Puppy Factories
Help us close puppy factories
While factories the world over have recently been forced to shut down due to the economic crisis, puppy factories continue to boom.
Mass-producing puppies for profit, their operators are simply business people with little or no concern for the animals they force to breed in appalling facilities. It's not uncommon for female dogs as young as six months old to churn out litters constantly a year for their entire lives.
When they're no longer able to breed, they're euthanised. But perhaps the most shocking truth about puppy factories is that they're operating right here, in towns all across Australia.
Pledge your supprt at
www.closepuppyfactories.org
Puppy Farming
Puppy farming is in simple terms, a large-scale commercial production of puppies for sale. Puppies are churned out in large numbers to maximise profits for the breeders with little regard for the welfare of the animals or pet over-population. The RSPCA is totally opposed to these types of commercial breeding premises and believes they should not be allowed to operate.
What is the evidence?
Research into classified print advertising over one year in the Canberra region revealed some alarming figures. Over 5,000 animals were advertised by backyard breeders, with 73% being puppies. Less than 1% were desexed. Of all animals advertised, 75% were not microchipped.
Inspectors have seen puppy farms with hundreds of dogs used as breeding stock and some bitches forced to have litters of puppies every six months. The breeding dogs generally spend most of their lives in pens with very little social interaction or exercise. Many of the puppies are sold through pet shops, the internet, newspaper ads, or at the puppy farm itself. Some puppy farms actually operate the pet shops in addition to their farm where they then sell their puppies to an unsuspecting public.
What is the problem with puppy farms?
Over-breeding, in-breeding, minimal veterinary care, substandard ho using conditions, high mortality rates for puppies and puppies produced with health and/or behavioural problems. The breeders and pet shops rely on the public "falling in love" with the cute little puppy in the window and buying it on a whim.
Sadly, many pets are abandoned because they were bought on impulse as cute puppies and kittens, but had unforeseen costs and responsibilities or were unwanted gifts.
What is the RSPCA doing?
The RSPCA is opposed to puppy farms, however they are legal and our Inspectors have no power to stop them operating. The RSPCA will continue to lobby government to amend laws to have these puppy farms banned. We also conduct campaigns to encourage the public not to purchase puppies or other pets from pet shops and instead consider adopting animals from animal shelters or responsible breeders.
Why not visit your local shelter to adopt your new family member?
The primary goal at an animal shelter is to send animals to their 'forever' home. We work with you to find the best match for your family, and we offer advice, support and even training.
Certainly, staff at shelters would like to 'work themselves out of a job', but we do what we do because we love what we do. We welcome animals into our care with open arms, because we know that through us, they will receive the best possible care and attention, and the very best chance of finding that special home.
There is a common misconception that all animals in shelters are abused, unhealthy, or have behavioural issues. This is simply not true. While some animals have had a tough start to life, some TLC, some knowledge, and some patience is usually all that it takes to turn an animals life around. The majority of animals in shelters end up there through no fault of their own. There are many reasons why an animal may end up in a shelter, a change in family circumstances for example, or an owner realising that they simply cannot devote the time that their pet deserves.
While there is usually an abundance of healthy kittens and puppies in shelters, have you considered the benefits of an adult pet? The beauty of adopting an adolescent or adult pet is that their personality is more apparent, they may have already benifitted from training and socialisation, and you are able to make a more informed decision about how this new pet will fit in to your family.
All animals deserve the Five Freedoms. Please do your part to ensure the welfare of all creatures great and small.
Put animal welfare first - adopt from a shelter or pound