Don’t get your dog from puppy farm says the RSPCA

DOG OWNERS are being warned against purchasing a new pup from a puppy farm.

New research shows that a whopping one in five dog owners in the Midlands admit they may have bought from a puppy farm, while almost one third acknowledge that they are clueless about how to find a reputable breeder.

Meanwhile, 27 per cent did not see where their puppy was bred, while 25 per cent either did not see the pup’s mum, or suspect the mum was fake.

Nearly 10 per cent of puppy buyers in the Midlands spent less than one hour deciding on their pup, making them an easy target for rogue breeders and puppy farmers as they do not recognise the red flags.

The research, for the Kennel Club’s Puppy Awareness Week, shows those who buy on a whim or purely for looks are left particularly vulnerable and unable to spot the signs of an unscrupulous breeder.

Thousands end up with a sick pup, suffering emotional hardship and paying high vet’s bills. One in five puppies bought on an impulse get sick or die before their first birthday, while one in three puppy buyers who bought impulsively spent more than they anticipated looking after their puppy’s health.

Caroline Kisko,

Kennel

Club secretary, said: “Millions of puppies are suffering as a result of being irresponsibly bred and sold, and millions of consumers are completely unaware that their buying habits are actually fuelling this cruel trade.

“The impact of this is truly devastating and brings with it suffering, heartache and financial problems, all for the profit of rogue breeders and puppy farmers.

“A puppy is for life, it’s not something you should just search for online, see a cute photo and buy within an hour, having it delivered to your door.

“This is a dangerous trend which is growing with the likes of

Instagram, but puppies are not a commodity. We are urging people to do proper, careful and extensive research – to ‘Paws for thought’ and make sure the pup is right for you, and that you can spot the signs of a bad breeder.

“The more time you spend, the more aware you will be, and the much more likely you are to bring home a happy, healthy puppy, rather than fueling untold suffering and heartache.

“It is crucial for anyone thinking about getting a dog to go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, or to a rescue organisation, and to have spent enough time researching to know what to look for.”