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Jersey’s top vet is warning Islanders not to buy pets from “unscrupulous” puppy farms after one was found trying to sell young dogs to Jersey homes.
More and more animals are being advertised for sale through social media and online market places and just last week the JSPCA got in touch with States vet Linda Lowseck to let her know about a puppy farmer from the EU trying to bring dogs to Jersey.
According to the RSPCA in the UK, puppy farming and trafficking is a big business. They say that dealers are exploiting the fact that the laws are not rigorously enforced to sell pure-bred and fashionable cross-breed animals - but many of the puppies travel in poor conditions, are taken away from their mothers too early and have not been vaccinated.
They say that many die in transit or get sick soon after they arrive because they have not been taken care of properly.
The States Vet says that it is important that Islanders buying a dog make checks to ensure that they are not supporting a cruel industry.
Linda said: “They were in touch about an advert on Facebook. I contacted the person and provided advice about the legal requirements for importing animals to the Island.”
She said she can’t do anything about the adverts themselves but she can make people aware that they could be in for heartbreak if they don’t buy their pets from a reputable seller.
She said: “Always see before you buy. They might give the impression that they are in Jersey, they could be thousands of miles away, and unscrupulous people will prey on vulnerable people.”
She said these sellers are often putting bitches back into pup far too frequently and puppies shouldn’t be bred this way.
And she added that people buying horses should also take precautions.
Linda said: “If you are buying a horse and you are not able to see it, ask a vet to put you in touch with a horse vet nearby and ask them to do a pre-purchase examination.
“The JSPCA will give you good advice, as well as your own vet or people like the British Horse Society.”
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