Buying a puppy from a breeder is something that a lot of families see as the obvious way to get a dog. But a recent survey by RSPCA inspectors reveals that more than half of all puppy breeding establishments in England in Wales do not meet the animal welfare needs. The number of complaints about animals and pet purchases, have almost doubled in the past two years. More than 4,600 calls were made to the goverment complaints service in 2008.

The RSPCA wants to work with local authorities, who license animal breeding establishments, to ensure the animal welfare standards are raised. Thay also want to clamp down more and more on rogue puppy traffickers who are routinely peddling sick puppies imported from Ireland. Round here that animal rescue centres are full of unwanted puppies from Ireland, so you can see that by using a puppy breeder you could be contributing to puppy trafficking. This is where puppies are bred in large numbers for profit, often with little regard for animal welfare. Many puppies fall sick, and some die.

These are the facts – RSPCA undercover staff bought six puppies. Of these, two were seriously ill. Frank, a mastiff, had parvo virus, but was fortunately saved by vets. Chardonnay, a cavalier King Charles spaniel cross, was diagnosed with pneumonia and, despite constant care, sadly died two weeks later. Read more »

I was very pleased today to read about the Animal Rescue Foundation in Chicago, which was set up by Tony LaRussa, Manager of a Baseball team over there.  The charity operates a “no-kill” policy which is especially valuable for older dogs who are homeless.  Kevin was nine years old when he was found straying in the street.  Many of our dog shelters would have put him down because older dogs are hard to rehome. Fortunately he was taken to the Mayhew Animal Home, which pledges to keep all healthy dogs alive and find them a new home.  If you are thinking of getting a dog please go to one of these shelters and give a dog a lovely home. It beats giving your money to a commercial breeder’s POS system.

I want to highlight the horrible advertising campaign by LOOT, the advertising network, called “Flog your Dog” with a photo of a bulldog. I saw this ad in the Evening Standard on 14 August and I was horrified that they could be so irresponsible. I have complained to the Advertising Standards Authority
because the ad promotes the sale of pets through the Loot’s newspaper publication and online ads. It finishes with the wording. “no animals were hurt during the making of this advert. We take animal welfare very seriously at Loot”. I find this ad. offensive and irresponsible, in the way it promotes the sale of a sentient animal as a commodity. I know it is not illegal to sell pets, but trading unwanted animals through classified ads is completely unregulated. It opens the way for puppy farms to make money out of dogs and for those involved in illegal dog fights to obtain animals that are used as bait in these sickening activities.

If you have time, please join me in complaining about these advertisements, which are putting dogs in danger. Anyone who finds they cannot keep their dog any more should take it to a registered animal shelter so that the pet can be rehomed with responsible owners who will care for him, not sold like a second hand car. I am really shocked that the people at Loot allowed this ad. to be published.