Puppy Farms

Companion animals are a big part of Australian culture with around 5 million of the 7.5 million households in Australia being homes to dogs, cats and other animals. The companion animal industry is big business and estimates suggest it generates a profit of $8 billion annually.

 

The Issues

 

Puppy Farms

Large-scale factory farming of dogs is happening in every state in Australia. Dogs are hidden away from the public, in large sheds within stalls or cages, with improper bedding, no veterinary care and are totally deprived of their basic needs. Dogs on puppy farms suffer psychological torment as they are kept in a continual state of pregnancy, are not socialised or free to exhibit natural behaviours. They languish in filthy conditions and suffer chronic illnesses due to complete disregard for their wellbeing.

The puppies are shipped to pet stores; or sold online. The puppies often suffer from health, mental and physical impairments as a result of their breeding. And thus, the cycle of potential abandonment, overpopulation of shelters and pounds, and ultimate euthanasia of countless animals continues.  

 

Overbreeding

More Australians now have dogs as pets than ever before. While this is great, sadly this demand also can stem to an increase in breeders, backyard breeders and puppy farms. Pet stores multiply, and shelters overflow. Eventually, the numbers of animals outweigh the number of suitable homes, and sadly, tens of thousands of healthy dogs are euthanised at pounds and shelters each year in Australia.

 

Pet Shops

Pet shops are highly stressful environments for young puppies. With a main motivation to make a high profit, pet shops treat puppies purely as a commodity. Animals sold are not required to be desexed and their origins are questionable. Potential owners are rarely screened, encouraging impulse buying and, often, unsuitable breed to home matching. Pet shops successfully dupe the public into thinking the fluffy puppies, cute kittens, baby rats, and other animals, come from “local breeders” or “reputable breeding facilities”. The reality is, most animals will come from intensive breeding facilities like puppy farms. Impulse buying in pet shops can also lead to abandonment when puppies get a little older and start having behavioral issues. The great news is, more and more pet shops are changing directions, and partnering with shelters to sell exclusively adoptable animals.

 

 

From Puppy Farm to Pet Shop from Animal Liberation Queensland on Vimeo.

 

ALQ is working to promote three ideals:

1) Entirely shut down puppy factory farming in QLD; 

2) Mandatory sale exclusively of only adopted pets from registered shelters in pet shops and online trading. 

3) Promote the adopt don't shop message for your next pet.

 

What can you do?

1) Adopt Don’t Shop: Never buy an animal from a pet shop or gumtree/ trading post. Always adopt a rescue from a shelter, and ensure they are desexed. 

Shelter and rescue animals makes the BEST friends because:

•    A second chance at life and love for mans best friend – SAVE A LIFE!  ADOPT!

•    The cost of your new friend includes desexing, health checks and any relevant medical disclaimers upfront 

•    You are always able to contact shelter after you taking your next family member home

2) Report Cruelty - If you witness cruelty, or questioning a suspected puppy mill, please call RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)

3) Practise responsible pet ownership 

•    Ensure that your companion for life receives regular health checks

•    Feed them a balanced diet

•    Exercise them and play with them

•    They are part of the family – let them in!

•    Never chain an animal

•    They’re reliant on you and will love you forever in return ☺

4) Educate Pet shops - If you see animals for sale in pet shops, politely discuss your concerns with staff or write to the manager. Suggesting they sell adoptable animals from shelter to save lives.

5) Teach children the realities of puppy farming.

 

Find your new friend here:
Animal Welfare League of Qld
RSPCA Qld
Petrescue

Find out more: Oscar's Law