Sourcing  - Where do puppies come from?

... and how do they get to where they are now?

• What are the influences of Supply and Demand on the health and welfare of dogs?
• What impact does source have on the health, well-being and welfare of dogs?
• What is the approach/ role of welfare organizations and the government? Potential benefits and risks?
• Issues of supply and demand, are there enough humanely-raised dogs to supply the public? Do we know the numbers?
• What is the role of the consumer? E.g., Emotional acquisition: 1. Spontaneous rather than considered purchase; 2. Rescues: within a country from other countries; the potential for commercial dog entities to sell dogs as 'rescues'...
• What are the international implications? Similarities and differences? Impact of demand on sources in under-developed countries; and impact of dogs from regions with lower standards for health and welfare on other countries?

• http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/11/1736/347312

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  Research carried out by the Kennel Club shows that a shocking:

• One in five people admit that they spent no time researching where to buy their puppy at all, compared to less than one in ten (8 percent) who are prepared to spontaneously decide what shoes to buy.
• More than one third people admit they are clueless about how to find a reputable breeder for their puppy and are therefore vulnerable to the scams that should ring alarm bells

 

• People are more likely to fall victim to scams and puppy farmers if they don’t do their research, with almost a quarter (22 percent) saying they think they went to a puppy farm, if they had chosen their pup in 20 minutes or less
• For pups purchased in twenty minutes or less by their owners, almost one in six (15 per cent) experience illness, ongoing veterinary treatment or death in the first six months – three times higher than those chosen in an hour or more
• More than one in five people (21 per cent) suffer financially and the same proportion suffer emotionally if they spent 20 minutes or less researching where to buy a puppy, compared to less than one in ten if they spent longer than an hour.
• More than one in three (34 percent) fail to see the puppy with its mum – a classic sign of a puppy farmer. More than 2 in 5 (41 per cent) of those who suspect that they did not see the puppy with its real mum say that their pup suffered from serious health problems in the first six months, including problems that resulted in ongoing veterinary treatment or death. And 43 per cent experience financial or emotional hardship if they don’t see the mum.

 

Our collaborators at Four Paws have been developing their 'Model Solution for full traceability across the EU online puppy trade' for some years and are actively enacting this work throughout Europe.  This work was also presented as part of the Supply and Demand Theme at the IPFD 4th International Dog Health workshop.  Four Paws about traceability: "The illegal puppy trade is rife with animal cruelty and deception. Every year, countless puppies are bred in deplorable conditions, taken from their mothers too early and transported across Europe to be sold online via classified ad sites. To help combat this exploitative trade, FOUR PAWS has developed a 'Model Solution for full traceability across the EU online puppy trade', which requires all puppies to be microchipped and registered, and the seller’s details verified, before they can be advertised online." This material will be of interest to consumers, veterinarians, welfare groups, regulators, and all those concerned with aspects of supply and demand - sourcing of animals - that negatively impacts pet health and welfare.