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EXPOSING BACKYARD BREEDERS

Backyard breeding is the irresponsible breeding of animals in inadequate conditions with insufficient care, often by people with little experience or knowledge. When irresponsible breeding is carried out on a large scale, the term puppy or kitten farming is used.

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WHAT IS A BACKYARD BREEDER?

"The average pet owner that breeds their dog(s)."

So, why are back yard breeders a problem? Well, they just breed dogs for the sake of it. They may have a sweet pet they want to try and reproduce or they think that their dogs are quality because they have papers and/or are registered with some registry. They think maybe they can make a few dollars selling pups, etc. They just put out dogs without real consideration for the future of not only the breed but the puppies produced.

Often, BYBs breed dogs with faults. This perpetuates fault and problems in the breed. They do nothing to prove their dogs are of sound temperament and that they are breeding good representatives of the breed, etc. They just breed.

SEE OUR UNDERCOVER VIDEO ON A BACKYARD BREEDER IN WORCESTERSHIRE

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BATTERSEA’S NEW REPORT EXPOSES THE MURKY WORLD OF DOG BREEDING

Government figures indicate 560,000 puppies are born in England each year, but Battersea Dogs & Cats Home​ has exposed a shocking lack of regulation of this market that could be helping breeders and dealers sell dogs from unsuitable premises long before they’re ready to leave their mothers.

Enforcement in this area is carried out by Local Authorities, issuing breeding licences to anyone selling puppies commercially, or producing five or more litters per year and regularly inspecting the premises of dog breeders.

But our new report shows:

  • Less than 12% of puppies born in Great Britain every year are bred by licensed breeders, meaning 88% of puppies born in the UK are born to unlicensed breeders.

  • Over a third of Local Authorities do not have any licensed breeders

  • 77% of Local Authorities did not issue any new licences to new breeders in 2014

  • There is a huge discrepancy of up to 32 times in the charges for breeding licences, suggesting huge variations in the way breeders are inspected and approved to sell puppies

  • The scarcity of breeding applications in some Council areas means that dog breeding premises are regulated by staff whose expertise may lie primarily in inspecting taxis, restaurants or other non-animal premises.

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