When you bought your pet from a pet shop did you assume that at the back of the shop there’s this one cozy corner with warm lights, soft cushions, a cute dog nursing its newborn puppies?
In reality, it’s more like this:
These are not photos of irresponsible pet owners.
To be brutally honest, if you have ever bought your pet dog or cat online, from a pet shop or Pasir Ris Farmway, YOU might have been the direct cause of these animals’ suffering. YOU have encouraged pet farms to continue breeding, to supply because of YOUR demand.
Why aren’t they properly taken care of?
To put it simply, pet farming is a business that involves high risks and operating costs.
Bitches are able to give birth only once to twice a year and usually give birth to no more than 4-5 puppies, usually lesser, for smaller breeds. Furthermore, it’s common to have bitches which are late, dogs that are past their fertile age and early death in puppies. Therefore, the breeder usually holds a large pool of dogs for breeding in a limited space, to increase chances of puppy births, to minimize financial risks.
As a result, who’s the one who’d suffer from irresponsible breeders whose aim is to keep costs as low as possible? Your puppy’s birth parents of course, but have you considered that you might be a victim as well?
How does it concern you?
Poor living standards, diets and breeding with close relatives causes poor genetics in offspring are reasons for improper breed standards, poor immune systems, genetic problems, causing a myriad of medical problems for your beloved pet, a ton of vet bills and heartaches for you.
“But my dog has a pedigree cert leh…”
I know some of you, even with much persuasion, would still want to get a puppy or a kitten. But a liar wouldn’t tell you he’s one would he? Firstly, the area where the pet is sold isn’t the place where the breeding stocks are kept, so even if the retail area are kept clean, it doesn’t mean that the rest of the area are kept the same.
Secondly, if the puppy has papers to show that it’s a pedigree or champion blood lines even, to be honest, it says nothing about the living conditions. A pedigree is just a term for a certified pure bred dog, that’s all.
As for champion bloodlines, breeders ain’t going to worship your puppy’s mommy and daddy high on a pedestal isn’t it? Furthermore, many champion are also bought, even if they aren’t, many show dogs’ lives are only marginally better, being confined for long hours just so that they’d look happy when they’re let out.
Finally, just because your pet is imported from Australia or any foreign countries doesn’t mean that they’re cared under the wings of an angel.
This is reality
I admit much news nowadays are sensationalized but ask if you were to ask animal rescuers, volunteers, adopters, honest vets, vet assistants, groomers, pet shop staffs, the photos you’vee seen are really a common sight. They all looked like that when they’re freshly rescued from pet farms.
I hope you would do a little bit more than to take my word for it. How about spending a few moments just researching on this topic? Add some of the organizations helping out farm animals in Singapore on Facebook. Let all of your friends know, because they might decide to buy a pet someday. Help your furry best friends, share this article.
Further reading:
Article in CNN Travel on puppy mills in Singapore