Puppy Farms

I have not forgotten the dogs. How could I.? Every one my mum knows seems to breed dogs or know of some one who breeds dogs. Making money from dogs seems just a way of life for around here. Even if you have an indoor pet you are likely to have another dozen or so out side miserable cold and unloved.  Mum told me not to dwell on this; she said my next visit should be used up looking at the positive, all the rescues up here. So back at work board mindless I got on the internet asked a few questions and planned my days off.

 On my drive up I first stopped a huge well cared for very organized rescue, Good people well cared for dogs, (obviously funding to go with it) but really 5 stars. So hey at last some thing positive in Wales to do with dogs, I drove home pretty pleased, and not feeling it really necessary to look further, but boy was I wrong.

  Next day I went of to another expecting the same, it said open to public so I went in. The people were unfriendly, dogs going mad in cages, it stank and the animals care was minimal. Understaffed over populated, and from what I could see a money making venture, no expense paid out for animals comfort or vets bills. I thought it should have been inspection, but later I found it had and the authorities feel its fine. Recently taken over, I hate to think what the last owner feels, as I have been told she cared so much.

 Next 2 places both had web sites, one a site of their own. Primarily for other animals not dogs the place was about the most unfriendly I have ever been to. It was clear I was unwelcome , the owner has a mouth that needs washing out, and a person has since told me of many money scams this women's done in the name of animal rescue.

 Next fairly close to the last, I was told it was by appointment only. I asked for an appointment and was told the owner was on holiday. I asked when they would return I was told a month or so. There were many many dogs there, the owner has no income bar the rescue according to the info I have, so that got me thinking. Never got in that place either.

 Next a pound that said it rescued, well been there before, the pound/ rescue dogs have no bedding heat love or care, the boarding dogs were clean and looked ok, How could any one do that?

 Next a rescue so busy I was roped into unloading a van of what looked to me as if they were puppy farm dogs. On asking I was told they were ex breeding dogs. The owner was lifting one down, I saw her cry, but before the next staff member could see she wiped her eyes. The people worked as a team, it was sort of organized chaos. The dogs were in poor condition but all were treated with respect, and had baths and all sorts of treatments. The facilities were warm clean and though the place did not seem to have much funding every one was putting their hearts in it.

        I visited the last place again last week to see what had happened to the dogs I had unloaded. All had seen the vets, their hernias had been repaired specialists booked to see blind dogs, and dogs with other problems, some were going to homes others to foster care. I again was roped into helping. I asked why their site did not say more about these "ex breeding dogs" and was told the breeders read the site too. It was a real eye opener, over 1000 dogs a year and over 900 were what I call puppy farm dogs. Proof if you ask me that Wales and making money from breeding go hand in hand,

  One of the rescues had a well known slogan, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas"

 May be for Wales it should be "A dog is for life, not just to make money from"!!!!!