Dogs Trust > Information > Poppy's Opinions > Puppy Farming >
The other day I was out on my walk as usual, running about with my Frisbee, sniffing around and looking for others of my ‘hairykind’ to meet and play with, when I came across a friendly looking young Labrador. I ran up to him and bowed down to invite him to play. He started to run towards me, but suddenly yelped and sat down, as if he was in pain.
“How strange”, I thought, in my ‘lurchery’ way. “How can running hurt like that? Running should be the most fun thing ever!”
Always curious (and just a little nosey), I asked him what was wrong, never expecting to hear such a sad tale as I’m about to repeat to you…
Sam was just 7 months old. He’d been born somewhere called Wales, although he didn’t know that at the time because when his eyes opened all he could see in the dark, cramped surroundings were his mother, brothers and sisters, a concrete floor, wooden walls, and a bit of dirty straw. The only light was through cracks in the walls and ceiling, and the smell was horrible. He thought there were lots of other dogs there too, because he could smell them as well as hear them barking and whimpering. This was all that he knew for the first five weeks of his life.
Although he knew that his mother loved him, she was tired, thin and had given birth to too many puppies already in her young life, so sometimes there wasn’t enough milk to go around and he was often hungry. He was also cold and damp most of the time, and he could feel lots of little creatures running all over him that used to make him itch terribly and his belly was swollen with worms that used to take most of the nourishment from his food.
Most days a strange, large shouting creature on two legs (a human, he later found out) used to come into their ‘world’ and throw in some food for his mother. It was always over very quickly, but none of the pups knew what this scary thing was and they would cower and squeal until it went again.
When Sam was five weeks old, the human appeared and instead of throwing in food, it picked up Sam and his littermates by the scruff of their necks and slung them in a box. He could hear his mother growling and then crying as he was lifted into the air and carried out into what he was to find out was the real world. He’d never been so frightened in his short life. He could see strange objects and everything was so bright! The unusual smells and sounds were just too much to take in all at once and all he could do was try to bury himself at the bottom of the pile of puppies to get away from it all.
The box was plonked down and each puppy was pulled out in turn and sprayed with something foul smelling that stung their eyes and made them choke. Apparently this was to try to kill the fleas that they were infested with, but it only worked for a while. They were put back into the box and there was movement again until they were dumped down again in a small space where he could hear lots of other puppies. There was a loud bang and then it went dark.
Some time later they were all awoken by a strange noise and the whole world seemed to be shaking – and then it felt like they were moving, a really strange sensation that made Sam feel sick to his stomach. He cried for his mother, but she wasn’t there.
They travelled in the van without food and only the smallest amount of water all day, until they stopped at night. The following morning they were off again, by which time they were all desperately thirsty, hungry, scared and dirty. Tragically, for the very weakest, some of whom were very ill, this proved too much and several of the puppies died.
Finally they arrived at Sam’s destination - a pet shop. He and his remaining littermates were put into a wire pen at the back of the shop and were finally given some food and water, although because they were so young and not used to solid food, it upset their stomachs terribly. Also there were lots of those humans around and so the pups spent much of their time cowering in the corners, until they realised that they didn’t want to harm them and in fact would bring nice things like food and to clean up after them. They started to get used to the humans and their strange new surroundings, but anything else novel or new was certainly not to be trusted.
Over the next few days they were looked at and poked at by several people, all different and scary in their own ways, although some spoke in kind voices and touched the puppies gently so it wasn’t all bad. One by one, Sam’s brothers and sisters were taken away to new families - and then it was Sam’s turn. A woman came into the shop and although she knew that she shouldn’t really buy a puppy away from his mother, she couldn’t walk away from such a sad, pathetic little thing. She bought Sam, because she felt sorry for him and wanted to ‘rescue’ him. I suppose she didn’t even think that he’d be replaced with a whole new litter in a couple of days...
After another scary ride he arrived at his new home. This really was terrifying. Five humans of different sizes, surrounding him, touching him and talking much too loudly! Strange smells bombarded his nose and made him sneeze, and there were weird objects all around him, some making noises, some with moving images - everything was so strange, he thought he’d never be able to get used to it or feel happy or secure. His new family were kind to him though and loved him, so things did get better with time.
The second day in his new home he was taken to the vet, who said that he was too thin, had a nasty skin condition and was infested with fleas and worms. He was too young to be vaccinated yet and apparently he was very lucky that he hadn’t already died from a nasty disease called parvo virus, which is very common in puppies with his background.
Over the following months he slowly got used to his new home and life. Although he dearly loves his humans, he spends much of his time feeling worried about strangers that come near, but life isn’t so bad. However, a few months ago he started to feel pain in his hips during boisterous play with his little human friends. This got worse over time, until now he can’t run at all without suffering and walking has become really uncomfortable. Apparently he has a condition called hip displasia, which is usually a result of irresponsible breeding – if the parents have ‘bad’ hips this can be passed down to their puppies.
Sam said that he’d been to the vets that week and he’d overheard the humans saying that when the pain gets too bad he’ll be “put to sleep”. He doesn’t understand what that means, but he thinks it’s something nice as he loves his cosy, comfy bed and snoozing during the day. I think it’s better to let him believe this, so I’m not going to tell him the truth, although it breaks my heart when I think about what’s really going to happen to him…
This is a really sad story isn’t it?
Of course Sam isn’t real, I made him up to get my point across, but the shocking fact is that his story and worse, is real for thousands of puppies all over the UK and Ireland (and I haven’t even touched on the miserable lives of the stud dogs and bitches used for breeding). ‘Sam’ was born in a puppy farm, where dogs are bred for one reason only – to make money.
A puppy farm is hard to define, since it could be any size, any location and any number of dogs involved – it doesn’t have to be on an actual farm. A puppy farm can also have a license and sell puppies that are registered with the Kennel Club and come with ‘pedigree’ certificates. The best way to describe a puppy farm is to say that it is a place where puppies are bred, purely as a way to make money, without any regard for the welfare of the dogs involved.
Since responsible breeding is actually an expensive business, puppy farmers will cut as many costs as possible so that they can make the maximum profit – they don’t care about the suffering or if a few puppies die in the process. Cost cutting includes; breeding from bitches too often and from too young an age, cramming dogs into unsuitable kennelling and feeding only enough for them to survive and breed, not giving proper vet care or vaccinations and sending pups off for sale when they are too young to leave their mothers.
If you buy from one of these places, you could easily end up with a puppy with physical defects, severe parasite infections, hereditary diseases and/or behaviour problems. In the worse cases puppies can die within days from serious illnesses such as parvo virus, distemper or gastroenteritis, leaving you with nothing but an expensive vet’s bill.
How can you tell if a puppy is from a puppy farm?
It’ll be pretty obvious from the conditions if you walk into a puppy farm itself, but puppy farmers usually sell to dealers, who will sell the pups on, either through newspaper/website adverts or to pet shops - so you can’t always know if a puppy sold in either of these ways came from a puppy farm or not. So to be sure, don’t buy from a pet shop, or from anyone advertising several breeds of dog.
Buying a puppy from a puppy farm or pet shop is no cheaper that buying from a responsible breeder - in fact it will probably work out more expensive when potential vet’s bills and behaviour/training fees are taken into consideration. And of course, you can’t put a price on all that suffering…
So, you now all know what I think about puppy farms, please email me at poppy@dogstrust.org.uk and give me your opinions.
Best woofishes,
Your story's so right. I started crying at the end of it when you said Sam was going to be put down but was so relieved he wasn't real until you said that this abuse happens all over England, Ireland and Wales. Of course I knew that this kind of abuse happened but I 'd never researched deeply in to this kind of Abuse and Neglect. I think every Human in Great Britain needs to wake up and smell the coffee....... We have to stop this before we wipe out the animals in our world.
Yours truly, Cory Richardson's owner.
P.S I bought Cory from Dogs trust so he's been treated with true love by you all.
It is stupid that they only want dogs for the money. How can people be so mean to dogs?
I have just read your story about Sam and it was horrible! I couldn’t believe it and I have realised that a lot of dogs and puppies lose their lives from terrible causes like this one and it has to be stopped!
Amy
Just wanted to add my story about my chocolate Labrador Tilly (I called her that because she allegedly came from a puppy farm in Wales so Tilly rhymed with Caerphilly). I found her at a local rescue centre when I was looking for a mate for my cross Rottweiler Molly. We had sadly lost Abby, another cross rotty, and Molly wasn’t coping very well with being on her own. However, as soon as I saw Tilly she had to come home with us. Her coat was dreadful, the texture of a coconut door mat; goodness knows how many litters she has had but her nipples were so distorted, her stomach sagged to the ground and her teeth were only half the length they should have been. She had apparently been snatched by the RSPCA in pup, when they shut an illegal puppy farm down. Her pups were rehomed quite quickly and Tilly seemed to be waiting for me.
Here was this poor dog, thought to be aged 5-6 years, who had a permanent look of relief on her face and who came into my home and accepted 4 cats without a murmur. That was 2 years ago and Tilly has been a joy ever since, even though I had to teach her to play, run and enjoy life. Although she cost a large amount of money soon after getting her by breaking a cruciate ligament in a leg, it’s been worth every penny to see the transformation of this dog, who is now so laid back, patient, gentle, loyal and eager to please. I would say to anyone contemplating taking on an ex-breeding bitch - please remember the dreadful conditions some of these dogs have to contend with. I'm sure you will not regret homing one - I certainly haven’t.
Hilary Millett
(what a nice name - my lovely Lurcher - a puppy farm rescue pup from the RSPCA has that name!)
We have recently adopted the sweetest puppy farm miniature schnauzer bitch, aged 4 years, rescued from a puppy farm in Wales. We have called her Tilly (our last beloved mini schnauzer, Lilly, died suddenly four months ago and so she is named in her honour). She is the dearest dog, clean from the beginning, a little spooked out and sometimes a bit zombie-ish, and frantic with sniffing (is she looking for all those puppies?) when she goes out - but otherwise, a treasure who gives us so much pleasure. Our other four dogs love her. She now answers to her name, eats everything she's given, and cuddles up to us in the evenings. So, please, encourage more people to rescue these poor animals from these monsters and DON'T buy from a puppy-farm!
Heather
I echo everyone else's opinions of this disgusting trade.
I am a member of Cockers Online web forum and we regularly check the Many Tears website who seem to have a never ending supply of these poor neglected souls. Quite a few members of the forum have adopted an ex-puppy farm dog into their homes and pictures are posted regularly on the site. Everyone who has given their hearts to one of these dogs has not failed to feel grateful that they have been able to make a difference to just one life.
This trade of sheer greed & misery must be stopped. People must be made aware that buying pups from an ad in a newspaper does not always mean that the pup has came from a "loving home environment" as they are often portrayed by the sellers.
Please can you send me one of your car stickers so that I can highlight my disgust at this trade - oh, and I can stick beside my "I'm a dogs best friend" sticker on the car!
Good luck with your mission.
Aileen & Sophie the Cocker.
It’s about time this matter was taken seriously. RSPCA must know about lots of these farms. They must be shut down & owners imprisoned. I often feel that as humans we have no right to own animals as we behave so very badly towards them. What can we do to actively end this barbaric trade?
Margaret
I was looking through "Loot" the other day.. and so many of the adverts for
puppies look like puppy farms.. and how about on this site
http://www.ukclassifieds.co.uk/browse-294-0.html some of them even talk
about "Shipping" the animals!!! as if they are cargo!
It’s appalling.
Kerri x
I have just read your articles on the website regarding these dreadful places!
My family have adopted 3 ex-puppy farm brood bitches over the years. All were incredibly thin, flea bitten, had immensely droopy 'under carriages' and were very nervous when we got them.
With time and lots of TLC they all now live very happy lives. The springer and cocker spaniel now live on the New Forest. When the dogs were introduced to their new surroundings for the first time, it fairly pulled at your heart strings to see the look of total perplexity on their faces. They had never seen such big, green open spaces before! Probably more used to those damp, dark & smelly interiors you describe!!
The third came via the Pointer Rescue Society and she had to be collected at dead of night from a motorway services.
She came over in a lorry consignment of reject brood bitches from Ireland and was also flea bitten, thin, nervous and unwell when she arrived. But it also transpired she had an untreated hernia (probably caused through being put in pup too many times), which caused her pain.
How can we humans, who claim to be the "intelligent race" treat other creatures like this? It defies belief!
Do keep up all your good works. I will continue to publicise your organisation through my dogs who came from the Dogs Trust and always provide a good way to introduce your name!!
Carolyn Atkinson (+ Emma + Hans)
What a dreadful world we live in!
It's so wrong that so many people treat animals with no care and respect.
I considered breeding from my Briard, but I can't as I would have to go to each home no matter how far away and check the potential buyers out.
I would then feel that I needed to check on them all weekly to make sure they were treating them correctly.
It keeps me awake at night knowing that there are animals out there hungry, thirsty and frightened.
Regards Ronda
i have rescued an ex breeding bitch from a welsh puppy farm. caramel is featured on this site www.purdysprotest.com. which has many tales of these dogs and aims to raise awareness of the dreadful industry.
Dear Poppy,
I read your article on puppy farms and it made me cry in the middle of the office that I work in! I had no idea that this unthinkable cruelty went on in these awful places. It upset so much that I decided to write to my local MP to make him aware of what is going on and get the ball rolling to stop this disgusting behavior once and for all.. I am waiting on his reply.
This really did hit a nerve with me, I would just like to urge anyone even thinking about getting an animal from these so-called “farms” to think about the dreadful things that happen there. We should all get together to try to put a stop to this cruelty for good.
Best Wishes,
Klaire Baker
Hi Poppy,
There are many puppy farms in Ireland. We are trying to change the situation and we are pushing for regulations and legislation.
We are trying to get some rules and regulations in place for "breeding establishments". Our Minister for Environment requested interested groups, rescues and individuals to send in their recommendations to a working group. The working group was set up to examine the bad situation in Ireland, work together and then make recommendations.
We desperately need legislation if not even recommendations to control and regulate these premises.
The minister has recently announced a Public Consultation Process whereby members of the public and interested parties can email in their recommendations.
Please can everyone email dogbreeding@environ.ie and put forward how you feel these breeding establishments should be regulated.
For more information and to read the recommendations made by the Working Group go to http://www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPol.nsf/wvNavView/Dog%20Control?OpenDocument&Lang=#I9
We need all the help we can get.
Regards
Tara Choules
www.DogTrainingIreland.ie
Hi Poppy,
I just wanted to let you know about my six beautiful pups. They all came from puppy farms and were being sold from the boots of cars in a market in Ireland. When my husband and I saw them, we called the police and made a big fuss!! The sellers quickly moved on but left the weakest puppies lying on the ground behind their cars. Two of the pups were actually in a bucket in a black bin bag lying in the bushes; the seller obviously thought they were dead! When the fuss was over we picked up the six little lifeless bodies and took them home. The next day, after some water and food, the puppies were moving around and starting to whimper. We took them all to the vets and after 4 weeks of being in the hospital (Worms, Fleas, Skin infection, Sunburn, Ruptured intestines, Scratched Corneas) they were all ready to come home. Six months later, I now have healthy, happy, beautiful babies. Two little Jack Russell monsters...Tessie and Tickles! Two big elegant Collies....Ned and Maggie and Two big cuddly Alsatians......Frankie and Betty Boo!!! I've never had better friends than all these gorgeous pups! It’s been a hard six months for everyone and its still tough, they take a lot of looking after but every time I look at their big beautiful eyes every day has been worth it! If I could do anything to stop the puppy farms I would, and thinking about them makes me so angry I can’t even describe it! It just goes to show, no matter how badly they treat these pups, with some love and attention from people like us, they can become the most loyal and grateful friends you'll ever have!! Sarah x P.S If anyone needs some advice or support with caring for a little puppy who’s been badly treated or if you live in my area (Newry, Northern Ireland) and need a bit of a hand, feel free to email me for a chat. I'll be more than happy to try and help! slmccormick2006@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Poppy
My Golden Retriever, Kim, was rescued by the RSPCA, from a puppy farm. She was 7 years old and had had 6 litters of puppies in 7 years. The Kennel Club will not allow more than this to be registered, so they didn't need her any more. They just got rid of her. She was a nervous wreck, she hadn't been bathed and she was terrified of us going anywhere near her rear end. She had been bitten on the face by one of the stud dogs and still has the scar. Within a month, she began to trust us and she is now the most beautiful, affectionate, obedient dog you could ever wish to meet. After having her for only 11 months, it was discovered that she had a tumour in her hind leg, probably caused by stress. She had to have her leg removed and was given 6 months to live. We decided to give her a chance and after her operation, the results showed that the cancer had not spread, as first thought. 18 Months on and we have a very happy three legged dog. She is still terrified of other dogs, which is not surprising, seeing what she has been through. Unfortunately she does bark and growl and physically shake, when another dog comes near, but with people she is everyone's best friend.
Jane Simpkins
Dear Poppy,
We have just taken on an 8 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was kicked out when she could no longer produce any puppies.
Due to the severe lack of care, attention, love and squalid living conditions, Margo only has about 30% of her sight left and is almost completely deaf!
Margo had a really bad case of Dry eye that went untreated for a long time and so now she has to put up with having eye drops 3 times a day to keep her eyes lubricated, she also has a heart murmur which is now being treated daily with tablets.
When we invited Margo to come and live with us, her coat was in a dreadful condition with bold patches, matts and tangles, but now after careful grooming it is all starting to grow back and shine.
Margo, like all dogs I know have an amazing gift; the gift of forgiveness.
Even her tail is now wagging occasionally.
Its’ not easy taking on a dog who could have physical problems not yet apparent and even mental scarring, but with time and patience their true personalities can shine through and in our case, Margo's final years will be happy ones.
Sean
Dear Poppy
If we know or suspect a puppy farmer what can we do about it? Who do we report it to?
regards
Zoe Slocombe
Dear Poppy
We have been totally torn apart as a result of puppy farming then selling to pet shops. We bought our lovely Sassy, Border Collie from a pet shop in Surrey, on 14th Nov 2005. The next day took her for a check up, only to find she was very sick and could possibly die. Totally horrified by this, went back to the pet shop, who suggested we could exchange her for another one - not interested in her welfare. Our own vet said she could not be moved; they said they were not interested only if we brought her back. We said no - we were told they were not responsible.
Sassy did get better, but over the coming months she often would bite out for no reason. We contacted several behaviour specialists, who all felt it was not a behaviour problem but was due to bad breeding and taken away from her mother too early.
On 19th May 2006 we had to make the hardest decision to have her put to sleep, we are so upset and are finding it hard to come to terms with.
Sharon Brooker
Hi, I would like to thankyou for attempting to broaden peoples ideas on certain ways of bringing puppies into the world, as they are animals that are full of love and character, if treated well. I am only 18 years of age, and have already experienced 2 horrible occasions in which, I feel is neglect and misharm towards dogs.
I have rescued two Cavalier's, who were originally from a puppy farm. We worked out that these two, at the age of 5 and 6 were bred so much so, that the owners had earnt over £25 000. Not only did the owners unnaturally breed them, but didn't take any consideration for their welfare. The youngest of the two, is a small sized cavalier, who is disabled at the foot. The other has a heart disease, caused by the pressure of mother-hood, from the first time she was in season. When we originally adopted the two, their coats were dull, matted and out of condition. Most of their teeth had to be removed through the erosion and constant pain they had. They would never walk proudly, in fact they crawled everywhere they went, aware of what was happening around them, at all times - they were petrified.
Now, with love and affection at all times, they have become more friendly, confident and their characters really show - they are truly their own dog now!!! Although, there are still strong evidence of the harm they were put through - The youngest is still very jumpy, and although eager to ask for attention, she does not know how. The eldest is obsessed by licking the floor clean and her dog toys... obviously thinking they are her puppies.. constantly protecting and cleaning them and can cause problems from the other dogs!!
I would like to thank you so much for your dedication, again. And please continue. If people understand what actually happens, perhaps more will be done about it.
Jessica.
I had tears in my eyes when I read this story.
My boyfriend Steve and I recently bought a Beagle puppy from a pet shop. At the time we did not realise what was involved and we simply got him (he is a boy!) from the pet shop as the price for a pedigree was normally £850 and we got him for £600.
We called him Mosh. He was seriously underweight and ill but there was no way I could leave him in the pet shop after seeing his little face and knowing that he needed me. Also I had just travelled to Sutton, London from Bedfordshire on the train and there was no way I was coming home empty handed.
When I arrived at the pet shop, he was sleeping and was the only one of his kind. I was not asked any questions and the sales guy could not wait to swipe my credit card. I thought it was weird that they were not checking on me, I could have been anyone with nasty intentions.
I brought Mosh back home and we have now had him for 2 months. He weighed 3 kilos when I got him, he is now 8 kilos and 5 months old, and the best dog ever. He loves me and my boyfriend unconditionally and he is the best thing that could happen to us.
I took him to the vet within 48 hours of buying him and he had parasites, fleas, blood and mucus in his faeces and he was vomiting. I nursed him back to health and got him insured. He has regular baths and he is well groomed and taken care of. I love him as much as I could love a child and he means everything to me.
I would not recommend anyone to buy a puppy from a pet shop but also, who will take care of the puppies if nobody buys them? It breaks my heart to think about it.
I wish I could win the lottery and have enough money to close down all the puppy farms and rescue all the dogs.
Best regards, Emilie.
Poppy says: It is awful to think of what happens to puppies from these terrible conditions if they are not purchased, but do remember that not buying these puppies hits the breeders and retailers where it hurts...in their pockets! i am glad that Mosh is doing better x
Hi Poppy,
I came across the Dogs Trust wesite when I was looking for a few training tips for my lovely 1 1/2 yr old Jack russell called Lilly. Lilly has a brother who is now 4 months old and they both get on so well. We love them to bits. Anyway - I am just writing to say that I have read about Puppy Farming before, I actually signed a petition a few weeks back after I read anout it for the first time and it made me feel sick and I wanted to cry. The article you wrote contained many of the same points, but again I even had to skim through the text as I can't bear to read it all becaue it is so disgusting and as the lover of my two fabulous dogs (who were from a loving and caring family I must add, as we got turned down by the RSPCA as I work day shifts and my partner works nights and they said the dogs they had would be too old and need us to sleep less!!).
Anyway, I digress, but I just cannot understand how people can do this and live with themselves. What kind of a person would do this. It is very important to educate people about this, and I really congratulate you and your colleagues for doing this. But I would really like to know if there is anything I can do other than sign pettions and educate my friends and family if they decide to get dogs to be very careful where they get them from.
Would it help to write to my MP - do they have any power to put more stict regulations in place? I just feel helpless, and would really like to 'do something!' towards this cause.
Thanks and keep up the good work. Natalie (Lilly and Gizmo) xxx
Dear Poppy
I recently returned from a week's holiday on a working farm and, although I was already basically aware of the conditions in which many working farm dogs are kept, I wasn't prepared for what I saw.
A total of six dogs living in 'purpose' built cages with barely any shelter and only rusty metal and warped thin wooden boards to lie on. Fresh water supplied only if it rained, which was collected in filthy, green bowls (if the dogs were lucky!). Food infested with maggots and cage 'runs' (barely enough room to turn around in) full of faeces - I doubt there was a square inch of clean floor.
I was amazed that the farmer did not bother to at least clean the dogs, knowing that people like me and my family were living close by and paying a tidy sum for the privilege. He allowed us the run of the farm and was never there. Another family staying in a cottage close by joined forces with me and my family to clean out the dog area and give them fresh food. At least they were reasonably comfortable and well fed for one sorry day in their lives. I have never seen food disappear so fast - every one of the dogs was emaciated, had skin problems and ticks and two had eye problems.
I reported this to the RSPCA, having already been warned by a Border Collie Rescue charity that my complaint would fall on deaf ears. They have already reported this sort of thing a hundred or more times in the past - nothing is ever done and the RSPCA do not visit. Why is this? Does the RSPCA have some sort of 'arrangement' with Welsh farmers?
I feel completely lost and helpless and was very, very tempted to take all the dogs home with me. They were all very friendly, cowering and subservient, but the gentlest of creatures, every one of them.
Best wishes
Aunty Alice
The story that you wrote touched my heart, and now I know why my parents always get an animal from a rescue centre.
Last year we adopted a german shephard puppy 'Billy' from a rescue centre in Widnes. They told us that from birth he had been locked in a shed with his brother with limited water and food. In the rescue centre when we went to see him, he was so stressed and timid, his brother and him wouldn't let go and thats why chosing one was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
I do not understand how somebody could harm such an innocent creature and then, laugh about it. These people have no hearts or brains and they should suffer the same way the animals did.Animal cruelty and animal testing is wrong and I personally believe that their should be more charities to stop this than their actually is.
Dogs Trust, Your the type of charities that we NEED more of.
Thank you
Isabella Oseni, Liverpool
In these days of the credit crunch, it seems more and more puppies and dogs are being dumped. Many dogs in rescue at the Dogs Trust and especially in small rescues like 'Many Tears' are nearly all young ex breeding dogs of all types. Just have a look!
Isn't it time for a BIG public campaign to publicise
these puppy farms before more puppies are produced and then ditched as breeders can't sell them???
Christine Seward
Fareham
Hants
Hi Poppy,
The story I have just read is almost identical to what has happen to us. In October of last year we bought a lab puppy from what we thought was a breeder, he gave us a pedigree certificate plus vaccination card which now appears to be fake. Our lovely little Ellie has hip problems and at six months old she is having to undergo two operations. I have spoken with the 'breeder' who assured me that he would fax to my vet the hip score of the parents of course he never has. She shakes very badly when new people are around we took her to the local pet supermarket everyone was loving her but she was so scared my husband had to take her back to the car, we can only take her on short walks. I have reported the breeder to the trading standards who have also had lots more complaints about this person hopefully it will go to court and he will be sent to prison. The pedigree certificate he gave us again was fake when we checked with the kennel club it showed that the dogs on the certificate are indeed registered but ALL the dogs on the certificate are CHOCOLATE BROWN and we were shown the 'dam' who was yellow but then who knows it might not have been the mum.
We love her to bits and we will do everything to make her life a happy and long one.
Susan
Dear Poppy,
I received a call from a friend telling me he was going to buy a puppy. He asked for some advice,what questions he should ask,what he should look for with the puppy etc. He mentioned the breeder had offered to bring him up from wales, i told him that isn't the way responsible breeders go about homing their puppies,and he should steer clear.
He went ahead anyway and showed up a few days later with the puppy,who was so sweet. He was unable to keep it, and not wanting him to go to just anyone, i said i'd have him. I named him George, we took him to the vets the following day after having noticed he had bad diarrhea, he was given some medication, he then vomited a day later. We took him back to the vets and they kept him and put him on a drip. We went to see him 24hrs later, looking so fragile. The day after that he was put to sleep on the recommendation of the vet. George had died of parvo. We'd been told and given an empty vial of the parvo vaccine, i dont think it'd been used to vaccinate George though. He was with us at home for a total of two and a half days. I am convinced George was from a puppy farm.
This horrible way of breeding dogs for the money and forgetting about their welfare should be stopped, its disgusting and heart breaking,
Ellie.
P.S.We are getting another puppy in a few weeks time,needless to say she is from a kc accredited breeder and everything is as it should be with the puppy.
