The government launches a new campaign urging people to take simple steps to research sellers before buying a puppy or a kitten.
Pet lovers duped into buying sick puppies and kittens by deceitful sellers could be faced with up to £5000 in additional vet bills within the first year of a puppy or kitten’s life if they do not buy their pet from a responsible breeder.
The warning comes from a new government awareness campaign backed by the Chief Veterinary Officer and leading animal charities who are urging people to be aware of low-welfare breeders and look out for the red flags when buying a puppy or kitten.
It is not just puppy farming that has alarmingly increased with reports of a staggering 300% increase of cats involved in the kitten trade bred in low-welfare conditions. 
The poor breeding conditions can cause illnesses leading to huge vet costs and, in severe cases, even lead to the pet being put to sleep. One in five vets say that they have seen illnesses so severe they have reported the case to the authorities.
The ban on third-party sale of puppies and kittens, also known as ‘Lucy’s Law’, will come into force on 6 April to ban the sale of puppies or kittens from third party sellers such as pet shops or commercial dealers.
The new campaign is urging the public to do their part by ensuring that they only buy pets from responsible breeders and are vigilant in reporting any cases of animals that they suspect to be bred in low-welfare conditions to the RSPCA.
A new website has been launched to help people spot the different tricks used to mislead buyers at: getyourpetssafely.campaign.gov.uk.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “I can’t stress enough the importance of doing research before buying a puppy or kitten. Being tricked into buying a seriously ill puppy or kitten is more common than you think.
“We want new pet owners to make the best possible decisions where they are truly informed about what they are purchasing to avoid unscrupulous sellers. Familiarise yourself with cagey behaviour. Warning signs such as a seller’s unwillingness to answer questions or provide legitimate medical documentation could lead to a host of illnesses and even premature death for your pet.
“It’s important to report suspicions of UK puppy farming or low-welfare kitten trade activity to the RSPCA and avoid the temptation to save the pet yourself. By turning down a low-welfare raised pet you are helping to stop this cruelty once and for all.”
The importance of doing research
With a clear consensus among vets – 87% strongly agree that the public needs access to clear information in order to do effective research before buying a pet.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched its Petfished short film with journalist Leah Greed who follows pet-owner pitfalls at the hands of deceitful sellers to help the public avoid these everyday tragedies.
Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations said: “Across the UK Cats Protection regularly hears of harrowing stories of underage and very sick kittens that are sold by private sellers.
“Kittens shouldn’t be separated from their mothers until they are eight to nine weeks of age, and they should appear bright, engaged and sociable. Buyers should read online adverts carefully and gather as much information as possible before going to see a kitten.”
RSPCA Inspector Callum Issit, who appears in the Petfished short film (below) said: “There’s always been a high consumer demand for puppies and kittens and sadly there are people out there who try and meet this demand by prioritising quick case profits at the expense of animal welfare.
“Puppy farming in particular is a disturbing industrial-scale attempt to meet this demand and the low-welfare conditions and animal illnesses this leads to are distressing. Some of the worst cases I’ve seen have resulted from so-called ‘back-yard’ kitten breeders removing a kitten from its mother too early with little chance of survival or hundreds of puppies kept together in their own faeces with matted fur.
“It’s important that the public remain vigilant. If you suspect foul play at any stage when researching and buying your pet, report the seller immediately to the RSPCA or your local authority to help us stop this. If you’re looking for a new pet to join your family, please consider giving a rescue animal a new home.”
