Online platform to raise awareness of illegal puppy farming

Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is launching an interactive online platform to raise awareness of the illegal puppy trade, and provide a tool for duped buyers to share their experiences.

With a booming illegal trade in puppies, thousands are sold under false pretences on the internet, in pet shops and in public spaces, having been bred in poor conditions and separated from their mothers too early.

Birgitt Theismann, a companion animal expert at FOUR PAWS, says: “Our main goal is to reduce the demand for cheap pedigree puppies from dubious sources and to stop the activity of illegal traders.

"With the help of concerned dog buyers we wish to gather more research, expose traders and support our demands for changes to the law."

The charity is calling for an EU-wide regulation for all dogs to be microchipped, vaccinated and registered. Initially, the website will be launched in the UK, Gemany and Austria.

Thiessman adds: “In special cases we will contact the concerned parties, in order to get more information regarding the case. However, because we cannot follow up on every case, we are asking concerned dog owners to collect all the necessary information and hand it in at their local responsible authority."

Click here to find out more about the FOUR PAWS initiative. 

Image courtesy of Vier Pfoten/FOUR PAWS