March 2024
Puppy Imports
Puppy imports have increased dramatically over the last couple of years. It is a well-known fact that imported puppies suffer from illness and disease. On top of that, they are more at risk of developing severe behavioural issues stemming from their early life experiences. Research states that more people are now turning to social media sites such as Instagram and Tik Tok to search for a puppy that is fuelling the trade in puppy imports. This month we are highlighting the plight of the suffering dogs and puppies and discover why Russian imports in particular is so popular.
PETA (People for the Ethical treatment of Animals)
There is an explosion of selling puppies on Instagram and Tik Tok. According to research by PETA, 51% of people who bought from these platforms did not see the puppy interacting with their mother, 45% did not see the breeding environment and 63% did not see the vaccination record. They are blaming social media influencers who are contributing to this crisis of creating a mass production of puppies. The UK is already overflowing with thousands of homeless dogs and puppies. PETA are asking them to stop and show a bit of compassion.
Latest Fashion
Fashion changes throughout the seasons but unfortunately, that goes for the latest designer puppy. For example, it was only a couple of years ago that the Husky breed was the latest trend due to their wolf-like appearance, fuelled by certain TV programmes and celebrities. Since then, there has been a shocking 700% increase in abandonment because of the consequence of mass buying, with rescues picking up the pieces.
Russian Imports
A Love Island celebrity couple recently bought a Pomeranian puppy that was imported from Russia. There was an outpouring of emotional support from their followers after he died a few days later. He could have been ill already or suffered from the long journey. We do not think for one minute that the breeding parents were even given a thought. It’s all about the latest designer breeds looking cute on social media. Fans of Love Island said enough is enough and started a campaign calling to end the selling of puppies from abroad.
The adverts on Instagram and Tik Tok look very professional but in reality, hundreds of breeding dogs are kept in battery farm conditions on dirty concrete floors. They are kept inside damp sheds and outbuildings in cramped conditions without any natural light. The breeding females have to endure constant barking and never get any respite. According to experts, constant barking in close proximity can damage their hearing and cause even more distress.
Puppies are separated from their mothers far too young, and this affects the puppies’ learning and development in later life. The breeding dogs are disposed of when no longer useful, that is if they survive that long. Puppies are often interbred causing severe health defects. After all, how would you know if two parents are related when buying a puppy from abroad?
The puppies cost as little as £200 - £300 to breed but sell for thousands of pounds. They have to endure a 3,500-mile journey by plane and car from Russia. They then have to travel in their own excrement & urine. The required paperwork is often faked.
Sasha
Sasha was a 4-month-old Pomeranian brought over to the UK only 24 hours earlier before she started trembling in pain with severely matted fur. She sadly died shortly afterwards. She looked nothing like the puppy promised in the seller’s advertisement. Her owner is now raising awareness of the cruel puppy trade.
Shockingly some celebrities have been approached by offering free dogs and puppies in the hope that they would plug their businesses. On Instagram, photos have been shown advertising puppies that don’t even exist. It is widely recognised that websites and social media allow this to happen. Many photos have been stolen from other sources and pose as ‘well bred’ puppies.
Regulations
Importation of puppies raises many concerns – the transporting conditions, puppy farming practices & illegal smuggling. The current regulations do not offer protection for the dogs. They MUST be vaccinated against rabies and MUST be at least 12 weeks old before puppies are imported. Of course, there are loopholes to get around this.
Here’s the thing – it is perfectly legal to transport them as long as they are up to date with vaccinations. However, it is downright cruel. Short-term gratification will always come before animal welfare and that is a tragedy.
RSPCA
The RSPCA state that seven in ten dog owners believe that there should be greater control on how many imported dogs are allowed in the UK. How do we do this? Raising the age to 6 months would be a start. Nevertheless, how will this be monitored? The Government should do more to enforce stricter regulations for online selling and puppy importation.
So to all the social media influencers, please spare a thought for the breeding dogs as well as the distress and fear of the puppies having to endure those long journeys.
‘Choose wisely, Love deeply’
(The Dark side of the Puppy Trade) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-rn4WMzmK0
(Katie Price 'gives new puppy away because he doesn't look cute on Instagram) https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/katie-price-gives-new-puppy-31996361
(Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury ‘heartbroken’ as puppy dies just days after arriving from Russia) https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/molly-mae-hague-tommy-fury-puppy-mr-chai-death-a4458431.html/
(Inside cruel world of Russian puppy shipping after Molly Mae and Tommy's dog dies) https://www-mirror-co uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-horrific-conditions-endured-puppies-22196106.amp?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17074899414813&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2F3am%2Fcelebrity-news%2Finside-horrific-conditions-endured-puppies-22196106