Avoiding puppy farming
In light of Puppy Awareness Week, the Kennel Club (KC) has expressed its concern over the "shocking" number of people buying puppy-farmed pets.
Farmed puppies are separated from their mother and can be bought on the internet, from pet shops or from newspaper ads. Up to one in four people may have bought from a puppy farm in 2011 without even knowing it, according to KC research.
It is hoped that by raising awareness, people will be more inclined to go directly to breeders or rescue homes and avoid the puppy farming trade.
The study found that 20 percent of people bought their puppies from possible farming outlets, with 30 percent revealing they did not see their puppy's mother and 31 percent admitting they did not see their puppy in its breeding environment.
It is believed that the fashion for designer breeds may have led to a rogue puppy trade, and the study found that many people had their puppies delivered by mail order with many others collecting their puppies from a mutual location - usually to conceal the cramped farming conditions and overused bitches.
The KC's Puppy Awareness Week takes place this week (8 - 15 September) in the hope of preventing dogs from ending up in rescue homes. The KC believe this happens when people buy the wrong dog for their lifestyle and/or go to the wrong breeder and cannot cope further down the line.
"Buying a puppy online means that buyers have no idea of the often appalling conditions the puppies were born into," said KC Secretary, Caroline Kisco. "Sadly, these puppies often grow up with health and behavioural problems which can cost thousands of pounds to treat or lead to heartbreak if the problems cannot be overcome."
Puppy Awareness Week aims to help ensure a dog is a dog for life.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
