Due to the economic downturn, certain individuals are breeding dogs for massive financial gain.
I am not against breeding – I am against indiscriminate breeding of dogs.
All breeders of pure breeds should be registered with the Kennel Union of South Africa, (KUSA).
KUSA is able to keep track of certain practises such as how many litters have been produced by each female annually. Unfortunately KUSA cannot control everything breeders do. Females should not be mated every time they are in heat. If a breeder is not registered with KUSA, the purchaser will have little to no recourse should the puppy show any genetic defects.
If a puppy purchased from a registered breeder is diagnosed with hip dysplasia or inherited eye disorders for example by a qualified vet you, as the legal owner, are entitled to report this breeder to KUSA, who will take the necessary steps The breeder could be asked to produce a certificate from the vet as to the status of the hips and eyes – of both parents of the puppy.
KNOW WHERE YOUR PUPPY COMES FROM:
If you are looking to buy a specific breed of dog, the safest route to take would be to speak to your vet, or contact KUSA who can advise you where to contact a reputable breeder. In this way you will not be supporting indiscriminate breeding such as puppy mills/farming.
Make an appointment with the breeder:
If the breeder does not agree to give you an appointment to view the puppy or the parents, walk away, this is not the breeder you should be buying a puppy from. If you are granted an appointment, ask to see both parents and all the puppies from the litter. If you observe any type of limp or aggression in either of the parents, do not buy the puppy, you are opening yourself up to vet bills and heartache. Report what you have observed to KUSA, who will take the steps they deem necessary. If the conditions the dogs are being kept under are in any way unhygienic, and the dogs do not appear well kept, report this to KUSA.
Breeders have the right to sell you a puppy with breeding restrictions. Any responsible breeder will not allow a buyer to breed with a dog, unless prior arrangements have been made. In this way the breed is being safeguarded, as well as litters of unwanted puppies. Usually a breeder will not sign the dog over to the buyer until proof of spaying has been received by the breeder.
PUPPY MILLS/FARMS
Anyone who has not witnessed the horrific conditions of a puppy mill, cannot imagine the cruelty that these dogs are subjected to. The females are bred each time they come in season, they are kept in small cages that are never cleaned, the dogs and puppies are unhealthy and they are never inoculated against any dog illnesses. When the females are too old to produce any puppies, they are given away, most times to people who do not really want them and they end up in animal shelters.
ALSO READ: WATCH – SPCA pounces on Port Edward puppy mill
TO AVOID SUPPORTING PUPPY MILLS:
NEVER buy a puppy from a seller at the roadside.
Or from a third party unless the third party agrees to supply the contact details of the breeder. If you are able to view the parents and you are satisfied that they are healthy, and the conditions are respectable, only then should you buy the puppy.
Do not purchase a puppy advertised on social media – you could be supporting a puppy mill.
We can all help to stop this indiscriminate breeding and cruelty, by not supporting them.
Factual.
Recently, a puppy was purchased by a couple. They had always fancied this specific breed and saw one advertised for sale. This puppy was sold to them by a third party, and no details of the puppy’s history were available. At six months of age the dog was sterilised. She did not appear to be well, and a visit to the vet confirmed that she had an immunodeficiency disorder.
These owners paid expensive vet bills, the dog no longer attends school due to her illness, and the breeders of this dog will carry on the breeding and selling of puppies as they are unknown and the third party will not disclose who the breeders are. Both the breeders and the third party are, MAKING MONEY out of selling puppies, a sad situation.
Immunodeficiency is a congenital disorder, i.e. a dog is born with the condition. (Ref: www.petmd.com)
Do the responsible thing, KNOW WHERE YOUR PUPPY COMES FROM.
Regards
Yvonne ACDIPCBM (UK)
Please refer to the following website for more detailed information on puppy mills:
HAVE YOUR SAY
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