Puppy Mills

Backyard breeding is rife in New Zealand, and while it’s a big moneymaker for some, it’s the animals who pay the real price. Investigations have uncovered squalid backyard operations with multiple dogs living in shocking conditions.

Log on to Trade Me, type in ‘puppies,’ and you’re a few clicks away from being able to purchase a dog. Any dog. From miniature toy breeds to St Bernards. Puppies range in price from $100 to $4,000, and there are few regulations with which breeders need to comply. Some sellers have multiple litters of a range of different breeds listed, clearly indicating that they are a big operation.

Mother dogs used for breeding are often subjected to multiple, consecutive pregnancies until they are ‘spent’ meaning their bodies are exhausted and drained. Puppies are sold without being de-sexed, to anyone who can pay, sometimes with no checks into the potential new owner’s home or history.

Brachycephalic dogs, such as pugs and French and English bulldogs, suffer daily from breathing problems due to their shortened noses and restricted airways. The New Zealand Veterinary Association has described the life of these breeds as like “spending your whole day trying to breathe through a pillow.”

In March 2018, Trade Me banned the sale of pugs, British bulldogs and French bulldogs, including crossbreeds. This was an important step in helping to educate people about the suffering of these breeds, but there is still a lot of work to do to get this information out into the mainstream.

Sadly, there are very few regulations that apply to the breeding and sale of companion animals. Almost anybody can breed and sell dogs with no experience whatsoever.
However, some things are slowly changing for the better. Pet shops are increasingly moving away from selling pets sourced from breeders and are instead working with shelters such as the SPCA to rehome more animals. This ensures that animals are desexed, fully vaccinated, wormed and microchipped before going to their new homes.

Whether it’s a puppy or an older dog stealing your heart, you’ll be sure to find your forever friend by adopting from a shelter.

Finding the right fit is important, as some dogs require a lot more exercise than others. High energy dogs like border collies are ideal running buddies, while greyhounds love a good nap.
Due to public misconceptions around bull breeds, shelters are often full of these chunky, misunderstood cuddle sponges. Elderly dogs often find themselves at shelters due to their human companions moving into a care facility where animals are not allowed.

When you adopt a dog from a shelter, whether a puppy or an older dog, something wonderful happens – you give someone a second chance at life and make a public stand against the unnecessary breeding of dogs.