Puppy Farm Awareness Day - 19th September

Puppy farm awareness day is designed to raise awareness of puppy farming in Australia. Many people are unaware that this cruel industry is alive and well in this country and each year hundreds are duped into paying, sometimes thousands of dollars for an unhealthy farmed pup.

Puppy farm facts

A puppy farm is a large dog breeding facility created to mass produce puppies for profit. Likened to battery hens, the breeding dogs are kept in cages or pens for their entire life with the sole purpose of producing puppies for the pet shop, internet and overseas markets.

• Puppy farms contribute to hundreds of thousands of unwanted dogs who are killed each year in Australia
• Puppy farm puppies are more likely to have severe health problems, genetic defects and behavioural issues
• Documented puppy farm conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialisation
• Dogs kept for breeding in puppy farms suffer for years and are bred as often as possible before they are killed, or are abandoned to rescue

What can I do?

1. Spread the word

Let people know that puppy mills exist in Australia and that you should never buy a puppy from a pet shop. The easiest way to effect change is by simple supply and demand. If you and everyone you know no longer considers buying a pet from a pet shop then these breeders lose their main outlet for profit.

• Spread the word about puppy farm to your friends, family members and colleagues
• Print our puppy farm posters
• Tell people about our Facebook page 'Australia says no to puppy farms'

2. Never shop at stores that sell puppies or kittens

Boycott stores that sell pets and let them know why.

3. Support pet-free stores

Buy food, supplies and toys at shops that do not sell pets; and be sure to tell them why they have you as a customer.

4. Adopt your next pet from a rescue group

Groups from around the country advertise pets looking for new homes on PetRescue. Puppies, pure breeds, designer dogs and mutts all come into rescue. A good rescue group will be able to help you choose the right dog for your lifestyle.

5. Ensure that you never buy a dog from a puppy farm

If the only test you have to pass to get the puppy is whether your credit card charge goes through, that's a pretty good sign the breeder doesn't have the puppy's best interests at heart - or yours. Many animal lovers feel they are saving the puppy in the pet shop window, but in reality you may be condemning the mother, a puppy farm dog, to a life of misery.

6. Run your own website? Add one of our banners and link back to www.wheredopuppiescomefrom.com.au to spread awareness!

Press 'right click' + 'save' to send this image to friends and family to help save them from the heartbreak of buying a puppy farm pup...