At Discover Dogs this year we met up with a new group called "C.A.R.I.A.D." who have produced a single aimed at raising awareness of puppy farming. We were pleased to be the first to pre order their CD which is being released on 12th December.

C.A.R.I.A.D. was set up two years ago by Linda Goodman with the express aim of putting an end to the appalling battery breeding of dogs. 'Cariad' means love in Welsh, and the acronym stands for Care And Respect Includes All Dogs. C.A.R.I.A.D. is a small non-profit organisation with a big heart, and this Christmas it has set itself a huge task to reach the Number One Christmas slot with a song specially written by singer-songwriter Mandy Woods.

Aimed at educating the public about the reality of puppy farming, 'Cariad at Christmas Time' was recorded in October at Shabbey Road Studios in Caerphilly, and, like Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' back in the '80s, it's a multi-vocal recording. This time, however, instead of getting celebrities to sing the lyrics, C.A.R.I.A.D. decided to invite a number of smaller dog rescues and charities to put forward anyone among their staff and volunteers with a good singing voice and the confidence to go into a studio and sing their heart out. The response was phenomenal, and on October 5 a group of strangers, some local and others coming from as far afield as Lancashire, Suffolk and Wiltshire, met up at the studio.

Some had professional experience, others simply a love of singing and a commitment to the welfare of dogs. Al Steele, co-owner of Shabbey Road, did a magnificent job of instilling confidence in the group, arranging the vocal parts on the hoof and getting the very best out of everyone, regardless of their age or experience. He also produced the single, and the result is the CD that accompanies this message, that is set to receive worldwide radio air play. The charity single is available to pre-order via download from iTunes or as a physical CD from the website www.cariadatchristmastime.wordpress.com, and the proceeds will be donated to the rescues and charities that helped make it possible, as well as to the C.A.R.I.A.D. campaign.

More importantly, though, the song is aimed at exposing the horrors of puppy farming and persuading people not to buy a puppy at Christmas, especially if the mother of the puppy isn't present. Better still would be to go to a reputable rescue in the New Year and save a life by adopting one of the thousands of dogs and puppies who are waiting patiently for someone to give them a new, loving home.

C.A.R.I.A.D. and Mandy are very happy to be contacted for further information about this very special and vital project aimed at saving the lives of thousands of innocent and suffering dogs.

Website: http://www.cariadatchristmastime.co.uk
Twitter: #cariadatchristmas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CARIADcampaign
For more information about 'Cariad at Christmas Time', email Mandy Woods at woods.mandy@hotmail.co.uk
For more information about C.A.R.I.A.D., email CariadCampaign@live.co.uk