If you’re wanting to buy a puppy, but don’t know where to start, follow these tips on finding a healthy, happy puppy that’s been bred in safe conditions.
Is buying a puppy online safe?
It’s not recommended to buy a puppy online because you don’t know the background; it may have come from a puppy farm where dogs are kept in awful conditions.
Unlicensed puppy farms still exist in the U.K. so do your homework before buying a puppy and insist on seeing the puppy first. Make sure it is with its mother and not separated or kept in poor living conditions.
Can you buy puppies from a shop?
In the U.K. it is not possible unless the shop owner bred the animals themselves. In April 2020 the government introduced Lucy’s Law banning third-party sales of puppies and kittens.
Lucy was kept for five years in a cramped cage, forced to deliver litter after litter. This is horrendous treatment and she ended up with a deformed spine and was very underweight.
Anyone in the U.K. must buy from a reputable breeder or rescue centre.
Where is the safest place to buy a puppy?
As mentioned above buying a new puppy online is not advised, get your new pet from one of the following places:
Kennel Club – Go to the Kennel Club website and click the find a puppy or rescue dog banner. You will then be able to search through the breeds under the dog and rescue dog tabs. You can enter your postcode and search for dogs in your area. Kennel Club assured breeders have green ticks next to their names.
Rescue Centre – Get in touch with a rescue centre near you like the Dogs Trust, RSPCA or Blue Cross. The pdsa has a page with recommendations on where you should get a dog from.
You will need to fill out forms and will be checked to see if you and your house are suitable for adopting a dog. You will have the opportunity to meet the dog to see if you are a good match.
By getting a dog from a rescue centre, you can be assured that your dog will be vaccinated, microchipped, neutered or, if they’re not ready for this, you will be given a neutering voucher and health checked.
Your Vet
Visit your vet and ask for recommendations. Sometimes they have puppies advertised on their notice boards by local people in the area.
Points to Note
A puppy shouldn’t be separated from its mother until 8-12 weeks have passed, because they are still developing at this time. Always make sure that you see the puppy with its mother before committing to buying. Never buy a puppy if you have any doubts at all about the breeder.
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