Puppy Farms
Where do puppies comes from?
The truth behind where many puppies sold in Australia come from isn't as straightforward as a chat about the birds and the bees. Puppy breeding establishments take many forms and can range from extremely bad (puppy farms, exploitative hoarders) through to excellent (dog enthusiasts who put the animal's health and welfare as the first priority).
Puppy Farms are at the bottom of the barrel. A puppy mill or puppy farm is a mass-production facility that breeds puppies for profit. The puppies and their mothers are often kept in very poor conditions. Breeding animals may be continually mated and kept with their puppies in cages and never allowed out to exercise, play, have companionship or even go to the toilet.
Puppies born in puppy farms often have long-term health and behavioural problems as a result of poor housing conditions, poor maternal nutrition and a lack of adequate socialisation during the crucial first few weeks of life.
Puppy farmers will sell to anyone, wholesale and retail, and by any means, on-line, through pet shops, via newspapers and car boot sales or by using a false house as a ‘shop front'.
The question people should be asking isn't 'how much is that dog in the window' but rather 'where did that pup actually come from'?
We don't know how many puppy farms there are in Australia, but with the advent of internet sales it is a growing national problem.
- How do I avoid supporting a puppy farm?
- RSPCA Puppy Farm Discussion Paper
- More information on puppy farms
Puppy Farm Discussion Paper
The RSPCA would like to work with individuals, groups and governments to stamp out puppy farming in Australia. As a first step we encourage you to provide us with feedback on the issues and ideas outlined in this Puppy Farm Discussion Paper.
RSPCA Australia will then compile the responses, prepare a summary of the ideas put forward and invite you all to help us end the suffering of tens of thousands of dogs and puppies.
Please send your comments by Wednesday 31 March to:
Heather Neil
Chief Executive Officer
RSPCA Australia
PO Box 265
Deakin West ACT 2600
Or by email to rspca@rspca.org.au
