AN ANIMAL rescue charity is campaigning for tougher regulations on third party puppy and kitten farming after seeing a staggering increase in admittances to its centres.
, but Hope Rescue Wales say that this ban will not go far enough.
Vanessa Waddon, Transformation Manager at Hope Rescue, said: “Whilst a third-party ban would be a huge and welcome step forward, we are getting increasingly concerned about the high number of poorly puppies being sold direct to the public by backyard breeders in Wales.
“A third party ban in isolation will do little to stop this terrible backyard trade.
"This has been fuelled by the significant rise in popularity for brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breeds such as English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs.”
Enzo was fitted with a feeding tube to stop his food going straight in to his lungs. Picture: Hope Rescue Wales.
Bulldog puppy Enzo was brought to the charity from the Newport area when he was just five weeks old. He is an example of the dogs affected by this backyard trade.
Ms Waddon said: “Enzo came in to our care on January 29, when he was five weeks old.
"He was given away by his breeder at just three days old as he had a cleft palate. They tube fed him until he was five weeks old, but could not afford to continue his care so asked us to take him.
“He is a rare colour – lilac and tan. This colour makes him even more desirable.
"He was fitted with a feeding tube as otherwise the food would go straight in to his lungs.
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"He’s currently doing well in the care of his foster parents.
"He does not have a feeding tube at the moment and carefully drinks from a bottle and eats dry food under supervision.
“He has to wait until he is six months old until he can have a cleft palate operation.
“The breeder came from the Newport area. They would have known about this problem but knew that they would be able to make money.
“They are breeding these dogs with no thought for their health.
“French and English bulldogs can sell for up to £7,000 each.
Enzo was brought in to a Hope Rescue Centre when he was just five weeks old. Picture: Hope Rescue Wales.
“Five years ago we would never see a brachycephalic breed in rescue.
"In the last 12 months we have taken in 16 English Bulldogs, 21 French Bulldogs, 12 Pugs, and seven crosses of the above breeds.”
The charity has launched a survey to inform its response to the Welsh Government, and is
keen to hear from people who have purchased a poorly puppy since May 1, 2015when the new Welsh breeding laws came into effect.
As well as backing a ban on third party puppy sales, the charity are pushing for stricter regulations on animal welfare establishments and online puppy sale adverts, and a licensing or registration system for all breeders, not just restricted to those breeding more than three litters a year, as the law currently stands.
They are also calling for a ban on breeding inherently unhealthy dogs, such as extreme brachycephalic breeds or those with genetic conditions.
If you wish to donate to Hope Rescue, you can find out how
here.
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