If every pet shop held a directory with your contact details name, location, phone number and dog breed in it would you be worried?

I received an email suggesting this is about to happen, and being concerned at the amount of dog theft that goes on, I am concerned that a dog thief could find out where I live very easily and I would be devasted if my precious dogs were stolen.

By law I thought the only companies that could hold info on you is the police, NHS, tax office,employers, financial, insurance type companies etc. Other companies I thought had to provide and Op out clause or as in online companies and Op out box.

If companies hold data on you that could cause distress the data protection act cover this. It is under "Right to prevent processing likely to cause damage or distress" http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980029_en_3#pt2-l1g10 I am sure there are other clauses to protect the consumer in the data protection act.

If companies are misusing the data protection act the information commissioner office http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/data_protection/enforcement.aspx have the legal powers to enforce companies to comply with the data protection act.

This is a worry and I hope it is not true but if companies are allowed to do what you said then yes I would be extremely worried, I certainly would not give them any personal information and would boycott the store.

Why pet shops? (as opposed to council, police etc)?

IS the the AB thingy from the KC Polly?  I was a little amused by the very quick follow up pointing out that they were not suggesting pups should be sold in pet shops.  I hopeo that they will offer an opt out system for those who do not want to appear, but not sure, I have only jsut discovered that ABs are listed by breed and area on the "finda puppy" section of the KC website, it appears you can opt to be ommitted, but I can't remember receiving anything about it to see if I wanted to be shown or not.

if you dont want to be in the list (directory) you need to contact the ABS by may 7th

I understand your concerns but do you not think that if a dog thief  wanted to target your breed they already could easily use the internet to get lots of breeders details.

So far I've had no enquiries via the Kennel Club website, all mine are through the breed club website, champdogs and my own website.
When looking on sites like Dog Lost most thefts are opportunist ones, where dogs have been left in cars, outside shops etc.

How I understood the email I received from the ABS team the idea behind this is to try to steer the pet owning public in the right direction, as a lot of people don't have a clue where to look for a well bred puppy.

> When looking on sites like Dog Lost most thefts are opportunist ones, where dogs have been left in cars, outside shops etc.

Where I am the thefts have mostly been anything but opportunist ones. One local gamekeeper was held at knife point while his dogs were being taken and he was told if he went to the media or the police they would come back and harm his children.

I think most of us keep minimal information on web sites and certainly would not be advertising the fact that we live in a certain area. Many don't include their details in show catalogues these days. It just worries me that the KC ABS scheme members have to opt out of this directory, I am sure many would like to be in it but do not want their location advertised as such. If the entry was only listed by county and gave an email address or mobile phone number it would be harder to locate breeders.

I will unfortunately be opting out of the ABS on this occasion. I was told there is an opt out option but I was not aware there would be a time limit so close to finally getting a reply last night from the KC.

Polly I am not a breeder but I am with you on this. I personally think it too much of a risk.

Have you seen this news report Polly? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1272752/Police-year-old-girls-stolen-pet-puppy--say-back.html It looks like if your dog is stolen then found at a later date you may not have the dog returned to you when someone claims they purchased the animal in good faith. 

I have written to the KC and asked to have my details listed by county not town or village, and to put my mobile phone number not my landline number. I have also told them that if they can't put a listing in for me the way I want then I will be leaving the ABS altogether.

Hi Kat I have heard of other cases like this in the past. It is ridiculous! Maybe I should incite some thug to rob a bank, then I could buy his ill gotten gains off him for a token amount then sell him some back and we'd both be in the clear!!! And have loads of cash to boot.... Mmmmm better go and look for a new car then, my dogs think my car is too tiny.... lol