How to avoid puppy farms

Whilst being such an exciting milestone in your life as a dog pawrent, getting a new puppy takes a lot of thought, research and consideration.

When searching for a puppy, you’ll find lots of dos and don’ts from puppy professionals and warnings regarding the dark side of finding a puppy - unreputable breeders and puppy farms. The importance of avoiding such breeding methods is to safeguard not only your brand-new fur baby but yourself too!

So, to ensure you have all the knowledge you need to spot and swerve puppy farms when trying to find your new puppy, we’ve provided our expert tips, tricks and advice to kickstart your research in the best possible way. 

What is a puppy farm?

Puppy farms or puppy mills are a group of breeders who excessively breed puppies and then sell them to third-party sellers. They exist purely to make a profit from breeding puppies and often force one dog to have multiple litters when they should only have 4-6 as a maximum in their lifetime.

This often leads to them not paying any attention to laws and legislation that have been created to keep dogs and puppies safe. Not only has animal neglect and abuse been found at many examples of puppy farms, but puppies that are bred in these environments often come away with underlying health conditions and psychological issues. 

Those who sell puppies from puppy farms are often very good at hiding their origins - renting properties, faking backstories and giving you all the green flags you should be looking for. This makes it very hard to distinguish bad breeders from the good. This is what makes doing your research before starting your puppy search so imperative, helping you stay on the right side of puppy shopping. 

Why are puppy farms so bad?

These breeders will not be breeding from their healthiest dogs with good temperaments. They’re simply breeding any and every dog that they can, not caring about the puppies being produced.

Are puppy farms illegal in the UK?

Unfortunately, not all puppy farms are illegal in the UK.

Unlicensed puppy farms are illegal, and will be shut down by law enforcement if found to be operating without the appropriate licensing and certification.

However, licensed puppy farms run by breeders with the appropriate dog breeding license are allowed to keep going, even if they’re unethically breeding multiple puppies at one time. 

This is why, as pooch experts, we’d always advise not to shop with puppy farmers even if they’re licensed - as you can never guarantee the safety of the mums and pups, as well as the environment in which they’re being raised in.

What is Lucy’s Law?

In April 2020, the government introduced Lucy’s Law which was in aim to stop third-party selling of puppies and kittens, as well as high-volume breeding in poor and dangerous environments. 

This was after Lucy, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, was rescued from a puppy farm after living in awful conditions. This led to a number of health conditions and her untimely death only 3 years after her rescue.

Lucy’s Law introduced stricter laws and consequences for those who put puppies at risk in the breeding process, and hold disreputable breeders and puppy farms more accountable for their actions. But this doesn’t mean that some puppy farms and unreputable breeders don’t operate unseen, making it more important than ever to be vigilant and know the signs.

How to spot a puppy farm

Despite having ways to deceive potential puppy pawrents, there are many signs of the presence of a puppy farm that you can keep your eyes peeled for.

Some include:

• There’s no mention of the puppy’s mother. When viewing a puppy or discussing the potential purchase of one, a reputable breeder should offer a visit with the puppy’s mother present. If not, it comes down to your responsibility as a good puppy pawrent to request a visit. Refusing viewing or no mention of the mother at all is a red flag.
  
  If you request to see the parents and they’re suddenly transported to your location, this may also be an indication of a puppy farm, especially if they look freshly groomed for viewing. In this instance, trust your gut and if it doesn’t feel right, walk away and make the right people aware. 

• The breeder encourages the purchase somewhere other than the home in which the puppies are being raised. Puppies should be viewed in the environment in which they’re being raised, as this gives you a chance to assess their condition. Breeders and sellers wanting to make exchanges in neutral areas like car parks or side roads are always a big red flag.

• Obvious rental properties or signs that this is not where the puppies have been raised. To dupe potential puppy parents, some puppy farmers or dodgy breeders will rent properties to host the litter to make it look like they’re being raised comfortably. When visiting puppies, be sure to be on the lookout for signs that the home isn’t usually lived in, or that the puppies aren't there all the time. 
  

• Advertising and selling more than one breed at a time. When coming across their advertisement for the first time, cross reference it, along with the contact details, with other advertisements. Breeders/sellers advertising more than one breed from the same address is often a red flag. Breeders who focus on one breed are often experts and will give you all the information and support you need.

• A lack of documentation. Puppies should come home with a range of documentation covering things such as their veterinary history, vaccinations, microchip details and any other information about their heritage. Your puppy coming with no documentation is often a concerning sign.

• They refuse multiple visits. Reputable breeders will often allow you as many visits as it takes to get your pup accustomed to you before taking them home - even before payment. Those that refuse visits, or demand any payment before seeing the puppy should be seen as a no-go.

• Willing to hand over the pup before 8 weeks old. Puppies should not be away from their mother or litter mates before 8 weeks old. If a breeder/seller tries to offer the puppy before 8 weeks old, then you should always decline. If you suspect a breeder/seller is lying about the puppy’s age, be sure to ask a vet for further advice.

• Not willing to hand over puppy food or anything else that will help your puppy settle in their first weeks at home. Often reputable breeders will send you away with all the accessories and bits you’ll need in your puppy’s first weeks at home, often in a puppy pack. Those with only an interest in making a profit will only be interested in taking your money.
  
  

What to do if you suspect a puppy farm

If you spot any of the above signs or something truly doesn’t feel right in your gut when approaching a breeder, then the best thing to do is walk away. It’s a very difficult decision to make, but it’s better not to give the breeder your money and instead work with a reputable breeder who’s dedicated to breeding happy, healthy puppies- providing you with as much support as possible.

Once you’ve walked away, you can then consider appropriate action.

How to report a suspected puppy farm

If you believe you’ve come across or avoided a puppy farmer, dealer or dodgy breeder, you can contact the RSPCA, your local authority, or the police if you truly believe animal’s lives are in danger or there’s fraudulent behaviour.

Where’s the best place to buy a puppy?

When searching for your new puppy, research is always key to ensure you’re taking home a happy and healthy fur baby that’s been treated with the utmost care in their first weeks of life. When buying a puppy, it’s advised to opt for nothing less than a trusted, certified, licensed and well-reviewed breeder - one that promotes the breeding of healthy puppies, that will grow up to be happy, loving dogs. 

If you’re looking for a cross-breed (e.g. a Cavapoo or Labradoodle), the breeder cannot be licensed by the Kennel Club. However, you should still look for one that has good reviews and that’s registered.

Alternatively, adopting from a shelter can provide you with the same reliability and support, and allows you to help out a pup in need.

If you’d like to read more about how to find reputable breeders, be sure to check our Puppy Hub

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The process of getting a puppy is an exciting one, but one that takes a lot of thought, research and preparation! But worry not, here at Pooch & Mutt we’re ready and waiting to be with you every step of the way. Whether it’s providing vet-recommended expert advice, or providing a top-notch diet from puppy to adult to senior. And of course, don’t  forget our range of healthy treats for when they’ve been extra good.