Buying A puppy, safety Tips.

Dear Residents

We often hear about puppies who have been poorly bred, exposed to disease, taken from their mothers too early and transported over long distances. It’s bad for the dogs and for the owners, who often face a traumatic and expensive time picking up the pieces.

That’s why experienced, reputable breeders are so important. They’ll raise puppies with the proper care and attention for their life-long welfare – before they’re born, while they’re puppies and long after they leave to become family pets. But sadly, they’re too few and far between.

Spot the signs.

To put illegal pet breeders and sellers out of business, we all need to know how to spot them so we can make the right choices.

If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t…

Pet shops used to be a sales route of choice for puppy farmers. But now, much of the puppy farming trade has shifted online. Pups are often sold quickly through a third party, and some traders even create ‘fake homes’ to try to dupe the public.

This is in stark contrast to the process of buying a puppy from a reputable breeder. They will not only allow you to see the puppy with their mother, but they’ll also suggest several visits, they’ll ask questions, and they’ll be happy to answer yours, too. 

They’ll also know just how formative the first months of a puppy’s life are, so they’ll put lots of effort and emphasis on socialisation and preparing pups for everyday domestic life.

Sadly, cats have also fallen victim to illicit breeding practices, too, and even rabbits are now being selectively bred to satisfy demand for low welfare ‘designer’ trends.

Follow these tips to avoid being caught out.