I WAS interested to read your article about Trading Standards warning people buying puppies to be vigilant for signs of illegal sales (Warnings over illegal puppy sales, Shuttle, January 28).

The main cause of the problem is the excessive breeding of these animals, but members of the public can help prevent this, by only obtaining dogs and cats from rescue centres (rather than from pet shops or breeders) and by making sure they have them neutered or spayed.

Jane Hargreaves

Stourport