What the experts say

Associate Professor Paul McGreevy

Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney
BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, MACVS (Animal Welfare), Cert CABC, Grad Cert Higher Education, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine

"People going past pet shop windows might see this beautiful fluffy puppy and just know that it is beautiful and fluffy, and think that's all they need to know. They will buy that dog and then begin to start to pick up the pieces because they haven't looked into the origins of that dog.

"The puppy mills are suppling the pet shops with these animals with very little regard for their physiological or behavioural health. All they need to provide is a beautiful fluffy puppy."

Karin Bridge

President, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia

"Puppies should never be raised as 'livestock'. Their role is that of a companion animal for people and they are able to fulfill that role best when they are born into a family home and raised amongst the noise and chaos of the human family. Puppy mills and pet shop windows cannot replicate a home environment.

"Puppies who fail to receive adequate early exposure and socialisation are sometimes never able to cope with modern, urban living. Training can then become a constant uphill battle. Typical problems resulting from a lack of early socialisation include shyness, sound sensitivity and fear aggression. For ex-breeding stock who may have spent years in an impoverished environment the problems may be so severe as to make life as a normal family pet impossible."

Michael Beatty

Media & Community Relations Manager, RSPCA QLD

"Irresponsible breeders and their 'puppy farms' have a huge impact on the RSPCA and animal welfare in general. In simple terms the sheer numbers involved put enormous strain on our Shelters' resources and finances. When large numbers of animals have to be seized by our Inspectors for welfare reasons they often arrive with serious veterinary problems and, if there are adult dogs involved, behavioural issues as well. The prolonged legal processes that follow can often take months to resolve leaving the animals in limbo.

"The general public must be made aware that puppy farms are simple money making exercises, nothing more, nothing less! More often than not the puppies have genetic problems that don’t surface until later, leaving the new owners with major veterinary procedures to finance. Consequently puppy farms contribute to the staggering numbers of juvenile and adult dogs that end up at our Shelters. The RSPCA believes it is imperative that mandatory de-sexing at point of sale be introduced for dogs and cats."

Michelle Williamson

Top Dog, PetRescue

"Contrary to the popular belief that puppies are a 'clean slate', by the time they reach their new families they are in fact very affected by the upbringing and environment they have been subjected to. But you can’t tell because the problems they have don’t surface until they are adults and you find yourself trying to manage their unwanted behaviours.

"This is why I’m such a fan of adult dog adoption for families. Adult dog personalities are totally developed and there for all to see and if placed with a complementary family, they are a match made in heaven."