I am amazed (but not in a good way)

[missnemesis]

Have just been on the freeads website, looking out of noseyness (sp?) not buying, and have noticed that there are five or more pages containing puppies for sale in Norwich. There are lots of different breeds all being advertised by the same people and all for a mere �40.

The price itself set off alarm bells with me. �40 for any pedigree pup is a tad strange but for dogs such as St. Bernards, Alaskan Malamutes, Neopolitan Mastiffs? Something can't be right.

They are also claiming to be home reared. I THINK NOT!

I understand that it is a free webite advertiser, hence the name, but are there no controls re the content at all? How can they sanction the mass wholesale of these poor animals, it's disgusting.

[carmalee]

with you on that all the way - disgusting set ups but the only way to stop them is not to buy from them. have worked in animal welfare here and S. Africa for many years and have seen what these 'factories' do. the more people who are outraged by them and can make a fuss the better in my opinion. well done you -go well

[Mr Veritas]

Very sadly there are "puppy farms" all over the Uk.
I believe there is not much that the RSPCA (even under new animal welfare laws?) can do about them,not unless there is actual cruelty involved.
I can only hope that anyone buying a pupy can see it in it's home surroundings AND with it's Mother.
Also sad to say that many of the people buying from these farms and are careless of the puppy's origins are also the very people who would neglect/maltreat an animal without thinking.They are also the ones who would dump a pupy when it gets too big and difficult to control.

[Annna]

I bought a puppy from an advert once, very naive did not realise that I should of paid a lot more. I ended up with a very ill puppy, that cost me �2000+ in vet bills. Obviously interbred and sufferring. I had no come back to the owners and of course became very attached to the poor mutt. It died in the end. Broke my heart and cost me a fortune. Hope others can learn from my mistake. Very unscrupolous people who do not care about the puppies health and future.

Perhaps alerting the RSPCA is a good idea?

[Mr Veritas]

This is from the DEFRA Website(but it doesn't really address our worries):~
The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, The Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 and the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
'Puppy Farms'
Anyone who is in the business of breeding and selling dogs will require a licence from the local authority under the 1973 Act as amended by the 1999 Act. The local authority has discretion whether to grant a licence and must ensure that the animals will be suitably accommodated, fed, exercised and protected from disease and fire. It is for local authorities, who have extensive powers to check on the standards of health, welfare and accommodation of the animals, to enforce the requirements of the Act.

The 1999 Act provides that bitches are not mated until they are at least one year old and that they give birth to no more than six litters in a lifetime and no more than one litter per year. Accurate breeding records must be maintained by the establishment for tighter controls on the sale of dogs by dealers and pet shop; for identification for traded dogs; and stiffer penalties, including imprisonment.

In addition, the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 extended the powers of local authorities to obtain a warrant to enter any premises, excluding a private dwelling house, in which it is believed that a dog breeding business is being carried out. All outbuildings, garages and sheds are open to inspection. Previously local authority inspectors could enter and inspect only premises which were already licensed

and this is part of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991.
Whilst it probably doesn't address the "Puppy Farm" issue directly,it might be of interest?
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_199 10064_en_1.htm