Facebook ad prompts puppy farming warning

Tuesday 02 April 2019

Islanders are being urged to do their research before buying puppies after an ad offering a litter of chocolate and black Labrador puppies was shared on a local Facebook group.

A number of animal welfare charities and organisations have been contacted with information about the man selling the puppies, prompting them to warn islanders about the dangers of buying pets via online ads.

It was alleged that the individual behind the post has previously been reported to the police for selling sick puppies in the UK. 

Last week, he advertised a litter of chocolate and black Labrador puppies, microchipped, registered with the Kennel Club and wormed, available immediately for £600 each, on a local Facebook group for pet owners. 

Pictured: The most advertised black and chocolate Labrador puppies.

Last year the UK cracked down on 'puppy farms' with the introduction of the new Animal Welfare Law. Among the new regulations were provisions to prevent online sales to ensure owners see the animals, as well as their mother, before buying them.

A spokesperson for the JSPCA reminded islanders they shouldn’t buy puppies off online adverts and that they should be visiting the breeder’s house to spot any “underlying issues” with the puppy they are looking to buy. They should also make sure the puppies are leaving the breeder at the right age, not when they are too young.

“People need to do their research. They should not meet the breeder at the harbour, the airport or in a car park. They need to go to the breeder’s house.

“They should be looking into meeting the parents and the litter to make sure the puppy is healthy and fit to be rehomed. They should be comfortable about every aspect and if not, they should walk away. If people buy puppies like this, they are paying for breeders to continue.”

Pictured: Potential owners should check the condition of the puppy to make sure it's healthy.

The spokesperson said that owners should be vigilant about the condition of the puppy to make sure they do not buy an animal who is not entirely healthy. “They need to check that the puppy has bright eyes, a clear nose, that it’s not underweight, and that it’s acting like a puppy should, not being quiet. Sometimes people taken on a puppy that looks ok, but it could become quite ill quickly.”

Islanders looking to buy puppies from breeds that are prone to illnesses, such as Alsatians or German Shepherds, should also ensure that the dogs have seen a vet and have been checked for “hereditary problems.”

Pictured: Puppies who are not socialised or are exposed to stressful environments are more likely to exhibit anxious, fearful behaviours.

Islana McLaughlin-Bell, a Behavioural Trainer and owner of Fun4Dogs, also explained that puppies may develop behavioural issues if they are not brought up in good conditions. "The critical socialisation period in puppies is between three and 17 weeks, experiences made during this period can affect their behaviour into adulthood," she said. "Bearing in mind that puppies do not leave the breeder to their new homes until they are eight weeks old, a big part of the critical period is spent with the breeder.

"Puppies who receive no socialisation at this time or who are exposed to stressful environments are much more likely to exhibit anxious, fearful behaviours, including phobias and maladaptive stress. These are the most typical in puppy farmed dogs."

Ms McLaughlin-Bell also highlighted that genetics also play a big part in a dog's behaviour. If owners do not see the parents of the puppy, they can't know whether the breeder has bred from dogs who show fearful or aggressive tendencies. "We also now know scientifically that puppies are effected in the womb if a mother is stressed during her pregnancy," she added.

Pictured: Islanders should always ask to see the puppy's parents before buying one.

The admins of the Jersey Dog Forum echoed the JSPCA’s advice, urging people to not be “foolish” and to do their research. “Good breeders don't need to sell dogs to people in another country via Facebook,” they noted.

They also reminded people that selling puppies is against Facebook rules for a reason explaining that it is because “there is a huge risk of puppy farmers selling you sick animals." 

They urged islanders to be cautious when buying a dog, writing: “If you hand across money, you are supporting their trade. Just don't. Please. Do your research. Always.”