Advice for potential dog owners after puppies seized from farm

Advice from charities and animal welfare groups is to never buy a dog for Christmas. 

But those who are looking to purchase a dog are being urged to consider a rescue dog from a local charity first.

While the RSPCA says anyone thinking of getting a puppy should always use the ‘Puppy Contract’ so animals can be responsibly sourced.

The advice comes after Tameside Trading Standards seized 30 puppies from a suspected unlicensed puppy farm this week.

The animals have been placed in the care of the RSPCA and the council is investigating in partnership with the charity.

A Tameside Council spokesperson confirmed: “Trading Standards seized 30 puppies from a suspected unlicensed breeder at a puppy farm, which were suspected of being kept in squalid conditions causing unnecessary suffering.

“The puppies are currently with the RSPCA as part of ongoing investigations and so that they can have relevant health checks. 

“They will have to go through a quarantine period and then will potentially go through the rehoming process.

“If you’re getting a pet then please make sure your breeder is licensed. 

“Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/licensing/registered-establishments for more information. 

“If you are interested in giving a loving home to a dog then please contact the RSPCA or Dogs Trust.”

An RSPCA spokesperson confirmed: “RSPCA officers joined partner agencies including Tameside Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Police after a warrant was executed in the Tameside area. We are unable to comment further while enquiries continue.

“The dogs in our care are not currently available for adoption. 

“The RSPCA has hundreds of dogs looking for new homes across the country. Anyone interested in adopting a dog should visit the RSPCA’s Find A Pet webpage.”

But the RSPCA urges anyone thinking of getting a dog to first consider rescuing a dog from the charity.

The spokesperson continued: “There are lots of dogs of all shapes and sizes, but if buying a puppy is the right option please use the Puppy Contract to help you responsibly source and buy a happy, healthy puppy.”

“The Puppy Contract has been developed to empower puppy buyers and help them to avoid the problems that can arise from buying a puppy from an irresponsible breeder. It’s also a tool for responsible breeders to demonstrate the care they have taken in breeding and rearing happy, healthy puppies.

“Good breeding and care can help ensure puppies and their parents have happy and healthy lives. Irresponsible breeding and poor care can cause health and behavioural problems in puppies and stress and expense for owners.

“Puppy buyers can use the information provided by the breeder or seller to make a decision on whether they want to buy the puppy they have seen.”

The Puppy Contract can be downloaded for free from www.puppycontract.org.uk   

There is further information for people considering getting a puppy on our webpage here - about https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy

Images: Tameside Council