Ever wondered how you could help animals in need? Leonie Morris explains why she set up Pups and Paws Prevention as a Community Interest Company selling eco and sustainable products from her guest house in Cornwall to support animal welfare charities.
Meet Leonie
She spent her childhood in Somerset but now lives in Cornwall running a guest house, and supporting animal neutering, spaying and preventative campaigns to protect against unwanted puppies.
What prompted you to set up Pups and Paws Prevention?
I wanted to create an enterprise that raises money for spaying and neutering dogs to help reduce the numbers of unwanted litters. I set up Pups and Paws Prevention as a way to do this. It is a Community Interest Company (CIC), meaning it’s a limited company set up in order to benefit the community it serves, be it human or animal!
“We’ll be selling products that have the planet in mind as well as pups, like natural soaps, doggy gift packs and more! We have reduced the need for single-use plastic wherever possible and chosen manufacturers where there is a commitment to sustainable practices and humane working practices.”
All profits from Pups and Paws Prevention CIC will be donated to three animal welfare charities of which Happy Landings is one.
Pictured left: Some of the products Leonie is selling.
Why did you choose to support Happy Landings?
“I am 44 and live with my husband and two rescue dogs called Annie and Button in Cornwall. However I grew up on the Somerset Levels in a small village called Stoke St.Gregory where my parents still live. We had a family dog growing up and a rescue pony called Pedro. So Somerset remains very close to my heart and I wanted to make a difference to a local Somerset animal welfare charity.
“I did my research and was really impressed by the amazing work carried out by Happy Landings over several decades. True commitment.
Why do you believe it is important to reduce the number of unwanted puppies?
“I have been supporting another charity abroad by arranging sterilisation campaigns for stray and abandoned dogs. Next year I will be visiting Romania to overseee the spaying and neutering of up to 240 dogs. It will make a huge difference to over-population.
“I am passionate about sterilisation as the only humane method of protecting against unwanted litters of puppies, both in this country and abroad.”
Sterilisation is the only humane method of protecting against unwanted litters of puppies. In 3 years, and as early as 4 months old, 1 unspayed female and 1 unneutured male and their offspring can produce 512 dogs. Sterlisation will make a huge difference to over-population.
“Spaying and neutering can prevent life-threatening conditions and reduce the risk of some cancers. Behaviourally, neutered dogs may also be less aggressive, less territorial and less prone to roaming. However the main benefit is reducing the number of puppies which are born and may struggle to find a long-term home where they are properly cared for.
“Many older dogs may never find a forever home. And some will be euthanised.
“Finding adopters who are willing to come forward is becoming harder. Therefore we must ensure that over-population is addressed.”
We often hear in the media how animal shelters in the UK and abroad are overflowing with abandoned or neglected dogs or in some cases the owner’s circumstances change due to health reasons or bereavement.
“Many older dogs may never find a forever home. And some will be euthanised.
“With the cost of living crisis and soaring insurance costs and veterinary bills, finding adopters who are willing to come forward is becoming harder. Therefore we must ensure that over-population is addressed. In 3 years, and as early as 4 months old, 1 unspayed female and 1 unneutured male and their offspring can produce 512 dogs. That is huge number of new puppies needing care, love, attention and homes.
“And, while the funds we provide to the three charities we’re supporting (including Happy Landings) will be primarily used for spaying and neutering, we are also open to supporting more general shelter costs and transport etc.
“My rescues, Annie and Button, have brought so much joy to my life. They both experienced trauma in puppyhood and are not without their behavioural challenges, but they have taught me so much about resilience, tenacity and never giving up on those we love and cherish.
Why did you choose to set up your CIC instead of a charity?
“A CIC is often set up as a pre-cursor to a registered charity, and can be converted to a registered charity at a later date. However the benefits of a CIC are significantly less ‘red-tape’ and legislation which makes the process of applying through a government website far quicker and less arduous. You are still required to have a memorandum of asssociation.”
Where can people buy your products?
All of the items for sale are listed on our website pupspawsprevention.com.