Puppy farms

Not long ago, we were given our new family pet, Nox the Cavalier King Charles. Due to various oddities in the (ever changing) story from the previous owner I have come to suspect that Nox may well have come from a puppy farm. This week whilst talking to another friend who is wanting to get a dog, I mentioned not to go near a puppy farm. My friend had never heard of them. On a dog rescue site I belong to I found again, people who had never heard of puppy farms. I guess that growing up in the world of dogs I have been surrounded by talk of the evils of puppy farms. This morning I sat down to google some information about puppy farms to show my friend.

I ended up sitting here, tears pouring down my face at the images I found.

So, here it is, my explanation of puppy farms, complete with links. I warn you, warn very strongly indeed, beware when you click on these links, they are without a doubt very distressing to dog lovers everywhere.


What is a puppy farm?

A puppy farm is a premises where dogs are bred in large quantities, for the purposes of making money. No consideration is given to the quality of the breed, very often the dogs are kept in horrendous conditions, bitches bred at every season, until they are so weak and ill from it they simply die, or are thrown onto the streets. The lucky ones are dumped onto already over worked rescue centres. Often puppy farmers will breed multiple breeds, usually the most popular breeds, labradors, GSDs, Pugs, Westies, Cavalier King Charles, cocker spaniels for example. Very very often, the puppies produced by these places are sick and ill, many die prematurely. Most will have 'breed faults', that is faults that are common in the breed, but which responsible breeders try very hard to eradicate through careful breeding, screening etc.


Puppy dealers

Puppy dealers, are for want of a better term, the shop front, of puppy farms. They buy puppy farm stock cheap, sell them at greatly inflated prices. As pet shops are no longer allowed to sell dogs and cats, so more and more dealers pop up to take their place. Dealers/puppy farmers ... they are the same dreadful trade. both as bad as one another.

How do you spot a puppy farm or dealer?


Look in the local 'free ads' paper. I bet you anything you like that you will spot them. They are the ones using Bold Print ads, advertising litters of several different breeds, particuarly those popular breeds, they will advertise every week, always the same breeds. Week in, week out, all year round. They will be able to find you a dog at short notice.... for tghe right price of course. These dogs will have come from puppy farms.


Are puppy farms really that bad?

I can only answer this question for myself, you readers, must make your own minds up. But whilst you consider that thought, have a look at these links. Have a look at the dogs on the GSD rescue website , they are not even all GSDs, but the pictures will affect every dog lover.

Or read the story of the rescue of 204 yorkshire terriers and 37 cats from a puppy farm in Sussex.

Even the BBC has investigated with Inside Out

Finally visit Hope UK Yet another site, dedicated to the camapign against these evil places.

Nearly every one of those links given above, will offer you good sound advice as to spottting and avoiding puppy farms.

Its dead simple really, if you buy a puppy farmed pup, not only do you risk getting alot more problems than you bargained for, but you condone the trade and encourage the growth of places like this.

The quickest way of putting puppy farms out of business is to simply not buy their 'products'. With no demand the supply will soon dry up.

Feel free to ask any questions. If looking for a pedigree puppy, the best tip I can give is to contact the breed clubs, find out from them, who has pups for sale. Many breeders will not advertise via the newspapers/freeads/exchange and mart etc. Many reputable breeders shun the idea of having a web site. Not all, I hasten to add, some very good breeders have web sites. Most don't though. A good breeder will ask you hundreds of questions, to the extent sometimes that you wonder of they work for the CIA!! You find someone like that, you will get a good, healthy pup. If the breeder has a 'follow up' service, where you can ring them if you are having any issues with the puppy, then thats a good indication that you have a good breeder.

If you would prefer a xbreed dog, then the best place in the world to go is the local rescue centres, they will always have puppies and older dogs in need of a good home. They will ensure the dog is healthy before it comes to you, make sure it is neutered, wormed, vaccinated, defleaed etc.

I will wriote further on this subject on another day, why do puppy farms even exist for instance? What you can do to help stop them... all the kinda jazz :)

Do click on the links above, do be warned though, that some of the images you see will be distressing.

Finakl word, please don't think this is just a UK issue. It is not, it exists all over thwe world, USA, Australia, Eastern Europe... wherever you live, I bet you will have a puppy farm problem in your area.


Ok lecture over for today :D