Glasgow puppies: SPCA boss gives warning on buying pets during lockdown

Despite recording a reduced number of abandoned cats and dogs in their care in Glasgow over the past year, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has warned this trend will change when lockdown ends. 

Once the nation can return to work full-time, the rescue organisation is cautious of receiving higher reports of people no longer able to care for pets they have purchased this year.

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SPCA Chief Superintendent, Mike Flynn, said: “The end of furlough will be similar to what we see at the end of every Christmas. During the holidays, people buy animals and it seems like a good idea at the time. Then, when they’re due to go back to work that’s when all of the problems start coming to the surface. 

“When the first lockdown happened in March, we advised people not to get pets during this time solely because they would only be available for them at that moment in time. We advised only to get pets if it would suit your lifestyle in the long-run - in other words when you return to work and the kids go back to school. 

“As opposed to the normal Christmas crisis, the lockdown is probably causing an even bigger problem in the fact that there will be pups that are now coming up to 10-months-old. They will have never, ever known their house without their owner being there.”

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The charity’s officers are preparing to care for a wave of animals who will suffer from separation anxiety as a result of being parted from their owners who will return to the office once the job retention scheme comes to a close. 

Mike added: “The separation anxiety and all of these other behavioural issues that normally happen in young dogs after Christmas will be more prevalent given the fact it’ll now be an adult dog that’s never known anything different. 

“This will lead the dogs to experience a wave of negative emotions including anxiousness and fear-aggressiveness. We’ll be expecting an influx of animals though our doors.

“It’s something that historically, we have always dealt with. But we are expecting a big increase when people go back to work.”

Amid a rising demand for puppies during lockdown, the charity faces a battle on two fronts as inflated prices for pups has seen illicit sellers cash in on the breeding trade. 

Mike said: “The prices of pups absolutely rocketed this year where people were obviously seeing a market for it. There’s concern for us that a lot of pups are being brought in from

Northern Irish puppy farms where they have come from very poor conditions and so they end up being very sick animals. 

The charity is urging new buyers to “check your homework” as it offers crucial advice to those thinking of buying a puppy in the near future. 

Mike said: “We’re urging people not to buy over the internet and if you are going to buy a pup any time soon, make sure you do all your homework.

“Check you’re buying from a licensed breeder who is registered with the local authority, local kennel club or recommended from a local vet. There’s going to be a lot of people who will lose a lot of money being conned out. All the signs are visible and there to see. 

“If you phone a reputable breeder, they’ll probably ask you more questions than what you ask them because they want their pups to go to a good home. Whereas, if you are buying from a puppy farm or a dealer, all they’re interested in is the cash. 

“Anybody that is genuinely selling a pup in safe conditions should be able to show the buyer the puppy, its brothers and sisters and its mum. This can easily be done over a Zoom call to give that reassurance. But always, ask to see the registered licence.

“If a breeder says their paperwork is available, get that delivered to you before the pup and double-check the details on the certificates to make sure they’re not forged. 

“It’s heartbreaking to hear of families that have bought from puppy farms. As you can imagine, most children would be ecstatic to get their puppy then to their devastation they have to suffer when the puppy gets ill and passes away only a few days after they’ve taken it home. 

“It’s a trading misery and I’m sorry to put a damper on anybody’s Christmas or New Year, but please be aware if you’re going to be getting any new pets and make sure you’re buying from a reputable source.”