Dog Battery Farming Explained

Here at Friday Ad we are consummate animal lovers and we support the proper, safe and legal trade of pets within the UK, from pedigree breeders selling top breeds to animals looking for loving new homes. However in the past few years a troubling new practice has arisen in the animal trade industry and for Dog traders and buyers in particular the problem of Battery Farming, which is also known as Puppy Farming.

Battery Farming is a cruel, abusive and inhumane practice and the Dog Battery Farming Industry has come under attack from various powerful organisations such as P.E.T.A and the R.S.P.C.A for it’s harmful and abusive treatment of animals, but sadly the industry remains strong within the Uk.

So what exactly is Dog Battery Farming, how is it done and why is it so harmful? Well firstly, those who work on battery farms are not skilled breeders, they lack the knowledge, training and experience to produce pedigree dogs. So any dog bought from a battery farm is more than likely not a pure breed and may have physical ailments caused by poor breeding. Dogs from battery farms tend to be a lot cheaper than dogs from reputable breeders, but the quality of the dog’s pedigree and the quality of the life the dog has are vastly different. Buying a dog from a battery farm may be cheaper but it could end up costing you a lot more in vets bills to treat hereditary ailments, injuries or behavioural problems dogs from this industry and are likely to pick up. So if you are certain you want a pedigree breed then avoid battery farming (battery farming sellers can be identified by looking for ‘pedigree’ dogs being sold at a much lower than usual rate, an inability to produce authenticity documents or show the parents of the dog etc) and contact a licensed breeder instead. Dogs in Battery farms are kept in ill fitting and inappropriate buildings to be bred, such as barns, sheds, caravans and warehouses. The welfare and needs of the animals are not met, and many farmers simply view the dogs as ‘crop’ rather than the intelligent, feeling animals that they are. Basic needs such as adequate food, water, space and cleanliness are ignored and the dogs are often kept in cramped and filthy cages. Whats worse is that many dogs are used to breed when they are either too young, too old for safe pregnancies or are too sick to be pregnant. The breeding animals are given no break from pregnancy and it can cripple their bodies as much as their tiny cages do. They are not treated with love or affection and many of the poor dogs live in fear, so when they do become someone’s pet they don’t act like a normal dog would- the trauma of their experience living in a battery farm can leave dogs anxious, malnourished, aggressive, lethargic and unwilling to go for walks or explore. Whats worse is that breeding bitches and studs are kept in such conditions their entire lives and sadly it is estimated that 95% of them die in battery farms. The lucky few who do manage to make it out may be traumatized, sick or scared but it is well worth rescuing an ex-breeding dog to witness their joy at being provided with fresh water, bedding and love and affection. Ex-breeding dogs can be extremely loyal and loving once they feel safe and secure in their new home and learn to trust humans again.

In Wales the proportion of battery dog farms is proportionally higher than anywhere else in the Uk and Welsh puppy farms are responsible for supplying the vast majority of the illegal dogs sold in England and Scotland. Despite media coverage, protests and debate this vile trade continues to flourish in Wales, with most of the dogs being passed on through sophisticated networks of underground dealers, while others end up being sold on the internet or being bought by pet shops.

Pet Shops are particularly responsible for contributing towards battery farming. They buy the dogs from breeders who are licensed by local authorities and councils to trade the dogs, however it’s worth noting that no good dog breeder would sell their dogs to a pet shop. What’s more, buying a battery farmed puppy from a pet shop provides you with none of the background of the animal or any clue into the welfare of it.  Diseases, infections and malnourishment are common problems found in both puppy farm dogs and pet shop dogs. If you are certain you would like a dog but can not afford to buy from an expensive, but licensed and professional breeder, then you should consider offering an animal in a shelter a loving new home. These pets are often free or require a small donation to obtain, and you will be providing a brand new life for the abandoned animal. While the Battery farming trade flourishes thousands of dogs are left waiting in rescue shelters.

Sadly puppies that aren’t sold by puppy farmers or to pet stores often suffer a tragic fate. They are either put to breeding as soon as possible until they are crippled and ill or if they are found unfit or unable to breed they can end up being killed. Many puppies are hit over the head or drowned. If this isn’t shocking enough there has even been evidence of non breeding puppies being sold on to laboratory testing labs!

Please be mindful of the signs, cost and brutality of dog farming and if you spot anything suspicious online contact the site directly to report the ad, or contact your local R.S.P.C.A branch.

Together we can stop Puppy Farming by the choices we make when buying dogs and by rescuing dogs from shelters.

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