The ISPCA has issued a warning to people considering buying a puppy to be aware of ‘unscrupulous puppy breeders’ cashing in on the Christmas market.
In the run up to festive season, this is the busiest time for puppy sales, and the ISPCA urge buyers to be aware of where puppies originate from.
The ISPCA is asking the public not to purchase a puppy from a breeder and help put an end to the puppy demand. By deciding to adopt after the festive season you will reduce the risk of becoming the latest victim of this cruel trade.
Buying a sick puppy is a heart breaking experience for any family to endure, especially at Christmas.
They warn that many puppies are bred in appalling conditions, are not vaccinated or microchipped and may be in need of veterinary care.
The ISPCA have saved hundreds of puppies from deplorable conditions from rogue puppy breeders. Sometimes mom has no access to day light, has inappropriate bedding and is cooped up in a small kennel or breeding cage.
The deplorable conditions the ISPCA have rescued dogs from
In the worst cases there is limited food or access to clean drinking water with minimal human interaction or veterinary care.
They arrive at ISPCA centres terrified, often huddled together silently. After extensive veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, the ISPCA find loving homes for these puppies where they will receive the love and kindness they deserve.
ISPCA CEO Dr Andrew Kelly said; “The ISPCA is working hard to tackle and expose the problem of puppy breeding in Ireland but it is big business and we need the public’s help to reduce the demand. Large numbers of puppies are bred in Ireland, taken far too early from their mothers to be sold in Ireland or shipped illegally to the UK where they will be sold to unsuspecting families purely for profit with no regard for their welfare.”
“Many of these puppies have had a very unpleasant start in life, sold to people who believe they are purchasing a healthy and happy puppy. Unfortunately they may have purchased a sick puppy, sometimes diagnosed with the contagious and often fatal parvovirus. This is a heart wrenching experience for many families who have already bonded with their new pet.”
“Please do not support puppy farmers this Christmas – wait until the festive period is over and adopt a dog from the ISPCA or your local animal rescue organisation”.
Broadcaster, Journalist and ISPCA supporter Charlie Bird added: “Please don’t be hoodwinked or fooled by rogue breeders like my wife and I were. We decided to buy a puppy from a breeder in Cork whose website seemed great.”
“We visited the sellers at their house in Cork and were led to believe that they had reared the puppies in their house. We asked all the right questions. We asked to see the father of the puppies and were told that he had tragically been run over. This was not true. We were horrified to find out that it was in fact a large scale puppy farm with almost 100 breeding females.”
“Please follow the ISPCA’s advice and always ask to see both parents of the puppy and always to go the place where they are bred. If the puppy is coming from a kennel, make sure you see it. Also ask the breeder how many females they are breeding from. If in doubt at any point, just walk away. By deciding to adopt a puppy instead, you will be helping make all the difference and helping to put the unscrupulous puppy farmers out of business, adopt a dog, don’t be sold a pup”.
Don’t buy a puppy for Christmas – adopt a dog after the festive season is over.
The ISPCA recommends waiting until after the festive season when introducing a new pet in the home. Adopt a dog from the ISPCA, a local rescue centre or your local dog pound.
Researching the right pet for your family is very important as is ensuring you have adequate time and financial resources to care for your new pet responsibly.
Pets adopted from the ISPCA will be health-checked, vaccinated, neutered/spayed, parasite treated and also microchipped.
Pets never make good Christmas gifts and should never be bought on a whim or given as a surprise.
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