Puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, are commercial dog breeding facilities that prioritise profit over the welfare of the dogs. They often house dogs in unhygienic conditions do not provide the proper physical or mental care a dog or puppy requires, and don’t consider the health and welfare of their breeding dogs, and their offspring Understanding what a puppy farm is and how to avoid one is essential in your journey to finding a new dog.
What is a puppy farm?
A puppy farm is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is prioritised over the health and well-being of the dogs. These facilities often have poor living conditions and inadequate veterinary care. Dogs will often be kept in very small spaces, often in overcrowded conditions without adequate food, water or bedding. A dog or puppy’s access to outside places to play and wander can often be non-existent, their entire lives spent in confinement. The special requirements of pregnant and lactating mothers may not be looked out for and puppies will be sold off as soon as possible, sometimes illegally early (under 8 weeks old).
Difference between puppy farms and reputable breeders
Puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, prioritise profit over everything else. The care and well-being of a dog is sacrificed for the sake of money. They often breed dogs in large numbers and are typically kept in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions with minimal veterinary care and socialisation with other dogs or humans. Additionally, health tests aren’t conducted, meaning that it can also increase risk of spreading genetic conditions to offspring and new puppies.
Puppies from these farms are more likely to suffer from genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and behavioural problems due to poor breeding practices.
Reputable, registered breeders make the health, temperament and overall quality of their dogs a priority. They create a stable and healthy environment for their dogs and follow ethical breeding practices as outlined by their governing body. They will open about their breeding practices, the veterinary care they provide and ensure that puppies are socialised with other dogs, humans and other animals.
Puppy farms operate with utmost secrecy, often in remote areas where they may not have a huge amount of neighbours. They will advertise anywhere and everywhere but usually online sites such as Gumtree, Trading Post and Facebook Marketplace are their favourite haunts, as it’s easy to set up aliases and hide their practices from the general public. Many puppy farms will have relationships with pet shops to sell their puppies too, so be wary if you see a cute little dog in your local pet store as purchasing from there could perpetuate puppy farms.
Legality of Puppy Farms - are puppy farms illegal in Australia?
Anyone that breeds dogs or cats for sale must apply to register as a breeder with their local state level and pay the registration fee. This includes rescue groups and owners of animals who have had 'accidental' litters.
Every state has regulations pertaining to dog breeding and the safety and health of all animals. In most states, the industry is mostly self-regulated and required to follow the rules and guidelines set out by the state laws. You may see some state laws being slightly stricter than others like in Victoria, and Western Australia, whereas some others don’t even have restrictions on the number of breeding dogs that can be allowed on a premise.
Some say that puppy farms meet the high demand for puppies, but animal welfare advocates highlight the inhumane conditions, health issues, and behavioural problems associated with farm-bred puppies. They continuously argue for stricter regulations and the promotion of ethical breeding practices.
It’s important to do your research into who or where you’re purchasing your puppy from, and ensure you’re purchasing from a registered Dogs Australia breeder on Dogz Online to mitigate your risks.
The Horror of Puppy Farming
From time to time, we get to see the true horror of puppy farms through the media when local authorities will raid and rescue dogs in puppy farms living in cramped, filthy cages with minimal human interaction. Many will suffer from malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, and long term psychological damage, making it difficult to rehome them. Those that are rehomed can need constant care for chronic conditions of the skin, damage from not getting continuous parasite protection and genetic diseases passed down breeding lines that could have been avoided if adequate care and health testing practices were in place.
How to Be Part of the Solution
Whether you choose to adopt from an animal rescue or shelter or decide to buy a new puppy from a breeder, you can be part of the solution by ensuring you do your research and due diligence prior to your decision.
Support animal rescues: that have charitable or not for profit status and have their credentials clearly advertised. Visit their premises so that you can see the dogs in the environment they are held in and discuss the special needs of the rescue so you are prepared for the care they require long term. Support organisations that work to improve animal welfare standards who advocate for stronger regulations to protect dogs.
Work with reputable breeders: research them online through websites such as Dogz Online, where all the breeders are registered with Dogs Australia. Find online reviews or dog groups on social media where you can get firsthand testimonials from others who own the breed you like, these people can often tell you the great breeders are.
Using a breeder who has open, honest and clear communication is a must and, we always encourage your breeder questions - about them, about their breeding program, about the dogs. Good breeders will love talking about their dogs, and will be transparent in their communication and practices.
In Summary...
Understanding the realities of puppy farms is essential for making informed decisions when acquiring a dog. Good breeding practices and adoption from reputable sources are crucial for the welfare of dogs. Be a responsible dog owner by choosing ethical sources for your pets, such as Dogz Online or your local state branch of Dogs Australia to find registered breeders or support an animal rescue in your area that advocates for stronger regulations against puppy farms. At the end of the day, it is all about research to find the perfect puppy or mature dog for you and your family.
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