Following the release of a shocking new Dogs Trust report on puppy smuggling, which can be accessed at www.puppysmuggling.org.uk, the Kennel Club, the UK's largest dog welfare organisation has issued the below statement:
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, is shocked by the findings of the Dogs Trust’s new report on the illegal importation of puppies into the UK.
“The Kennel Club fully supports Dogs Trust’s calls for immediate government action to address this problem, which has serious dog welfare implications, and we would urge the public to support these calls by contacting their local MP requesting an urgent revision of ineffective legislation in this area.
“The sad reality is that anyone buying a puppy that has been illegally imported is extremely likely to face high vet costs and a lot of heartbreak when their new pet falls ill or even dies because they have been bred by unscrupulous breeders who care only for profit.
“We would always recommend anyone wishing to buy a puppy goes to a responsible breeder who is prioritising the health and welfare of their dogs, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder. Breeders assured by the Kennel Club, which is accredited by UKAS to certify breeders under its Assured Breeder Scheme, have their breeding premises inspected by the Kennel Club, must carry out any relevant health testing and must have every one of their puppies checked by a vet before sale. Furthermore, the Kennel Club monitors buyer feedback for all breeders in its Assured Breeder Scheme and any breeder found wanting can be removed from the scheme. Outside of the Assured Breeder Scheme there is really no way of knowing that a breeder is following best practice and putting the health and welfare of their dogs first.”
“There is a wealth of information available on the Kennel Club’s website about what to look for and what to avoid when buying a puppy and being armed with this information is crucial to ensure puppy buyers are not unwittingly contributing to the illegal trade in puppies.”
