A DOG breeder from Harvington has made a plea for people to make sure they buy their pets from reputable sources.
Zoe Edwards, who has been breeding poodles and crossbreeds such as Cavapoos for 10 years recently rescued two young dogs that were offered for sale to a friend over social media.
She told the Observer that her friend – also a breeder – had been directly approached via Messenger and believes the sellers probably thought her friend might be interested in using the poodle dog and bitch to breed from.
Worried about what would happen the animals which were showing clear signs of neglect, Zoe decided to step in and buy the pair after meeting with the sellers in a village near Evesham in February.
She ‘very reluctantly’ paid £200 but felt their fate would have been ‘quite a lot worse’ if she hadn’t bought them. “I was concerned if they got advertised on the open market that they could end up being used in dog fighting or used for breeding.”
The couple who claimed to be from Telford told her they needed to sell the dogs as they were homeless. She noted that they hadn’t given the dogs names.
“They were in a right state,” Zoe said. “They had heavily matted fur, were very anxious and dehydrated. And had obviously lived an outdoor, feral life.”
Zoe took them to the vets the following day who treated them for an ear infection, fleas and worms. He thought they were both around two years old. The female who she has named Minnie was also desperately thin and underweight.
“I suspect the couple had tried to breed from them but because Minnie was so malnourished she couldn’t get pregnant,” she added.
Fortunately after being in Zoe’s expert care for a few weeks the pair have flourished.
“I’ve socialised and trained them as best I can and they are now very happy. They went from being very scared, jumpy and anxious to quite content. Minnie is a delight.”
The dog – now called Sammy – found his forever home last Friday and is ‘doing fabulously’ but Zoe is keeping hold of Minnie to build up her weight. She’s already turned down offers from people who would like to give her a home.
“I want to rehome her with a family that doesn’t have any other pets so she is the ‘only dog’ and has all the love and care she deserves.”
Since October 2018, it is a legal requirement for dog breeders and anyone selling animals as pets to be licensed by their local authority.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 were put in place by DEFRA to try to tackle puppy farming and dogs living in poor, unsanitary conditions and being bred continuously purely for the owner to make money.
It also aims to stop puppies being sold by third parties and being brought in from abroad to be sold.
Zoe reiterates how important it is for prospective dog owners to go to licensed breeders or a charity like the Dogs Trust if they want to own a dog.
“There is a dark side to the world of dog breeding and going to a reputable breeder stops supporting the unethical practices that result in long term health conditions.
“It is really important for not only the health of the pups but also the welfare of their mums which can be kept in poor conditions.”
