‘VERY WORRYING TREND’: SICK TRUTH BEHIND THE ‘DESIGNER DOG’ MARKET

A spike in abandoned pets is pushing Australian pet shelters to breaking point as advocates point the finger at ‘designer dog’ puppy farms.

While some Australian pet shelters are reaching breaking point, the online designer dog trade is booming.

But animal welfare advocates claim the trade is a strain on shelters and foster carers are already at breaking point.

On Wednesday, news.com.au reported on the spike in surrendered animals in Australian shelters.

Some Sydney providers reported a massive spike in surrendered pets, sparked by post-Covid pet regret. They said many people who abandoned their animals to the organisations were not ready for the impact the pets would have on their lifestyle post-lockdowns.

According to Four Paws Australia, puppy farming and the ‘designer dog’ market also played a part as the trade continues to boom.

“This is a very worrying trend, especially when coupled with the fact that it has become increasingly common for Australians to buy animals online through classified ad sites and via social media, especially breeds considered ‘designer’ animals which attract a high dollar value,” Four Paws national director Rebecca Linigen said.

“With thousands of animals advertised online on any given day, this is a major industry with little to no animal welfare regulation.

“Not only does the puppy trade carry high animal welfare risks for puppies, it also comes with risks that new owners do not foresee.”

Ms Linigen said these sales were often eventually associated with high veterinary bills for ongoing medical problems and at times, expensive behavioural therapy due to the conditions of “puppy farms”.

This, coupled with the high cost of living and the mass migration back to work post-Covid, only adds to the spike in surrendered pets.

“The new owners, who are often unaware under which circumstances their new puppy has been bred, must suffer alongside their dog,’ she said.

“Witnessing the struggle of the animal due to the health implications from the breeding practices, as well as the high veterinary bills, to make the life of the animals a bit more comfortable can take a toll on the owners.

“People who have spent thousands of dollars purchasing a puppy are now facing ongoing veterinary bills due to the animal’s poor health, due to their breeding conditions.  

“While animal shelters and pounds are overflowing with unwanted, abandoned and rejected pets, the unwavering demand for puppies and designer dogs ensure that puppy farms are always in business.”

And the breeding operations can be atrocious.