One in four puppies purchased during the Covid-19 lockdown, according to The Kennel Club, might have come from a puppy farm. Read on to learn more about what a puppy farm is and how to determine where a puppy was bred.
Puppy farms, also referred to as puppy mills, are places where dogs are bred in large quantities for commercial purposes.
It might surprise you to learn that puppy farming is not prohibited. High-volume puppy breeding for commercial purposes is legal as long as the breeder has a license. An unlicensed breeding establishment would be an illegal puppy farm.
If a dog breeding facility is located in an area that is covered by a local authority, you can inquire about the facility’s license status there. Many local authorities publish this information on their websites. Read more about licensed and unlicensed dog breeders.
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When new owners unknowingly support the industry by purchasing from a puppy farmer, they may feel terrible for the animal and the puppy. It’s simple to get caught off guard, but you can prevent it if you know what to look for.
What’s the problem with puppy farms?
Unfortunately, unlicensed puppy farmers continue to operate. Dogs are frequently kept in horrific conditions with no oversight of the health, welfare, or care of the puppies they breed.
Licensed commercial dog breeding establishments have to meet certain conditions regarding the welfare and care of the dogs and puppies and are inspected by the local authority. However, just because the breeding establishment is licensed doesn’t mean that the dogs are well cared for or the puppies have been bred well. A BBC investigation exposed examples of dogs kept in appalling conditions at licensed breeding establishments in Wales.
How to spot a puppy farm?
The good news is that a puppy farm can now be easily identified thanks to Lucy’s Law. Due to a change in the law, you can now only purchase puppies directly from a breeder. This indicates that you ought to be able to determine where a puppy was bred.
It’s best to research a breeder before visiting one. Call first and inquire about the breeding and upbringing of the puppies. Read more about the questions to ask a breeder.
Always observe a puppy with its mother in the location where it was born and raised when you visit a breeder. Check to make sure it’s a family house and not a barn or outbuilding. Find out more about selecting a puppy from a litter.
FAQ
Are puppy farms Legal in UK?
In England, Scotland, and Wales, the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores and through other commercial third parties is currently prohibited, unless the sellers bred the animals themselves.
How do I report a puppy farm UK?
If you are worried about or suspect illegal dog breeding in your neighborhood, call Crimestoppers at (800) 555-111 or report it online at http://crimestoppers-uk. org and tell them what you know. You’ll stay 100% anonymous.
Are puppy farms illegal in Australia?
Parliament approved the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021 in December 2021. This calls for modifications to the Dog Act of 1976 to more effectively control dog breeding in Western Australia.
How do I know it’s not a puppy farm?
A puppy must be at least six weeks old to receive vaccinations, though typically courses begin when puppies are eight weeks old. If a puppy is advertised as having received vaccinations but isn’t old enough, the advertisement is probably for a puppy farm.