We’re asking supporters to write to their MPs or Lords to help make the case for responsible rescue.
You can check who your MP is here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ and see a list of relevant Lords and other contacts on this page.
Your letters don’t need to be long or formal.
- Start by showing you support the Bill and its aims, like stopping puppy smuggling and protecting animals from cruelty.
- Then explain why an exemption for SOFA is so important, to save adult docked Spinoni genuinely in need, without opening the door to abuse or loopholes.
- Talk about SOFA’s very high testing, rehoming, and welfare standards. The main points are listed below – you can use as much or as little as you want, or rephrase.
- Ask your MP who else should be contacted (other MPs, Lords, DEFRA contacts) to ensure your letter reaches the right people.
- And finally…
- Tell your story! Share your experiences with your Spinone, why you love the breed, and how responsible international rescue makes such a difference. Photos are especially powerful — show off your beautiful Spinoni! Personal stories and images really help MPs and Lords understand the impact of the work and why exemptions matter.
Parliament Letter Template Suggestions:
Personal Letter
Subject: Support for SOFA and Rescue of Adult Spinoni
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing as a constituent and a supporter of Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA), a UK charity that rescues adult Spinoni from Italy. I’m very pleased to see the Government introducing the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, which aims to stop puppy smuggling and protect animals from cruelty.
I want to make sure that responsible charities like SOFA can continue their work. Spinoni are working hunting dogs in Italy and are docked for legitimate purposes. Many abandoned dogs face neglect or death, and SOFA rescues them, rehoming each dog carefully with experienced UK owners, including full health checks, disease testing, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
I understand that the details of exemptions will be decided in secondary legislation. I hope you will support consultation with SOFA in drafting this legislation, so that adult Spinoni docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued safely and responsibly.
Every dog they rescue is tested, regulated, and placed in loving homes. Without this exemption, rescue of these dogs could effectively stop, leaving many vulnerable animals at risk.
Please could you also advise who else I should contact about this issue to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully protected?
Finally, I’d love to share a photo/story of my Spinone to show the difference SOFA makes!
Thank you for your support and for helping to protect both animal welfare and responsible rescue efforts.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
Formal Letter
Subject: Support for Exemptions in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing to express my support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, particularly its aim to prevent puppy smuggling and the import of animals that have suffered cruelty. I also wish to raise the importance of including exemptions for responsible rescue organisations, such as Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA).
SOFA is a UK-registered charity that rescues adult Spinoni from Italy, where these dogs are almost exclusively working hunting dogs and are docked for legitimate purposes. Many of these dogs would face neglect, abandonment, or death without rescue. In the UK, they are rehomed to experienced, checked homes with strict disease testing (Brucella and Mediterranean diseases), neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
I understand that the Bill will enable secondary legislation to determine the details of exemptions. I strongly support the principle that SOFA should be consulted during the drafting of this secondary legislation, so that adult Spinoni docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued from overseas via regulated, disease-tested routes. This would protect animal welfare while ensuring the Bill is not misapplied to responsible charities.
I would like to share my personal experience with Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA). Our family has welcomed [Dog’s Name] into our home, and through SOFA’s careful vetting, medical testing, and lifelong support, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of their work. This experience illustrates the importance of allowing registered charities like SOFA to continue their specialist rescue work, ensuring that adult Spinoni docked for working purposes can be rehomed safely and responsibly in the UK.
I hope you will support including such provisions in secondary legislation and ensure that legitimate rescue work is not inadvertently blocked. I would also be grateful if you could advise who else I should contact regarding this issue to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully considered.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
Friendly Letter
Subject: Help Our Rescue Spinoni
Dear [MP Name],
I’m writing to show my support for Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA) and the incredible work they do rescuing adult Spinoni from Italy. These dogs are docked for working purposes and, without rescue, many would face neglect or even death.
SOFA rehomes them safely in the UK, with full health checks, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support. They work closely with experienced adopters, ensuring these dogs never become a burden on shelters.
I hope you will support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill and ensure SOFA is consulted in drafting the secondary legislation, so they can continue this lifesaving work.
Please could you also advise who else I should contact about this issue to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully protected?
I’ve attached photos of my Spinone [or: some Spinoni I’ve helped, or know of], to show the difference this rescue makes.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name][Address]
[Email]
[Optional: link to SOFA / photo attachments]
Concise Letter
Subject: Protect Rescue of Adult Spinoni in the UK
Dear [MP Name],
I fully support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill to stop puppy smuggling and cruelty. I also want to ensure responsible charities like Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA) can continue rescuing adult Spinoni from Italy.
Spinoni are working dogs in Italy and docked for legitimate purposes. Without rescue, many face neglect or death. SOFA rehomes every dog carefully with health checks, disease testing, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
Please support consultation with SOFA when drafting the secondary legislation, so adult Spinoni docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued safely via regulated routes.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
Very Quick Letter
Subject: Protect Rescue of Adult Spinoni
Dear [MP Name],
I support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill but ask that Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA) is consulted in drafting the secondary legislation. This will allow adult Spinoni docked for working purposes in Italy to be rescued safely via regulated routes.
These dogs face neglect or death without rescue, and SOFA rehomes them with full health checks, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
Thank you for considering this.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]