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Whether you came intentionally or just stumbled upon us, we wish you a very warm welcome and hope you have the time to take a look at our website which has been created to raise awareness to the horrors of what is generally known as ‘Puppy Farming’. Where possible we won’t use graphic photographs, especially not to shock people – we even have a junior section for youngsters who wish to learn and spread the word. All we ask is for you to read the information on these pages and if you feel, like us, that a ban on puppy farming is long overdue – then please add your voice to ours and join our forum – we look forward to meeting you.
Since we set up Puppy Love in 2007 we have tried our best to raise awareness to the plight of thousands of dogs caged behind closed doors all across the country. We went undercover to help with this programme for ITV Wales and we thank Sian Morgan and the team from S4C's Y Byd ar Bedwar for letting us show the programme on our site.
Immediately after the programme was aired, Carmarthenshire county council were inundated with emails and letters of complaint. Because of the pressure they were under, the council were obliged to make some form of response. Eventually Mr, Philip Davies on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council sent out a standard reply to all those who were outraged after watching the programme. Their reply was a complete denial of any illegal cruelty or even any breaching of the five basic freedoms of the Animal Welfare Act, despite the fact many dogs were filmed without water, without bedding and without light. In fact it was hinted that some parts of the film were staged. We felt Mr. Davies reply was an insult to our intelligence. Both he and the council at Carmarthenshire clearly felt that no law had been broken and no further action need be taken – therefore, despite our objections and further emails, as far as they were concerned the issue was over. The end result was that both Mr. Davies and Carmarthenshire council refused to have any further communication with Puppy Love.
Not to be put off, we painstakingly made a video response to that standard letter, highlighting statements made in the letter and comparing them to what was actually shown on the film footage. The contradictions made by the council are blatant and undeniable, so much so that Mr. Davies says he has not watched our video response and has ‘no intention of watching it’. Does Mr. Davies say this because he is unable to deny it? Please take a look and judge for yourself video
So, the public are outraged and Carmarthenshire try to convince us all that conditions will change – they are working towards the standards set by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Then eight months later in August 2009, once more we went undercover, working with Jason Farrell, more footage, secretly filmed was aired by both Channel 5 and Sky News. Although different establishments were filmed, the overall conditions of both the dogs and their housing were very similar to the previous film footage taken in December 2008. Have conditions changed? No they haven’t. What about the RSPCA you may ask? When a local authority grants an establishment a license to breed, by law the local authority must take the responsibility of ensuring that establishment is adhering to the standards set out by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The RSPCA have no jurisdiction in those establishments
To us, this confirms that Carmarthenshire council turn a blind eye to the suffering that takes place in their county. Although not the only county in this country that allows puppy farms to profit from misery, the greatest number of such establishments lies within its confines. At almost twice the number of any other county in the country, each of the 84 establishments that Carmarthenshire council has deemed ‘suitable’ is granted a license for a specific number of breeding dogs, up to 149 in one case.For years Carmarthenshire council have allowed the Animal Welfare Act and even the terms and conditions of their own licenses to be flagrantly ignored in their county. For years they have granted licenses to allow the cruelty and suffering to continue in the very establishments they are supposed to be monitoring, showing no concern for the welfare of the dogs that live, and die in fear, pain, panic and utter despair. Mr. Philip Davies and Carmarthenshire County Council are aware of this website and are freely able to read all that has been written. We would like to state that should they wish to respond to our words, we will gladly print said response for all to see. Puppy Love will continue to monitor what is going on and update our pages.
No longer can these breeders hide away, they are accountable to you the public who purchase sick and dying pups. The councils are accountable as is the Welsh Assembly, for decades they have used and abused dogs for profit, enough is enough!
In the meantime as Winter draws in spare a thought for dogs living in filth in cold dark barns that were built for housing cattle not man's best friend. Some dogs have no bedding,clean water or even gods gift of daylight.When seeing a sign Puppies For Sale, please stop and ask yourself where the pups may have come from. Most pet shop pups are from puppy farms. Lots of dealers use the internet or small ads in papers.
Always see the pup with its mother in the surroundings it was born,pups should have been born in a household environment with love and human contact not bred outside . Pups should be friendly and full of life not timid or afraid. They should be used to people and household noises. If you are at all concerned things don't seem right then walk away.Do not be fooled by thinking KC registration means you are not supporting puppy farmers as we know of some high volume commercial breeders who register pups with KC .
Ring vets local to you and ask if they can recommend ethical breeder or try this LINK where you will find lots of info and help, also all dogs will have had relevant health test done.
We believe that no reputable breeder would sell to pets shops. Pet shops that boast of only buying from licensed establishments are still supporting puppy farming. The photos you see above are of LICENSED premises.
Some pet shops when questioned will tell you the puppies have come from Ireland or Wales, both of these countries are well known for their puppy farming. Puppies sold in pet shops and via dealers have been bred to make money for all involved, the breeder, the dealer and the pet shop. This does not leave much for the rearing of puppies and the parents. We have all seen the horror stories on the TV, we all know of someone who has bought a poorly bred puppy or even worse a sick puppy that has died from places like these.
We know the laws are in place to help protect dogs at puppy farms but also that the local authorities are turning a blind eye to what is going on. How can one person take care of so many dogs and puppies? Who is licensing the dealers who are transporting very young puppies hundreds of miles with little thought to the welfare of these animals? Any vet will tell you it is stressful for a young puppy to be travelling many miles, that you should see your new puppy with its mother. Puppies sold in pets shops are often bred in poor conditions,sold to a dealer and then to a pet shop, this is all before they are 8 weeks old and it is bad for the health of the puppy.
The local authorities need to enforce the law, the public need to be informed of the horrors of puppy farming and the link to pet shops.
Animal rescue centres through out the UK are full, often with dogs bought from pet shops on a whim or because some well meaning member of the public felt sorry for the pitiful looking puppy sitting behind glass or in a wire cage.
Knowing all of this the puppy farmers churn out more and more puppies to supply the demand of the pet shops.
It is long over due for it to be made illegal to sell puppies in pet shops. It is time for the government to act and for the local authorities to stand up and be counted or even just do their jobs.Its also time for the consumer to play their part in putting these breeders out of business.