This is a short article designed to alert people who may not already know about some of the unethical ways that some dogs are bred. (Go straight to Petition.)
So what are puppy farms?
The short answer is anyone who is breeding puppies purely for profit with no concern for the dogs or the puppies.
(picture credited to the Celia Hammond Animal Trust)
What conditions are the dogs and puppies kept in?
Puppy farms are not always in farms. Sometimes the bitches are kept in cars, houses, in fact, wherever there is space.
There is no consideration given to the welfare of the dogs. They may be kept in cages piled high on top of one another. This means that they can be left in their own waste producing poor skin conditions and calluses where they sit in their own urine and the urine of other dogs. They have little food or water. They are infested with parasites such as ticks, fleas, and ear mites. The bitches that are bred from may be stolen and are not checked for congenital conditions. They are bred from many times in quick succession with no consideration for socialization.
What can I do?
If you want to get a new dog or a puppy there are certain simple things that you can do to make sure that you are not supporting this cruel and unethical industry.
Recycle: There are many dogs that are thrown away in this country. The Dogs Trust alone have at least 1400 dogs at any one time all looking for a new home. These dogs will be vet checked, vaccinated, neutered and chipped before you can take them home. Type Dog Rescue into Google and you will find dog rescue organizations that are local to your area.
Never buy a puppy from a shop: Puppy farms often supply Pet shops. You may think you are helping rescue the puppies but actually if you buy a puppy from a place like this the puppy is likely to be ill and will be replaced by more puppies soon.
Never buy a dog unless you see it with its parents: Puppy farm breeders will sell dogs from car parks and lay bys. They will offer to meet you in places so you cannot see the conditions. They even may offer to ship the dog for you.
If it’s too easy or too cheap it’s probably from a puppy farm: Respectable breeders will ask questions. They will want to know all about the circumstances that you live in. They may want to do a home check. Respectable breeders will have wormed, vaccinated, and have had puppies checked by vets. They will probably offer return policies. They will give you food that the puppy has been fed on and may offer 6 weeks insurance.
Hit this industry in its pockets.
Boycott Puppy Farms!
And sign the petition set up to ban puppy farms completely. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/banpuppyfarms/
