Buying a puppy

The Scottish SPCA work as part of a Pet trade taskforce, a multi-agency enforcement group, dedicated to tackling the illegal and illicit puppy trade.

As a group we understand that sometimes families decide to add a puppy to their family rather than a rescue dog.

We have a compiled a checklist of what to look for when considering purchasing a puppy and how to report if you see something.

Checklist

• Do not buy online or from someone where it is impossible to verify where the dog is actually coming from.
• Anyone considering buying a puppy should research the potential breeder carefully, as unauthorised breeding can have a significant impact on the welfare of dogs.
• Arrange to visit and meet the breeder with the pups and their mother in the breeder’s home.
• Pay attention to the environment they are in – it should be clean, warm, dry, quiet, safe and suitable. It should be a large enough area, with easy access to fresh water.
• Make sure the house feels like a home and not a place rented for the purpose of showing you and other potential buyers around.
• Make sure the puppies look active, healthy and have no signs of illness. They should have clear eyes with no redness or discharge, a clear nose with no discharge, clear breathing with no wheezing or coughing, clean ears with no redness and obvious wax or discharge, healthy-looking skin with no scabs or sores, shiny and soft fur with no evidence of fleas, sturdy legs with no signs of limping, no visible ribs, and a clean and dry bottom.
• Healthy puppies are active, curious and interested in the world around them, so should show an interest in you and want to give you a sniff. They should also be comfortable being handled, and the breeder should encourage you to handle the dogs to help you choose which puppy is for you.
• Make sure the mother is happy and healthy and is interacting with the puppies. Both mum and pups should be active, alert and interacting with each other, and the mum should seem comfortable with you and other visitors.
• Check evidence of their vaccinations and flea and worming treatments, their microchipping documentation and their insurance details.
• Take your time and don’t feel pressurised if you think something is not right and ask as many questions as you like to feel sure.
• If you have purchased a puppy that shows any signs of illness or distress take them to a vet immediately.
• Contact the Scottish SPCA (Scotland) on 03000 999 999 or RSPCA (England and Wales) if you suspect the seller is acting suspiciously.

• If you witness suspicious activity at Belfast or Larne ports, please contact a member of staff immediately so that Department of Agriculture, Rural Affairs and the Environment (DAERA) staff can investigate. If you have information regarding either potential offences, regarding the illegal breeding or transportation of dogs in Northern Ireland, please contact the relevant organisation, details of which can be found at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/paws-thought.

• You can also report any suspicious activity anonymously to pawsforthought@daera-ni.gov.uk and any information will be passed to the relevant enforcement agency. Please note, this mailbox is operational during normal office hours only.