiracy’, available to stream this autumn, which looks at the puppy trade in the UK, US, and takes a behind-the-scenes look at campaigning.  Marc’s latest book ‘#BeMoreMosquito’ lists the tools required for grassroots campaigners to make practical and lasting change, from online petitions to social media, meeting politicians to engaging with select committees; all effective methods of raising awareness, changing behaviour, improving legislation, and sometimes all three.  Marc currently practices at an independently-owned veterinary practice, near Brighton, East Sussex, and in his downtime enjoys sea swimming, walking on the South Downs, and supporting Brighton & Hove Albion. Join us as we find out more about Marc’s work, including influencing legislation to bring about real and lasting change for animals. We hope you will join the animal welfare conversation.   Useful links Marc the Vet: www.marcthevet.net  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/marcthevet  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcTheVet/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcabraham/  All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG): www.apdawg.co.uk Be More Mosquito - How you can campaign and create change   As mentioned in the podcast, this episode was recorded before the general election was called. So, unfortunately legislation relating to the banning of imported pups under 6 months and puppy smuggling and the import of dogs with mutilations bills were dropped; but the pet theft reform bill and the live export of sheep and cattle bills were passed.  The Assistance dog and accessibility meeting that is referred to has already happened.