Doing the right research and asking the right questions can help you avoid the risks of the illegal puppy trade. Here you can find the information and resources you need to acquire a puppy responsibly.
Cute. Quick. Sick.
Today the way we shop is fast – we see something online, click a button, have it delivered and own it instantly. But buying a dog should never be quick or easy. Many of the puppies advertised online come from the illegal and cruel puppy trade - bred in poor conditions and taken from their mothers far too young. An impulse buy can lead to owning a sick puppy, heartache and unexpected expense.
Health Risk
Illegally imported puppies can suffer from various diseases including canine distemper, parvovirus, kennel cough, leptospirosis for example. Many of the diseases can be prevented through vaccinations, good hygiene and proper upbringing, but due to the nature of the illegal puppy trade where puppies are bred in poor conditions, there is a risk that some of the puppies may have contracted these diseases. Later in life they may also suffer from behavioural problems due to poor socialisation.
Emotional Risk
Many puppies from the illegal puppy trade are sick or even worse, die. Heart-broken owners may find it very hard to recover from the experience of having a helpless pup, who they have bonded with, die in their arms, unable to do anything about it. This could also have an emotional impact on children who have bonded with their new pet only to see them suffering and not returning from the vets.
Financial Risk
If you unknowingly purchase a puppy without the proper vaccines, worming regime and socialisation in their first months, you may have expensive veterinary costs. Veterinary care may be needed to either treat an illness or to treat ongoing medical problems caused by poor breeding practices and genetic disorders. Later, you may also have to pay for behavioural training or therapy if your puppy develops behavioural problems due to a lack of socialisation earlier in life.
Legal & Fraud Risk
Illegally imported puppies often come with fraudulent papers. This includes false vaccination certificates, microchip details, certified pedigree and falsified information in their pet passport. This is done to hide the true origin of the puppy and the identity of the seller. Rabies and other vaccinations may be invalid, and only done on paper. If the puppy is found to be illegally imported, this may result in the owner having to pay high quarantine fees and leaving the puppy in quarantine for weeks, or even lead to the puppy being euthanized.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Puppy
Looking for the right puppy can be a difficult task, especially with all the fraudulent practices that unscrupulous puppy dealers have to hand. Here is what you need to know:
Victim stories
Absolutely heartbroken
Chico lived in Laura’s loving home for less than a day. Read the full story.
Gone too soon
Bella's owners world fell apart when the beloved new puppy got sick immediately after they picked her up. Read the full story.
8 months of turmoil
Christine and Poppy fought long and hard for her survival, after unknowingly buying her from an unscrupulous dealer. Read the full story.
Fighting for their lives
Elina suffered heartbreak not once, but twice. Here she tells us of the emotional rollercoaster and her ongoing journey. Get to know her story.
Instantly unwell
Reggie was bought on one of the UK’s most reputable classified ad sites, but within hours of joining his new family he became seriously ill. Find out the whole story.
