06/06/2020
We are STILL receiving enquiries from people looking for puppies assuming we're Little Rascals. Read the page!
For anyone looking to buy a puppy, please follow the RSPCA's advice below.
Consider the breeding parents. You are not 'rescuing' a puppy if you buy from a dealer or irresponsible breeder, you're just lining their pockets allowing more puppies to take its place at the expense of the health and well-being of the breeding parents.
If you can’t rescue or buy from a Kennel Club approved breeder, read what the RSPCA advise below and also bear in mind that you should be asking a lot of questions before you buy that puppy. If the 'breeder' objects or refuses to answer, walk away!
(In England it is now illegal to sell a puppy or kitten without the mother present. Don’t let the Covid-19 lockdown allow the breeder to avoid meeting to you at their own home - right now this is an issue with some online sellers who are using the current situation as an excuse to meet people in car parks or deliver puppies - this is ILLEGAL).
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/sales
RSPCA’s TIPS FOR SPOTTING PUPPY DEALER'S ONLINE
Dealers are using the internet to their advantage when it comes to advertising and selling farmed puppies. 87 percent of puppy trade calls we get are about animals bought over the internet. If you're looking to buy a puppy make sure you read adverts carefully and look out for the tell-tale signs:
_ Dealers may use the same contact number on more than one advert. Try Googling the number to see if it has been used on any other puppy adverts.
_Descriptions may have been copied and pasted and used on more than one advert - try Googling the description and see if it has been used before, word-for-word.
_Words like 'miniature' and 'teacup' can be a sign of dealers trying to capitalise on popular terms.
_Photos of the puppies may have been used on other adverts. Right click on the photo, select 'search Google for image' and see if it has been used on other ads.
_If the advert says a puppy has been vaccinated - check how old he or she is. A puppy cannot be vaccinated before four - six weeks of age. So, if a person is advertising a three-week-old vaccinated puppy, they are lying.
_If the puppy is advertised as having a passport, it has most probably been imported.
We have seen dealers claim they are Kennel Club Registered to convey legitimacy - but be wary of this, ask for original documents and check with the kennel club before buying a puppy.
_Promises of 'free insurance' and 'puppy packs' do not mean the advert is from a legitimate breeder.
If you see a suspicious advert, please report it to the RSPCA so that we can investigate. For more information see our puppy trade campaign.
Are you about to fund cruel puppy farming? Thousands of puppies are sold over the internet every year. Make sure you can spot a bad breeders advert.
