RSPCA fights sale of pets by DIY chain

AN attempt by a DIY chain to put pet shops in its stores has been attacked by the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

It fears that the move could lead to more abandoned pets in the UK as people buy animals on impulse.

Focus Do It All, the DIY chain, is applying to local authorities across Britain for permission to open Petworld outlets in all its 138 stores.

It already has pet shops in 50 DIY stores.

Peter Davies, director general of the RSPCA, has written to the chain expressing the charity's strong opposition.

A spokesman said: "All too often the RSPCA is faced with picking up the pieces after people have taken on an animal without being able to provide the necessary commitment and resources to care for that animal properly."

However, Focus Do It All said stores would give shoppers advice on pets before they purchased them.

A spokesman said: "The company does not consider the purchase of a pet as an impulse buy. The intention is to provide a unique shopping experience for all the family and these stores should not be compared with supermarket retailing."

The total market in pets and pet-related goods in Britain is worth £2.9 billion annually.