Dogs Trust

Help end this cruel trade

Every year puppies are illegally imported into Great Britain and mis-sold via online ads to unsuspecting dog lovers who think they are getting a healthy, happy puppy bred in the UK.

We're calling this 'dogfishing'.

Many of these puppies suffer serious health conditions or lifelong behavioural challenges, and some don't survive, leaving their buyers helpless and heartbroken - as well as out of pocket.

This is why we want to help stop people falling victim to this cruel trade.

Dogfish

[ d o g - f i s h ] • v e r b

To mislead someone into buying a dog which may not be what it seems.

> Read more about puppy smuggling

What could you do right now?

Looking to buy a puppy?

Follow our simple checklist to avoid being dogfished.

  • Ask to see the puppy with its mum and littermates
  • Check all the paperwork carefully
  • If you have any doubts or feel pressured to buy, walk away.
> Read full checklist

Concerned about a puppy you bought?

Do you have concerns about your puppy's paperwork or discovered they have a foreign microchip? These are tell tale signs that you may have been duped by a disreputable seller.

Take our new owner quiz to see if you may have been dogfished.

> Take our quiz

Looking to buy a puppy?

Follow our simple checklist to avoid being dogfished.

  • Ask to see the puppy with their mum and siblings
  • Check all the paperwork carefully
  • If you have any doubts or feel pressured to buy, walk away and report to Trading Standards
> Read full checklist

Dogfish alert!

If you suspect a seller is acting suspiciously, or if you think your puppy may have been illegally imported, please report them to Trading Standards.

Report now
Rehome one of our dogs

Rehome one of our dogs

At this time of year, sadly, we have thousands of calls from people wanting to give up their dog after the Christmas rush. So instead of buying a new puppy and risking being dogfished, why not consider welcoming a Dogs Trust dog into your home instead?

> Find out more about rehoming

Dogs Trust on tour

We’ve been touring the country in a van similar to those used by puppy smugglers to show the public the shocking realities of the puppy smuggling trade and advising them how they can take action to avoid being dogfished.

> Come and meet us
van pic