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Appeal for responsible puppy breeders in the Highlands and Islands


By Jean Gunn

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Last year over 150 puppies were seized by the charity from low-welfare farms or dealers. Picture: Scottish SPCA.
Last year over 150 puppies were seized by the charity from low-welfare farms or dealers. Picture: Scottish SPCA.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for dog breeders in the Highlands and Islands to join its Assured Puppy Breeder Scheme.

Launched as part of ongoing efforts to tackle the low-welfare puppy trade, the free scheme promotes responsible dog breeders. Over 150 puppies were seized by the charity from low-welfare farms or dealers in 2020.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity has seen a seismic increase in public demand for puppies over lockdown. Unfortunately, this led to bad breeders taking advantage of the situation and putting profit over the welfare of the breeding dogs and puppies they were selling.

In many instances, puppies have been taken from their mothers too early or were riddled with infectious diseases caught due to lack of vaccinations or the unsanitary conditions they were raised in. Sadly, this led to many puppies passing away in their new homes or new owners having to pay for expensive veterinary treatment.

Scottish SPCA head of education, policy and research, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “Now, more than ever, we need to provide assurance for the public that they are buying a puppy from responsible breeders. The general public can view members of the scheme through our ‘Say no to Puppy Dealers’ website and look in to buying a puppy safely from them.

“We don’t currently have any breeders in the Highlands or Islands so we are very keen for reputable breeders in the area to sign-up to help us tackle the low-welfare puppy trade.”

The voluntary scheme is available to any dog breeder in Scotland. The Scottish SPCA has developed a framework for responsible breeding and inspectors will assess applications and visit breeding premises annually to make sure high welfare standards are in place.

The scheme is free and the society does not profit from the sale of any puppies but does receive a small commission from Petplan Ltd for any litters registered.

Puppies seized by the Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Unit. Picture: Scottish SPCA
Puppies seized by the Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Unit. Picture: Scottish SPCA

Gilly continued: “Our mantra is ‘adopt don’t shop’ and we will always advocate rescuing rather than buying. But, as long as puppies are suffering due to this industry, we will do what we can to bring down this despicable trade.

“The pandemic and public demand for puppies has led to more reports to our animal helpline about unscrupulous dealers who want to make money fast with no regard for animal welfare.

“Sadly, public demand for the ‘next-day delivery’ of a puppy remains sky-high and this is fuelling the multi-million-pound low-welfare trade.

“We’ll continue to tackle traders and dodgy dealers, but we also want to highlight the breeders in Scotland who prioritise the welfare of parents and pups. We know there’s thousands of breeders across the country who do just that and we hope many of them will join this scheme. The scheme forms part of the wider resources we’ve made available to educate the public on how a proper breeder should take them through the rehoming process.

“We are very pleased to have the support of Trading Standards Scotland. This gives the public another avenue they can report concerns to, especially if they spot adverts on online selling sites they think are fraudulent.

“Our aim is to save puppies and dogs and stop owners going through the heartbreak of buying a sick puppy. No animal deserves that life, if you can call it that, and we will do all we can to stop this happening.”

Trading Standards Scotland is asking online consumers to make sure they are buying puppies from legitimate sources and to do their research before they purchase a puppy online.

More information can be found here: www.saynotopuppydealers.co.uk

Related article: Local animal welfare centre sees a rise in calls for help


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