Report illegal dog breeding?
Do you suspect that someone is involved in illegal pet breeding and selling, or breaching animal welfare standards in the course of dog, cat or rabbit breeding?
Be our eyes and ears and report your concerns to us.
Do you suspect that someone is involved in illegal dog breeding or puppy farming?
Maybe you know about a suspected kitten farm?
Do you think someone is breaching welfare standards in the course of dog, cat or rabbit breeding?
Perhaps you’ve had a concerning experience in the course of buying a puppy, kitten or rabbit?
Be our eyes and ears and report your concerns to us.
Explore this section
How do I report illegal dog breeding in the UK?
Natalie explains where to report suspected illegal dog breeding, whether you’re in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
If you believe someone is involved in illegal or low-welfare dog breeding or selling, you can also report it to our Hotline 4 Pets (which covers cat and rabbit breeding too). Our investigations team will review your information and pass credible reports to the relevant authorities. Watch the video to find out what we’ll need from you.
Since 2018 we’ve been carrying out investigations and helping the authorities to bring people to justice for animal crimes.
Puppy farming, kitten farming and illegal pet breeding and selling is a serious business, and some people are making vast sums of money from the systematic exploitation of pets and the public.
We need your help to end it.
What we need you to do
If you know about an illegal puppy or kitten farming operation, or you suspect illegal pet breeding or selling is taking place near you, please don’t keep it to yourself.
If you suspect someone of illegal dog breeding, puppy farming, kitten farming or welfare breaches in the course of dog, cat or rabbit breeding, complete our online form and we’ll look into your concerns.
Our investigations can only get results with your help.
Watch our supporters share their comments on our investigations.
What happens next?
Gathering information
If you’re concerned about illegal pet breeding or selling, it’s useful to try to gather some or all of the following:
- Times, dates and locations
Information about those involved, including names and descriptions - An account of what you’ve witnessed or why you’re concerned
- Car registration numbers and/or vehicle descriptions
- Any photos (but do not put yourself at risk)
- Screenshots of any concerning adverts and/or links to social media pages, websites etc.
If you’ve purchased an animal, any receipts and/or paperwork received.
Exploitation
How are dogs exploited by illegal dog breeders and puppy traders?
Puppy smuggling
Large numbers of puppies are smuggled into the UK each year, particularly from Eastern European puppy farms, where conditions are horrendous.
Pups are often transported long distances without their mum and without their basic needs being met. The risk of disease is high, and sadly some don’t make it. Those who do are sold by puppy dealers to unsuspecting members of the public, who often have no idea their new best friend has had such a cruel start in life.
Illegal breeding
The problems don’t just occur on puppy farms. There’re lots of people involved in breeding who should be licensed by the local council.
Licensing exists to ensure breeders are meeting minimum dog welfare standards. There’s no way of knowing if those who evade regulation are doing the right thing. And there’s networks out there of illegal backstreet breeders who are helping to supply the illicit puppy trade.
Canine fertility clinics
Businesses that sell breeding procedures, such as artificial
insemination. They often operate without veterinary involvement and many exist to help people breed from dogs who cannot reproduce naturally, which is unethical.
People who provide veterinary services should be complying with veterinary law and regulation, but many of these businesses are entirely unregulated, posing risks to dog welfare.
Puppy farming
Where large numbers of dogs – often belonging to multiple ‘popular’ breeds – are kept in intensive conditions to maximise puppy ‘production’. Large-scale commercial breeding is not sadly illegal, but failing to meet breeding and animal welfare standards most certainly is.
Puppy farms can be hotbeds for disease, and due to the sheer number of dogs, it can be impossible for their welfare needs to be met, particularly as puppy farms often operate with minimal staff to keep costs down.
What we need you to do
If you suspect someone of illegal dog breeding, puppy farming, kitten farming or welfare breaches in the course of dog, cat or rabbit breeding, complete our online form and we’ll look into your concerns.
How you can help
There are lots of ways to help with our work, from making a donation through to holding fundraising events or even getting involved as a volunteer. Below, you can explore the different ways to help us continue raising standards for animals.
Share your story and photos to help us celebrate the powerful bond between people and their animals.
This simple step would reduce harm to wildlife. Help us deliver this message directly to retailers who can make a real difference.
UK wildlife is under threat, yet crimes against it are treated as minor offences. Urgent legal reform is needed.
Join us in telling your local MP why a change in law is vital to protect our wildlife.
Join us in asking the UK Government to finally end animal testing for all everyday household products.
Unethical extreme designer pet trends are pushing cats and kittens to the limit.
Join us in calling for extreme cat breeding to be banned across the UK.
Your support helps us protect wildlife and tackle cruelty. Every donation makes a real impact.
Take part in a way that works for you, whether volunteering, fundraising or donating items, and help create a kinder future for animals.
