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Behind the screens of online ads
These days, we buy everything online from cornflakes to cars – so why not our pets?
It’s quick, easy and usually cheaper to find a furry friend from a classified ad or website – but do we really know where they’ve come from, or whether our new bundle of joy is the result of a life of suffering for many others?
Puppy farms are big business across the globe. Our desire for pure breeds without the hefty price tag means hundreds of dogs are being bred in cramped and unsafe conditions with little or no concern for the welfare of the puppies or their mothers. Many are trafficked into the UK from abroad – but there are also plenty of homegrown puppy farms supplying unscrupulous dealers who use cute photos online to trick unsuspecting new owners into accidentally buying farmed puppies.
Conditions on puppy farms are often dreadful which can lead to problems when these longed-for puppies reach their new homes. Many leave with physical conditions, including parasites, viruses and infections which are not immediately visible and in some cases can be fatal. Farmed puppies can also suffer from behavioural problems like aggression and fearfulness because they haven’t been appropriately socialised and can’t cope with life in an ordinary home.
PDSA is working with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) to raise awareness of the problems with commercial breeding and encourage websites to advertise pets in a responsible way.
We would always recommend getting a new pet from a rehoming centre or buying from a reputable breeder so you have as much information about their background as possible.
Face value
Dogs like French Bulldogs and Pugs are set to become two of the UK’s favourite breeds by 2018. Their cute, squashed up little faces adorn everything from t-shirts to towels – some even have their own social media accounts (Doug the Pug has 2.5 million followers on Instagram).
However, the flat faces that make them so irresistible are entirely man-made and can cause serious health issues for these popular pooches – particularly in the summertime.
As well as suffering from skin and eye problems, the squashing of their faces results in serious breathing problems. They often have closed nostrils and tiny windpipes that make it difficult for them to take in air effectively. This is especially dangerous after exercise and during hot weather.
We are currently campaigning to raise awareness of the health and welfare issues in flat-faced dogs and we want people to consider the health of a puppy rather than its look when choosing a breed.
Take a breath …
For an insight into the physical effects of having an airway like a flat-faced dog, try holding your nose and breathing through a drinking straw.
You will quickly realise how difficult it becomes to breathe. These types of dog have to spend their whole lives breathing this way and often need surgery to help try to improve their welfare.
PDSA advice for buying a puppy
Getting a new puppy is an exciting time, but how can you be sure you’re buying the right dog from the right place? Here are our top tips.
Different breeds have different temperaments, traits and needs. Ask a vet about the right dog for your lifestyle or download the 'Get PetWise' leaflet from our website.
Choose a breeder or rescue centre carefully, ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to visit a couple of times before buying or adopting a puppy.
Visit pdsa.org.uk/gettingapuppy and download the free Puppy Information Pack to help protect you against getting a puppy from an irresponsible breeder or puppy farm.
If buying from a breeder, make sure you see the puppy on at least two occasions. The mother should also be there and should show interest in the puppies.
If a breeder won’t answer your questions, or anything seems wrong, walk away.