An appeal to raise funds to care for 29 dogs and puppies rescued from a dirty and cramped puppy farm has raised five times the target figure.
Gables Dogs and Cats Home in Plympton took in the dogs – a mixture of labradors, poodles and labradoodles – after they had been removed from a Devon property being used as a puppy farm.
Gables launched an online appeal to raise £3,000 to care for the dogs – and were overwhelmed by the response. As the Chronicle went to press a staggering £15,373 had been raised.
Claire Sparkes, general manager at Gables said:
“When the new Animal Welfare Regulations came into force in October 2018 it was supposed to put an end to backstreet breeders, puppy farming and the hideous conditions dogs have to endure, to produce cute designer puppies on mass.
“Sadly this is far from the case for 41 adult dogs and puppies who have recently been removed from a local Devon property, with Gables Dogs & Cats Home taking in 29 of them.”
The dogs had been living in cramped conditions in their own waste, with limited access to food, water and any basic health care. They arrived at Gables in a terrible condition. Their fur was matted and they were suffering from numerous health issues such as ear mites, infections, malnutrition and worms. Gables has begun treatment but sadly the worm burden proved too much for some of the very small puppies, leading to severe malnutrition and jeopardising their survival. One little puppy spent a week in veterinary intensive care but sadly passed away in one of the vet nurse’s arms.
The mothers of all these puppies were extremely underweight as they struggled to keep up with the demand of having to nurse large litters, one after the other. Thankfully the puppies have been properly weaned now so they can start to enjoy a life for themselves instead of being used as product producing machines.
Claire added:
“For anyone considering purchasing a puppy from a breeder, I urge you to insist on seeing one or both parents of any puppy as well as observe their living conditions. We hear so many horror stories of people meeting in places like car parks and service stations to purchase a puppy as well as receiving puppies by mail order!
“These puppies are normally taken away from their mothers far too early and end up with severe medical problems that can cost hundreds and even thousands of pounds. We would appreciate any help towards the cost of the ongoing treatment these dogs so desperately need.”
The £15,000 came from contributions to the ‘Labradoodle disaster’ campaign at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/labradoodledisaster.
The extra funds will be used by Gables to help the other animals in their care.
