Puppy farmers are those intensive volume breeders who have little regard or consideration for the basic needs and care of the dogs concerned. Some of their activities were made illegal under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act, but it is recognised that this legislation needs to be modernised.  In addition other more recent legislation will help to tackle those involved in breeding without having proper regard to the welfare of animals - the EU Welfare in Transport Regulation 1/2005 and the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006, and now, the Animal Welfare Act, which for the first time introduces a requirement to promote welfare.

Puppy farmers tend to breed dogs for profit alone. As a result, they will typically

• breed from bitches too often and from too young an age
• cram dogs into unsuitable kennelling with no environmental consideration
• only feed dogs enough to survive and breed
• not give proper veterinary care or vaccinations and
• transport and sell pups when they are too young to leave their mothers.
• As a result dogs born and reared in puppy farms tend to be far more susceptible to developing health and temperament problems.

Puppies bred by puppy farmers can sometimes be found for sale in pet shops or may be advertised on the internet and in newspapers, often from a breeder who has many different breeds of dog for sale.  

The Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, LGA, LACORS (on behalf of local authorities and the LGA) and DEFRA  have worked together to see what needs to be done to deal effectively with the problem of puppy farming.  Defra Ministers accept that the Act dealing with the breeding and sale of dogs needs to be modernised.

Defra has stated:“It is essential not to rush into changing the law until after what is coming from the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme has been properly evaluated.  However, there are aspects that can be tackled now without making changes to the law. Under the new Animal Welfare Act the duty to promote welfare is a major step forward in providing protection for animals that are being housed or treated in an inappropriate way”.

All of these organisations listed above advise potential dog owners to avoid buying a puppy from a puppy farmer. Please contact one of these organisations for information on the problems associated with such breeders. If you have serious concerns that there are puppy farmers in your area, please report them in the first instance to your local authority which is responsible for the licensing of commercial dog breeders.

This statement does not refer to reputable puppy breeders i.e. Those that breed at low intensities or have a licence and also have regard for the law and the welfare of the dogs and puppies.

Contacts:

Defra:
Tel: 08459 33 55 77
email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home:
Contact: Jan Barlow
Tel: 020 7627 9224
email: j.Barlow@dogshome.org

Dogs Trust
Contact: Chris Laurence/Clarissa Baldwin
Tel: 020 7833 7662/020 7833 7617

Dublin SPCA
Contact: Jimmy Cahill
Tel 00353 493 5502
 
Irish SPCA
Contact: Mark Beazley
Tel: 00353 432 5029

The Kennel Club:
Contact: Bill Lambert/Laura Vallance
Tel: 0870 606 6750
email: info@thekennelclub.org.uk

LACORS:

Please contact your own local Council in the first instance.  This is likely to be the Council that you pay your Council Tax to.  Check their website for details.

Alternatively, please contact Gemma Cantelo on 020 7665 3866

RSPCA
Contact: John Rolls
Tel: 0870 754 0148

The Scottish Kennel Club
Contact: Jean Fairlie
Tel: 01436 820 478

Scottish SPCA
Contact: Natalie Smart
Tel: 0131 338 5611

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