A new report from global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS takes a look at the extent of the illegal puppy trade in the UK. The report, titled “Tricks of the Trade: the truth about the illegal puppy trade in the UK,” highlights widespread abuse within the online puppy market, with nearly half of all puppies sold on online platforms found to be illegally imported. The findings shed light on the suffering many puppies endure before reaching their new homes and the loopholes that allow unscrupulous breeders to operate.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 3.2 million UK families have acquired pets, with many choosing to buy online. According to FOUR PAWS UK, online pet adverts surged by 732% between June 2020 and June 2021, compared to the previous year. Over 24,000 adverts for pets were listed in this period, many of which promoted puppies bred in poor conditions and transported across Europe to the UK.
Emily Wilson, FOUR PAWS UK’s Head of Campaigns, said, “The shocking findings in our new report highlight the ugly truth behind the trade and how illegal breeders push dogs and their puppies to their physical limits to make as much profit as quickly as possible.”
Puppies being sold online were often taken from their mothers too early and transported across long distances in cramped, unsanitary conditions
The report found that online platforms such as Gumtree, Instagram, and Facebook are key channels for illegal breeders. Over a third of survey respondents reported seeing puppies advertised on social media. In many cases, these adverts promoted puppies that were far too young to have been legally imported, a practice that can result in serious health and developmental problems for the animals.
Puppies being sold online were often taken from their mothers too early and transported across long distances in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The report indicates that some breeders, particularly from Eastern Europe, offer to falsify documentation to cover up the illegal importation. Puppies are often sold without the necessary health checks, putting both the animals and their new owners at risk.
Wilson added, “With our report finding many of the Eastern European breeders investigated to be offering to falsify puppy documentation, we urge people to be extra vigilant when looking to buy a puppy online.”
The report also highlights the lack of regulation on online platforms, which have become key facilitators of the illegal puppy trade. According to FOUR PAWS UK, nearly half of all puppies sold on Gumtree were found to be illegally imported into the UK. The report criticises these platforms for not requiring sellers to provide sufficient information, allowing breeders to operate with minimal oversight.
“An oversight taken advantage of by a trade clearly placing profit over the welfare of the animals involved,” said Wilson. FOUR PAWS UK is calling for stricter regulations on online marketplaces, requiring more detailed information from sellers to ensure transparency and protect the welfare of animals.
FOUR PAWS has outlined several warning signs that can help potential buyers identify illegal puppy sellers. These include sellers requesting to meet in public places rather than at their homes, advertising puppies before they have arrived in the UK, and failing to provide documentation or photographs showing the puppy with its mother.
“The issue of the illegal puppy trade is something that needs tackling at every level”
According to Lucy’s Law, puppies should be sold from the premises where they were bred and must be seen interacting with their mother. Illegal sellers often use tactics to obscure the origins of their puppies, such as changing the location of a sale at the last minute or providing forged health documents. Buyers should be cautious of sellers who cannot provide clear and transparent information about the puppy’s background.
Veterinary surgeon and animal welfare campaigner Marc Abraham, who supported the report, highlighted the severe impact that early separation from their mother and long journeys can have on puppies’ health and development. Many puppies sold illegally arrive in poor health, requiring immediate veterinary attention that their new owners may not be prepared for.
FOUR PAWS UK is urging potential dog owners to consider adoption as the best option, but if purchasing a puppy, to be vigilant and conduct thorough research. Illegal breeding not only exploits puppies and their parents but also deceives families who unknowingly purchase sick or underdeveloped animals.
Emily Wilson concluded, “The issue of the illegal puppy trade is something that needs tackling at every level. That’s why FOUR PAWS UK will always provide support and advice for individuals looking to buy, for local authorities who enforce licensing legislation, and for these large selling platforms to ensure that together, we can end this cruel trade for good.”
