Vets call for end to use of flat-faced dogs on greeting cards

The BVA believes using images of flat-faced dogs and cats on cards normalises breeds’ short noses and big eyes, which can cause pain for the animal. Photograph: Madalena Leles/Getty Images

Greetings card designers are being urged to stop using pugs and other flat-faced dogs and cats on Valentine’s Day cards as those sold by big retailers show how popular such images remain despite animal cruelty warnings from vets.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has written to the Greeting Card Association and card retailers, including Moonpig, Paperchase, WH Smith, Scribbler, Clinton’s and Funky Pigeon, reigniting a call to action it first made four years ago to ban such images.