Barrow in Furness Dog Training Club

Saturday 31st July 2010

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	Yes, you have heard of puppy farming, we all have – But do you really know what it is like......... Do you really think about it and the effect it has. We are talking about the mass breeding of puppies, often outside of the UK, which are then sold to unsuspecting members of the public via some pet shops, the internet and newspaper advertisements. Have a read of this info from the Border Collie Rescue and look at some of these videos on YouTube but you are warned they are gut wrenching.
	Information from Border Collie RescueYou have probably heard of puppy farming - the mass breeding of pups for sale to the pet market - but are you aware of the scale of the problem? - how much money is involved? - how many people turn a blind eye to the suffering of the dogs involved? - how it pervades and corrupts our society and how its influence affects our lawmakers and enforcers when they try to legislate to control it? We are not talking of 'farmers' in the normal sense of the word, although some of the perpetrators are indeed farmers with a sideline to boost their income, most are just rather callous people who are taking advantage of an opportunity to make an easy profit.
	When we use the term 'puppy farmers' we are describing an attitude of mind methodically applied to breeding dogs. To a puppy farmer the dogs they employ in their breeding programs are simply commodities. A means to an end. These dogs mean no more to them than a potato means to a potato farmer. Something to be planted and harvested. So what if some of the 'potatoes' wilt and die? So what if some die slowly due to lack of care and basic needs like fresh water and proper nutrition? There are plenty that will live - at least long enough to reproduce a few times. And what about the fruits of the crop - the puppies - doesn't matter if a few of these die - there will always be enough that survive for at least as long as is needed for them to be sold and produce the profit required. Once the money is in their pockets the puppy farmers simply do not care about the outcome for the puppies.
	Puppy farming is death and torture for the dogs caught up in the trade and the trade feeds on people desires to possess a pet and ignorance of the way the pups are bred. Puppy farmers are well organised and they seek to cover their activities under a veneer of respectability. They work together to protect each other. They seek to influence from within the establishment - for example, we have come across one who has a boyfriend working for the local council that licenses her establishment - he is a dog warden. Another we are aware of has a brother who runs the local dog stray pound for the council. By these means and other ways of influencing from within they can improve their chances of hearing about complaints and spot inspections in enough time to cover up and clean up.

We are not talking about happy sires and dams enjoying the life and fresh air of the countryside and bringing their healthy well bred offspring into a caring environment with plenty of room for exercise. We are talking the lifestyle of a battery hen with minimal care and veterinary attention bringing poorly bred pups into often badly maintained premises and sometimes never seeing the outside world or getting any human care and attention. Fresh air is available - coming through the broken windows and holes in the roof.

Hard to imagine - Have a look at these

	Puppy Farms, Wales These premises are licensed breeding establishments in Wales. Puppies produced will be sold through pet shops or ads on the internet.
	Wales Today, Part One ....
	Welsh puppy farms ...part two
	Puppy Farm Wales Part three...
	How Much Is That Doggy In The Window
And afraid to say, there are lots, lots more examples................... What can you do? Well, firstly, make as many people as possible aware of the problem and sign up to the campaign to STOP PUPPY FARMING.